When I was just weeks away from giving birth to my first daughter, a close friend (who already had a child) asked me if I had a video camera. I didn’t, and I had never thought of it as the parenting necessity that it truly is.

Since then I have used several video cameras from the ancient camcorder dinosaur that used actual video tape and was way too complicated, to early digital contraptions with poor image quality and lighting. Then my first digital camera recorded video, only there was no sound — a major flaw when you are trying to capture those cute little coochie coos that your newborn is making.

Thankfully when I replaced my digital camera the newer models included sound with the video, and although I could only record a two-minute snippet, that seemed like more than enough. (I mean honestly, who wants to sit through hours of home videos anyway?)

I had finally reached my perfect home video place. Then I saw the Flip. This amazing hand-held video camera is the size of a two-year-outdated cell phone and can record up to 2 hours of video IN HIGH DEFINITION!

It is so easy to use that when my four year old was playing with it she accidentally turned it on and upon seeing the red “recording” light on the front thought something terrible was happening. She brought it over to me and tried to blame it on her sister. I believed her too, until I watched the very incriminating video she had unknowingly made, and so then we had a talk about lying.

But back to my point: the Flip recorder ($170 at Amazon.com) is so small and convenient that you can carry it in your purse to be quickly retrieved for capturing that first step, word, etc. It automatically adjusts for low light (I told you it was easy!), and the video quality is worthy of viewing on your big screen at home. Oh, and I recently discovered that it’s also a really great way to entertain kids on long road trips. Let them record and watch a video of themselves, then delete it later — that’s the beauty of digital.

Chalkboards aren’t just for the classroom. In fact, we have loved kid-friendly chalkboard wall paint for a while now. With kids heading back to school, we’re really digging these cool and clever home accessories decked out in blackboard perfection.

	Not ready to commit to painting your wall? These removable chalkboard wall decals will add a fun touch to your family room, kitchen or play room — even stick them on closet doors or the fridge. Available in animal shapes or circles and squares $29-36 at etsy.com.
	Adorable chalk tags that you can use (and re-use… that’s the beauty of chalkboards!) anywhere. $5 at etsy.com.
	They might be called blackboards, but they don’t have to be black! We think this lime green board would look cute on the front door for notes from missed visitors. $14 at etsy.com
	We all want one of these chalkboard candles, and wouldn’t it make a perfect gift for teacher? $26 at paper-source.com.
	Even chalk has been given a new spin with convenient chalk markers. $13 at paper-source.com.

Well, new to us anyway. I love our huge, old dining table, but sadly it is too big for the space in our new house, so we had to find another one. I searched Craigslist and found this beauty.

I love Craigslist — even though we had a very tight budget I was still able to track down something I liked. I searched for “round table” but in conjunction with terms like “retro,” “modern,” and “vintage” I was able to narrow the results to find just what I was looking for.

I wasn’t sure what to do for chairs, it originally had these big orange chairs that were super cool, but only fit four around the table and we really need to have six. I finally decided to pair it with six white Gilbert Chairs from Ikea. They are slim and the white brightens up the dark table.

As a bride-to-be you registered for all that lovely china with nary a thought about how your future kiddies could destroy it. So it is probably about time to replace your porcelain table setting with a more realistic (read unbreakable) set. In fact, this time of year — when retailers are selling “outdoor dinnerware” — is the very best time to shop for baby-proof dishes. Here are my favorite picks this season:

	Black Melamine Dinnerware Set. This sleek set feels very grown up, but it won’t break when junior dumps his plate off the highchair (for the 13th time today!), $24.99 for 12-piece set at amazon.com.
	Melamine Bamboo Dinnerware. A bamboo core adds strength to this durable dinnerware. The stunning, zen-like simplicity is perfect for balancing dinnertime chaos. Starting at $3.95 at crateandbarrel.com.
	Katie Collection Dinnerware Set, Orange. This vibrant set is upbeat and fun. Just because you don’t want Spongebob dinner plates, doesn’t mean you’re boring! Starting at $12.99 at target.com.
	Grid Melamine Dinnerware Set. A modern grid pattern in a cool blue tone is definitely dinner-company worthy. $31.99 for 12-piece set at amazon.com.
	Preserve Dining Set, Green. The Preserve brand is known for making eco-friendly affordable, but I don’t love their outdoor dining set just because it’s green. While it’s a little less durable than melamine, these 100%-recycled plastic (BPA-free) dishes are also dishwasher-safe, totally reusable, and they’re a steal at $19.36 for 52-piece set at walmart.com.

Who: Rebecca Finell
What: Mother of three: Ryann (8), Vivian (6), and Luke (2). Designer of the award-winning Frog Pod, Co-founder & Design Principal at Boon Inc.
Where: Chandler, AZ

	1. Mexican Food. Cheese and chilies — need I say more? All three of my babies are made of these two ingredients.
	2. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Yes, I am a germaphobe. I use them on my phone, other people’s phones (when they are not looking), steering wheels, keyboards, kid’s stuff, walls, grocery carts, etc.
	3. iPhone. Perfection in a rectangle. It has everything you need at your fingertips and it is so simple and beautiful. My favorite feature is the GPS. I locate myself and tell it to find Mexican food, and it draws me a map to the closest restaurant!
	4. Chocolate Chip Cookies. Great after Mexican food! You can’t mess up a chocolate chip cookie. I like the stale ones from the bag or the fresh ones out of the oven. Need one now!!
	5. Steve Madden Shoes. Every girl loves Steve. I got married in Steve Maddens! They are designer-ly without breaking the bank — so you can buy 2-3 pair a month!

What is on your list? Email us and we just might publish it!

My two-year-old is fascinated with scissors. She can barely wrap her pudgy little hand around a pair (her older sister’s pre-school scissors), but is undeterred. Earlier today, I had to chuckle softly to myself when after a fair amount of effort trying to cut a paper in half, she ended up just tearing it. That’s my girl, at least she’s resourceful and doesn’t give up.

Yet all this fascination with scissors is bound to make a Mom worry. (I’m thinking poked eyes and self-made hairstyles.) Then I found these new kid-friendly scissors from EK Success, which promise to cut paper but not hair. It’s true. I tried. The scissor’s tips are rounded so the eyes are safe too.

These even meet all TSA guidelines — although you shouldn’t run with scissors, you can fly with them.

Along with strollers and cribs, new cars often top the list of what to get while you’re expecting. What’s that? You didn’t get one at your baby shower? Me neither.

In fact, with two kids now, we are bursting out of our Honda Civic in a sad way, but buying a new car is daunting. The obvious cash-flow reason aside, there are so many options and, though it may be small, our Civic has been exceptionally reliable so I hate to trade it for something unknown.

If you are in the same boat (or should I say car?), you may want to check out the 2009 Best Family Cars Survey just released by Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com.

The ladies on Desperate Housewives have great wardrobes, but here in reality, a mom’s wardrobe is much more likely to consist of comfy sweats, old tees and bathrobes — it isn’t a pretty job, but somebody has to do it.

Honestly, I never would have guessed how frequently as a mom I’d end up making dinner in my pajamas… from the night before. Of course, it is always my intent to shower and dress, but sometimes things just come up (so you should call first before coming over).

And what footwear is the perfect compliment? Slippers, of course.

Since I live in Phoenix, those fuzzy slippers are not at all appealing when it is 100-plus degrees outside, which is why I’m currently in love with this lightweight cotton pair. They’re soft and comfy, but not too cozy — just right for Summer.