Musings About Life... After Birth

Whee! It’s summer! Time for the pool, beach, slip ‘n slide, sandals, bathing suits (okay, that’s yuck), outdoor picnics, grilling out…..I love it!

To get your summer started off right, each day this month, The Momtourage is giving away a goodie bag stocked with all of our favorite summer essentials - think beauty products, beach reads, heat-beaters, etc. Here’s what’s included:

1) A copy of Tori Spelling’s new book, “Mommywood”
2) Essie Nail polish from the summer collection
3) the June/July issue of Healthy Cooking Magazine
4) Avene TriXera Bath
5) Xen-Tan Transform gradual self-tanner/moisturizer
6) Alba Organics Coconut Lime Cream Shave
7) Avalon Organics Deodorant Spray
8) One With Nature Dead Sea Salt collection soap
9) Smooth N Shine Polishing Repair Xtreme Therapy Leave-In Treatment
10) a Gaiam Flower Power aluminum water bottle
11) Noah’s Naturals Brazilian Body Cream, Body Wash and Body Polish
12) Per-fekt Body Perfection Gel
13) Great chick-lit beach reads from Broadway Books including “RATTLED! A Memoir”, by Christine Coppa, “The Package Deal”, by Izzy Rose and “Adaptability” by by MJ Ryan
14) BAN Clinical Strength Roll-On Antiperspirant/Deodorant
15) Avon SpectraColor Lipstick
16) Julie Hewitt Shimmy Face & Body Shimmer and Cheekie cheek and lip shine
17) Biore Skin Preservation Dual Fusion Mositurizer + SPF 30
18) Carol’s Daughter Body Cleansing Gel
19) “SPENT: End Exhaustion and Feel Great Again” by Frank Lipman, M.D.

To win, send me an email at chelsea@themomtourage.com telling me about your favorite summer family activity!

Beginning May 27 and running through June 10, pediped Footwear will host their third annual Purchases with Purpose fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  During this period, select styles of both their oh-so-adorable Originals (for babies) and Flex (for toddlers and preschoolers) shoes will be marked down do super-cheap prices (some are only $19!).  Fifty percent of sales from this fundraiser will be donated to the charity to help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

I recommend moving on this because not only is this a fundraiser supporting a fantastic cause, but pediped very rarely marks down the price of their shoes. Last year, the company raised more than $111,000 to help grant 15 wishes and has aspirations of surpassing that figure in 2009.  Help them do so by visiting www.pediped.com and outfitting your kids’ feet in their super-cute shoes.

If you purchase a pair of shoes in this promotion, shoot me an email at chelsea@themomtourage.com with the style(s) you picked! The first five readers who send me an email with the shoes they purchased will win a pair of pedipeds of their choice!

In these rough economic times, the need to cut back is a (sad) fact of life. Just because your budget’s a little tighter, however, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking great. On Thursday afternoon at 12:30 PM EST, I’ll be joining Broads Molly and Christine of Sirius/XM Radio’s “Broadminded” (tune in on XM Channel 155 and Sirius Channel 102!) to try out some wallet-friendly alternatives to the most often-requested pricey in-office cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery procedures. Here’s a preview of what we’ll be road-testing:

1) Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology 2-Step Exfoliating Glyco Peel for Acne and Fastscription Advanced No-Injection Lip Plumper ($60 and $17.50, bathandbodyworks.com)

2) Yummie Tummie shapewear tanks (around $70 each, yummietummie.com)

3) La Prairie Anti-Aging Day Cream SPF 30 and Anti-Aging Night Cream $200 each, laprairie.com.

Wanna win a Yummie Tummie tank for yourself? Send me an email at chelsea@themomtourage.com telling me why you need one and also including a question for one of our Momtourage experts. I’ve got 15 to give away!

As I’m sure you all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. To do our part, The Momtourage will be donating all of its ad revenues this month to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Additionally, we’ll be donating a dollar for every new mailing list registration we receive this month! To encourage you all to sign up, we’re giving away all sorts of fantastic Breast Cancer awareness pink items this month (remember - to win any of our giveaways, you must be registered for our mailing list!). 

First up: one of my all-time favorite things on the planet: The no!no! at-home laser hair removal device.

no!no!, Sephora’s exclusive next generation hair removal system, is changing the shaving routines of women around the world. Portable and sleek, it utilizes revolutionary Thermicon technology, a gentle heat wave that destroys hair without pain or irritation, to safely reduce hair re-growth up to 64%. It gives professional removal treatments, like lasers and electrolysis, a run for their money. Over time, you’ll notice decreased hair density, a lot less stubble and a lot more time spent not shaving. Created by Radiancy Ltd., it’s a whole new concept in hair removal, in the privacy of your own home. Like any professional hair treatment, it takes time and dedication to achieve your desired results. The same holds true for the revolutionary no!no! hair removal system; with all the right moves, stubble-free, smoother skin will be yours. Be sure to follow the directions closely for the safest, most effective results.

We’re giving away 20 pink no!no!s, so if you wanna be hair-free - not to mention contribute to a great cause, sign up, sisters!

The other day, Momtourage members Jen, Alison and I were eating lunch with our kids and we all noticed how curly-headed those four little buggers buggers are. Granted, that’s probably what you get with a group of nice, Jewish kids, but still - it’s pretty remarkable, especially since the corkscrewed gang resembles a scoop of Neapolitan ice cream - one blonde (mine), two brunettes (Alison’s) and one redhead (Jen’s). Curls like theirs are pretty are pretty enviable, and always bring comments; wherever we go, people always make all sorts of “Look at those gorgeous curls!” or “He looks just like a little cherub” remarks. I always thank people when they compliment him like that, and to those who make the angel reference, offer them the opportunity to take him home and discover that’s he’s actually a little devil

just how angelic he truly is.

To maintain my kid’s curls, I use the Krly Kids products by Ouidad, the New York-based hair stylist who is known as the authority on curly hair. I know, I know - I’m definitely advancing my quest to make my son gay by using all sorts of fancy haircare products on him, but seriously, this stuff keeps his locks from getting all ratty, tangled and ‘fro-esque. If your kids have curls too, you gotta try this stuff - it’s fantastic.

Got a curly kid? Send me an email at chelsea@themomtourage.com - I’ve got four sets of the products to give away!

Thank you to everyone who has been sending me emails telling my how much they’re loving their Handy Sacks. Don’t they totally rule? I’m telling you, the seriously eliminate that annoying diaper bag/purse chaos. If you haven’t purchased one, you can still get them at Divas and Drooligans  - and if you use code MAYGROOVE15SAVE, they’ll knock 15% off the price!

Here’s another recommendation and chance to win something else I love from Divas and Drooligans. First, however, a little background:

I have a minor obsession with bibs and burp cloths. I can’t get enough of them. Especially when you’re outside the house,  there’s just something nice about throwing a cute little cloth (as opposed to a schmutzy rag) over your shoulder - even if its purpose is to protect your clothes from you baby’s puke. Likewise, to me, fastening a cute little bib on my baby just feels far more civilized than a stained, crappy one. Don’t get me wrong - I understand that baby gear is not always gonna look pristine, but you can at least try to avoid falling into the ratty bib trap. Basically, I see bibs and burp cloths as the baby gear equivalent to an adult’s sweatpants; you can go old and comfy, and that’s totally fine, but with just a little extra effort, you can avoid schlumpiness.

When it comes to the kinds of bibs and burp cloths I like, I have two favorite styles: monogrammed/personalized ones (that’s the Southern in me), and groovy, whimsical ones (That’s the former NYC gal in me). There are all sorts of places to get great-looking monogrammed/personalized bibs and burp cloths (my personal favorites are The Cutest Things and Moonbeam Baby). For whimsically cute ones, however, I love these the chenille-backed sets from Divas and Drooligans:

I love Self magazine - especially the beauty features. And it’s not just because most are written and/or produced by one of my best friends, Leah Wyar, Self’s Deputy Beauty Director (she and I have known each other for nearly eight years - beginning way back when we were little baby beauty editors!). Self’s beauty content is just really straightforward, honest and accessible, and that’s how beauty talk should be, you know?

Presently, Self is running a very cool contest that I have to tell you all about:

If you’re at least 18 years old, you could score a session with celeb hairstylist David Evangelista and be featured (with your new, gorgeous ‘do) in the September issue of SELF. The makeover and photo shoot will take place on May 28 and 29. You must be available both days; if you’re not in the NYC area, you will need to arrive by May 27.

Interested? Fill out and submit the below information by this Friday.

1. Which celebrity hair style appeals to you most?

                 
1) Jessica Alba’s lengthy waves    

2) Gwyneth Paltrow’s textured bob            

3) Reese Witherspoon’s long, sleek strands

            4) Rihanna’s chic, short cut        

5) Nicole Richie’s off-the-face fabulous style

2. Why are you drawn to that style?

3. What problems are you looking to resolve in your next hair cut?

4. Why do you especially need a new style now? (i.e., an upcoming reunion or other important date/situation?)

5. What is your:

full name ________________________________________________

email address _____________________________________________

daytime phone number _____________________________________

Send this info, along with a picture of yourself (they prefer candid headshots), to alexandra_samuel@condenast.com.

If you get selected, give Leah a hug from me!

I’ve lamented many times about how I long to cease carrying a diaper bag and resume ownership of a cool purse. Alas, it’s not gonna happen anytime soon - especially now that I have two children, both of whom require totally different “stuff”.

In the abyss that is my diaper bag, I have all sorts of crap - diapering essentials, a bib, a burp cloth, toys, bottles, sippy cups, snacks, a little bag for myself (with Advil, lip balm, MAC Blot Powder, Kleenex, etc.), my cell phone, my wallet, pacifiers…see why I still have to carry one? As the snacks crumble and the cups spill, things get all schmutzy and/or wet, and often, the big stuff pushes the little stuff to the bottom, making it all hard to dig out. Annoying.

One solution I’ve found to help keep my diaper bag organized (and its contents protected) is The Handy Sack. These functional and fashionable pouches are made of commercially coated cotton (they come in all sorts of cute patterns) that is stain and water repellent, so they - and their contents - won’t get ruined by an exploding bottle or smashed pack of Saltines. The front is clear, so you can see exactly what’s inside - spoons, toys, passies - whatever - and you’ll always know when you need to restock it. They’re great for travel too - just stash all of your child’s toiletries in it and you’re good to go.

To purchase your very own Handy Sack, visit divasanddrooligans.com. They retail for $22.95 each, but if you use promotion code April15FamilyFUN, you can get 15% off! Want to win one? Send your name, address and kids’ ages to me at chelsea@themomtourage.com.

The baby care geniuses at Johnson’s have come out with two cool new products you’ve got to check out: Bedtime Toddler Wash and the Bedtime Easy-Grip Sudzing Bar ($3.49 each, available wherever Johnson’s products are sold).

Both are formulated with “naturalcalm”, which the company describes as “a unique blend of patent pending essences that has been tested and proven to have relaxing properties”. “Proven?,” you might ask. “How?” (and I might add, “And if they work, can I use it on my kid 5 times per day?).  Apparently, the Johnson’s folks clinically tested the products in a before-bed routine created by a leading pediatric sleep expert. The result: the routine that included these products helped babies and toddlers fall asleep easier and sleep through the night better.

Sold? Grab some for yourself at your nearest drugstore or email me at chelsea@themomtourage.com and tell me about the last time your kid needed a chill pill, including your name, address and child’s age. The 15 most frazzled moms will win a set of these two products!

Imelda Marcos: Shoes

Chelsea Kaplan:

a) shoes
b) handbags
c) strollers
d) number or reality shows on my DVR’s “season pass” list
e) all of the above

Okay, okay, I admit it: the answer’s probably “e”. Really and truly, though, if you took a peek into my garage, you’d see that the real answer is “c”. I freaking love strollers.

Maybe it’s because I actually really love cars and wish I could have a celebrity-on-MTV’s “Cribs”-sized collection of them. I mean, how cool would it be to have an entire fleet of cars to suit your every need? A big ‘ol environmentally-unfriendly SUV to haul around your kids and a boatload of crap from Target, a sporty convertible for summer weekend jaunts, a luxury sedan for road trips….... Of course, because they’re awfully expensive, my owning a Jerry Seinfeld-sized collection of vehicles is out of the question.

However, as strollers are considerably less expensive, owning a fleet of kiddie-carting “cars” seems far less prohibitive, especially as I can just as easily justify the multitude of situations necessitating separate models. I have a lightweight Maclaren Techno XT for quick trips in-and-out of the car that I keep in the back of my MDX (also known as “The Official Car of The Momtourage”, as about half of us own one). A Peg Perego Pliko P3 for trips to the mall or museums (its awesome snack tray is key in these situations), a rugged Bugaboo Chameleon for long walks around the neighborhood, walks along DC’s Capital Crescent Trail or trips to the Zoo and a Baby Jogger City Series for when my parents are in town and my Dad wants to take my son running (those of you who read this blog regularly know I’m allergic to exercise and therefore do not use the Baby Jogger much myself, despite the fact that it’s an awesome stroller). I know owning four strollers is somewhat obscene, but I must say, I use each with considerable regularity. The only thing I do find particularly obscene about the number of strollers I own, however, is the amount of space said strollers take up. I’ll put it to you this way: our house had a two-car garage, and my husband parks outside.

Because I’m so into strollers (and, of course, because as a parenting journalist, staying on top of this kind of news is my job), I anticipate new stroller launches the way many men (and women, I imagine) look forward to seeing each year’s newest auto body styles. Recently, Baby Jogger came out with a gorgeous array of new strollers for 2008 that I LOVE: the City Elite, the City Classic and the City Mini. My favorite of the bunch is the City Mini, which is slimmer, lightweight (only 16.8 lbs.) and more maneuverable than the classic City Series stroller. Though made by Baby Jogger, the City Mini is meant to be used as an “everyday” stroller. The “coupe” to the City Series “sedan”, it builds upon the same features that make the City Series stroller a proverbial favorite among parents, but in a smaller, more compact package. Though it was designed with urban parents in mind (those who need a high-quality, durable stroller that will both easily maneuver city streets while at the same time not take up a third of their apartment), it’s equally appropriate for suburban parents as well - especially ones like me who don’t have much garage space to spare.  It comes in Red/Black, Orange/Grey, Blue/Navy, Green/Grey and Black/Black, and can accomodate kids up to 50 lbs (100 pounds for the double).  It retails for $199, while the City Mini Double is $349.  To purchase one, go to babyjogger.com to find the retailer nearest you.

The coolest thing about the City Mini: I’ve got a brand new one in Black/Black (the chicest color, in my opinion) to give away! If you’re in need of a new stroller to add to your fleet, send me an email at chelsea@themomtourage.com and include your name, mailing address, email address and age of your kids/grandkids/kids-to-be (none of this info will be shared with any outside parties because ewwwww, that’s gross). One lucky winner will be chosen at random. One entry per family, please. All entries must be received by Friday, December 14. Good luck!