Elefun: Great Gift for Kids

I've been going to alot of toddler birthday parties lately and I've been getting everyone the same gift and it's always been a hit. Elefun is a great gift for toddlers or to buy your children. The idea is real simple, but when the kids play it, they have a blast.

Elefun is a motorized elephant with a detachable trunk. It blows little butterflies out of it's trunk and the kids try to catch them with their butterfly catchers. The first time you set it up, you'll hear squealing with delight and "again, again!" If your child is about 3, they might be able to actually catch some of the butterflies, but if they can't, they will still have just as much fun.

It's also good practice for them cleaning up because in order to play again they will have to pick up all the butterflies and put them back in the trunk. My son loves this game and always says he wants to get it for his friends (along with Lightening McQueen).

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Lindsay Brin's Complete Pregnancy Fitness Program: A Must Have for Pregnancy!

Lindsay Brin's Complete Pregnancy Fitness Program is a workout DVD series that is comprised of 4 DVDs relevant to what trimester you are in: 1st Trimester, 2nd Trimester, 3rd Trimester and Boot Camp (for afterward). I've been using it lately and have been impressed. Lindsay knows alot about prenatal fitness issues and helps you through a fitness program while you are adjusting to a changing body. And if this is the first time you are pregnant, she warns you a little about how things are going to change as things are prolonging.

The workouts have a little bit of cardio, but mostly strength training and yoga, which is perfect for pregnancy. All workouts are designed to prepare your body for everyday support and for a faster and easier delivery. Increasing your energy and avoiding extra weight gain during pregnancy are important, and a good targeted prenatal workout will help you accomplish that.

About Lindsay: Lindsay Brin just had a baby of her own. A miracle baby...so she's been through the ringer and knows what she's talking about. She's also a C.P.T. & B.S.E., is a fitness and nutrition expert, and a former NFL cheerleader. For nearly fifteen years, she’s been helping women achieve healthier bodies and minds.

If you would like to see more of Lindsay, she also contributes to Bookieboo on a regular basis or can be reached at Moms in Fitness.

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Sharkys Mexican Grill--Power Plate: Delicious, Filling & Health Conscious

Anytime I need to get something quick for dinner, but don't want to eat greasy unhealthy food, I go to Sharky's Mexican Grill. Sharky's is a take-out or sit down fresh Mex grill based in California. They also have one location in Washington, but they are growing quickly because of their belief in quality organic ingredients.

I go for the 1/2 power plate with chicken, broccoli & brown rice. There's enough food for two meals, so I always end up sharing with my son or refrigerating for later. The chicken is tasty, and the brown rice is never dry. Ordering this plate at Sharky's is a great way to watch what you eat without sacrificing taste. My husband loves the soft chicken tacos with mesquite salsa & cilantro.

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Coldwater Creek Spa: Posh, Affordable & Worth-It

Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't deal anymore? I'm 7 months pregnant and have been cooped up with my sick & cranky toddler for three days. I called my mom today and begged her to come play with my son. She did better than that, she brought food for dinner, Coldwater Creek gift certificates and a happy cheerful smile. She said, "why don't you go get a massage and pedicure?" Oh, the thought never occurred to me...you mean something for me? I'm too busy thinking about everyone else, but I was open to it today. I love my mom!

The Coldwater Creek Spa in Simi Valley had an opening for the afternoon and I scheduled a "pregnancy massage" and "essential pedicure." OMG! From the time I got there to the time I left I was relaxed, comfortable, and treated like a queen. The atmosphere was very posh and rejuvenating. I changed into a robe and slippers, was treated to a foot soak, tea and warm neck pad while I was waiting in the relaxation room. I'm giving props to Debra, my masseuse, for the most awesome massage of my life. It included those black stones, a full body massage on all my pressure points during pregnancy and a foot massage. It lasted for about an hour and I was so happy afterward. Then came my essential pedicure with Lisa...more props! They put me in this relaxation chair and give me aroma treatments, a foot rub with lotions and scrubbing concoctions, a neck wrap and herbal pads to block out the light. I have to admit I was so relaxed that I fell asleep for about 10 minutes in the middle of it. That is very unlikely of me because I'm the kind of person who has trouble relaxing because my mind is so active with thoughts and ideas.

Basically, I'm telling you that if you can treat yourself to something like this, do it! I came back to a screaming toddler who was very tired and didn't get enough sleep during his nap and was totally okay with it. I can handle anything today....I've been reborn! Thanks Coldwater Creek Spa!

Coldwater Creek Spas are only at nine locations throughout the US in CA, CO, FL, IL, OR or TX. Here are the locations listed below:

Montgomery Village--Santa Rosa, CA
Otay Ranch Town Center--Chula Vista, CA
Simi Valley Town Center--Simi Valley, CA
Belmar--Lakewood, CO
The Shops at Pembroke Gardens--Pembroke Pines, FL
Main Street Promenade--Naperville, IL
Bridgeport Village--Tigard, OR
Southlake Town Square--Southlake, TX
The Shops at Highland Village--Highland Village, TX

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Paci Pockets: Shortening the Mad Pacifier Search

When my son was born he had a pacifier in his mouth till he wasabout 6 months old. It was a lifesaver. The doctor told us that every infant has a programmed amount of sucks they need to get out and mine had plenty. By the time he was 6 months old, he didn’t need it anymore. But I remember times when I lost pacifiers and had to quickly search my diaper bag, finding them at the bottom covered in lint and God only knows what else.

I received a Paci Pocket from Cry Babyz Boutique the other day and thought this is the solution to my problem. No more dirty pacifiers at the bottom of my diaper bag and racing to find the pacifier while my son is screaming. The Paci Pocket is a specialty pocket that holds the pacifier and attaches to the diaper bag. They come in several different fabric, are reversible, machine washable, and very hip.

Now that I’m on to my second, I’m not so much worried about the germs as I am about being able to find the pacifier quickly. This product is going to be really helpful, so I’m recommending it to Bookieboo moms. I was going to farm this product out to a
girlfriend and see what she thought of it, but after looking at it, I’m keeping it for myself. My son will be born soon and I’m going to need it!

If you are interested in learning more about the Paci Pocket, you can go to Cry Babyz Boutique and check out their products.

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Stroller Strides: Challenging Mom-Friendly Workouts

Stroller Strides is a mom-friendly stroller based workout program, where several moms get together, sometimes daily, to workout with their children. Strollers are used for jogging, power walking, strength training and balance while the children are in tow. The program revolves around mothers and their children, regardless of how many you have. The instructors have a unique understanding of the demanding environment mothers must face everyday when raising young children. And because fitness relieves stress and makes us all better mothers, Stroller Strides is a perfect solution to a unique problem.

I spent a month with a local chapter in Thousand Oaks, CA to do this review. From the very beginning, I was impressed. There were three things that I was looking for when reviewing Stroller Strides: (1) Would the group atmosphere be stimulating enough for my super active son, (2) would the moms be understanding of crying, whining and frequent stops and (3) is the workout challenging enough to encourage muscle growth and weight loss. After spending that month with a group of awesome moms, the answers to my question was yes to all three!

Stroller Strides is not only child-friendly and interactive, but it is challenging and really gets you sweating and working hard. The moms and instructors are all wonderful and understanding of whining, crying, several child requests during the workout, etc. The most wonderful thing about it is you are not alone in your struggle with fitness and you don’t have to put your children in a nursery while you sweat it out.

If you are a new mom or a mom finding it hard to put your child in daycare at a gym, I would recommend joining a local Stroller Strides chapter. Check out their site and see if one is located close to you.

Oh, and one last thing, I want to send a thanks out to Kristina Millar, my instructor in Thousand Oaks, and Lisa Druxman, the Chief Mom of Operations of Stroller Strides, for the opportunity to review Stroller Strides and putting up with me.

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Book Review: We Are Girls Who Love to Run by Brianna Grant: A Love of Running

The book I just did a review on is called We Are Girls Who Love To Run. This book demonstrates how young girls can grow, learn and benefit from a lifestyle of fitness. Running makes them freer, more confident, well-adjusted, and satisfied with their bodies and situations. This book is a great message to send to young girls while they are bombarded with pop culture images that tell them they must look a certain way.

We Are Girls Who Love to Run is a great book for any young girl, especially girls who excel in athleticism or need to be encouraged to be more active.

You can find We Are Girls Who Love to Run by Brianna Grant at Balanced Steps.

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Preggers n' Proud: Sportin' the Buddah in Style

So now that I’m pregnant, and showing quite early, I was having trouble fitting into my tight shirts….well, at least they seem really tight now. It was kind of embarrassing. My old maternity clothes are for a size 18-20, not a size 8-10, so I was having a bit of a wardrobe problem. I hate the in-between pregnancy look when it looks like you’ve had too many Ho Hos. I feel like writing “I’m pregnant, not fat!” on my belly for people to read.

Preggers’n Proud asked me to do a review on one of their shirts and I jumped at the chance. And I got exactly what I wanted, a really cool tank top that said “with child.” If that’s not obvious enough, I don’t know what is. But what I like the most about Preggers N’ Proud is the style. All of their designs are awesome, unique and very hip. I wouldn’t be embarrassed sporting any of their products around town.

Tank tops are a must have for the pregnant mama in the summertime. It gets hot here in Southern California, but I don’t have to deal with humidity like a lot of you do. Preggers N’ Proud has a great selection of tank tops for the sexy pregnant mama. Whether you are schlepping the kids around to activities or taking a yoga class, Preggers N’ Proud will have something comfortable and stylish.

Also, Preggers N’ Proud is offering our members a 25% discount by using code “bookieboo.”

So take a trip to Preggers n' Proud, pick up a couple of tank tops, and let me know what you think.

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Baby Posh: Adorable Bling For Your Little Girl

If you have a little girl and love to dress her up like a princess, then Baby Posh is a boutique you will enjoy browsing. When I first checked out the products in this site, I was dreaming of the future when I would have a little girl. Everything was so cute! Can you say bling? They have bling on products for both baby and mom, and if you like pink, you can find that in every variety as well. I really love the pink baby bling sunglasses. If you go to the site, you can see those on the front page.

My little neice, Taylor (well, actually I’ve been corrected…she’s my first cousin, once removed…but I call her my neice) received an adorable tank top for her July 4th festivities. It’s a black tank top with white ribbons instead of sleeves and the American flag in bling. It’s so adorable! She loves it and will be wearing it for
July 4th.

Baby Posh is a great boutique for Bookieboo moms who want trendy and adorable clothing and accessories for their little princess. They have bling galore! But don’t forget mom, Baby Posh has several type of accessories for mom as well. And if you are a mom who likes bling, check it out!

Oh, and one more thing, Baby Posh is offering Bookieboo moms a 10% discount on their products if you use “FIT08” at checkout.

So make sure to check out Baby Posh. If you end up purchasing anything, let me know what you think.

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Be Present: Hip & Comfortable Workout/Play Clothes for Mom

Now that I’m pregnant and in between clothes, I was so happy to get a package from Be Present yoga attire. Be Present is a clothing line sold in yoga studios for a yoga fit lifestyle and are perfect for moms on the go. I got their Bamboo Intention Pant in black and red Rib Tank that says “trust your instincts.” They were sooooo comfortable and very stylish. Even though they are athletic-type attire, I felt comfortable going outside the house shopping and to a play date with my girlfriend. But what I really want to say is this clothing line is not just suited to yoga, I was very comfortable doing my Taebo workout and some Pilates & strength training.

Another great thing about this clothing line is what it represents. Each color and symbol has meaning:

“At the core of be present are the seven chakras. Symbolizing energy centers in the body, each chakra is associated with a color and a symbol. Chakras are essential to the clothing line - which consists of shirts, pants, camisoles and matching chakra panties. The colors for the line are inspired by the colors of the chakras. Need more grounding? Red is root chakra, attributed to stability and inner strength. Want to feel sexy? Orange is sacral chakra, associated with being sensual. Big day ahead of you? Yellow is solar plexus chakra, associated with energy and increased confidence. Need a hug? Green is heart chakra, associated with compassion and unconditional love. Feeling shy? Blue is throat chakra, associated with increased communication and creativity. Want to be psychic? Indigo is third eye chakra, associated with the unconscious self. Need wisdom? Purple is crown chakra, associated with wisdom and the
spiritual world.”

So if you are looking for comfortable and hip workout/play clothes, check out Be Present. If you purchase anything, let me know what you think.

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Fit & Healthy Prenatal Workouts by Gabrielle Reece--A Must Have!

Ever since I’ve been pregnant, I’ve found myself completely exhausted and with about 1/3 less energy than I’m used to having. My workouts have been really tough too, so I’ve had to dull it down a bit. But in pregnancy, that’s all normal. So what I’ve found myself doing instead is looking to some resources that are especially made for
pregnant women, like Fit & Healthy Prenatal Workouts by Gabrielle Reece.

Fit & Healthy Prenatal Workouts are all about strength training and stretching your muscles, not cardio, which is exactly what my nauseated body needs. It’s comprised of six 15-minute workouts broken down by pregnancy month, along with appropriate
warm-ups and cool-downs for your trimester. Her workouts will support you up to month six. And because the workouts are so quick, only 15 minutes each, you will find time to do them.

Fit & Healthy Prenatal Workouts are designed to strengthen the muscles you will need to support your body in childbirth and carrying around that extra weight. They follow the guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, so you will be safe while working out.

After using her 2nd month workouts, I feel great. Plus, I get the added bonus of getting to see Gabrielle sweat right along with me. I’d recommend this workout for anyone pregnant and having problems jumping around doing cardio. Also, strength training is essential for supporting any fitness regime, so check out Fit & Healthy Prenatal Workouts by Gabrielle Reece.

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Burning at Both Ends: Neat Charms Adding a Bit of Style to Your Life

I didn’t realize there were so many things I could add accessories to. I’ve always been somewhat of a tomboy, but when I see the charms from Burning at Both Ends, I finally get it. They’ve got so many cool things! Maggie, from Burning at Both Ends, sent me a care package full of charms with a workout theme. They were so cute! I got hair charms, wrist charms, book charms, ankle charms, cell phone charms, water bottle charms, zipper charms, and pin charms. The charms had a workout theme, so there was a yoga girl, tennis girl, karate figure, a scale, measuring tape, water bottle, cross country exercise figure, a runner, a weight lifter, a 1000 lbs. weight, a soccer mom, and charms that said peace and harmony. That list isn’t extensive of their collection at all. They’ve numerous more items and themes for sale. This was just a sample of one collection theme. There are sixty other themes and you can check them out here, including cats, Americana, hearts, baby, wedding and Pacific Northwest.

The Zipper charm is my favorite and their most popular item. It’s a very simple charm that connects to the opening of your zipper and just hangs there giving you a bit of something no one else will have. The bottle charms were also fun. They just hang on your water bottle, and trust me no one else will have these at the gym. I also liked the hair charms. It’s a simple charm that is attached to a hair band and makes your ponytail a little more stylish.

Burning at Both Ends is offering a 20% discount to Bookieboo Members. You can redeem this discount by using “bookieboo20%” at checkout. So go check out Burning at Both Ends, if you get anything, let Maggie know I said hi and then let me know what you think of their products.

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My Hip-T: Saving Your Ass-ets from Embarrassment

Okay, I love the low rise jeans because I actually have a nice stomach and small waist, but what I don’t love about them is what happens when I decide to sit. Here comes the plumbers crack! This happens to me frequently because I only have low rise jeans since I’ve lost so much weight. So yes, when I go to my son’s toddler classes, guess what the other moms get to see that they didn’t pay for? My ass! And when I go out with my in-laws to a restaurant and the chair has an open back, guess what the rest of the restaurant gets to see that they didn’t order? Yes, again my g-string or plumbers crack! So this has been a big problem that I didn’t have a solution for.

Now when I first saw the Hip-T website I was floored with the idea. I thought it was so cool! Now that I’ve had the opportunity to try one out, I’ve been sold. Hip-T is the bomb! You put them on and you don’t have to worry about pulling up your pants before you sit or kneel. The fabric covers everything you want to hide from the public, no problem. And the layered t-shirt look is still in, so it looks like you are wearing one. Can I tell you, I love these, I love these, I love these! Trust me they are worth checking out!

Now I’m sure some creepy guys out there are going to be upset because they can’t play peek-a-boo with your assets, but I think we are all a lot better off.

Check out My Hip-T and let me know what you think. If you purchase anything, make sure to leave a comment.

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Trendy Tadpole: Unique & Trendy T-shirts & Onsies

If you are the kind of mom who likes your children dressed in sassy attire that attracts attention and double takes from people, then Trendy Tadpole is your boutique. Trendy Tadpole has unique products that will definitely get some attention. From hip and trendy to unique and interesting, Trendy Tadpole will have something in the store that you will like.

For this review, I decided to let my girlfriend Christina choose which shirt she wanted to put Baby Morgan in. She choose a design that best describes her own personality—-the peacemaker. This is Baby Morgan in the “all you need is love” shirt. Ohhhh, how adorable!

If you are more of a sassy mom, there are shirts that say “these aren’t the parents I ordered” and “I’m gonna need therapy.” There’s also a cute one that has a flying pirate flag saying “all hands on the poop deck.” Since my toddler isn’t potty trained yet, I defiantly understood that one.

Trendy Tadpole is a great boutique for Bookieboo moms who want trendy and unique shirts for their children. Check out their t-shirts and let me know what you think. Julie Pruit is the owner. Make sure to tell her I said hi!

Oh, and one more thing, Trendy Tadpole is offering Bookieboo moms a 30% discount on their products if you use “30off” at checkout.

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Moon & Back Studios: Retro & Unique Personalized Stationary, Thank You Notes, Birth Annoucements & Calendars

There are so many stationary type boutiques out there. It’s often a blur when I go searching for thank you notes or birthday invitations. It’s been years since I’ve been in birth announcement hell. You know what I’m talking about, trying to get those birth announcements out while you have a baby crying and you feeling like a walking zombie. All I could think of was coffee, but of course when you are breastfeeding you are limited with everything! Birth announcements are not something I look forward to, but for some reason, Moon and Back Studios puts a smile on my face when I see their products. If you have to do it, which everyone does, why not do it with the utmost style and attitude. Hey, your baby is only born once!

If you like to stand out in a crowd, then Moon and Back Studios can offer you some retro and unique paper goods. They’ve got thank you notes, stationary, calendars, birth announcements, birthday invitations, etc. I got the chance to see a customized birth announcement and some of their thank you notes. I was impressed. They were adorable.

The birth announcement was made from nice thick glossy photo paper with a very boyish and appealing design. It was two-sided, so there was room for two pictures. One of the baby and one of his feet on the back. I’m sure you could very easily have a family picture on the back of one you design. You can see a copy of the thank you note I got to see. It was very unique and eye catching. It would leave a favorable impression with pretty much anyone I know.

So go to Moon and Back Studios and check out their products. If you get anything, let me know what you think.

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Pangea Organics: French Chamomile & Orange Blossom Facial Cream AND Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Facial Cleanser--Organic & Orgasmic

As an educated consumer, I’m always searching around for all natural facial products that don’t feel greasy on my skin. There are a lot of natural products that have a greasy feel and with combination skin, it’s not attractive or only something you can wear at night. There are not so many that sink in just right. If you feel the way I do, let me introduce you to Pangea Organics. I tried out their Egyptian Calendula & Blood Orange Facial Cleanser and French Chamomile & Orange Blossom Facial Cream. They were awesome!

The facial cleanser looked like a cream, but worked wonderfully on my face. Then the facial cream hydrated my face just right. Then Ihad a nice feeling on my face all day, so I was extremely happy with the products. I barely wore make-up that day and felt just fine.

Pangea Organics products are made only from plant based ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about chemicals on your face. Everything is clean and beautiful and in a natural form. And the box is one of the coolest parts. The packaging has organic seeds in it. You can flatten it, run it under some water, and plant it in the backyard and it will sprout sweet basil and other herbs. What a great little project you can do with your kids. I thought that was so neat.

Click here to check out their page. You should get a set today and let me know what you think.

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Baby Banz Sunglasses & Wide Brimmed Hat Combo: Way Cool

Baby Banz has great quality sunglasses and hats! Little Bookie is a very fair skinned boy with red hair, so I’m always very conscious of the sun living in Southern California. We only bother with the best sun protection products, and I think we’ve found a winner!

If you have a boy, they have these real cute hunter green army print sunglasses with a matching wide brimmed hat that will make any dad proud. The sunglasses have an adjustable band instead of rims, which make keeping them on very easy. (That was always a problem of ours, little Bookie runs around so much that his sunglasses would never stay on. We didn’t have that problem with Baby Banz.) If you buy thesunglass/hat combo, the hat matches perfectly and is so big that it covers his neck and face completely without impeding vision.


We went to The Lakes in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday to try out these new sunglasses and hat. It's a great place to take kids, but there isn't alot of shade. His new
sunglasses and hat were so cute that his friend Thatcher stole them for a couple of minutes to take a picture. This is Thatcher (Bookie’s little buddy) and his mom, Anne.

Baby Banz offers a great array of sun protection products. Not only do they sell their famous “baby banz” sunglasses, but they also offer swimsuits with up to 50+ UPF protection, sunscreen lotion for children, wide brimmed and flap hats, special ski banz for sun protection while in snow, and special UV protected socks.

I highly recommend Baby Banz products. Try them out and let me know what you think.

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Mugwaz--An Awesome Craft Project for Girls

Mugwaz craft products are an excellent activity for little girls! My niece Ashley was the guinea pig for this review and she has become a major Mugwaz fan!


She received the flip flop and purse kit in the mail, along with a Mugwaz t-shirt. (She’s in love with the t-shirt and wears it as much as possible.) As for the kits, the flip flop kit was her favorite. Being able to design her own flip flops made her feel like a clothing designer.


As a 5 year-old, she was a little too young for the purse kit, but still loved it after it was done. I would recommend the purse kit for a girl between the ages of 6-12 years old.


Mugwaz has many products for girls: flip flops, purses, belts, necklaces, bracelets, hair clips and t-shirts. All items are craft activities girls go giddy over. They also offer party packs, so if you are having a birthday party soon, these will be a hit!


So take my advice and check out their site! Let me know how it goes!

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Year One: Your Baby, Your Doctor & You DVD--Very Useful & Great Gift Idea for New Parents

I really wish I had this video when my son was first born. It answers so many questions that I had, but never thought to ask. Dr. Rachel Esmond, a very warm and friendly pediatrician, goes through all
aspects of a child’s development up to 12 months. It includes every checkup your baby should have and the developmental milestones they should reach at each month. It also includes some bonus features on
how to choose a pediatrician and infant & toddler safety that proves real useful.

I would recommend this to DVD to anyone who is about to have a babyor who has a child under one year.


Click here for more information about this video.

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