Stephanie over at Adventures in Babywearing recently posted about "mom trends" in her neighborhood. She commented that most of the moms in her area shop at Old Navy and Target. She also pointed out that jeans, knit tees, and flip-flops are the most common pieces in her closet - and in her friends' closets.
I decided to continue the conversation over here at my blog. What do you don from day-to-day? Where do you shop?
Here's the lowdown on my closet:
At home -boot cut or flare JEANS, a tee or tank top, sneakers ***my most common wardrobe***
At work - pinstripe or solid slacks, V-neck sweater, boots or low heels, leather jacket (if weather permits)
Dressed up - cute skirt, heels, nice jacket
Stores I Shop At - Nordstrom Rack, Target, Banana Republic
Stores I'd Like to Shop At - Zara, H & M, Nordstrom
P.S. Those jeans are from Gap - the new bootcut fit for $59.50. Cute!
Several months ago, I googled "baby-friendly cars." I was hoping to find a website or two that provided auto reviews specifically tailored to parents.
There are the obvious considerations that Consumer Reports reviews: gas mileage, safety, reliability, and cost (which are all very important to me). But I also was looking for other things...like:
* adequate trunk space (for strollers, diaper bags, and floppy seats)
* a flat space for diaper changing
* lots of leg room in the back seat (where new moms often sit after baby is born)
Enter Mother Proof, a site "dedicated to providing women in general and mothers in particular with useful and entertaining new-car reviews." Check it out!
Walt Disney World® Resort is currently looking for 10-12 moms to become part of a new online forum set to debut in January 2008. This new team will be invited to share views of their own Walt Disney World® vacation experiences, as they answer questions and provide advice to families planning a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort.
One quick "catch" - In order to apply, you must have visited Walt Disney World sometime in the past 12 months.
The deadline to apply is October 5.
The title of this post is catchy and cute, but the answer to this dilemma isn't. Moms are typically already stretched for time, energy, and "Me time" so often fitness gets pushed to the wayside. I know it often does in my life.
But I'm committed to adding more cardio and muscle-building activities into my life (I already walk for 20-30 minutes a day). Moms I know who successfully implement excerise into their lives usually do something that is cheap, close-to-home, and as motivating as possible. Some run, some walk, some attend mom & baby strollercise classes, and some sweat alongside fitness instructors courtesy of instructional DVDS and fitness TV.
I think running is probably the solution for me. Here's what I need to do before I begin my regimen:
1. Buy a good sports bra or two. (Any suggestions, ladies?)
2. Buy some cute running clothes. Maybe a cute running skirt like the one pictured by Adidas... (Okay, it's not a necessity, but it will help me to get motivated.)
3. Create a Master Schedule so that I can actually make room to get out there every day.
What kind of fitness routine do you have? If you don't have one, what steps do you need to take to get started?
I just read Penelope Trunk's latest column on Yahoo Finance, entitled "For Some, Work-Life Balance is Child's Play." Although I don't always agree with Trunk's premises, her honest and straightforward approach is refreshing and though-provoking. I appreciate her willingness to be controversial for the sake of conversation.
Trunk's article had so many quotable pieces that it's hard to summarize here, but her basic proposition in the article is that kids do better in homes where both parents do not work full time outside of the home. I agree.
She also talks about the difficulty of the "job" of taking care of kids: "At this point, it's clear that families are better off when one person takes care of the household full time. Statistics support this conclusion, and it's also intuitive. The problem is that not many people want to stay at home full time. We already did that in a widespread way in the 1950s, and the cliché of the housewife who takes Valium to cope exists for a reason: Staying at home with kids every day for 20 years isn't a first choice for most people..."
Read the article and post your thoughts here. Do you agree/disagree? What would be your ideal work arrangement?
P.S. For more great reading by Trunk, check out her blog.
This past weekend, we took our daughter to the Picture People for "1st Birthday" shots. My husband doesn't like photo studios because he insists that I take much better pictures with my trusty little digital camera - and, of course, he always points out the very true fact that the photos are WAY over-priced.
But I can't resist the oh-so-cute backdrops and props. This time, I got a postcard in the mail with a little girl standing in a box with a big "1" on it - and I knew I wanted that same shot. So we went and the pictures turned out very cute.
But, I have to ask you...
1. Where do you go to get baby portraits taken? the Picture People? JCPenney? Sears? Target? A professional photographer? You and your digital camera?
2. If you take your pics at home, what do you do to ensure that your pictures turn out just right? Photography tips, please!
Are you a mom who:
* is a published author?
* dreams of becoming a published author?
* will someday have a NY-Times best-seller?
Then, check out Writer Mama's blog.
The mom behind the blog is Christine Katz, author of Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids.
During the month of September, Katz is giving away tons of writing-related prizes. You can read the full press release here. [P.S. If you decide to head on over and participate, please mention that I referred you. Thanks!]
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
*Excerpt from "Babies Don't Keep"