Great Gifts for Nursing Moms

People are always asking me what my favorite baby products are.  This is the ULTIMATE PRODUCT:  Bebe au Lait's Hooter Hider.  

The Hooter Hider is a Nursing Cover for  a Chic Mom.

From the Bebe Au Lait website...
Established in 2004, Bebe au Lait is committed to being the most trusted and reliably stylish Nursing Cover on the market. With every Bebe au Lait or Hooter Hider Nursing Cover purchase, we know that more and more nursing moms are out and about enjoying life with baby without any restrictions.

A MONEY SAVING SECRET ~~~  To get the Hooter Hider for about $7 less than the Bebe Au Lait website, go to www.embellishedmom.com .  Embellished Mom ships for FREE!!!  

Another one of my must haves...the Glamourmom Nursing Tanks.  

"It's a bra, a tank, an undershirt!" 

The tanks are between $34-$39.  If you order 2 or more you receive 10% off your order.  

This month, the Apple Green tank is only $29!!

Here's how the tank works:  

Southern Accents

After recently moving from London, England to Louisville, Kentucky, I've quickly had to learn to appreciate a drastically different culture and way of life.

I'm basking in the charm of the South--the grand brick homes, winding roads and grassy hills, the hospitality and sincerity, the amazing independently-owned restaurants with good ole American home cookin'...There's a classic simplicity in Southern style that I think suits me.

Even before living in Kentucky, I enjoyed the magazine Southern Accents. It's traditional yet unexpected, fresh and fun. It's a subscription all ages can enjoy and relate to in some way--whether it be recipes for Southern inspired cuisine or tips on the cutest boutiques in Charlotte--you'll enjoy a little piece of the South!

Southern Accents
beautiful homes, gracious living, a sense of place

http://www.southernaccents.com/

The book Eat Feed Autumn Winter ($35) is by the editors of Southern Accents and offers fresh suggestions and 30 menus for the Autumn and Winter months. The book also gives new and interesting "excuses" to throw a party.

Summer movies

The summer sun is wonderful but some days nothing sounds better than laying on the couch in the air conditioning, watching movies and munching on Twizzlers and popcorn.

When you need a break from the heat and feel like being lazy, here are some suggestions for movies that will make you feel like you are still enjoying the best of summer from your living room:

*Now and Then

*Man in the Moon

*A League of their Own

*Dirty Dancing

(of course!)

*Indian Summer

*National Lampoon's Vacation

*Thelma & Louise

*My Girl

*How to make an American Quilt

*Stand by Me

*The Parent Trap (1961 version)

*Field of Dreams

*Summer Catch

*A Walk on the Moon

*Roman Holiday

Of course, no lazy movie-watching day is complete without something fun to eat. Try this recipe for a long-lasting snack from Hershey's:

Munchable, Crunchable KISSABLES Chocolate Candies Mix Ingredients:
8 cups popped popcorn
2 cups miniature pretzels
3/4 cup peanuts
1-1/3 cups (8-oz. pkg.) HEATH BITS 'O BRICKLE Toffee Bits
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup (8-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S KISSABLES Chocolate Candies
Directions:

1. Heat oven to 275°F. Grease large roasting pan (OR two 13x9x2-inch baking pans). Place popcorn, pretzels and peanuts in prepared pan.

2. Combine toffee bits and corn syrup in heavy medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until toffee is melted (about 12 minutes). Pour over popcorn mixture; stir until evenly coated.

3. Bake 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from oven; stir every 2 minutes or until slightly cooled. Cool completely. Stir in candies. Store in tightly covered container in cool, dry place. About 12 cups popcorn mix.

NOTE: For best results, do not double this recipe.

If you want to watch movies in a comfortable and private setting but feel like escaping the house, try one of America's drive-in movies. Nothing feels more like summer than watching a movie under the stars.

Find drive-ins near you at:

http://www.driveintheater.com/

Summer Fun

The summer days are getting shorter, fading away to gradually begin a new season, Fall. Before the leaves begin to change color and schedules become more rigid once again, make sure to soak up the remaining carefree days of summer.

Walk around barefoot as much as possible, picnic and BBQ and attend baseball games, turn the TV off and enjoy the evening sitting outside with candles and torches. Believe me, you'll be longing for these days in the dead of winter when we feel that summer will surely never come again.

The essence of summer...

the smell of hamburgers sizzling on the grill

Try this link for the "best ever" hamburger recipe
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Hamburger-Ever/Detail.aspx

skinny-dipping in a lake under the stars

a day spent hiking, canoeing, and picnicking at a National or State Park

Go to www.stateparks.com/usa to find one in your state

the sound of late-night thunderstorms

ice cream

reading a good book at the pool or the beach while soaking up the sun

free summer concerts at State Fairs

Go to www.weekendevent.com/statefairs to find out more about your state fair and concerts

rosy cheeks and natural highlights

sidewalk sales

riding in a convertible with the top down

farmer's markets on Saturday morning

strawberry picking and homemade strawberry pie

outdoor cafes

getting fresh and clean and putting a cute sundress over sun-kissed skin after a long day in the sun

campfires and roasted marshmallows

baseball games

the smell of fresh cut grass and fresh flowers

long days and bright, full August moons

This Summer, here's what's HOT and what's NOT:

HOT:

squirting lemon juice in your hair in the sun

NOT:using Sun-In

HOT: going low-key with natural make-up or tinted moisturizer and lip gloss

NOT: caking on heavy foundation eye makeup that runs off in the sun

HOT: wearing SPF even on cloudy days to protect your skin and achieve a healthy glow

NOT: lathering on baby oil and baking in the sun, showcasing the leathery-skin look

HOT: getting exercise outside by walking, bike riding, swimming, hiking, etc.

NOT: driving your car everywhere with the air-conditioning on, guzzling gas

HOT: pretty, painted toes and soft feet

NOT: scraggly, untrimmed toenails and calluses

HOT: buying local produce or growing your own garden

NOT: buying over-processed, over-priced foods with gluten and preservatives

HOT: wearing cute, embellished flip-flops at a backyard BBQ or the beach

NOT: wearing sky high stilettos to a casual BBQ

HOT: opting for a "stay-cation" where you explore and support your local area and attractions, saving money and gas

NOT: dragging an unwilling family across country for hours each day in the car or taking a vacation you can't afford

Another Stylish Jewelry Storage Solution

I found this beautiful little birbath at Michael's craft store on Monday. It was only $5.09 + tax. It looks adorable on the counter in my bathroom. Even my husband likes it. (If his watch or ring end up in it...I will have to smile.)

Always be on the lookout for items that you like that you can re-purpose in your home. Think outside the box.

Buy things you like & that make you smile.

That is the one piece of shopping advice from my mom that I always think of before I buy, "Does this make me smile??"

Well, this birdbath is still making me smile!