GoodyBlog

Hot Off The Beauty Presses

2008-08-20T14:58:46-04:00

We all know the saying "you are what you eat," but in their new book, dermatologist Debra Luftman and psychiatrist Eva Ritvo drive home the point that "you are what you think," particularly when it comes to beauty. Through clinical studies of their own patients, the doctors found that the better women feel about themselves on the inside, the better they look on the outside. The bottom line: thinking about yourself in a positive light is just as important as a good diet, exercise, and skincare regimen when it comes to looking and feeling beautiful. A pretty refreshing thought in today's age of miracle creams and lunchtime cosmetic procedures. The authors also offer low-cost, easy-to-follow advice on everything from boosting your mood to relieving puffy eyes. Learn more about The Beauty Prescription (including where to buy it) here.

2008-08-19T16:11:26-04:00

Welcome to our Back-to-School Blog Party. After showering mom and dad with gifts, we couldn't miss the chance to send the kids back to school in style! We're giving away lots of awesome gear (and don't worry, there are a few big-kid school "supplies" for you too). Just click on each prize below to enter!

Win Everything from our Back-to-School Issue!

2008-08-19T16:09:58-04:00

Yep, you read that right: We’re giving 5 lucky winners everything we featured for back-to-school in our September issue! Each winner will score one featured backpack and lunch bag, filled with all of the other goodies we highlighted. Here's the complete rundown:

One backpack and one lunchbag:

Plus all of these goodies:

Lewis n Clark Lion Tag, Two Lavishy Boutique luggage tags (dog and cat), Mead 5-star dots folder, Sniff tissues, Baekgaard Collection Photo Frame, Tatiri Learning Set, People Pencil, Car Erasers, Robot sharpener, Motion Ruler, LittleMissMatched Pencil Pouch, Tyrrell Katz Pencil Case, Crayola True to Life Crayons, Dino Calculator, and Amies Circle Coin Purse.

Wow! To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 9 p.m. ET on Friday August 29. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Win a Sony Digital Photo Album

2008-08-19T16:09:31-04:00

We'll admit that we'd never heard of a digital photo album like this before the awesome people at Sony gave us one (worth $400!) to give away to you guys. But now that we've done some reading—and gotten increasingly jealous of the lucky winner who will take this baby home—we think it's the coolest thing. You can hook the Sony HDMS-S1D digital photo album up to your TV and view your photos in fabulous hi-def. You can load up to 50,000 hi-res shots in up to 3,000 different albums. You can create slideshows. It even connects to your printer. Too cool. (See, we told you there would be some back-to-school candy for the grown-ups too.)

To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 9 p.m. ET on Friday August 29. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Win a HP All-in-One Printer

2008-08-19T16:08:50-04:00

Five lucky readers will win this sleek HP Photosmart C4400 All-in-One printer, which is awesome for fast, high-quality printing, scanning, and copying. When they say all-in-one, they mean it! You can even pop in your camera card to print photos directly (there's a handy preview screen). This is perfect for families and for space-starved college students (if you have some older back-to-schoolers). Love it!

To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 9 p.m. ET on Friday August 29. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Win a Mabel's Labels Back-to-School Combo Kit

2008-08-19T16:08:22-04:00

Five lucky winners are going to score a total school-year lifesaver: The Mabel's Labels Ultimate Back-to-School Combo. We love Mabel's because they have the smartest (and cutest!) solutions for—what else—making sure all your kid's stuff has his name on it. This kit will get you through the year with nary a lost backpack/shoe/blanket/gym-shirt. Each winner will get:

50 Tag-Mates (no-iron, no-sew labels for clothes), 40 Skinny-Minis (sticky labels for smaller items), 16 Shoe Labels (worn inside the shoe), and 2 Bag Tags (for backpacks or sports bags).

To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 9 p.m. ET on Friday August 29. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Win a Blurb Gift Certificate

2008-08-19T16:07:56-04:00

Our lovely friends at Blurb are giving away another great prize for you guys! This time, 10 lucky winners will each score a $50 gift certificate for Blurb.com. Back-to-school is the perfect time to make a photo book of your summer snapshots--or you could save your cash for later and make a photo book of the school year. (Of course it's not as festive, but you can always slurp in your blog and make a cool blog book too.)

To enter to win, post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by 9 p.m. ET on Friday August 29. We'll email the lucky winners on the following Monday. Goody Luck!

Braaaaaaaains! (or, How Did You Survive Sleep Deprivation?)

2008-08-19T11:02:01-04:00

Let's face it: Uninterrupted sleep is a luxury that most new parents don't get. At least, that's what I always heard. I never thought much of it while my wife was pregnant. I always assumed this truth statement and moved on with life, not comprehending what was to come.

After all, I survived college! For example, when I was the managing editor of my college's student newspaper, there were production nights that lasted 30+ hours. Sure, I was delirious and there not a few times when I started losing it and/or hallucinating. During one famous "episode" brought on by sleepless hysteria and stress, I took a black magic marker and labeled everything in my office. Including the walls. Seriously.

But, the one thing that always followed said production night-mare was a long coma-like stretch of sweet, sweet, delicious sleep. After I woke up (occasionally at 5-6 p.m.), all was well with the world. Suffice it to say, that ain't an option anymore. Not only is it hard for me to sleep past 8 a.m. nowadays, I do have a few more responsibilities. That, and I think my job security at America's Leading Magazine for Parents would be in severe jeopardy.

Don't get me wrong. I love my daughter. She is the CUTEST BABY EVAR. I love when she coos and smiles and does cute things with the little hanging toys on her bouncer. I even love calming her down when she's being a bit cranky. But...not having a large chunk of uninterrupted sleep is killing my wife and I. By three o'clock in the afternoon...I'm done for. I long for one of those gourmet sleep sessions that's available up the road a bit.

So, I ask you gals and guys: How did you survive these first few months, and what advice can you offer a sleep-deprived dad who feels as if he should be an extra for Night of the Living Dead?

Goody Green: A Natural Bug Repellent

2008-08-19T10:33:34-04:00

I've always been a bit skeptical about saturating my skin in insect repellent, especially when the bottle has a laundry list of chemical ingredients on the back. But, problem is that ever since I was a kid I've been super sensitive to bug bites (they get bigger, itchier, and redder than normal) and the little pests just seem to L-O-V-E me, so I have to spray away or pay the price for weeks!

I came across these Geraniol Insect-Repelling Wristbands from Gaiam just before the summer started and knew I had to test them out! They're made from recyclable plastic that is loaded with geraniol - a plant-based essential oil - which naturally repels insects (and is the primary ingredient in citronella) and won't penetrate your skin. Just strap one on your or your child's wrist (or ankle) and you've got 120 hours worth of bug bite protection.

Now, I must admit, the thought of opening myself up to itchy welts seems so unbearable that when I started testing this bracelet I used bug spray at the same time. But after a couple wears, I gained some confidence and went bug spray-free, sporting only my yellow geraniol wristband.
The wristband-only results:
Trial 1: one small bug bite on my foot (which was half naked, trudging through damp grass and very far away from the bracelet)
Trial 2: no new bug bites
Trial 3: success! bug bite -free

Lesson learned? The tiny blood-suckers will surely seek revenge next summer, but instead of stressing out about how many hours I have before I need to wash the deet off my body, I'll be armed with a brand new set of insect-repelling wristbands!

8-bit Snacking: Super Mario 1UP Cakies

2008-08-18T11:52:41-04:00

There's no guarantee that these little snacks will give you an extra life or an instantaneous growth spurt, but they look tasty and retro. And, even better, they look like something I can make, considering I have the decorating skills of a dead lava-soaked King Koopa.

You can find all the sordid details on how to make them at Snack or Die, where many delicious game geek snacks can be found.

Plug of the Week: Kiddie Snack That's Great for Moms

2008-08-18T11:39:21-04:00

When I discovered a box of Clif Kids Z bars at my desk this morning, I immediately conducted a taste test—and decided these bars would be one of my new fave on-the-go snacks. I usually steer clear of energy bars since most are more like a meal than a snack, nutrition-wise. But the yummy chocolate brownie one I'm inhaling as I write this has just 120 calories and 3 grams of fat (1 gram saturated) and a not-too-horrific 12 grams of sugar. They're also available in apple cinnamon, blueberry, chocolate chip, honey graham, and peanut butter. For the days you can't grab something like yogurt or fruit as a snack, these are a pretty good pick—they're definitely not just for kids!

iPhone’s New Frontier: Breastfeeding

2008-08-18T11:26:01-04:00

Attention breastfeeding, record-keeping, iPhone enthusiasts. There is now an iPhone/ iPod touch App made especially for you. With a few taps, Baby Tracker: Nursing remembers when your baby was last nursed, which side she nursed from and for how long. Some early reviewers on iTunes point out that this could be an advanced form of parenting overkill. But if you’re already planning to keep a detailed log and you love using your iPhone, it seems like a handy way to combine the two. I call it iFeeding.

Friday Night Movies

2008-08-15T11:20:00-04:00

This Week's DVD Goodies:

If you're anything like me, you've been glued to the TV watching the Olympics in Beijing all this week. In fact, I'm pretty sure I could take home the gold in Olympic couch-potato-ing. If your preschooler is a bit too young to get into the games, you can still help her feel like she's a part of the experience. This week there are two great titles coming out that focus on Chinese heroines. The first is the Disney classic Mulan, which follows a young girl who's bound and determined to break out of the country's traditional mold for women. The Special Edition DVD includes the original movie and the sequel, and it's a great way to learn a little about Chinese culture and customs. For the wee ones, there's Ni Hao Kai-Lan: Super Special Days, the first DVD release from Nick Jr.'s newest hit show. Episodes from this awesome series introduce your child to words in Mandarin (similar to what Dora does with español). The best part? No little girls are replaced with "cuter" lip-syncers–and that's a promise!

This Week's Big-Screen Goodies:

Fly Me to the Moon (rated G)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (rated PG)

More Kid-Friendly DVDs:

The Berenstain Bears: Family and Friendship

CJ7

DC Super Heroes: The Filmation Adventures

Eon Kid: Season 1, Vol. 1

Frank

Holly Hobbie & Friends: Fabulous Fashion Show

Holly Hobbie & Friends: Hey Girls!

Sesame Street: Furry, Fun and Healthy Too

Strawberry Shortcake: Rockaberry Roll

Thomas and Friends: Totally Thomas, Vol. 4

Thomas and Friends: Totally Thomas, Vol. 5

Thomas and Friends: Totally Thomas, Vol. 6

Tom and Jerry: Tales, Vol. 5

Kourtney's Cult Classic Pick:

Tru Calling: The Complete Series

The Put-Your-Kids-to-Bed-First Pick of the Week:

Smart People

Crochet Has Never Been Cuter!

2008-08-14T17:58:17-04:00

I don't have the first idea how to crochet, but looking at the adorable little creatures I could make from Tamie Snow's new book, Tiny Yarn Animals, makes me want to learn how! The guide features 21 crafts and claims to use "stitches even beginners can easily master," so that makes me a little more confident. How much would your kid love playing with these? Let's be honest, how much would I love playing with these!

If any crochet junkies out there decide to make some tiny yarn animals of their own, send us the pics!

Ruffles Gone Wild

2008-08-14T17:34:12-04:00

Whether I like it or not, I live on a very popular shopping street in a very hip Brooklyn neighborhood. Ninety percent of the time I’m happy for the chance to passively absorb fashion sense. The other 10% of the time, I see things like what I saw this weekend—a tall cigarette wielding model type wearing the adult equivalent of Ruffle Butts with heels. In and of themselves, Ruffle Butts are adorable throwback diaper covers for girls—little tiny ones. They are frilly and I love them. They make great gifts for friends' girl babies. They do not, however, make great gifts for the friends themselves.

Cute Kid Thursday!

2008-08-14T16:28:26-04:00

My Name is: Olivia
I'm: 1-year-old
I hail from: Lincoln, Nebraska
I can usually be found: Pointing and saying "this" or dancing to Elizabeth Mitchell
Beloved toy: Books- I like to flip their pages
Favorite Book: Kiss Good Night, by Amy Hest
Pastimes: Waving "hi," smiling wide and showing all of my teeth, giving hugs to people and stuffed animals
Pet Peeve: Having to hold my sippy cup myself. I prefer to act like a bird, and have mommy and daddy feed it to me.
Catch Phrase: "Oinking" like a pig and "woofing" like a dog

Hey, got a cute kid? Please email us a pic and bio and your little Mr. or Ms. Adorable could be featured on Cute Kid Thursday!

Just Follow The Bouncing Balloons

2008-08-14T12:02:06-04:00

I just bought my 3-year-old Will, the Red Balloon (book and DVD) because i remember how much it mesmerized me when I was a little kid. And today I got news of this cool video from VSL (Very Short List) and it put a huge smile on my face. I hope it does the same for all you balloon-loving grown-ups out there!

Live from Cover Contest Shoot!

2008-08-13T12:52:22-04:00

Judy and I are at the Parents cover contest photo shoot, where our five adorable finalists, Trevor, Trey, Hailey, Lauryn and Camden are flashing some seriously cute smiles for our cameras. You'll have to wait until our November issue hits stands to see who ends up on our cover, but here's a behind-the-scenes sneak peak of the five fabulous faces.

Goody Green: Eco-Cleaning Agents

2008-08-12T12:15:39-04:00

I've always been skeptical about the effectiveness of all-natural, eco-friendly cleaning agents. But once I tried out some of these green products for myself, I quickly learned two things: first, they work just as well as the stuff my mother used growing up (if not better) and second, the house doesn't have to smell like cleaning agents to actually be clean!

Earth Friendly Products is one of my fave eco-brands. They're products are 100% biodegradable, free of toxic and harsh chemicals, and 100% natural. I love the Almond Dishmate and the Parsley Plus All-Surface Cleane r - but just head to their site and you'll find a cleaner for every room in the house, plus personal care products like hand soap and lotions (shown above). Even better - it's all made in the USA and super affordable, so you don't feel like you're breaking your budget to go green.

Do you have a favorite eco-friendly product that you just can't clean without? Share in the comments!

Extreme Product Testing: Graco Sweetpeace Soothing Center

2008-08-12T11:38:51-04:00

I'll just say it: My wife and I love the Sweetpeace Soothing Center. It's the Rolls Royce of baby swings. And, thanks to the generosity of my coworkers during my baby shower here at Parents, my wife and I have one. (I propose Graco make one that's adult sized, with surround sound, built-in remote, and cup holders.)

When we need Em to chill out a bit, or if we need to do something unnecessary (such as cook, eat, or clean), we put her in the Soothing Center's grasp. You can choose seven different speeds, four different seat positions, vibration—it even has a speaker that plays music and sound effects. And if you don't like any of the music offered, you plug your iPod into the bloody thing. Seriously.

Another great feature: If you're about to head out the door, and you have a Graco-made car seat, it snaps right into the Soothing Center. We use it many times as a prep station for Emily when we're getting ready to leave the apartment.

It even gave us a new nickname for Emily—Emily Bear. This is because the headrest looks like a teddy bear head. It's aww cute and fuzzy and wuzzy and et cetera.

When it comes to the soothing aspects of this product, we find that calms the crank once she's subdued a wee bit. For a while, she'd only completely chill if she was sleepy or entirely subdued. Lately, she tends to respond nearly instantaneously once the vibration, rocking, and sound commences.

The only slight drawback is that it does take up a large footprint in the living room. But who cares? I don't. The thing is awesome. I'm restraining myself from using the word "awesome" another 18 times, because we really do love this thing. It's worth every penny.

Christian the Lion (is it just me or is this mindblowing?)

2008-08-12T11:26:18-04:00

My kids have been away at camp for seven, SEVEN Empty What Do I Do With Myself weeks! I have been missing them so much that I've had to turn to animal videos to make up for the severe drop of cutest quotient in my life. Seriously. But they're are coming home today!!! And so in honor of their impending arrival, I'm sharing my most favorite, most heart-warming of all the animal videos that have gotten me through my lonely summer.

Will my kids be as happy to see me as Christian? Will they remember me as vividly? Will someone cue up really corny music when they get out of the car? If you want to track our reunion in real time follow me on twitter. To read more about Christian's amazing story read this.

Summer Fun in NYC

2008-08-11T15:49:51-04:00

There's always something fun to do with the kids in the Big Apple year-round, whether it's going to one of the many museums or checking out a Broadway show. But I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Summer is the time to come for special events. And this one is no exception. Check out three super-neat, limited-time-only attractions you don't want to miss.

* The New York City Waterfalls. This unique art installation by Olafur Eliasson consists of four spectacular man-made water falls in the East River. By far, the coolest is the one directly under the Brooklyn Bridge. You can check them out from the shore, or for an awesome up-close look, take a scenic cruise on the Circle Line. The exhibit runs through October 13th.

* Cirque Dreams: Jungle Fantasy. Cirque Productions takes over Broadway for a limited run (through August 24th) of their nature-inspired show. My 9-year-old niece was mesmerized by the colorful costumes and jaw-dropping acrobatics–and yes, I was too! In fact, it's a safe bet that the performance will wow everyone in your family with all the high-flying fun.

* Hot-air balloon rides from Central Park. Get a once-in-a-lifetime view of Central Park and Manhattan from 30 stories up. These hot-air balloon rides are very popular and surprisingly cheap: $25 for adults and $17.50 for kids. But hurry up–the tours only go through August 22nd!

The Science of Waking Up

2008-08-11T12:05:33-04:00

This watch has a super power. It’s designed to make waking up in the morning (or middle of the night, depending on your kids’ ages) easier. You program the alarm with a time frame when it would be good for you to get up. Then the SleepTracker uses a special motion detector to set off the alarm at the moment in that range when your sleep cycle is at its lightest. The idea is that you were almost awake anyway. So you’ll open your eyes feeling refreshed, not groggy. With the newest model, the SleepTracker Pro, serious insomniacs can upload and track your data to see what factors are influencing your sleep. Although, lots of you already know what those factors are and just want to be alert enough to avoid tripping over their toys some mornings. The only drawback: it’s pricey ($149 to $179). Have any sleep-deprived gadget-lovers tried this already?

Itty Bitty Converse

2008-08-11T10:24:43-04:00

All I can say is: Eeee, teeny-tiny baby Converse! If you're as nostalgic for Converse as I am, head to gap.com and nab these "First Star" hi-tops (they're available not in Gap stores.) You'll find 'em in pink and white too. I thought baby shoes couldn't get cuter than Robeez (and their Target lookalikes), but now I feel so torn!

Me Want Breakfast

2008-08-11T08:06:46-04:00

Maybe it's just because I'm really hungry this morning, but how cute and hilarious are these yummy mummy breakfast friends? Here's the recipe to make your own!

Found via craftzine.