Barefoot in the Kitchen
Kick off your heels and step onto something more comfortable. The stylish WellnessMat is like those shock-absorbing anti-fatigue mats you see the checker at the market standing on to prevent tired legs and back strain, but it’s a whole lot more chic. They come in several attractive colors decorative styles – like the Bella mat from Motif Collection (3’x2’ for $119.95, 6’x2’ for $239.95), feature a no-trip beveled edge and are easy to clean. So soothing you’ll actually want to stand on your feet. Available at William Sonoma and other specialty retailers and www.wellnessmats.com.
It’s a Laptop Bag, It’s a Purse, It’s an Overnight Bag
When a gal on the go needs a bag that can go anywhere with her, The Grow Expandable Messenger Bag from Brigg’s-Riley’s Verb line is a sleek and stylish solution. It multi-tasks as a work bag that holds your laptop – up to 17 inches – in a padded inner sleeve with plenty of pockets for peripherals, and it converts to a travel bag with a roomy expandable main compartment and can be worn cross-body or over the shoulder. Best of all, it’s tough enough for daily use and comes with the Briggs-Riley legendary lifetime warranty. Available at www.briggs-riley.com, $229.
Save Your Smartphone and Maybe a Life
If your purse is like a black hole in space that crews up and swallows cell phones, The Otterbox Commuter Series is a light at the end of the tunnel. The durable customized casing fits sleekly around just about any smartphone to protect it from bumps and scratches, and the bright-colored Strength is Pink case makes it easy to see and find. Plus, 10 percent of the purchase goes to Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Available at www.otterbox.com, $34.95.
The Night Diaper Killer
Nothing crushes the pride of a potty-trained preschooler more than training pants at bedtime, but you don’t have to sacrifice your mattress to spare your little one’s self-esteem. Therapedic’s Always Fresh Puresleep mattress pad features a waterproof barrier backing that protects against occasional accidents and technology that captures odors in specially treated fibers then converts them to odorless, harmless gas. Its quilted cotton surface is also plush, comfy and cool, unlike the rubbery mattress covers of the old days. Available at Bed, Bath & Beyond in twin to California king sizes, $39.99 to $99.99.
Listen Up
For busy moms who don’t have time for The Talk or to chew the fat with the ladies of the View, SiriusXM Radio offers 24/7 news, views and musings with more than 140 channels of exclusive commercial-free programming. Tune in at work on the Internet or in the car or at home to catch up on all the latest, from life advice on Oprah Radio to tips from Martha Stewart Living or sex talk with Dr. Laura Berman. Plans start at $12.95 per month. www.siriusxm.com.
Show Off
Kids bring home the darndest things, and where can you put them? Display your child’s oddly shaped school artwork, collection of rocks and shells or whatever they treasure in a Z-Access Displayit3d rotating frame-within-a frame display box. It’s the perfect way to give kids proper recognition for their hard work while preserving their projects against dust, moisture and fingerprints. 6″ x 4″ size, $19.99 to $37.99. Available at http://www.displayit3d.com/order.html.
Pie Tonight
Home baking is easy as pie with the Sunbeam Mini Pie Maker. This one-of-a-kind, multi-tasking pie maker creates four miniature pies simultaneously, each with a different filling if desired, from desserts to pot pies. The nonstick cooking plates make pie removal and clean up easy. Available at retailers nationwide, Available at Target, $29.99.
