Step 1: Be careful about Stockpiling –

If it’s on sale, stock up on it, right? It sounds innocent enough. You know you are going to use it eventually, so why not spend a little extra now, to save a lot down the road. Here’s the problem. I have discovered some people have turned stocking-up into an obsession. Filling cabinets, closets, attics, basements, and even entire rooms with “just in case I need it” items. Now, this is not to say that I think buying ahead of time is a bad idea, I just encourage a plan. If you want to stock up on pantry items, make sure you have an area to place these items and that you alternate the expiration dates so that the items that will expire the quickest are placed in front.

Are you an early Christmas/Birthday/Holiday shopper? This is fine, just create a list of who you need to buy for and keep it in your purse/wallet. If you see a great deal, pull out your list and figure out who would like it. It is reasonable to keep a few extra gifts for different occasions, but try and keep track of what you have purchased and who you need to purchase for, so you don’t end up with a room that looks like the stockroom from your favorite store! If you have a serious problem with stockpiling, you may want to go cold turkey by only buying when you are out of a particular item. The world will not come to a crashing halt if you are out of your favorite window cleaner for 2 days! Read the rest »

Calling all hot mamas: It’s still scorching hot outside, but what a better way to dream of cooler days than by picking up a few essential items for your own wardrobe for fall?

Maybe you’ve had your eye on a cropped jacket, a flattering wrap top or dress, a pair of skinny pants or a fun and flirty skirt and haven’t had time to do any shopping for yourself. It’s time.

A couple of years ago a girlfriend of mine turned me on to Etcetera – a women’s clothing line that offers a good mix of casually elegant mix and match pieces that you can dress up or down – that really does make it easy to look great. Read the rest »

It’s back-to-school time. We’ll share with you a great video to help prepare your kids for their first day at kindergarten, a magazine for kids you should know about and some very clever lunch bags. Plus, tips for easing August school jitters and, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… Clever Parents t-shirts are now on sale!

See the vidcast! Read the rest »

We know you’re Clever, now everyone else can know as well.

Currently available in a women’s white scoop neck fitted style, the 100% cotton shirt is available in size small to extra large for $20. Have a question about the shirts? Email info (at) cleverparents (dot) com.

Select a Size

SmallMediumLargeX-Large

Babyfaces – Photo of the Week
Sea Green Eyes Glisten for “Squishy”

Coochicoos: Bloom Highchair
European Design Folding Highchair Adds Flair

Healthy Bump: No More Smelly Diapers!!
Diaper Baggies are a must have product for all new Moms. Read our review.

MomFinds: Baby Essentials Guide for New Moms
Practical finds every new mom needs for her baby and herself.

One Chic Mama: Spendella to the Rescue
Let Spendella keep you current on fashion advice, as well as be your personal (web) shopper

Stork Arrives at Coochicoos
New baby girl changes Coochicoos – see picture, too

One of the things I constantly stress during my group coaching sessions with moms is the importance of taking care of yourself. When you take care of yourself, you are in a better position to take care of your family’s needs. This simple analogy demonstrates my point, when you are on an airplane the flight attendant says “in the event of a loss of air pressure place an airbag over your mouth and nose, then secure the airbag over your child’s mouth and nose.”

In one of my groups a mom noted, “There are basically two kinds of moms, a mom that takes care of herself, dresses cute, wears makeup, and the frumpy mom who wears baggy sweats, no makeup, and rarely takes the time to do anything with her hair.” She admitted that she found herself turning into a “frumpy mom” because with the weight gain of having her baby, she didn’t fit into her cute clothes. Because she no longer fit into her cute clothes, she didn’t feel good about herself and stopped taking the time to put on makeup and do her hair. Read the rest »

If you can’t take baby with you when you leave home, think about wearing his picture in one of photographer Monica Rich Kosann’s lockets.

The professional photographer, best known for her black and white family portraits, launched her vintage inspired line of sterling silver and 18-carat gold image case jewelry and lockets that has since become a favorite of Hollywood’s most elite.

Katie Holmes has been spotted repeatedly wearing her Monica Rich Kosann Double Image Case Locket necklace in both 18-carat gold and sterling silver (pictured here). Read the rest »