Cool Site of the Week: My Food Diary

You would think with fall approaching, I wouldn't be as worried about those few pounds that seem to be way too attached to me. I mean its not bikini season. But alas, even hiding under sweaters and corduroy I can't escape the annoying knowledge that those pounds are there.

Enter My Food Diary! Endorsed by the Wall Street Journal and Martha Stewart (just to name a few), for those of you who have used Weight Watcher's online and loved the food tracking ability - this place is for you. Less expensive to join and maintain than WW, but still a lot of the goodies you want. It has a large database of both generic food items (i.e. "steamed rice") along with name brand and restaurant fare.

While it obviously won't track "points" for you - it will tell you daily how much you've consumed in the way of calories, fats, sodium, cholesterol, etc etc. It simply helps raise your consciousness around your daily eating which is where so many of us go astray.

So sign up, log in, track and lose! Or at least here's hopin!

Cool Site of the Week: Wallcandy Arts

Ok, so we'd like our pads to look like something out of a hip design magazine. Unfortunately for many of us that means going horribly wrong trying to hand paint a design on a wall in the kids' room, the rec room or, God forbid, the bathroom. These usually end up looking more like a 4th grade art project than a layout for MoCo Loco.

Well never fear - wallcandy arts is here! These great surface graphics and wall stickers are hip, trendy and even into the fun land of kitsch. And don't worry about morning after regret. As the company says:

All of our stickers are reusable and won't damage walls. Ready for a change? Peel it off and reconfigure it, put it in a different room, or adhere it to the backing to store it away for when the mood strikes!

They have a ton of celeb followers (my bff, Heidi Klum being one) so you know you're in good company.

Feeling super artsy or wanting to bring out the inner artist in your little one? Use their Chalkboard Graphics! This is one of my personal faves - fun yet classy!

So go on and get stickering. You haven't had this much fun with stickers since scratch and sniff pizza stickers in 5th grade. (Ok we won't mention that weird phase you and whatshisname went through).

Cool Site of the Week: Threadless T and Print Sale

Anyone who knows me knows my penchant for funny Tees. My most recent addition is my pink one that reads "Part Time Lawyer - Full Time Ninja". My passion for clever shirtwear is so strong that every Christmas everyone in my family gets a funny tee to fit their personality. Where would I find so many choices and styles?? Threadless!! If you haven't been out there you HAVE to go, and if you haven't been lately .. brush up!

This week is their semi-annual Tee and print sale. All Tees are now either $9 or $12 and all prints (basically the same art on the Tees just made to be framed!) are $19! But get em while you can.. they only make a limited number of each design and when they're out, they're out. Unless of course the public as a whole votes for a reprint! Oh and did I mention all designs are submitted by folks just like you?

They even have some limited designs available as wall art - not prints - but actual vinyl wall art! Super cool.

Check out a few of my Fav's:
My Daily Struggle
My Thoughts Exactly
Great For The Kiddos
This One May Take You A While (stand waaaay back to read it)
I Like to Think I'm This Cool
Just Plain Odd

And now go check out all your own!! You can search the whole catalog, search by size/gender, or just check out what's new. And the best thing - they have kids and infant sizes too!!! Go get yourself covered!!

www.threadless.com

Cool Site of the Week: DocStoc

It never fails - on a Friday (ok I know its Thursday but just roll with me here) before a holiday, a hot date, or any other reason to daydream through your workday, your boss swoops into your office and tells you he needs a report, or an overview, or a masterwork on the state of the rainforests in Bali. You know, something simple. Riiight.

Or, lets say at 12:15am inspiration hits and you decide you really do want to be a professional bat guano harvester and since there aren't any in your city you figure you're a shoo in for all the business that has to be out there. But its 12:15 and your lawyer's office is closed. Um ok you don't have a lawyer. And can't afford a lawyer. But you NEED to get your company off the ground NOW.

Enter DocStoc.com - a public repository for free legal forms and business documents. It has saved my tail a time or two and allowed me to a) get out of the office before sundown, and b) look like I have an idea what I'm doing.

It operates like a simple search engine. Just type in some keywords i.e. "budget analysis" and voila: here you go. Or, "LLC formation" and tada - faster than an angry bat you get: this!

And when you have something fabulous to share, return the good karma and upload one of your gems for the next sleepless soul!

www.docstoc.com

CSOTW - ElevenEleven Designs

Ok, once again I'm breaking from my extended serial on NYC to return to an old favorite... Friday's Cool Site of the Week.

This week is a new indie jewelry site called ElevenEleven Designs. The designer lives in Chicago and studied her craft with a jeweler who has been around for over 100 years. She took time off to pursue other ventures, but has returned to her first love. She's created a design she's coined "the birdnest". Once you view the site you'll see why. Bottom line is that the few items she has up already show real promise and somehow manage to combine elegance, trend, kitch and class - no easy feat.

I have one of her rings and have to say I get comments on it every time I wear it out and about. And from what she says, earrings and pendants won't be far behind. I look forward to both! And I imagine that I'll get to see them as soon as they debut... probably at our upcoming family reunion, since the designer is also my sister.

ElevenEleven Designs

Cool Site of the Week: ELF Makeup

Ok so I have heard out there (thanks Jen!) that ELF (Eyes Lips Face) makeup is being bought out by Neiman Marcus and will be rebranded as their own in-house line. I haven't verified if that is true, but what IS true is that right now EVERYTHING at the ELF website is $1!! ONE DOLLAR. One buck. One one one. Almost too good to be true. Go stock up and then wait in glee for your happy package of cheap joy to arrive at your house!!!

Hurry Hurry before all the good stuff sells out!!!!!


www.eyeslipsface.com

Cool Site of the Week: Boomshine

Ok so I know I've been bloggie slacking... I get it. But everyone needs a little vacay and after months of semi-daily blogging I am there. This week was interesting with lots of good blog fodder and Coco is getting her first haircut tomorrow so I'm sure there will be plenty to talk about there as well. But for now, let me just knock out this week's CSOTW as a way to ease back into this beast.

CSOTW: Boomshine

This is a game. But before you get all "I am so not a gamer" on me ... just check it out. It was made by a couple of college students who obviously have honed the ability to waste time down to an art form (God bless em). The game is quite simple, but quite addictive. Just point your clicker anywhere in the square to release your "bubble". Once your bubble comes into contact with any colored dot, it blows that dot into a bubble. Once that bubble touches a dot .... you get the idea. Its a whole study on chain reaction. You only get that one first click to get as many dots "blown up" as you can. Each round has you attempting to get more and more dots. Seriously - don't read - just go play. Its rad. (I'm bringing Rad back by the way. Justin brought sexy back? Well I'm bringin rad back). Oh and a word to the wise... click the little "speaker" icon in the lower right corner of the "stage" to get rid of the annoying trippy music - you only get one shot to do this before you start playing. Then all you're left with is the "Super Breakout-esqe" cool electronica noises.

Why the hell is it named Boomshine? I have no idea. I can't know everything people ... unless you're my husband. And then I can.

Cool Site of the Week: In the Motherhood

I am currently in a hotel room in a small town in Iowa (while my hubby gets looped at a family wedding reception) and FINALLY got Cora to go to bed in strange place after a looooong day ... even typing sounds too loud right now.

So enough with the witty prose, I'm cutting to the chase. Like Jenny McCarthy, Leah Remeni and Chelsea Hanlder? Check out this site and laugh your ass off. Nuff said! Each "episode" is commercial free and only 6 mins long so you can always sneak one in while dad entertains the munchkin. Its actually so funny you don't even need to be a mom.

For a quick hit, check out "Preachers, Panties and Policemen". And big ups to JMat for hooking me up. Now check it out so I can quiet down in here!

http://www.inthemotherhood.com/

Cool Site of the Week: Fat Girl Slim

Ok so this week's CSOTW is not really a "site" per se - its a product. But because I love it so I had to shout its praises.

For those of us (mostly ladies - sorry guys) who have a little "hail damage" around the thighs, knees or back (don't make me say it - ok ok cellulite) this is a lifesaver. Normally I don't buy into any "quick fix" creams, I am a major cynic, but I was watching Good Morning America the other day and they had four women who had agreed to be guinea pigs for a number of anti-cellulite creams ranging in price from $29 to $250 a container. The only lady who felt hers really worked was the $29 cream. You guessed it - it was Fat Girl Slim by Bliss Spas (great name huh!). So off I ran to my nearest Sephora and picked some up.

For the past four weeks I have slathered this on my "second bum" (that area below my 'cheeks') twice a day, rubbing it in for 20-30 seconds per the directions. Let me just say that I can honestly and genuinely say I have seen a notable change. Now before you get too heady with joy let me point out that I do not look like Heidi Klum - its not magic - it does not melt away inches or pounds. But, what I can tell you is that the skin is much more toned and firm with no evil dimples in sight. I can even grab my leg and squoosh ... and no dents. No joke. I never thought I'd see that again short of lipo (which I actually considered for a fleeting moment once). And for those of you who are thinking what I would be thinking if I read this somewhere - no I have not been working out, doing pilates, or doing anything else (other than using this cream) that would affect the tone of my thighs.

So ladies in the name of Summer, if you want a little dent repair and can stick to the regimen of applying morning and night for 4 weeks, go get you some love in a tub.... www.Sephora.com

Cool Site of the Week: No Miss Nailpolish

[note - yes this is supposed to be my weekly Friday column. Its Sunday. I'm sure you can manage to pick up the pieces of your shattered life]

Once you have kids your outlook on going "green" can change considerably. From trying to find non-harmful cleaners to buying a Hybrid to do your part at keeping the Earth habitable for a while, we all do what we can.

I was watching an interview with (yes I'll admit it) Justin Timberlake the other day and he said something that struck me... even if you are not comfortable going totally eco-crazy, do what you can. Take little steps. If you need an SUV for family or capacity, use LED light bulbs. If you commute a long distance, sort your recyclables. Not everyone has to be Ed Begley, Jr.

On top of that, its always scary to look at common everyday items and see the list of "ingredients" - most of which a chemist can't even pronounce. Ladies check out your makeup sometime... yikes. And that's going in our bodies.

Soooo when the all important, life altering, much acclaimed time came for me to paint Cora's toenails, what was a mom to do? I couldn't use all the formaldehyde ridden polish you get at Walgreen's. Luckily a friend sent me to No Miss and the crisis was averted. They make eco and body friendly polishes out of all natural ingredients.

The good news - they come in about 5million colors. (And for you trend addicts, they have a GREAT forest green metallic that will rock your summer - NARS wants to make the best shade of the season a limited edition? Who needs em!) The better news - they coat beautifully, have a wonderful sheen and last for DAYS! Trust me - I am now the owner of 7 different shades. And at about $6.50 a bottle you can afford to stock up.

So check it out and get your green on (most literally fashionistas!)
http://www.nomiss.com/nailpolish.html (click on Add to Cart to get to a menu where you can view all the colors)

Cool Site of the Week: CARAT* Jewelry

Ok, so if you know me you know one of my weaknesses is jewelry. I was blessed enough to receive the engagement/wedding ring of my dreams. Three years later I still look at it often in awe of how much I love it. (Don't even get me started on my present commemorating Cora's birth).

But, that doesn't stop me from loving jewelry and fawning over it in stores and magazines. Most of the time I'm content with something "sparkly" from a discount store that is real only in the metaphysical sense. Something that I don't worry about losing or hurting since paying $50 to replace it isn't such a big deal.

I do find myself longing for something more at times however. The practical side of me sees no need for Liz Taylor quantities of rare jewels, but the "hey I'm now a 30-something professional" makes shopping at Claire's a bit tacky. Enter this week's CSOTW: CARAT*.

This online jewelry boutique will make you feel like you just stepped into Harry Winston with a valid lottery check. All of the jewelry is costume, but I almost hesitate to refer to it that way. It is ridiculously high quality. This is no paste or plastic gem hawker. While still a small step down from Moissanite in the "fool the eye" category, its also a step down from that gem in price. Rings will still run you from $200 - $1000 and necklaces can get upwards of $5,000. But the identical ring in Moissanite would be 5x that and diamonds.... don't even ask.

While you should absolutely look at the classic solitaires or eternity bands, make sure to check out the fancies and cocktail selections (which I find sooo much more fun). Mother's Day, Anniversaries, Birthdays ... anydays!! Make your list, check it twice and send it on to Hubby. He gets the joy of giving you something you will L-O-V-E while making himself happy with the price. Win-Win. And when someone asks you if its "real" - you can say "of course" (at least in the metaphysical sense...)

CSOTW: CARAT* Jewelers

Some of my favs:
Champagne Asscher
Carat* Flanders Border Set
Classic Cushion Border Set

Cool Site Of The Week: Delight.Com

My sister sent me this little gem of a site (yes peeps I too can still learn a trick or two when it comes to all that glitters on the web!).

Delight is a great site that offers up one great item or deal per day. Viewers get to rate the item on a scale of 1-10. They have great and unique things of alllll price ranges (one day the special may be a $10 discount chain bracelet, the next a $500 custom handbag). That is all part of the fun! But rest assured that no matter what the price it will always be something tres fab!

So, monogamy isn't your thing when it comes to trend? Don't despair - we won't judge and neither will Delight. They keep archives of past daily finds and other great items for your juicy perusal!

Go Delight your senses!
http://www.delight.com/

Cool Site of the Week: Winter Sucks

Ok so this is not a cool site per se... but a hodge podge of sites that help with my feelings of "winter suckiness". I have about had it up to here (here being the giant pile of snow against my house) with winter. So help me God I am getting testy and I am not afraid to grab Mother Nature by the hair and drag her kicking and screaming into Spring.

That said, here are my "enough with this winter crap" links:

This one is another "mommy blog" I found quite by accident, but the photo of her two girls sums up my feelings about snow as well:
http://www.letterstomydaughters.com/2008/01/yes-dear-girls-winter-sucks.html

In case that wasn't clear enough, here are my true feelings (warning - slightly PG-13)
http://www.wimp.com/winter/

Sooooo in order to indulge my lust for spring, some great sites to help me get my Spring on. (I'm bringin' Spring back ya'll):

The Hawk-Jovovitch line at Target screams 1970s Spring. Love Love Love:
http://www.target.com/b/ref=sc_fe_l_1_16275561_1/601-0534021-4963344?ie=UTF8&node=405171011

Where Ryan and I spent our honeymoon... must go back now.... I cannot tell you how great this place is
http://www.royalplantation.com/

Could there be anything that screams spring more than Lilacs?? Buy and plant one!
http://www.lilacs.com/

Fun, crazy, silly Spring wear to look forward to at reasonable prices:
http://www.fredflare.com/customer/home_springforward08.php?siteID=

Finally, smell spring in the air - in fact BE Spring in the air!!!
http://www.demeterfragrance.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=1065

Cool Site of the Week: Pink Mascara

Ok so even the name of this week's site is cool: Pink Mascara. A good friend reminded me of the site recently and I hadn't been in a while. Shame on me. Don't be confused, its not a makeup store. Its an eclectic little online boutique that would make you think of in Soho IRL.

With unique or hard-to-find designers like Ya-Ya, Citizens of Humanity, and Tom Ford (yes, I said Tom Ford - as in Gucci saving, YSL resurrecting, now on his own and blazing a fashion trail, Tom Ford) you will be sure to find something you like. One of the best parts is once you click on an item, they give you a few "you may also like" selections at the bottom... unlike many online stores the options are not just randomly selected stuff they have too much of - they actually seem to match your current interest. Case in point, I clicked on the Madison Marcus Mercurial Top (come to mommy) and at the bottom they also listed a Robert Rodriguez Sequin Top that I also thought was ab fab.

The tricky part can be prices - those are unfortunately often reminiscent of a Soho boutique as well. My advice - do what any savvy shopper does, check the sale racks: http://www.pinkmascara.com/saleall.html

So, without further adieu, I present to you: http://www.pinkmascara.com/

Happy shopping!!

Cool Site of the Week: FlightStats

Universal Rule of Travel #1: Flying stinks. And it’s not getting easier anytime soon.

Enter FlightStats, my "can't live without" travel guru. The site covers everything — from delays across the county shown in an easy-to-understand map, airfares, frequent-flier promotions, and airport parking to weather forecasts, flight status, and travel warnings.

You can look up any flight, see how often its on time, set up mobile and e-mail alerts, and even study flight performance summaries (if you’re really bored and/or truly geeky - I am usually both). Traveling to a new airport? They have forums and guides on what to expect, where the best food, gifts, etc are, and how the airport is rated overall.

My favorite feature though is the realtime flight tracking. If you're awaiting a loved one, you can literally watch the flight on the map. As the website says:

The FlightStats Flight Tracker enables you to track most commercial flights in the US and Canadian airspace on a Google Map. Key Features:

• Updates aircraft position automatically
• Displays altitude, position, speed and distance from airports
• Displays other relevant content such as current airport delays, on-time flight performance and weather
• The map supports both automatic and manual pan/zoom

Tres cool. Check it out next time you or a loved one are winging your way across the country!

www.flightstats.com

Cool Site of the Week: Pancake Meow

Ok so everyone needs a little kitch in thier lives. Remember the cool girl in grade school - the one who had every single great smelling Strawberry Shortcake doll? She had the hard to find smelly stickers? She even had scented erasers. Well get even now at Pancake Meow.

This gal hand-makes amazingly realistic foodie charms that SMELL as good as they look! No kidding. I have a cinnamon roll necklace as proof. There are also ADORABLE french and asian imports (mugs, toys, etc) to peruse so make sure you don't miss those.

Two warnings .... First, the gal can only make so many at one time so they sell out FAST. Especially the customizable items where you pick your own "flavor" (scent) so make sure you check back or get on the email list if you want something. Second (and this is a biggie) these are handmade so note the fine print in the FAQs that these sometimes can take weeks to make into your greedy little hands.

So what are you waiting for: www.pancakemeow.com

Cool Site of the Week: Splendora

Ok, so of all the days of the week, Friday is probably my most hectic from a "I am so not going to get to blog today" aspect. If hubby and I aren't trying to fit in a quick dinner out then we're trying to at least have a nice night spent at home together to celebrate the start of the weekend. Of course once we get home, hang with Coco and then get her down for the night, that doesn't leave much time. Hence I have given in to the realization that at times engulfs all writers (or at least ones who have an 8 month old and a daily blog) - that I can't always keep up.

But not being one to leave all three of my devoted readers hanging, each Friday I have decided, in lieu of my typical blog entry, to instead offer you my "cool site of the week". Most of you know I'm an internet freak AND an anal research-queen. Annoying for my family, good for you. Each Friday I'll share a website that I've found that I think is cool for some reason... either quirky products, great deals, interesting info, etc etc. I promise I will not be putting up the link to Sears anytime soon - I will try to be as original as possible. Most likely it will either be mom or chick related. Sorry single-guy readers (as if I have any). If I ever have any stake in the site (i.e. its a friend's, or I get some sort of anything out of referring folks there) I will promise to tell you up front and in bold letters!

So, without further ado - this week's CSOTW is: http://www.splendora.com/
This site, Splendora, is a great place for fashionistas. Each week they publish the "What To" list (which you can get via email for subscribers) including such things as: what to wear, what to read, what to watch, what to rent, what to drink, what to jewlery, etc. They also post one celeb who's looking "Extra Foxy" that week. Plus, its all done with a great girlfriendly sense of humor so that it doesn't take itself (and its fabulocity) too seriously. The blog is great too (and one of my favs). There's also the "BFF Lounge" for normal folks like you and me to chat, post and share ideas. As one of my favorite movie lines goes: Love the shoes, love the bag, love everything!