Tech Tuesdays:
Show ’em What You Got with a Hot Mama Apron
Me Mondays:
After several days of cooking, cleaning, repeat, I’m reminded of some of the not-so-fabulous parts of being a mom at the holidays. While thankfully the pros definitely outweigh the cons, I’ll admit, moms make a lot of the holiday magic happen. From decorating the house, wrapping the gifts, creating the holiday meal and my personal favorite, cleaning the house. (tsk, tsk.)
And that, as well as having several little dirty hands and faces around my house, is the reason I now love aprons. They solve so many issues and let’s face it, they can dress up your yoga pant ensemble in a whole new way. No longer does your look say, “mom that can’t fit in her jeans,” but says “mom that’s trying to create delicious meals and a clean house” (you notice I used “trying,” right?) I strive for the later one everyday.
Over the last few years I’ve collected a few aprons, some that will never been used like the signed ones I cherish from Ted Allen and Paula Deen. Then there are the ones that are so cute, I reserve them for only AFTER I’ve made the mess to look cute when other people enter the room (or that moment when Food Network comes to my house to start filming my first cooking show.) Other aprons I have are so ugly, they should never see the light of day, so while I don’t mind getting them dirty and greasy, I just should let them go. Really.
Then I was introduced to the flirty and functional aprons from Hot Mama Aprons. (How apropos for me in so many ways, tee-hee!) These locally made aprons created by Dallas mom, Jennifer Carr, were the product of a mom suffering from the same predicament; she was trying to find something that was cute to wear, but she didn’t mind wiping her hands on…so she actually sewed the hand towel right into the apron. (Why didn’t I think of that, right?)
Kinda amazing, I think. And apparently, Paula Deen, the gals at Southern Living and many others thought the same thing, so her designs received lots of press. And when Paula and Southern Living says “two thumbs up”, you know that you must have done something good.
And just like a good Southern woman should have, Hot Mama Aprons even have a holiday design, so you can look your very best even when you might be doing some dirty work. At least you’ll look good. And with a long holiday season in store, you might just have to buy two (especially since it’s free shipping for a limited time!)
Now go be the hostess with the mostess (or at least look like it.)
Get Innovative this Holiday with the Innotab 2s – Toy Pick 2012
Wow Mom! Wednesdays – Holiday Edition:
- Pre-loaded with FREE onboard activities including one tilt sensor game, one augmented reality game, one e-book, art studio app, notes app, friends list, calendar and calculator to get started. (Sounds like your first smartphone, right?)
- Hundreds of apps for download: Kids can engage with their favorite licensed characters by downloading one of more than 200 apps*, including games, e-books and more that teach kids reading, logic and creativity; visit VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator for more information
- With 2GB onboard memory and expandable SD card slot available to accommodate SD cards up to 32GB, the InnoTab2 keeps your child engaged
- *NEW* Rotatable camera for memory capture: Features a new rotatable digital camera and video recorder that allows kids to capture memories of themselves or their friends
- Customizable: Enables kids (up to four users) to personalize the InnoTab 2 by creating their own user name and avatar, a voice greeting, typed greeting and photo wallpaper
- And what makes the InnoTab 2s more special than the Innotab2? The InnoTab 2s Learning App Tablet with secure Wi-Fi contains all the product features of the InnoTab 2, plus a secure wireless connection to VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator for easy and secure downloading of games, e-books, music and more. (Yep, now you don’t have to plug it up to your computer to get an update or a new app!)
Overall: Get your IPad back and rest assured that the content your kiddo is looking at is education and entertaining, but always approved by you. And at less than $100, than the InnoTab 2/2s is way cheaper than Ipad and much more durable too!)
Don’t Leap for Leapster, Go for MobiGo2: Toy Pick 2012
Wow Mom! Wednesdays – Holiday Edition:
- Two NEW ways to play: MobiGo 2 comes equipped with a NEW motion sensor and microphone in addition to the touchscreen:
- The NEW motion sensor provides total game control, allowing kids to create action movements within games and programs while playing
- The NEW microphone provides different methods of game play. Blow into the microphone to move objects, blow off dust, or initiate other special effects. Or speak into it to give a command or trigger an action
- QWERTY keyboard helps kids become familiar with a keyboard layout
- Pre-loaded with FREE games: MobiGo 2 also functions as an e-reader, photo album, photo viewer and art studio and coloring book, and comes pre-loaded with three great games that take advantage of the product’s many features
- Numerous apps for download: The expanded onboard memory allows kids to store more fun. More than 80 other apps are available for download at the VTech Learning Lodge Navigator™ at www.VTechKids.com/Download.
Get Ready to Robot with Cogsley – Toy Pick 2012
Wow Mom! Wednesdays – Holiday Edition:
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| Thanks Wikipedia for the childhood throwback. |
Hey, it was cool for 1985.
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| Teddy doesn’t hold a candle to Cogsley. |
- Cogsley comes with a set of 30 chips that create movements, sounds, and images and animations on the LCD display. The chips help Cogsley teach children skills including letters, counting, words, manners and even basic phrases in Spanish, French, Chinese and German. (Thank goodness he even comes with a storage backpack to carry his chips, so when you have a little ones you can try to keep up with them!)
- Cogsley also sings, dances and exercises with music and songs.
- He has five interactive body movements including twistable ears and a spinning nose and eyes, to help enhance children’s motor skills.
- He even has a sound detector so that if the robot “hears” a clap, sing or shout, the robot will respond with a variety of expressions and movements.
Overall: This is a great starter technology toy that’s fun and educational before your kids enter the world of Nintendo, PlayStation and Apple.
Light Up Your Legos with LiteBrix
Wow Mom Wednesday:
The turkey hasn’t even been bought but the Christmas presents are already beginning to build (waiting for someone to wrap them.) While my son has alerted me he wants only one thing from Santa this year (a Thomas the Tank Engine Trackmaster set that is almost impossible to find), I know that he’ll still expect a few other things under the tree. However, since he’s got a LOAD of Thomas already and has also created quite a Lego inventory, where does a mama look for ideas.
What to get, What to get, What to get.
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
7 Facebook Auction Sites You Should Like: Your Guide to Facebook Auctions
Tech Tuesdays:
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| The 2012 necklace of the year, inspired by J. Crew. Grabbed mine on Jewelry Nut for around $26. (Grabbed this shot from Cupcake Life.) |
- Check to see if you need to register for bidding
- No returns or exchanges
- Invoices should be paid immediately (within 48 hours)
- Shipping is normally included
Still think you need to try a taste? Here’s just a few of the ones I’m following:
Jewelry Nut Auction: (Jewelry)
Also, they recently began Style Nut Auctions (Women’s Clothing and Accessories), which are on Wednesdays at 8 PM. (Love these gals since they are local yokals from Fort Worth!)
Love Your Kid’s Laces with Shoe Fobbz
Wow Mom Wednesdays
While I’m on top of the cool things for five-year olds, I’ll admit, I’m not the authority on what makes six-year olds (and up) say, “That’s cool mom.”
Earlier this summer I got the chance to get my hands on 16 sets of Gutzy Gear, a line of backpack straps and patches to personalize and accessorize your kiddo’s backpack. I shared them with my son’s class as a back-to-school gift and the class went wild. I wasn’t ready for the reaction, but I’ve learned that I should keep my ear to the ground when it comes to what’s the next big thing. (You remember those rubberband bracelets, right?)
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| Gutzy Gear gives kids a chance to personalize their backpack with removable patches. |
Since we were currently are embarking on “real shoes” for winter versus our sandals for summer, these made our transition from our “Lego and Thomas Crocs” to big-kid shoes much easier. Best of all, at less than $5 and cute packaging, I’ve be using these as favors for birthday gifts, so the kids then switch them out at school.
So when my kid found out I had the Halloween monsters pack, I got a “cool, mom!,” so it’s totally means it’s worth a share for “Wow Mom! Wednesdays!”
DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
Combat Germs with a Homemade Hand Sanitizer
September marks the start of the season every parent comes to dread: cold and flu season. As children take their play indoors, germs circulate more quickly, leading to six months of increased infections that can, at any point, turn a day of school or work into cancelled meetings and time spent coughing on the couch.
| A great homemade hand sanitizer and these cute bottles inspired from http://santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com make great playdate, school gifts and shower ideas. |
As with all illnesses, prevention is better than the cure. While many parents turn to hand sanitizer to kill germs, these store-bought concoctions can contain alcohol and harsh chemicals. Dr. Lawrence Rosen, a nationally recognized expert in Pediatric Integrative Medicine, shares this recipe for a gentler – and equally effective – homemade hand sanitizer:
Homemade Hand Sanitizer
Ingredients:
• 3 oz. filtered water
• 1 tsp. aloe vera gel
• 10 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 10 drops rosemary essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 20 drops lemon oil
Instructions: Mix ingredients in a 4-ounce spray dispenser, and shake gently. Spray on children’s hands, and teach them to massage the spray into their hands for 30 seconds. The result is a natural, chemical free, hand sanitizer to keep germs at bay.
Jackson’s Top 5 List: What to Get a 4-Year Old for His Birthday
Recently my oldest, Jackson, celebrated his 4th birthday just the way he wanted: Angry-Birds style! It was a lot of fun to plan together and I’m sure that everyone had a good time! Jackson was blessed to have many of his best friends at the party and many great gifts from some very thoughtful people. Some of them found some gifts I’d never even heard of, while others had contacted me in advance asking what the birthday boy might want for his birthday. Funny enough we were so immersed in the birthday party, I had to do a little research to find out what things my little man might want for his birthday…
My kid LOVES Thomas the Tank…Actually last year’s party was Thomas and I think he asked for Angry Birds just so mom didn’t have to repeat the same party. So when we came across the kid-sized Thomas the Tank Patio Set it was a done deal. Featuring washable plastic tabletop with cool in-laid graphics that won’t scratch or peel, he looks just like a little grownup when he asks to eat al fresco. The patio set comes with a table, umbrella and two folding patio chairs, unfortunately the table is already fading a bit, but it’s perfect for the Thomas fan while spending time outdoors. I’m sure he’s asked to eat outdoors at least once a day since he got it.
One of those things I didn’t expect my big boy to do was to point out something for his sister as a gift. Of course, it was still Thomas the Tank Engine, but being that it was for ages under 3, he understood he couldn’t ride in it, but only his sister could. I guess in his head at least it was Thomas the Train! Made by Kids Only, the Thomas the Tank Toddler Swing features cool details and art inspired by Thomas the Tank! This sturdy plastic toddler swings feature high-back supports for comfort and safety, adjustable safety seatbelts and colorful sculpted details that resemble the #1 useful engine. Best of all, there’s no assembly, so pull it out of the box with all the hanging hardware and heavy duty ropes all ready to get your swing moving in no time.





















