if mom had 3 minutes...

What would you do?

I have a few thoughts on the subject, because like any mama will tell you, we get to be very good at time management when children enter our lives. Making the most of every moment becomes of the utmost importance, wouldn't you say?

Here's the quickie background: I'm very excited to be working on a new campaign with Clorox, who in turn is collaborating with children's book author Karen Kaufman Orloff, of "If Mom Had 3 Arms," to create an e-book called If Mom Had 3 Minutes. One very cool part? Suggestions and time-saving tips for the book are coming directly from mamas everywhere -- all you have to do to contribute is visit Clorox's Facebook page (or in the comment section of this post).

Even better than that? By commenting on this post with a tip (and a way to be contacted), 20 of you will be randomly selected by Clorox to receive a coupon for one free Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes product.  Spring cleaning, anyone?

To help get you started, here are a few things I do to make my household run a little smoother (and if you saw my laundry pile at home, you might be laughing out loud right now):

1.) I can't wait until we can all eat together as a family, but right now we still feed Toddler S first and Husband and I eat after she goes to bed. While she's having dinner, I save time by doing a few dishes and starting dinner for us.

2.) Toddler S is entering a "helping" phase, which is totally sweet despite the fact that her idea of helping is, well, not usually that helpful. But, she gets props for trying! She really enjoys "helping" me do laundry, which I actually don't mind because it means I get to spend time with her while I'm down in the basement of our building sorting out brights from whites.

3.) I read email, have phone conversations and look at Facebook while I'm breastfeeding. I feel slightly guilty about this, but it's honestly a good time to catch up with friends and family. I've also been known to do things like cut my daughter's fingernails while breastfeeding (actually, both daughters' nails, now that I think about it!)

Thanks in advance for your contributions, and I look forward to reading your tips!



Disclosure: I received information about the If Mom Had Three Minutes program and coupons for Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes from Clorox for this giveaway. I am being compensated by The Clorox Company to talk about my favorite time-saving, multi-tasking tip(s) as part of the If Mom Had Three Minutes Program.

review: be kind kid shop

There is entirely too much plastic in our apartment. This is particularily irritating to me because plastic-overload was one of those things I thought about pre-parenthood... specifically, I would never be one of THOSE PARENTS who let plastic toys, trinkets, flatware, games etc. etc. etc. etc. take over their living space. Ah, memories. While I embrace the fact that with my cuties comes incredible mounds of stuff, I have decided to wage a small battle against all of it.

Watch your back, plastic!

First step: the kitchen. Enter Be Kind, a new mom-owned and operated business (love that!) which features glass as an alternative to the plastic flatware and sippy cups currently filling up my cupboards. While this might not seem like the best choice with small children, Be Kind's glass goes through a unique tempering process which makes it 2.5 times stronger than regular glass. AND, it's a healthy alternative to plastic, as it's made from completely natural materials (not to mention more aesthetically-pleasing). Be Kind's Silislipper is a silicone training top that is valve and spout-free, which encourages young children to learn to correctly sip from a glass.

I also love that Be Kind donates a portion of proceeds from every sale to Charity: Water, a non-profit where 100% profits go to fun water projects around the globe. In a word -- awesome.

On a personal note, I should mention my toddler loves her "Big Girl" plate and tumbler glass because it is similar to Mommy & Daddy's dishes. So not only has our kitchen plastic been transferred to the recycling bin, but Be Kind is another product that's helping transition our little gal to official Big Girl status (quick Mommy sidebar: I may in fact be sniffling a little bit right now).

Disclosure: Be Kind provided me with product for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

big apple books: above new york

Above New York
by Nina Gruener & Robert Cameron

I love having a window seat whenever I'm flying into NYC, as the views over Manhattan are simply stunning. Gazing down over the skyline, a 'pinch me' moment results with the realization that I get to live here -- which literally gets me every time.

In Above New York, author Nina Gruener celebrates the work of her grandfather, the late photographer Robert Cameron.  Cameron is best known for his aerial photography books of famed cities and natural wonders, publishing 19 in total, from Above Paris to Above Yosemite.

In an ode to her grandfather, Gruener adapted his photographs of New York City into a children's book about a little boy named Cam discovering the Big Apple for the first time. Not only are the photos beautiful, but the story is filled with whimsy and lovingly celebrates the curious nature of children. I think it's really special that Gruener has chosen to remember her grandfather this way -- and I have no doubt that Cameron and "Cam" would have been kindred spirits.
 

a sunday afternoon

A weekend day in photos.

Nothing out of the ordinary or particularly exciting here, yet the afternoon was perfect in its simplicity.

If you've ever had one of those days where it takes you until 3pm to get out of the apartment (laundry! dishes! more laundry!), then you know it's especially wonderful when you are finally able to break free, get some fresh air in your lungs and watch your rapidly growing little girl have a thoroughly enjoyable time at the playground.

Have a great week, everyone!

day at the museum


I will be the first to admit I'm a little bit addicted to my phone, which is funny as I've never been a big phone talker (I much prefer chatting face to face, if possible). No, I love my phone for all the other communication goodies it possesses... like being able to check my email, Facebook and Twitter accounts from anywhere. Having internet capability makes it so easy to look up any information I need, especially if I'm out and about and need to look up an address or find a store's website.

Most of all, though, I love taking pictures at a moment's notice. With two little kiddies at home, I'm constantly using my phone for its camera capability. It is SO easy to grab and start snapping photos, and the picture quality is surprisingly good. Nothing is easier and more convenient to use when we're out on the town, as seen in the photos below, on a recent trip to the American Museum of Natural History (Toddler S is knee deep in the dinosaur phase right now). I'm currently obsessed with the photo filter program Instagram, which is another handy dandy reason for taking pictures on my phone (I'm using the "Nashville" filter below).

During the work week, when I can steal a moment or two to myself, I love to look at the photos I've taken on my phone.  As I scroll through, each one brings up a different memory and a quick smile that I'm usually in need of at that moment. Basically, there's a chronicle of my life ready to be perused whenever I like, and really, how special is that? Enjoy!

Headed downtown...



We're here!



Paleontologist in training? The Discovery Room is awesome for budding naturalists



Dinosaur Train is great, but nothing beats holding a dinosaur bone (well, bone reproduction) 



Boo!



If you're looking for an Android-powered smartphone at a great value, be sure to check out U.S. Cellular. They have the highest satisfaction rating of any national carrier and you earn rewards points to use on things like accessories and upgrading your phone sooner. Learn more here.

Compensation was provided by US Cellular via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of US Cellular.

starting the day off right

Here's the thing, I'm not a morning person. I'm not proud to disclose this to all of Internet Land, but there you have it. I have always looooooved my sleep. There was a time, not so long ago, when I thought rising before 11am on the weekend was early.  Eesh!  Even I have trouble admitting that one.

Sleeping in came to a dramatic crashing halt with the arrival of one Sweet Little Gal and is only a fleeting memory now that SLG #2 has made us a family of four. And that's okay. Actually, it's great -- my children inspire me to make the most of every morning before I head off to work, and every moment with them on the weekend. Which means getting up early, bleary-eyed or not.

One little thing I've found that helps get the day off right is stretching. I start with my feet before I even get out of bed and am stretching my arms and legs as I head to the shower. Believe or not, it actually helps wake me up and get me going in the morning. Nothing, however, beats the weekend, when both girls get in bed with us. Husband might disagree on the comfort level as he's nearly always pushed to the edge, but I love it when we're all snuggled there together. Throw in a little coffee, some breakfast and music -- which often leads to an impromptu dance party -- and you have a completely perfect way to start the day.


My snuggle bunnies

What's your ideal way to start the day? Is there something you do (like stretching) or eat, etc. that leads you to a healthy and productive day? Quaker Oatmeal and Glam want to know! Please join me for a discussion at 4PM PST (7PM EST for us East Coasters) on Thursday, February 9th. The topic will be: “Starting the day off right: What small wins can you accomplish as part of your morning routine to help start your day right?”

And here's the fun part -- just by participating in any of the 3 chats (see dates & times for the other two below), you will automatically be entered into the “Small Wins, Big Rewards” Sweepstakes sponsored by Glam!

2/23: Future Wins- What morning small wins will help contribute to a successful future?
3/8:   Healthy Rewards- What small steps in the morning do you take to keep healthy?

At the end each discussion, one of the participants will be chosen at random to receive a $50 Amazon Gift Card. In addition, participants of ANY of the 3 discussions will also be entered to win the Grand Prize: a $1000 Amazon Gift Card! So the more discussions you participate in, the better chance you have of winning!

You can join the conversation here, or from the widget below!

The benefits of a warm, filling bowl of oatmeal can keep you going all morning long. Energy. Fiber. Heart Health. Quaker Oatmeal. A super grain breakfast.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Quaker via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Quaker.

big apple books: the super adventures of sophie & the city

The Super Adventures of Sophie and the City
by Kelly Florio Kasouf

All Sophie wants to do is spend a day with her daddy. She follows him to work one day, and in the process sets out on a spectacular adventure while roaming the floors of what is clearly the Conde Nast building. From the designer closets of Vogue to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sophie encounters fashion's elite, from a Fairy Fashion Godfather (bearing a remarkable resemblence to Isaac Mizrahi) to Diane von Furstenburg, who shares what inspires her collections. I might have even spied Anna Wintour in an elevator. Illustrations by Judit García-Talavera create a New York City experience full of color and whimsy.

Kasouf's book clearly has the mini fashionista in mind, and while I suspect Sophie's wardrobe would put my own to shame, I must say I enjoyed going on this journey with her. Because for all the glitz and glam that Sophie enjoys along the way, she never loses sight of what's most important -- spending time with her family.

If you'd like to explore more of Sophie's world, check out her Ipad app -- so neat!