Congrats to our very fabulous food and fitness writer Jules, who welcomed son, Will, last month. Mom and baby are doing well and today Jules recommends a supportive solution for nursing moms: the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. Read on for Jules's review, as well as to learn how to win a Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow!

“As a new mom, breastfeeding has been – blessedly – less of a challenge than I heard it might be. On the other hand, the late night feedings, the marathon feedings, and the crying baby needing his feedings are much more of a challenge. Plus, early on I experienced neck and back pain during feedings and was very much in need of support.

Luckily, there’s a solution – at least to handle the neck and back pain – in the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow ($64 at Cuddoozle). This pillow offers the support I need during the frantic feedings of a fussy baby, and for my aching neck, thanks to its unique construction. First, compared to some popular nursing pillows on the market, the Cuddoozle feels sturdier. Second, it’s flat, which matters because it means my son stays put once we get in position, rather than flipping around on the other, rounder ones. And third, despite the previously described qualities which may make it sound a little shelf-like, the pillow actually allows for easy comfort for both mom and baby due to three layers of memory foam. Also included is a smaller pillow to help make other positional adjustments (e.g., elevating baby’s head, providing an arm, back, or head rest).

Aside from the ergonomics, the Cuddoozle is offered in several cute fabric prints, and is great for new moms who no doubt are concerned about the germ factor. The pillow has a removable outer cover, but the non-removable inner cover – which protects the memory foam pillow – is anti-mite, anti-dust, anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, and waterproof; ideal for the messy stains that are guaranteed with infants.”

Now, want to win a Cuddoozle nursing pillow*?

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Weekend reading: Clever Parents offers stretching exercises to wake you and your kids up. The Nest Baby features a Chinese gender chart – originally found in an ancient royal tomb near Beijing and now in flash and interactive – that is said to be over 90% accurate. Mom’s Buzz highlights an article in which Donald Trump gives parents advice on how to make your children financially responsible, deal with financial setbacks, and manage money.

Reviews & giveaways: One Chic Mama reviews the Cuddoozle nursing pillow. Classy Mommy blasts to the past with a review of the latest Cabbage Patch Doll. MomFinds is giving away a $100 Shopping Spree at Joggermom.com. And Healthy Bump is giving away a Zoobie plush pet.

Posted 28 Mar 2008 in Bath, Beauty & Health; Family Issues; Gear; Pregnancy & Postpartum | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

These days, kid’s fashion can be so fabulous that I often find myself saying, “I wish they made that in grown-up sizes!” So it's refreshing to see that trend in reverse, as Clarks translates their grown-up shoe know-how - they design comfy shoes that span casual to dressy - to Clarks Kids. Available in sizes for new or seasoned walkers (ages 0-5), the line is particularly noteworthy for featuring soles that are grippy yet flexible and footbeds that are deliciously cushy and comfy. The collection's aesthetic is fairly traditional, with a generally sporty look for boys or floral/Mary Jane style for girls (i.e., no appliqué critters), but these shoes will easily take your tot from playground to party, just as a lot of their grown-up shoes can.

Posted 28 Mar 2008 in Fashion; For Little Ones | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Today, April shares a kickin’ recipe for what I will now forever refer to as “me dough!”

“My daughter calls play dough 'me dough!' She runs to her craft table, sits down, and politely declares that it’s time for her favorite craft of all. She wants it and she wants a lot of it. In great colors, too, like teal and magenta.

The trouble is, those little 2 oz. tubs from the store never cross the threshold to our apartment - I cannot bear the smell of the real stuff. And at the speed she goes through them, the cost would really add up before she even reaches kindergarten. But would I deny our little sculptor? Never.

After a little research I found a handful of recipes on the Internet. The danger with the homemade stuff is that the texture often cannot live up to the store-bought version. Fear not. All you have to do is find the right recipe. Cream of tartar is the ingredient that creates a smooth texture and not the icky graininess you (desperately) want to avoid. The clay is soft and pliable and just what you would expect. So go to the spice aisle and buy a jar (or two).

This recipe is also the one my own mother made for me and my sister in the ’70s (in shockingly massive quantities). It was perfect then and I’ve been amazed at how easy it is to make…and how much my daughter loves it. It only takes 5–10 minutes and has all the qualities of the store-bought stuff except for the smell. I can quickly whip up a new batch and let my daughter pick the color she wants.

I’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Jen. A Boston mama, prosecutor turned writer, and avid reader, today Jen reviews Meg Wolitzer’s new parenting novel The Ten-Year Nap. Read on for Jen's review, as well as to learn how to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Ten-Year Nap!

“When people ask me what I do these days, I’m tempted to ask them to clarify. Do you mean what I used to do? Or what I’m currently doing? Or maybe what I hope to do in the future?

Writer Meg Wolitzer understands my temptation perfectly. In The Ten-Year Nap, Wolitzer explores the lives of four New York friends who have spent the past decade raising their children. Through well-placed glimpses into these women’s pasts as well as the lives of their mothers, it becomes clear that none of these woman expected to be in this situation. Yet, as children have matured, as marriages have faltered, as families have moved from city to suburb, their decision to leave their careers is the one constant that unites this spirited group. Viewed against the background of one woman’s friendship with another mother who appears to have achieved the holy grail of having it all – a glamorous career, a supportive husband, and three children whose concerts and soccer games she always manages to attend – each woman will struggle with her identity and come to a unique conclusion about the decision she made ten years ago.

Rather than being cliché and stereotypical, as some stories about the “mommy wars” debate tend to be, Wolitzer treats this subject with depth and sensitivity. Wolitzer understands that the decision a new mother must make about whether to remain in the work force or stay at home with her children is not made spontaneously nor easily. Nor is it permanent. Wolitzer’s characters are insightful, interesting, a tad obsessive, and very amusing. By the end of the novel, you’ll wish that you had been invited to sit with them for a morning cup of coffee at their neighborhood diner, regardless of whether you head home or to the office when that cup is done.”

Now, want to be one of five winners to receive a copy of The Ten-Year Nap?

If you feel as if technology is taking over your life, you’re not alone. Today, Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom! shares her concerns about the role that technology plays in her family’s life, and offers suggestions for making small – but meaningful – changes to stem the tech tide.

“I’m a technology entrepreneur and technology — cell phone, laptop, Blackberry — is a huge part of my daily life. I literally could not do my job if it didn’t exist. My husband is also in tech and his job requires that he work on the computer and carry a Blackberry, which also functions as a phone. Our kitchen counter at times looks like a gadget store, with both of our laptops, phones, and Blackberries laid out on it. Sometimes this makes me laugh, sometimes it makes me want to throw it all away.

But I’d be a total liar if I said that I use technology just for my work. I love to relax by watching TV, I love the Internet for the easy and quick access it gives me to news, research, and useful info like directions or movie listings. I stay organized using my Google calendar. I hate talking on the phone so email is my primary way of staying in touch with friends and family who don’t live close by. I check my email too often, I read too much tech and business news online, and I could definitely read more books if I didn’t watch Criminal Minds on DVD.

I worry about the role of technology in our family’s life, the way it often turns my relationship with my husband into one that’s side by side vs. interactive. Sitting together and working next to each other is a poor excuse for communicating and being together. Sometimes work has to get done and we don’t have a choice; at other times, I feel that we do it because we’re used to it. Our daughter is three-and-a-half and we’ve not let her play with the computer yet, but I know it’s coming and I know technology will play a bigger role in her life than it has in ours. I worry about keeping her safe online, in the future, but I also worry about technology ruining the quality of personal relationships she might have.

I recently had lunch with a friend of mine who said she is completely overwhelmed with email. She joined Facebook and is now constantly contacted by her friends, colleagues, and people from her past. She has a business email account, a personal one, and one she uses when she buys something online (I call this the spam account). As we talked, she seemed genuinely stressed by the amount of time she is spending with her email — it wasn’t making her life as a busy working mom easier, just the opposite.

Unfortunately I don’t have any brilliant solutions about limiting the negative impact of technology on our lives, but recently we’ve tried to make a few small – but meaningful - changes:

Whether you love the messy, tactile nature of art, kitchen, and garden projects with kids, or need a little inspiration to say yes to mess, check out Beansoup’s amazing aprons. Offered in a variety of beautifully patterned, machine washable styles to suit toddlers and kids (and soon, grownups too!), I’m especially crazy about the Cobbler’s Aprons. These 40’s inspired smocks are both functional – featuring 3 generous front pockets perfect for little tools – and chic. When the apron's not busy protecting your kid’s clothes, it's cute enough to double as part of their outfit.

Want to win a kid’s Beansoup apron*? Here’s how:

Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking (and What’s Cooking Weekly), offers inspiration for introducing ethnic food to kids (beyond typical favorites like Chinese and Mexican), including a recipe for Slow Cooker Indian Braised Chicken and tips to get your kids involved in the kitchen.

“On our family’s recent trip to Panama and Costa Rica, my children loved tasting tropical fruits that they hadn’t seen before. It got me thinking about how eager kids can be to taste foods that are sweet and those that are similar to foods they already like. Fruits there come in fantastic shapes, sizes, and colors, and were a joy to try…even if the outcome was a surprising burst of sour flavor, or if the texture was reminiscent of raw oysters!

Okay, so it was easy to get my kids to taste fruit. But how could I get them to try the local fare? At home, it is pretty easy to get them to taste Italian, Mexican, Chinese, and Japanese foods. Maybe that is because they are prevalent in our community and we frequently dine in those types of restaurants. Or maybe it is because of the familiar ingredients that they contain, such as cheese and noodles.

What if I wanted to get them to try Indian food? It is one of my favorites, and is usually saved for the rare occasion where we splurge on a babysitter. Why have we been keeping this delicious food to ourselves and not sharing it with our kids? Was it because we didn’t want to listen to the inevitable moaning and groaning of how they didn’t like their meal? Wait a minute – they have familiar foods in Indian restaurants, too. What about naan, a delicious flat bread that is wonderful with plain yogurt or the flavorful sauces that coat many of the other menu items? And who can resist Tikka Masala?

I decided that I would make an Indian (ish) dish at home, to see how my kids would respond. I really wanted to make Tikka Masala, but the recipe is quite involved and would have taken a lot of active cooking time. My house is currently for sale and lots of potential buyers have been visiting (some with only 5 or 10 minutes notice!) so I opted for a simpler version in my crock pot. Although I wanted to make a more traditional dish, I felt that it might be wise to go easy on the spices for the first time around. Kids often respond to new flavors with trepidation, so I wanted to ease them into it. I figure with some repeated exposure and seeing their mother drool with anticipation at the menu in an Indian restaurant, they would eventually want to see and taste what they have been missing!

Even though I could have predicted the outcome, I try not to have preconceived notions of how my kids will respond to food. I gave them equal portions and waited to see what would happen. My daughter immediately scrunched up her face and said, “Mom, you know I don’t like saucy foods…especially with tomatoes.” To that, my son jumped in and said, “But I am a saucy guy, Mom. I love it!” Never one to shy away from a challenge, I topped their chicken with some plain yogurt, reserved from the recipe. My daughter liked that better, but said that she would prefer a dish where the all of the chicken was simply buried in yogurt. I made a mental note of that one and will try to get her help in creating something like that in the future…In the meantime, see how your family responds to this dish. Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Indian Braised Chicken

By using a slow cooker to prepare this dish, you will be able enjoy a dinner that is ready when you return home from a day away!

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to enter to win our featured March contest in partnership with Chittypulga. One lucky winner will receive a Fleurville Re-Run Messenger diaper bag, PLUS a $100 gift certificate to fill up the Fleurville with fabulous finds from the Chittypulga store! This contest closes at midnight, EST March 31, 2008 and is open to entrants worldwide.

Posted 24 Mar 2008 in Web (Admin) | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

If you’re looking to streamline your laundry routine and your imprint on the planet, check out dropps, a brilliantly efficient and eco-friendly laundry solution. Each biodegradable, phosphate-, chlorine-, and NPE-free pac is pre-measured (just toss in 1-2 pacs depending on load size), ultra concentrated (1 pac = 1 cap of regular detergent!), and dissolves in water. What you lose in "strength training" (from hauling giant laundry jugs around) you gain in impressive waste reduction via reduced product transport costs, water use, and packaging…not to mention squeaky clean laundry you can feel good about.

Want to win a one-year supply of dropps*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Home, sweet, home: Submit your best nursery decorating tip to The Nest Baby and you could win a crib set of your choice from DwellStudio. Visit Coochicoos to learn more about the perfect playhouse design competition. Clever Parents offers a play list to groove - and get organized - to. MomFinds rounds up their favorite time saving products to use with baby, at home, and on-the-go.

For bumps & babes: Moms’ Buzz features 10 commandments of pregnancy exercise for busy moms. Healthy Bump reports on Baby Celebration LA, forthcoming on April 12 & 13. And One Chic Mama reviews Tu for Tee's new spring collection.

Posted 21 Mar 2008 in Decor & Furniture; Fashion; For Little Ones; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

I have this thing about cake, and if you’re interested in creating a showstopper for Easter, try this bunny cake (also fabulous for a baby shower or birthday party). The construction actually is very straightforward (plus, think about all the sculpting experience you have via Play-doh).

*Click on image to see enlarged view of cake*

You will need:

Dear Readers: Apologies for the unusual radio silence; after attempting to fight off a bug early in the week, I took a dramatic turn for the worse following my Wednesday morning post and spent the next 36 hours shivering in the fetal position, drifting in and out of Law & Order re-runs. It seemed a bit dramatic to get flattened by the flu on the last day of winter, but it hasn’t dampened my excitement about spring’s official arrival one bit.

Hope you are healthy, and it's back to business today!

Posted 21 Mar 2008 in Web (Admin) | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

The art of letter writing is far from dead and today, Heather shares her thoughts on one of Margot Madison's personalized note card collections. Read on for Heather's review, as well as to learn how to win a set of Margot Madison stationery!

From Heather:

“As a mama working in corporate America, I spend a lot of time emailing, instant messaging, and texting. And while I won't dispute the efficiency and ease of these technologies, I will never, ever give up paper. There's nothing more personal than a handwritten note - and no doubt the recipient will appreciate a reprieve from the junk mail!

To brighten up your and your recipient's day while we wait for spring to infuse color back into our surrounds, there's the M: Studio collection by Margot Madison. These personalized note cards are simple yet punchy. Printed on heavy card stock with rounded corners; you can personalize the front of the card with your name and choose from one of five bright, graphic patterns for the reverse and matching envelope liner. My favorite design is the Mandarin Damask, which translates beautifully on these card sets.

It would be nice if there were volume discounts (i.e., it's $22.50 per 10 cards whether you get 10, 50, or 100) and you didn't have to pay for a digital proof, but otherwise, these cards are lovely for personal use or as a gift.”

While generally I believe in investing in key wardrobe pieces, one area that challenges me is bags. I love having a variety of styles to go with different outfits, and I just can’t stomach the idea of picking a single bag to drop a fortune on. And then when one of Laurel’s milk cups exploded inside the one designer tote I do own (a gift from a very generous friend…), I decided to look for alternatives.

When I initially discovered Baghaus I had dubious visions of the Sex and the City fake Fendi episode running through my head, but they truly offer a great solution for women who love chic, trendy bags but aren’t privy to a celebrity budget. Baghaus features “designer inspired” handbags in an impressive range of styles and sizes, including large bags (like the Primo Limited Costa Bag; shown) that could serve as a diaper bag alternative.

I’ve received tons of compliments on my (inspired by Fendi) Spy Bag from Baghaus, including one of my fashionista girlfriends taking one look at my arm and saying, “Wait – you didn’t! Show me that Spy Bag!” And I’m really impressed by the quality and feel of the bag (which was a mere $40 and is now on sale for even less). But best of all, I love being able to tote stylishly while not worrying about the inevitable milk and snack spills that will make their way inside my bag.

Posted 18 Mar 2008 in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

If I weren’t so congested right now, I’d want to sing about spring too. Tomorrow you can, as the Revels host their family celebration, Spring Sing. Warm up those vocal cords, and enjoy a kid’s play and treats; $10 for grown-ups, kids admitted free. Reservations required.

At St. John’s United Methodist Church, 80 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown

Posted 18 Mar 2008 in Fun Indoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Today, Kate reports on a local space where function and beauty intersect:

“We live our lives in spaces, most of them interior: offices, houses, schools, stores. The buildings in which we spend our days - some beautiful, many bland - each serve a purpose, keeping us warm and dry, allowing us to collaborate with our colleagues, sleep safely at night, shop, eat, reflect, communicate. Most buildings today are preoccupied with function, but every once in a while one finds a building in which some combination of architect, sponsor, and magic come together to create a space that is about nothing so much as whimsy, beauty, and the joy of being alive.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is home to one such new building, one that is worth experiencing both for children and adults: The Green Center for Physics (Building 6C, in the quirky parlance of MIT), located at the southern end of the campus' famous Infinite Corridor. The Green Center features a breathtaking floor mosaic, designed by the late Sol LeWitt and titled 'Bars of Colors Within Squares,' that brings together geometric symmetry and a rainbow of colors in a way that is both charming and truly beautiful. Open to the public, never crowded, and extremely kid-friendly - imagine the world's largest hopscotch court - the Green Center is a small gem of a space that raises the bar not only for new campus architecture but for all of the spaces that we inhabit. Function and beauty can co-exist, and the Boston area is lucky to benefit from the talent of LeWitt and the forethought of MIT to have such a lovely new space for all ages to enjoy.”

Posted 17 Mar 2008 in Fun Indoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (2) | E-mail this link

For the most part, your kid probably isn’t trying to pick a food fight, but mealtimes sure can feel that way sometimes. And to serve the need for repeated tee changes with a dose of humor and sass, there’s food fight’s impressive menu of trendy onesies and tees for babies and kids. We especially dig their My Mommy is Wonder Woman unisex long-sleeved tee. This comfy, screen-printed thermal is a great weight for spring (or layered in chillier temps), and tells it like it is. You deserve props for scaling – among other things – superhuman piles of laundry.

Want to win a onesie/tee of your choice from food fight*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Cool finds: One Chic Mama recommends catapulting your feet into spring with Keds’ vintage-inspired hi-wedges. Clever Parents features Bonkiebags from Hollister and Newman. Healthy Bump loves Obli Organics’ 100% certified organic cotton outfits. MomFinds is giving away a green EuroTote just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Weekend reading: Modern Mom features an interview with actress and devoted mom of two, Jodie Foster. Swanky Moms reports on the Baby Celebration LA pre-event with Radio Disney. And Moms’ Buzz offers a summer camp planner to help you get organized.

Posted 14 Mar 2008 in Fashion; For Little Ones; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gear | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Nothing says spring in Boston like a week where bright shamrocks, the spring equinox, and a little snow all coexist on the agenda. Whether you wish to celebrate your Irish heritage, or simply dig festive processions, check out Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day parade this Sunday starting at 1pm at the Broadway T stop in South Boston. Abington and Scituate also will host parades this Sunday, as will Holyoke and Manchester, NH on the 30th. And if you happen to be cross continental, Dublin’s parade is, of course, on Monday.

Posted 14 Mar 2008 in Fun Outdoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Today, Jules offers creative ideas for livening up leftovers:

“My husband and I recently realized we were in a food crisis. I love to cook and he loves to eat, but neither of us is too hot on leftovers; we were wasting too much. I just have this thing about them - I don’t enjoy them and am marginally freaked out by them. In reality, I know that anything I cook or eat fresh is good for another 3 days (beyond that, leftovers really do begin to collect bacteria). So I decided that what I needed to do was come up with creative ways to use leftovers for another entire meal. It turns out I do like leftovers…so long as they’re served in a totally different way than the night before.

Before we get to the ideas, here are a couple of preliminary notes about leftover handling:

Few gifts tug the heartstrings like a “letter” or artwork from a budding scribe/artist, and your kid won’t be able to resist writing (or scribbling) on Marmalade Ink’s Kids Stationery Pads. Offered in styles for doodling (blank), doodling + writing (half blank/half lined), and full on letter crafting (completely lined), these 8.5 x 11” pads are perfectly sized for evolving kiddie scrawl. Plus, the ability to personalize the pad with your child’s name and photo not only is cute, but there’ll be no doubting who was responsible for brightening grandma and grandpa’s day with personal mail.

Want to be one of two winners to receive a personalized Kid’s Stationery Pad? Here’s how:

Ticketed outings were far and few between when I was a kid (given the family head count of 9), so I have a firm place in my heart for the New England Spring Flower Show, which I attended one year with my mom in near exclusivity (just me and one other sister). Running through Sunday, this year’s show offers grown-ups inspiration for eco-friendly gardening, and Friday’s Plantapalooza Children’s Festival is designed to cultivate appreciation of, and interaction with, nature via animal visitors, craft and gardening activities, music, and storytelling.

Posted 12 Mar 2008 in Eco Living; Fun Indoors; Local | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

A passion and skill for ironing is not something I inherited from my mom (who used to press sheets and my father’s boxers), nor do I have legible penmanship. I’ve thus found the chore of labeling Laurel’s clothes and shoes for school onerous; that is, until I discovered Mabel’s Labels. Makers of labels for anything in your home that requires identity or organization, their adhesive Tag Mates and Shoe Labels are my new best friends. Just specify your text, icon, and color, and these labels – which stand up beautifully through the wash – will save you the hassle of ironing or sewing on labels, and the expense of replacing lost, unlabeled clothing.

Want to win a Mabel’s Labels gift pack*? Here’s how:

I’m thrilled to announce that Boston Mamas is partnering with the March of Dimes to promote and participate in the March for Babies. Whether personally or through loved ones, no doubt many mamas have experienced both the joy of healthy birth and the heartache associated with premature birth. Please consider channeling both the joy and heartache into an effort to help babies get a healthy start in life.

Please join Team Boston Mamas for this, our first outreach event, be it via a donation or by walking with us on April 27.

Posted 11 Mar 2008 in Local; Outreach | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link

Today, Tracy shares a book recommendation:

“As I progress in my pregnancy with our third child, I find myself wishing for a connection with mamas in the same situation. I’m finding that the further away from the “first baby” club I move, the more difficult it is to find those all important connections with moms who are dealing with the same anxieties, concerns, and joys that I am. Expecting the first time is nothing like doing it the second and subsequent time(s).

Which is why reopening my copy of Waiting for Birdy by Catherine Newman was like connecting with one such mama. While Newman, a Massachusetts mama, is writing about expecting her second, and final, child, I find her essay-style commentary of the issues that a mom can face when growing a family to be spot on. Each time I read it I recognize myself in another passage. It’s a personal, inside look into what it’s like for her and her family to experience the “wild magic of growing a family.”

I consider Newman to be one of my favorite writers, although most of what I read of her is online (she writes a weekly column for Wondertime, and has her own blog). Her ability to distill the worries and joys of parenting into a few slick sentences strikes a chord that can leave me aching for the next installment. Whether I’m crying at her poignant turn of phrase, laughing out loud at the antics of her children, or seeing myself in the neurotic angst of parenting, there is something about this mama’s writing that engenders a feeling of solidarity with mamas everywhere.

Reading her column, I find myself saying, “I know…I really KNOW what you mean.” Or, “Oh goodness, that happened to us yesterday.” I’m also inspired to be more mindful as a parent, because the moments that Newman notices in her writing might sometimes go unseen in my life if I didn’t get the reminder that the moments are important, too.

Maybe it’s because I recognize a neurotic, kindred spirit in her that I love this book (and her columns) so much. Other (read: less neurotic) mamas may not find as much inspiration as I do in what she has to say. Overall, though, I think she offers a fresh, contemporary perspective on what is like to mother in today’s world, to want to do better for our kids without undoing ourselves, and to take it all in moment by moment so we congratulate ourselves for doing the hard work, and revel in the times of bliss.”

Posted 11 Mar 2008 in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups | Permalink | Comments (1) | E-mail this link

Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers ideas to fuel the family:

“I realize that bagels are popular and convenient (at Whole Foods I often see babies chewing on bagels as big as their heads...), but the truth is, they aren’t terribly nutritious. The below ideas may lack the on-the-go convenience of bagels, but getting a good start on the day is well worth the extra 10-15 minutes.

Oatmeal - Good For The Whole Family

Oatmeal offers a nutritious base for breakfast that can be dressed up in many ways. Buy organic quick cook oats and follow package instructions. Or if purchasing from the bulk section, combine 2 parts water or milk with 1 part oats. Bring to boil while stirring, then remove from heat. It should take only a few minutes. (Note: babies can have cooked cow’s milk from 8 months.)

Oatmeal is delicious served with:

When you’re on the go, sometimes you just want to carry a little piece of home with you. And you can do just that for baby thanks to the clever and cuddly Snuggle Bug Baby Blankets. Part of Tilly Jane’s indie artisan boutique for women and children, each Snuggle Bug set includes a large blanket (35" x 27") for cuddling at home, and a coordinating lovey-sized blanket (16" x 20") for travel. Blankets are constructed of a deliciously soft, white “marshmallow” fabric trimmed and backed with designer cotton prints; we especially love the vibrant warmth of the Amelia blanket.

Want to win an item from Tilly Jane*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Coochicoos has the details on how your kid’s favorite recipe (e.g., dinosaur soup) could be published in a book. MomFinds features their favorite rain gear picks for stylish kids. One Chic Mama reviews Otopia Organics body products for mamas and babies. Swanky Moms raves about Snap Totes. Clever Parents recommends the simplicity of Kushies baby toys. Classy Mommy offers a video review of Horizon organic milk. And Moms’ Buzz is giving away 10 pregnancy books.

Posted 7 Mar 2008 in Fashion; For Little Ones | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this link