Must-Haves

Gadget of the Week: Ergorapido Cordless Vacuum

Like most households, we have a bulky vacuum and a handheld unit for quick pick-ups. I never really gave it much thought until I came across Electrolux's Ergorapido 2-in-1 vacuum. Combining effective clean-up power with space-saving good looks, the Ergorapido is a cordless, bagless vacuum with a built-in handheld that releases with the press of a button for hard to reach spaces.

Despite the power it packs, the rechargable unit weighs about five pounds and the charging stand includes space to store accessories.

Good looking, powerful and no strings attached? Sounds like the perfect relationship!

Electrolux Ergorapido Cordless Vacuum - $99 at Target

End Tooth Brushing Battles

Getting kids to brush their teeth ranks in as one of parents' biggest daily battles. Those days are over with this innovative and absolutely amazing new musical toothbrush from Tooth Tunes.

Featuring sound vibrations that stream through the bristles as kids brush, music travels through the jawbone to the inner ear so music is heard in their head.

And, because the tip is pressure activated, the better they brush, the better the sound. And it REALLY works. Well.

With dozens of 2-minute (the minimum time recommended for thorough brushing) songs to choose from - including The Black Eyed Peas' "Let's Get It Started," KISS' "Rock & Roll All Night," and Smash Mouth's "All Star" to more current kid-friendly tunes from High School Musical, Miley Cyrus and Kelly Clarkson, the whole family (parents too!) can start a collection.

These give a whole new meaning to having a song stuck in your head...

Tooth Tunes - $9.99 at ToothTunes.com

Swing Out, Mama!

We all know that regular strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular exercise are important to maintain for a healthy lifestyle, but who has the time to get on the treadmill, hit the weight room and go to Yoga?

The Kettlebell routine - the latest "it" workout that's taking over Hollywood, is an old-school Russian technique that incorporates the benefits of strength training, muscle conditioning and aerobic exercise, all in one workout.

Hot Modern Mom Mariska Hargitay credits kettlebells for getting her back into shape after her pregnancy. Three moves, 30 minutes, three times a week is all you need to get your body burning. The moves have you swing and lift the weighted "bell" and focus on the trouble zones that all moms target -- abs, thighs and bootie. 

Best of all, you can do it at home, on your own time.

10 lb. Kettlebell + Workout DVD - $29.99 at GoFit.net

Tricked Out: Halloween Must-Haves

Halloween is among my favorite holidays - I can't get enough of the decor, spooky fun and pure delight children get out of this time of year. And as with pretty much every holiday, each year it seems like there are more and more options to buy that'll help us get in the spirit.

So, here's my list of must-haves to make this Halloween a fun and stylish success!

Mr. Potato Head Trick or Tater

Kids will love the classic spud with glow-in-the-dark eyes, a ghost costume and other spooky parts and accessories. 

$12.99 at Amazon.com

 

 

Bat Sugar Candles

These tasteful yet festive candles are perfect for table centerpieces or set in clusters around carved pumpkins.

We also love the glowing Skull versions.

$22 for a set of 6 at PlumParty.com
 

Spooky Town Decor

Create a haunted neighborhood centerpiece or place these spooky wood and tin houses in windows.

$22 - 41 at PotteryBarnKids.com

 

 

Ghoulish Lazy Susan

Serve up snacks on this eerie earthenware turntable featuring three ghost shaped bowls surrounding a black cauldron.

$39.99 at Target.com

 

 

Feathered Crows

Perch these birds on chandeliers and trees or line them up on the mantle. Guests will certainly look twice at the realistic figures made with genuine feathers.

$10.97 at OrientalTrading.com

Safely Seated: 2008 Carseat Guide

With so many carseat options on the market, we thought we'd breakdown the best options for newborn through elementary school-aged children.

Newborn:

Combi Zeus

The Combi Zeus is the only convertible car seat that rotates from rear to forward facing without ever having to re-install. The Combi Zeus' "Z-Turn" feature makes buckling a child in simple because you can easily turn the seat to face you and then rotate and lock it into either the forward or rear facing position.

Plus, when your little one has graduated to front-facing, you don't have to do anything but turn and lock!

$299.99 at EliteCarSeats.com

Toddler:

Britax Frontier

The Britax Frontier Toddler Car Seat allows parents to keep their children secure in a 5-point harness for as long as possible. For children at least 25 lbs, 2 years of age, and 30" tall, the Frontier is perfect for parents graduating their little ones from a convertible car seat. 

This seat is not only loaded with safety and comfort features for kids up to 80 lbs, it's also slightly smaller than other toddler seats, offering a better fit in most cars.

$279.99 at TinyRide.com

Boosters:

Clek Olli

We've been fans of the Olli for years. This booster offers greater safety and comfort for your precious cargo thanks to LATCH system locks that secure the booster in place. And, the Olli features a "comfort-cube" seat that includes additional layers of padding to keep your child's bottom happy.

Plus, the fabulous selection of seat covers such as leopard, zebra and a range of colors make this seat functional and stylish.

$89.99 at Target.com

 

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