LilSugar

Does Pampering Send the Wrong Message?

babysugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 07:00:05 -0700

I remember getting my first manicure before my eighth grade dance. It was a big deal and I appreciated how special the gift was from my mother. I didn't notice my eyebrows were bushes to be reckoned with until my first year of college. Thankfully, while growing up I never felt the need to excessively beautify myself as I had confidence. For kids these days, it's a different story.

To see what the latest underage beauty treatment is, read more.

Now, lil ladies as young as five are lined up for manicures and pedicures at spas. The owner of hair salon Ouidad in NYC told ABC:

I have children as young as six and seven come into the salon. They do a chemical treatment.

It is definitely becoming a trend to tend to oneself at a younger age. Some resorts like the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio cater to the crowd with a youth spa called the "SPAhhhT." Since girls wax their bikini lines in 6th grade and get nail treatments in elementary school, the worry is that they will put too much emphasis on their looks and lose their self esteem.

Stressed Out Girls author Roni Cohen-Sandler says:

The earlier that girls begin to see themselves as objects that are appealing to the opposite sex and worry about how they look - that is harming them psychologically. They're not able to feel good about themselves.

When my daughter is old enough, I will gladly spoil her with a mani–pedi for a momentous event. As for the waxing and chemical peels, she can pay for those herself.

Would you allow your child to start such beauty regiments at such a tender age?

Did You Wax Your Way Into Labor?

babysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:00:18 -0700

When I was 38 weeks pregnant, I made an appointment to get a bikini wax during my 40th week.

Clearly out of my mind, I actually went into labor on my waxing date.

I'm not sure if I wanted to do the maintenance for my own benefit or the medical staff, but in the end I don't think it made a difference to anyone in the delivery room.

Did you maintain your lady parts up to your due date?

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Bringing Sexy Back: Waxed

LilSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:00:01 -0800

Tired from tending to baby, lots of new moms let themselves go. So why not surprise your husband when he least expects it by tidying up? Beyond shaving those legs that have been hard to reach for a while, make an appointment to get a designer wax.

Everything from the basic bikini to Brazilian and lightning bolts are offered. Perhaps a fun shape - heart, star, tiara, or even his initials is what you need to spice things up between the sheets. And if you want more than his stunned eyes to sparkle, get the waxer to adhere some Swarovski crystals.

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School Year's Resolutions: Eco-Friendly School Supplies

LilSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:56 -0700

School days, school days, dear old Golden Rule days. In the past, teachers have taught the Golden Rule to mean do unto others as you'd have done to you, but this year they may be extending that beyond the classroom. When selecting school supplies, there are plenty of green, stylish kid-friendly pens, pencils and markers to fill a desk. Check out a few of our favorites:

The non-toxic, non-solvent, acid free Coccoina Almond Scented Glue Stick smells like marzipan and is strong enough to keep art projects sticking together.
Teachers always insist on No. 2 Graphite Pencils and these use unfinished casing to show off the writing utensil's recycled cedar wood.
These e-color-gy, non-toxic Washable markers are made from 25 percent recycled plastic and can be rejuvenated by simply wetting their tips when they dry out.
Brighter than traditional wax crayons, soy crayons are made from all-natural soybean oil.
Petroleum-free beeswax crayons are made from a combination of plants and vegetable waxes and pure beeswax.
Get the lead out of gathered papers with the Cat and Dog Staple Free Staplers.
Fiskars Deskworks Scissors get the job done.
Made from real banana paper, water based inks, glues and metal binding, Banana Paper Notebooks do their part to help save the rain forest.
Without the use of ink, the Eco Highlighter Pencil uses a wood pencil to bring words to life on a page.

Celebrate Cultures With Complexion Crayons and Pencils

LilSugar — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Crayola renamed its "Flesh" crayon "Peach" in 1962, as it was seen by some as racist and politically incorrect. Today, children can choose a variety of art supplies, from the waxed coloring sticks to pencils, to accurately shade in their skin in self-portraits. Celebrate the diverse beauty of the world's peoples by checking out some of these products.

Crayola's Multicultural Crayons ($2.50). The eight-pack of chunky crayons offers shades of black, sepia, peach, apricot, white, tan, mahogany, and burnt sienna. Lyra Assorted Skin Colors Pencil Set ($27). The fine pigmented pencils come in a pack with a dozen shades that can be mixed to create any complexion a lil artist wants. People Pencils ($20). The set of 15 pencils can be blended to achieve different skin tones to represent humans around the globe.

Unique Crayon Shapes Get the Creative Juices Flowing

LilSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Empty out your craft box and start fresh with some crayons fit for lil hands. The custom made wax creations like these adorable handmade egg-kittens ($17) will inspire plenty of easel time. The creator melts down non-toxic crayons and molds them into the perfect egg-like shape before hand-carving the faces and ears.

For mamas looking to teach their children a thing or two about recycling, many Etsy sellers use recycled or upcycled wax – often the leftover stumps from a broken crayon – to create their fun-shaped coloring pieces. Check out some of our other favorite drawing options below.

Tasty Care Packages For Hungry Campers

LilSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Treats are sweet! Camp food is often mocked so surprising your camper with some treats throughout his stay will be a welcome break from the cafeteria line. Think about your youngster's favorite snacks and bundle them up in some creative packaging before sending them off. This week's release of the new Harry Potter movie has inspired a line of themed candies to accompany the flick while giant cookie cakes, tins of pretzels, and silly wax lips will be hit with your camper's cabin mates. Just be sure to check with your camp before sending anything – many camps have strict package policies regarding edible gifts.

Source: Raquette Lake Camps

SpongeBob SquarePants Turns 10!

babysugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0700

What is the deal with SpongeBob SquarePants? It's a show about a sponge that wears khaki shorts, lives in a pineapple, has a seastar best friend, works at a crab shack, and giggles like a giddy girl, and it has become one of pop culture's most beloved cartoons over the past decade. Nickelodeon took a chance on an outlandish concept and it has paid off big time.

As a 23-year-old single girl in New York, I was hooked on the toon. Holed up in my shoebox apartment, I found hilarity in the absurdity of SpongeBob SquarePants. Nearly 10 years later, I sit here typing for a mommy blog as my young daughter chuckles at Squidward's remarks. She rarely gets to watch the show, but when she hears the catchy jingle she goes bananas. Most kids adore the quirky characters that live in Bikini Bottom while their mothers have a love-hate relationship with the animated show. For the mamas that find the fascination mind boggling, remember what you forced your parents to watch - Snorks, the Jetsons, Jem, or the Smurfs! Talk about a cult following - those blue mushroom dwellers certainly had an odd vibe about them.

In honor of the porous fellow's celebration, Madame Tussauds has revealed the SpongeBob SquarePants wax figurine in Times Square. There may be extra incentive for mums to take their wee ones to the exhibit - David Beckham and the likes are lining up to have a look-see at the jellyfish-riding birthday boy.

What are your thoughts on SpongeBob SquarePants?

View 5 Photos ›

Delilicious: Chocolate-Covered Peeps on Sticks

LilSugar — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Inspired by the book Peeps: Recipes and Crafts to Make With Your Favorite Marshmallow Treat, my bakers-in-training and I set out to dress up the colorful Easter staple. I heated chocolate chips in a double boiler, scooped the chocolate into a bowl, and helped my lil ones spread it on Peeps, which we had impaled with Popsicle sticks. The result was a semihomemade treat that would be perfect for a family garden party, play date, or preschool celebration.

View 5 Photos ›

To see what you will need to replicate the project, read more.

Ingredients:
Semisweet chocolate chips
Peeps
Popsicle sticks
Sprinkles
I also suggest a double boiler and cookie tray covered in wax paper to place the Peeps on once you've covered them in chocolate.

Directions:

Open your Peep packages and stick your Popsicle sticks 3/4 of the way into the Peep.
Heat chocolate on the stove using a double boiler method, then transfer the melted chocolate into a bowl. The chocolate will begin to dry up after about 10 minutes, so you need to act fast once it is melted. If your children are young, you may prefer to do the chocolate dipping and spreading yourself and let them decorate the bunnies.
Spread chocolate-covered Peeps on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.
Decorate Peeps with sprinkles.

Mommy Dearest: Can I Clean My Baby's Ears With a Q-Tip?

LilSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:00:51 -0800

Mommy Dearest,

I've been noticing a little earwax in my 3-month-old daughter's ears. Is it OK to clean it out with a Q-Tip?

- Wax Woes

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Wax Woes,

I know it's tempting to grab a cotton swab and clean out your lil one's ears, but you should avoid the temptation. Inserting something into a child's (or adult's) ear canal could do more harm than good by easily puncturing the eardrum - even if you're super careful. Plus, according to WebMD, earwax is nature's protection for the ear canal, and there's no reason for you to try to get rid of it, especially since you could end up packing it against her eardrum instead of removing it. To clean the outer part of your baby's ears, just use a washcloth moistened with warm water. If you're still worried about buildup, talk to your daughter's pediatrician.

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

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