LilSugar

What Do You Think of the Phelps–McDonald's Deal?

babysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:00:08 -0700

A growing epidemic, childhood obesity is an issue for many American families. Fast food chains make it easy for parents to grab meals on the go, and the low price points of sugary drinks and dollar menus make them irresistible to those on a budget. But, that won't keep the major brands from advertising to your tots or paying big time faces to promote their product.
Groups like the Children's International Obesity Foundation are irritated with golden boy Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps for signing endorsement deals with McDonald's and Kellogg's as it may encourage youngsters to steer toward those choices. While the endorsements will link the famed athlete to the brands, it may also give parents talking points. Although the championed sportsman consumes "unhealthy" fast food meals, he clearly balances his diet with lots of exercise.
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Jennie Garth Gives LilSugar the Exclusive Scoop - Part Two

babysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:52 -0800

In case you missed it, Jennie Garth took some time out of her schedule to chat with LilSugar about her life as a mommy of three. She answered our four lil questions and then some. Not surprising, she shot straight from the hip and revealed that she is a down-to-earth kind of lady who is keeping a good head on her shoulders while teaching her daughters to do the same. Here are some of the questions the cute mom answered for us:

In light of all of the reality TV shows following families and your stint on Dancing With the Stars, would you ever want your children to be in the spotlight on a TV show or actors on their own show?

I hope not. I would never discourage them from what they want to do but hope that they aim a little higher. Being an actor is not a bad profession by any means but the easy way out, it seems right now, is to do a reality show so I'm hoping Luca - she wants to be an actress I think but she doesn't want to tell me - that they study and learn a craft and become really, really good at it.

Which one of your characteristics do you wish your children would inherit from you?

I can do anything. I can change the oil in the car. Honestly, if it put my mind to it, I can do anything and I hope that they have that. I don't want them to just call the repair man. I want them to try to fix something first. I hope they get a hands on, get it done, I can do anything mentality.

Have you let your kids watch your old 90210 days or the renewed show?

No, no, no. Absolutely not.

Have they seen any of your work?

They've seen a couple of things. They've seen some of my work. They watched What I Like About You sometimes, but even that one was a little too risque at times. But, they come along to a lot of the charitable things I do.

To see what the hot mama has to say about being pregnant again and how she and Peter bring the sexy back, just read more.

Speaking of, how did you get involved with Smiles Across America (SAA)?

As a mother, I sort of saw an opportunity. There's inadequate dental heath care and children are not being taught by their parents to take care of their teeth. SAA goes into schools and teaches kids how to take care of their teeth and they provide them with services.

Who is your role model in motherhood?

I really rely on my girlfriends a lot. We do it together - bounce ideas off of each other. They pick me up when I'm at my lowest point and feel like a terrible mom. We talk about stuff and it helps me to continue on. I just sometimes need a pep talk.

Were you a lover of pregnancy or were you dying to get it over with?

I loved it! I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Will you do it again?

I hope so! I don't know. It depends on my husband being in town.

How do you and Peter bring the sexy back to your marriage with three kids and both of you working?

We do a lot of texting and a lot of flirting by texting and making each other laugh a lot. A good sense of humor keeps each other laughing.

How has the whole Twilight craze affected your family life? Are the girls into it? Do they have crushes on Rob?

They're younger. They don't really care that much. Plus, we really instill in them that they're not goo goo crazy over actors. We try to keep them in a realistic mode. They're a little young... but I'm crazy coo coo for vampires! But, what I do and what I teach my kids to do are two different things.

Amen to that!

Abigail Breslin: Top Role Model for Lil Girls

babysugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0700

If you've seen Little Miss Sunshine, you'll understand my obsession with the positively charming Abigail Breslin.

The extraordinarily talented actress has mad acting skills that are sure to take her far in Tinseltown. More importantly, she seems to have a good head on her small shoulders.

A breath of fresh air from other young actresses, Abigail wore what any typical 11–year–old (soon to be 12) girl would on a Wednesday afternoon – a red polka–dot dress over a graphic tee paired with some comfy cute flip flops.

Even as she was inducted into The Girl Scouts of the USA as an honorary member, she couldn't be swayed to lap on make–up or sport an overdone dress.

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To see why this sweetheart continues to win my affection, read more.

As a mother of a lass, I couldn't pick a better role model for my babe. Judging from the smiles of the young ladies in the audience, they couldn't either.

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Great Anatomy: Pregnant Ellen Pompeo Is Fit and Fabulous

babysugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:00:15 -0700

On-screen and off, actress Ellen Pompeo has always been understated in her fashion and beauty choices that made her more attractive in my eyes. Before pregnancy, her thin frame and natural look created the perfect canvas for fashion forward looks, but her new curves have added an extra glow and style to her existence. Looking better than ever, the mama-to-be is even making my girl Fab look forward to pregnancy... now that's sayin' something!

In lieu of frumpy frocks, the Grey's Anatomy star often chooses both frame fitting and flowy black dresses and tunics and accents them with Grecian sandals and gold laden hobo bags. When she's not working out in her spandex, she rocks tie-dye dresses and moccasin boots for a casual look. A maternity role model to expectant ladies, I'm sure her mini me will be sportin' some pretty stinkin' cute threads, too!

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Which Parent Influenced Your Parenting Style?

babysugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:38 -0700

Many factors come into play when it comes to shaping a person's parenting style. One's own youth and primary role models typically have a major impact on what kind of parent someone will be. Dads who attend every soccer game and offer a shoulder to cry on will be revered in their child's eye, as will mums who pack lunches and lend an ear for listening to problems. Parenting is a way of life to adults and also a lesson to their offspring. While my dad and I have a wonderful relationship, it is my mother's style that I strive to emulate with my own kids. Which parent has influenced your parenting style the most?

Brooke Shields: Pretty Baby Has Staying Power as Smart Mama

LilSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 06:00:08 -0700

Brooke Shields has proved she's more than just a pretty baby, but a talented woman. Thrust into the public eye modeling for Ivory Soap at the age of 11 months, the stunner had a successful modeling and film career before she took to the small screen starring in a number of television shows like Suddenly Susan, That '70s Show and the recently canceled, Lipstick Jungle.

Though she sparked controversy with her role as a child prostitute in 1978's Pretty Baby and again a few years later in a Calvin Klein jeans ad, Shields may best be known these days as an outspoken advocate for women suffering from postpartum depression. Following the birth of her daughter Rowan, 6, the actress wrote Down Came the Rain an account of her struggle with the disease, her battle with fertility and her suicidal thoughts. She publicly and passionately disagreed with Tom Cruise about the use of psychiatric drugs for PPD treatment though they eventually called a truce.

The mom of two – Shields also is mom to Grier, 3, – still does a number of advertisements and promotes her books, including the just-released It's the Best Day Ever, Dad! about the bond between fathers and daughters.

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Interview with Imagination Movers: Disney's Amazing Dad Band

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 08:00:27 -0800

Disney's hottest dad act, the Imagination Movers encourage friendship, creativity, and thinking while they get kids up off the couch. You may assume this is just another example of the Mouse's Midas touch, but it's more. The four friends (three of which are fathers to a combined nine children) have a back story beginning in New Orleans that will have parents pushing their tots in front of the television as the band's message is genuine. Rich Collins (Mover Rich) explained, "We weren't four guys that went and auditioned and got put on a show. There's history that makes us what we are." I had the opportunity to sit down with the foursome (Collins, Scott Durbin, Dave Poche, and Scott "Smitty" Smith) recently in San Francisco. To see how Hurricane Katrina altered their lives and led them to become male role models on the Disney channel, read more.

lilsugar: How did you guys go from being an architect, a firefighter, a teacher and a journalist to having a kid's band?
Dave: We wanted to make quality music for kids because we had children who were steeped in the whole world of entertainment and a lot of what we saw was cartoons and puppets. We brought it back to what we had grown up with - Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo. Mr. Rogers had just passed away and we thought there was a void and decided to take a shot at doing something about it. So we got together - four goofy dads who had an idea and here we are years later and it's turned into something that is of value.
Scott: Actually, the initial idea was local in New Orleans and then low and behold what we created resonated with people and we were tenacious about its development and were fortunate that Disney came and saw us at Jazz Fest. We played our set and started talking about doing a show together and had this concept and that's how it was born.

lilsugar: Did you guys quit your day jobs as touring and doing a show must take up the majority of your time?
Dave: When we started it was a hobby. We'd put the kids to bed and meet. At first, it was in my built out attic room and we'd be there from like nine at night until 12 or one in the morning a few days a week and brainstorm and work. Then, the music took on a life of its own. We made three independent CDs and a DVD and started playing shows. The business needed attention so Rich was the first one to quit and make the full time leap. Then, three years ago Katrina came. Once that happened we lost three of our four homes and Smitty was a firefighter.
Smitty: I still am a New Orleans firefighter, I'm just on leave of absence.

lilsugar: When you lost your homes, did you go stay with family and then reconnect later?
Rich: So the flood came and the three of us lived in one neighborhood (Smitty lived in a drier part of town) so our houses got completely flooded and were under eight feet of water for weeks and our office, Mover stuff and instruments - it was all gone. So we were all in our cars with the kids and the cat and the computer and a few pieces of clothing and a couple of pictures you saved and we were literally refugees, but it's funny. It's not funny really, but there was a day or two after when we were all holed up in different cities and hotels and things and we started communicating via text because we had a show booked that next Saturday in Dallas. And, so I was like - can you get there? Can we do this show?
Dave: I was sitting on the steps of a hotel in Houston, my kids were in bed and I'm exhausted outside with my wife and we're texting because that's the only way you can communicate. I looked at my phone and it was Tuesday or Wednesday and he's like so are we still playing Dallas Saturday? Saturday, I was in Dallas. We realized what else are we gonna do? We will have a hotel room there. I don't know if I have a job, I don't know where anybody is, and there's a small fee out there and I've got an obligation. Not knowing where anything was or where money was gonna come from, we went. People loaned us instruments.
Rich: Scott bought some replacement suits - I was wearing my old glasses. We were like refugee performers - so a bad thing happened and that's kind of a symbol for what happened in the bigger picture. We were totally thrown off of our routines, but quickly realized that there was this huge community of Movers fans in New Orleans and around the south who reached out to us to ask if we were okay. And to let us know, "your music was in the car and kept our kids feeling safe and please keep doing what you're doing". It was this outpouring of support. Doing the Movers gave us this safe harbor and in a bigger sense, it is what allowed us to pull ourselves up out of the storm. This is maybe getting a little too grand, but we managed to get the deal with Disney and bring the production of the show to the city. It was the lifeline for us and for our families to get the show going, but we're now employing more than one hundred people for seven months at a time when we do the show. It's a huge boost for the local film community.

lilsugar: No matter what happens, you're staying in New Orleans?
Smitty: New Orleans is a small town, we grew this thing from nothing. People would tell us that this was their sense of normalcy and for us this became the thing we rallied around to lift ourselves up.
Scott: The one guy who didn't lose his home, Smitty, penned the lyrics to the song, We Got Each Other which was probably the first recorded song in New Orleans after Katrina and was on our Eight Feet album.
Dave: You might lose your tangible things, but you've still got your family and friends and support.
Smitty: I didn't lose my house and none of my family died or anything, but as a fireman, for two weeks straight we banded together and relied on one another for our lives. That was part of that song too. It was pretty tough, but I think out of all that, here comes this good thing.
Scott: Our lives turn on a dime. We were professionals working jobs and then we were standing in line for welfare or to get food stamps. It was just a real experience.

Courtesy of Disney

KinderKord: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

babysugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Joan Lunden is often considered a role model as she holds the title for hosting a morning television show longer than any other person, had her second set of twins at age 54 and is a best selling author of several parenting books. Her latest title is inventor, having unveiled her new creation at a child product convention last week.

The KinderKord is an updated take on the kiddie harness, with wrist cords for both parent and child that connect in the middle. With three feet of cording and the ability to connect two children to one adult, Lunden claims that her product allows a child to roam more freely than traditional leashes and it has a "hip and cool unisex band that can be worn by a man or a woman." The KinderKord is not yet available to consumers, but we are curious if it is something you would consider.

Strollin': Stokke Xplory

babysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:00:00 -0700

If Jane Jetson was your role model growing up, the Stokke Xplory ($1200) may be for you. Though the Orbit Baby title probably suits the space lady better, the Xplory is a suitable choice for the futuristic fashionista.

The innovative design allows parents to push their tots at a higher level via telescoping capabilities, or lower depending on preference, making it less of a back bender for the pusher and a better view for the babe. And, common to many other brands, the Xplory allows for forward or rear-facing positioning.

To learn more about the Stokke Xplory, read more.

Like other travel system strollers, the Stokke Xplory offers a bassinet feature so newborns can snooze on the go. As babies outgrow the bassinet, parents can trade up to the reclining seated position that is height adjustable. In addition to the seats being height adjustable, the footrest can also be tailored to the child's liking and the handlebar to the parent's.

The pros of the Stokke Xplory are the sleek design, the bassinet feature, and the raised placement. The basket on the base of the frame is fantastic for storage and adds additional stability to the elevated buggy. The height of the patented four-wheeled wonder gives many parents reason enough to not buy a high chair as the stroller itself can be wheeled up to the table and locked for stationary dining.

However, there are some cons to the Xplory, too. Number one -the price is quite steep at $1200. Number two - it doesn't have the life expectancy that many of its competitors do. Most travel system strollers last through four-years-old or 60 pounds where a child will outgrow a Stokke at three-years-of-age or 45 pounds. Last - I'd personally worry a bit about tipping the stroller if I added too much weight to the handle or not enough to the basket.

The Xplory easily folds in half (with the seat in place) making it simple to stow away. Like many others, your arms will get a workout as the compact system weighs 23 pounds. The adapter for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP and Grace Snugride are both available to make the car seats compatible with the stroller frame. The splashy pushchair is available in six basic colors - black, cream, olive, orange, turquoise and red.

We will be finishing off our mini season of original stroller reviews with a special giveaway in October. Stay tuned for more details.

Brooke Shields Follows Mariska Hargitay Into the Milky Way

babysugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:00:11 -0800

First Mariska Hargitay joined the "got milk" campaign. Now the television vet Brooke Shields is adding her milk moustache to the mix.

To hear how the celeb mom juggles it all, read more.

The star of Lipstick Jungle shows off her leggy assets next to the quote:

Busy Body. Actress, model, mother, health nut, spokesperson, role model. How does a busy mom get it all done? I exercise, eat right and drink milk. Studies suggest the nutrients in 3 glasses of lowfat or fat free milk a day can help maintain a healthy weight. Plus the protein helps build muscle for a lean body. Done.

Other famous moms who have sported the white lip are Lindsay Davenport, Sheryl Crow, Elizabeth Hurley, Tina (and Beyoncé Knowles), and Mia Hamm.

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