GoodyBlog

The Power of Positive Sleeping

On the recommendation of a wildly successful friend, I finally watched The Secret on DVD. I’m going to go ahead and say there’s nothing in it you haven’t heard before, as in, "Change your thoughts and you can change your life." Like any self-help, positive thinking anything, it just serves as a reminder to believe in yourself—and in my opinion that’s what we really need, reminders. 

Right around the same time I was sent a soft pillowcase covered in positive affirmations like, “Whatever I imagine, I can do!” And really, there is "The Secret" right there. I wondered, did the universe conspire to bring me this pillowcase, as "The Secret" would have it? Maybe. I’m not sure it matters. 

But reading a few nice thoughts before bed could be especially helpful if the next day is a Monday, tax day or the day I have to finally, finally clean out the fridge. It probably can’t hurt for kids either. As the mom behind these pillowcases explains it, “Every night, I would say positive affirmations to my two boys, who were 3 and 5. While we were at the playground one afternoon, and my older son was about to climb the monkey bars, I went over to hold his legs. He stopped me by saying, 'No, Mom, I don't need you. I can do anything I put my mind to.' I knew I was on to something.” 

Plus, if you’re ever feeling really cynical and you don’t want to hear/read it (like on fridge cleaning day) you can change the sheets. 

Photo via. 

The KidDictionary

I love a good neologism (newly-coined word) so when I read a few entries in the clever coffee table book The KidDictionary: A Book of Words Parents Need But Don’t Have, I was sold. It’s basically a lot of cute photos illustrating a glossary of wonderfully made-up words that pertain to life with kids. Take INVISIBOOBOO (in-VIZ-uh-boo-boo) n: – The site on a child's body where you unnecessarily applied a Band-Aid to appease them when they got hurt, though did not bleed; and WHYAHRHEA (WHY-uh-REE-uh) n: – An inquisitive toddler’s chain of questions rattled off in rapid-fire succession. It might even be funny enough to stave off an approaching THREEMAGEDDON (three-muh-GED-in) n: – The supposed hellfire and brimstone that would erupt should an annoyed mother reach the third digit while counting aloud to three.

Gift-Giving Mastermind

June is a gift-giving boom month for me (four VIP birthdays, two weddings, one bridal shower and Father’s Day), which leads to a bust in my bank account and a total lack of creativity for the poor end-of-month recipients.

However, this year I may have found some relief—a gift-giving website that does the thinking for me. Giftgenius.com lets me choose the occasion, then target recipient interests and price range.

So far, for the determined daughter and dad who doesn’t want anything, I found this awesome service, Telegram Stop, that will transform an electronic message into a traditional telegram, delivered to dear dad (perhaps making him privy to that day of QT I'm planning). And for the birthday of the laid-back sister who still loves the finer things, casually sophisticated Tori Burch flip-flops. Genius.

For the Love of Greeting Cards

    

I miss mail—real mail. I really do. As much as I appreciate electronic birthday cards (especially someecards.com) and Facebook messages, I miss ripping open that brightly colored envelope, not knowing if I'll laugh out loud, if I'll be $25 richer (fingers crossed), or if I'll need a tissue to wipe my tears.

We've nearly abandoned the art of sending cards because other methods of communication are much faster and easier. But check out Jackcards.com, a website that makes sure you'll never forget an important event again, from birthdays to anniversaries to holidays.

JackCards.com has thousands of cards to choose from, for every recipient and all occassions (3 adorable kiddy ones picture here). You pick the right ones for the right dates, and when the time comes, Jack Cards will mail you the card to sign and send! That way, you still can add your own personal handwritten touches. And get this...the card comes stamped, addressed and ready to send off. Ah! Genius! Membership is free and cards start as low as $1.50.

Now, there is no excuse for not sending a birthday card! (And by the way, mine is January 30th.)

Good Deed Friday: Bear Hugs

I had a big picture of this bear pulled up on my desktop as our editor-in-chief, Dana, walked by the other day. When she asked if I was planning to blog about it I said, “Yes! And he’s even cuter in person.” My voice had taken on the same awed inflection it does when discussing the one time I stood next to Chace Crawford (who is also cuter in person, impossible it may seem). Sooo maybe I’m a little overzealous about NouNou, but he really is cute. First of all he’s different: sort of tall and gangly for a teddy, which I love. Second, he’s designed by kids, for kids as part of the My Own Bear project from North American Bear Co. Part of the proceeds when you buy NouNou go to Hugs Across America, an organization that provides teddy bears to victims in traumatic circumstances. So not only is he cute, he’s also got substance… quite the catch lovey.

Mother's Day Gift Idea!

Got a preggers mama on your Mother's Day gift list? Then check out this beautiful book of photography, Portraits of Pregnancy: The Birth of a Mother by award-winning photographer Jennifer Loomis and journalist Hugo Kugiya. The book features more than 50 women's portraits along with touching, intimate stories of their 9-month journey to becoming mothers. Forget about swollen ankles and morning sickness. The stunning shots in this book capture the radiance of pregnancy, and will make any mom to-be feel like she too is a goddess!

Project of the Month Club

I must admit, I'm not always a huge fan of packaged crafts, but for the busy parent (isn't that all parents, really?), this one had me at hello.

Check out Project of the Month Club. Just sign up for a monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or four-in-a-row subscription and a box arrives on your doorstep with all the supplies you need to make a treasure box, a tie-dye t-shirt, or a pillow.

Project categories include Master Builder (hammers and screws) and Future Designers (stitch and decorate). The crafts are geared toward kids ages 4 to 11 and require adult supervision and interaction.

Thanks to Daily Candy Kids for the link!

This Kid-Friendly Craft is a Keeper

As a kid, my life wasn’t governed by too many rules. Still, there was one hard-and-fast mandate I knew not to break: No craft projects involving glitter. Actually, the rule was more like: No crazy craft projects, period. (My mom simply hated buying all the expensive supplies, which inevitably got lost in the back of the closet.) Aside from coloring, the one thing she really encouraged us to do was papier-mâché. I’m pretty sure that's because it only involved three household staples: water, Elmer’s glue, and old newspapers.

Anyway, last night, while flipping through the newest issue of our crafty sister-pub, ReadyMade, I came across a project that I’m dying to try: Turning empty plastic bottles into striking colored vases. The materials are cheap/recycled and it involves papier-mâché? Even Mom would approve.

Most impressive to me is that while the so-simple instructions are easy enough for little ones to take on, they result in some truly chic vessels (ReadyMade’s vases, which started out as empty Method hand soap and POM juice bottles, among others, remind me of pricey Jonathan Adler ceramics I’ve long coveted for my living room.) I’d like to make a few  of my own this week—I’m thinking one could be the perfect container for a sweet Mother’s Day bouquet....

Mother’s Day Giveaways: Win a Charm Necklace

Since appearing in our March issue, these little charms have made a big impact, and designer Helen Ficalora is thrilled. In honor of all you chic moms out there, she’s giving one lucky Goody Blog reader her gorgeous gold cutout heart charm, two gold alphabet charms of your choice and an 18 inch chain to match (worth over $400)! We think this simple, elegant style reflects just how charming you are.

• Two 14k gold alphabet charms of your choice
• One 14k gold cutout heart charm
• One 14k gold, 18 inch fine chain

Full rules here. To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 6 p.m. ET on Friday, May 8th. We'll email the lucky winner on Monday, May 11th for a (just a tiny bit belated) Mother’s Day surprise! Goody Luck. 

T-Shirt Envy

I have five t-shirts in different shades of gray and four black tees. That’s pretty much it as long as you don’t count my glittery “Sex & the City” shirt or maroon and gold “Team Gryffindor” long-sleeve, neither of which leave the house.
But everywhere I go I notice great, subtle, designy tees on other people. For a long time I thought the problem was that they were paying the $50 I will never pay for a tee, despite the fact that I wear them with more frequency than any other article of clothing.
Now I know the secret—2K by Gingham. This small company aggregates beautiful, funky t-shirt designs from artists all over the world and sells them at wonderfully fair prices.
I rocked my sweet girl tee from illustrator Izuru Aminaka all weekend and got nothing but compliments from friends with that familiar, covetous look on their faces. Check out all of the artists here. The variety alone makes the site a no-brainer for gift-giving (and receiving). Mother's Day, anyone?