v 1 issue 14

in this issue...

customized calender

Celebrate happiness all year long by making a customized calendar for your home with Shutterfly. Simply upload your images into your system and decide which month your pictures belong to. Every month you'll be reminded of special memories from the year before. You can add optional borders or captions to help set the scene. They?re a breeze to make and you can have them sent anywhere you like (think grandma and grandpa)! Calendar opens to be 11"x17", can hang anywhere, and since they are made of durable card stock they will hold up to everyday use and can be kept as a keepsake (since the paper is acid-free)!

New members receive 50% off your second calendar when you purchase one at full price.


rachel ray for kids

Who doesn't love Rachael Ray? Rachael Ray is Food Networks cooking queen, and kids are some of her biggest fans. Rachael starts this book with a "listen up" to parents - never grab a kid's arm or speak harshly to a kid cook unless they are in real danger of burn or injury. Let them make mistakes, it is always fixable and it keeps from making your child self-conscious about cooking. Food should be fun?


Among the reasons why Cooking Rocks, Ray believes it helps find your independence as a kid. Along with teaching cooking basics she also teaches your child to clean up along the way (wouldn't this be great!). The book is divided into sections based on age ranges (4-6, 7-11, 12-16). Not only is this a great book to get you and your small child cooking together, but it's perfect for your older kids to cook for friends or (brace yourselves) prepare a dinner for a date night (hey, at least you know where they are!).
We love Rachael Ray, and we know you will too! She also has a fantastic 30-Minute Meals cookbook for parents too! Check out the entire Rachael Ray Collection at Amazon...and you can catch her shows on the Food Network.


dreamer design stroller





There are so many strollers on the market - and while there are many features to consider, one feature we think should be at the top of your list is the weight limit. Most strollers have a limit of 35 to 40 lbs, which means that when your child is three to four years old, you either need to buy a new stroller (which many do) or force them to walk, which may force you to give up on exercising. For mothers whose resolution is to get out and get moving this year, you need a stroller that can accommodate your child through five years old or longer.

The Dreamer Design Stroller is the perfect stroller for every mom?s needs. Dreamer Design offers several jogging strollers...but we love the Manhattan. With its front swivel wheel you can easily navigate your way through busy sidewalks to clothes racks in the mall. The front wheel can lock for those who want to take a light jog (though if you are a true runner, we recommend the Slingshot or Rebound models), and among its many fabulous features is the ability to carry up to 80 lbs!

Other features we love include a fully rotating sun canopy (stationary canopies just don't do the job!), a full rain canopy, heavy duty fabric, lots of pockets for mom and child, a roomy and comfortable seat, and adjustable height handle so both mom and dad can enjoy pushing your little one. The features go on and on! Check out the Dreamer Design at Babystyle where you can get an extra 15% off all gear AND free shipping! (use code GEARDEAL).


momAgenda

To help you keep your resolve to become (and stay!) organized this year, we've found just the thing! momAgenda is an original day planner created for mothers, by a mother. After surveying hundreds of moms (both working and stay-at-home) busy mom of four, Nina Restieri, created the ultra-stylish momAgenda! This upscale day planner helps eliminate chaos and restore order to the scheduling challenges that go with parenting. Its unique, week-at-a-view layout features separate spaces for mom and each child, allowing moms to manage multiple schedules with ease! Available in high-tech shantung-finish with natural leather trim and lining, in six stylish colors...this planner looks and feels like a gorgeous new accessory! Find it at Peanut Butter & Lily!


prenatal yoga

For expectant moms hoping to maintain physical and mental health during their pregnancy, as well as provide an optimal environment for the development of the fetus, now is the perfect time to start practicing yoga!

Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond by Fran?oise Barbira Freedman (medical anthropologist, yoga teacher, and frequent lecturer on midwifery and women's health) provides step-by-step photos of adapted poses for pregnancy, while identifying the benefits of yoga for both mother and baby throughout her pregnancy and beyond. Features a unique section of special yoga and relaxation exercises to do with or without baby, up to 16 weeks after birth.



YOGA FOR PREGNANCY by Rosalind Widdowson (who has taught, lectured, and practiced the arts of yoga, meditation, massage and natural health therapies for more than 30 years) is a great resource for both beginners and those who are more experienced with the practice of yoga. Book also provides specific exercises that can offer relief from common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as heartburn, fluid retention, aches and pains, dizziness, and more.


understanding your toddler

Parents of toddlers often feel like everyday is a battle with their little one. Many mothers would like to understand their toddler better and minimize their frustrations. The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp brings a unique approach to minimizing your childs tantrums and help you communicate better with your toddler.

Karp divides the book into three sections; Understanding Your Toddler, Talking With Your Child, and Dealing With Typical Toddler Situations. Karp relates toddlers to primitive man and believes that the toddler years are so frustrating because parents don't speak the same language. Karp terms toddler speak "Toddler-ese", a method of talking in which short phrases, repetition, dramatic tone of voice, and body language is used. The book teaches parents to respect the needs of their children and teaches the use of positive discipline.

While you may become tiresome of the extensive references to prehistoric man, Karp does offer strategies and hope to parents on dealing with the troublesome toddler years. An important emphasis in the book is that what you say to your child while upset is much less important than how you talk to them.

Check out The Happiest Toddler on the Block DVD, a perfect companion to the book.


the toymaker

In the New Year, spend more quality time with your kids...and Marilyn Scott-Waters! Among her many wonderful creations is her whimsical book, "The Toymaker: Folded Paper Toys You Can Make Yourself". We love Scott-Waters' simple goal...to help grownups and children spend time together! Toys in the book are printed on thick card stock and ready to be cut, glued, and put together! You'll find a Dream Theater, a balancing Penny Butterfly, Treasure Boxes, Baskets, and Magical Spinners. Toys are simple enough for younger children but whimsical enough to intrigue older kids (...as well as the young at heart)! Find this book at Craftsbury Kids and go to Scott-Waters' website, The Toymaker, to download more paper toys- FREE!


blooming baby gift

In the New Year, give the gift that showcases your own sense of style with this blooming baby gift from celebrity floral artist Jane Carroll and premiere baby accessories company Cuddlebee. If you haven't heard these two names, you've got to get yourself in-the-know. We had to let you in on this fabulous gift find...



Known for her exquisite flower arrangements and celebrity appeal, Carroll teamed up with Cuddlebee for their high-end, ultra-hip style and quality to bring her clients this refreshing (and super-popular!) baby gift. Chenille-backed bib and burp arrive inside a handmade woven pine box filled with fresh wheat grass and stems of yellow rhumba spray roses. Once the sweet flowers are gone, moms can use the pine box to store items in the nursery.


Carroll's A-List clients include Oprah Winfrey, Halle Barry (who buys in bulk!), Barbara Walters, and Calvin Klein - to name a few. Find this fabulous gift Jane-Carroll and 1-800-flowers.com. For a closer look at more stylish accessories like this bib and burb set from Cuddlebee, go to Cuddlebee.com (where they're offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $40)!


children's stationary

Thank you cards are the perfect way to brighten someone's day...and let them know how much you appreciated their gift. We found children's stationary that can be used to send personalized thank you cards at Pen and Parchment. Customize this adorable stationary with your child?s name and bring a smile to someone?s face.

product showcase

Many of us have resolved to keep ourselves looking good in 2006...which for some of us means coordinating and accessorizing!


We've found a site that will help spice up your wardrobe with accessories that will pull everything together. At Sidney's Closet you'll find fashion-forward diaper bags, totes, wristlets, belts, burps, and bibs. Start the New Year off with a bang, with bags designed with matching or coordinating fabrics - to match their beautiful bibs and burb cloths! All bags are individually handmade by the designer herself and designed with durable black canvas and stain resistant fabrics.


We love this ultra-stylish Blue Polka Dot Ribbon Diaper Bag with gorgeous inner black dot lining. With plenty of pockets for all your goodies (including two exterior elasticized bottle pockets, four roomy interior pockets, and more slip and long pockets on either side of the exterior), you'll look like a fashionista - without the bulk! (Coordinates with Light Blue Polka Burp Cloth or Essentials Tote!)



Be sure to check out their Limited Editions Preview to celebrate spring. Their popular Paisley Pixie print will come in pink - enough to add a splash of color to your wardrobe! Tote has three interior slip pockets, a durable canvas bottom, 15" nylon straps (with 71/2" drop), magnetic snap closure, and is 14" wide x 9" tall, and 4" deep. (Pre-order today!)



Browse Sidney's Closet to find a different accessory at 15% off each week! Along with weekly featured products, enjoy just $2.95 shipping on all bags...year-round! Here's your chance to keep at least one of your resolutions...!

Back to Previous Issues Archive.