I’ve never been the best at using sunscreen, I’ve been more of a tanning oil girl.  But now I’m a Mama and keeping my baby safe from the sun’s rays – and keeping myself safe so I can stick around and take care of her – are a top priority for me.  When Mom Central offered me the chance to test out some Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray I jumped at the chances since summertime equals one thing to me – fun in the sun!

There’s something about Neutrogena products that I’m always drawn to.  I think it’s because the packaging looks very clinical and scientific, and therefore in my mind “better” that I always try new Neutrogena products.   Now, I was not able to try the sun protection part because we’ve had January weather here in the Bay Area but that wasn’t the part that I was worried about.  I knew the sunblock would protect from sun burn.  I was more concerned with things like application, smell, stickiness and wear.  The Wet Skin sunblock did not disappoint.

There are two stand-out features about the Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock.  First, the sunblock has a spray applicator which makes getting the sunscreen on the kiddos a lot easier.  My Tiny Dancer does not sit still – getting anything on her is a challenge – but the novelty of the spray and its ability to cover a surface evenly really helped.  You can actually see the sunblock go on so you don’t have to worry about uneven application or fingerprint sunburns.  The spray applicator also has a turn lock so you don’t have to worry about spills or accidental sprays and you can travel safely with the sunblock.

Second, you can apply the sunblock on wet skin. If you and the family are in the sun long enough, re-application is a necessity.  Many sunblocks are water proof but the Neutrogena Wet Skin sunblock ups the ante.  Not only is it waterproof but you can apply it to wet skin and you actually see it on the surface of your skin.  The Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock also had a pleasant fresh smell, wasn’t sticky and didn’t leave a weird film on the skin.

The Nuetrogena Wet Skin Sunblock comes in an array of SPFs for adults and a special formula SPF 70+ for the kiddos. As a special offer, you can save $2 when you purchase Neutrogena products online.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Neutrogena and received sunscreen and other Neutrogena products as a thank you for my participation.

I remember growing up and seeing the food pyramid and… ignoring it.  My metabolism was on fire and I could eat anything I wanted.  As I got older my metabolism started slowing down and I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle so I started paying more attention to the pyramid.  Though helpful, it wasn’t very intuitive when it came to helping people figure out how to eat healthier or to meet their nutritional needs.  In fact sometimes it had the opposite effect: “They thought fat and sugar must be good because it was at the top of the pyramid,”stated Zenobia Barlow, executive director of the Center for Ecoliteracy (SF Gate, June 2, 2011).

Yesterday, the Obama administration introduced a new icon to help people better understand where their calories should coming from.  Michelle Obama has made it her mission to curb childhood obesity and changing MyPyramid to MyPlate is one step toward that goal.  The first lady stated:

We realized that we needed something that made sense not just in classrooms or laboratories, but at dining tables and in school cafeterias….Parents don’t have the time to measure out exactly 3 ounces of chicken or look up how much rice or broccoli is in a serving. That has confounded me as a parent for a very long time. But we do have time to look at our kids’ plates. As long as they’re eating proper portions, as long as half of their meal is fruits and vegetables along their lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, then we’re good. (SF Gate, June 2, 2011).

USDA General Dietary Guidelines 2011

Balancing Calories
● Enjoy your food, but eat less.
● Avoid oversized portions.Foods to Increase
● Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
● Make at least half your grains whole grains.
● Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Foods to Reduce
● Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals ― and choose the foods with lower numbers.
● Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

Exercise is always part of a healthy lifestyle – but what about exercising while you’re pregnant?  It turns out that exercise during pregnancy is good for you and can help you feel great throughout your pregnancy and even prepare you for labor and delivery.  As with any exercise program, you should follow some guidelines.  Here’s a list of things to consider…

1.  First, talk to your doctor.  Let her/him know the kinds of workouts you were doing before your pregnancy and have her/him give you the green light before you keep exercising during pregnancy.

2. Once you hit the second trimester, the list of activities you take part in gets shorter.  You shouldn’t do anything more strenuous than what you did before you were pregnant.  You should also avoid contact sports and anything that requires lots of balance because your center of gravity is changing.  Also, after the first trimester you should avoid any exercise that requires you to lay on your back.

3. If at anytime during the workout you are uncomfortable or in pain, STOP.   You may want to call your doctor as well (see below for more details).

4. Be sure to stay cool and don’t overheat.   Drink lots of water and don’t exercise outside during peak heat/humidity or if you have a fever.

5. Dress appropriately for the kind of workout you’re doing.  Appropriate attire usually includes loose comfortable clothing, good supportive bra and proper shoes.

According to WebMD, STOP and call your doctor if you feel any of these symptoms:

• Feel chest pain.
• Have abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or persistent contractions.
• Have a headache.
• Notice an absence or decrease in fetal movement.
• Feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, or light-headed.
• Feel cold or clammy.
• Have vaginal bleeding.
• Have a sudden gush of fluid from the vagina or a trickle of fluid that leaks steadily.
• Notice an irregular or rapid heartbeat.
• Have sudden swelling in your ankles, hands, face, or calf pain.
• Are short of breath.
• Have difficulty walking.
• Have muscle weakness.

Exercise is a great way to stay healthy during pregnancy and even in some cases ward off gestational diabetes.  Make sure to take it easy and keep it movin’!

Sources: WebMD, ACOG, Kids Health

Summer is coming and that means one thing – fun in the sun!  After being cooped up inside all winter long and finishing up with school, the kids just want to play all day in the sunshine.  When I was a kid I would get so tan from playing but times have changed and after learning more about the sun and the damage it can do, we need to keep our kids protected from the sun’s damaging rays.  If you’re baby is 6 months or under, you probably want to keep them out of the sun altogether.  If they’re older, a sun hat and stroller umbrellas/canopies can help kids stay out of the sun.  But the best protection for babies and toddlers is sunblock.

There are many, many options to choose from when it come to sunblock for babies and toddlers.  From the suntan lotion companies to baby product companies with a full line of bath products, you have a great selection to choose from.  So how do you choose?  Here are a few tips:

1.  Your Baby’s Skin – The sunblock that works for your kids will be a truly individual decision because you need to choose what works well with your kid’s skin.  Babies have really sensitive skin so if you’ve used products from a brand and they’ve worked well before that would be a great place to start.  I could tell you that Product X was great for me, but it may not be great for your child.

2.  Activities – What will your baby be doing in the sun?  Too little to run so just hanging out with mom? Swimming?  If your child will be in and out of the water then you’ll want to make sure that the sunscreen you choose is waterproof.

3.  Application – Think about how you’re going to apply the sunscreen.  Does your child not sit still long enough for you to rub the sunscreen in?  Maybe try one in a spray bottle or one that foams and make it fun for kids to apply the sunscreen.

4.  Portability – At some point, you may need to travel with the sunscreen.  Will the bottle travel well?  Some bottles come with a smaller travel size or you could opt to buy individually wrapped towelettes so you can have some in all of your bags – whenever you may need it.

5.  Read the Label – Always read the directions! Sunscreen normally needs to be put on about an half-hour before being exposed to the sun.  Also, if you’ll be out all day you’ll probably need to re-apply the sunscreen.  Take a look at the label to see how many hours it’s supposed to last.

All of the sunscreens pictured can be purchased at Babies R Us.

I miss my pre-pregnancy body.  There. I said it. I’m tired of hearing people say “but wasn’t she worth it?”  Yes, of course I love my daughter but am I wrong for missing my old tummy and belly button?  Now, I never had a six pack or even the flattest of abs but how I wish I had my old abs back.  I’ve lost almost all of the pregnancy weight – the last five pounds have been lingering and I got lazy.  Since I had a c-section no matter how much I worked out, no amount of ab exercises helped – I couldn’t feel my abs.  That was until I received the Mama Mio Bootcamp Tummies Skincare & Exercise System.

When I was offered a free kit to try out, I jumped at the chance. I was willing to try anything that would get my tummy back to the way it was.  The Mama Mio Bootcamp Tummies Skincare & Exercise System includes Skin Tight Toning Serum, Get Waisted Cream and 4 minute tummy-tucking exercise programme by ab rehab guru, Julie Tupler. You are supposed to follow the steps for 30 days (applying the cream and doing the ab exercises) and see results. When I apply the serum and cream I definitely feel a tingly sensation which makes me feel like something is happening – which is a good thing. The cream is supposed to last 30 days but the supply is so generous it’s lasted well more than 30 days. It’s actually lasted me at least 3 months which is nice because at $99 for the set, it doesn’t make it seem that expensive if you know you’ll get a lot of use out of it.

My favorite part of the set is the exercise programme by Julie Tupler – the creator of the Tupler technique to treat Diastasis Recti (separation of the outermost abdominal muscles during pregnancy). Her ab exercises were the first ones where I actually felt a difference in my abs. It’s been very slow going but I am seeing small improvements in my abs.

I think the Mama Mio Bootcamp for Tummies Skincare & Exercise kit is a great addition to any woman’s workout arsenal. While I was using the kit I was also running, working out with free weights and eating healthy. It’s not a miracle cream – I don’t have my pre-pregnancy abs – but I definitely think it’s helping me get there. It’s much cheaper than a tummy tuck and won’t leave any scars! You can purchase the kit online and check out the videos below to hear about the science behind the serums.

Clockwise from top left: Tiffany Pearl earrings, Tiffany Mom charm and necklace, Louis Vuitton bracelet, Asiya Nameplate, David Yurman silver ring.

Mother’s day is just around the corner, and if you’re anything like me – you probably haven’t gotten your mom a gift yet. It’s not that you don’t appreciate your mom, you’re just so busy being a mom. I know, I get it. So, I thought I’d hit 2 birds with one stone and throw out some ideas for mother’s day gifts that our moms would love – and that we would love receiving. Either way, everybody wins!

For mother’s day, you can’t go wrong with a spa treatment – or if that’s too pricey – then spa products. I don’t know a woman that doesn’t like pampering. In fact, at the top of my list is a Fully Loaded Facial from Bliss Spa. Also along the line of pampering is fragrance – perfume, candles and the like. Department stores have great deals on fragrance for Mother’s Day – if your mom likes perfume you can get her a nice gift set that comes with body lotion, etc. Finally, Estee Lauder always has pretty compacts available – and all ladies need to powder their nose at some point.

You also can’t go wrong with jewelry. Tiffany has simple, elegant pieces for under $200 and Louis Vuitton has fun costume jewelry if your budget is a little spendier. The best mom-related piece of jewelry I received was a nameplate with my daughter’s name on it. I’m a big nameplate person (I got my first for my Sweet Sixteen) and having my daughter’s nameplate is special to me now, and is something I can pass on to her. Custom jewelry is always the best kind.

I hope that I was able to help with some ideas for gifts for your mom. Remember, whatever you do end up getting, I’m sure your mom will love it. Wouldn’t you love anything that your beautiful kids got you?

Clockwise from top left: Bliss Spa, Chanel Beige, Guerlain Shalimar, Estee Lauder compact, Bliss spa products.

Tiny Tillia is my third “baby”! It warms my heart to think about how I started with a few small bath and body products and now the brand is expanding into new categories such as clothing, bedding and toys that will offer parents fresh, affordable and quality choices for their babies and small children.

- Tiffany Lerman, Founder and Mompreneur

Tiny Tillia was founded by Tiffany Lerman when she couldn’t find baby products that she thought were cute or fun enough for her tastes and in her budget.  Creating a collection of playthings, clothing, nursery gear and bath products for mom and baby was the first step in her journey.  When Avon caught on to what she was doing, they brought Tiny Tillia into their family so they could help expand the line and make it available to moms and babies everywhere.

The Tiny Tillia collection is based around a set of quirky animals – each with their own personality.   You can also create a full experience for your baby by creating a Tiny Tillia registry.  I love that everything is so cute and so affordable.  The prices for the pieces in the collection range from $5 to $120. Tiny Tillia is available exclusively through Avon Representatives. To locate an Avon Representative call 1-800-FOR-AVON or visit www.tinytilia.com.

I really hate the stereotypes of frazzled moms who don’t have time to shower let alone put on makeup.  Ok, yes, I have less time to primp but that doesn’t mean that I leave the house looking like Night of the Living Dead.  It just means that I need to be efficient and use products that are easy to use and last all day.  These are my top 5 makeup products that I use on the daily…

1.  Chanel Precision Hydramax + Active Teinte – I’ve never been a fan of foundation so I was hesitant to try this tinted moisturizer.  I’m so glad I did though.  It evens out your skin tone but has the lightness of moisturizer.  Two jobs – one product.

2.  Benefit Benetint – I love this stuff! I put it on my cheeks and lips and it gives you a naturally flushed look.

3.  Benefit Erase Paste – I’ve had dark circles under my eyes for as long as I can remember.  Being exhausted from taking care of the Tiny Dancer is not helping the circles get any lighter.  Benefit’s Erase Paste is one of the best concealers I’ve used.

4.  L’Oreal Double Extend Mascara – This is my favorite mascara and it’s the best mascara I’ve used.  It’s like fake lashes in a tube.  First you put on the white layer and you can see how much longer it actually makes your lashes and then you put on the color (in my case Blackest Black).  It makes your lashes longer and thicker.  Yay!

5.  Vaseline – My lip balm of choice. Can’t live without it.  It moisturizes my lips and makes ‘em shiny like lipgloss.

Don’t get me wrong.  I have a makeup bag full of goodies – I try to add some neutral eyeshadow or eyeliner when I have an extra minute but if I’m in a crunch, these are my top 5 products that I love and will help me look put together.  What products can’t you live without?

Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates, and Petrochemicals?

Are these things you want your baby-boo to come in contact with every time you give them a bath? Hell no.

I listed my top 5 products that you can’t always find in stores, but always online.  These are products you might not have heard of, but are absolutely amazing.  As a mother, at the end of the day, you know what is right for your baby, but a little help doesn’t hurt.

1. Naturally foaming Earth Mama Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash $20-25 for a 5oz bottle.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is made with gentle castile-based soap and is pure and mild enough to cleanse delicate baby skin and hair. With a touch of ultra-safe lavender to help calm infants, it’s made with only organic and natural ingredients. This is not a no-tear formula because it has no anesthetizing ingredients. Certified vegan. Cruelty free. Toxin free skin care. Made with 86.4% organic ingredients. Great for evening baths to calm baby to sleep.

2. Avalon Gentle Tear-Free Shampoo $10.99 8oz bottle.

Avalon Gentle Tear-Free Shampoo formulas are made with a blend of soothing, organic aloe, calendula and chamomile.  This one is tear-free and is enriched with organic sunflower oil and organic herbs for shiny, healthy hair and a clean, happy baby.  The scent is calming and clean great for anytime baths.

3. Earth Friendly Baby Shampoo & Body Wash $6 for 8.5oz bottle.

Earth Friendly Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is organic and not tested on animals, this hypo-allergenic wash is great.  With a light mandarin scent this shampoo & body wash is a fun daytime bath for you and your baby.

4. little twig Baby Wash in Lavender & Lemon $10 8.5oz bottle.

little twig Baby Wash in Lavender & Lemon is pediatrician tested formula contains skin-softening Vitamin E and Aloe, skin-soothing Jojoba Oil, and healing Tea Tree with just a whisper of lavender and chamomile.  It’s a refreshing scent depending on your preference.

5. DIY baby wash, make this one yourself!

Non-toxic baby wash, made by you, for yours.

Baby Bath Milk from MomFuse
1 cup powdered milk
¼ cup corn starch
¼ cup finely ground oats
2-3 drops lavender, rose, or chamomile essential oils

Mix ingredients together and put in a shaker style bottle. To use, sprinkle a small amount in warm bath water.

Lucky Kids Magazine is out now

It must have been my lucky day because my mailbox contained not one, but TWO Lucky magazines.  I have a subscription to the shopping and style mag, and was quite delighted to see that the extra magazine was the first issue of Lucky Kids.  How perfect is it that the premier issue is for Spring?

I’ve had my fair share of kid-related magazine subscriptions when my little one was younger, but now, everything in those mags seems too babyish for our lives now that she’s 10.  But in flipping through Lucky Kids, it’s refreshing to see that this magazine is very much a fashion magazine, only with a focus on the kiddos.

The content in this spring issue covers everything from shopping suggestions for lunch boxes, whimsical room decor, and even a mommy care section.  The fashion editorials feature school-aged children, which is a sigh of relief for me because every time I see cutesy clothes for the tiny tots, I can’t help but reminisce when my girl was that small.  But for the mommies with little ones, don’t worry because there are plenty of toy and fashion suggestions for babies and toddlers.

I won’t spoil the whole issue for you, but one thing to note is that instead of the random child-related advertisements for x-product, Lucky Kids has full-page ads for the kid-sized brands that you wear, or wish you could wear (hello, J-Lo and the Twins for Gucci)!  I love looking at the kiddy ads because it’s so interesting to see how these big time brands style these cute little models and advertise to the fashion-loving mommies.

The Lucky Kids magazine is a supplement to Lucky Magazine, so you can keep up with fashions for you and your family in the print form.  Check it out on the news stands now!

Looks like M.I.S.S. isn’t the only media coming out with something for the mamas!