v 6 issue 6: Warming Up to Fall
Cooler days are here with more on the way and we have found products that make it easy to keep your little one warm. We have footwear, hats, blankets and more.
Cover by Laura Winslow
1 Suitable for tots, teens, and beyond! Zicci Bea offers 7 collections of gorgeous hotel style sheets with a 220 thread-count. The machine washable, 100% cotton sateen sets include a duvet cover, fitted sheet, pillow case, and sham. All sets are perfectly coordinated and quickly transform any room into a luxury suite at an equally luxurious price. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off for 20% off purchases thru Oct 10.
2 A true woobie needs to be built to last. At Luv My Woobie, extra care goes into bulking up the infant blankets so they will survive the bumps and tumbles of childhood and the numerous trips to the washing machine. At a generous36" x 29", the infant blanket's smartest feature is the patented corner pocket with a Velcro closure where binkies can be safely stored.
3 Marili Jean Accessories designs trendy hats, barrettes, and headbands for little girls. The classic Marili Jean barrettes are interchangeable and come with most hats. We at Tottrends truly love the smooth tone of the mini diva hat in chocolate brown when paired with the deep rose barrette. All hats are made of the softest and most natural fabrics. Enter code: Trends for 20% off purchases.
4 Pink harmonizes well with the nylon twill of the girl's rock & roll jacket found @ jisforjacket.com. A little pop comes from an oversized metal guitar zip-pull and four music inspired embroideries: drums, musical notes, a large guitar on back, and "Girls Rock!" over the heart. Heavyweight and water-resistant, this coat is perfect for outdoor warmth and unpredictable weather.
5 Let those little girls wear their dresses into the crisp days of autumn without the fuss of tights. Huggalugs offers a wide array of legwarmers in leghugger & legruffle styles. You can even warm up some arms with these functional, problem solving tubes of snug. Warm, colorful, and fun. We love them!
6 Pretty in Pink Pedoodles take mildly textured leather remnants and boost the eco-friendliness by adding PedFlex flat rubber soles-made of recycled materials. Bright lipstick pink stitching, embroidered flowers, and fur uppers soften the rugged spirit of these responsible boots. They look great, slip on/off easily, and provide effective traction & flexibility for growing feet! Available at organicbabygiftboutique.com. Enter code: TTW15 for 15% off purchases.
7 With a Bundleme, babies & tots will stay toasty warm cradled inside a thermaplush fabric lined with cozy shearling. For safety, Bundleme is designed to fit into carseats, strollers, and joggers so harness straps rest directly on baby, and the top half can zip off it gets too warm. Get outside and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of autumn with the comfort & convenience of a Bundleme.
8 Bobux has an amazing pair of slippers they like to call Slink Skin. These ultra-soft slippers are made of natural lamb skin, but the fleece is left on for a super soft fit. Made with Bobux's ankle elastic system to keep shoes on while providing no-slip comfort and remarkable warmth.
Fall backyard cleaning tips
Everyone can benefit from backyard fall cleanup. A little bit of work in the fall will really pay off when spring rolls around and get a head start on next year’s growing season.
10 time-saving tips to give your backyard a head start on spring.
• Rake those leaves. Once the snow flies, an unraked layer of leaves can get matted down over the turf and smother it all winter long.
• Feed the grass. Fertilizing in the fall is like a day at the spa for your lawn. Using a slow-release fertilizer allows the grass to soak up nutrients.
• Weed all about it. Weeding in the fall is probably the most valuable thing you can do to prepare for spring, and it's one that many people overlook.
• Pick up the poop. When the snow melts next spring, the last thing you want to see on your lawn is pet waste.
• Remove thatch build-up. A build-up of above ground roots called thatch prevents sunlight, oxygen and moisture from getting to the nutrient-hungry soil below.
• Aerate. Heavy use throughout the summer can cause soil to become compacted. Perforating your lawn with small holes helps reduce compaction and lets water, air and fertilizer get down to the soil, which strengthens the grass plant's root structure.
• Water trees and shrubs. Dehydration during the colder months is an all-too-common cause of tree damage, but it's easily preventable.
• Clean out your garden. Fruits and vegetables left in the garden can rot all winter long, and provide a comfy home for insect eggs.
• Plant spring bulbs. Fall is not all about closing up shop. It's also the perfect time to plant spring flowering bulbs like daffodils and tulips.
• Give your tools a tune-up. When it comes time to put away the backyard tools for the season, don't just shove them into the garage or shed. Spend a few minutes wiping them down and removing debris and dirt, then apply a light layer of oil to keep them from rusting over the winter.
Sources: aracontent.com and hound-dog.com
Fall Fitness: Tips for Starting a Running Program this Fall
If you’re looking to get in shape, there’s little that beats running for fitness. Running offers a number of health benefits, weight loss benefits and it offers fast results. If you’re looking to start running for fitness, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Before you begin any fitness program running or otherwise, check with your doctor. Running is an aerobic activity and for most people it is great for their heart however it can be hard on joints and is best approached once you’ve gotten the thumbs up from your physician.
Before you start running, invest in a good pair of running shoes. Many people avoid running because they hear how hard it is on their joints. The truth is that with the right gear and the right approach running can be virtually injury free. The right gear begins with a good pair of running shoes. They’ll place your foot in optimal position and provide the cushioning your joints need.
Set goals. Running without a goal can easily become a chore. However if you have a goal then it becomes something you’re motivated to do. Choose your goal wisely. Focus on speed or distance. For example, “I want to be able to run a marathon in 12 months” or “I want to run a 5K in 20 minutes.” Then you’re better able to create a running program.
Take baby steps. If your goal is to run a marathon you’re not going to go out and run it today. Instead you’re going to want to gradually build up your endurance. Begin with a maximum of three miles. If you’re walking and running this distance it will take you between 30 and 45 minutes to complete which fits quite well into the 30 minutes of exercise a day physician recommendation.
Note that you’re starting your running for fitness program with a combination of running and walking. This is important if you’re new to running. Gradually, you can run more and walk less until you’re running the full three miles. From there you can add on distance.
Learn when you run best and structure your workouts to fit your needs. Some people are morning people, others aren’t. While studies say that people who run in the morning tend to stick with it longer, if you despise getting up early you’re just not going to perform as well as you would later on. Run when you’re at your best.
Find what motivates you. Do you enjoy running to music? What about running with friends? Are you competitive? Running for fitness is much easier if you’re enjoying it. If you’re social, then run with others. If you’re competitive then sign up for a race and train for it. If you love nature then run on trails.
Starting a running for program can feel overwhelming. The simple truth is that if you have the basic equipment and are honest with your goals and your fitness personality, you’ll be shedding the pounds and getting in tip top shape in no time. Best of all, you’ll have fun doing it.
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