I do enjoy my workouts… the second they are over. Granted, there is a definite sense of pride and “I did good for my body today” feeling that follows a good workout. But somehow, that sense of achievement holds no reserve to motivate me for any subsequent workout. I’m on my own. Left to my own device, I would probably never exercise. And really, I only workout because I have to. I wish that I were one of those that could get lost in the endorphin rush, able to move past the pain. But no such luck. My neurotransmitters just ask me, Is this over yet?

We are all aware that, as we get older, we tend to get more sedentary and thus need to exercise more.  And, with my current lifestyle of sitting at a computer 10+ hours a day, it’s not by getting coffee refills that I’ll fit in those 10,000 steps a day.

Which is why I was so excited to get my Fitbit about 8 months ago. The Fitbit is a sleek lil’ fitness and sleep tracking device that monitors daily physical activity via steps taken, distance traveled and sleep quality. I loved the concept of having a device that would keep me attuned to my actual level of activity. Some concrete measurement – besides a scale – to will remind me that I need to get off… my chair.

I enjoyed the Fitbit tremendously, but lost it within a few weeks. It just fell off and I was crushed when I couldn’t find it. I was pondering the idea of getting a replacement when I ran into a new friend who works for Fitbug and lent me a unit to try.

I love it. And though there are many similarities between the Fitbit and the Fitbug units, but the ‘Bug (we like to call it that for short) is also very different:

• First off, though the Bug’s design is not quite as sleek as the Fitbit’s, the large display screen shows 8 days of progress and all the details of activity. Even has the time and an alarm (you know, to remind you to hit the pavement). And Bug does have three different form of attachments to ensure that the unit WILL stay attached. I still have it!
• The Bug is a very accurate device. It is calibrated to one’s stride and weight for a personalized reading. Through an algorithm, it differentiates walking from aerobic activity and measures caloric burn and distance accordingly.
• The Bug presents itself as a software program first, and a device, second. Which is why

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By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor

I could certainly relate to Sara Buntrock as she talked about her tween daughter when I met her this last January at a gift show. Being a mother of a tween myself (any child between the age of 7 to 12 is considered one), I know that they start having very mature tastes at a very early age (thank you Hanna Montana/Miley Cyrus and iCarly/Miranda Cosgrove).

Make-up is definitely one area that young girls love to explore. Although I do not encourage my young daughters to wear makeup, I feel that a little lip gloss is definitely ok. And, so does Sara and her other mom pals, Amy and Molly, which is exactly why they started a company, called What’s Your Virtue?, that sells positive statement lip gloss geared towards tweens and teens (although I like them also).

It all began when these three friends and their teen/tween daughters went on a mother/daughter shopping trip. When they went into a store to look at the lip gloss selection, they were shocked at the explicit and overtly provocative names on many of the brands of lip gloss. They did not think it was appropriate to have such messages (because messages they are) like “Easy Lover”, “Berry My Treasure” or “Misbehave”* in their daughter’s school bag, let alone on their lips!

Although the daughters came home with no lip gloss that day, the moms came home determined to make a difference. Their belief was that beauty starts from within and when we teach our daughters to respect themselves and feel good about themselves, their beauty shines! Any way that our daughters can get a positive message about themselves is important. And why not start with a lip gloss name.

After years of research and perfecting the right formula for their lip gloss, LipBliss came to fruition. Here is what to expect from What’s Your Virtue? Lip Bliss™:

Lip Bliss™ is an innovative lip gloss with an unparalleled hydrating formula which achieved the ideal blend of health-infusing moisture with the perfect degree of shine. Lip Bliss™ bundles fortifying castor, cranberry, and safflower seed oils along with nourishing peppermint oil in order to smooth and nurture. It promises radiant shine without stickiness while offering the purifying and protecting properties of anti-oxidants, green tea extracts, and moisturizing vitamin E.

Just think about your daughter’s friends asking them what color they are wearing and they say names like “Wisdom”, “Kindness” and “Generosity” rather than “Bing My Cherry”,  “All Night Long” or “Super Orgasm”*. That, and a fabulous lipgloss that is wonderful to wear and stays put. This mom will have to get herself her own “Devotion”.

To see the whole line and/or to purchase Lip Bliss™ for $12.00 each, visit What’s Your Virtue?

* All names listed are actual names of popular lip gloss from a variety of brands

“Experience the sensation of buying a girl… her life back”. That’s the baiting, provocative but so very clever intro of the Girl Store website, effective at demonstrating how a girl child in India can be “bought back” from the perils of being sold for marriage, sex slavery, labor slavery or terrorism.

The Girl Store, run by Nanhi Kali, an Indian national girl child sponsorship program, provides girls with academic support to get them in school and to stop the cycle where girls from impoverished families are often sold into marriage or sex slavery.

In the store, one is able to sponsor the supplies that allow an underprivileged girl in India to go to school and get an education.  I bought Padma, age 7, her set of books and was thrilled to see the site immediately updated with an “off to school” message on her photo.  This tiny gesture was such a feel-good.

You too can make a difference in a girl’s life right now by either buying school supplies or by making a $65 donation which sponsors a girl for a full year of school. Completely worth it.

By Kristin Thomas, College Consultant & Guest Contributor

It is no surprise that colleges want to know what your student did with their time while in high school.  No, I won’t be discussing the pros & cons of the social scene in high school or hours plugged into headphones listening to music or playing computer games. I’m talking about the kinds of things that they will be writing on a resume or on the “activities” section of their application to colleges: extracurriculars, clubs, sports, community service, work. There is no correct list of mandatory activities nor is there a magical formula that will guarantee college admittance. There are however, some ideas that might help you guide your student in deciding how they spend their time.

A PASSION, A THEME

When I went through this process myself many decades ago (not to date myself), colleges were telling us it was the “Jack-of- all-trades”, the student who had done it all, that they were looking for. Now the emphasis is on sticking with something over time. Has your child found something they love to do? Do they need encouragement to try something new in search of a passion?

Often a pattern arises in a student’s interests and activities. Perhaps they find they like hands-on activities, or working with children, or leadership roles. If they have a passion academically or an interest, does it cross over into their choice of summer, work (internship), and/or volunteer plans? You are doing your child a huge favor if you can help them recognize things about themselves and encourage them in the right direction.

SETTING THEM APART

For the more selective colleges, being different can be a huge bonus. How can your teenager stand out? A quirky passion, an unusual pastime or a creative endeavor that isn’t typical of a high school student. Often these are adult activities, not your typical teenage fare.

EVERY STUDENT IS DIFFERENT

Children are so different. I still can’t get over how my three children from the same parents are such unique individuals. How much do you push, or do you hold back? As a lifelong multi-tasker, I still have a chip on my shoulder that the orchestra conductor made me choose between sports and playing the cello my freshman year. On the other hand, one of the saddest things I see in my business are kids completely burned out on activities. Kids who pushed themselves – or were pushed by well meaning adults – to do more than they can handle.

In a nutshell…

• Quality over quantity of activities. Although, if they are still exploring, it’s OK to dabble.
• Have them develop  a passion – and even a theme – if possible.
• Stand out from the crowd.
• Have your child be themselves. Help them know themselves. Try to avoid doing things just because they think it looks good.

Fellow College Advisor Steve Singer, who writes for the New York Times column The Choice, suggests that students “market” themselves by being themselves, rather than trying desperately to “beat the system”. The best thing for parents to do is help their teenager to find activities that they enjoy and find meaning in. And quite possibly, if they actually enjoy what they are doing, these extra activities can relieve some of the stress of applying to all those Colleges (well, maybe be a little).

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor

I am a huge fan of Fresh Wave odor eliminators. Not only are they eco-friendly, but they have no strong perfumes or fragrances to mask odors (which give me a serious headache). They are made of natural ingredients such as lime, pine needles, aniseed, clove, soy and cedar wood. This blend of ingredients, somehow, allows the products to neutralize strong smells without being overbearing in their scent. In fact, you can barely smell Fresh Wave. But work, it does.

Designed to get rid of strong odors in places like solid waste facilities, rubber manufacturing plants and asphalt factories, I thought, for sure, it would work in my teenage son’s room. I used the Odor Neutralizing Crystals to rid Chase’s bedroom of those teenage-son smells of dirty clothes, stale food, smelly soccer bags and lord knows what else…

The crystals, made from biodegradable food-grade polymer, completely dissolve when the natural odor ingredients slowly dissipate (about 30 days). The container can then be discarded in the recycle bin.

I have also used the Fresh Wave Soy Candle. Our home has an open concept floor plan so when we cook our whole house smells like the kitchen (even into the next morning). The lightly scented candle eliminates food odors before they spread, keeping the whole house fresh.

To view Fresh Wave’s complete line of products, to make a purchase or to find a retailer near you check out their website or buy on Amazon.  While there you may also want to order their Stinky Dorm Kit to send directly to your college student.  They will thank you. Because it’s always the roommate’s fault.

There was a day when designers, artists and other creatives were limited to the Zazzle and CafePress marketplaces to offer their creations on demand. But today, previously unattainable production processes have now become available for many types of designs. Technology is to thank again for providing multiple online avenues on which the designers can sell a whole new category of goods, such as items made in 2D laser cuts or in 3D manufacturing with materials such as steel, felt, wood, acrylic or fabric.

With on-demand marketplaces such as Shapeways, Ponoko and Spoonflower, designers can design, manufacture and sell some pretty intricate creations on demand, without mortgaging their homes or wiping out their life savings. And the rest of us can buy these “custom”, independently designed goods or, even better, we can get creative ourselves. I’m thinking of things like creating personalized centerpieces and table décor for an important event, wedding or celebration; redecorating the bedroom with a fabric that exists only in my mind; creating a custom trophy for the association awards… Endless possibilities.

Shapeways: allows users to design and print objects using a 3D printing technique which up to now had been prohibitively expensive. But no longer… . Objects can be 3D-printed in silver, glass, plastic, steel and unique composite that allows to print objects in color. This is a great platform for those who design in 3D. No worries for those who don’t though. There is a Co-Creator program that will team you up with a designer to bring your project to 3D reality.

Shapeways also has a marketplace, (though I find it limited and hard to navigate) where one can shop by designer or by category. Jewelry is a popular category though I’d love to see more functional items in the home accessories category.

Great for custom work, such as creating those custom napkin rings for the upcoming wedding… Or replacing that missing dangle on the antique chandelier. Or that custom pendant to thank the volunteers. Oh, and…

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How befitting that, today, Valentine’s Day, I would choose to tell you about a wonderful and playful illustrator by the name of Valentina. I thought I’d pay her homage on this day meant for lovers as I have a mad crush on her work, which is, in fact, a tribute to a true love for life.

You want to pay attention here, because I’m quite sure that we will be seeing Valentina Ramos‘ work in all sorts of places very soon. Certainly, it deserves to be. As gifted illustrator, she is making her mark with her own unique style, something that she describes as doodling. But, I’m sorry Valentina… To call this doodling is to undermine the intricacy of the happy, inspired illustrations.

And, on the inspired note, much of Valentina’s artwork is all about living an inspired life. Her work is enchanting, playful and light and many prints illustrate positive messages: “Follow you Dreams”,  “Something good is going to happen” and the “She believed she could so she did” print of which I bought several copies for my daughter and nieces as gifts this past Christmas.

Valentina’s work is available through various online retail shops. Her Etsy shop features some original pieces as well as her many prints, some of which can be personalized for a child’s room (great New Baby gift idea!).

She sells her collection of fabrics through Spoonflower (I’m thinking fab DIY projects here, like sewing a summer tote bag or some fun drapes in the bedroom) and gorgeous placemats and pillow covers through Envelop.eu, an online on-demand platform that allows illustrators to bring to market their fabric-based creations.

And lastly, there are the distinctive cell phone covers sold through Uncommon.

Now, I’m imagining Valentina’s enchanted illustrations on dinnerware, home decor accessories of all sorts, office accessories, wall decals… Target? Are you listening?