guest post Archives

Secret Santa Gift Ideas for Colleagues

December 9, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

It’s that time of year again, you pulled a name out of the Secret Santa hat and now it’s time to embarrass them in front of the entire office (not in a spiteful way obviously, it’s all in the name of banter). There aren’t many people who take Secret Santa seriously, it’s a laugh, and it always gets office banter flowing at the office Christmas party. People either love it or hate it, but if you have a good sense of humor it can be great fun and create bundles of laughter and jokes that will last throughout the year. If you’re struggling for ideas on what to buy which can be certain to embarrass your colleague, here are a few ideas that may help you for inspiration:

Embarrassing Photo Mug
Get hold of an embarrassing picture of them and get it printed on a mug so EVERY cup of tea or coffee they have at the office this embarrassing picture will be on display. They won’t be able to get away with not using it as the whole office will know about it and it will quite obviously be theirs! If they don’t use it, they’ll get more banter for being a spoilsport. You can make your own mug at Zippi and many other online sites.

Insults and Comebacks Book
If your colleague is forever giving rubbish comebacks in the office, this book is the ultimate Secret Santa gift for them, which is sure to give everyone a good laugh. You could write on the gift tag that ‘you thought he/she could do with some help in this area’. The book is even pocket sized so they can quickly whip it out their pocket when they can’t think of a good comeback!

Vitapens
Perfect for the lazy colleague that’s allergic to work, vitapens are a useful yet quirky gift. The vitapens are shaped like capsules and will help your colleague to highlight a problem in a piece of paperwork. They are also great for those who are constantly poorly or always suffering from a hangover.

Grow Your Own Girlfriend/Boyfriend
If you get the singleton of the office for secret Santa, this gift idea is ideal, just ensure they can take the banter and you don’t actually offend them. The girlfriend or boyfriend toy is 6cm and can expand up to 600% when placed in room temperature water. It shrinks slowly back to its original size when taken out of water. The best thing is the toys don’t argue, complain, snore and always shuts up!

Nothing
Did you get the person in the office that constantly goes on about having everything? All the latest gadgets and gizmos, wears all the latest trends and you’re sick of hearing about it? Then this ‘nothing’ gift is the perfect gift for them. The gift is filled with absolutely nothing (except atoms and other scientific things that make up air).

How To Get A Healthy Gut: The Benefits of A Probiotic

October 8, 2014 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Did you ever wonder, “Do I need a probiotic”?

Probiotics have long been touted as a natural way to maintain digestive health (also known as healthy gut), regulate digestion & absorption, produce a healthy colon, and create an overall state of bodily well-being.

First, let’s briefly discuss what probiotics are.

Probiotics are microorganisms — good bacteria or yeast — that help aid in the digestive process. It helps maintain the balance in our GI tract and it reduces the growth of harmful bacteria.

According to the American Gastroenterological Association, probiotics are generally safe, but since they are a supplement, probiotics are not FDA regulated.

In addition to the benefits listed earlier, one of the strongest reasons that support the use of probiotics is its aid in relieving infectious diarrhea or diarrhea associated with the use of anti-biotics.

Recent studies by the Journal of the American Medical Association, illustrate that probiotics have in fact reduced the risk of diarrhea associated with anti-biotic use by nearly 45%.

According to The Harvard Medical School, probiotic therapy may also help people with Crohn’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Probiotics also help keep your internal plumbing ‘clean’, and clean plumbing means better efficiency. When you’re bowels and gut are clean, you’re entire body works better including your immune system and your ability to fight off infections.

Another benefit to probiotics include overall dietary health such as less bloating or gas, better breakdown of foods, especially carbs and fat, better absorption of healthy nutrients, and relief of constipation.

So what do you look for if you want to start taking probiotics?

When choosing a probiotic, there’s a few helpful hints to follow:

· Read the label. Find out which strains are being used and look for expiration dates. Common good bacteria include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, and Saccharomyces boulardii (yeast). Also,

· Ask if you have questions. If you are taking probiotics for a specific concern, call the manufacturer, your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the good bacteria in the product will be helpful for your condition.

· Look at the storage information. Probiotics are living microorganisms, and some may need to be stored in the refrigerator. So follow storage directions carefully to get the best shelf live on your probiotics.

· Do your homework. There are several brands of probiotics on the market today. Probiotics can be purchased online, in supermarkets, pharmacies, and health food stores. If additional herbs are in the probiotic, research them to see if there may be some mild side effects.

Some of the best probiotics available today have been evaluated and assessed by top consumer product review website, www.BuyerReview.com. So if you’re wondering about taking a probiotic this is a great resource tool to compare products.

To see the #1 probiotic, as rated by BuyerReview.com, as well as the winner of the ‘Editor’s Choice’ and ‘Best In Class’ awards, click here now!

To review the entire ‘Top Ten’ list of probiotics, click here now!

Keep in mind, the health benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, so you may want to consult a practitioner familiar with probiotics to discuss your options or your primary health care provider.

This is a guest post.

How to Plan for Your Child’s College Fund

December 12, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

How to Plan for Your Child’s College Fund

Guest Post

Being a parent presents a multitude of challenges. The day-to-day can be stressful enough. When you begin to look at the long-term future for your child, it can be a dizzying thought. Of these, college is certainly at the top of the list.

Like the title says – here are some things to consider when planning for your child’s college fund.

When to Start Planning

There is no better point to start than when they are at an early age.

· You have additional time to implement a savings plan

· You have additional time to set aside discretionary income

· You have additional time to build interest on the savings

The cost of higher education continues to rise across the board.

To examine this rise you can look at previous college inflation rates:

For the 2010/2011 academic year, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges for in-state students averaged 7.9 percent, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges for out-of-state students averaged 6.0 percent, and tuition and fees at four-year private colleges averaged 4.5 percent.

The average tuition cost has seen a 2.9% one-year increase on average for in-state students at a four-year college (as shown by the trend map presented by CollegeBoard.org).

To combat this growing rate in tuition and inflation you should realistically begin planning for your child’s college fund before they are born. Each passing year you fail to start saving is another year you miss out on compound interest.

What to Consider

There are multiple options to begin saving money for your child’s college fund. The amount set aside will be completely dependent on the amount you’re willing (and able) to commit.

As noted by FindAid.org:

Saving $200 a month for ten years at 7% interest would yield $34,818.89. Borrowing the same amount at 6.8% interest with a ten year term would require payments of $400.70 a month. At 8.5% interest the payments increase to $431.70 a month. (If your return on investment is 4% instead of 7%, you’d accumulate $29,548.13. Borrowing this amount at 6.8% interest would entail monthly payments of $340.04; at 8.5% interest the monthly payments would be $366.35. If your return on investment is 10%, you’d accumulate $41,310.40, corresponding to monthly payments of $475.40 at 6.8% and $512.19 at 8.5%.) So if you elect to borrow instead of saving, you will be paying 1.7 to 2.6 times as much per month.

Considering this example, we can see that our best option is to consider an online high interest savings account. Compared to most physical banks, these types of accounts offer a higher interest rate for the savings. They also generally lower the restrictions on what’s needed to start such as minimum balance and initial deposit.

Alternatively, there are options such as a 529 plan which, as stated on the SEC.gov page, “Investing in a 529 plan may offer college savers special tax benefits. Earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax, and in most cases, state tax, so long as you use withdrawals for eligible college expenses, such as tuition and room and board.”

A wise decision is to consider multiple options when saving and explore the market. There are plans with high yields (with appropriate risks) whereas others offer slow, consistent growth.

How to Find Savings

As noted – the earlier you begin saving the more your child will have for college. This also means less of a strain on your budgeting and finances since the savings are stretched out over a long period rather than piled on toward the last few years of their high school experience.

Here are a few ways to find available savings for college goals:

· Live within your means – Configure a budget that allows your family to live below their means so that money is available to go toward savings. Find ways to stay entertained besides shopping, eating out, or becoming consumed by consumerism. Look for long-term “wins” within your household rather than short gains that are generally expensive in comparison.

· Reach out to family & friends – Ask your family and friends to consider helping toward your child’s savings rather than exuberant gifts during their birthday and holidays. Even a little amount from family and friends can amount to a sizeable chunk of the child’s college tuition.

· Pick up a side earner – Begin using your skills and expertise to pick up the occasional odd job for friends, family, and neighbors. Find time to do these activities during the weekend or late at night when you’re free from normal obligations.

· Distill a habit of savings – Talk to your children early on in their lives to distill the importance of savings and proper financial management. Start them with an allowance and share the benefits of waiting to make a purchase. Help them find a job, when they’re ready, and they will have the knowledge and patience for savings that will help, tremendously, with college costs.

The Big Payoff

If you play your cards right you will guarantee security for your child’s education. Remember that the earlier your start the more they will have. Also, explore your options for savings and bunker down on your own habits in spending. The big payoff is well worth it for your child.

How To Make Over Your Man’s Wardrobe

November 19, 2013 by Momstart 3 Comments

How To Make Over Your Man’s Wardrobe

Guest Post:

Does your man’s wardrobe look like it’s been frozen in time for a decade or two? Are you tired of seeing the same old jeans, shirts and jumpers?

Ladies, there is hope for you, but replacing or at least upgrading your partner’s wardrobe is a sensitive business and you must tread carefully. Take a look at the tips below that can allow you to take his wardrobe to task without denting his feelings.
1. Compliments
No one likes to be told that they lack fashion sense, style or good taste, and every man wants to know that they are attractive to their partners, so pay him a compliment on the clothes he does have that you do like. This will put you in a good position to make some additional suggestions to his wardrobe without getting his back up.
2. Empower your man
Allow your partner to play a part and take ownership of his own clothes. You can ask him what he thinks are his favorite clothes and which are his least favorite. Empowering him to be a part of the quest for a more trendy wardrobe is definitely a better approach than dictating to him what he should and shouldn’t wear. By asking him about his clothes, you will also be able to find out if there are any items of clothing that have sentimental value. It’s probably best not to wage a war on these items – at least at first!
3. Remember Men are not Women!

Just because most women love to go shopping, it doesn’t mean that men do. In fact, a large percentage of men can’t think of anything worse than spending their precious Sunday afternoon traipsing around a shopping center hunting for clothes. This is especially true after they have seen you, their beloved wife or girlfriend spending hours trying on dozens of dresses, skirts and tops without even making a purchase. The fact that your partner’s wardrobe is in such a dire state should be proof enough that your man was not born to shop!

4. Be prepared
So what do you do? Well, if you have the time, head out on your own to the shops and make a note of the shops and specific items you think would best suit your partner and then take him out on a short and painless shopping expedition that has none of the waiting and endless leafing through clothes rails that are likely to make him wish he was at home up a ladder painting the garage roof. If you don’t have the time for research, many men’s clothes stores, such as Institchu have great websites where you can at least get some ideas first so it’s not totally new to you when you get there.
5. Shop for him!
Once you have found out, what your partner likes to wear, the kind of colors and styles he likes and the kind of shops which suit him best, there’s nothing stopping you choosing new clothes for him. It’s probably not wise to go overboard, but coming home with the occasional item of clothing and telling him you saw it and thought ‘how gorgeous he would look wearing it,’ will probably be appreciated by him.
Lastly, remember it’s the man and not his clothes that you love, and if he really feels that this is how you feel, he will be far happier to make a little extra effort in the wardrobe department. Good luck and happy shopping!

The Hottest Formal Gown Trends

August 29, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

The Hottest Formal Gown Trends

It is possible to get high-fashion glamour for your formal event without the cost or the hassle. According to a recent article by Huffington post, there are a few simple trends that you can mimic to get the hottest Hollywood fashions of 2013.

Long Gowns, Metallic Accents

The first of these trends uses a balance of gold and metallic fabrics with neutral accents. These contrasting hues result in a look that looks lux and screams class, especially when this dramatic combination is used on floor-length gowns. Many celebs, including Selena Gomez, favor wearing a floor-length skirt and a black bodice with gold accents. If metallic hues aren’t particularly flattering for your complexion, you can invest in another hot color: red. Bright crimson is most impactful on classically styled gowns, though it is equally appealing on floor-length bodycon dresses. The secret to rocking red is to keep it modest; short red dresses, due to the combined color and length, come off as too informal and less trendy. White is an ideal alternative for those who feel that red is too bold a color, though the same rules apply to white gowns: keep it long, and keep it classy. Pairing a white gown with subtle metallic or black accents can prevent you from feeling like a bride to be.

Peplum

If long gowns don’t appeal to your personal tastes, peplum is all the rage in both formal and business settings. Peplum consists of a short overskirt attached to the waist of a fitted jacket, and this overskirt is typically flared about the hips to emphasize a woman’s hourglass shape. The skirt usually falls just above the knee, making it a perfect fit for anyone looking to show some leg. To dress up peplum—and prevent yourself from looking as though you stepped out of the office—consider finding a peplum gown in rich, satin fabrics. Embroidered fabric can also lend a touch of class to this year’s hottest silhouette. Of course, these svelte fabrics can boost the cost of the gown, in which case finding peplum gowns for rent is a viable alternative.

Jewel Tones

Jewel-toned colors and sequins are trends well-suited for anyone looking for a more dramatic silhouette. These trends do not require a specific shape or length, so they allow for a greater expression of personal style. When it comes to jewel-toned hues, the brighter they are, the better. Chloe Moretz was recently praised for wearing a yellow, floral embroidered dress so bright that it was nearly neon, and other similarly bright gowns have been turning heads during red carpet premieres ever since. Sequined gowns generate a similar degree of appeal. Some celebs prefer to wear gowns completely covered in mono-hued sequins, whereas others opt for a more classical approach by wearing scattered sequins over a neutral fabric.

By mimicking these trends, you can easily find a high-fashion gown without investing in big-name designers. The trends are well suited for all tastes in fashion, regardless of whether you prefer classic elegance or bold, dramatic silhouettes.

Growing the Garden Together as a Family

July 25, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Growing the Garden Together

Guest Post

Now that it’s summer, I’m finally (mostly) done seeding and nurturing these tiny little plants, making sure none of my peppers or tomatoes gets hurt or hurts itself. I think this is my favorite part of gardening, just watching the plants as they constantly develop (much like my children), putting forth little peppers and hard round green tomatoes that gradually grow and ripen each day.

Although I do most of the work and heavy lifting for our modest backyard vegetable garden, it has been such a pleasure (yet sometimes a challenge!) to get my children involved in the process with me. No matter how old your kids are, or what phase of the garden you’re in, there are some really easy and simple methods I’ve tried to engage my kids in caring for and learning about where their food comes from. Plus, it’s helped me get them to actually eat their veggies!

(artsy picture from nzgabriel)

Make it Fun

Adding creativity to your garden is important. You can let your children name your new plants and create small signs for them by using popsicle sticks and permanent markers. One idea is to give all of one vegetable a name that starts with the same letter; for example, all the tomatoes could have T names. Your child will look forward to taking care of Timothy, Terry, and Tom the tomatoes. If you need more of your own specificity (if you’re like me and you have lots of different kinds of tomatoes), you can give each Timothy, Terry, and Tom a last name that will tell you what type of tomato it really is.
Add Some Flair

A bright and colorful garden will certainly be more likely to draw your child’s attention than a dull one. Paint the fence around your garden all sorts of colors and add some fun decorations, like a windmill or garden gnome. You can even buy an unpainted garden decoration from your local garden store and have your children decorate it. By adding colors and interactive elements, your kids can go out and play with the windmill or larger-than-life stone frog even if the plants haven’t done anything particularly exciting recently.
Dress the Part

Go shopping with your kids and let them pick out their own garden boots, rakes, shovels, and gloves, or get creative and make your own with your child’s personality in mind. When it becomes time to work in the garden, your little one will be excited to get outfitted in their own gardening gear. (Even dogs get dressed up for yard work!)

(beekeeping dog photo credit Josh Kennett)

Give Them a Project

If your child is old enough and ready for the responsibility, giving them their own project to focus on, like taking care of all the pepper plants, is a great way to get them invested in their new veggie garden. Let them know that it’s their responsibility to water and take care of these peppers so that they grow big and hearty. Give them tips along the way, of course, and be there in case they need your help, but let them do all the work themselves so they can really see the impact they’re having on growing these plants. My youngest isn’t quite old enough for this, but my 8-year-old boy’s potted tomatoes are doing very well!

But Be Safe

As with any activity, it’s important that you supervise your children while gardening at all times. Make sure that they aren’t getting ahead of themselves by carrying shovels that are too big, trying to lift something that’s too heavy, or making a swamp of your yard with the hose. Also be aware of what you’re putting into your garden that might get onto your children’s hands or even into the food you grow! Garden pests can be tricky to get rid of, and it’s convenient to turn to store-bought pest control methods. Regardless of whether you use a commercial slug-killer or choose instead to use saucers of beer embedded in the ground (a surprising and surprisingly effective solution!), make sure you are aware of what your children might be handling.
Share Your Spoils

When it’s (finally) time to eat, make sure your kids taste a little bit of everything – they’ll probably be excited to taste what they’ve grown, and they might change their mind about liking some veggies! Have them help you prepare a salad or a stir-fry using the bountiful harvest. Also, the next time you go shopping for seeds to grow, make sure you involve the little ones. This will ensure that you’re planting veggies they like while having them involved and hooked from the get-go.

Gardening is a healthy and active project that your children will enjoy right along with you. It might make for a bit more work, but it’ll also be a LOT more fun. So what are you waiting for? Go out there and get your hands dirty!

(Preposterously adorable little gardener from Monica R)

About the author: Maya Rodgers is an avid amateur gardener and is so excited for her tomatoes and peppers to get ripe this summer. When she isn’t gardening and watching her kids grow, she tries to keep pests out of other people’s homes and gardens as a pest control consultant, whether it’s elaborate bed bug treatment or straightforward slugs and beer. To learn more, connect with her at http://www.petsandpests.com.

From Minivans to Modern Mom Mobiles

July 3, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

From Minivans to Modern Mom Mobiles

Guest Post

The days of the minivan are over. These days, busy moms on the go have several options available to them when picking out the family car. There are so many great choices that not only fit your entire family and all of their gear, but look good as well.

Honda Fit

Image via Flickr by Matthew Hine

The Honda Fit is subcompact, has four doors, and a hatchback. There’s plenty of space for a small family to sit comfortably, and storage on top of it, with easy access for everyone and everything. You can fold the seats in many different ways to make room for whomever or whatever you need. The car is responsive, has smooth handling, and gets great gas mileage.

Toyota Corolla

If you’re more interested in a sedan that can comfortably fit your small family, the Corolla may be right up your ally. It has four doors, allowing everyone to get in and out comfortably, and a spacious trunk to hold all of your gear. It makes for a comfortable ride and has a quiet engine.

Ford Fusion

Looking for something a little more stylish? Try the Ford Fusion. It has a solid, upscale feel to it, and provides a smooth ride. It has great gas mileage, and can even use its EV mode for short distances, saving you money and energy. The seating is both stylish and comfortable, and the interior room is spacious enough for everyone.

Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen

Are you looking for something with just a little more room than a sedan can offer? The Jetta SportWagen has a high-quality interior with a lot of useable space, yet it’s very modest looking. It provides a quiet ride with smooth handling.

Toyota Rav4

Bigger families require bigger cars, and the Rav4 can provide it while still looking stylish. It has easy access and a roomy backseat and a top-hinged rear hatch with a power liftgate, making all of your equipment easily accessible. A rear-view camera comes standard, as does the six-speed automatic engine, making driving safer and more comfortable.

Ford Flex Limited

Another great car for larger families is the Ford Flex Limited. This spacious top-end Limited model can seat up to seven people. It’s equipped with a range of safety features, including a Blind Spot Information System and rear-view camera. A power liftgate provides easy access to plenty of storage space. Your family will also love the various extras, such as SYNC Bluetooth Connectivity, a twelve-speaker audio system, and an MP3 player interface. This powerful vehicle has a 287-horsepower transmission.

Infiniti JX35

Looking for a combination of space, amenities, and safety features? Look no further than the JX35. It provides second-row seats and a tilt-and-slide feature, allowing you to determine how much space you want to use. Amenities include a rear-view monitor, power rear liftgate, and keyless entry.

These cars are great alternatives to the minivan. Busy moms can take advantage of buy here pay here stores when picking out their new Mom mobile.

Mediterranean Fun For the Whole Family This Year in Malta

June 25, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

Fun for the whole family this year in Malta

Guest Post

Choosing family holiday destinations can be tough because it’s tricky to find locations that suit parents and kids alike. However, for mums and dads on the lookout for somewhere fun and interesting to take their brood this year, visiting Malta is a great idea. These islands in the Mediterranean Sea offer the perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural attractions. One thing’s for sure, holidaymakers who travel to this part of the world are spoilt for things to do!

No trip to Malta is complete without a trip to the beautiful 17th-century Maltese capital, Valletta. Surrounded on three sides by sea, the city is a World Heritage Site and it boasts stunning architecture. One of its main attractions is the St John’s Co-Cathedral, which is great tourist attraction for families to visit. Designed by the architect Gerolamo Cassar, it is Malta’s most impressive church, housing some awe-inspiring artwork including the Beheading of St John the Baptist oil painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.

There are also plenty of archaeological sites on the Maltese Islands that are worth exploring. From megalithic monuments to the remains of Roman Villas, Malta is studded with fascinating sites. One attraction that can spellbind adults and children alike is the Hypogeum, a labyrinth of underground chambers that is thought to have been used as burial site and temple.

Malta has also earned the nickname the Fortress Island because of its abundance of military architecture. The fortifications that remain today come from the period of the Knights of Malta and the British era. Avid historians can visit the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa and the National War Museum and the Armoury, which are both in Valletta.

Of course, there are plenty of beaches and pools for families to enjoy and water lovers can also make the most of a marine and water park. Then there’s the Sweethaven Village to explore, which is the film set of the 1980 musical production of Popeye.

After busy days touring the sites and everyone is in need of some refueling, there is plenty of sumptuous food on offer. Maltese cuisine offers an eclectic mix of Mediterranean dishes and many eateries specialize in local fare, serving their own versions of popular dishes. The Lampuki Pie fish pie is well worth a try, as are the Braġioli (beef olives).

Maltese nightlife also has lots to offer, with clubs and wine bars in abundance, and there are a variety of festivals and music concerts every summer.

3 Things to Teach Your Children About Safety

June 17, 2013 by Momstart Leave a Comment

3 Things to Teach Your Children About Safety

Guest Post:

Parents will always long to keep their children as safe as possible. Today, however, it seems like keeping children safe is an almost impossible task. Not only are there so many ways to get hurt, there are also too many people around who want to hurt them. This article will reveal some great ways to keep children safe, from strangers, from the water, and even from their own toys.

1. Water Safety

Image via Flickr by jinglejammer

You already know not to leave your children, under five years old, around any kind of water without supervision. This not only goes for pools, but also buckets, tubs and even toilets. However, as children age, many parents relax their guard. This is only safe to do if the child and parent practices safe habits around water.

For example, teaching your child to swim as early as possible is step in the right direction. If your child doesn’t know how swim, insist that they wear a life jacket every time they are anywhere near a body of water. This goes for a boat, a pool, a lake, and especially the ocean. Though the child might protest that it looks silly, it can save their life.

2. Toy BB Guns

Toy BB guns are popular among children. They are as American as apple pie. However, these types of toys need additional care to keep kids safe. Though only a toy gun, a BB gun is virtually indistinguishable form a real gun. It needs to be treated as if it were a real gun. That means teaching children to always treat it as if it is loaded and dangerous.

Additionally, the best way to carry a bb gun is a gun case or in a bag, just like they do with real guns. If you don’t need to travel with it, opt not to. Not only will this keep it from going off on accident, it will also keep you out of some legal trouble. There have many cases of a BB gun owner being cited for having a gun unsecured by officers who didn’t know that these were not real guns.

To keep you child extra safe when playing with a BB gun, consider a low velocity gun such as airsoft BB guns. These lower velocity guns shoot the bb’s out at a much slower rate. That eliminates most of the danger without subtracting any of the fun.

3. Stranger Danger

Most parents teach their children to be wary of strangers. Children usually know not to get into a car with one or accept their candy or other gifts. However, children should also know what to do in case of possible abduction. These basic survival skills include the right way to yell for help, squirming out of an attacker’s hands, running away, and telling a trusted adult.

A lot of abductors could be deterred if the child understands that appearances can be deceiving. The first thing the child should do is tell the stranger "no," then run away while yelling as loud as they can. They should then tell the nearest trusted adult about what happened.

It can be rough being a parent. Keeping kids safe is one of the most important jobs we do. However, with a little time, planning and care, we will be able to raise safety conscious kids, capable of keeping their own kids safe in the future.

Shopping Ideas for the "Special Interest" Crowd

November 26, 2012 by Momstart 12 Comments

Shopping for the "Special Interest" Crowd

Guest Post

Selecting a gift for your loved ones is easy when their likes are simple and universal. But what about the “special interest” crowd? What about those people who are hard to shop for? While it may be difficult to shop for them, it’s definitely not impossible.
In the following article we look into a few online specialty stores (stores that specialize in selling very specific products) that will help you choose a unique and lovable gift for the loved ones who give you a hard time with gift shopping:

1. Rapha: This is a website that sells high quality cycling clothing and as well as accessories. If your gift recipient is someone who enjoys cycling as a sport then this is the place to find the right gift that will compliment his or her interest.

2. Ralph Lauren: A brand name that is recognized all around the world, Ralph Lauren’s online store is where you can find luxury clothing items. Although the prices aren’t cheap, your loved one will adore a gift from here if he or is into brand labels.

3. Bagigia: If your gift recipient is a “she”, then Bagigia is a product she will fall in love with. It’s basically a hot water bottle turned turned into a leather bag, with oodles of style thrown in. It’s a unique gift idea that is not only useful but also offers a touch of luxury.

4. Sky Geek: Does your recipient happen to be a professional pilot, or someone with a pilot’s license and a private airplane? If your answer’s yes, then the Sky Geek website offers some of the best aviation supplies and pilot accessories at low prices. With the wide variety of choices, you won’t have a hard time shopping on the site.

5. Lemon & Mint: Regardless of who you’re going to give your gift to, nobody minds getting one of those imaginatively designed fashion accessories. This small and visionary swiss venture has an online store that perfectly resonates their aim to deliver the most unique fashion products. Check out their web store to learn more.

6. HYT Watches: How does a hybrid mechanical timepiece sound as a gift idea? It’s a mouth watering gift for any watch connoisseurs, and that’s exactly the kind of watches HYT creates. It is obviously on the luxurious side so be ready to shell a few extra bucks.
From the above list of online specialty stores, you can see for yourself that shopping for the “hard-to-shop” for people isn’t that hard if you know where you’re looking. Just see to it that you do your homework first so that you don’t end up buying something that wouldn’t interest them.