The other day I received a package from Tamara of The Spoiled Mama. The San Francisco entrepreneur mom started the popular line of lotions, potions, scrubs and more to pamper mom & baby like they’ve never been pampered before.

The first thing I noticed about The Spoiled Mama was the packaging. The spoiling starts right away apparently! Simply gorgeous. No need to worry about ordering this is a gift first and then wrapping. Just send it right to the mama you want spoiled.

I’ve never been one known for my patience and immediately ripped open the box to find pieces from The Pregnancy Collection. The Sugar Scrub, made with all natural ingredients, smelled so delicious that I wanted to taste it. So I did. Honestly, I could have eaten it on toast, it tasted like Nutella’s crunchy cousin.

The Tummy Butter is so thick and luxurious, not at all greasy. I’ve been using it on my spoiled toddler after her bath. Just one of the many ways I say “I love you” to my diva of a 2-year old.

The Extreme Mama Cream forever has a place in my purse. I love it. No generic chemical laden lotion for these hard working hands.

Now, I’ve saved something super cool for last. I LOVE oils. Especially during the winter. This one gets bonus points because it promises to reduce or prevent stretch marks! The Bump Gloss Stretch Mark oil gets two manicured thumbs up for being yummy smelling and feeling SO good on the skin.

Thank you Tamara for creating such an amazing line for moms! Only another mom could have done it. I’m meeting up with Tam (that’s my nickname because we’re so close now. bonded over my love of things that pamper me…) in San Francisco in a couple of weeks. I’ll report back with what she’s working on next!

xo One Crazy Mother

PS. She has boxed set specials starting at $23 bucks so get out there. Do something special for yourself.

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One of my favorite mom-owned businesses is Tiny Revolutionary, a line of kid’s and adult’s clothing. The messages that run across the chest of their ultra-soft cotton are controversial, poignant, and oftentimes, hilarious. The LA  company makes more than just t-shirts, they’re working on changing the world one thread at a time.  They were kind enough to send my toddler a very special item that they’re working on. More below.

From the website:

Through an extraordinary partnership with Africa Aid, a t-shirt is being elevated to its highest call yet – life saver. With the purchase of each THIS SHIRT SAVED A LIFE tee from Tiny Revolutionary, $20 will be donated directly to Africa Aid to fund a child in their school lunch program in the Buduburam Refugee Settlement in Ghana for an entire year. To learn more about Africa Aid, visit www.africaaid.org today!

Printed on a 100% Cotton buttery soft vintage black tee with innovative new, non-toxic inks. Each tee has an inside print explaining the program and is HAND-NUMBERED prior to shipping for a true one-of-a-kind mark of distinction.

Check out the website: http://www.tinyrevolutionary.com

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Daphne Brogdon is one crazy mother. When she’s not washing sippy cups, chasing a toddler, or trying to remember what pre-baby life was like, she’s a comedian who hosts TV Guide Channel’s weekly series, THE FASHION TEAM and contributor to many television and print media.

I talked to Daphne last week when I saw that she’d recently launched a blog called Cool Mom. Her candid, honest, nothing-held-back videos will resonate with overtired, overworked, and largely malnourished (Diet Coke is not a meal) moms everywhere. We’re all running on fumes, Daphne articulates the “mom lifestyle” perfectly.

Some of Daphne’s neurosis can be attributed to the fact that she, like me, lives in southern California (where if you want clean air, go to an oxygen bar). The rest come from the everyday issues of raising young; think first day of preschool.

Must read:
Preschool Day One Report: Stress
http://coolmom.com/2008/07/15/preschool-day-one-report-stress/

Mommy Math
http://coolmom.com/2008/06/04/mom-math/

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Now that I have a two year-old I’m finally kicking it into gear to find the perfect preschool. The schools I want have waiting lists which isn’t surprising- my criterion are specific. I need a Hebrew French school that…okay I’m not going to say the food has to be 100% organic, but snacks can’t be crap (Kool Aid and goldfish everyday). We’ll be on the East Coast by then and I’ve already put the feelers out.

Apparently letters of recommendation are also standard. I don’t think I put this much effort into my college applications. What happened to the days when kids were “schooled” in single room Little House on the Prairie-esque barns? I bet it was cheap.

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If you’re a good parent you occasionally read to your kid. Everyone knows the favorites…Seuss, Boynton, Carle, etc. There are also many children’s books that have driven parents to the brink during what should have been an enjoyable story time.

As a rule, I don’t throw books away but Big Red Barnis one of those titles that have come close to sitting at the bottom of the kitchen trash. The only reason it’s still around is because 1) it was given to my child by a well-meaning friend, and 2) my kid loves it.

Every time I’m forced to read this unrealistic tale about farm animals enjoying a day without people in what is an obvious and poorly written homage to Animal Farm the bibliophile in me feels physically ill.

Here’s why you should spare yourself the trouble.

Page 1:
“By the big red barn
In (notice the capital “I” for no reason) the great green field,

Page 2:
“There (starting a new page with a capital even though the previous page ended with a comma) was a pink pig
Who (another capital for no reason other than an indentation) was learning to squeal.

Page 3:
And on every barn
Is a weather vane, of course-
A golden flying horse.
(wtf?)

Page 6:
But in this story the children are away (What kind of author starts a sentence with “But”? One must also never reference they story as being a story. Way to pull the kid right out of their dream-like state.)
Only the animals are here today.

–

That’s all I’m going to copy lest I get sued.

The author starts eight sentences in this 32 page cardboard book with “And,” the pages are littered with fragments (my favorite being, “In the field.”), and the rhyming was anything but consistent.

Smart parents beware. This book will puzzle your sensibilities and completely throw off your voice inflections. My daughter is never tired when it is over.

Two thumbs down.

Image used without permission from Amazon.com

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Smart Mom Jewelry is the first in our new series of “Swag For Mom” giveaways. Initially there was only going to be one freebie a month but since the news got out, I’ve been contacted by other companies who have gifts for lucky moms so stay tuned.

First up: Smart Mom Jewelry, best known for their Teething Bling wants to give one mom a Teething Bling Gift Set! Amy Maurer Creel and Kendra LaDuca joined forces to create this amazingly successful company in 2002. Since the launch, they’ve been featured in a slew of print and online media as well as NBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch.

Anyone with babies knows how fast keys, bracelets and bank cards become teething objects. Amy shares how Smart Mom Jewelry came about:

“The company was started after an “ah ha” moment in a grocery store. Kendra was shopping with her then 8-month old who kept chewing on her watch. She wasn’t sure it was safe but it was keeping her occupied – and the shopping needed to be done! – so she let her do it. She then started thinking about making jewelry for Moms that served the dual-purpose of being pretty and attractive for the adult wearer but also safe and fun for the curious baby. “

The Teething Bling Gift Set includes a Teething Bling pendant and matching bangle set of your choice plus personalized gift card in one of three designs (girl, boy or neutral).

To enter send an email with the subject “Teething Bling Giveaway” and your name and phone number in the body to onecrazymother@gmail.com by Tuesday, May 20th 8pm PST.

www.smartmomjewelry.com

Good luck!!

More giveaways coming! Think tutus, ice cream, books, baby clothes, and more…

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I absolutely love this.

We’ve all seen (an experienced, don’t lie) the plumber’s crack that occurs when a mom in jeans tries to peel her tantrum-throwing toddler off of the grocery store floor or pick up Cherrios of the restaurant floor, right?

Two moms in Salinas, CA have created the Hip-T

It is a cloth thingey that hugs your waist. It’s like layering without getting an extra shirt dirty. How sweet is that?

No more thong flashing mamas!

myhip-t.com

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