Site menu:

Home | Baby | Pregnancy | Breastfeeding | Parenting | Books | Mama-Noire | Big Issues | Join|

 

Welcome home! We're glad you're here. MommyToo.com is the largest and best network of sites and blogs specifically created for black mothers and the families you love. You'll find everything here including parenting news and perspectives, product and book reviews as well as giveaways and contests. We hope you stay awhile and even tell all your mom friends about MommyToo.com.

advertisement

Don't Be a Sloshy Mommy + Lauryn Hill, Teething Remedies and Carpooling Tips
Monday, December 31, 2007

Labels: celebs, families, giveaway time, in the news, pregnancy, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, December 31, 2007, , links to this post

Be Creative, Mom
Sunday, December 30, 2007

Start a creative project today. It can be starting the scrapbook pages for all of the Christmas photos you've amassed, crocheting a winter blanket, designing your own jewelry, starting to journal or starting that book you've been meaning to write. Today's your day to be creative. Have fun! Send us your mom tip.

Here's what's brewing on MommyToo.com

• We have an all-new section just for moms who are trying to go green. Be sure to visit our Eco Mamas blog for products we've tried that are better for you, your family and Mother Earth.
  

• Plus, we've been a little creative ourselves today. Visit our online poster. We want to feature moms here who inspire others. Click here to see how you can be featured.

---

---

Labels: families, mom tips, mothers, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Sunday, December 30, 2007, , links to this post

A Sister's Guide to Packing Your Birth Bag
Saturday, December 29, 2007

We hope you're having a great Saturday! Be sure to take some time for yourself today, even if it's a thirty minute shower. And if your kids come knocking on the door wondering why you haven't fixed their breakfast yet, tell them to wait. They won't starve and you deserve some "me" time! Send us your mom tip.

Here's what's fresh on MommyToo.com today.

• If you've got a bun in the oven, make sure you have your birth bag ready to go when the big day comes. Check out our Sister's Guide to Packing Your Birth Bag.

• We usually don't get very heavy on MommyToo.com, but some issues cannot be ignored. 1400 black babies are aborted every day in this country. Is it genocide or no biggie? Share with your sisters.
  

• We are big on breastfeeding here and a recent study says breastfeeding protects children from developing Type 2 diabetes. Do you think that's true or a bunch of breastfeeding bull?

• Are you in the mood to buy books? If you're looking for used, hard-to-find titles, be sure to visit Alibris. Until January 12, you can save $2 on every order.

Labels: families, mom tips, mothers, pregnancy

posted by Jennifer James @ Saturday, December 29, 2007, , links to this post

Preventing Baby Tooth Decay + Fancy Friday
Friday, December 28, 2007

Happy Friday, Moms! We hope you have a great weekend in store. Here's what we've been working on.

Do you live in one of the top ten most literate cities in America? Click to see.

Doctors and dentists have said there is an epidemic of baby bottle tooth decay in this country. See how you can prevent your baby or toddler from getting rotten teeth.

We were excited to see this article written by a breastfeeding mother, but were dismayed to read that she supplemented with formula with syrup added. If a mother has to supplement with formula, that's fine, but adding syrup? We can't go there! Weigh in on adding syrup to baby formula.

Today is {fancy} friday on our pregnancy blog. We scour the Net for the best for your pregnant body. All you have to do is punch in your numbers.

We know you want to look great for the new year, right? Be sure to try Proactive's 30-Day Trial Solution. Sign up right here on MommyToo.com.

DON'T FORGET!
Be the next member of the Mommy Too! Network and meet new moms.
Scroll down to the end of this page and enter into our Lands' End diaper giveaway!

---

---

Labels: children, families, in the news, parenting, pregnancy, sales, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, December 28, 2007, , links to this post

Seven Reasons to Take a Lamaze Class + Making Family Resolutions
Thursday, December 27, 2007

---

---

Labels: children, families, pregnancy, sales, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Thursday, December 27, 2007, , links to this post

Happy Kwanzaa + Real World Wednesday
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

We hope you had a great Christmas. If you are celebrating Kwanzaa tonight -- Happy Kwanzaa!

Here's what's going on at MommyToo.com today.

• Every Wednesday we will be featuring a mom who is blogging about her pregnancy. Check out our very first featured mom in our {real world} wednesday section: Yemi from Don't Eat My Buchela.

• Are you a breastfeeding mom who tries to pump at work? Is your employer supportive? Read how long nursing mothers' breaks are in Dubai; you'll be surprised.

• Do you have a family pet? Dr. Susan Nelson offers tips for taking care of your family pet this winter.

• Walmart.com is having a massive clearance sale. See how low their already low prices have become.
  TOPIC DU JOUR: Will Smith and Hitler
  You may have heard Will Smith is getting harangued on celebrity sites for saying something about Hitler being good in a Scottish newspaper. Who knows what he said; we think Will was misquoted and someone is trying to give him a headache during the holidays. Do you think Will might have slipped up, or do you give him the benefit of the doubt placing all blame on the reporter with a wayward pen?

If you're reading this post via a feed, click here to weigh in on Will Smith.

Labels: families, health, in the news, parenting, pregnancy

posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, December 26, 2007, , links to this post

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Mommy Too! Magazine is closed today in celebration of Christmas. But, we'll be back tomorrow with all new posts and more ways to win great prizes you'll love. Since you're here, be sure to enter to win a Lands' End diaper bag. We're giving away two!

posted by Jennifer James @ Tuesday, December 25, 2007, , links to this post

Monday, December 24, 2007

If you've been looking for couture maternity wear or inexpensive, yet high-quality baby care, we've got that for you this week.

A new year means a new you! Ford Models Gelila and Lisa Perry tell you how to get flawless skin and how to apply eyeliner, mascara and eye shadow on darker skin tones in Health & Beauty.

Books. Books. Books. Here are our latest adult and children's book picks.

Plus, we've got everything you'll need to create a spa retreat at home.

DON'T FORGET

• We're giving away a Lands' End diaper bag -- two of them! All you need to do is leave a comment and you'll be entered.

• Plus, be the next member in the Mommy Too! Network. Sign up today and meet moms. It's FREE!

Labels: children, families, giveaway time, health, parenting, pregnancy

posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, December 24, 2007, , links to this post

Sunday, December 23, 2007



Our editor, Jennifer James, penned a "momologue" about parental discipline for Warner Brothers' new site, Mom Logic. She's a hardliner when it comes to how her daughters behave, especially in public. While she doesn't advocate corporal punishment, she firmly believes more parents need to get a tighter hold of their children's discipline problems and set some boundaries. Mom Logic would love to hear your thoughts and so would we!

Click here to throw in your two cents.

Labels: opinions

posted by Jennifer James @ Sunday, December 23, 2007, , links to this post

Saturday, December 22, 2007

All weekend we'll be featuring maternity wear that flatters your growing belly. Take a look at these three fantastic pieces from MothersWork.

There's nothing better than swaddling your baby. We love this organic swaddling set for girls from giggle.

Even though Christmas is literally right around the corner, there is still one gift you can give your children that will last all year long: a magazine subscription. Check out a few of our children's favorites.

TOPIC DU JOUR
How do you plan to relax during the holidays? Leave a comment below. We'd love to get some suggestions.

Labels: children, families, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Saturday, December 22, 2007, , links to this post

Friday, December 21, 2007

• If you're anything like us you've waited to the last minute to do your Christmas shopping and now it's a little too late to ship holiday presents in time. Not to worry! You can still send flowers. Check out 1-800-Flowers' Last Chance Sale.

• Are you a hip pregnant mommy? If not, we've featured some of the hottest maternity clothes from MothersWork.

• It's hard breastfeeding in public, but not when business establishments are breastfeeding-friendly. Do you know of a business near you that welcomes nursing moms? Share your story.

• New research says overweight children can lose a considerable amount of weight if they simply eat peanuts or peanut butter and fruit. Do you think it could work?

DON'T FORGET!

Meet moms! Join the Mommy Too! Network and be entered automatically to win great prizes!

Remember, we're giving away two Lands' End diaper bags. Click here to enter!

Labels: children, health, in the news, parenting, pregnancy, sales, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, December 21, 2007, , links to this post

Thursday, December 20, 2007

• Mary J. Blige and John Legend weigh in on Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy. See what they say, then tell us what you think.

• Are you throwing a Christmas party over the weekend? Be sure to be on cocktail watch because experts say this is the time of year when alcohol poisoning in young children increases. Here are tips to avoid this from happening to your child.

• Have you heard about the growing number of mothers who are getting plastic surgery to get rid of their mommy bodies? We believe in loving what God have us. Tell us what you think.

• We all know babies and toddlers mimic everything we do as mothers. Check out what researchers have discovered this time.

Meet moms! Join the Mommy Too! Network and be entered automatically to win great prizes!

Remember, we're giving away two Lands' End diaper bags. Click here to enter!

Labels: celebs, children, giveaway time, in the news, parenting, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Thursday, December 20, 2007, , links to this post

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

• Are you pregnant and having morning sickness that is simply unbearable? Check out our feature on all-nature, drug-free Psi Bands that alleviate nausea through pressure points on your wrists. Plus, buy them online for only $14.99.

• Do you want to buy your children something else besides a video game system or a Bratz doll for the holidays? We have a Holiday Book Guide with selections that will delight every child.
  

• Giveaway Time! Want to win a Lands' End diaper bag? It's easy. Just leave us a comment and you'll be entered to win. Giveaway ends on January 5, 2008.

• EToys.com has a great list of online sales this week and we've got them all. Today is the last day to save and get free premium shipping, so hurry!
  

TOPIC DU JOUR
We heard that the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) put together a Dogfighter e-card where you see Michael Vick tied to a ball and chain in a prison yard with guard dogs standing watch. Take a look. Do you think the PETA e-card is in bad taste or do you think it's completely justified? Weigh in on the issue.

Feed Readers: If you are reading this via a feed, click here to chime in.

Labels: giveaway time, in the news, pregnancy, sales

posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, December 19, 2007, , links to this post

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

• Do you agree in bedsharing? Many mothers, especially in traditional, indigneous cultures, believe in bedsharing between infants and mothers. Increasingly American mothers are adopting the practice in their own lives. Bedsharing advocates believe this is a great way to foster a bond between mother and child and medical professionals believe bedsharing is a sure way to increase a baby's SIDS risk. What do you think? Click here to weigh in.

• Did you know that Motherhood Maternity stores offer in-store fitting experts? Click here to read more about how you can get sized to look fabulous with your growing belly.
  
  
• Do you love beautiful sweaters? Who doesn't? Liz Claiborne is running a 50% OFF sale on ALL sweaters. Click here to hop on this spectacular holiday sale.

Season Finale of I Love New York 2
We know you all saw the season finale of I Love New York 2! Were you just as disappointed as we were when New York picked Tailor Made? Or, were you cheering because of her choice? Weigh in the comments.

For Feed Readers: If you are reading this post via a feed, click here to voice your opinion.

Who do you support? Barack or Hillary? Take our poll.

Labels: celebs, families, health, in the news, parenting, women

posted by Jennifer James @ Tuesday, December 18, 2007, , links to this post

Monday, December 17, 2007

Last Thursday we decided to put up an informal poll to see how many black mothers support Hillary Clinton and how many support Barack Obama. The results are in and even though the poll is highly unscientific moms overwhelmingly voted for Barack Obama (92%). Hillary Clinton received one vote at 8%.

We are going to continue running this poll until January 1, 2008 to get more respondents. If you would like to cast your vote, click here.

• Christmas and Kwanzaa are just around the corner (like, next week!) so be sure to find some great last-minute deals on our Mama's Shopping blog.

• Parents around the country are up in arms about cupcakes in school. They believe that cupcakes contribute to childhood obesity. What do you think? Are parents missing the bigger picture. Let's hear your thoughts?
  
  
• Did you know that President Bush's new budget, if passed this week, will drop 500,000 poor mothers and children from the WIC rolls as early as February? We've linked up to an easy form to tell Congress not to pass Bush's budget. Help poor women and children today. Honestly, it takes less than five minutes.
  
  
• We've added a brand new feature on MommyToo.com -- Mommy Too! Approved. If we review a product that we really love, we'll let you know. Check out what we love so far.
  
  
• Be sure to sign up for the Mommy Too! Network, where you can meet moms like you. Plus, be automatically entered to win great prizes!
  

Labels: new on mommytoo.com

posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, December 17, 2007, , links to this post

Who Do Black Women Choose? Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?
Thursday, December 13, 2007

12/14/07 NOTE: We will keep this post up all weekend and will tally the votes on Monday.

Now that they last debate before the primary is over and Oprah has given Obama a huge boost in the polls we want to take an informal poll about who black women support -- Obama or Clinton?

If you are reading this post via a feed, click here to cast your vote.

Labels: politics

posted by Jennifer James @ Thursday, December 13, 2007, , links to this post

Ask the Mama Circle
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Are you faced with a dilemma that needs answers right now? Are you stuck at a crossroads and you need wise advice from other black mothers? Do you have a question about motherhood, your children, your spouse or significant other, or your job and would like to know what other mothers do or have done in your same situation? Well, we're here to help in the Mama Circle.

Send your question -- no matter what it is -- to mamacircle (at) mommytoo (dot) com. We will post your question and mothers will answer you in the Mama Circle.

Please send us your name (first name only) and your city and state along with your question.

Labels: mama circle

posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, December 12, 2007, , links to this post

Holiday Helpers from DociaLynn.com | Accessories for the Holidays
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

It goes without saying that women are extremely busy during the hectic holiday season. Not only do women have to make huge holiday dinners, fight excessive, rowdy crowds, and shop for everything on their friends' and family's wish lists, women must also figure out what to wear to the endless holiday parties they are sure to attend. Looking beautiful during the holidays can seem stressful to some, but in all honesty, it does not have to be that way. In fact, any outfit, even if it is drab and boring, can become instantly stunning by choosing the perfect jewelry. We at Docia Lynn like to make life easier for stressed out, busy women. After all, we understand the pressure to look great during the holidays and every day.

The Little Black Dress
You can never go wrong with a basic black dress during the holiday season. Not only is black slimming, it is also simple, stress-free, and versatile. A black dress is great for swank evening parties as well as afternoon holiday luncheons. Plus, let us not forget: black goes with everything!

Black dresses can be a bit understated if not played up correctly. To accentuate a black dress for the holidays we recommend our Silver-tone Texture Metal Cuff Bracelet and Silver Rhinestone Open Necklace for more casual parties and our Antique Silver Metal Bracelet and 3-Graduated Cubic Zirconia Stones Necklace for more elegant affairs.

Strapless Heaven
Strapless dresses, no matter the color or style, provide the perfect occasion to show off a stunning neckline with a fabulous necklace. Like the little black dress, strapless dresses offer the occasion to be dressed up or down making accessories the obvious center of attraction. We recommend our Silver Balls & Metal Beads necklace and earring set to accentuate a bare neck.

Strapless dresses also offer women the opportunity to forgo wearing necklaces and instead concentrate on their ears with dazzling, eye-catching earrings. We have a collection of earrings that are sure to dazzle any strapless dress like our Clear Silver Swarovski Crystal Chain Earrings, Gold-tone Wired Teardrop Earrings as well as the Antique Copper Metal Beads Chandelier Earrings.

Red Diva
Red dresses are a huge hit during the holidays. They give us the opportunity to wear stunning, red evening gowns where otherwise they would be a bit out of place, say, at our office's annual awards luncheon or our children's PTA meetings. We like red because it is bold, sassy and imaginative and red allows women to be bold and sassy as well, if only for one night. For dazzling red gowns, we recommend our Silver Rhinestone Open Necklace as well as our Silver Balls & Metal Beads necklace and earrings set.

The holiday season, while hectic and fast-paced, is a wonderful time of year to concentrate on ourselves for a change. Use holiday parties and family get-togethers as an easy excuse to treat yourself to a new piece of jewelry that brightens your day every time you wear it, or a trip to a day spa. For everyday wear during the holidays, we recommend treating yourself to our Silver-tone Texture Metal Cuff Bracelet and our 3-Silver-tone Textured Metal Bangles.

Happy Holidays!

Contact us at info (at) mommytoo (dot) com for information about how you too can sponsor a post on MommyToo.com.

Labels: sponsored posts

posted by Jennifer James @ Tuesday, December 11, 2007, , links to this post

Children and the Internet: Crucial Tips for Parents
Monday, December 10, 2007

According to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project released in April 2007, nearly two-thirds of teens with profiles (63%) believe that "a motivated person could eventually identify them from the information they publicly provide on their profiles."

How can we be sure that the information we post on our profiles isn't too revealing? How can we make sure our kids and teens are safe?

Omar Wasow, Internet analyst and co-founder of BlackPlanet.com, outlines these easy steps to ensure online safety.

1. Never post your last name, home address, phone number or social security number on your profile page. These types of personal details can be easily used by someone with bad intentions to identify you or members of your family.

2. Adjust your account settings on social networking sites so only people you know have access to any detailed information on your profile. By doing this, new friends can still send you messages and invite you to join their network, but you retain the power to decide whether or not to share your page with them.

3. Be involved in your child's online life. Take time to talk to your children about the Internet, and the potential risks involved. Spend time surfing the Net with them and make sure they know what to do if someone solicits them online. The Internet is a wonderful place filled with information, potential friends, interesting news facts and entertaining videos; help keep it that way by protecting yourself and your children. The same old fashioned rules that applied to you growing up still work today: children shouldn't ever meet with strangers. Be sure your kids understand that even though they might think they are talking to other kids on the Internet they can never be sure.

4. Stick to reputable companies. A wonderful aspect of the Net is that there are a lot of different social networking sites available to meet different types of people. Whether you're looking for friends your own age, friends with whom you share a common ethnic heritage, or a place to meet people with like hobbies, do a little homework before joining a site. In particular, check with friends to make sure there are safe-guards in place to protect you and your family.

Omar Wasow is the Strategic Advisor to Community Connect Inc., the leading publisher of niche social networking sites.

Labels: children, experts

posted by Jennifer James @ Monday, December 10, 2007, , links to this post

What Stresses Your Teen Out?
Sunday, December 9, 2007

Teen stress is not just about getting good grades and messy breakups anymore. The fast-paced world we live in has given way to a host of new pressures that young people, especially young women, face. This trend can be seen in girls all across the country from small towns to Hollywood. But what are some of the factors that contribute to this new wave of stress and how is it affecting teens' behavior? To answer these questions, BAN(R) antiperspirant/deodorant partnered with Seventeen.com to host an online poll of young women across the country. Here are some of the results:

-- 21% of young girls said they turn to comfort food after they have a bad
day
-- 11% said they eat junk food like ice cream after a stressful event like
failing a biology test
-- 44% said their personality leans towards "up and down" depending upon
their mood
-- Nearly one-Fifth of respondents said they would be voted "most likely
to stress out" by their classmates
-- 37% described themselves as emotional eaters, saying they always want
to eat when they're happy or that eating is the only thing that gets
them over the blues
-- 12% said that the best time for indulging in alcohol or junk food like
pizza is as a way to "cheer up"


In order to gain further insight into the findings of the survey, BAN(R) enlisted the help of Dr. Michelle Pearlman, a clinical psychologist with her own private practice in New York City. Through her work with children, adolescents and their parents, Dr. Pearlman has studied some of the factors that contribute to adolescent stress.
1. The Internet - The rise of websites like Myspace and Facebook have
given young people less time to themselves, as they are constantly
connected to their friends and peers. While these websites can be
beneficial and affect teens' relationships with one another in a
positive way, they can also lead to more opportunities for gossip and
rumors to spread.

2. The Quest for Perfection - When Britney Spears recently appeared on MTV
her weight was criticized all over television and on the internet. The
onslaught of messages like these can contribute to lower self-esteem
and stress about one's physical appearance.

3. Overscheduling - With the increased pressures of getting into college,
teens today have more pressure than ever before to not only maintain
good grades but have a host of extracurricular activities to put on
their college applications. Teens need time to relax and unwind perhaps
just as adults do.

"Girls handle their emotions differently than boys and, as a result, are twice as likely as boys to suffer from depression," says Dr. Pearlman. "Too much stress is a factor that often leads to feelings of depression so it is very important for teens to try to manage stress and for parents to be involved too." When it comes to managing stress, Dr. Pearlman recommends that teens do things such as:
-- pay attention to situations that trigger feelings of stress and then
use relaxation strategies (such as deep breathing and visualization) to
keep those feelings under control
-- Decrease negative self-statements and increase positive self-statements
-- Take breaks by talking to friends, exercising, listening to music, etc.
-- Ask for support or help if they need it

Dr. Pearlman recommends that parents do all they can to prevent stress from getting out of control. For example, she recommends that parents:
-- Monitor the time their children spend online
-- Ask to see their children's Myspace and Facebook pages
-- Talk and, most importantly, listen to what teens have to say about
their day to day lives
-- Make everyone sit down and have dinner as a family so they can find out
about their teens' lives
-- Use young celebrities as examples to talk to teens about things like
drug abuse, weight loss and gain and sex
Source: BAN(R)

Labels: in the news, parenting

posted by Jennifer James @ Sunday, December 09, 2007, , links to this post

Oprah and Obama -- Today in Iowa, Tomorrow in South Carolina
Saturday, December 8, 2007

If you happened to miss the coverage of Oprah campaigning for Obama, there is a great article about it on CNN.com that will catch you up. We're linking to CNN today because while the rally was going on CNN was the only cable news channel that showed the vast majority of Oprah's speech. And, of course, CSPAN carried the entire rally live.

Tomorrow, Oprah, Barack and Michelle Obama will be in South Carolina. The great 90's group, Arrested Development will also be there. Remember, Mr. Wendell and Tennessee. Yeah, that Arrested Development. We wish we could be there. It's going to be an event not to be missed!

From Our NewsRoom

Labels: in the news, politics

posted by Jennifer James @ Saturday, December 08, 2007, , links to this post

Eco-Fashion: Rockin' the Bamboo
Friday, December 7, 2007

Newswise --Shopping for "green fashion" can challenge even an expert in textiles and clothing, as University of Maryland American studies professor Jo Paoletti is discovering this holiday season. She's accepted an unusual shopping mission for her recently-married daughter: find a stylish, environmentally-friendly, dressy outfit suitable for holiday parties.

"I've started reading clothing tags the same way I read food labels," says Paoletti, who has studied fashion for more than 25 years. "Reading a garment label is not so simple anymore. You almost need to bring a dictionary or an Internet connection because there are all sorts of new, unfamiliar names and fibers on the market designed to appeal to environmentally-conscious shoppers. Eventually, we'll have to learn about them the way we've learned about Trans Fats."

Paoletti has offered to buy the new clothes because her daughter's t-shirts, jeans and hoodies won't cut it for upcoming holiday events. She also accepted her daughter's "green" requirement as an experiment in sustainable style.

"She composts her kitchen trash, uses a push mower and buys local produce," Paoletti says. "Her like-minded husband is a newly-minted government attorney. They had a pared-down wedding and as green a reception as we could manage. She's not about to head to the mall to get a trendy 'seasonal' outfit."

Part of the challenge is to find clothes made from renewable resources rather than petroleum-based synthetics, Paoletti says. Some manufacturers are offering an array of new fibers made from things like corn, soybeans and bamboo, and marketing them as part of a more sustainable lifestyle.

Paoletti's daughter also requested recycled, reused or repurposed clothing and items that can have multiple uses. Also, the clothes had to be comfortable and stylish.

"I've searched the Internet and catalogs, looked in thrift shops and even gone to sporting goods stores in search of bamboo,” Paoletti says. "My daughter will be ready for her holiday parties, but it's definitely not easy shopping green."

Paoletti predicts this kind of shopping will become more common in the future as a result of climate change. Some of these new fabrics will become more widespread, and older, more traditional fibers may regain some lost popularity.

Climate change concerns could also affect the frequency of buying new clothes and the size of wardrobes. We might also see fewer fashion cycles. "In effect, that's what happened this year." Paoletti says. "With a warm fall, winter fashions didn't sell at a brisk pace, and retailers are trying to move them right now."

To keep warm in the winter, some old trends also may regain popularity. For example, Paoletti says a hundred years ago, people mainly added under-garments for warmth in winter. "Women wore the same dresses all year-round, but their underwear got warmer or cooler depending on the seasons," she adds. "This required a smaller wardrobe and simplified laundering. I'm not saying petticoats are coming back, but climate change may force us to rethink how we dress."

Photo opportunities: The University of Maryland maintains a 3,000-item collection of old and historic fashions, some current items, as well as fashion-related photographs.

We Recommend: www.Bamboosa.com.
Pictured Above: 100% Bamboo Fine Jersey Long Sleeve V-Neck

Labels: in the news, must-haves

posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, December 07, 2007, , links to this post

You Have Got to Be Kidding Me! Why Show the Omaha Shooter?

Why would the Omaha, Nebraska Police Department release this surveillance photo of the mall murderer? Do you remember when the Virginia Tech killer, Seung Hui Cho, sent his sadistic tapes, etc to NBC News and everyone was up in arms because airing his writings and videos would give him the glory he so desperately craved?

Now I ask you: What does airing these photos do? That's right! It's gives Robert Hawkins posthumous glory. He looks like some video game hero for goodness sakes. Apparently the Omaha Police Department has no clue that showing this photograph is only going to spawn even more copycat shooters. How dense can they be? The American public did not need to see these photos. They do not serve society one bit and only hurt the families of those who were murdered.

Labels: in the news

posted by Jennifer James @ Friday, December 07, 2007, , links to this post

The Daughters of Destiny
Thursday, December 6, 2007

One of our favorite mom bloggers's husband has put together a spectacular family blog, The Daughters of Destiny, filled with family pictures and joyous memories of their journey together as a tight-knit, loving family.

With four beautiful daughters as his subjects, Langston Richardson creates stunning photo montages of his girls and his wife, Alyson, whom he lovingly adores.

We love the online family tree Langston put together. To us, it's actually an urgent reminder that we really need to compile all the information to put together a family tree, too.

Langston has also created a 2008 wall calendar with gorgeous photographs of their daughters. It's on sale at Zazzle for $15.96.

The Daughters of Destiny blog is definitely one that needs to be bookmarked. Be sure to visit if you need a smile or simply want to see a beautiful black family who is sharing their light and love with all of us.

Labels: must-see

posted by Jennifer James @ Thursday, December 06, 2007, , links to this post

The "Oprama" Factor
Wednesday, December 5, 2007

There is no question that I am a huge supporter of Barack Obama and I definitely love Oprah, so the fact that Oprah is campaigning for Obama makes me extremely happy. Many wonder if Oprah can do for Obama what she has for the book industry and I have to shout a resounding "yes"!

Millions of people are huge supporters of Oprah; they trust her judgment and appreciate her candidness. There is no reason potential voters, especially women, wouldn't listen to her when she endorses Obama in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire. In my opinion, Oprah will be the needed factor that will help Obama appeal to both more women and more blacks. I, for one, hope Oprah can help Obama gain more black female voters and truly catapult him over Clinton in the polls. Polls say now that Clinton has most black women's votes tied up, but the campaigning isn't over.

What do you think? Do you think Oprah can help Obama's campaign? Or, do you think her celebrity status can, in some way, tarnish everything he is working for and scare away voters, especially black women?

On the Net: Black Moms for Obama

Photo Credit (Reuters.com)

Labels: politics

posted by Jennifer James @ Wednesday, December 05, 2007, , links to this post

Giveaway Time: Win the MetroWrap from Metromamma
Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Leave us a comment and we'll use a random number generator to pick a winner. Giveaway ends December 15 at midnight.

Labels: