Cooking a family meal is so much more complicated than it should be!   The meal needs to be healthy, easy to make and please an assortment of tastes – and to be honest, this perfect combination rarely happens around my table!  Well, say hello to ZisBoomBah.  This site promises to teach children the ABC’s of healthy eating by allowing them to plan their own meals.  The idea is that by engaging kids in designing meals that appeal to them, it won’t be necessary to order them to eat certain foods.

 ZisBoomBah provides a virtual dinner plate that kids “fill” with more than 1,000 popular food items like meatballs, carrots, hotdogs and pasta.  The site keeps track of the nutritional value of the foods the children have selected and lets them know if certain food groups are not properly represented.  Stars are awarded for every smart food choice.  When they’re done, dinner “plates” can be saved and emailed to mom or dad for approval.  The email will include a grocery store list and recipes!

ZisBoomBah is ingenious, fun and free!  Give your kids a chance to try this meal-planning tool today! 

Tip of the Week:  Revisit Free Rice!

Ages ago, I wrote about Free Rice, a nonprofit site sponsored by the United Nations World Food Program.  Free Rice tests the vocabulary of its visitors, donating ten grains of rice for every correct answer.  Over the years, Free Rice has fed over 4.2 million people in need worldwide.

Today, Free Rice has expanded to include other subjects like art, chemistry, math and geography, and hopefully will encourage more “players” for this terrific cause.

Joining Free Rice is a new site similar to Free Rice but for the benefit of dogs – Free Kibble!  Free Kibble is dedicated to providing food for dogs living in shelters.  A trivia question is posted each day and correct answers result in the donation of 10 pieces of kibble for hungry dogs everywhere.

And joining Free Kibble is Free Kibble Cat.  Free Kibble Cat is essentially the same as Free Kibble, but for cats!

Challenge your knowledge while helping people and animals!  All of these sites are addictive and totally admirable!

With the incredible array of costumes in the market place, I thought it might be helpful to highlight a few stand out choices from Chasing Fireflies and Pottery Barn Kids!

For Boys

The Very Hungry (and very cute) Caterpillar from Eric Carle: (Pottery Barn Kids, Very Hungry Catepillar Costume, on sale for $89.00)

A Not Too Scary One Eyed Monster. (Pottery Barn Kids, One Eyed Monster Costume, on sale for $59.00)

A Shark Story. (Pottery Barn Kids, Shark Costume, on sale for $59.00)

Secret Spy. (Chasing Fireflies, Spy Halloween Costume, on sale for $48.00)

Mummy. (Chasing Fireflies, Mummy Halloween Costume, on sale for $59.00)

Little Gnome that made me laugh. (Chasing Fireflies, Boys Gnome Costume, on sale for $48.00)

Great White Yeti. (Chasing Fireflies, Yeti Halloween Costume, on sale for $98.00)

For Girls

A Sweet Strawberry Fairy. (Pottery Barn Kids, Strawberry Halloween Costume, on sale for $79.00)

Eric Carle Inspiring Butterfly. (Pottery Barn Kids, Butterfly Halloween Costume, on sale for $89.00)

Yummy Cupcake. (Pottery Barn Kids, Cupcake Halloween Costume, on sale for $59.00)

Adorable Octopus. (Pottery Barn Kids, Octopus Costume, on sale for $54.00)

Pink Flamingo. (Chasing Fireflies, Pink Flamingo Costume, on sale for $78.00)

Pretty Peacock. (Chasing Fireflies, Pretty Peacock Costume, on sale for $78.00)

Queen of Hearts. (Chasing Fireflies, Queen of Hearts Costume, on sale for $98.00)

I hope that these suggestions help to narrow the field!  Happy Haunting!

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Fall Fashion Forecast, Month One: September

Let’s cut to the chase, this month I’m focusing on Faux Fur.  Grrrr.

What better way to get a jump on your autumn wardrobe than purchasing that staple piece of faux fur.  Whether it be a coat, vest, bag, or pump, you’re gal here, and resident fashion expert (read: shopaholic committed to continually stimulating the economy and her Amex bill) has wrangled up some fall fashion stunners.

#1 Pick

Starting with my #1 pick: Twelfth Street by, Cynthia Vincent’s Arizona faux fur vest.  Perfect length.  Perfect cut.  Great price.  Great size range.  What are you waiting for? Guarantee they won’t last. (Piperlime,  Arizona Faux Fur Vest, $249)

# 2 Pick

Numero dos on the list:   a little retro-esque double breasted, and oh, so, girly number from Top Shop:  Boucle Faux Fur Collar Coat. It’s a flattering silhouette to most figures (as long as you aren’t layering 2 sweaters and a scarf under it), has a classic, and timeless style element to it, and most importantly, totally affordable. (Top Shop, Boucle Faux Fur Collar Coat, $190)

# 3 Pick

Third on the fashion faux fur list makes me: bananas.  Love Rachel Zoe, had the pleasure of having din-din with her many years back, and she was just as entertaining then as she is on Bravo today.  Her new collection has debuted at Saks 5th Avenue and has me in hives of excitement.  I chose the bomber silhouette, because she’s done such an A-mazing job of transforming the classic men’s style into something fluid and feminine; we die! (Saks 5th Avenue, Zoe Faux Fur Jacket, pictured top, $450)

# 4 Pick

Onto the 4th fantastic fur, fashion item, the shootie.  Shootie?  You ask.  Why it’s one part shoe and one part bootie.  We found a great lug-sole bottom, hook-and-eye lace shootie with an adorbe (that’s how we say adorable here) fold-over shearling detail.  Perfect over tights or stove-pipe jeans.  2 colors to choose from though we say buy both.  (Dillards, Kelsi Dagger “Francille” Lace-up Ankle Boots, $119, pictured right)

# 5 Pick

We’ve come to the fifth and final installment of our Fall Fashion Forecast Month One – handbags.  When it comes to fur as an accessory, less is more (I know, I know, the first time you’ve heard that). Accessory is to accessorize not dominate.  Too much fur takes over and that’s all people see.  We chose a small shoulder bag from Express because of it’s size (everyone can carry it), because of it’s color (looks uber expensive and it is so not), and because of the price.  Let’s be honest, no need to get too attached to a faux fur bag as the everyday wear, will wear it down.  So look it as a one-season sensation.

Well gals (and guys, cause we know you’re there) we’ll see you in October.  Feel free to like us on FB and tweet us on Twitter.

Ciao til next month!

Thanks to Shannon for her fabulous fashion posts!  Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada is co-owner of Pitch! Press.  Her expertise lies in styling, trend-forecasting, design consulting and working in the public relations arena.  For more information on Shannon, visit www.pitchpress.com.

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It’s that time again and how quickly it rolls around!  If your child is looking for a backpack that ‘s a bit more unique, take a look at these selections!  And don’t miss our Lunchbox Roundup!

For the Three to Seven Set

Zoo Packs by Skip Hop

This line of backpacks is really cute!  Sit down with your little one and have them choose their favorite animal from dozens of possibilities!  There are the expected dogs and frogs, as well as the more unexpected fox, penguin and bee! (Skip Hop,  Zoo Packs, $20)

Kiddie Play Packs by Ore Originals

Perfectly sized for the younger set, these simply designed backpacks are available in a wide variety of fabulous patterns, including a few with vintage appeal.  Coordinating lunch boxes are also sold at this site. (O.R.E.,  Kiddie Play Packs, $20)

Back Pack Buddies

Handcrafted from locally sourced, reclaimed wool, each one of these backpacks is one of a kind!  Choose from a dog or walrus design! (Uncommon Goods*, Backpack Buddies, $48)

For the Grade School Set

Backpacks and Messenger Bags from Four Peas – This website will be a great place to start your backpack search.  Kids can choose between a backpack or messenger bag style and then from a wide variety of patterns and designs:

(Four Peas, Save the Blue School Backpack, $35)

(Four Peas, Spunky Stripe Messenger Bag, $35)

Personalized Backpacks from Swoozies

Here’s your resource for the preppy, personalized backpacks!  There are bright backpacks for girls in hot pink, navy or lime green and chocolate brown or camo for boys.  (Swoozies, Personalized Tuff Stuff Camo Backpack, $19.95)

For the High School Set

Backpacks that Accommodate a Laptop – so many high school students are now carrying laptops along with their books that it makes sense to have one bag to accommodate both.  Here are some excellent options:

Laptop Backpacks For Girls  -

From preppy to indie, several fabulous patterns are offered from Vera Bradley. (Vera Bradley*, Laptop Backpack, $98)

Another terrific option for high school girls carrying a laptop along with their books is the Dakine Prom, offered in several patterns at Zappos.  (Zappos, Dakine Prom, $50, free shipping)

Laptop Backpacks For Guys –

Boys is high school will like The Dakine Mission Backpack’s quality, comfort and laptop sleeve.  Offered in a variety of patterns at Zappos.  (Zappos, Dakine Mission Backpack, $65)

This roomy and high quality backpack from Merrel has lots of zippered compartments and will accommodate a laptop. (Zappos, Merrel Avionic Commuter Laptop Backpack, $99)

Some Additional Fun Suggestions for Teen Girls:  my apologies to the guys, but there are just more options for the girls!

For the teen girl who’s looking for something a bit different, this St. Tropez Fushia French Market Basket will do the trick! (French Basketeer,  St. Tropez Fushia French Market Basket, $48)

Another out of the ordinary alternative is this monogrammed Navy and White Striped Canvas Tote from The Palm Gifts.  With easy to carry handles and reinforced seams, it makes a nice alternative backpack for teen girls. The tote comes in a variety of thread colors and may be personalized for free. (The Palm Gifts, Navy and White Striped Canvas Tote, $32)

A teen girl can’t go wrong with a classic LL Bean Tote Bag.  (LL Bean Boat and Tote Bag, size medium for $24.95)

Best of luck with important search for the perfect backpack for school!  Which one will you choose?!

* Busy Bee Lifestyle is an affiliate of Uncommon Goods and Vera Bradlely.

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