Lisa Horten
Associate Editor, Moms
Lisa Horten

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Food and Fun

A Classic Americana Memorial Day Barbecue

If your Memorial Day plans include entertaining guests with an outdoor barbecue, look no further than this classic, all-American celebration from Celebrations at Home for red, white, and blue inspiration.

If your Memorial Day plans include entertaining guests with an outdoor barbecue, look no further than this classic, all-American celebration from Celebrations at Home for red, white, and blue inspiration. A basic BBQ menu paired with old-fashioned games and fun makes this a great way to kick off Summer with the entire family.

Happy Memorial Day!

Celebrity Pregnancies

Halle Berry's Fit and Fabulous Maternity Style

When it comes to style, Halle Berry's look is best characterized by the curve-hugging gowns that she favors on Hollywood's red carpets.

When it comes to style, Halle Berry's look is best characterized by the curve-hugging gowns that she favors on Hollywood's red carpets. Never one to shy away from a fashion risk, Halle's most daring looks have included dramatic cutouts, plunging necklines, and sky-high slits. When she's "off duty," though, it's a whole other story. The actress can credit her impressive physique to an active, laid-back lifestyle that includes plenty of casual activewear.

When she announced that she is expecting her second child last month (daughter Nahla is now 5), there was no doubt that the 46-year-old mom-to-be would cruise through this pregnancy with as much panache as she did her first. Here, see some of the highlights of the beautiful mom-to-be's best looks so far — from gym gear to glam gowns!

Pregnancy

Spotted! Polka-Dot Maternity Pieces Inspired by Duchess Kate

We've been following Kate Middleton's flawless maternity style since she first announced her pregnancy, and we are loving her polished look.

We've been following Kate Middleton's flawless maternity style since she first announced her pregnancy, and we are loving her polished look. The royal mom-to-be was recently spotted attending a friend's wedding in a black and white polka-dotted Topshop dress and black jacket, a youthful, fun ensemble that we absolutely loved.

Inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge's mod dots, we've rounded up seven chic polka-dot maternity finds that every mom-to-be can work into her own Summer wardrobe. Click through and "spot" your favorite!

Kid Shopping

Our Top 10 Serena & Lily Summer Picks For Kids

Earlier this week, we had the good fortune to pay a visit to Serena & Lily's exquisite new shop on the east end of Long Island with Serena and Lily themselves.

Earlier this week, we had the good fortune to pay a visit to Serena & Lily's exquisite new shop on the east end of Long Island with Serena and Lily themselves. The store officially opens its doors Memorial Day weekend, and our sneak preview uncovered a treasure trove of beautiful, beachy finds.

While the brand's been in business since 2004, this is its very first retail location, and it's positively breathtaking. If you live in the New York area, we strongly encourage you to check out the beautiful store in person, and regardless of where you are, you can shop Serena & Lily's signature California-chic style online.

In celebration of the start of Summer — and our excitement over our afternoon with Serena and Lily — we've rounded up 10 of the brand's best Summer finds for kids. We can't think of a better way to get the entire family into the spirit of the season!

Graduation

Updating the Apple: 8 Ways to Say "Thanks" For a Great School Year

For every child who's had a great school year, there's a teacher (or two!) who deserves some gratitude and thanks.

For every child who's had a great school year, there's a teacher (or two!) who deserves some gratitude and thanks. Tap into your creative side and gift them with something really thoughtful this year. We've come up with eight ways to say "We appreciate you!" that they're likely to enjoy both in and out of the classroom.

Ikea

7 Ways to Put the Ikea Expedit to Work in Your Kids' Rooms

When it comes to creating a versatile, affordable storage space in kids' nurseries or bedrooms, Ikea's Expedit shelving system is the best solution on the market for many parents.

When it comes to creating a versatile, affordable storage space in kids' nurseries or bedrooms, Ikea's Expedit shelving system is the best solution on the market for many parents. Ranging from $40-200 per shelving unit, the line also comes with a wide array of inserts, drawers, and even desks and work stations to customize it for your space.

Here, check out seven stylish ways that we've seen the Expedit utilized in real rooms!

Kid Shopping

Small Space, Big Design: The Best Little Nurseries on the Web

Whether you're bringing home baby to a house in the suburbs or a studio apartment, chances are, there's a time you've wished for just a little more square footage than what you currently have.

Whether you're bringing home baby to a house in the suburbs or a studio apartment, chances are, there's a time you've wished for just a little more square footage than what you currently have. We're here to tell you that it's not about the space itself, rather how you use it. Some of the most beautifully designed nurseries we've seen are those that take advantage of every square foot — and do so in style.

Kid Shopping

Itty Wigs Baby Headbands: Ga Ga or Gag?

Just when we thought we'd seen it all, along comes Itty Wigs.

Just when we thought we'd seen it all, along comes Itty Wigs. Touted as the "silly strands novelty girls headband," these little headpieces give your baby girl the locks of her dreams (sort of . . . ). Ranging in price from $8-$11, the "hair-raising" headbands were developed by Missouri-based grandmother, Diana Thatcher. Inspired to create a Lil Rascals-themed video of her then 4-month-old granddaughter, Thatcher rigged up a variety of wigs for the baby girl out of household crafting items (you can see the results here). She had so much fun with the idea that she took it to the next level, designing the Itty Wigs shown here.

Would you buy one of these for your little girl? They're meant to be a novelty item, but is it one that you can get behind? Vote in our poll below, and share your comments on the one-of-a-kind (really, they're patented!) headband.

Kid Shopping

A New Cookbook by Mario Batali's Culinary Kids

Inspired by the occasion of their dad's fiftieth birthday, Mario Batali's teenage sons, Benno and Leo, developed their very own cookbook in his honor, and it's recently been published.

Inspired by the occasion of their dad's fiftieth birthday, Mario Batali's teenage sons, Benno and Leo, developed their very own cookbook in his honor, and it's recently been published. The Batali Brothers Cookbook is a compilation of Leo and Benno's favorite recipes, plus some Batali family staples courtesy of Mario himself. We were lucky enough to chat with the brothers, who we were pleased to learn are following fast in their dad's orange-Croc-clad footsteps. Click through to read our interview with Leo and Benno Batali, and check out two of their favorite recipes to try out in your own kitchen!

baby food

10 Great Finger Foods For Babies

Once your brave little one is ready to take the leap from purees to finger foods, it's time to switch up your grocery store and kitchen prep routines.

Once your brave little one is ready to take the leap from purees to finger foods, it's time to switch up your grocery store and kitchen prep routines. Follow this smart advice for easing the transition, and click through to see some of the best fresh, frozen, and on-the-go solid starter foods for your hungry little one!

Kid Shopping

8 Sensationally Silly Finds to Ensure Your Memorial Day BBQ Is a Blast

If the Memorial Day barbecue that you're hosting this coming weekend includes invites for the entire family, then keeping the kids in attendance entertained is just as much of a concern as achieving the perfect grill marks on your burgers.

If the Memorial Day barbecue that you're hosting this coming weekend includes invites for the entire family, then keeping the kids in attendance entertained is just as much of a concern as achieving the perfect grill marks on your burgers. Avoid BBQ boredom by picking up any of these supersilly finds for your weekend cookout. They'll ensure that kids stay amused and entertained all afternoon long!

Kid Shopping

9 Creative Ways to Personalize Your Child's Room

Regardless of how beautifully decorated a child's nursery or bedroom is, it becomes a lot more special when it's infused with personal touches.

Regardless of how beautifully decorated a child's nursery or bedroom is, it becomes a lot more special when it's infused with personal touches. While monograms and initials hanging on the walls are one way to go, they've become somewhat expected. Take your creativity up a notch and check out these nine clever "real mom" solutions to adding big-time personality to little people's rooms.

Pregnancy

Maternity Styles to Flatter Every Expectant Figure

It's always important to dress to flatter your own body type, but perhaps no time is this more relevant than during pregnancy.

It's always important to dress to flatter your own body type, but perhaps no time is this more relevant than during pregnancy. While many celebs (Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson — to name a few) tend to opt for body-hugging pieces, the look's not for everyone.

Newer brands like HATCH Collection and Fourth Love specialize in a modern take on loose, roomy cuts that are meant to fit throughout, and even after your pregnancy. Check out our takes on five must-have maternity looks, with picks for those who like their clothes to be formfitting and those who prefer to go with the flow.

Kid Shopping

Great Minds Love to Play! The Best Museum-Store Finds For Kids

If the thought of scanning yet another aisle at your local big-box toy store has you feeling uninspired, then look no further.

If the thought of scanning yet another aisle at your local big-box toy store has you feeling uninspired, then look no further. The gift shops of some of the country's best art museums are great resources for unexpected, fun, and design-conscious playthings for little ones. We've rounded up 10 of our favorite finds from museum stores across the country — from New York to California and everywhere in between — and they're all available online!

Food and Fun

15 Sweet Treats For Your Memorial Day Bash!

Memorial Day is right around the corner, and whatever your weekend plans entail, we can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a special sweet treat.

Memorial Day is right around the corner, and whatever your weekend plans entail, we can't think of a better way to celebrate than with a special sweet treat. Whether you prefer a classic patriotic theme or want to get inventive with cupcakes that look like they just came off the grill, stock up on some sugar, heat up the oven, and get baking!

Kid Shopping

Surf Rat Hoods For Beach Babes: Ga Ga or Gag?

When it comes to kids apparel trends, hooded scarves have been hot for a few years now.

When it comes to kids apparel trends, hooded scarves have been hot for a few years now. They serve multiple functions on chilly Winter days, keeping little heads, necks, and hands warm all at once, and with the added kiddie appeal of coming in a variety of different animal themes, these hooded scarves have naturally taken off as a trend. But what about when Winter's over?

A new line from Spirit Hoods Kids is offering a solution to working your kids' favorite accessory into their Summer wardrobes. Surf Rat Hoods are cotton and terrycloth variations of the standard hooded scarf and are meant for pool or beachside use. The one-size-fits-all (ages 4 to 12) hoods retail for $49 each and come in pink or blue. A portion of the net proceeds from all of the brand's sales go toward the conservation of endangered animals, making the hoods a purchase that you can feel good about and turn into a learning lesson for your children.

We have to admit — the hoods are pretty cute, and plenty of kids out there would love wearing them on their summertime adventures . . . but do they serve a purpose? Would you buy a Surf Rat Hood for your kids?

parenting

The Modern Mom's Guide to Everyday Etiquette

Manners in the modern age aren't just an issue for the "ladies who lunch" set — issues of etiquette arise every day, in every way, especially if you're a parent!

Manners in the modern age aren't just an issue for the "ladies who lunch" set — issues of etiquette arise every day, in every way, especially if you're a parent! As moms, we're responsible not only for our own decorum, but also for setting an example for our kids.

We were lucky enough to chat about the topic recently with Lizzie Post, great-granddaughter of the famed Emily Post and one of the authors of the 18th edition of Emily Post's Etiquette: Manners For a New World. Totally in touch with the "What's the right thing to do when . . . " challenges that moms face on an ongoing basis, we found Lizzie's advice to be incredibly useful and realistic. Read on — we hope that you find it to be just as beneficial!

Kid Shopping

Our Top 10 Crewcuts Picks For Summer

If you're a fan of J.Crew's adult clothing, chances are you love Crewcuts's always adorable selection for kids and babies as much as we do.

If you're a fan of J.Crew's adult clothing, chances are you love Crewcuts's always adorable selection for kids and babies as much as we do. There's no time of year that the brand shines more than Summer, with its preppy-boho tunics for girls, subtle colorblocking for boys, and over-the-top luxe lightweight cashmere for all. It wasn't easy, but we scoured the site and narrowed down our top 10 picks — for girls, boys, and babies — of the season. Click through and see if you agree with our fave selections!

Spring

Lovely Little Liberty London Finds For Girls

With a 138-year history, Liberty London's dainty floral prints have long been a hallmark of classic British style.

With a 138-year history, Liberty London's dainty floral prints have long been a hallmark of classic British style. The brand has recently experienced a resurgence, partnering with everyone from J.Crew to Petit Bateau to Nike. Since the look lends itself so well to warm weather, and little girls, we've rounded up 11 of our favorite Spring Liberty print finds for kids. It's a garden party!

Kid Shopping

10 Under $10: Great Drugstore Finds For Kids

In a perfect world, we'd be supermoms — never leaving the house without being fully prepared for any and all surprise circumstances.

In a perfect world, we'd be supermoms — never leaving the house without being fully prepared for any and all surprise circumstances. But in reality, we've all been caught off guard by things like flight delays, traffic jams, and visits to friends or family when there's absolutely nothing to keep the kiddos busy.

We've found an in-case-of-emergency solution. Whether you're in a major metropolis or out in the country, there's sure to be a drugstore either on the street corner or a car ride away. We perused the aisles of our nearest spot — a Duane Reade across the street from POPSUGAR's NYC headquarters — and came up with 10 cheap and easy ways to entertain tots when you're in a bind. Leave the credit card at home — they all ring in at less than $10!