Oh.My.God. You may not agree if Ross and Rachel were on a break, but you’ll definitely agree on this epic collaboration. The Lisa Frank x Friends collab from Warner Bros. Consumer Products features Ross, Rachel surrounded by colorful artwork from Lisa Frank. This limited-edition line launches tonight.
The tee shirt features our favorite couple embracing. They are surrounded by neon hearts, bright doodles and a sweet alien couple. The sweatpants feature a similar look with brightly colored doodles. Friends (heart) Lisa Frank is written up the leg.
Fans can find this selection and more of the apparel collection tonight on the Lisa Frank website. The collection will officially launch at midnight ET tonight (9 p.m. PT.)
This new line retails for: $39.95 Black Tee, $43.95 Vintage Tees (Black, Blossom [Pink], Orchid [Purple]) and $79.95 Sweatpants.
You’ve picked out the crib and the perfect little onesie, but before you bring home Baby there’s an important piece of baby gear not to leave off your list.
Say hello to the new RELX base for PIPA series car seats. It’ll help your family go the distance when it comes to trips of all types. And it’ll mean one less thing to figure out as you navigate parenthood.
There are tons of reasons to check out this new base from Nuna, but here are some of our favorites:
Brilliant features
Bubble-free install clearly indicates the base is installed correctly
Anti-rebound panel
Locking 3-piece steel stability leg
Low profile base for easier loading of your PIPA series car seat
Superior functionality
5-second install with True lock™ technology
Stability leg is adjustable to fit most vehicles and even middle seats
4 position on-the-go recline with clear recline angle indicators
Smooth platform preserves vehicle seats
Whether you commute as a family on a daily basis, or save car trips for weekends and beyond, the RELX base will ensure you can do everything safely and easily. In just two quick steps, your baby’s seat can go from stroller to car and ready to roll. Choose from an adjustable rigid latch or your car’s seat belt to install the RELX base. Parents can rest assured that everything is safe and sound thanks to colored indicators (green means go!) and a locking stability leg (it minimizes forward rotation during impact).
It’s a brilliant buy for families with multiple cars and for families in search of safe and simple car seat solutions. The multi-position RELX base combines unparalleled style and innovation. It accommodates various car seat angles and is compatible with all PIPA series car seats. To accompany the first-of-its-kind RELX base, Nuna expanded its car seat family with two new expertly engineered, premium infant car seats—PIPA™ rx and PIPA™ lite r. We all need that kind of flexibility in our lives with little kids!
Nuna has been at the forefront of modern baby gear since 2007. As a global brand with Dutch origins, Nuna is keenly focused on both manufacturing and design, ensuring that all materials and processes are safe, superior, and truly mindful. Chances are, you’re probably familiar with Nuna’s contemporary collection of car seats, strollers, kiddie cots, chairs, and carriers. But if you haven’t become educated on Nuna gear, we highly recommend perusing the video gallery to see and learn more.
Staying active while pregnant is great for both you and your baby’s health. Whether it be yoga classes, light lifting, or taking walks, any exercise that gets your heart pumping is a fantastic addition to your daily pregnancy routine and a great way to stay healthy. Jaime McFaden, a mom and trainer with audio fitness app Aaptiv, is sharing the various ways you can stay active during and after your pregnancy.
Consistent exercise during pregnancy has countless benefits, including improving your overall health, reducing your risk of weight gain, and can even facilitate a smoother delivery process. However, it’s always most important to listen to your body and base your workouts on how you—and your baby—are feeling. Each pregnancy is different, and there are no hard and fast rules on what you should be doing during each step of your pregnancy.
With that being said, here is a great general guide of the best exercises for pregnant and postpartum women. I suggest trying these out and seeing how your body reacts—every pregnancy is unique, after all.
Workouts by Trimester
Before beginning any exercise, especially while pregnant, be sure to get clearance from your doctor. Additionally, you should be adapting your workout routine based on the trimester you are in. Each trimester comes with its own challenges, so adjusting your workout based on how your body is growing and changing is a necessity.
First Trimester
During the first trimester, women are usually feeling totally normal or like complete crap. The first trimester can be awful for some women, so be sure to listen to how your body is feeling and not to push it too hard. Jaime recommends low-intensity cardio and light strength training. If you didn’t work out regularly before pregnancy, it is essential to ease yourself into an exercise regimen to prevent overworking yourself.
Second Trimester
During the second trimester, Jaime suggests keeping your workouts at an intensity level of 60-70% and warns against pushing your body too hard. Full-body workouts like yoga are a great option during this trimester, as opposed to targeting specific muscle groups with strength training. As your body begins to change more, it’s essential to create a workout routine that is adaptable and sustainable for you.
Third Trimester
The third trimester sometimes feels like it’s never going to end, but don’t worry—you’re in the home stretch! This trimester is when your body is being constantly stretched and pushed, and many expectant moms are feeling especially tired. If you aren’t feeling up for exercise, that’s totally OK! However, if you still want to get your heart pumping, walking, swimming, and other low-intensity exercises like water aerobics are all great options.
Postpartum Exercises
Congratulations on welcoming your new baby into your life! After giving birth, doctors advise against exercising for at least 6-8 weeks. During this time, you can focus on letting your body rest and bonding with your new baby. When you’re feeling comfortable enough, be sure to gradually ease back into exercise by making an effort to move a little every day until you’re feeling up for more.
When you’re starting out exercising again, it’s important to do kegel exercises. Your pelvic floor muscles are weakened during birth, and doing kegel exercises afterward is helpful to strengthen them and prevent incontinence. Kegel exercises may feel more difficult at first, but don’t worry—this is completely normal. In time, everything will start feeling normal again.
Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, yoga, and water aerobics are all great options for postpartum moms to ease back into exercising. Just remember, there is no secret formula for postpartum moms—the best workout is the one that works for you!
Additionally, working on your core strength postpartum is helpful for a quicker recovery. Regaining your core strength and stability is a long process that takes time and patience. It’s suggested to avoid core exercises where you are twisting or laying on your back, like crunches. Some wonderful options include raised leg extensions, the yoga boat, and leg and arm extensions.
Sierra Skelly is a creative writer and marketer from San Diego. She loves making personal finance and career content fun. When she isn't writing for companies like Haven Life, you can find her reading at the beach or hiking.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall for the Baby Trend Tango Mini Stroller due to a possible fall hazard.
A statement on Baby Trend’s website said, “At Baby Trend, safety is our #1 priority and we design, engineer, and test all our products with that in mind. As part of our rigorous process, we recently identified a potential safety issue. Since we strongly stand by our safety priority, we have decided to voluntarily recall certain models of the Tango Mini Strollers. The recalled models, under excessive pressure, both hinge joints could release, allowing the stroller to collapse and pose a fall hazard to children.” If you have this stroller, read on for important recall information.
Recalled Product Description: Tango Mini Stroller
The current recall includes Baby Trend Tango Mini Strollers in the color/model number combinations Quartz Pink (Model Number ST31D09A), Sedona Gray (Model Number ST31D10A), Jet Black (Model Number ST31D11A) and Purest Blue (Model Number ST31D03A).
The strollers were sold from October 2019 through November 2019 for $100 to $120 in Target stores, on Target.com and on Amazon.
Why the Strollers Were Recalled
It’s possible for both hinge joints to release and collapse under pressure. This poses a potential fall hazard to a child seated in the stroller. As of now there are no reported injuries due to the recalled product.
How to Tell If Your Child’s Stroller Was Recalled
Look for the model number printed on the white sticker on the stroller’s leg. The model numbers recalled include ST31D09A, ST31D10A, ST31D11A and ST31D03A.
What Parents Can Do
If you have the recalled stroller don’t use it. Contact Baby Trend immediately for a replacement or full refund. Consumers can reach Baby Trend at 800-328-7363 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. For more information visit Baby Trend’s website and clock on “Safety Notices” at the bottom of the main page.
—Erica Loop
Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Sara Blakely may be the genius creator and CEO behind Spanx—but that’s not all. The multitasking mama recently proved she (like many other working moms) can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan and apparently take a mid-vacation conference call in car filled with her kiddos.
Blakely recently posted an oh-so-familiar story on LinkedIn. The CEO/mama was on a Florida vaycay with her husband and four kids, driving a rental car, when she got an important work-related call.
The working mom wrote, on LinkedIn, “I had to pull off the side of the road for a conference call. No pen. Lip liner will have to do!” Blakely continued, “Of course, I had everything in my purse (two small cars, a flashlight, diapers, wipes, snacks, army men, and even Buzz Lightyear), but NO PEN! And, my meeting ID number and host code kept changing… “Mommy, why are you writing on your leg when you told us we can’t write on ourselves?”
Of course, Blakely knows she’s not the only working mother to experience this type of comedic mishap. She went on to add, “The struggle is real. The juggle is real. This is why everyone should hire working mothers. They are put in crazy situations all the time and are forced to problem-solve. They are some of my most resourceful employees.” We totally agree!
There’s a special place in our heart for moms that travel: whether it’s with baby (or tot, or tween) in tow on a long car ride or a solo flight for a work trip, moms are always on the lookout for low-fuss, practical items that simplify their lives (and packing time). As frequent travelers ourselves, our team of mom-editors put a few products to the test. Read on to get their recommendations.
Unbound Merino Women's Black V-Neck T
Unbound Merino
This shirt had a big promise: the only shirt you'll need. As parents we know that there's a ton of little things (peanut-butter finger smears, leaking milk, spit-up, strange shiny stains we can't account for) that can ruin a shirt quick, so the concept of one shirt travel seemed a little ambitious.
So, our Managing Editor put it to the test. Literally. The claim? This Unbound's Merino Black Mernio V-Neck t-shirt was wicking, odor resistant, light weight, fast drying and nice enough that it can go from pick-up to date night, with the right accessories.
"I was skeptical, I'm not going to lie. That's a lot to claim, but I love to travel as light as possible so I decided I'd give it a try. This shirt actually gets better with every wash, but I've only had to wash it twice in a month (and the second time was in a bathroom sink with...hand soap!) It dried in about two hours just hanging there, and was as fresh as ever. Also, it doesn't wrinkle. I don't really like t-shirts, but this one, I love and will willingly throw out all of my others."
The price tag may seem steep for a single shirt, but it's probably the closest thing you'll find to a miracle in clothing form. It actually does resist odors, and it's better after the 3rd day. If you pack a blouse or two, this really would be the only t-shirt you need. For all you moms out there, get yourself a two-pack and you'll be set for a week.
Compression socks are not what they used to be (prescription only, for example). Dr. Segals offer a lightweight compression sock that are designed to combat muscle and leg fatigue and discomfort brought on by long car rides, air travel or even everyday life (aka pregnancy and postpartum).
Because of an injury, our editor suffers from frequent leg cramps while traveling, so she was eager to try these out. "They felt great, not too tight, and I did feel less strain on my feet, especially. But the real test was to whether or not I'd get leg cramps on a flight. I am happy to say that on a recent two-and-a-half hour flight I did not get a foot or leg cramp, which is unusual for me."
These socks are not overly-constricting so while they are not medical grade, they would definitely work for pregnant women as well. The best part? They are adorable! They come in a variety of styles from stripes, to patterns to solids, so they don't have that orthopedic look.
These compression leggings aren't like the rest; yes they hold it all in, including your tummy, thanks to the fabric and the high stretchy waist. But unlike other compression fabrics, Belly Bandit's are remarkably comfortable. You could easily wear these all day! (buh-bye, zippers!)
Our editor said, "Even though I'm vertically challenged—aka short—the high waist still worked fine for me and they weren't super long. I felt sucked in but not too sucked in, so felt good wearing these on a flight. The added 'moto' element made them look a little fancier than your average legging. Also, they dry fast if you need to spot clean."
The come in steel, black and army. Get yours at bellybandit.com for $89.95
Lissom Flyte Shoes in Python
Lissom
Whether you're heading from pilates to playground or having lunch with clients, the Lissom Flyte shoes are so lightweight it's almost like going barefoot (but with all the support you need). They mold right to your foot, too, so you can't beat the comfort and they come in a ton of colors, though our fave this year is the Python. They're like a ballet flat meets a running shoe.
Our Managing Editor put them to the runway test—as in running to catch a flight. "I thought they wouldn't have enough support to run in, and I wouldn't do a workout in these, but if you need to dash after a toddler or grab your flight, treat yourself to these. They also weigh next to nothing and are pretty flat so they work great as a second shoe in your carry-on."
Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet RFID Blocking Medium Size
Amazon
With over 1500 5-star reviews on Amazon, this slim little wallet is as popular as it is sleek. Not only is it small enough to slide into the pocket of your skinny jeans, it's RFID blocking and comes in 42 different colors. And did we mention the price tag? From as little as $6.79.
Our editor says, "My college-aged niece wanted a wallet that she could 'put in her pocket' but it was hard to find something that was both attractive and fit the bill. Since most of the colors of this wallet were under $8 we took a chance. She loved it so much we got one for her mom and one for me, too!"
A headband from SugarSky is the perfect addition to a busy mom’s arsenal. With over 37 different prints (see the latest collection here), each one can be worn four different ways! The bands are also handsewn in the U.S. and are made from 79% recycled water bottles. Now, that’s a fashion-forward idea we can get behind.
Our Sr. Editor swears by these for good hair days, bad hair days and all the in-between days. She never travels without them.
This grown-up bag for moms has a high-end look with a moderate price tag. It's roomy enough to hold your laptop, a change of clothes, plenty of snacks, a book, charging cords and more, all without looking overstuffed. It zips on the top, so you don't have to worry about stuff spilling out. It comes with a removable small clutch with a cute chain strap, which fits perfectly right in the outside pocket, so you have something evening-ready without having to pack two purses.
"My favorite feature of this bag," says our Managing Editor, "is the pockets. There's an inner zip pocket, and the outside one that fits the clutch, but there's also two very deep hidden pockets that held my giant iPhone, a notebook, and the headphones with room to spare. I even had room for a water bottle in the other one. The whole bag doesn't feel overly heavy either, even when you load up all your mom stuff."
When Tom Hanks was picked to play the iconic Mister Rogers in the upcoming film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, it was met with approval from fans of both stars. And while the resemblance and ease with which Hanks stepped into the roll seemed uncanny, now it seems it was more than that––it was fate.
Through the work of Ancestry, a genealogy service, it was discovered that Fred Rogers and Tom Hanks are actually sixth cousins! At the New York City screening of the new film, Access Hollywood shared the news with a stunned Hanks and wife, Rita Wilson.
When shown the family tree pulled together by Ancestry, Wilson and Hanks immediately recognized relatives from the Hanks lineage, solidifying that Access Hollywood definitely wasn’t pulling anyone’s leg. Hank’s response? “It all just comes together, you see.”
For family tree enthusiasts, Rogers and Hanks share a five-times great-grandfather. The duo descended from two brothers who both fought for the Revolutionary War.
So what would Fred have to say about all of this? “That is just wonderful. Now, that is amazing and Fred would have loved it. He loved family tree stuff,” says Rogers widow, Joanne Rogers.
Don’t forget to catch a showing of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood when it arrives in theaters on Nov. 22.
It’s not really Christmas until you watch Ralphie battle Black Bart and the Bumpus hounds ruin the turkey dinner. Now you share the joy of this timeless holiday tradition in cookie form thanks to the new A Christmas Story Gingerbread House kit.
The kit comes packed with pre-baked pieces to build and decorate a festive gingerbread house complete with candy, dummies and icing. The best part by far are the Christmas Story-themed decorative accessories.
You can deck out your house with cardboard cut-outs of the infamous flag pole that poor Flick stuck his tongue on and the giant crate marked “Fragile.” The kit also features Ralphie in his pink bunny costume, Randy in his snow gear, Father in his sweater, Ralphie’s best buds, the family station wagon with the Christmas tree on the roof and the pièce de résistance, the leg lamp.
The entire kit is priced at $14.99 and is available at Bed Bath & Beyond.
Parenting is dangerous work—at least for Ashton Kutcher. While on a recent episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, the actor opened up about a recent kid carrying-related injury!
Kutcher’s kiddos, like many of our children, prefer to sleep with mom and dad. But the actor and wife Mila Kunis aren’t into the idea. When four-year-old daughter Wyatt made her way into the couple’s bedroom, Kutcher scooped her up and carried her back to her own room. At least, he attempted to.
After picking up his daughter, Kutcher realized his leg had fallen asleep. With only one steady leg, the actor tripped and fell over—breaking his toe. Kutcher told Kelly and Ryan, “And I’m on the ground and I’m like, ‘Um, Babe, I think you need to take Wyatt to bed.'”
The actor/dad continued, “And so she comes around and she takes her to bed, and I don’t want to turn the lights on because I’m afraid of what I’m gonna see.”
Even though his toe was clearly broken, the late-night timing made a trip to urgent care a non-option. So what did the actor do? Kutcher revealed that he did, “The Mel Gibson Lethal Weapon thing and just kinda like put it back on.”
Yesterday, for the first time in 10 years, all three of my children went to day camp. Feelings of terror and excitement flooded through me watching them climb the bus one at a time and disappear into the tall rows of forest green leather seats. My youngest is four and I wondered if he would be okay. I reassured myself the camp has a specific group for his age, with trained counselors. He will be fine. Then I went home and looked at the clock. It was only 9:00 a.m. and I would not return to the bus stop until 4:00 p.m. to pick them up. I had seven whole hours in front of me to fill.
I swear I heard birds chirping outside my window, I saw the sun shining (even though admittedly the clouds were a bit heavy that morning). I couldn’t wait to dig into my options: the jobs, projects, ideas, cleaning, organizing, shopping, writing, reading, napping, everything I had compiled on my “To-Do List” for the last ten years since my first child came into the world. Nothing has been done since that day. And now, it was time.
But where to start? The list is so long! I had not a second to waste and yet all I wanted to do was turn on my favorite show and sit with my coffee, not moving a muscle. I looked around at the few little piles of toys and clothes and dirty dishes, small enough not to feel messy, but enough in the corners to make our home feel cluttered. They have been sitting there in different shapes and ways but present somewhere for the last ten years.
Did it happen? I wondered to myself. Did the days of babies and diapers, sippy cups and tantrums, mama pick me up’s, naps and refusing to nap days finally pass me by? They said it would happen, people out in public, random strangers, older relatives, they all said it. At the grocery store with one kid on my leg, one screaming in the cart, while the third chants in a British accent, “We’re panicking! We’re panicking!” a well-intentioned stranger seeing the actual panic in my eyes as I darted through aisles grabbing random boxes off the shelves would cheerily say, always, “These days will go by fast!” I hated them saying it because I didn’t care. The days were long and hard. Parenting small children is like living in a fog of overwhelming joy, excruciating fear, and overall survival (yours and theirs). Yet, as they grow, the fog lifts little by little until one day you send them off for the whole day and you realize you can see again. The days did not go by fast, but they did, apparently, go by.
Now, here I am sitting by myself at my kitchen table in silence savoring a dreamy cup of coffee. I can see clearly for a few hours. Just as it was at the camp bus stop, it feels exciting and terrifying at the same time. It is a new era, having big kids. They have been little for so long, it’s all I’ve known, the thick time-consuming hands-on seconds of every day. They are dwindling, and while I will miss them, I honestly cannot wait for the next phase. The one where they keep getting on the school bus every day and I am left for a few beautiful hours to do the things I have set aside for the last ten years. I will never get those little years back. And while they have been messy and wholly disorganized, I know they have been beautifully lived with giggles and smiles and play days. They have been relaxed and lazy and adventurous. Creative, intuitive, and open to the world around them, my kids have hopefully learned among the piles and dust that life isn’t about being perfect. It is about spending time, not orchestrating time. Making things up on the fly, not scheduling days down to the minute. Life is about living in the moment, not worrying about how it looks to everyone else.
The camp is only one week. They will still come home at the end of each day and need me. I will be refreshed and ready. The next ten years will still be about raising these little rebels into responsible capable people, they are not on their own just yet. But for this week, I am happy to soak up the precious hours of quiet, and I might try to clean at least a little bit in between my coffee breaks. Truthfully, as much as I am reveling in the calm of their absence, I can’t wait for them to pile off the bus again and tell me everything they did while they were gone.
Krissy Dieruf is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children, loves to sing and dance around the house and has a soft spot for rebels and crazy hair.
