LilSugar

Do You Encourage Your Child's Own Sense of Style?

LilSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0800

In a recent episode of Brothers & Sisters, tweener Paige went shopping with grandma Nora and the two came home with what Sarah (Paige's mom) thought was a doozy of an outfit - a sparkly red mini. After much ado, Sarah compromised by buying her daughter a pair of leggings and matching jacket to tone down the dress. Do you censor what your children wear or let them express themselves?

Courtesy of ABC

Tell Mommy: Does Your Tot Have Her Own Personal Style?

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:29 -0800

Suri Cruise may be a number one tot, but she doesn't wear the pants in the family. Tom Cruise recently revealed that his little star only wants to sport dresses, and refuses to put on pants. It may seem like Suri gets what she wants, but any mommy who's given up on getting her three-year-old to wear something other than her princess costume understands that some battles aren't worth waging.

In fact, a friend of mine has been struggling with her own two-year-old's refusal to wear shoes other than her pink tie-dyed crocs. She fears the day it snows and she has to force her daughter to change footwear.

Does your toddler display her personal style? Or does she refuse to wear certain items of clothing?

Source

American Apparel Maternity: Ga Ga or Gag?

LilSugar — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:00:14 -0700

Not all expecting mamas are willing to surrender their closet to A Pea in the Pod. Fashion forward ladies can decorate themselves and their bump with American Apparel's edgy and funky maternity clothes - even if the brand is simply labeling belly friendly clothes already in production as "maternity." Regardless, one mama-to-be's dream may be another's worst nightmare. Neon spandex unitard, anyone? So tell us, does the hipster take on pregnancy apparel appeal to you?

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Kidoodles: Thanksgiving Tablecloth

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:29 -0800

Since Thanksgiving is next week, we thought you could use a simple arts and crafts project to entertain your kiddos and help you prepare for the holiday. Let your children be in charge of the tablecloth. They will appreciate the opportunity to get involved and relish the chance to get a lil messy - all in the name of helping out!

You just need the following items:

A piece of butcher paper (white works well with all colors)
A few sponges
Festive colored paints
A few pieces of blank paper
Scissors
Plates or bowls for paints
Markers or crayons

For my guide to making a kid-friendly tablecloth, read more

First, measure the table so you know how much butcher paper you will need. Once you have that, cut the paper and place it on a flat even surface like the floor or table top.

Next, draw whatever designs you want to use on the tablecloth and draw them on a piece of paper no bigger than the sponge you will use.

Once you have completed your drawing, cut it out and trace it on the sponge. Then cut along the traced line so you have your sponge design.

Now you are ready for the fun part! Put some paint in the plates or bowls and dip one side of the sponge into the paint. Gently press it onto the butcher paper. Voila! Use different colors and shapes to fill the paper.

Once it's all dried up, let your little ones draw on the paper and write "Happy Thanksgiving" or "I am thankful for ...", or a saying of their choice.

Finally, put the cloth on the table and ask your lil helpers to set it with plates and silverware!

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Five More Ways to Stay in Pre-Pregnancy Clothing

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:03 -0700

As previously flat bellies turn into baby bumps and an expectant mama's clothes grow tight, a woman in her second trimester may try just about anything to extend the life of her pre-pregnancy clothes before diving into the world of maternity wear. Celebrities may opt for purchasing looser clothing in bigger sizes, but there are plenty of tricks for staying in your current clothes for a few weeks longer than expected. Check out our five additional tips for staving off a trip to the maternity store.

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Did You Wear Maternity Clothes During Pregnancy?

babysugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:34 -0700

Many women vow to stay out of maternity clothes during their bumpy nine months. Long tunics, leggings, spacious dresses and larger sized bottoms can masquerade a burgeoning belly but few can take it to full-term leaving spandex paneled pants an inevitable wardrobe staple. As expectant wardrobe offerings become more appealing with the likes of Christian Siriano and Nicole Richie bringing their eyes for fashion to the pregnancy game, it's surprising to hear so many bumpalicious mamas still swearing off the spacious gear. Heidi Klum revealed she's staying out of the maternity apparel and is promising to wear heels until the bitter end. And according to Kim Kardashian, her sister Kourtney is putting off the tummy tent frocks for as long as possible. Kim recently wrote, "She will not buy maternity clothes. I don't know what's wrong with her."

Do tell, how many of you gave into maternity clothes during your pregnancy?

Tights For Boys: Ga Ga or Gag?

babysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:04 -0800

Mommies wouldn't balk at the sight of tights in the girls' section but what if she saw them hanging near the boxers and briefs? Ladies enjoy the comfort and warmth they provide so why shouldn't their male counterparts? In the Victorian era, men wore tights regularly just like their lady friends. Perhaps in an effort to bring a blast from the past, the Swedish clothes manufacturer H&M is bringing tights back in a whole new way.

The $12 pair of navy car adorned stockings may have some mums and pops looking confused or horrified. Still some may find them practical and brilliant.

What's your take on them?

Accessories to Make Cloth Diapering a Cinch

LilSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:08 -0700

The cloth diaper movement has another lil celebaby poster child. Alyson Hannigan was spotted out with her five-month-old daughter, Satyana, holding a gDiaper in hand. As more parents consider going green, a number of cloth diapers have sprung up with stylish diaper covers to get competitive with their disposable counterparts. Before making the commitment to go with cloth, check out our tips for doing so, and see some of the accessories available.

To see more cloth diaper accessories, just read more.

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Mom-Me Time: Pick Up a Copy of The Help

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:49 -0800

If mama's got a few minutes to herself and is looking for something that will take her mind to another world, she needs not look further than this gold and purple hardback book. The Help ($12) is a quick read that will steal her attention and her affection and leave her wanting more. Kathryn Stockett's first novel, the book about the relationships between mothers and the women that help them (nannies in particular) will have mommy laughing out loud, tearing up in the eyes, dog-earring pages with special passages and thinking about how she relates to some of the closest people in her life.

Just pages into the lengthy text and I was hooked. Unlike any book I've read in recent times, the characters in these pages immediately come to life and fully color the imagination. You can picture their hair, dream up their clothes and hear their voices like they're sitting on the bus right next to you. While they may be fictional muses, I wish I could meet them, thank them, reprimand them and have a tall glass of sweetened iced tea with them. Though the book is set back in the early '60s, some of the conversations and lessons are timeless. For the rest of my review, read more.

Centered around the lives of three caretakers, the hired "help" who tend to high society's children may occasionally be called "mama" as they often forge a closer bond with the child than his own mother. And while some women may have their best friends to rely on, the housekeeper frequently knows and cares more than her "best" friends -the phrase "dirty laundry" having a double meaning when it comes to life behind closed doors. In the end, it is a story about women taking extraordinary measures to right some wrongs, even if it means risking it all. Of all the lessons to be learned from this rich novel, the golden rule speaks loudest - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Maybe that's why she wrapped it in a glowing cover.

Before this goes to the theaters, which it surely will, buy it, read it and gift it to everyone you know. It will not disappoint.

Share your favorite books, products, toys and trends with other parents. Join our Product Reviews group over in the LilSugar community!

Runway Worthy Organic Kiddie Apparel

LilSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:00:49 -0700

Get your green on! For years choosing organic clothing for your wee one meant a closet full of neutral, plain pieces. As the eco movement gains momentum and design-oriented mamas have gotten their hands on earth-friendly materials, the selection of garments has grown dramatically. From the founders of one of the most popular lines of organic beauty products to those that just wanted to make something special for their own tots, take a look at some companies that caught our attention.

To see more pics of our earth-friendly finds, read more.

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