I am often asked the question ”How do I choose the right car seat for my child?” With so many seats to choose from the short answer is “the one that fits your vehicle, your lifestyle and your budget”. The long answer however, is that buying a child seat is a significant purchase for parents and we all want to get it right.
What better time than summer to clean out the bookshelves and get ready to work on some education through the dry spell. Here are our top picks for little ones:
Press Here, by Herve Tullet
We read this with the kids and were commanded to not turn another page while they ran to the potty. Interactive, exciting, and educational, ‘Press Here’ helps kids review colours, counting and actions in a super-fun way. The kids are asked to press, rub, and shake the book to ‘move’ the dots. What a way to develop a love of reading!
Did you know that what goes on your skin goes into your body? We were recently invited to try some great makeup available at Whole Foods. Zuii Organic and Gabriel Skincare offer amazing shades and are both fully natural. Zuii Organic has embraced the essence of nature and created a totally unique range of colour cosmetics, blending Certified Organic Flower Petals, essential oils, vitamins and minerals while offering a colour pallet previously only available from chemical based cosmetics. Both lines improve your skin’s health, look great and have good karma.
There’s something about natural fibre. My dad used to tell me that wool and silk were the best materials to wear camping, sailing and skiing. At the time, I despised itch from wool, and imagining myself camping in a Marilyn Monroe-esque silk neglige made me giggle. Who knew there was wool that is actually soft, light and funky in colour? The new Ice Breaker Touch Lab in Vancouver’s West 4th area (the mecca for both skiwear and maternity fashion) is a welcome addition for West Coast’s nature-loving families. With everything from running attire to undergarments to sporty clothes, the 100% wool clothing doesn’t allow bacteria to latch onto the fibre like synthetic counterparts do. (Read: You don’t stink at après ski, and new moms don’t need to bother changing clothes for a while. There’s no time for that anyway).
Every night before sleep, my son comes out with the most profound observations, and I cherish the time where we discuss the ups and downs of his day. I’ve even noticed him waiting, clingy and quiet, until bedtime, and then spilling the beans.. “Nick made me feel bad today”. “Guess what.. the teacher said that she was really proud of me for counting to ten.” If I miss a couple of bedtimes, I suddenly feel disconnected. But not all nights are easy, and the kids don’t always know how to express themselves. That’s why we love Little Stars Bedtime Cards. Given to me by a dear friend (and an amazing parent), these are designed to affirm positive qualities that already exist in your child. They help you to go beyond teaching and telling, to engaging and connecting with your child through the sharing of common positive experiences and emotions.
Paraben-free, salt-free, and sulfate free. ‘Nuf said? Nope. This stuff leaves your hair silky, shiny and soft. Please excuse us if we sound like a crazy shampoo commercial, but we really like it. Alcove doesn’t feel soapy and filmy on the hands, and it smells good. The official ‘science’ is that micro-encapsulation encloses ingredients in microscopic capsules. This allows your hair to receive exactly the nutrients it needs to prosper. Lovely. www.oligoprofessionel.com
Every fall, luxury brand Louis Vuitton publishes gorgeous and super-helpful guides for some of the greatest cities in the world. We tried the European editions (surprise surprise), and were able to discover off-the-beaten track lounges in Paris and family-friendly, hip gems in Rome. Note to self: they also look great on your bookshelf, and they’re nice and light to pack.
Image Courtesy: www.luxuo.com
If you are planning on breastfeeding, there are a few items that are essential to your success. You will need a nursing bra, nursing top, breast pump, nursing cover and lastly, patience. With these modern conveniences Breastfeeding is simpler and more stylish than ever.