Must-Haves

Just Do It

There's so much we do everyday but really, when was the last time you put YOURSELF on your "To Do" list?

Written by then mom-to-be Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, who tragically died on Flight 93 on 9/11, YOU CAN DO IT: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown Up Girls will help you prioritize to include new adventures for yourself such as horseback riding, investing, knitting, starting a rock band, going back to school, or tracing your roots.

Inspired by the Girl Scouts' system of rewarding new skills and achievements with a merit badge, You Can Do It! balances the clear voice of inspiration alongside diligent, real world advice that connects readers with the tangible rewards of achievement. Each "badge activity" introduces a female expert, invites readers to picture their goal, and provides warm encouragement alongside concrete, step-by-step objectives that guide the dream to reality. The book even includes pages with colorful badge stickers to mark each triumph.

So, go for it! Go from "Maybe some day..." to "I did it!"

You Can Do It! by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas - $16.47 at Amazon.com

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Sticks and stones may break your bones, but Swarovski crystals will last a lifetime. Especially when they're machine washable. California mothers Kelly Trujillo and Michele Taylor-Bible of Orange County have designed a variety of iron-on crystals in the shape of boy and girl stick figures. Veteran and expectant moms alike can now emboss their family trees onto any cotton surface. And for those who are iron-challenged, they'll apply the crystals for you for an extra $5.

Taking Care of Business

On any given day, we're willing to bet the chances are slim that you'd be thinking about how to improve your toilet. Not so at Brondell, the company behind the new Swash toilet seat. A high-tech replacement for the standard seat, the Swash is packed with loads of features families will love. After using the Swash in our office for a month, most of us can't imagine using anything else. What's so special about the Swash? First, the seat is heated so you can say "goodbye" to the unpleasant, cold welcome your tush gets most mornings. Secondly, the Swash is equipped with two retractable "wash" wands - one for a posterior wash and one specifically designed for a feminine wash. The wands spray warm water providing a soothing, cleansing wash. And, the seat incorporates a built-in warm air dryer to dry your bottom after the warm water wash. Operated by a wall mounting remote control (yes, you read that right), the heat and water settings can be adjusted to the temperature and water pressure any user prefers.

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So why does a family need a Swash?

We couldn't say it any better than the Swash literature so...

"Water is the best way to clean just about anything. We use it to wash our bodies because it's effective, comfortable and leaves us feeling refreshed. In fact, it's hard to imagine washing without it. You certainly wouldn't use dry paper to clean your face or a dirty dish. Yet, when we go to the toilet we use dry paper to clean the most sensitive areas of our body. In truth, toilet paper is abrasive, unsanitary and just plain ineffective."

Made sense to us and now that we've tried it, we'll never go back to old-school toilet seats again.

Swash 400 - $399; and Swash 600 - $499 at homedepot.com

Stick Your Neck Out for A Good Cause

Sophie la Girafe

The children of Kate Hudson, Courtney Cox Arquette, Liv Tyler and David Letterman all adore Sophie la Girafe from The Elegant Child in Beverly Hills. Kate Hudson's son, Ryder, loves his so much, that Kate ordered five extras to make sure he always has one around.

And, this adorable rubber toy (from France - ooh la la) has a good heart: $5 from each purchase is donated to Light The Night�® Walk, which supports children with cancer, and honors the memory of Alison Leigh Scott, who suffered from Leukemia and passed away at only 36 weeks old. You can also purchase one to be sent to the oncology ward of UMC Medical in Arizona.

Sophie la Girafe - $20 at ElegantChild.com

Freshen Up Your Second Home

Between shuttling the kids to school and activities, getting to work and meetings, and running errands, most of us spend a good deal of time in our cars. Knowing that our cars are our second homes, the creators of Method Soaps have just released VROOM, a line of car care products aimed at bringing "joyful balance" to the auto aisle and making your ride more enjoyable.

Available exclusively at Target, VROOM's essential pack includes car wash, protectant, and - our favorite product - all purpose wipes that quickly mop up spilled coffee or juice, and remove sticky handprints.

And, similar to Method's household line, VROOM products feature understated, fresh scents that won't overpower the space like some little trees we've tried...

VROOM Essentials Pack - $16.99 at Target. Information at www.vroombrand.com

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