Archive for October, 2008

All that Halloween candy has made you think — about chocolate, cookies and cupcakes, that is.

The Donut Chef, a new children’s book from New Yorker cover artist (and award-winning author of The Red Lemon) Bob Staake, may satisfy your sweet tooth. Staake’s rhyming text and bold graphics have a Dr. Seuss-meets-Willy Wonka appeal. The story of a battle of bakers, who struggle to out-do each other with wild flavors and shapes of crazy frosted food, shows that it pays to stay simple.

Simple as in, a delicious glazed donut. Or two.

Available at amazon.com.

These days, there are an unbelievable number of choices on the market for ride-on toys. You have your miniature plastic cars, your itty-bitty fire trucks, your pedal-less bikes, even kid-sized Cadillac Escalades. But amidst all the crashing, beeping, bright and shiny options, the Roebuck Studio Bunny Scooter looks terribly sweet.

It’s not high-tech. It doesn’t light up, or make realistic car noises. It’s just a simple, well-balanced, hand-made non-toxic wooden toy that will be smoothly gliding down the driveway long after its plastic brethren are buried in a landfill. It comes in various colors, from orange to red to a natural finish, and your child is going to look mighty cute (and age appropriate!) riding on it.

Available at artebebe.com.

Maternity yoga pants are perfect for weekends, and 7 for all Mankind’s Secret Belly jeans would be great if you worked in a creative field. But when it’s time to get down to big business, your mom-to-be wardrobe is shouting out for a Monday-to-Friday makeover.

Isabella Oliver’s new Corporate Pregnancy Kit helps your bump fit in with the boardroom. A sleek grey pinstripe jacket, pencil skirt, pants and classic white button-down help you mix-and-match your way through presentations and client meetings with pre-baby panache.

It’s not a bad deal for a little peace of mind — and maybe a promotion.

Available at isabellaoliver.com.

We can’t help you when it comes to convincing your kids to choose kale over candy corn. But before you find yourself obsessing over your little darling’s superhero suit, you might want to check out the pointers below. The kiddies will still consume their weight in chocolate — and throw sugar-induced tantrums to boot — but taking a minute to read about how to have a less stressful, safer and more enjoyable Halloween may dissipate the jitters over what can be for parents, a very scary day indeed.

Costumes
Be careful with accessories. Kids shouldn’t wear shoes or hats that are too big for them. Likewise swords, wands and other props can cause injuries, so make them from flexible materials like aluminum foil or cardboard. Avoid hats with cords and remove any other choking hazards from younger children’s costumes.

Use flame-retardant materials in making costumes, and check out store-bought versions for flame-resistance.

Make sure costumes are short enough to keep children from tripping, and loose enough to allow for warm clothes underneath without dragging or catching on doorknobs. Check that masks are the right size, with large enough eye and mouth holes.

Nontoxic face paint is a much safer alternative to masks, especially if you follow these rules: Do a patch test on your child’s skin to check for signs of allergic reaction; use extra caution around the eye area; and always remove makeup completely before bed.

Trick or Treating
Before heading out, serve a healthy dinner of favorites you know they’ll like — some real food to keep the candy company.

Negotiate candy terms in advance: How much can they have and for how long?

If you’re already in candy overload, try handing out little treats like stickers, pencils, small toys or coins.

Always check the candy before they eat any of it. Watch for signs of tampering — small pinholes, loose wrappers, etc. Don’t trust anything hand wrapped or homemade, unless you are absolutely sure about the source.

Watch for gum, peanuts and hard candies — these are choking hazards for little ones.

Nighttime Safety
Make your home a safe destination: Clear away toys or anything a child could trip over. Turn on all your outdoor lights and replace any burned-out bulbs. Clear wet leaves away from sidewalks and stoops and keep pets away from the action — even on a leash, dogs can scare little kids.

If costumes aren’t bright enough to be seen easily, add reflective tape to the outside, or try glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark accessories. Every trick-or-treater should have a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Plan your route in advance. Hold hands, stay on sidewalks and watch while crossing the street.

Use caution on porches and steps decorated with candlelit pumpkins.

Although it sometimes feels like your babe will go from crib to college, there are a couple of stages in between. She may think she’s ready for a big-girl bed, but you’re not ready to commit.

P’kolino’s toddler bed is just the right size for the transition. It fits a standard size crib mattress, and the side rails eliminate any rolling-out-of-bed action. Once she’s grownup enough for the real deal (probably around the same time she wants to dress herself, consider yourself warned), the toddler bed converts to a chair that can fold out for sleepovers.

That is, if you’re ready for it.

Available at moderntots.com.

Is there some kind of law that every new walker has to wear Robeez? Yes, they’re comfortable, yes they protect the tender toes from rocks and dirt and strange objects left lying in the sandbox, but they’re awfully ubiquitous, and kind of homespun looking, too.

Adorn your kid’s feet in something a little less cutesy with Trendy Trackers, soft suede, leather, and canvas shoes that resemble Mommy and Daddy’s sneakers. They’re just as soft and slip-on-able as Robeez, but, being neither decorated with happy sunflowers, bug-eyed frogs, or fluffy teddybears, they’re a lot easier on the eyes for those who don’t go for that kind of stuff.

Available at trendytrackers.com. 

If there was ever a time to make more dough, it’s now. You’ve tried The Secret, made a vision board, and are now ready to take action.

The Smart Cookies’ Guide to Making More Dough, written by five women who formed a money group to tackle their own financial problems (debt, no savings, shopping addictions), can help you turn around your bottom line in one year. The instructions on how to form your own money group with friends may be just the thing to help your clique gain financial independence en masse — all while still living a fabulous life (on a budget, no less). Simple strategies (start a portfolio, getting the most out of your job) seem like common sense, but hey, if they worked for the authors this system may be worth a shot.

Now back to the vision board.

Available at smartcookies.com.

You’re planning a baby shower for your BFF, and you have no idea where to begin. How is a mere mortal supposed to entertain co-workers, in-laws and college friends all in one afternoon?

Get the guests chatting with The Box Girls’ Baby Shower Box of Questions. More than 60 cards with mini-quizzes like ‘Who among the parents’ friends will be the baby’s worst influence?” or “If you can have one song playing while the baby is entering the world, what song would you choose?” will get the buzz going. Add a few mocktails and onesie gift sets and presto: It’s an afternoon your fave mom-to-be will remember.

And it sure beats playing Pin the Tail on the Baby.

Available at theboxgirls.com.

You’re too progressive to go the duck-and-bunny route, but not quite contemporary enough for brown-and-orange baby bedding. What about sophisticated, simple and not too sweet?

Rikshaw Design’s collection is just the right look for an eclectic, bohemian-inspired nursery. Designer Catherine Fitzsimmons used her experience at Pottery Barn and Ralph Lauren to create pretty crib sets, pillows and accessories hand block-printed on soft Indian cotton. Mix-and-match designs like stripes, floral and whimsical elephants are perfectly imperfect, with their “I’ve just returned from Bombay” appeal.

And not a princess or polka dot in sight.

Available at rikshawdesign.com.

You may have had an exciting career as a banker, chef or publicist. But now that baby has arrived on the scene, you’ve bid adieu to your colleagues, corner office and expense account, and find yourself wondering, “Who am I?” Who knew you’d go existential?

Melissa Stanton, a former People magazine editor, gave up her celeb-filled life to become a SAHM. Stanton, author of The Stay-at-Home Survival Guide: Field-tested strategies for staying smart, sane, and connected while caring for your kids, shares some tips for maintaining your identity in this new phase of life.

Take five: Being a mom is a job. You wouldn’t let work outside the home consume you 24-7, so don’t do it as a SAHM. You still need to see friends and be involved in activities you enjoy.

Know your net worth: Even though you’re not earning an income, you still work all day and deserve some free time and respect. There is value in what you do. If you were employed, wouldn’t you be paying someone to do your SAHM job? Think about that the next time anyone asks you what you did all day and why you need a break.

Stay current: Whether or not you think you want to go back to work, maintain your professional contacts and keep your skills up-to-date.

Give back: Engage in projects that use your non-mommy skills. Volunteering doesn’t mean you have to bake cupcakes — for example, take on something managerial. Be smart about volunteering: If you’re an accountant for instance, become the treasurer of an organization so you can make use of your training and expertise.

See in 3-D: Your identity encompasses many dimensions. You’re a mom as well as a wife, friend, attorney, etc. You’re a professional person currently doing something different. If you’re going to a social event, be prepared to comfortably and confidently answer the question, “What do you do?”

Think money, honey: After making your own money and having a sense of independence, you don’t want to feel like a financial prisoner on an allowance. Asking your partner for money can feel demoralizing. Before the baby arrives, work out how finances will be handled. And consider this: Taking charge of the family finances can lead to a sense of empowerment.

Visit stayathomesurvivalguide.com.