These days, shopping with 2 children under the age of 4 is different.  It can be enjoyable if the kids are rested, fed, and looking forward to the day’s shopping venture (which typically means I’m shopping for them).  The challenge arises when either one or the both of them doesn’t want to indulge my need or desire to shop.  This is typically made evident once we’re already committed to the shopping venture.

Enter the Simon Kidgits Club.  I discovered this fantastic little club when my son was just a baby.  In our local mall (as is typical with most Simon Malls), information about the club (including coming events and current discounts) can be found at Guest Services.  A one year membership is just $5 per child and the fee includes admission to events throughout the year, a Birthday gift, special offers and discounts at your local Simon Mall, a sign-up gift, and the opportunity to spin the prize wheel at any mall visit.  Many of the locations also have a play area where children can get their wiggles out.

These days, going to the mall with my children is something they often look forward to…provided I stop by the prize wheel!

To give you a sense of the types of events Simon Malls and the Simon Kigits Club hosts, I headed to the Spooktacular Halloween event at The Shops at Mission Viejo.  Radio Disney spun tunes and hosted games while children sang and danced. Paradise Bakery & Cafe hosted a cookie decorating station, children decorated mini pumpkins, and a face painter was on hand to transform children anything they imagined.  And as long as your child is a member of the Simon Kidgits Club, events like this are free.

For more information about the Simon Kidgits Club, including events and special offers, visit their website or your local Simon Mall.

Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. A Simon Kidgits Club Membership was provided by Simon Malls to help facilitate this review and this post does not necessarily represent Simon Property Group’s positions, strategies or opinion.

This weekend, we headed to the LA Zoo for PBS SoCal Day (which is currently going on through the weekend).  Buddy from Dinosaur Train was there for a special meet and greet, families were treated to a special screening of the show’s Halloween episode, enjoyed Dinosaur Train-themed crafts/activities, and learned about the similarities between dinosaurs and the zoo’s residents.

The next PBS SoCal Day will be on October 30th at Pretend City Children’s Museum from 10 am to 3 pm. PBS Super Why! Halloween A Day Early! will include a “Sensational Story Time” featuring The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Halloween, Music & Movement to Monster Mash and other Halloween songs, Move & Groove trick-or-treating throughout the city,  photo opportunities with Super Why!, and screenings of special episodes from the hit PBS Kids television series. Don’t forget to dress up!

All activities are free with admission and no RSVP is required. For more information, just visit Pretend City Children’s Museum or PBS SoCal. I also recommend looking into membership options which include admission to events and more.

No compensation was received for this post. We were invited to PBS SoCal Day and received admission to the event.

Do you know what the temperature inside a closed vehicle is when the outside temperature is 76 degrees Fahrenheit?

Would you be able to see a child 8, 10, or even 12 feet behind your vehicle?

These questions and more were answered at Britax’s Red Carpet Event With Buick in partnership with Safe Kids USA.  This month we celebrate National Baby Safety Month with a week dedicated to Child Passenger Safety.  The week is dedicated to reminding parents and caregivers about the importance of keeping children properly restrained in seats designed for their height and weight.  Three important things parents and caregivers should remember is the fact that a child seat should be checked to be sure it appropriate for the child’s height and weight, that children grow at different rates so restraints should be checked frequently, and that families can visit a safety seat checkup event to ensure they are securing their children properly.

The event, designed to raise awareness about the importance of car seats and the best practices for car seat use, was a wonderful way to kick off Child Passenger Safety Week. Actress Ali Landry, who is due with her second child this fall, is a certified child passenger safety technician and joined Safe Kids USA, Britax, and Buick in LA to help install child safety and booster seats.  During the coming week 34,000 nationally certified child passenger safety technicians will help parents learn how to use and properly install child safety and booster seats at more than 400 events nationwide and it only takes about 20-30 minutes.  Ensuring that our infant son’s car seat was installed properly was a top priority for my husband and I and we did consult with a technician before he was born 4 years ago.

Photo Credit: Noah Graham Photography

Photo Credit: Noah Graham Photography

Safe Kids USA representatives were also present to provide education about safety in and around cars.  Remember the question about about the temperature inside of a closed vehicle?  The answer on that day was 145 degrees Fahrenheit.  Ten percent of motor vehicle-related accidents don’t happen on the road…they happen in and around a car. I believe that more awareness needs to be raised about front and backover accidents, leaving a child alone in a vehicle, and trunk entrapment. It takes just a 5 second walk around a vehicle to ensure safety and prevent accidents.  Children should never be left alone in a vehicle…not for a second.  And something I just learned is that vehicles should never be left unlocked since trunks can seem like an inviting place to play or hide.

Safe Kids Worldwide partnered with General Motors to create Safe Kids Buckle Up, a program designed to help teach families how to keep children safe in and around vehicles.  Through SKBU, parents and families receive hands-on instruction about car seats, booster seats, and seat belts and children under the age of 14 can receive interactive education.

Britax representatives were also present, talking to parents about their car seats and their innovative head safety technology. Since head injury is the leading cause of death in vehicle crashes, it makes sense that companies developing car seats focus their efforts on ensuring that part of the body is protected.  Britax also announced their B-READY Free Ride Event which started today.  Purchase the B-READY stroller and receive a free Infant Car Seat, Second Seat, or Bassinet.  The promotion will last through October 15th.

There were a ton of sponsors at the event including The Children’s Place, Earth’s Best, Usana, Mabel’s Labels, VTech Kids, and more.  Look out for more information from the following brands in the coming weeks.

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to attend the Red CARpet Event and received various products from the sponsors.

Photo Credit: Dolphin Tale/Warner Bros.

On September 23rd, Warner Bros. will debut Dolphin’s Tale, a film inspired by the true story of a dolphin named Winter and the people who joined forces to save her life.  When the young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, her tail is severely damaged. Although her prognosis is poor, she is rescued by the Clearwater Marine Hospital and undergoes rehabilitation.  The film stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Morgan Freeman in a story about courage, perseverance, and hope.

This weekend, local families can an advanced screening of the film at The Americana at Brand in Glendale.  On September 18th, join Plum District and other local families from 12-4 pm for a private lunch on The Green by Jewel City Diner followed by a showing of the film at Pacific Theatres.  Each ticket includes free valet parking, a Dolphin Tale-inspired dessert by LA Creamery, tickets to the screening, a bag of Organic Kettle Popcorn by Pop N Mama, a drink, and a gift bag (one per family). Plum District will be on site with activities for the children and proceeds will be donated to Community Magnet Charter School, the most diverse and highest performing public elementary school in Los Angeles.

Tickets are $40 ($65 value) and are tax deductible. If you use the code fall2fab you’ll get 15% off which makes tickets just $34.

TONIGHT Plum District is hosting a Fall into Fabulous Twitter Party from 7-8 pm PST.  For more information, just visit their blog!

No compensation was received for this post.

When I think about shopping for casual weekends out with the kids or more fancy evenings out with the hubby (ahem), I don’t immediately think about shopping at Sears.  But just in time for the Fall season, the company is working to change their image of simply being a store for housewares and appliances. With shoes from the Kim Kardashian’s brand new line and the redesign of classic brands like Bongo, teens and tweens can afford to look fashionable and in-style. Check out some of the looks certain to be a hit this fall:

UK Style by French Connection

Bongo

Dickies, South Pole

Kardashian Collection

Kardashian Collection

While many of the fashions above are designed for young adults, I could see myself in one or two of the outfits we were presented and I absolutely adore the shoes.

Speaking of young adults, Sears recently re-introduced their new layaway program. Much like in the days of catalog shopping, students and parents can shop online, then have their items placed on layaway at a Sears location near campus.  While there is a $5 fee, this definitely makes more financial sense than shipping items. And just like the traditional layaway program you may have been familiar with in the past, parents can stretch their payments out over time without incurring a finance charge.

I haven’t spoken a lot about BlogHer because I’m organizing my thoughts and the content I gleaned into information I hope you’ll find valuable.  I’d much rather put together something of value then to simply recap the sessions and events I attended.  One of my favorite “events” was an afternoon playdate hosted by Mom Central, Step2, and Infantino.  The event was held in a private house out on beautiful Coronado Island with scenic views and a cool ocean breeze. This brings me to my first tip, inspired by the day’s event:

A beach playdate perhaps?

1. Location is everything!  Think about the age, gender, and interests of the children attending the playdate.  Think about the time of year and the season. You may decide that an afternoon out at the park is perfectly suited for 4 year old boys while an afternoon tea party with dolls would be ideal for 4 year old girls.

Healthy treats are definitely called for but this is a cute idea!

2. Have kid-friendly snacks and lots of them! If your child is anything like my children, they’re hungry all. the. time. That’s because they’re running and jumping and splashing and playing.  They’re also learning and growing.  In today’s society where food allergies abound, be certain to speak with the parents of the children attending to ensure that each child can enjoy the snacks provided.

3. Be prepared with kid-friendly activities.  If your playdate is at a venue, then you may skip this tip altogether. But if the playdate is at your home, you’ll want to think about the kinds of activities that will engage children so as not to get bored which equates to mischief.

4. Give them something to remember the day.  It could be as simple as the art they created during the playdate or a photo snapped during the playdate.  They’ll be talking about the fun they experienced long after the playdate is over.

I thought that the afternoon playdate theme was perfectly suited to showcase the latest from Infantino and Step2.  You may remember that about a year ago, I partnered with Infantino and Mom Central to test out and showcase some items from their new baby collection. And my son has been a huge fan of Step2′s outdoor toys, play kitchens and outdoor toys.

On display were products from Infantino’s new Comforting Play Collection, designed to calm and soothe babies.  Blogger teams worked together to create gift baskets that were then donated to families in need.

Step2 also had several of their products on display, including their new ride-on toys (which we JUST reviewed), play kitchens (which we are currently reviewing), and activity tables.

Not only was the event highly interactive and engaging, I walked away with some tips and information about the brand and a sense that I had made a difference by helping to put together gift baskets for needy families.

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to an “afternoon playdate” hosted by Mom Central, Infantino, and Step2 and received a gift bag.

Last week, I spent an incredibly relaxing and informative 3 days at the Real Whirled House (pictured above) in Benton Harbor, Michigan. The two-story, 8 bedroom condo serves as a training facility for those going into sales within the company.  And for the very first time, Whirlpool brought a group of bloggers in for a deep dive into their kitchen and laundry appliances.

I can totally cook! Ask Sara...

I came away informed, inspired, and ready to tackle laundry and cooking in a new way.  So what did I learn?  Here are twelve things I wish I had been taught in Home Ec.:

1. The dishes don’t have to be pre-rinsed before going into the dishwasher.  Bonus: You’ll save 20 gallons of water!

2. Newer dishwashers (like ours) which use a filter system must be cleaned out regularly (of course I knew that…um…)

3. Your dishwasher’s “Quick Wash” cycle uses more energy and water than conventional cycles

4. 36 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal refrigerator temperature to prevent the growth of bacteria. Or…your milk should be cold and your ice cream hard (frozen)

5. Preheating your oven will ensure your items cook or bake all the way through

6. The type of pan used for baking is important and can affect the end result

7.  In some instances, metal may be used in the microwave as long as it’s not touching any other metal

8.  You can use the broiler for garlic bread, microwave steak and eggs, and cook in many more innovative ways (I’ll tell you how in an upcoming post!)

9.  Garment care begins at the point of purchase…the types of fabrics you purchase determine how involved you want to be with your laundry

10. Washing and drying can set a stain

11. There are different detergents on the market that are used to remove different types of stains (who would have thought?)

12.  Even more important than sorting fabrics by color is sorting them by weight

I can’t wait to share more about our whirlwind trip to discover the world of Whirlpool.  For now, here are just a few photos from the trip:

From Left to Right: Me, Stefani, Cheryl, Crystal, Sara, and Tesa.

Not pictured: Jennifer and Candace

No compensation was received for this post. Travel expenses associated with the trip to Benton Harbor were provided by Whirlpool.

I wear my children for two reasons…attachment and convenience.  In those sweet, blissful newborn days, babies need to be next to their mamas.  The gentle sway, warmth, and sounds of her heartbeat mimic that what is experienced in utero.  And, if I’m being honest, it’s much more convenient to have a baby secured to me while I’m running after my preschooler.

Over the past four years, I’ve tried a number of different carriers…wraps, slings, pouches, and structured carriers.  I’ve not had great success with wraps and slings and prefer a soft, structured carrier that can be used from infancy through toddlerhood.

Two weeks ago, Britax partnered with Baby Buggy hosted an event in LA to celebrate the launch of their new baby carrier.  Britax is best known for it’s innovation in the development of child safety seats.  The company recently expanded their product line to include a soft structured baby carrier, which I used while chasing after a 3 1/2 year old little boy at a miniature golf course.

When I was in the market for a baby carrier, comfort (both mine and my children’s) topped the list of must-haves.  The Britax Baby Carrier features the CarryLong System, a combination of a padded waist belt and padded shoulder pads to provide maximum comfort for extended periods of time. The system works to reduce back and shoulder strain by distributing weight across the shoulders, back, and hips.  My 18 month old daughter weighs in at nearly 20 pounds and I was able to “wear” her without feeling any discomfort.

Apart from comfort, ease of use (rather, lack of) is the main reason I have not had success with complicated carriers like wraps.  I don’t have time to figure something complex out while trying to get my wiggly daughter positioned properly and ensuring my son doesn’t run off.  Britax’s Baby Carrier is simple and straightforward.  Here is a short video describing the carrier and it’s use:

The carrier simply slips on (like putting on a shirt) and baby can then be positioned and secured.  The harness and straps are all adjustable to ensure maximum comfort.  You can wear your infant or toddler (8-32 pounds) facing inward or outward.  The only downside to this carrier is that a child cannot be worn on your back.

With two accessories offered by Britax, this is the only carrier you need until your child is walking running.  The removable Infant Insert (which comes with the carrier) is used to ensure babies from 8-14 pounds are seated comfortably in a natural sitting position and height.  The removable Seat Extender Insert (which is sold separately), provides a wider seating area and enables your child to wrap his/her legs around your waist when facing inward.

For more information about the carrier and it’s availability, just visit Britax.

One of the great things about Britax is the fact that they give back. Attendees brought books to donate to Baby Buggy, an organization founded by Jessica Seinfeld which provides families in need with children’s gear, clothing, and services.  Britax presented the non-profit with new baby carriers, strollers, and car seats totaling nearly $20,000. Here are some photos from the event:

No compensation was received for this post.  I was invited to the launch event and received a carrier for review.

Very soon, I’ll be learning all about the Serta’s new iComfort Sleep System and selecting the model that fits my sleep needs.  My only experience with memory foam is a pillow I reviewed earlier this year.  It’s so comfortable that when I’m away, my husband sleeps on it at night.  I can only imagine what it would feel like to sleep on a mattress made of that material.

If you’re familiar with a memory foam mattress (I wasn’t so I had to read up on it), the benefits include pressure-relieving comfort, ability to adapt and conform to a person’s body, and motion isolation.  But some of the disadvantages identified include sleeping too hot, sinking in too deeply, or difficulty adjusting sleep positions.

Serta has reinvented memory foam and introduced their new iComfort Sleep System.  The system was designed to deliver superior pressure relief and more targeted support while sleeping cooler than conventional memory foam. With four models to choose from, a 120 day risk-free trial, and a 25 year warranty, Serta guarantees you’ll be sleeping soundly!

For more information about Serta’s new iComfort Sleep System, I encourage you to visit their website and follow them on Twitter/Facebook.  And why, might you ask?  Because very soon, Serta will be giving one of YOU an iComfort Sleep System!!!!

No compensation was received for this post.  Serta will be sponsoring my visit to their headquarters and I will be receiving an iComfort Sleep System to review and giveaway.

Milk & Cookies will debut on Saturday, March 12th from 1-5 pm at Irvine Spectrum Center.  All of the artwork on display was created by children and will be available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting Seeds Art and Education, Inc. and the JLA Project.  Musical guests Summer Watson and the Hindu Pirates will perform and refreshments of milk and cookies, of course, will be served.

During the event, TOMS will launch their Kids for Kids collection through a Style Your Sole and you will have the opportunity to design your very own pair of TOMS. For every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.

TOMS will also be launching their Kids for Kids collection at the event, through a Style Your Sole, where people will be able to design their own pair of TOMS. As always, with every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.

The Gallery space will be open March 4th, 2011 to March 6th, 2011 from 5pm-8pm and the event will take place on March 12th, 2011 from 1pm – 5pm at the Irvine Spectrum Center.

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter because I’ve *heard* a very special guest from TOMS will be present on Saturday.  I’ll also share with you a special preview time before the doors open to the public on March 12th so stay tuned!

No compensation was received for this post. I was invited to a media preview of the event.