Mommies With Style

How cute is Middle’s new Skip*Hop Monkey lunch bag from their Zoo Lunchies collection? The minute I opened the box, his boring, old lunchbag was pushed aside in favor of the monkey, for all its personality.

I was a little worried about the size, because it seemed smaller than his other bag. But it fits a sandwich, apple, side snack and a reusable bottle into the bag, plus a cooler pack, napkin and utensils.

In addition to its easy wipe-ability, I love that the carrier strap hooks on to other bags, like Skip*Hop’s Zoo Packs, as well as bags not made by  Skip*Hop.

Thanks to Skip*Hop fro providing a sample.

Even though I’m only 16 weeks pregnant right now with my third child, I’m drooling over Oilo Studio’s fantastic crib bedding. We’re going to have to redo our nursery bedding again, when our third child arrives this summer.  We had boring white bedding for our first child (used on my son’s toddler bed now) and our second child, a daughter, is still in a crib, using beautiful pink organic bedding, from Until Kara. #3 will be a boy and we’re going to have to start from scratch.

Oilo’s Modern Berries Crib Set ($399) would be perfect for my upcoming arrival’s crib bedding. White with sage green, it’s patterned after the red currant berries that grow in Norway and can work for a boy or a girl. Included in the set is a 100% woven cotton bumper and bed skirt, a zippered slip cover bumper, fitted cotton percale crib sheet. It’s machine washable and made in the USA.  While we didn’t use bumpers until both our children approached a year old, I like to have them included in a set.

Exclusive for MWS Readers: Purchase at  www.oilostudio.com — use code: mws2010 to receive a 15% discount on any order.

Are you dreaming of sleek summer gams? Peach-fuzz-free pits? A shave-less bikini line? I know many of you are just starting to see the winter snow melt, but let me tell you why now is the perfect time to start dreaming of these things: the TRIA Hair Removal Laser System. You know about razors and waxing and depilatories and I’m guessing you’ve heard of laser hair removal at salons and spas.  But the beauty of TRIA Laser is that now you can bring laser hair removal to your living room.

I’ve been fascinated with these at-home laser hair removal systems since I got my legs professionally lasered about two years ago. It was expensive, it was definitely uncomfortable/borderline painful, but holy moley, it worked! Pre-lasering, I had to shave. Every. Single. Day. I just got back from a camp trip with my family a few weeks ago and went over a week sans-razor and sported shorts on the trip. I am a believer.  So when I heard that I might be able to get smooth results for less than salon prices, at my own convenience and in the comfort of my own home – I had to check it out.

Below I’ve answered some of the questions I had and hopefully some you’re thinking of too!

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The newest Palm Web OS update, 1.4,  is here — and now the Palm Pre Plus has video, among some other great functions. Disclosure: I am taking part in the  Verizon Palm® Pre™ Plus Mommy Blogger Program and will be testing out the phone for the next month on Mommies With Style.

Now, I can easily shoot video from my new Palm Pre Plus. but I can also make edits and upload my footage to YouTube or Facebook (or send them via email or MMS). It was really easy to shoot the video — here’s one of my first attempts.

Another feature of the update I liked were enhanced notifications: LED in the Gesture Area now lights up (and pulses) if I have a notification (even when the screen is off). I can also customize my notification sounds in messaging, email, and calendar. And there are new notification sounds in the ringtones library.

See more details of the Palm webOS 1.4 update in action here.  The Update will automatically happen once Palm webOS 1.4 is available on your carrier, but you can also trigger the update using the Updates app (which is what I did).  It will take a little while to upload and install.

Verizon supplied me with the new Palm Pre Plus and are paying for 1 month of service, including internet access. No other compensation was received. All opinions expressed are my own.

Disney Family.com (formerly family.com) has added recently added a Self Section.  I recently attended the launch of this new section, which features beauty, diet & fitness, and relationships. It struck a chord with me, because with 2 children and a third one on the way, I don’t do much for myself anymore, beyond semi-regular haircuts. I haven’t gone clothes shopping in a while and I haven’t bought any new makeup (except my favorite lipstick, Paula Dorf’s Spunky, and my beloved Mac Studio Fix Powder) in years.  I’ll be going back to work in the fall and I’m going to need some help getting stylish!

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I’m entering the 2nd trimester of my third pregnancy. While this pregnancy was a surprise, this baby will be coming mid-August and I’m getting really excited. I did pregnancy product reviews for Mommies With Style in 2007, when I was pregnant with my now 2 year old, Allegra. This is me on the left (hint, I’m the shorter one). The amazing Nicole Felicano of Momtrends interviewed me recently for her Great Expectations Quiz Series — click here to read my answers!

These are some of the products that I loved during my last pregnancy & the first new product I’m enjoying.

Bella Bands: I’m still too small for maternity clothes, but my tummy is starting to stick out a little bit. I’ve turned to the fabulous Bella Bands – which I absolutely lived in during my second pregnancy.  I can throw them under a t-shirt and not have to worry about my tummy becoming uncovered. My favorite was the black lace Bella Band. Click here to read my original review: Bella Bands. They’ve also got some new products, part of their Essentials Collection – the Everyday Cami, a Ruched Tank, Belly Leggings, and an Everyday Pant, which our writer, Julie, reviewed during her pregnancy last year. Click here to read Julie’s review.
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I picked up the Palm® Pre Plus last week at the Verizon Store and was really wowed. I am taking part in the  Verizon Palm® Pre™ Plus Mommy Blogger Program and will be testing out the phone for the next month for Mommies With Style. While the phone is terrific, I admit I’m little overwhelmed.

They’re called smartphones for a reason — and I was so excited I was able to turn my phone on and automatically see my missed calls, email, twitter and Facebook notifications at the bottom of my screen. It makes this SAHM feel in touch with the world!  I love the touchscreen and also like that it also has a slide out keyboard. It also features multiple calendar syncing and a 3 mega-pixel camera with a flash.

Phone: I was impressed with the quality of the sound. It was much better than my basic Motorola Flip Phone model. The speakerphone can be accessed right from the touchscreen. In future posts, I will test it out with a bluetooth headset.

Use the touchscreen to select your contacts and to dial numbers. The cool thing is when you take the phone from your ear to hang up, the screen lights up and you can touch the screen to end your call. The phone locks when it’s not in use, so when you get a call, slide your finger up the touchscreen to unlock and answer.
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How stinking cute is my 13-year-old niece Abbie in her vlog showing off Mac’s Mineralize Skinfinish product.  She’s doing such a fabulous job on these videos and I can’t wait to bring you more!

Not to mention that I’m wondering how sad it is that my 13-year-old niece now knows more about make-up than I do?

Here’s the product she’s reviewing – you can get it on Amazon, in-store at Nordstrom or MAC as well as any other retailer that carries Mac.   The Mac Mineralize Skinfinish.

This post is one in a series of reviews by my nephew & niece, Sully and Abbie.

Petunia Pickle Bottom celebrates their 10th anniversary this year with a unique, limited edition bag – Heirloom by Petunia.  What makes it so special? On top of a rich, espresso background with light blue accents blooms gold and cream flowers filled with images of past Petunia fabrics – fan favorites and those most adored by Petunia owner/designer DeNai Jones.

I got a chance to see one up close and the final result is truly spectacular – you are bound to fall in love with it whether you’ve been a fan of Petunia for years and can spot all your past favorites or are new to the brand in search of a gorgeous and functional diaper bag. Yes, functional. This isn’t just a pretty piece of arm candy (though it will indeed turn heads).  This Boxy Backpack includes Petunia’s built-in changing station with detachable changing pad and large pockets to hold diapers and wipes, pockets galore inside and out, a pacifier pod, dirty diaper pouch, key clip and a coordinated wipes case.

The Heirloom is also part of the Glazed collection, Petunia’s newest fabric collection that consists of a non-shiny, PVC-free coated canvas that resists water, spills and spit-up with ease. If you’ve never seen one of their Glazed bags in person, don’t be put off by the coated fabric.  First, it’s matte unlike much of the competition that uses some kind of uber-shiny coating that makes your bag look like your grandma’s plastic-covered couch. Second, the Glazed collection means that you can sport to-die-for designer prints without worrying about sippy cup spills and stray ketchup squirts. Gorgeous fabric for you, kid-proof for the little one.

Heirloom truly is the perfect anniversary bag, celebrating 10 years of delicious prints and delectable designs from the company, and will be available throughout 2010 (hello birthday present!).  You can buy your own limited edition Heirloom Boxy Backpack online at Petunia or at your local baby boutique.  Even better? Become a Petunia fan on Facebook and get chances to win your very own Heirloom bag. Contest ends soon!

So I have to start out by saying I think this coat is even cuter in person. I don’t think this photo does the coat justice.

The week before I headed off to Disney for the Social Media Moms Conference, I was walking down the aisle at Target when this coat called out to me.  It reminded me of a similar coat my grandmother used to have when I was a child (complete with the big, fun buttons) and I had to have it.  I figured, okay it’s Florida but it may rain, right?

Of course little did I know that it would be 40 degrees the entire week and that I’d be desperate for a winter parka.  Nonetheless, I was styling in my fabulous new coat from Target and I can’t wait until it gets a bit warmer here in Philly so I can wear it more regularly. 

It’s the Merona Deep Rose Trenchcoat – get it for $39.99 in store or online.