I’m a shoe addict, but like most folks, originally I wasn’t jumping up and down at the thought of shopping for shoes online. What if they don’t fit? What if they look better online and look awful on my feet? And besides, part of the fun of shopping for shoes is being able to try them on in the stores (especially the ones that are way out of my budget).

But after trying it a few times, I’ve converted. Before I drive to the mall to shop for a new pair of shoes, I go online. Why? Because I can always find the latest styles in my size without having to drive around town, I don’t have to stand in line, and it’s SO easy. Read the rest »

Celebrity Baby Blog’s Danielle first introduced me to wraps when my daughter was already 6-months. I was an immediate convert and fell in love with the Moby Wrap. Yes it is a bit difficult to figure out how to tie it at first, but once you have done it a few times you become an expert at it. Also, since the wrap is stretchy and has a slight give, you can keep it tied all day long and pop baby in and out of it.

The Moby Wrap is currently available is 10 vibrant colors - black, navy, forest, indigo, red, moss, natural, lilac, sienna and chocolate. They also recently released the Moby D, a high-end wrap with a center panel that is made from fleece, handwoven cotton or Asian brocade.

The very first Moby exercise DVD that is a collaboration with yogi Anna Getty was also recently released. Moby is represented in a section on doing yoga with your baby.

Brooke Shields is a fan of the Moby Wrap and has been quoted as saying that “the Moby Wrap is perfect and so comfortable. Rowan loves it and Mom’s back is not as twisted.” She was also photographed in In Touch magazine wearing Grier in a natural Moby Wrap.

If you are new to babywearing or if you are considering adding another carrier to your collection, you can find out more about the Moby Wrap at mobywrap.com.

It’s Friday and that means… more great stories from the top parent blogs on the web.

• Boston Mamas: Intimacy S.O.S.
  Exhausted parents can’t help but be prone to losing their bedroom mojo; Esther Perel’s “Mating in Captivity” can help you right the intimacy ship.
• Celebrity Moms: The Scoop on Tori Spelling’s Modern Nursery
  Tori Spelling creates a nursery to fit her modern, funky style
• Classy Mommy: Fairy Princess Designs Tooth Fairy Pillows
  What a keepsake gift! Fabulous girl and boy patterns - think Princess or Pirate!
• Coochicoos: Say I Love You with a Bumbi Doll
  Remind your kids you’re never far away with a customized Bumbi Doll
• Read the rest »

The waves of spring and summer catalogs have been coming into my mailbox with promises to make me look the best in this year’s fashions. It is so reassuring to see a fashion that I don’t have to worry about sucking in to wear, or drop 10 pounds! I live in the northeast and just this week I got to wear my sandals for the first time this season, so these catalogs have made a very welcome appearance. Shoes have always brought me such joy…so how can I NOT buy just a few pairs of new shoes this season?

So, how does one justify one more pair of shoes, when there is a mound of them in the closet already? How do you know what to get rid of and what to keep? Why not just keep them all… you might need them someday…right? Read the rest »

What: Susanne Maddux Cosmo Tote

Why: Are you a modern mom juggling family, work and a new baby? Then invest in the Cosmo Tote by Susanne Maddux—the hard-working diaper bag that moonlights as a work bag. The clean lines and modern color combinations make it polished enough for the office, but pair it with some jeans and you’ll look effortlessly chic at the playground.

You’ll find plenty of pockets to organize baby’s things from yours, and the best part is that it’s roomy enough for a laptop. Smart and beautiful—just the way we like it.

Price: $175

Find it: susannemaddux.com

Working Mom Must-Haves: We asked Susanne Maddux to name a few baby essentials she can’t live without besides her fabulous totes. She said she’d “be in deep trouble” without her Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller and Advent Bottle Microwave Sterilizer

Recently, we at Lena’s Notebook (with much help) completed a project which was truly wonderful and exciting! We put together a “baby shower in a box” for a few military families. The mothers in these families have recently had babies while the fathers are deployed in Iraq for a year. The fathers have not yet been able to hold the babies and the mothers and babies are certainly missing their husbands and fathers. We can only imagine how hard this must be!

We decided to do something to let the families know that we appreciate the sacrifices they are making while our country is at war and that we care and believe their babies are blessings to be celebrated. And, celebrate we did! With the help of many friends and four wonderful companies (sofiabean.com; tinysprouts.com; karinalexis.com and citysprouts.com), we sent a custom “baby shower-in-a-box” (see example, lined in pink and yellow tissue paper, above right) to four deserving mothers and their new baby girls. We hope they love the surprise! Read the rest »

Kathy Loewenstern makes customized jewelry with photos – perfect for proud moms, grandmothers, aunts, and anyone else who wants to wear a picture of someone special around their neck. Each piece is sterling silver and beautifully handcrafted. Most of the items are reversible so there is an option for two photos or you can choose from a selection of Japanese Chiyogami papers for the reverse side.

The Kathy Lo Rocks website is user-friendly and allows customers to easily upload their photo and customized their jewelry so you can see a sample of your final product right away! The site offers necklaces, earrings, cufflinks, bracelets and rings – it is really just a matter of choosing one!

Customize yours at www.kathylo.com.