While waiting in the check-out at Target the other day, I heard a woman in another line overly apologizing for something.  As I listened, it became very clear that this woman had nothing to be sorry about.  She had questioned the clerk about the price of an item that rang up full price even though she had picked it up on the clearance rack.  She didn’t put it on the clearance rack and she wasn’t the one that keyed it into the register incorrectly but yet there she stood apologizing to everyone around her. Sound familiar?  Maybe these conversation starters will ring a bell:

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, but …”

“I’m sorry to bother you, but do you have …”

“Sorry to be a pain, but I was wondering if …”

I am guilty of using all of the above but lately, a lot less.  I realized how meek I sounded when I was constantly apologizing for things that I had no need to be sorry for.  Now I only apologize when an apology is due.  For instance, I will say I am sorry to my husband after screaming obscenities at him for being 3 minutes late to dinner. I will apologize to the neighbor who I almost plowed down with my SUV trying to make it to pick-up in time.  But I will no longer apologize for merely existing. Apologize when it’s necessary, mean it and move on.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Okay, I don’t have a problem with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt so much as I do with her parents. The first time I saw her in a 3-piece suit I thought it was a bit strange but still kind of cute.  100 or so little boy outfits later, not so cute. They claim the toddler just likes to wear boy clothes and is expressing her/his personality. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for allowing personal expression.  I have teenage blackmail video of my little guy twirling like a princess in his sister’s Cinderella dress. But here’s the deal, I am also the mom of a headstrong 4-year-old.  I can tell you with the utmost certainty that there is no way in hell she could the difference between girl cargo pants and boy cargo pants. Nor would she be aware or care that her polo shirt has puffy sleeves while her brother’s sleeves are flat.  Someone is calling the shots here and it’s not the toddler.  Mommy is doing the dressing and Mommy is directed the hair dresser. I find this trend creepy and bizarre.  And for the record, I think Brad Pitt is one gigantic puss for letting this continue.

Written by Lea Barlow • 1 Comment

by Alexis Novak

I think my daughter has an unhealthy stroller obsession.  My husband thinks I have an unhealthy stroller obsession. I tried to explain to him the function and necessity for each stroller I have owned but I just sounded plain guilty. What he will never understand is that a solid stroller can make your mom life more mobile which equals freer which equals happier.

This is my motherhood journey as told through my vast stroller collection:

1.  Graco Quattro Tour Travel System- a.k.a., “the mall stroller”. This is where the journey begins for many of us as the big ticket gift at your baby shower. This mid-range price point car-seat-stroller-combo gets you from the hospital, then to the grocery store and pediatrician while you are still in the New Mom Stupor. A few months later, it becomes too bulky to move in and out of your car and you are ready to exercise with something faster.  (Sold mine to a pushy lady from Craigslist who complained there was some dog hair on the wheel though she was getting an insane deal for her prego teenage step-daughter. After that, I never let random Craigslisters over to my house again.)

2.  Jeep Liberty Limited All Terrain 3 Wheel Stroller – This was my birthday gift to myself a few years back.  It has the little wheel toy to entertain the babe and a pivoting front wheel for good maneuverability. When I was ready to move my body again both walking and doing Baby Boot Camp it was the answer. Great value too.

3.  Graco Lite Rider- I considered this lightweight my “umbrella stroller” that I kept in the car. For 50 bucks it served us well and the Graco infant car seat could pop into this one too. It was easy and reliable. Perfect for the Saturday Farmer’s Market. I sold it consignment for 20. I actually miss this one sometimes…

4.  Phil n’ Teds Sport with doubles kit- So my second pregnancy happened a little faster than we were prepared for and I mostly blame the beautiful actor Patrick Wilson who I bumped into in Target’s toy aisle the week I conceived (please refer to his butt in the movie “Little Children”).

Needless to say, we were shopping for a double stroller sooner than we expected and at this point in my short parenting career I had learned that the old adage, “you get what you pay for” has never proven more true than with baby gear.  My pregnant cousin and I researched extensively before committing to this pricey stroller. We agreed that this lime green hottie looked sleek and ready for the road.

You can imagine how excited I was- I was finally going to own the designer stroller I deserved! I interviewed everyone I saw with this stroller and they told me to buy it immediately. But beginning with the wordless assembly manual, the company’s marketing shtick was irritating and a turn off. They were trying too hard to be funny. Meanwhile, I could hardly figure out how to put it together with the picture instructions. Shouldn’t expensive strollers arrive on your doorstep assembled?  When I took it for a spin, the tires wilted right after pumping them and the front wheel locked every use rendering turning problematic.  It only worked going in a very straight line, in the middle of a smooth street. The bike shop guy couldn’t even figure out the tire issue. Everything I needed it to do it stubbornly refused. Despite its sporty good looks, this stroller disappointed me every day. This is the stroller that broke my heart.

5.  20 dollar Target umbrella stroller- My dear friend Sofie was visiting from Sweden and took pity on me trying to lug the kids around the outlet mall without a working stroller.  We tried to assemble this while shopping and almost maimed my toddler. I love the fall butterfly print on this and use it for quick jaunts when I have one child…rarely.

6.  Graco Duo Quattro- This was my two-zee Maclaren substitute that took up my entire SUV trunk. It was an impulse buy on the way out of town so I didn’t test drive it really. It doesn’t collapse easily and the sun shades have to come off to do so. It does get the job done though if you don’t mind heavy lifting.  It weighs more than my toddler.

7.  Maclaren Twin Triumph- Mom of two youngins’ Rach told me for six months to buy this stroller but as a Stay-at-Home-Goddess I am on one of those non-sexy things called a Budget. Then my husband bought new golf clubs, so I bought this stroller. I waited until it was on sale through diapers.com and got it for $225 with free shipping. I haven’t taken it for too many spins yet but love its strong titanium cage and its quick wheel response. It’s a fun ride. The handles are high if you are tall and though it’s a side-by-side, it fits easily through doorways. I am going to treat this one well because it could come in handy for many years to come. Especially traveling. Especially if we are crazy enough to have a third babushka.

8.  BOB Revolution Duallie- Ommmmmm. I finally achieved stroller Nirvana and it comes in the color of the sunset- “Mesa Orange”. Officially, I do not yet possess this gorgeous stroller but my hopes are high for walk/jogging with my neighbor Denise and strolling on over to the park for a swing. I am exchanging the hopeless and dysfunctional Phil and Ted’s for this one. I hope this stroller and I will be sympatico. I pray it doesn’t let me down like many other strollers before it. Because as all experienced moms know- a good stroller is hard to find.

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment

Name: Jennifer Oppelt

Kids: a 5 year old girl, Alchemy Nirvana Oppelt

Occupation: Business Owner – Enliven Wellness Works, Inc. (work place wellness solutions)

Hometown: Born in Tampa, FL, raised in Cape Coral/Ft. Myers FL, but St. Pete is home!

H&H Interview with Jennifer:

1. What are the top 3 items in your grocery cart?

Lots of water, organic mixed salad greens, Applegate Farms Roasted Turkey Breast (lunch meat with no antibiotics or nitrates….a lifesaver quick grab protein)

2. What are you reading (honestly)?

I’m always reading for education & inspiration, never for fun! Right now on rotation are Goals by Brian Tracy, The Zen of Eating by Ronna Kabatznick and a regular reference book for me is Anatomy of the Sprit by Carolyn Myss, oh and the IKEA catalog…that’s for fun!

3. What is your guilty pleasure when you get a break from the kids?

Shopping! Even if I don’t spend money, I find much pleasure in wandering around Target or TJ Max for an hour or more.

4. What would we be surprised to find in your purse?

Probably pretty typical of a working mom…crayons, stevia packets, a compact eco bag, ipod & lock for the gym, plenty of lip gloss, advil, bandaids, snacks.

5. What is your favorite reality TV show?

Biggest Loser…I don’t agree with the approach of such a fast weight loss but I love seeing the transformation that the contestants go through.

6. What is your cocktail of choice?

Red Wine, preferably Cabernet or Malbec

7. What is the funniest thing your kids have said or done lately?

It’s more sweet than funny but Alchemy will come up to me every now and then and say, “Mommy, thank you for making birth of me.”  It melts my heart and I can’t bear to correct her grammar on that one!

8. What is your favorite quotation?

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”  Mahatma Gandhi

9. What are you currently working out to on your iPod?

Completely random! Beastie Boys, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Guns & Roses, The White Stripes, Talking Heads, David Bowie, Prince, Cindy Lauper, Lilly Allen, MIA…just to name a few.

10. Who is your favorite celebrity mom and why?

I don’t really get into celebrities too much but Demi Moore was the first that came to mind. I guess because she seems kind of down to earth, somewhat private about her family but not in a hiding way and she looks great!

11. What is something most people don’t know about you?

I clean like a mad woman just before anyone comes over. My house never looks as good as when I’m expecting company.

12. What is your secret to staying Hot & Healthy?

Organic food, balanced diet, tons of water, regular exercise, going to bed early, having fun with the family, date nights with my hubby and taking “me time” regularly by getting a massage, doing yoga or just wandering aimlessly around Target with no rush or agenda. Yep, I think that covers it!

Written by Lea Barlow • Leave a comment