Most important produce to purchase organic

Keep your household pesticide-free or save money? It's a never-ending struggle for most grocery shoppers, especially moms. Hopefully the day will arrive when produce farming is regulated and consumers won't have to endure the battle between wallet and wellness.

An article published today on Shine gives us the "dirty dozen," the twelve produce items that have the highest pesticide levels. It suggests that, if we can't afford to go organic all the way, we should at least consider it for these fruits and veggies.

1. apples
2. sweet bell peppers
3. carrots
4. celery
5. cherries
6. imported grapes
7. kale
8. lettuce
9. nectarines
10. peaches
11. pears
12. strawberries

Think I'll print out the list and place it in my coupon organizer so it's handy for my next trip to the grocery. Click the article link above in the second paragraph for further info.

Simply Organic: A Cookbook for Sustainable, Seasonal, and Local Ingredients

Sweet and green for St. Patrick's Day

Since I have some Irish heritage and love any excuse for a celebration, I've made a tradition of preparing an Irish cream fudge for St. Patrick's Day. The green top layer and rich Bailey's flavor is my tribute to the holiday.

Here's the recipe, inspired by one I found on Allrecipes.com. You will need plastic wrap to smooth out the layers.

Irish Layer Fudge

Bottom layer:
4 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 c butter
3 c confectioner's sugar
1 c Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
1 1/2 c chopped walnuts or pecans

Top layer:
1 1/2 c white chocolate chips
2 T butter
4 T Bailey's Irish cream liqueur
green food coloring

1. Butter an 8x8 pan.
2. Place chocolate chips and butter for bottom layer in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Melt until soft enough to mix.
3. Add sugar and liqueur for bottom layer and stir until smooth. Add nuts.
4. Once thoroughly mixed, pour into pan. Cover immediately with plastic wrap and smooth out top.
5. Rinse out double boiler and use to melt white chocolate for top layer.
6. When chips are softened, remove from heat and stir in butter and liqueur for top layer.
7. Add and stir in drops of food coloring until desired green is achieved.
8. Remove plastic wrap from bottom layer and pour mixture on top, spreading with knife. Use a new piece of plastic wrap to smooth out the top.
9. Refrigerate 1-2 hours until firm.

This fudge is rich and very sweet. Expecting ladies beware - most of the liqueur is not cooked off so it is alcoholic!

Shop:
Crafts For St. Patrick'S Day (Holiday Crafts for Kids)

$1 off bottled Frappuccinos

I love me a Frappuccino every now and then...cool and sweet like a milkshake with a boost to follow.

Get an easy coupon for $1 off any size bottled Frappuccino coffee drink when you fill out your name, location and a quick blurb about where drinking a Frappuccino takes you. A coffee shop in Paris? A ski lodge? On a caffeine-fueled cleaning rampage?

Note that the printable E-coupon is not redeemable at Starbucks locations. Now go get your caffeine on!

A laugh-out-loud article on myths of motherhood

Read it...just read it. You'll laugh hard, nod your head in enthusiastic agreement, and bring up the best points at your next play date.

The Top 5 Myths of Motherhood courtesy of Shine from Yahoo.com

Make a veggie bouquet to impress your guests

We've all seen and probably enjoyed an edible bouquet. Usually of the cookie or fruit variety, they are nice to look at and even nicer to consume. Here's a new one - a veggie bouquet! 

Great for an Easter gathering or a Mother's Day brunch, learn how to spruce up your table by following this video tutorial found at the bottom of the article.

Fun ideas:

• display your bouquet in a tall vase to serve from your buffet table 
• instead of salad, make mini bouquets in small terra cotta pots for each place setting
• hollow out gourds or peppers to hold veggie dips
• add breadsticks to the bouquet for interest
• make wine-tasting bouquets out of different colors and sizes of grapes and cheeses
• if a bouquet is too much work, spear marinated olives or fancy cheeses on pretty toothpicks and serve alongside cocktails

Thanks Hostess with the Mostess! 

FREE baby magazine subscriptions

We love free! Click riiiiiight here for completely, totally free subscriptions to Baby Talk (1 yr) and American Baby (6 mos) magazines.

It should only cost a few minutes to fill out your address, and maybe your info will be sold to a third party or two...but I'm guessing they'll at least be third parties that benefit you as a mommy.

Thanks Stretching a Buck!

The Greatest Show on Earth comes to Chattanooga

Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey's Illuscination tour is coming to Chattanooga in March. Held at the UTC McKenzie Arena, tickets can be purchased for as little as $15 ($36 for a VIP floor seat).

Performance schedule:
Thurs, March 11 - 7 p.m.
Fri, March 12 - 7 p.m.
Sat, March 13 - 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.
Sun, March 14 - 2 p.m.

The All Access Pre-Show begins an hour before showtime and is open to all ticketholders. The entire family can meet the performers and animals and learn a few circus skills.

Illuscination will be in Knoxville March 3-7 at Civic Coliseum.

Klum launches maternity lines at well-known retailers

Model and mom-of-four, Heidi Klum says she "experienced fashion challenges" during her pregnancies and believes that this "shouldn't stop you from being fashionable and feeling great about your changing body." Amen to that, sister!

Klum has launched two separate lines to help expecting women achieve this.

Lavish by Heid Klum is sold exclusively at A Pea in the Pod. This higher-end line features 17 modern mix-and-match items, all in black and gray-tones. Prices range from $68-$195, plus a pair of leather leggings for $550 meant only for the bravest of pregos, I'm guessing. I especially love the knee-length, spaghetti strap dress (pictured here) and the gray, short-sleeve cascade cardigan.

Motherhood Maternity is carrying Loved by Heidi Klum. This collection, $17-$45, is a bit less designer and a bit more casual. Again, the 13 mix-and-match pieces are mostly in black with punches of blue. The sleeveless scoop-neck tank in cobalt looks comfy and versatile which, let's face it, are the two most important requirements for maternity clothes.

Happy shopping!

Olympic mamas

Follow these six U.S. mom-letes as they compete for medals in the Vancouver Olympics, and get inspired to chase your dreams.

Most of these women train well into their pregnancies and get back on the horse weeks after delivery. That means no excuses for not walking in my seventh month next time!

Jenny Potter - hockey
The team has won three of their four matches.

Noelle Pikus Pace - skeleton
Didn't medal but came in a close fourth in her last two runs.

Sarah Schleper - slalom
Will compete during the day this Friday.

Allison Pottinger, Natalie Nicholson, Tracy Sachtjen - curling
Currently in 10th.

Good luck to these supermoms!

Up to 40% off Polarn O. Pyret at Zulily.com

Now through Feb 26, get up to 40% off (mostly)winter styles from Polarn O. Pyret. Their signature stripes look good on babies and mommies alike and come in bright colors for spring. I especially love the striped socks and tights for girls.

The Eco Newborn collection is 100% organic cotton and looks so snuggly, and the simple lines of the maternity and nursing tops will be on my shopping list for the next pregnancy. Don't forget to check out the sale tab - sweet summer items are in the mix, not just winter.

It's easy to sign up at Zulily.com to receive daily news on baby bargains from brands all over the world. They even display events coming up the next day. It's a bit dangerous, actually...

There are also Melissa & Doug items on sale through Feb 24!

Note: Zulily sales end at 10 a.m. EST (7 a.m. PST) on the given date, not at midnight like most online sites.

Free pancakes on Feb 23 plus give through CMN

Pancakes...warm, fluffy, gooey sweet pancakes. Good with blueberries or chocolate chips. Especially good when free. What about a pancake event that makes it easy to donate to a worthy children's charity?

IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day on Tuesday, Feb 23, in partnership with Children's Miracle Network (one of our favorites as my husband is a Sigma Chi alum). Come in to your neighborhood IHOP between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. to receive a free short stack (3 pancakes)! No purchase is necessary but they do ask that you consider donating to your local children's hospital through CMN.

Click the IHOP link above to read about the origin of National Pancake Day (which is normally on Fat Tuesday). This is IHOP's 5th year raising money for CMN and they hope to reach $5 million!

Easy organizers for ideas and loose papers

Are you a list-maker? Do you like to jot down random thoughts that have potential to develop into brilliant ideas? Do you rip out pages from magazines for future reference? I do, do and do. And it's been a struggle in the past to keep it all organized. Here are some ideas to help.

Martha Stewart's Plan-Anything Tags
Make plain notebooks work harder for you.

1. Buy labels or stickers of desired size and shape.
2. While still on the sheet, fold rectangular or square stickers in half - get a good crease using a bone folder (had to look up that tool).
3. Label your categories just under the crease.
4. Place stickers throughout the notebook, staggered vertically, by folding them at the crease and overlapping the open sides of the stickers on the page edges. See picture above.
5. For round stickers, write your label names and stick them together, back-to-back, overlapping the edge of the paper (see picture).

Thanks, Martha!

Loose Paper Organizer

Use regular three-ring binders to file away all those inspirational pages from magazines and catalogs. My favorite is a medium-sized view binder with see-through pocket overlays on the exterior. That way, I can decorate a cover page and make the outside fun.

Make a list of categories for each binder. Purchase a package of clear snap-in sheet protectors and enough index tabs or binder label dividers to cover these categories, plus extra for future expansion (or use Martha's idea above). Label away and stash those loose pages in the sheet protectors.

I have three binders that keep me sane...

• Recipes: Simple & Delicious favorites, meal planning articles and keepers from websites such as Allrecipes.com.
• Home & Holiday Decor: ideas from Pottery Barn catalogs and BH&G-type periodicals.
• Mommy Stuff: anything I might reference in the future gets stashed away, including ideas for birthday parties, time-saving tips, maternity styles, etc.

This is also good for organizing financial papers such as tax documents and important receipts. I flip through my binders every year or so and throw away anything that seems outdated or unnecessary.

Wrangle Those Random Thoughts

Being a mom seems to double the amount of thoughts that run through your head each day. Whether it's "let's have homemade waffles this weekend" or "don't forget to make the pediatrician appointment" or "that's a good short story idea" or "monkey needs more socks"...they come along so quickly that I sometimes feel as if I'm drowning in them.

That's why I keep a small journal and pen with me, usually in the side pocket of the diaper bag. Currently, it's a fun, pink little number from Moleskine given to me by my sis. One by the bed isn't a bad idea either.

It feels good to get my head and paper clutter organized!

Mellow Mushroom family day offers free slice for kids

What's better than a slice of yummy pizza? A free slice!

Tuesday is family day at Mellow Mushroom on Broad St in Chattanooga (not sure about other locations - it's worth calling your local diner) where kids can get a free slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza with any adult order of $15 or more. This deal is good all day every Tuesday.

I'm starting to drool just thinking about a big, greasy slice of Mega Veggie...

Home show Feb 26-28 at Chattanooga Convention Center

If you're looking to remodel or refresh your home, the place to find great ideas and reliable vendors is the 44th annual Tri-State Home Show. Here's the low-down...

When: February 26-28

10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri & Sat

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun

Where: Chattanooga Convention Center

Cost: $7 entrance fee
Fri is Senior Day - $2 off

Sat bring canned goods for $1 off

Sun - $2 donation to your church if you bring in your church bulletin

Extra 50% off for recent Amazon subscription customers

Take advantage of a 50% off offer on select magazine subscriptions at Amazon.com if you've previously used their subscription ordering service. Click here and apply code MAGFEB50 at checkout during the month of February to receive the following deals on magazines for moms:

Family Fun - $4.98 (50 cents per issue)

Parenting - $4.98 (45 cents per issue)

Working Mother - $4.98 (62 cents per issue)

Good Housekeeping - $3.98 (33 cents per issue)

The following are also part of this promotion: Marie Claire, Redbook, and Harper's Bazaar.

Note: these subscriptions come with a 1-year auto renewal, but you are able to cancel the renewal if you wish to stop receiving your magazine.

Thanks Marcy at Stretching a Buck!

Time of Your Life event benefits local children's hospital

Hey Chattanooga moms! Here's your chance to give to a great charity, meet local ladies and get a bit of pampering.

Purchase tickets online now ($35) or at the door ($45) for the Time of Your Life with the Sweet Potato Queen, Jill Conner Browne, on Friday, March 5, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Your ticket will get you pampering, giveaways, food, and valuable information. Proceeds benefit the wonderful Children's Hospital at Erlanger.

Browne is New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Potato Queens series and will speak at the event at 7 p.m. Books such as American Thighs: Preserving Your Assets, SPQ's Guide to Raising Children for Fun & Profit, and Big Ass Cookbook are said to be both witty and full of down-to-earth guidance (and yummy Southern recipes).

Note: must be 21 to attend.

Gwen Stefani shines at NY Fashion Week

High-
lighting
Gwen Stefani:
a favorite celebrity mom...

As if being a pop star, marrying Gavin Rossdale and rocking one of the most fabulous post-baby bodies weren't enough, Gwen also had to go and make a splash with her Fall 2010 L.A.M.B. collection at New York Fashion Week. (Click the red Photos button to the left of the article for a slideshow.) Although some of it was a bit futuristic for my taste, I enjoy the loud tweeds, military details, fun draping and abundance of leather.

Here are a few fun, mom-related quotes from the buff mama / fashionista:

"I was thinking that when I have children, that I should always dress as a character for them, so they think their mom is Alice in Wonderland or Cinderella."

"I imagine my children are going to save me from my vanity and be my passion and fill whatever fears I have of the amazing time I'm having right now being gone."

"I know every mother must feel this way, but watching your child grow up and learn new things every day is one of the greatest and purest pleasures you can have."

Thanks, Gwen, for being so fabulous and inspiring!

Flower origami is a fun craft for banishing winter blues

Don't know about you, but I'm over winter. It's the time of year when I have an overwhelming desire to bring the beauty and colors of spring into my home since I can't find them out-of-doors quite yet.

Here's a fun and easy project you can do with your kids to pass a few hours when it's just too cold to play outside. And it will brighten up your decor! All you need are some square post-its or paper and glue.

Forget it's winter and click the link below for instructions on how to make these gorgeous paper flowers.

Origami Flower

Make a few and place along your mantle or in a coffee table bowl, or make a dozen of them to create a beautiful flower Kusudama (flower ball) as shown here.

Free time - love it, miss it, need to get over it

Most of us have heard this conversation go down:

experienced mom #1 says to new mom #2, "She's such a doll. They do change your life, don't they? Can you even remember what you did with yourself before she came along?" To which mom #2 replies "Oh, I knoooow..." It takes nearly all I have not to crash their little chat with, "Um, excuse me? Yes, yes I DO remember what I did with myself before baby."

I get it - brand new moms are in that honeymoon stage of blissful, sleeplessness-induced delirium and moms of older children are suffering from their own brand of delirium. They talk about being so busy chauffering their adolescents to ball games and furrowing their brows over impossible algebra equations that they find themselves longing for the days of sweet baby smells and naptimes, wondering if they should have another. As much as I love being a mother, I think these women may have temporarily lost touch with reality.

Maybe I'm a bit selfish. Maybe I'm just one of those people who enjoys "me time" a little too much. But I know one thing for certain: I could, in about two minutes flat, make a list a football field long of all the things I did with myself before I had my little monkey...of all the things I miss, heck, practically mourn the loss of. Sleeping in on Saturdays, attending a guilt-free department happy hour, reading an entire book in one sitting, deciding at the last minute to go out for a Friday evening movie date, staying one more night on a business trip to wrap up those issues, and the list continues seemingly forever. Of course I can still do most of these things and I do them......IF I plan in advance and secure a timeslot with my (fortunately very helpful) husband. But doing so simultaneously gives me something to look forward to and crushes any fantasy I had of a life of freedom.

Then come the guilty questions. What's wrong with me as a mother that I feel this way when others say they don't? Should I seek counseling? Haha! No. That would certainly cut into opportunities for me time.

I probably look at moms who claim not to miss that freedom as if they were aliens capable of walking on the surface of the sun. I wonder if they led dull lives before children. I wonder if they're kidding themselves. I wonder if I'm kidding myself and wasting time recalling the way things used to be. Maybe I'm the one who has lost touch with reality. Yes, that must be it, because until now, I've been willing to admit this only to my closest of friends (and only those friends who I thought would sympathize with my point of view).

I guess instead of whining and mourning, I should focus on the positives. When I do get an hour or two to myself, it's like I've won some sort of prize and I relish every second of it. If time were a tangible object, you would find me wallowing around in it like a pig in mud. Before, I took that time for granted. Before, I measured accomplishments on spreadsheets at work and by how many social activities I had planned for the month. But now, I get more excitement from watching my sweet boy whiz through Pat the Bunny than I ever could've from being invited to a last-minute Thursday dinner downtown.

What it boils down to is that I need to get over it, count my blessings, and find a really reliable and pathetically available babysitter.

What's the biggest thing you miss having the freedom to do? More importantly, on a scale of 1 to 10, how over it are you?

25% off bottoms at Crazy 8 plus other spring deals

A great place for inexpensive but adorable kids clothing, Crazy 8 has few brick-and-mortar locations (zero in TN) but great online promotions and flat $5 shipping at all times.

Right now, they have Spring Deals. You can get 25% off a decent selection of bottoms for babies and kids, including jeans, twills, skirts and actives, and there are discounted tops to match as well. Newborn Essentials (up to 24 mos) are 20% off.

The spring collections for boys and baby boys are Supercharged Cool and Prehistoric Cool. I can't get enough of the preppy plaids and 2 for $6 tees. For girls, the themes are Little Lady (lady bugs) and Berry Sweet which I love, love, love. The soft, cotton ruffles and the colorblock tiered dress are causing me to be a bit bummed that I don't have a little girl.

Spring is closer than you think...thank goodness. Happy shopping!

New study encourages hope for fewer SIDS deaths

This is literally the best news I've read in a good, long while. For six months after I gave birth, I endured nights of tossing, turning and waking up suddenly in the middle of the night in a near-panic state. The fear was almost a constant in those early times - during his many daytime naps, when other people were babysitting him, driving down the road to the mall. We were sticklers about every SIDS rule that we had ever heard. I even came close to purchasing a rather expensive breathing monitor to put under his mattress.

Now that he's past the high-risk stage, I can rest a little easier but am already dreading those same fears when baby #2 comes along. Hopefully the study just released by the American Medical Association will lead to the prevention of future SIDS deaths.

According to an article I read today published by Reuters, scientists have linked a decreased amount of serotonin in brain tissue to increased vulnerability to SIDS. The study recorded that all in the study who suffered from SIDS-related deaths had over a quarter lower levels of serotonin (a chemical found in the central nervous system that is responsible for transmitting messages related to sleep, mood, cognitive functions, etc) and low levels of an enzyme needed to produce serotonin.

With lower levels of serotonin, babies are less likely to wake and adjust in situations such as sleeping face-down where carbon dioxide levels can become dangerous. Now that we know about this correlation, the next step is for scientists to determine how they can test for serotonin levels in newborns.

Heartfelt gratitude should go out to those parents who donated their infants' bodies to these studies. I can't even imagine. Their consideration will surely save the lives of others.

Recalls: strollers, Disney, CPSC link

Below are a few recalls on popular products that I've run across recently. Hopefully none of them affect you. If you want to stay on top of the latest safety recalls, you can add the Consumer Product Safety Commission's website to your list of browser favorites.

CYBEX strollers: risk of finger injury due to hinge mechanism. Ruby, Onyx and Topaz models sold Aug-Nov 2009.

Disney princess items: Tiny Tink toy jewelry sets by Playmates toys violate lead regulations and The Princess and the Frog metal necklaces sold at Wal-Mart have high levels of cadmium.

Zippo candle lighters: sold at Bath & Body Works and White Barn Candle Co, these lighters can be a burn hazard due to excessive flame at max setting.

Starbucks glass water bottles: lacerations can occur when removing or inserting the stopper. Sold exclusively at locations inside Safeways and Targets. When returned, receive refund and complimentary beverage.

There are additional recalls listed on the CPSC's website.

Moms' Minds This Month - Feb '10

This post is the first of what will become a monthly segment designed to share what's going on in our worlds. What are women like us thinking about? Spending our time on? Shopping for? It will be interesting only if you respond and tell a little about yourself...otherwise, it's just me making a list.

The categories will fluctuate over time, so if you have an idea for a new one, you can share it in your response or e-mail me whenever. Can't wait to hear from you!

ME THIS MONTH:

• OBSESSION: Twilight series, both the books and the movies
• WEARING: gray Express flyaway cardigan (on sale now) and black Jessica Simpson flats
• EXCITED ABOUT: making chocolate fondue for Valentine's Day
• ONLINE ADDICTION: Stretching a Buck blog
• VISITING: Chattanooga Creative Discovery Museum - can't wait!
• READING: Henderson the Rain King by Saul Bellow
• WATCHING: Christian Bale's summer blockbusters on video
• BUYING: babyGap for spring
• TALKING ABOUT: Grammy surprises - Pink's awesome number and Taylor Swift's sentimental speeches
• DREAMING ABOUT: flip-flops - hurry up, summer!
• MISSING: fresh fruit crepes from FirstWatch - TN needs a location
• INSPIRED BY: Stephenie Meyer's success story
• ANNOYED BY: people who are actually stunned that Obama didn't solve the country's problems in one year - you can grade him here

So, let's hear it! What's going on with you these days? Click Comment below and copy/paste to add your response.

Boon Squirt makes feeding fun and convenient

Before the first day you twist open a jar of winter squash baby food, the search begins for the best feeding utensils. And while there are some fun options out there, Boon has cornered the market on cool.

Boon's Squirt baby food dispensing spoon is not only adorable, it is incredibly convenient. Simply pour a jar of food into the bulb and twist on the spoon end. Voila! You have a portable utensil that allows you to feed with one hand. All it takes is a little squeeze of the bulb and a perfect dollop of pureed apricots oozes onto the spoon. This genius design in three bright colors (I have it in orange) frees up your other hand so that you can *gasp* eat your food with the other. Plus, it comes with a protective cover that contains the food and keeps the spoon sanitary in your bag.

The best part? Upon use in a restaurant, the Squirt sparks at least one "ooh, what is that?!" from a nearby diner. But watch out once you get to the last bite...they don't call it Squirt for nothing.

Get your fruits and veggies quick for 42 cents per serving

It's a constant struggle for me. As a carbaholic, I find it difficult to work in a variety of fruits and veggies every day. And while monkey is a well-rounded eater at present, I fear he may slip into the picky eater category as he grows. What's a mom to do to ensure her family is getting the recommended servings?

I've recently become a big fan of Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness. It has earned "staple" status in my fridge. The big 52oz bottle costs $5.50 and has 13 servings of fruit/veggies. That breaks down to 42 cents per serving, ladies! And not a slave-over-a-hot-stove serving, but a pour-it-straight-into-a-glass serving. Granted, it looks like one of those slimy, green health shakes you see fitness buffs chugging in movies, but it tastes like a sweet fruit smoothie. Monkey LOVES it. I put a few ounces with some water in a sippy cup, and he sucks it down and fusses when it's all gone.

This is quality stuff. No added sugar, 100% juice and chocked full of vitamins that come from natural sources. Beware my lovely pregos, it's flash pasteurized which wasn't recommended for moms-to-be when I was carrying. You can purchase this at most grocery stores - I've found it at Kroger, Publix and Earthfare - in the produce fridge case alongside the Marzetti salad dressings and Odwalla juices.

Thanks Erica, for introducing me to this great product!

Win Victoria's Secret - I got panties*!

Hop online at Victoria's Secret now to play VS Wild Card. Just give them your e-mail address, phone number, mailing address, and the soul of your first-born, and you can win one of several "prizes." The grand prize is a $500 VS gift card - all you have to do is get four out of five matching cards and the fifth has to be a wild card. "You'd have better odds of getting eaten by a polar bear and a grizzly bear on the same day." Can't remember where I heard that gem.

Hoping to score something nice just in time to surprise my hubby for VDay, I clicked on a few cards and won myself a new pair of lacy thongs with purchase of a bra. They send an e-mail voucher which you print out and redeem in-store. It was virtually painless for me to turn over all that information - they already had my digits from some other clever sucubus contest. Good luck and lacy thongs for all!

*panties with purchase of a bra

Lovin' Old Navy's infant canvas slip-ons

While Old Navy's always been hit or miss for me, more hits for babies and misses for adults, I plan on buying my little monkey a pair (or two) of their infant Canvas Lace-Free Slip-on sneakers. All the charm of a classic pair of Chuck Taylors at less than half the price.

Right now, you can get them in three different boyish shades for $12, though I think they're perfectly suitable for girls too. Baby girls have five color choices for $12.50. Beware: several parents of chubby-foots say these run small.

Currently, monkey is sporting an authentic pair of Cons, and although we get tons of compliments and nothing typically compares to the "real thing," I could afford two pair of ON's for what I paid at Journey's. Unlike women's shoes where you get what you pay for, kids' shoes end up donated to Goodwill or tossed in a hand-me-down bin in a matter of months. I'm getting him a pair one size up in time for early summer. I can't wait to skip the whole tying and re-tying aaaand re-tying again headache and the velcro noise for that matter...that "scccrrrrrch" resounding repeatedly from the back seat of the car cannot be drowned out by The Fray. Rejoice for slip-ons!

Hey there, all you moms and moms-to-be

My name is Brianna and I'm the mother of the world's most precious baby, naturally. My passions in life include my child (referred to as "monkey" in my posts) and family, fun but practical fashion, culinary adventures involving chocolate or pasta, simplicity, and a good glass of wine every now and then. I'm not a super crafty chick but I strive to be...well, that and the next great American novelist.

I've recently had my world turned upside down. Guess that's being dramatic considering what's facing other people these days. But between moving to a new city away from one I loved and going from being a comfortably corporate mom to a stay-at-home newbie, I'm having to open my mind to a new, thriftier way of life and a slightly different way of viewing myself. Every day I discover (err, stumble upon) something new, exciting and helpful. So I figured that, while I'm at it, I can share what I learn with those who don't have the time to seek out the best of the best.

Let The Hip, Savvy Momlife be your one-stop shop for everything mommy and baby related:
-cool gadgets that simplify instead of clutter
-deals, coupons and steals good enough to hold over your head like a trophy
-tips on how to get through each pesky but charming stage of pregnancy
-new toys and media that impress your tot without giving you a nervous tick
-how-to's for getting organized, making a budget-gourmet dinner and staying fit
-updates on current events and pop culture, including celebrity moms
-ideas for everything from nurturing your baby to releasing your inner diva
-lots of belly laughs and "so it's not just me" moments along the way

Let's go live this wild, wonderful momlife...