Baby Sanity Tips

Girlvival!

I say this definitely needs to go under developmental milestones.  Where was this stuff when I was a teenager?  Okay, maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit on this - Mackenzie is only 6 (but ask anyone, she's heading straight for 16), but oh boy, do I love this site: http://girlvival.com/index.htm

Created by a teen who not only lives it every day, but so does her mom!  From Carrie's "about me" page -

The world can often be a confusing place for girls. When I was growing up, I sometimes wished that there was a "kit" that could help me through life's ups and downs. When it seemed like things couldn't get worse, I wished for something that could smooth the path, and when things were going awesome, I just wanted a mini celebration for myself. It would have also been nice to have sure fire way to get the party going when you were just hanging with your friends or friend challenged for the night. So one day, I decided to stop waiting for someone else to invent them and my sisters and I just did it! (thanks Kelsey and Tiana). We hope that girls everywhere will be able to celebrate the triumphs and tragedies of every day life using our *survival kits*. They are sassy, fun and will make you smile and feel good about life, but most of all, let you know you are not alone in your experiences. We package the *survival kits* in the season's must have fashion bags that double as a mini-backpack (reusable and in cool fun fabrics-bonus!). They are jam-packed with tips, ideas, fun goodies and of course, a must have, lip gloss to lift your spirits, or send you celebrating. The *Survival Kits* cover lots of things that you are sure to experience sometime before heading off in the adult world, and that's why I like to say *we accessorize your real life experiences*.

So.... if you know any 'tweens, teens or moms of them - put this on your list for the next gift bag. Very reasonably priced and so cute!

Put Down the Scissors....

You know what they say about the best of intentions.  Remember back when you were pregnant with your first?  You had all of the grandiose ideas of the scrapbook that you would painstakingly build for your little pumpkin.. You bought all of the cool scissors, the variety of paper, stamps, stickers.. all in all - $300 worth, right?  And how much have you done?  For your first, I predict you did pretty well.  You're at least up to first words.  If you've moved on to your second, I say you've at least bought all the materials and have the pictures in a shoebox.  If you're already at #3 - what pictures??  What scrapbook???

Well, friends, I have found the answer... http://www.scrapbookingnot.com/

I found this awesome book when I was on a quest to find not a baby book, but a school memory book.  I was getting so frustrated because they either made you build your own, only went from K-8 or HighSchool only.  I had one when I was a kid and I still remember how excited I would get every school year to fill out the fields that were there for me.  The quality is incredible.. durable, plastic coated sheets with a lot of give room to stuff all those pockets full of report cards, papers, etc.

I sent an email to Margie Gotsch, the president and genius behind the books and she was so nice to write back.  Seems she's a kindred spirit like us and when she couldn't find what she wanted, she decided to do it herself.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Margie!!  They have one for School memories and one for Baby Years memories.  Do yourself a favor and check them  out.  Save yourself the paper and zigzag scissor cuts of doing it yourself!!

Kristen

Look at my Socks!

Little Miss Matched

I just bought my sister $50 worth of socks for her 12th birthday.

"SOCKS? Greeeeaaaatttt...thanks, sis..."

That would have been my reaction at that age with all the attitude and eye rolling you can imagine. Thus, I have taken quite a risk...but these aren't just any socks.

I heard about these socks from famed marketing guru Seth Godin last week at our management meeting at SilkRoad technology. He pointed out this company as one that had a unique "purple cow" marketing campaign. Getting 12 year old girls to say "Look at my socks!" is quite a feat.

A lightbulb went off over my head and I figured, "Hey! my guess is that this trend has not hit North Carolina...I'll help my sister be the coolest kid in class" (not like she isn't already).  Seems pretty risky in retrospect...but hey, if she doesn't want them, I'll take em...I think they're cool. Of course, I am a 34 year old "un cool" mom-type...and buying socks in sets of 3, 5, and 7 in bright colors with patterns that don't match is all the "raging against the machine" I can handle these days.

http://www.littlemissmatched.com