Sunshade Shelter for Baby

Ideal for the beach! This shade provides UPF (50+) and comes complete with sand pockets and pegs that makes it ideal for the beach or garden. Includes its own convenient carry bag for traveling and storage.
$39.99 macys.com

Maybe Andi can help us out with what the F in UPF stands for...

I Ain't Got Nothing But Love for 8-Days-A-Week

For those wish there were more days in the week comes the 8 Days-A-Week Planner. Designed for those of us who don’t get overwhelmed by being overbooked, the Eight Days a Week Planner has room for all your Monday through Sunday plans, and then an extra column for your Someday plans.

$16.00
seejanework.com

Mommy and Me Skimmers

Are you still searching for the perfect summer shoe? Does you little girl want to be just like her mommy? If so, you have got to check out these hot summer skimmers from Keds.

Dolce Skimmer in a fun fruit-inspired flat.
Mommy's $ 45.95 at zappos.com
Girl's: $ 34.95 at zappos.com

Fall Styles Return to the 80's

The fashion experts say that every women should own one great fitting black dress. Well, in the 80's I had it and at least a dozen others too...mini, micro mini, halter, tank, bustier, the list goes on. Much to my mother's dismay, my staple color was black. I am not sure if I wore black because of its slimming effect or just that I really lacked any sense of color coordination. But I have grown up since then and have moved on to shades of grays (with the occasional pink thrown in)!

Now there is great news for the retro 80's girls like myself...the 80's are making a come back! Designers are shaking things up with part punk/part pirate inspired designs. Here are a few hot items for Moms and Tots to check out...

Celebrity "Skull Wearing" Sightings...
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, Hillary Duff, Ashlee Simpson

The Pots & Pans Band Tee/ $38 shopintuition.com - Viola Valone Anchor Skull Necklace/ $320.00 shopintuition.com

Giddy Up - Hot Looks for Fall

This fall, the look is western chic! From saddle shaped handbags for mom to ropers for dad, there will be something for every cowgirl and cowboy. So saddle up and head on out to buy some hot items that are sure to please your little buckaroo...

shopping links: gap, old navy

More free stuff...

FREE AFTER REBATE

CompUSA
Typing Instructor Del. Windows CD $26
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $26 mail in rebate

Office Depot
Sharp EL-501 Scientific Calculator. 10 digit display $6
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $6 office depot mail in rebate

Walgreens
Loreal HIP Foundation $9.99
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $9.99 mail in rebate

Rimmel Lycra Lash Extender, assorted shades $5.99
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $5.99 mail in rebate

Rayovac batteries - 6 pack AA or AAA, 2 pack C or D, 9 Volt $3
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $3 mail in rebate

Rite Aid
Listerine Agent Cool Blue Plaque Detecting Rinse, 500 ml. $2.99
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $2.99 single check rebate

Garnier Fructis products. Choose from Fructis Brilliantine Spray, Brillantine Gel, Brillantine Wax, Gum Putty, Curl Construction, Mousse, Ultra Strong Aerosol or non-Aerosol Hair Spray. $2.99
7/30/2006 -8/5/2006
Free after $2.99 single check rebate

ONLINE DISCOUNTS & SHOPPING COUPONS

Click here for a printable, 10% coupon for use in stores and online from American Eagle.expires 08/24/06

Payless Shoes
$5 off $50 purchase Expires: Aug 16, 2006 Get $5 off $50 purchase - enter code "PSS5OFF50" or get $2 off $9.99 purchase Expires: Dec 31, 2006 Get $2 off $9.99 purchase - enter code "16425"

Target
10% off any purchase Expires: Aug 5, 2006 Get 10% off any purchase - enter code "TCFURNMF"

BabyStyle.com
FREE ground shipping on orders of $75 or more (first-time buyers) Get FREE ground shipping on orders of $75 or more (first-time buyers) - enter code "FREESHIPPING"

Gap
10% off any order Ongoing 10% off on 1st Tuesday of the month w/GAP card - enter code "TUESDAYS"

Kohls
15% off any purchase Expires: Oct 1, 2006 Get 15% off any purchase w/Kohl's card - enter code "KOHLS15NOW"

Old Navy
20% off any purchase Expires: Aug 4, 2006 Get 20% off any purchase - enter code "STUFFSAV"

Wilsons Leather
20% off any purchase Expires: Aug 31, 2006 Get 20% off any purchase (new customers) - enter code "6132"

Jo-Ann
40% off one regular-priced item Get 40% off one regular-priced item - enter code "APRE6402"

A Grand Prix for Tots

And on my island...I will have a race track for the kids! We can all zoom around in these this classic pedal car is based on the Ferrari F2 racers. They are available in Red or Green only. How fun, it could be Chrsitmas all year round!

$499.95
Hammacher Schlemmer
Ages 2 to 6

My Own Private Island

All the stars have one and I want one too!

Hollywood.com reports that Johnny Depp is relocating his family from France to an private island in the Bahamas that he purchased in 2004. Diana Ross, Tony Curtis and Claudia Schiffer own their own private islands too!

So I googled where I could buy mine, here's what I found...
(I searched within the US because it would just be a weekend getaway for me and I don't want to be jet lagged at my new place)

For $850K I can buy a six acre island with two cottages, a boat house and a shed. - Wilson Island, Maine.
(photos: privateislandsonline.com)





For a mere $995K a could be the proud owner of a 1/2 acres island with a cottage and two docks off the Florida keys. - Dolphin Jump Key Island



Or what about this beauty just a 20 minute helicopter ride from Manhattan? $8.5M guest me 6000 sq ft on 14 acres with my own boat lift! - Middle Sedge Island, NJ

With all of my fabulous options, I think I may better just settle for my own private inflatable island. Hammacher Schlemmer will sell me one for $319, deed and all!

Child Products Recalls

Sportsstuff Wego Kite Tubes:
Withdrawn from Market after Reports of Deaths and Injuries
sold through marine distributors, mail order catalogs, and various retailers from approximately October 1, 2005 to July 11, 2006



Hampton Bay® Transitional Collection Fire Truck and Bulldozer Accent Lamp with Night Lights
Recalled for Laceration Hazard
Sold at The Home Depot





Homeroom Bedroom Collection
Plastic Hardware Covers on Children’s Furniture Recalled for Choking Hazard
Sold at HoldEverything.com








Felt Mountain Bicycles
Recall to Repair Mountain Bicycles for Brake Failure
Sold at Bicycle specialty stores nationwide from October 2004 through April 2006



Small World Toys
Vehicles in the IQ Baby Pillow Soft Activity Blocks, IQ Baby Travelin' Train Blocks, IQ Baby Vroom Vroom Vehicles and Discovery Channel Vroom Vroom Vehicles
Recalled for Choking Hazard
Sold at: Toy stores and various retailers nationwide

Paloma Rattles
Tiffany and Company
Recalled for Aspiration, Laceration Hazards
Sold at Tiffany and Company in its stores, catalogs and on its Web site from January 20005 through March 2006

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products. You can find information on recalls at http://www.cpsc.gov/

Retro Tees for Kids

Are you a Child of the 80's? Do you remember...

When partying "like it's 1999" seemed so far away?
When you had to have your MTV?
When you watched Purple Rain over and over again?

If so, you will just love these retro kids tees...

Purple Rain Lap Tee
Price:$26.00
Black Wagon
(free on orders $100+)

Reckon Blondie Tee
Price:$24.00
Black Wagon
(free on orders $100+)

"ABCD" Tee
Price:$18.00
Baby Rock Star
"ZZ Tot" Tee
Price:$18.00
Baby Rock Star

The Perfect Desktop Accessory

I found something for all of AJ's free pens!

Chocolate Bar Desk Accessory

Who said you can’t have chocolate on your desk? This chocolate scented bar ain’t for snacking but still looks great! Perfect place to keep pens, papers or desk items. Plastic. 6”x3”x2” Yummy!

$14
fred flare.com

Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Denise Richards and Rod Stewart with Tots

Here are a few celebrity tots sightings this week...





Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with their 4-year-old, Maddox, at the Malibu shore on Tuesday. (photo source: People/X17 Online)

















Gwen Stefani and 2-month-old Kingston during shopping excursion in Hollywood on Monday. (photo source: People)

















Denise Richards with 2-year-old daughter Sam at equestrian center in Calabasas, CA, on Saturday. (photo source: People)














Rod Stewart during a family getaway to Antibes, France, with fiancée Penny Lancaster and their 8-month-old Alastair on Sunday. (photo source: People)

Random Acts of Kindness

Nothing makes me happier than knowing I can brighten someone's day. Often times anonymous acts (those little things you do without expecting anything in return) are the most rewarding. Knowing I have helped someone else makes me feel wonderful inside and my day just seems to be that much nicer.

Help me spread some sunshine! Here are some RAOK that you can try...

- Leave change in a vending machine for the next person to find.
- Pay the toll for the person behind you.
- Plant flowers in front of your neighbor's house.
- Put quarters in the laundry machine for the next person.
- Leave snacks on the desk of your co-worker.
- Send a thank you note to someone who's helped you when you really needed it.
- Write a letter to an old teacher who influenced your life.
- Buy some cold drinks for city workers that are working in the hot sun.

And maybe you have some ideas of your own...

Teri Hatcher Helps with Emerson's Lemonade Stand

Teri Hatcher and her 8-year-old daughter Emerson sold lemonade outside their L.A. home on Saturday. They raised money for Canine Companions, an organization which trains dogs to assist disabled people in need.

Here is how you can steal Emerson's style...

shopping links: dress, shoes

Don't Forget To Enter This Month's Giveaway!

Eva Longoria With Niece

Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives is having some fun with her niece this summer. (photo source: x17)

Here's how you can steal her style...

shopping links: dress, shoes

Six Degrees of Elvis

I saw a commercial tonight for a new show on ABC called Six Degrees, which premieres Thursday, September 21. It is based loosely on the theory that anyone on earth can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances with no more than five intermediaries (Six Degrees of Separation). So lets put this theory to the test...

1. Elvis- After seeing him in concert, Liberace suggested adding flashy costumes into his act. Elvis took his advice, and became famous for his gold lame jackets and jeweled white jumpsuits. He later reserved a seat for Liberace at many of his concerts. (imdb.com)

2. Nicolas Cage - Nicolas Cage is starring in and producing a new biopic about the life of Liberace. And Nicholas Cage was married to Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie from 10 August 2002 - 16 May 2004. His birth name Nicholas Kim Coppola.

3. Alice Kim - Nicolas Cage's wife's maiden name is Kim. She and Nicolas have a son, Kal-el Coppola Cage, born on October 3, 2005. Kal-el was named after the comic book character Kal-el (aka Superman).

4. Dean Cain - Dean Cain played the character of Superman/Clark Kent in the series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman". He is a graduate of Princeton University.

5. Kate Bosworth - Kate who plays Lois Lane in this summer's blockbuster hit, Superman Returns, was also accepted to Princeton University but she has repeatedly deferred her acceptance (imdb.com). Kate is a champion equestrian.

6. Brooke Shields - Brooke Shields recently attended an equestrian event (polo match) with her daughter Rowan Francis (photo source: Celebrity Nation). Brooke is also a Princeton graduate and her college sweetheart was none other than Dean Cain. Brooke also dated Michael Jackson, who was married to Lisa Marie Presley from 18 May 1994 - 18 January 1996. And Lisa Marie's father was...Elvis!

See, the theory works like a charm!

Girls With Curls

My Mom has them, her mom had them, I have them, both my sisters have them...curls! Now I am starting to sound like Mona Lisa Vito in My Cousin Vinny "My dad was a mechanic, his dad was a mechanic, both my bothers are mechanics, my uncles are mechanics..." Anyway, back to the curls. We have a love/hate relationship them, especially during the humid days of summer. When the curls are under control they look great but keeping them that way is a different story. All I can say is, thank goodness for ball caps and the following products...

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment
Burt's Bees Avocado Butter Pre-Shampoo Hair Treatment
Matrix Curl.Life Defining System Contouring Milk

Here are some more great tips for keeping those curls under control:
- Cut you hair in layers
- Air dry with curling cream and shine serum
- Don't use brushes and avoid touching your once it has dried
- Cut back on shampooing each day (try every other day or every third day)
- Condition, condition and then condition once more!

Reel Time With Your Kids

We know, kids watch far too much TV. Maybe we are to blame. How easy is it pop in a DVD and let your tots be entertained while you catch up on housework? But when the chores are done (or that last load of clothes is finally in the dryer), why not make some popcorn, sit down with your kids and watch a great movie together.

There are some wonderful movies that have been released on DVD that will bring back happy times from your childhood and create new memories for your own children. Here are our picks...

- The Sound of Music
This 40th Anniversary DVD even includes English, French, and Spanish sing-a-long subtitles.
Rated G. Price: $19.09 at Amazon
- Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
This Special Edition set includes a read-along storybook feature, coloring page and much more.
Rated G. Price: $26.99 at Amazon
- Charlotte's Web
Rated G. Price: $8.99 at Amazon
- Doctor Dolittle
Rated G. Price: $7.47 at Amazon
- Escape to Witch Mountain
This Special Edition set includes a 1975 Disney Studio Album and much more.
Rated G. Price: $14.99 at Amazon

See How We Grow (Answers)

See if you can match the celebrity babies then and now....

How to Dress Your Nursery Celebrity Style - UPDATE

AND THE WINNING COLOR IS...
"We are going with Lighthouse."

I got an email this morning from a friend (who is 8 months pregnant with a boy that she will name Elvis). She wanted my opinion on a paint color. Easy enough...I picked a pale yellow. I guess after I painting my kitchen this summer with a yellow-gold, this is my new obsession for wall colors.

Lets help decide what color we think Elvis' room should be. Here are the color choices. Join in our poll below:

Amazon - They've Got It All

What does Amazon.com sell?

Books, yep. Clothing, yep. Electronics, yep. Cosmetics, yep. Furniture, yep. Sports equipment, yep. Baby supplies, yep. Tools, yep. Pet supplies, yep. Food, nope. Wait! Amazon now offers groceries too! Yeah, they are officially the Super Wal-Mart of cyberspace.

Launched on July 17th, Amazon grocery claims to stock more than 14,000 items. In an effort to attract new business, Amazon is offering first-time customers a $10 instant rebate on grocery purchases of $49 or more and grocery purchases above a certain level qualify for free shipping. But my only drawback is this, if I bought my groceries online then I am afraid I would miss all the interesting people and family reunions that I see on Aisle 6 at my hometown Wal-Mart store.

Traveling With Kids

Motion sickness. We've all had it and hate it. Summer road trips with kids just seem to scream, upset stomach. Or motion sickness on an airplane...even worse.

A recent article on CNN.com reports that US Airways has found a way to benefit from our discomfort. The airline plans to sell advertisements on its air-sickness bags. "They're in every back seat pocket," said spokesman Phil Gee. "We figure while it's there, why don't we make it multipurpose?" Lucky us, the new commercialized sickness bag campaign will be launched in September.

Is it just me or do you honestly think that you would remember the name of a product that you saw on the side of a bag while you were getting sick? And if I did happen to remember the product, it would not bring back thoughts of a happy time. I can just imagine it now...seeing an ad for food while I am regurgitated the food inside then seeing the same product on my grocery store shelves. I would never buy it. What a silly idea Mr US Airways CEO!

Maybe the airlines should embrace this opportunity and use the space for something more educational. As my favorite person told me after I received my MBA, "Now use your powers for good not evil." US Airways could offer tips on the bags on how to prevent motion sickness from occurring or ways to ease the pain once it starts . Here are some tips from ehow.com:

• Eat lightly before embarking on your trip. Try snacking on crackers to absorb excess saliva or sucking on a lemon or an olive.
• Take a position near the front of the vehicle, whether it's a car, train or boat.
• Face the direction you're headed to keep eye and body sensations in sync with each other.
• Keep your eye trained on the horizon or on a fixed spot ahead of you.
• Chew intermittently on a piece of fresh ginger or sip a carbonated soda such as ginger ale.
• Consider taking powdered ginger, which is available in capsule form. Take two 500mg capsules 30 minutes before traveling, and one or two more after 4 hours if you start feeling nauseated.
• Keep the window open and fresh air accessible at all times (not an option when traveling by air)
• Ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

See How We Grow

Andi sent me a video clip tonight of her little boy beginning to walk. He is such a cutie! It made me remember back to how little he was just one year ago. Babies sure don't stay little for long!

Indulge me in a fun little quiz...See if you can match the celebrity babies then and now.

Here's a hint, the babies in the pictures are: Maddox Jolie Pitt, Deacon Witherspoon Phillippe, Apple Paltrow Martin and Ryder Hudson Robinson.
I will post the answers tomorrow. Good luck!

Was President Bush Massaged as an Infant?

By the look of these pictures, President Bush knows the benefits of a massage. Unfortunately, German Chancellor Angela Merkel may not have been quite the right recipient. (photo source: ABC)

As childbirth.org explains, massaging your baby is not only be a great bonding experience for you but it also benefits your baby.

The Benefits of Infant Massage

Relaxes Infant
- Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness and irritability. Digestion is aided and this can provide relief of gas and colic. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress parent and baby.
Enhances Bonding
- Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being.
Aids Growth and Development
- Studies have shown increased weight gain, and immune function. Myelination of nerves is also increased. These things in turn are needed for brain and muscle development.
Promotes Communication
- Parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues. One-on-one communication instills a massage of love and security.
Improves Baby's Sleep
- As your infant learns to relax and release stress, sounder and longer sleep is often the end result.

Brooke Shields With Rowan and Grier at LAX

"Want to know what gets between Brooke and her girls? Nothing."
Looking casual yet always beautiful, Brooke and her daughters arrive at LAX on their way back to New York. Grier was born in April and Rowan is 3.
(photo source: Celebrity Nation)

Here's how you can steal Rowan's look...

shopping links: shirt, pants, shoes

Violet Affleck and Jen's Car Seat Troubles

The Boston Herald reports that after Jennifer and Violet arrived in Boston yesterday, there was car seat trouble...

"Our spies at Boston’s Signature Air report that when Violet Affleck’s mum, Jennifer Garner, flew back into Boston the other night on a private jet, she refused to hop into the rented SUV that was awaiting their arrival from Arizona.
Apparently, the big black tank wasn’t equipped with a baby seat. And our spies say Garner, who flew in from the set of “The Kingdom,” was “adamant” that the driver get one!
“She took the baby in the terminal and didn’t come out until someone returned with a seat,” said our tarmac spy. “And when the guy did come back with one, it took him about 20 minutes to figure out how to secure it. She wasn’t happy.”
Obviously, the guy was a bachelor . . .
At some point, the seat was installed, baby Vi was strapped in and Mom and daughter drove off to see Daddy in Cambridge.
If only poor Sean Preston Federline had such a responsible parent!" - The Boston Herald

Massachusetts state law requires that all children under age 5 and under 40 pounds be properly secured in a federally approved car seat or booster seat, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Children ages 5 to 12 must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt.

Jennifer Garner and Violet Arrive in Boston

The Boston Herald reported yesterday (source) that Jennifer and Ben Affleck are making plans to raise little Violet in Cambridge. Who can blame them...Boston has so much to offer! And what a fun place to shop for cute baby stuff with unique stores such as:

A Taste of Culture
A Taste of Culture, was founded by Carmen Heller, 19 years ago. Mrs. Heller, a native from Peru, South America, travels to different parts of the...
April Cornell
April Cornell specializes in hand silk-screened prints for clothing and housewares including linens and bedding.
Black Ink
"Unexpected necessities" are those special objects that one does not know they cannot be without, until they are encountered. Black Ink abounds with...
Boston Boy Choir
The Boston Boy Choir is the performing arts arm of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School operated under the auspices of Saint Paul Church. During the...
Calliope
A colorful and irresistible children's boutique, featuring a charming collection of locally made and specially selected clothing, for children ages...
Cambridge Artists Cooperative Gallery
Established in 1988, the Cambridge Artists Cooperative Gallery (CAC Gallery) is the only year round artists owned and managed crafts cooperative in...
Curious George Goes To Wordsworth
Children's books,toys,games,and more for new borns to young adults.
Games People Play, The
The specialty GAME store in Harvard Square for over 30 years, selling Board Games, Chess Sets, Strategy Games, Jigsaw Puzzles and Mechanical Puzzles,...
Harvard COOP
The Coop(Harvard Cooperative Society) was founded as a cooperative by a group of Harvard students in 1882 and has been serving ...
Harvard Museum of Natural History
Come see the Harvard Museum of Natural History--a great learning experience for the whole family! Wander through a "garden" of more than 3000 glass...
Hidden Sweets
Hidden Sweets is the most unique candy store you’ve ever seen. There are over 250 bins of bulk candy, including a large selection of sugar free...
IN SEASON
Is located inside Harvard Square subway station, downstairs at the bottom of the escalators. Our kiosk offers authentic officially licensed Harvard...
The Harvard Shop
The Harvard Shop is Cambridge's only store devoted exclusively to selling Harvard Insignia merchandise, and completely run by Harvard students. We...
Tokyo Kid
If Japanese animation is your thing, then Tokyo Kid is the place for you. We carry a wide selection of rare and hard to find anime collectibles,...

While we cannot see the front of Violet's shirt in the picture above, we are guessing that it may look like this...
shopping link: The Harvard Shop $12

Cutie Pie Maddox with Angelina

Okay, we know already...Maddox is definitely cute! But he also looking pretty cool here with his mom, Angelia Jolie. (photo source: joliewatch.com)

Here is how you can steal Maddox's style...

shopping links: shirt, pants, gel

Hollywood's Cute Kids

This is a bit silly but according to Life & Style Magazine, the cutest kids in Hollywood are:
1) Maddox Jolie-Pitt
2) Sean Preston
3) Apple Martini
4) Rocco Ritchie
5) Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus Walter Moder
6) Coco Arquette
7) Rudy Law
8) James Wilkie Broderick
9) Matilda Ledger
10) Carys Douglas


We agree that that all of these children are beautiful but why was this little cutie left off the list?


Denise Richards takes 1-year-old daughter Lola on a pony ride near her home in Hidden Hills, Calif., on Monday. (photo source: People)