Updates from Genesis Today

*** the grand prize winner is Debba Haupert of Girlfriendology! ***



We've been very busy in Austin, learning more about Genesis Today's amazing superfruit product line (exciting new products are in the works- I'll tell you more soon!) and viewing the finalist presentations. Take a look at my Flickr stream and our Whrrl stories. The grand prize winner will be announced later tonight! I am sure we'll be tweeting like crazy.

And like I said… exciting things are in the works for Genesis Today!

Wordless Wednesday- Hoodlums

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Genesis Today is Tomorrow!

I am doing some last-minute packing because I leave bright and early in the morning for Austin. I have been asked to participate in the final voting for the Genesis of a Great Idea Contest. The five finalists will be presenting their social media concepts to the panel and the grand prize winner will receive $10K!



The five finalists are:

Francesca Banducci (Mayhem & Moxie) and Jill Smokler (Scary Mommy)

Debba Haupert (Girlfriendology)

Deb Rox (3 Smart Girlz LLC)

Mike Kunkle (DreamWorthyGifts.com)

Jan Idelman (Jan Idelman Creative Group)


I've become a big fan of Genesis Today juices
and am really looking forward to learning more about the way the company works, as well as learning more about natural health and nutrition from its founder, renowned naturopath Dr. Lindsey Duncan.

Other bloggers attending this event include:

Sandy @organizersandy (Organize With Sandy )

Danielle Smith @extraordmommy (Extra Ordinary Mommy)

Jodi Grundig @jodigrundig (Multitasking Mommy )

Elizabeth Norton @ProfessorofPlay (Professor of Play )

Kim Janocko @craftymamaof4 (Crafty Mama of 4 )

Courtney Velasquez @theappleofmyeye (Giftfully Simple )

Sugar Jones @sugarjones (Sugar in the Raw)

Zipporah Sandler @zipporahs (Champagne Living )

Katja Presnal @katjapresnal (Skimbaco Lifestyle)

Follow our progress via #genesistoday on Twitter or check in with our updates on Whrrl to see what is happening!



Disclosure: I was introduced to Genesis Today juices through my involvement with Collective Bias. I keep buying them on my own volition, though! I am being compensated for my participation in this event but all opinions are solely my own.

Exercise, Tuscan Style

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a daily fitness routine that included working out with a celebrity fitness guru on the palazzio veranda of a self-sustaining organic estate in Tuscany, here's your chance! Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga DVD is not only an intense yoga-based cardio/strength workout, but also a sneak peek into the lifestyle of the rich, famous and eco-friendly actress, environmentalist and activist who also happens to be… Mrs. Sting. She's also amazingly in tune with her body and, like her husband, is enviably fit and healthy in her mid-50s. I was surprised at how intense the workouts are while being very calming, perhaps because it features music from Sting's album Songs from the Labyrinth.



Warrior Yoga is the one of three new Gaiam Trudie Styler Fitness DVDs, sales of which support UNICEF Ecuador Water Project. The other DVDs are Core Strength Pilates and Cardio Dance Flow. I am curious about those, has anyone tried them?



Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD to review.

Wave Rider

The following review/giveaway is for adult eyes only because it involves sex. Mommy and daddy sex. (Everyone under 18 just clicked away, right?) No super explicit stuff here but the links might contain NSFW content. Consider yourself warned.






In deference to my husband, I thought we'd review the Wave Rider, which bills itself as a cock ring and clit stimulator. For the willfully ignorant (as I was, uh, last week), cock rings are little doohickeys that slide over the man bits and constrict them to create a long-lasting erection. Yikes! This one is made of pretty, stretchy blue plastic and has a little cresting wave nubbin that is supposed to "crash" on the clitoris, providing plenty of mutual vibration fun for everyone involved.



The Wave Rider features a teeny-tiny bullet vibrator that is powered by three watch batteries. It's like an inch long but surprisingly buzzy. We couldn't quite figure out how to get all the parts to align but it was fun trying. And I think it's nice to let the boys play with toys once in a while, too.

Disclosure: we received the Wave Rider for review purposes.

Ella, Enchanted

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Wash Them Grow with Suave Kids (possible giveaway!)

The Suave Kids® Wash Them Grow campaign encourages you to recognize your child's bath time routine as an opportunity to teach, nurture and transition your child through the stages of growth and cleansing. When your child washes with Suave® Kids, you'll experience the joy of milestone bath time moments with every single fun-loving splash, no matter what the stage of childhood.



To kick-off the campaign, Suave Kids® is launching the Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes, with chances to win awesome weekly prizes of a Family e-Keepsake Kit (including a video camera, laptop and digital camera) and the Grand Prize of a family vacation to Orlando! Simply head over to WashThemGrow.com to play a fun online trivia game and receive an automatic entry into the Suave Kids® Wash Them Grow Sweepstakes. You can enter daily from January 18th until February 22 and literally watch your baby grow online as you progress through the milestones of clean!



Because they know how sensitive your child's skin is, Suave Kids® has developed a made-for-kids body wash for every stage of childhood. Suave Kids® Moisturizing Body Wash is perfect for moms transitioning away from baby bath products, with its rich lather and soft scent while the Berry and Strawberry Body Washes are fruity fun for older kids learning to wash themselves. Our favorite is the Suave Kids® Free and Gentle Body Wash which is mild and dye-free so it's safe for sensitive skin like Roo and Jasper's. Oh, who am I kidding? They love the Strawberry Body Wash, too!


Disclosure: we received samples of the four new body washes mentioned in return for mentioning this contest as part of a MomSelect blog tour. The blogger who drives the most traffic to the sweepstakes will win a year's supply of Suave Kids® products -- for herself AND 10 of her readers! The winning blogger will also receive a $100 gift card to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Please click on over and enter the Suave Kids® Wash Them Grow contest so we can both have a chance at winning!

Clean Up Like A Shark

Last Fall, I was invited to the launch of the Ninja Master Prep kitchen appliance. During the presentation, we were also introduced to another Euro-Pro product line, Shark House Care Solutions. I was impressed with the vacuums and steam appliances we were shown but was curious about how they would perform at home with actual, everyday dirt instead of rice and fake schmutz brought into the otherwise pristine Mandarin Oriental hotel solely for demonstration purposes. I've been testing out the entire suite of Shark House Care Solutions (aside from their line of irons, which would pretty much go to waste in our household and Shark hand vacs, which are reputedly awesome, according to my friend who has three very sheddy dogs) over the last couple of months and overall, I must say that I am very pleased with their performance. I am going to let you know what I thought about each of the products I received, in no particular order of preference.

The Shark Portable Steamer is an incredibly useful little gadget. I was really excited to try it because we have several "problem" areas in our home that I thought it would be particularly great on: the scaly hard water deposits on our glass shower doors and the uneven slate tile in our master bath. It was really impressive on glass and mirrors with the squeegee attachment and the different "steam pocket" attachments clean everything from kitchen appliances and range hoods to counters, cupboards and other large surfaces easily and efficiently without any toxic chemicals.



That's the beauty of this little guy- it does everything solely with the power of steam, no harsh detergents or cleansers needed, so it is very earth friendly and safe for kids. If, like me, you're anti-ironing you can even use your Shark Portable Steamer as a garment steamer. It takes a little practice, but once you get the maneuvers down, it is very quick and easy. My only complaint about this tool is that it comes with a lot of attachments but not a case to store everything in. I'd love to have an easy way to store the steamer and all of its parts in so I don't have to keep it in its original box. I am more likely to use it if I can get to it without a hassle.



Possibly my favorite of all of the items I reviewed, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop also uses the power of steam to clean and sanitize your hard surfaces. The patented 2-sided cleaning "pocket" swivels, allowing you to clean with one side, and sanitize with the other for more efficient cleaning. It comes with three quick-release "pocket" mop heads in different shapes and sizes (rectangle, triangle and extra large open-area rectangle), a carpet glider attachment and four reusable microfiber cloth pads. It's very lightweight and maneuverable, with an extra-long 30' cord, and you can release extra concentrated steam for problem areas by simply pumping the handle. The steam dries quickly and doesn't remain hot enough to harm your curious kids, which was something I was worried about. I absolutely LOVE being able to pull off the dirty pad and toss it into the washer. There's something so satisfying about seeing the grime you've just removed from your floors and being able to eradicate it the washing machine. I was concerned that the pads would tear but they are very durable and secure tightly with heavy duty velcro. As a matter of fact, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop withstood the uneven slate tile that I mentioned before, which usually shreds those pesky disposable mop sheets. Score! Again, though, I wish it came with a storage solution for all of the handy attachments.



The Shark Multivac with Back Saver Wand is kind of like a cleaning Transformer. In fact, Jasper was convinced it was a robot! It can be used as a hand vac, portable canister vacuum or a stick vacuum depending on your need. It has impressive suction and can pick up large particles (Cheerios, et al…), plus it has a turbo brush attachment on board that is great for pet hair. The Shark Multivac with Back Saver Wand can also get into just about any crevice or corner depending on how you configure it. I think it would be an amazing vacuum for someone who wants to switch it back and forth with all of the different configurations but, honestly, it was a bit unwieldy for me.



The Shark Navigator is a really good mid-priced (around $200) vacuum cleaner. It is lightweight and easy to maneuver and performs well on rugs and bare floors. It comes with a 24 inch crevice tool for tight spaces, Power Nozzle and additional Turbo Power Brush, plus the super-stretch hose with quick release wand that provides 12 feet of cleaning reach. I really like that it is a bagless vacuum and its lifetime filters just need to be rinsed twice a year. The Shark Navigator also carries a 5 year warranty. It's a good, sturdy, all-purpose machine.



The Shark StickVac can be used as both a stick and hand vacuum. It's great for everyday maintenance of carpets and bare floors, since it is powered by a rechargeable battery you can use it anywhere in the house. I found it especially useful for vacuuming our very steep hardwood stairs, which are a pain to clean with a traditional vacuum cleaner. It's also convenient for quick clean-up of kid messes at mealtime or after crafts. I really like how maneuverable it is, with its swivel steering, and it even has a telescoping handle should you want to put your kids to work. Only slightly kidding. It is lightweight enough for my five year old daughter to use! I wish that the Shark StickVac had some kind of integrated battery charger or maybe a wall mount to keep it at your disposal. It would also be great if it shipped with two batteries instead of one… then you could do the whole house! With one battery, it only lasts for a couple of rooms, tops. Of course, if you're really planning on vacuuming in earnest, I suppose you should just pull out the "real" vacuum like the Shark Navigator…

Disclosure: I received the Shark House Care Solutions products reviewed above in order to review them. I also attended a media event in NYC for their sister company and my travel and lodging was provided. No other compensation was given and I wrote this review without being required to do so. My opinions are my own, formed after using these products over the last few months.

191Unlimited

191 Unlimited was founded in 2002 with $191 and a dream. Long time best friends Parth Sharma and Girish Karnani took $191 to the casino and turned it into enough money to launch their first 191 Unlimited collection. The two college grads then loaded the samples into their car and went on a 2 month trek from NY to LA and back, stopping in as many cities as possible to show their line to specialty stores.

The founders had 4 original principles by which they wanted each shirt to be made: 1) Awesome Fit, 2) Extreme Comfort, 3) Innovative Detailing, and 4) Affordability. 191 Unlimited still employs these 4 core principles in the making of all of its products.

191 Unlimited makes high quality, beautifully-tailored shirts for men and boys. Why should fashion be relegated to females only? Their shirts are body-conscious and have stylish design details like screenprinted motifs and embroidery. My husband thinks the embellished shirts are a bit flashy for him but there are plenty of more traditional options, too:



There is also a wide range of 191 Unlimited shirts available in sizes from 2T through Boys XL (18-20):



We received the Montreaux Boys dress shirt, which features subtle stripes mixed with a folklorish graphic patterned stripe and matching lining on the collar and cuffs. It's very dapper!



Subscribe to the 191Unlimited mailing list to be entered to win a closet full of clothes for your favorite fellas!

Disclosure: we received the shirt mentioned above to facilitate this review.

Hitting the (LAYA)Spot

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I ♥ Lush

I've been a big fan of Lush for a long time now, since before they had stores in the US. When I lived in Seattle, my friends and I would often drive up to Vancouver, B.C. and come home with bags of good-smelling bath stuff. When I moved to Memphis, I even did a couple of phone orders to stock up on the coveted items. My old favorite, Skinny Dip shower gel, has long since been discontinued but I can still remember its heady white chocolate, clove and violet scent…Lush now has stores in most major US cities but I've got two kids and can't really justify driving four hours to Overland Park to buy bath bombs. Luckily, their website is well-stocked and easy to navigate! I received some new goodies to try out: the American Cream conditioner, Rehab shampoo and a Creamy Candy Bubble Bar.



My hair changed texture when I was pregnant with Roo. It used to be thick and wavy, but lately it's been fine and limp. The very definition of lackluster. I've tried volumizing shampoos, intensive conditioners, hot oil treatments. If it makes my hair soft, it makes my scalp itchy. Nothing works. These actually do! And they smell pretty great, too. Rehab is packed with tropical fruit juices (papaya, pineapple, kiwi and mango) as well as invigorating peppermint and rosemary and nourishing extra virgin olive and jojoba oils. It cleans without stripping and leaves hair soft and bouncy. American Cream is thick and sweet-smelling, like strawberry milkshakes and creamsicles mixed together. It leaves a subtle scent along with smooth, well-behaved hair. I actually let my hair air-dry today in the nasty Kansas winter and there is not a lick of frizz, even without aid of styling product. I am impressed! Roo and Jasper have used teensy bits of the very, very bubblicious Creamy Candy Bubble Bar and LOVE the yummy sweet fragrance and slightly pink bubbles. They fight over who gets to crumble it under the running water, even. And it doesn't leave their skin dry and rashy, which is important to me since both of my kids have sensitive, eczema-prone skin.



If you're looking for somewhere to start, the Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes sampler box is a great way to introduce yourself to Lush's handmade skincare. I'm not real sure what the "free moustache" is all about but everything else in the box looks nummy.

Disclosure: we received the three items mentioned above (American Cream, Rehab and Creamy Candy Bubble Bar) to facilitate this review. Honestly, I am pretty sure I would love at least 90% of the things that they make. But I'd be happy to test that theory, anytime!

Sometimes I Hate Being Honest

Yesterday, I got a huge and unexpected package from Williams-Sonoma. Exciting, right? Even better- it was several pieces of lustworthy Goldtouch heavy-duty nonstick bakeware. Now, who loves me enough to send such quality tools for cooking? When I fished the invoice out to see from whence it came, I realized that it was not for me. "Mazel Tov, Naomi and Adam…" it read. Oh, no. I'd better not let Bob see that! Wait. I don't know anyone named Adam. Hmmph.



Obviously, someone had logged onto the Williams-Sonoma gift registry and just typed Naomi Shapiro, not bothering to check the shipping destination or betrothed. (Yes, I did make a registry for our wedding anniversary last year. It was a feeble attempt to win some of the fancy cooking tchotkes I love. We didn't register when we actually got married, so I figured it couldn't hurt to do it now…in fact, I just updated it so anyone who wants to know what kind of opulent present to buy me has somewhere to start shopping.) I contemplated the ethical dilemma. Should I just keep the super fancy bakeware that I know I would love as my own? Chances are the giver would never even realize the mistake and just assume the mystery Naomi Shapiro was bad at writing thank you cards… but of course that would be wrong. So I called customer service and they said they would order a UPS pickup. Just like that. I was kind of hoping they'd offer me a consolation prize, like maybe the Goldtouch Sandwich Cookie Cake Pans, which are about the cutest thing I've seen in a while:




Disclosure: I received nothing in exchange for this post, aside from the warm fuzzies associated with doing the right thing. Although if Williams-Sonoma wanted to send me stuff, I'd probably love it. Especially if it was actually meant for me.

Graco Voluntary Stroller Recall

I'm a proud member of the Graco Nation because I have always been impressed with the quality of Graco baby products as well as the integrity of the company itself. Today, Graco is announcing a voluntary recall for select Passage™, Alano™, and Spree™ model strollers. These strollers have specific hinge designs and were manufactured by Graco prior to March 2008. They have worked closely with the CPSC on this announcement, and have decided to inform consumers of a potential risk of injury to small children caused by the canopy hinge on these models. For those with affected strollers, Graco will provide a protective hinge cover free of charge.

If you would like to check to see if you have an affected model, you can do so with this online form. For additional information, customers can visit the Graco Heart to Heart Blog, view proper canopy installation instructions on YouTube, or call Graco's consumer service line at 800-345-4109. Updates will also be posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Wordless Wednesday- Winter at the Zoo

Share your own pictures this week at Wordless Wednesday HQ!

Before you leave, have you entered all of my giveaways?

Wanna Buy Some Cookies?

Roo just joined a Daisy Girl Scouts troop, right in time for cookie season. Technically, we can't take orders online but if you want to buy some cookies from Roo, email me and we'll hook you up…




Here are the Girl Scout Cookie varieties we are selling. Bear in mind that the names might be a bit different, depending on your region– the cookies I grew up calling "Samoas" are called "Caramel deLites" and "Dos-i-dos" are the same as "Peanut Butter Sandwiches."



Roo highly recommends the Peanut Butter Patties. She keeps telling prospective customers that she doesn't like the Lemonades, which I doubt is the best sales method, although she's sold quite a few boxes. The very first house we stopped at signed on for 80 boxes-and no, they aren't even related to us! I tried to tell Roo that probably wasn't going to happen at every house but I think she's setting her sights pretty high. After all, if she sells 1000 boxes, she wins a Nintendo DS. It's good to have goals, huh?

If you want to buy Girl Scout Cookies from Roo, email me for more info. Remember, even if you're on a diet or (heaven forbid!) hate cookies, you can always buy some and donate them to our troops via Cookie Share…

Roo and Jasper Shred a Wave

Kind of silly but I spent way too much time constructing this in Photoshop (my graphic design BFA in action… ) and thought it was hilarious. This is our entry in Hawaiian Airlines' Picture Yourself in Hawaii contest:



Roo and Jasper look good with Diamond Head in the distance, don't they? Their grandpa Rod and grandma Marie can see it every day from their condo. Wish us luck on getting out to visit them!

Funky Monkey Fruit Snacks

My kids love fruit. All kinds, all ways. They can't get enough. They also like crunchy snacks. Funky Monkey calls itself "Fruit That Crunches!" so, naturally, I figured my kids would like these healthy treats.



We received three of the seven flavors of Funky Monkey freeze-dried fruit snacks to try: Applemon, MangOJ, and Pink Pineapple. All were tasty but the Pink Pineapple pouch was gone in an instant, possibly because Bob and I liked them the best, too! The pineapple-guava flavor reminded me of the juice we always had at school growing up in Hawaii. The texture is crunchy and the flavor is intense. Funky Monkey makes a great lunchbox addition or after-school snack and I could even see using them as an exotic salad or yogurt topping.



Become a Funky Monkey fan on Facebook!
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Disclosure: we received three pouches of Funky Monkey in order to write this review.