Suffering from Parental Burnout? Here’s How to Cope

Parenting is arguably one of the toughest jobs in the world. In most jobs, once you spot the signs of burnout, you know that it's time to re-evaluate whether or not the job is right for you. Obviously, with parenting, that is not an option!

Don’t worry, you are not alone. Parental burnout is actually common. Working all day and then coming home to keep the house organized AND tending to your children’s needs is a lot of work. Just like anything that you devote your best efforts to, it can make you feel overwhelmed and stressed out. In fact, most of the signs of parental burnout are similar to those of any other job burnout. Daniel Buccino, a director of the Baltimore Psychotherapy Institute, agrees that it's probably the hardest job you'll ever have.

According to Robin F. Goodman, PhD., Director of the A Caring Hand, Billy Esposito Foundation Bereavement Center, parental burnout is often linked to the desire to be a good parent. But if you are in chronic stress, it will make it increasingly difficult to be the best parent that you can be.

It is a common dilemma, but it doesn't have to be the norm for you. Here are some tips to help you address parental burnout:

Pacing is key. View parenting as a marathon, not a sprint. You need to pace yourself. Not everything has to be done all at once.

Find a support group. It's not always easy to admit that we need help but for the sake of your sanity, it’s okay to call on family and friends for support.

Realistic expectations. Keep the expectations of yourself as a parent, and those of your children reasonable and manageable.

Don’t compare. Don’t aspire to be somebody you’re not. It’s very unlikely that your neighbor is Super Mom is real life.

“Me” Time. Believe it or not, you do need that vacation. It’s actually good for your over-all well-being when you take a break every now and then. If you really cannot afford to go anywhere, then at least make sure to take a few minutes or a few hours of rest each day.

Distractions. Especially for parents of little ones, sometimes a little time out helps. If your daughter loves to play dress-up, then you can get her some fancy hair accessories to style her hair with so she can pretend to be a princess. If your active boy fantasizes about riding a spaceship, then you can get him toy space shuttles for him to play with. When the little ones are occupied with something, it gives you a little freedom to relax.

How Are You Spending Your Time?

In today’s busy world, it’s hard enough to find time for the tasks that we have to do. And if we hardly have enough time for the things that must be done, how much less time do we have for the things we’d like to do? In the middle of all the hustle and bustle, are you sure that you are spending your time on things that truly matter?

Time with Your Children
Spending time with your children is one of the most important things you can do. According to the Office of National Drug Control Strategy, strong ties formed between children and their families make them least likely to develop drug problems.

Spend Quality Time
Assure your children that they can count on your time with them. Try to set aside particular times when you can give your full attention to them, with no distractions. Younger children need more time, but older children need regular time with you as well.

Three Kinds of Time
According to education.com, here are the three kinds of time that you can spend with your kids:

• One-on-one time: Just you and your child talking, shopping, cooking, going to the playground or the park, watching TV, reading aloud, or playing a game
• Family time: The whole family eating a meal, cleaning the house or car, hiking, making plans, reading aloud, cooking, going to a movie, or playing a game
• Community time: Family, or you and your child, attending neighborhood or sports events

The Perfect Cut: Rules of Hair to Live By

When it comes to style, there are no hard and fast rules. The same holds true for your hair. While there are specific haircuts that complement particular face shapes, sometimes taking risks and trying something new pay off!

Gad Cohen, who has styled for fashion magazines like Vogue, Marie Claire and Elle, shared a few "Rules of Hair" to live by in an interview at Parents Connect.

* Have a great cut four times a year.

* Curly, wavy, or coarse hair needs more conditioning than other types.

* For curly hair, shampoo less frequently but wet hair daily to rinse and add a leave-on conditioner to maintain control.

* For fine hair, only condition the ends.

* For flat hair, you should use a product that pumps up your hair. I like Prograine (from the makers of Rogaine).

* Let your color enhance, not detract from, your face.

* Color coordinate. When dyeing your hair, don't go too far out of range from your natural hue.

* Always get highlights done at a salon if you can (a professional single process will look better than anything out of a box.)

Model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Ramie Clip. Photographed by Amanda Elkins.

Questions Before the Cut

We have all been through it before: we step into a salon, get a shiny new hair style, and then we go home. And the next morning, no matter how we style our hair, we can't seem to replicate that fresh-from-the-salon-look. Or worse, we realize that the cut doesn't complement our face shapes or is too high-maintenance that it doesn't fit our lifestyles.

According to Harry Josh, International Creative Consultant for John Frieda, your hairdresser is a goldmine of hair info and you're cheating yourself if you don't grill him/her for styling tips!

So what exactly should you be asking? Here are a few suggestions from Yahoo's Shine! network.

Before the cut:
1. Will this work with my hair type?
2. Will this flatter my face shape?
3. (If you're coloring your hair) Will this work with my skin tone?

During the cut:
4. What shampoo and conditioner do you recommend?
5. How often should I wash my hair?
6. Should I use conditioner at all? Just on my ends?

After the cut:
7. What styling products should I use?
8. How much of them should I use?
9. Where should I apply them (roots, ends, all over)?
10. When should I apply them (right after I shower, once hair is somewhat dry)?
11. What styling tools should I use?
12. How should I use them? (Ask her to walk you through the styling processes step-by-step.)
13. What are some other ways I can style this cut? Any tricks for days I'm feeling lazy?

Now that's a more productive way of spending time while in the salon! Then maybe you can continue with the celebrity gossip afterwards :)

Model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Wendy Clip. Photographed by Amanda Elkins.

All the Single Dads... Part 2

As you know, we are celebrating that special man in our life whom we call Dad (or Daddy or Papa or Pops...) Our last blog post was about parenting tips for single fathers who may be struggling with parenting (for all you new moms too!)

Here's a second installment, this time it's all about how to deal with a biting, hitting child. Great advice from BreezyMama.

Do's and Don'ts to End Hitting and Biting for Good

For kids UNDER the age of three, hitting and biting is more of a training issue than a “misbehavior.” To a frustrated toddler with limited vocabulary and few social skills, taking a bite out of mom or dad’s arm or hitting a playmate who refuses to give up Thomas the Train seems perfectly logical. Our job is to train the child for better behavior in the future without creating a payoff that may cause the hitting and biting to continue and possibly escalate.

Here are a few Do’s and Don'ts to end hitting and biting:

DON’T spank or slap a child for hitting or biting. It reinforces that hitting is okay and models exactly the behavior you’re trying to stop.

DO supervise closely. You can probably tell when your toddler is getting frustrated or tired. When that’s the case, end the play date or swiftly remove him from the situation before it escalates to hitting or biting.

DO remain calm. It’s understandable to be upset when you see your toddler hurt another child, but you’ll get better results by remaining calm. When you get upset and raise your voice, your child gets a big dose of attention for a negative behavior. Even negative attention is very reinforcing and almost guarantees the behavior will continue. If your toddler hits or bites someone else, calmly remove him from the situation and use simple words – “No Hitting” or “Biting Hurts.”

Decide what YOU will do. Try as you might, you can’t “force” your child to NOT hit or bite. All you can do is decide what YOU will do when that happens. When your toddler hits or bites you, calmly put him down without eye contact and walk out of the room. This isn’t letting the child “get away” with the behavior; it’s creating a consequence that a young child can understand. The consequence is “when I hit or bite, mom goes away.” It also ensures that you’re not providing attention that reinforces the negative behavior. Take comfort that you’re not abandoning your child. As soon your toddler can speak calmly and kindly and use gentle touch with you, you are happy to interact with him again.

DO practice alternative strategies. Have pretend play dates with stuffed animals and practice what she can do when she gets frustrated. She can walk away, ask for help or use her words to say how she feels. Being able to use these conflict resolution strategies in the heat of the moment won’t happen over night, but practicing them early and often is the key.

DON’T force the child to apologize. A toddler’s “I’m sorry’s” are rarely heartfelt. When he is calm, talk about what he can do to “make it right” or “make the injured party feel better.” Coloring a picture or demonstrating an act of kindness teaches your child to take responsibility for his actions and shows empathy for the other person.

For tips for kids over the age of 3, head on over to BreezyMama's site here!

All the Single Dads...

All you single fathers out there, we salute you! Parenting has got to be one of the toughest jobs on the planet and doing it alone requires near-superhuman powers. This Father's Month (yes, we have declared it!) we give you this little tribute to hopefully make your lives a little easier.

This week will be all about parenting tips that has helped us moms through the years and which we hope will be helpful to you as well. I found an insightful rundown of tips from BabyZone on how to calm a crying baby:


22 Ways to Calm a Crying Baby

Stay Calm
The best thing parents can do when their infant is crying is to stay calm. An increase in your stress level will increase your baby's. Remain calm and your baby might follow suit.

Check Baby's Diaper
A wet or soiled diaper is one of the most common reasons for a baby's tears. Even if you have recently changed your baby's diaper, it's still a good idea to check again. Check Baby's diaper first before trying other calming methods, and change as needed.

Check Baby's Temperature
Feel the back of your baby's neck to see if she is too hot or too cold. Add or remove layers accordingly. If you're not sure whether the skin temperature feels normal, take your baby's temperature with a thermometer. If your baby has a fever—any temperature above 100.4°F or 38°C—you should call your child's doctor.

Feed Baby
Most babies cry when they are hungry. Try offering the breast or bottle to soothe your little one. Sometimes breastfeeding mothers worry that they will overfeed their babies because their babies seem to want to eat so often. Experts say it is normal for breastfeeding babies to eat often, as breast milk is quickly absorbed.

Ease Gas Pain
If Baby starts crying after a feeding, he may have a gas bubble. Try patting his back, bending his knees toward his chest, or rubbing his back while he lies on your lap to release the gas. Successful burping is a skill most parents come to pride themselves on, but it's also one of the oddest things a person could have imagined doing before becoming a parent.

Distract Baby
It's surprising how often this method works. Parents who've tried this suggest making faces or blowing raspberries as surefire ways to make Baby laugh, and to take her mind off of the reason for her tears.

Snuggle
Sometimes, all a baby needs is love. Take a few moments to snuggle with your little one. Give him kisses and hugs, hold him close, and tell him how much you love him.

Change the Way You Hold Baby
Some little ones like to be held over the shoulder, some prefer the football hold, and still others like to be held facing out. Experiment to learn what your infant likes best.

Sing or Hum
Soft, gentle songs sung by a familiar voice will often calm Baby's cries. Even if the singer is not particularly gifted, give this tip a try. Humming also offers a soothing vibratory sensation.

Dance
A slow, repetitive motion can lull Baby into a peaceful state. The warmth of a loved one's body and the snuggling that goes along with the dance are added benefits.

More tips at BabyZone!

Our lovely little model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Lindsey Headband. Photographed by Amanda Elkins.

Best Summer Hairstyles

I love summer (next to spring, though, but I love it nonetheless). First of all, and I won't deny it, I love it because school's out: back when I was still in school and even until now! There's just that fantastic feeling of slowing down, taking things a wee bit easy, more opportunities to sleep in, and of course, all the activities you can do now that you and your kids aren't swamped with schoolwork.

Second, summer always opens so many opportunities to go out and have some fun sun time. Of course, if you're going out there to strut your stuff, you'll have to be at your best. Well, for all things hairstyle, you know you can count on me *wink*

This season, to see the trendiest hairstyles, just look at the stars. Hollywood, that is. Being public figures, celebrities know that staying in the public eye is either looking horrific or looking fabulous. Like us, normal human beings, most of them thankfully choose the latter. So here's an excerpt of Elle.com's top celebrity hair trends for summer:

BEST SUMMER HAIRSTYLES FOR 2010

Wavy Bob
For a carefree summer do, above-the-shoulder waves are the way to go. Both Zoe Saldana and Jessica Alba have recently trimmed their tresses to sport this tousled style.


Messy Side Braid
Boho-chic fashionista Nicole Richie rocks a messy side-braid effortlessly.

Ballerina Bun
As Rachel McAdams demonstrates, a ballerina bun is ideal for showing off shoulders and statement earrings.



Straight Hair
Beach waves are always fun for summer, but as the spring and fall catwalks proved, straight strands like Reese Witherspoon's are back.

Pixie Cut
It Girl Carey Mulligan and her Twiggy-esque do have been ruling the red carpet.


Side Pony
Showcasing this sideswept look just right: reality TV star turned author Lauren Conrad.
And here's one from us!

Accessorize!
No matter what type of hair you have, summery hair accessories will always give you that extra oomph! Just like this fun and playful Tonya headband!


Or this dainty and delicate Ryan hairclip!


More trendy summer hairstyles at Elle.com!

Have a fun summer ;o)

No Slippy Hair Clippy photos by Amanda Elkins. Celebrity photos from Getty Images.

Top 10 Summer Travel Tips

Summer offers so many opportunities to go out and enjoy the world! But traveling with the kiddos can be tricky and sometimes even downright impossible. Here are ten tips from Breezy Mama on how you can make your summer road trips as smooth sailing as possible. These were compiled from Colleen Lanin of TravelMamas.com:

TOP 10 TRAVEL TIPS FOR PARENTS

10. Print a packing list
I used to wrack my brain writing out every little thing I didn’t want to forget before each trip with the kids. It finally occurred to me to save the list and simply modify it for each trip. I have been perfecting that packing list ever since I became a mom five years ago.

9. Keep a separate stash of toys and books for travel.
Sure, a new diversion or two is always fun. But a hidden toy is a forgotten toy. Kids will be psyched to rediscover old favorites on the go, saving you money and effort.

8. Never, ever count on feeding your children food provided on an airplane.
A three-hour delay on the tarmac could easily thwart your plans. Instead, bring plenty of healthy snacks. A steady stream of sliced and dried fruits, whole grain crackers, and pretzels keep kids busy munching instead of fighting or whining. Throw in a few forbidden treats as a reward for good behavior too!

7. Be a hypochondriac.
I keep a zipper-lock bag of every sort of medicine and ointment our family just might need while away from home. This is especially handy when traveling to a foreign country or when embarking on a cruise, where getting familiar medications might be difficult. Even when traveling somewhere close-by where you could easily purchase some teething tablets or cough syrup, do you WANT to run out in the middle of the night in a strange town chasing down something you could have easily packed?

6. Hitting the road? Don’t forget the bucket!
You never know when car sickness will strike and if it does, you need to be prepared. Bring along a bucket (a sand pail will do) or snag an air sickness bag to stow in your car. I learned this one the hard way, people.

Read on about the top 5 tips on Breezy Mama here! Have a (hopefully) sunny adventure!

Image from babble.com.

Summer Hair Care

Summer is obviously never complete without enjoying some sun time. But we all know that the sun can be quite harsh on our skin, and even on our hair! Exposure to the sun can damage your hair's cuticle, making your hair dry, drab and brittle.

While protecting your skin is as easy as slathering on some sunblock, what do you do to protect your hair? Here are some tips that have been very helpful to me:

* Cover up! The easiest, quickest way to protect those tresses from the sun's rays. Wear a summer hat or stylish scarves to cover your hair. But remember to choose ones that still allow proper air circulation. Otherwise, you'll end up getting too hot to keep the hat or the scarf on.

* Leave on! Use leave-on hair products that have SPF protection. However, you can also put regular sunscreen on your hair, BUT make sure to concentrate on your scalp as well and not just the strands. It's quite a desperate solution, but when in dire need, improvise. It does save your hair from sun damage.

* All natural! Summer will leave your hair moisture-deprived. So limit your use of certain hair products that may contain ingredients which have been known to dry hair. Choose brands that are as natural as possible.

* No heat! I can assure you, the sun will pretty much do a better job at heating things up so you won't need anymore heat on your hair. Give your hair a break from heat-styling (blow dryers, iron curlers, etc.). If you MUST have waves, try braiding damp hair and let air-dry. Let loose and you've got very natural and playful curls. If you MUST blow-dry, at least apply some leave-on hair conditioner to protect your hair from the heat.

* Deep conditioning! Regular deep conditioning treatments will help in replenishing moisture in your hair. Apply your deep conditioner of choice to your hair (whether damp or dry) and then wrap up in a shower cap. Leave it on for some time or even overnight so your hair absorbs all the re-moisturizing benefits then rinse off.

So go ahead ad enjoy sunnier days ahead, but don't forget to take care of your tresses. Happy summer, everyone!

Image from sxc.hu.

Planning Perfect Picnics

As promised, here are top tips for planning a perfect picnic with your family! It's sunny outside, nature is beckoning you and you deserve some form of escape from the ordinary, routine, everyday!

Want to fully enjoy your day of communing with nature? Read on:

Be realistic about transportation. If your picnic site requires some walking, pack in a comfortable backpack or a cooler with wheels and save the quaint baskets for short strolls or drive-in areas.

Encourage interaction. Instead of preparing sandwiches, tote in a deli-bar, complete with fresh rolls, meats, cheeses and condiments. Everyone creates his or her own meal and no one complains about soggy bread.

Remember food safety when creating your menu. It's best to leave things like mayonnaise and seafood at home on warm summer days. However, if you can't imagine a potato salad-less picnic, just make sure to keep it in a cooler or over ice until just before serving.

Use circumstances to your benefit. Try to construct your menu around pasta salads, salsas and other composed dishes that are dressed in vinaigrette marinades. These items, high in acidity, hold up well in the heat and continue to take on wonderful flavor with time.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy the luxury of dining in nature. Outside the confines of a dining room, strict rules of etiquette need not apply!

More tips (plus recipes) here!

Source: www.ivillage.com

Have fun and enjoy the outdoors!

Cheerios,
Rach

The Best Swimsuits for Your Body Part 2 (Oh and Accessories to Match!)

To finish off our week of prepping you for summer, here's the second part of our guide to the best swimsuits for your body type! All thanks to our friends at StyleBakery.com :o)

FOR LARGE BUSTS AND PLUS SIZES
Best Swimsuits for Large Busts Look For:
* Underwire tops, formed cups and wider bands under the bustline that provide the extra support you need.

* One-piece swimsuits with some structure in the bust, such as soft foam cups or a shelf bra.

* Halter-top bikinis offer support while providing some great cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded under the bustline and can be tied in back and around the neck to allow you to make adjustments.

Avoid
* Strapless bandeau tops and those tiny, triangle tops that offer minimal coverage.

Best Swim Suits for Plus Sizes
Look For:
* Deep v-necks, well-placed cutouts, lace or mesh inserts - showing a little skin in the right places can be a sexy and flattering visual.

* Lengthen your thigh with swimsuits that have a high cut leg or adjustable ruching detail at the hip.

* Don't be afraid of prints and patterns, these can help camouflage lumps and bumps.

Avoid
* Too much fabric and boy short styles. Stay away from white, as well as bright fabrics.

More info here!

Of course, you MUST top all this off with the right hair accessories! And we have just the thing for you. You can never go wrong with a little touch of flowers. They celebrate your femininity and gives your look just the right "Oomph!"

Catalina

Ryan

Ramie

Sage

The Best Swimsuits for Your Body Part 1

Summer will not be summer without some sauntering out in the sun. And you wouldn't want to do anything out in the merciless heat while you're all covered up! So here are tips to find the best swimsuits for your body type, as rounded out by our friends at StyleBakery.com.

Now, now, don't be shy. We're all here to make you look and feel your best!

FOR SMALL BUSTS AND STRAIGHT FIGURES

Best Bust-Enhancing Swimsuits

Look for:
* Tops with a touch of padding, or an underwire demi-bra style that makes the most for adding to your small bustline.

* You have the body to wear cute, ruffled tops that are hot right now. Triangle tops and bandeau tops are easy to wear as well.

Avoid:
* Tops with too much fabric or that have poor fit.

Best Curve-creating Swim Styles

Look For:
* If you don't have many curves, choose a swimsuit that has a belted waist to help create one. Or choose a one-piece suit with a high-on-the-thigh cut.

* A one-piece swimsuit with side cut-outs instantly creates a few curves at the waist and hips.

* Bikinis are also a good choice. Add some details at the hips with rings, ruffles and bows.

More info here!

FOR PEAR SHAPES AND TUMMY BULGES

Best Swim Styles for Pear Shapes

Look for:
* Swimsuits that draw attention upwards with interesting details and patterns above the waist. To balance your proportions, choose a solid bottom and a patterned top.

* Mini-skirted bikini bottoms are made just for you! Skip the super frilly ones and choose a skimming, smooth skirt that covers just what you need it to.

* Opt for a bikini bottom that has slightly wider sides, skip the string side-tie versions that only draw unwanted attention.

* Play up your bust and shoulders to deemphasize your bottom.

Avoid:
* Boy shorts, skimpy bottoms, low cut bottoms or lots of ruffles and details at the hips.

Best Swim Styles for Tummy Bulges

Look For:
* Swimsuits with a little extra spandex woven into the tummy area, they work wonders!

* A one-piece with ruching or draping around the waist or hips can also help to conceal a "muffin" top.

* If you're going for a two-piece swimsuit, then opt for a loose fitting tankini where top and bottom meet at the waist. They cover just enough, but you still have the freedom and chic factor of a bikini. High waisted bikini bottoms can help trim tummies

* Geometric and floral prints can help camouflage trouble areas.

Avoid
* Teeny bikinis and short tankini tops that ride up and expose belly rolls

More info here!

To be continued next week PLUS the perfect hair accessories to match your swimsuit-worthy bod!

Let's Get Physical

And now, for some exercise.

Oh come on, you should have seen this coming! It's a simple routine, so don't worry. We're concerned about your health, though, so remember to ask your doctor/physician if you're in the right condition to do physical activities like the ones we're featuring today!

If yo want to tone up your body, our friends at FitSugar.com has rounded up eight simple routines that will have your arms, core, back, tush and thighs burning by the end.

If you're sure you're up for some action, head over to their Head-to-Toe Strength Training Routine here!

A sneak peek:


Wide Squat and Biceps Curls

This multitasking move will target your thighs and biceps at the same time:

• Hold a pair of dumbbells in your hands with your arms straight and your palms facing away from you. Step your feet apart so there's about 20 inches between your heels. Point your toes out slightly.

• When you're ready, bend your knees and elbows. Keep your shoulders over your hips and lower down so your weight is back in your heels. Then straighten your legs and arms.

• This is one repetition. Complete three sets of 12 to 15 reps.
  

Image from www.fitsugar.com

Guilt-free Grub

As we continue our little quest towards a fitter, healthier you, of course we have to include guilt-free meals!

FitSugar.com is filled with healthy recipes that you can try at home. Here's a rundown of their recommended recipes that only have 350 calories and below!

CITRUSY SHRIMP WITH ASPARAGUS

Shrimp, packed with omega-3s, vitamin D, and vitamin B12, is paired with the earthy, nutrient-dense veggie for some serious guilt-free summer grilling. And who needs butter when citrus adds that summery kick?

Calories: 282

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 cup dried couscous
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
3/4 pound raw large shrimp (about 18), peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 minced garlic cloves
Olive oil cooking spray
3/4 pound asparagus spears, trimmed
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 cup chopped chives

Preparation:

1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan. Remove from heat, and stir in couscous; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork; stir in 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

2. Bring another pan of water to a boil.

3. Meanwhile, toss shrimp in 1 tablespoon each lemon and lime juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Marinate for 5 minutes.

4. Preheat grill pan or grill. Lightly coat with cooking spray; grill shrimp, turning once, 3 minutes or until just cooked through. Cover and keep warm.

5. When water is boiling, add asparagus, and cook 3 minutes or until just tender. Drain, and cover.

6. Whisk together honey, chives, and remaining lemon juice and olive oil.

7. Arrange couscous and asparagus on serving plates, and top with shrimp. Drizzle with dressing.

More recipes here!

Image from www.fitsugar.com

Ooh and just because you might be missing our clippys this week, here's a little peek at our adorable baby gifts! We're all raving about our personalized clips and headbands! After all, once you're in top form, you may want to show off yourself and your little darlings. Dazzle them all with our Salena and Joss accessories:

Monogrammed Clips and Headwraps

Salena

Joss

Have a fun and fit summer!

Cheerios!
Rach

Gearing up for Summer

Summer is just lurking around the corner, which means pretty soon, you'll be heading for the beach to let the sizzle fizzle. But wait--are you swimsuit-ready?

As you know, we love our dear readers to bits, so this week we're all about getting healthy, staying fit, eating right and being the best you can be, not just to fit into those swimsuits but more so that you can have the time of your life this summer :o)

First stop: Counting Calories!

The word is no longer alien to us, that's for sure. But how many of us really know what those calories mean? How much is "Okay" and how much is "No way!"

The website FitSugar.com has a little quiz for you (don't worry, they show you the answers and some neat info too) to give you a little 101 on how much calories you can save.

You can take the quiz right here!

Image from www.fitsugar.com

Top 5 Wardrobe Essentials

Women's fashion is undeniably a LOT more complicated than men's. Or at least I've always thought so. I mean, how complicated could shirt and pants get? Get a decent pair of slacks and a crisp polo shirt and you're basically all set (plus shoes, of course). With women... where do you even start?!

Blouse or polo or shirt or tank top?
Pants or jeans or skirt?
Then if it's a skirt: A-line or high-waist or balloon?
Not to mention the accessories!

This is not to bash the men, of course. I'm just saying that with women's wear, there's just too many choices you have to make! Particularly with-ahem-style challenged people like me, it's hard even to think of building a decent wardrobe.

Good thing I crashed in StyleBakery.com because the lovely folks there compiled the top 5 wardrobe essentials that they say "every woman should own." Consider it a "starter kit" then you build your wardrobe from there!

Here's two items they mentioned:

CARDIGAN
Take a note from Michelle Obama, and find your best fitting cardigan to pair with jeans, skirts, and dresses. A great piece to keep in your desk when the chill is on blast.




Image from styleandtrendreport.com.

SPECIAL FLAT SANDAL
Ideal for the urban city dweller, green commuter and mom on the go, a flat snadal with unique detailig like beads, bold colors or stones is a great and chic alternative to sneakers.


Image from jades24.com.

To see the rest of the items, you can visit StyleBakery here! :o)

Bang Bang!

I've always thought bangs are cute. So I had my hair cut to have bangs on them. Then it turns out my forehead doesn't think they're so cute after all. My skin is too picky with my hair styles, I tell you. Somehow, it abhors any contact with my hair! One wrong move and boom: major breakouts. The breakout that developed quickly on my forehead was a pretty clear sign to me that it's time to do some damage control. But then there's not much I can do but to wait for the bangs to grow out. And boy, do they take time to grow out...

If you're having trouble growing out your bangs too, here are four tips from Teen Vogue to help you (and hopefully, me):

#1 Pin Em' Back!
Brush the bangs back toward the back of your head. Then, push them forward so they pouf up a bit and bobby pin at the crown. Swipe on pomade or gel to smooth flyaways.

#2 Do the twist!
Pull your bangs up, give them a twist, pin to one side and spritz with spray!

#3 The split and tuck
Part damp hair down the middle, coaxing your bangs away from your face. Draw back on each side bobby pin about two inches from your forehead then just slide the rest of the hair over the telltale pins. It's a clever little trick!

#4 Sweep them up and away.
Work gel into damp hair and blow dry it straight back. Comb hair into a low ponytail, pin, mist hairspray to keep them blended.

More handy hints in Teen Vogue's site. Visit their site here!

*Model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy Ryan Silk/Organza Beaded Flower Clip in dark brown.

Mommy Hairstyles

Moms, just because you have arguably the hardest, messiest job in the world (kudos to you), doesn't mean you have to look it! Being a mother has its ups and downs, and a lot of women get so wrapped up in it that they forget to take a little more care of themselves sometimes too!

Here's a little pick-me-up: a simple update in your hairstyle from Lil Sugar.

BRAIDS
Easy and stylish, side-swept braids... keep hair out of a mama's face and under control when she's out with her kids. To change up the style, consider weaving a scarf into the braid.

PONYTAILS
A staple for moms and their lil girls, the ponytail can be worked high, low, tight, or loose for various looks. A stacked ponytail looks pretty chic, while a loose and messy one adds some hipster glam to a mama's look.

Image from www.ponytailhairstyles.blogspot.com

BUNS
A bun doesn't have to look like you stepped right out of a ballet studio. Low, quirky buns look like mama put some effort into her locks, without being overdone.

HEADBANDS
Headbands can hide a host of sins, most importantly the wisps that come with postpartum hair loss.

Model is wearing a No Slippy Hair Clippy Large 5-inch Silk Flower on Wide Organic Cotton Headwrap.

For more fun and interesting articles on motherhood, visit Lil Sugar here!

To Color or Not To Color?

I was never the type who was daring enough to color my hair. Thanks to hair horror stories from friends who got entangled in a hair damaging mess, I've always stayed far away from coloring products.

It also helps that I'm quite fond of my dark hair, actually. But sometimes, I do wonder how it would look if I gave it a just hint of a softer color.

If you're a bit braver than me and actually want to plunge into a color makeover, here's a hair color 101 from Teen Vogue to guide you through it:

HAIR COLOR 101

Hair coloring can be a lengthy and daunting process. I know that whenever I decide to make a dramatic color change, I'm always nervous about whether or not my hair will turn orange, or worse, fall out! Luckily, I caught up with Frauke Neuser, a senior Clairol scientist, who helped clear up some hair coloring myths and provided some really great advice for teens who want to change up their do's without permanently damaging their locks.

What are the most common types of hair and how do they differ?
The latest research suggests that there are 3 main types of hair: fine hair, thick hair and curly hair. Their differences in texture and protein structure not only lead to different sensorial properties, but also to specific needs in terms of caring for and treating the hair.

Is there a hair type that accepts color better than others?
Fine hair has the thinnest diameter and therefore accepts color the best. Thick and curly hair require more color or longer exposure times to get similar color results.

What should girls do before getting their hair colored? What about after the process to protect it?
Don't wash your hair right before coloring - the natural oils on your scalp protect it against possible irritation. However, do brush out any styling product residue. After coloring, always apply a specialized color conditioner... to lock in color.

How often can young women color their hair? Does coloring it a lot in your teenage years do long term damage?
Many women color their hair every 4-6 weeks - depending on how fast the hair grows (and how quickly the roots become visible). Normally, color is then only applied to the roots, where hair hasn't been colored before (and only pulled through the lengths for the last 5-10 mins).

If you want to completely change your color and therefore have to apply color all over your hair every time, you really shouldn't do that too often - depending on the hair length about every couple of months. Coloring only damages the visible part of your hair, it has no influence on the hair bulbs or future growth. So extensive coloring in your teenage years might be stressful for your hair at the time, but shouldn't have any effect on how your hair looks in your 20s and 30s.

What should you look for when picking out an at-home coloring treatment?
Be clear on what you want - if you want to enhance what you have, choose a demi-permanent colorant to start with. If you're ready for a commitment and don't want your color to wash out,
choose a permanent color. Either way, make sure the color on the package is no more than two shades away from your natural color.

How do you cover up or reverse a color that you do not like or are ready to change?
It depends on what color product you have used. Demi-permanent colorants wash out over time - so all you need might be a couple of thorough shampoos. Don't try and cover up a fresh color with another color at home. If you really hate it, go to a hairdresser for advice. If you have had the color for awhile and feel ready for a change, try to not move too far away from where you are now.

To read the rest of the article, click here!

To see more hair accessories like the one above, visit www.hairclippy.com!

Hair Conditioner 101

Hair care products can be quite a challenge. Not only is there a whole wide range of them, oftentimes they don't even work as well as they promise!

It will take multiple blog entries to fully explain the intricacies of hair care (oh boy...) And frankly, we all might not have any more hair by the time I finish. So to spare us all from this, here's just a few handy hints on the most familiar hair care companion---Conditioner!

These are from stylebakeryteen.com:

Conditioner is important for every hair type, but not everyone knows how to use it properly. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your conditioner:

* Apply conditioner starting at the ends, where it's needed the most. Work your way up to about 3/4 of the way.

* Every day conditioner can be rinsed out right away, but for deep conditioning wear a shower cap on your hair and leave in for 5 to 15 minutes.

* To ensure that every strand is coated with conditioner, comb through hair after applying.

* Rinse conditioner out completely. While some people think it's healthy to leave a little bit of conditioner in the hair, it can actually be drying or make your 'do look weighed down and oily. Use your fingers to separate sections of your hair and rinse thoroughly.

In the image, the model is wearing No Slippy Hair Clippy's Birthday - Cakes & Princess Bow (3 1/2" Shocking Pink)