Nutella is scientifically proven to make anything taste better. Well, maybe not scientifically, but the chocolatey hazelnut spread is a longtime crowd pleaser. Now you can buy a Nutella cookbook and take your love of the product to the next level!
French celebrity chef and Ferrero Ambassador Grégory Cohen has crafted 60 recipes using Nutella and packed them into a beautiful new book. Whether you want to make a classic muffin or challenge yourself with a Tarte Tatin, the recipes suit all levels of difficulties. We’re excited to try our hand at the mini donuts!
The hardcover book is available for preorder on Amazon now and would look equally at home on your coffee table as in your kitchen. At 184 pages, it also makes a great gift for the Nutella lover in your life. It’s priced at $26 and will officially release on November 30, just in time for your holiday baking.
We’re here to remind you that summer’s coming, and it’s time to just put on the suit already, mom. The first step? Find a swimsuit that’s as unique and fabulous as you are. We rounded up 14 bathing suits moms across the country adore. No matter your size, shape or style preference, these women’s swimwear picks will win you over thanks to their well-made, on-trend and comfortable styles. Scroll down to find a swimsuit that suits you.
BCA By Rebecca Virtue Swimsuits
Who says mom suits need to be frumpy? When you're in the mood to don something a little stylish poolside, check out the BCA by Rebecca Virtue line at Walmart. The affordable collection features one pieces and bikinis in classic silhouettes that include retro high waisted options. We also love the simple, yet fun patterns that up your swim style in the best way.
This popular suit fits all shapes and sizes and comes in a dozen different color combos! It's got compression, is stylish and there's even a long torso option!
This adorable and stylish tankini suit comes in dozens of different colors and prints, has plenty of tummy coverage and high-waisted bottoms for extra control. Plus, the price point is so great, you can buy two or three to mix it up!
Swim and Beachwear Collection from Duluth Trading Co.
Duluth
Moms looking for swimwear that can withstand an active day at the beach should definitely check out the new line from Duluth. You'll find mix-and-match pieces that will let you dig a sandcastle, go for a swim and lug that overfilled wagon down a long beach. We especially love the thoughtful details like anti-slip grippers (to prevent the dreaded ride up), adjustable straps and everyone's favorite—pockets! Pieces include a one-piece swim dress, swim shorts, tankini top and long-sleeve shirt for extra projection.
Boden is another brand that consistently attracts mom fans every swimsuit season. Their breadth of styles and patterns ensures you’ll find something to fit your taste. Pictured here is Boden’s Santorini swimsuit, which features body-sculpting lining, a built-in shelf bra with lightly padded cups and boning at the side seam for extra support and flattering side paneling. Bonus: it’s machine washable and is made with material that’ll give you enough support to chase your toddler through waves, splash pads and slip ‘n’ slides.
There's much to love about the swimsuit collection for Terez, but we love that while their one-piece suits provide ample coverage, they come in tons of fabulous prints! The fully-lined pieces have cute coverage in the front and offer a low back to give a simple style a little more pizazz! We also loved that they are made from a recycled poly blend that results in a silky feel with tons of stretch.
While there are several Andie suits to choose from, including these new styles and a maternity suit, we were especially wowed by this simple one-piece that reminds us of the swim team suits of our youth with a little added class. The criss-cross back straps offer added support and you can choose from over a dozen different colors.
This tankini has a ruched waist, which makes for added tummy control, a high one-shoulder strap that means everything stays in place and includes a padded push-up bra for extra support. Sizes range from XS to XXL and come in over 15 different colors and prints.
Leave it to a mom to create a nursing-friendly swimwear line that's stylish and functional. Mika Oakes, the brains behind MOLOCO, is a former fashion industry insider, yoga teacher and mama to a five-year-old son in Brooklyn. Her designs include one- and two-pieces, both perfect for nursing moms. Each one features a hidden nursing panel for easy access for baby (read: no annoying clips here that'll expose your whole breast). Bonus: the style is versatile enough to wear both pre-and post-breastfeeding.
Kona Sol is a Target size-inclusive line that’s made for women of all shapes. The collection is available in sizes XS to XXL as well as 14W to 26W (select styles only). According to Mark Tritton, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, Target, “We know the search for the perfect swimsuit can be daunting. Our goal is to make shopping for swimwear fun, easy and inspiring.”
Moms may know Knix for their uber-comfortable bras and undies. And the good news is, back just in time for summer is their popular swimwear line. The three different styles will feature Knix’s built-in wire-free bra technology and all will go up to 2XL (covering sizes 2-20) with some fitting a G cup. Choose from three colors: black, rose and peacock. Not only is the swimwear made for real mom bods, but we love that Knix backs up their collection with real women of all shapes and sizes in their marketing and social media campaigns. The new summer line features real customers!
Get updates on their 2021 Swimwear launch by clicking here.
Maternity Suits from HATCH
HATCH
Pregnant mamas flock to HATCH for their chic styles that are anything but frumpy maternity wear. We love that HATCH makes pregnancy look and feel sexy and effortless, and their new swim line is no different. Featuring seven styles from a one-piece ruffle to a two-piece that will still make you feel confident in the height of pregnancy, HATCH's swim collection is a must for any pregnant mama looking to elevate her style this summer.
Available in sizes small to extra large at HATCH $188-$218
Classic Esther Williams Suit
Esther Williams
For moms who want a bit of old-school glam to their swimwear look, turn to Esther Williams. Our Managing Editor swears by this style as it has lasted her a whopping 16 years—her exact quote, "best. swimsuits. ever." From classic sheath one-pieces to two-piece separates and an A-line swim dress, Esther Williams is vintage swimwear at its best.
Embrace your curves with Saint Somebody. Designed in Australia and made in Bali, these swimsuits come in classic colors and modern cuts. Made for women size 8-16, Saint Somebody promotes their collection as perfect for women at the higher end of ‘regular’ sizing and the lower end of ‘plus’ sizing. No matter your body type, Saint Somebody will make you feel confident and comfortable in a suit that actually fits!
Available in multiple designs at Saint Somebody, starting at $79.
The one you’re going to want to buy, immediately. LEGO just announced the new F.R.I.E.N.D.S Apartments Set and with 2,048 pieces, you’ll have endless opportunities to recreate your favorite scenes from the classic show.
The sprawling set features both New York apartments, plus the adjoining hallway. It features plenty of iconic features from many of the show’s hilarious moments—from Monica’s Thanksgiving Turkey hat to Joey and Chandler’s canoe-as-furniture. You’ll also find the Poking Device, Pat the Dog and Phoebe’s creepy art piece, among many others.
Of course, your set wouldn’t be complete without the minifigures and LEGO has created them for the whole crew. Rachel is rocking her iconic plaid skirt, Ross has his too-tight leather pants, Monica has her classic apron, Phoebe is in her familiar florals, Chandler looks suave in his suit and designer tie. Last but not least, Joey is wearing all of Chandler’s clothes.
This is the second F.R.I.E.N.D.S-themed set, following the super popular Central Perk set in 2019. It’s available exclusively for LEGO VIP members on May 19 and online and in LEGO Stores on June 1, retailing for $149.99. Get ready to add this stellar set to your collection!
It’s practically swimsuit season, and if you’re like us, there can never be too many swimsuits for kids in the house. From playing in the sprinkler to swimming in the pool, and of course, the annual trek to the lake or beach, there are so many reasons why your kids will need a new swimsuit this year. We found 11 affordable options on Amazon, so keep reading to find their new favorite summer outfit.
Kanu Flounce Two-Piece Swimsuit
This adorable bikini set comes in so many colors and prints your kiddo won’t know which one to pick! With almost 5,000 reviews on Amazon and offered in sizes for 2T-14Y, we’re pretty sure it’s a winning pick.
Simple Joys by Carter’s Two-Piece Rashguard and Swim Trunks
Carter’s knows kids, and this fun rashguard and swim trunk ensemble is available in six animal themes, including an alligator, a shark, a pirate theme and a sailing theme.
For your kiddo who wants a two-piece swimsuit without all the fluff, this tankini is ideal. It comes in over a dozen color combos and is available for sizes 3T-13Y
Another rashguard set that comes in pastels and mermaid prints, you’ll get extra protection with the UPF +50 protection. And who doesn’t love the adorable ruffle on the bottoms?
For your tiniest kiddo, this adorable swim set comes with a hat and lots of protection for that baby skin. Both the swimsuit and the hat are made from UPF 50 material. Sizes start at 0-3 months.
For those who want more coverage, this one-piece suit will thrill! With lots of styles to choose from, It’ll be fun to pick which one they want to order: polka dots, island-inspired flowers, tie-dye and more!
For kids who want to enjoy serious water sports at the beach, a wetsuit is a must. This one is highly rated and comes in several colors, there’s even a Spider-Man version! Made from environmentally friendly fabrics, this one will wear well.
I was born in 1950, the youngest of five children in a white, working-class family living in a predominately blue-collar neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There were not many books in my household, but I distinctly remember the “Dick and Jane” series, which were the school textbooks that were used to teach reading, back in the day. And I definitely remember the illustrations and how the families in those books were portrayed.
Television shows like “Father Knows Best,” “The Donna Reed Show,” and “Ozzie and Harriet“reinforced a father’s image, always dressed in a suit and tie, which was not a common sight in my community. I remember asking my mother why my father or any of the dads we knew didn’t dress like the fathers represented in those books or on the TV shows we watched.
I have heard from friends who are Black describe what happened in their homes during that same time period when a person of color appeared on television… everyone in the family would excitedly come running to witness this rare occurrence.
These anecdotes illustrate a child’s natural inclination to look for a reflection of themselves in the world around them. This is what representation – or the portrayal of a person or group in books and other media—is all about.
And it matters!
Children need to see themselves included and represented, and that representation should be truthful and not based on stereotypes. How people are depicted shapes how they see themselves and how others see them. It also defines or limits possibilities that one can aspire to depending on whether the representation is positive or negative.
For those readers who responded to my recent blog: Should We Continue To Celebrate Dr. Seuss? with a “don’t like it, don’t read it” reaction, I would counter that continuing to publish children’s books with offensive illustrations sends the wrong message to anyone who comes across them. It is crucial for all children to be exposed to truthful and positive images, not just non-white children; otherwise, we as Americans have no chance at becoming a better nation where all are seen, heard, and treated equally.
I hold out little hope for any mutual understanding from those respondents who replied with hate and disdain to my posting.
But I was heartened to hear from people who said they reconsidered their impulse to roll their eyes at the Dr. Seuss news. While they frankly expressed fatigue at times with the reexamination of misguided and immoral thinking and actions from the past, they acknowledged that they had discovered some understanding of the power of representation with further consideration. Many offered that when they recognized the significance of negative and offensive illustrations and how they contribute to division and hate—which is on the rise—they realized this fatigue was nothing compared to what non-white individuals had and continue to experience.
I have always cringed when people talk about the “good old days.” While I have many fond memories of the past, I am quick to recognize that it was far from perfect. I acknowledge that women, people of color, and any group considered to be “other” had to be submissive in that past. And that there were unjust laws in place or the mores of the time that limited the freedom of many of our citizens. That history must be confronted and identified for what it was…wrong. Calling it out doesn’t cancel anything or take away from what was positive about those times, nor does it proclaim that everything nowadays is ideal and without reproach.
Fortunately, progress is being made and representation in books and other media is becoming more inclusive and more positive; that said, we need to be vigilant in looking honestly at the past, as well as critically at how people are represented going forward.
I am a parent and grandparent with over four decades of experience in early childhood education. I share my passion, wisdom and experience, with parents and the people who care for and about children at Little Folks Big Questions, where we're out to answer the questions parents face in today's world.
You might need to dig out the summer clothes to check this one! The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that Target has recalled around 181,000 Cat & Jack One-Piece Rashguards that were sold via Target.com and in stores from Dec. 2019 through Oct. 2020 for $15.
Target reports that the item in question has snaps that can break or detach. The recall includes the Summer Blue Lemon, the Coral Icon Story Hawaiian and the Moxie Peach Lemon Rashguards in sizes 12M - 5T. The product item number can be found on the white tag inside of the suit, click here to check the CPSC website in order to cross-reference your purchased item with the recalled products.
Target has received 27 reports of the snaps breaking or detaching, including one report of a laceration. If you have a recalled Rashguard, return it to Target for a full refund. Consumers with questions can contact Target at 800-440-0680 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT daily or online at www.target.com and click on “Recalls” at the bottom of the page, then on “Clothing” for more information. Consumers can also click the “Product Recalls” tab on Target’s Facebook page for more information.
As a child, did you ever wake early with anticipation? Were you one of the children who rushed to see exactly what was under the tree? I was. Patience was never a strong suit and surprises are something I am still not a fan of. In fact, Christmas memories are some of my favorite from my childhood.
My mom, her sisters, sometimes her brothers, their spouses, and up to 11 kids crammed into one home for up to a week celebrating not only the magic of Christmas but the blessing of life, of family. We had some crazy times, from almost losing a child in the snow to my all-time favorite memory waking early to meet my cousin face to face crawling around long before we were “allowed” to be up. As we faced off under a pile of gifts we both startled and then gulped in as much air as possible to keep from blowing our cover. The belly laughs and joy we held within continues to resonate in my mind nearly 30 years later.
The excitement of Christmas and preparing our hearts and mind for the holiday season could be compared to the preparation for parenthood, for the dreams you create for the children you expect. Sometimes, however, you receive the unexpected. In those moments, emotions swell. Perhaps you’re weighed down by disappointment, fear, anxiety, pain, sadness. Perhaps you wonder how you will feel strength or find a way to be thankful for a life you didn’t anticipate? In those moments, however, if you take a deep breath and step back you may begin to see it, to feel it, and to understand the gift is so much more than what you actually wanted it was in fact what you actually needed.
Autism is like that. The last five years have changed almost everything in our lives. While it has taken so much, in the end, I choose to look at what it has given me. Today, I reflect and see how much I have grown, how much this wasn’t supposed to be a journey but my destiny to challenge, change myself and walk beside a child who was intended for me.
In dark moments, I have found what matters. People who care have come out of places I never expected. True friends have stuck around and I have been blessed to meet people in my life I never would have encountered if it weren’t for autism. Autism has taught me patience. It taught me to be present, to acknowledge the small moments of growth. It has taught me that unwrapping the most precious gift may not look like what I wanted or expected but in the end, it’s better than I could have ever imagined.
As this holiday season is upon us, I could choose to be sad, to be mad, to be angry for what could have been or what I wanted—I spent too many years like that. Instead, I can choose to seek the joy in what is, in the moments that matter, and cherish what we have because reality is, there is a gift when you choose to unwrap it.
I'm a mom of many who is living her best life navigating a busy world full of ups and downs. Managing five kids and one with additional needs I enjoy learning through living and sharing what I know. I can't wait to share our Messy World with you.
Happy Mando Monday! Now that season 2 of The Mandolorian has officially launched, fans can get their fill of new merch with MandoMondays.com.
Every Monday from Oct. 26 to Dec. 21, a new lineup of toys, apparel, collectibles and more will debut at a variety of retailers. While this week’s launch includes plenty of items like new figures, T-shirts and collector pins, we are beyond excited for the special Build-A-Wear Workshop plushes!
Head to the Build-A-Bear website to snag The Child ($44) and his plush pram ($35). The online exclusive pram is the perfect size for transporting Mando’s little sidekick!
Don’t forget the Mandalorian! This online exclusive plush comes with a built-in body suit, equipment belt, face mask and a sound chip that features the show’s theme song.
Both the new plush items go on sale on Mon. Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. PST.
My college sophomore is standing in the family room wearing the suit his grandfather bought him for his high school graduation, back when his possibilities seemed endless and escaping home for the hallowed halls of his dream college was inevitable.
“Every young man needs a good suit when he heads out into the world,” Grandpa Jim said, and he took my son to the same downtown tailor where he once took my husband at eighteen.
My well-dressed son is giving his father and me a Power Point presentation about why, since he lost his on-campus housing due to the pandemic, we should let him move into his fraternity house. He’s done the research. On a slide entitled COVID PRECAUTIONS, he shares the three-pronged approach developed by his Eta Theta brothers (Greek letters changed to protect my relationship with my son.)
#1. No member may have more than two guests at a time.
(Note: 19 brothers are slated to live in the house so we should be comforted that no more than 57 people will be there at any time.)
#2. The brothers will vote to determine if dues money should be spent to purchase a thermometer.
#3 Two random brothers will be tested weekly for COVID.
We say no. His campus is in a big city still in partial lockdown. Now I have a twenty- year-old man pumping iron in my garage like a convict in his cell. He says he feels imprisoned after months of doing what was necessary for the greater good, while his best friends take advantage of discounted airline tickets, flying to parties in Texas and Michigan.
“They’re insane!” I say, as my son shows me a video of a rave-like gathering shot at a mansion in Austin. No masks. Shared bongs. His friends enjoying sweaty mosh-pit-style dancing, shoulder-to-shoulder, cheek-to-cheek.
My son realizes their behavior is reckless, but as months go by and they continue having fun with no repercussions, he wonders how it’s fair that his summer memories are of playing cards and completing puzzles with his parents while theirs mirror a normal summer, but with cheaper flights.
Stay six-feet apart!
We invite his best friends over for a well-spaced backyard BBQ. I take orders and prepare the burgers inside so condiments don’t need to be shared. One friend says his uncle died of Covid.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” I say.
“He had a good long life and we had good times together,” he replies.
“How old was he?”
“60.”
When you’re nineteen, I guess that seems like a long life.
When you’re 54, not so much.
Our family’s fear of COVID had a portended start. My brother’s family was vacationing in China for the Lunar New Year. They were in Wuhan in early January and made it out on the last US evacuation flight before quarantining in Texas for two weeks. Back then we were naively confident that safety measures taken with passengers on a handful of flights from China were enough to keep the virus half-a-world away.
Wash your hands!
Pre-armed with fear from my brother’s stories, we isolated, sanitized, and mastered ZOOM. For months my pantry had been stocked for an empty-nest. That first-run to the grocery store, before the kids came home, was a two-cart trip. Checkout lines snaked through produce and beyond the cheese. Fellow shoppers were in quizzical disbelief at the Armageddon-like conditions of the soup aisle.
Don’t touch your face!
My college senior is home for our canceled Spring Break trip when “Stay-at-home” orders first go down.
“I’m going back,” she announces.
“I’d rather have you here where I know you’re safe.”
During the week she’s home, as it becomes clear the spread of Coronavirus is not contained, the one thing anchoring me is seeing both children around the dinner table. Things are almost like they used to be when we were a family-of-four squeezing in dinners between sports practices and choir rehearsals, only suddenly we have nowhere to go. Miraculously, I have both kids captive for conversation and board games. Frankly, I’m almost blissful.
Apparently, captivity isn’t attractive when you’re almost 22.
“But we have no idea how long this will last,” she replies, “My things are all there.”
So is her boyfriend.
Scenarios play out in my mind. Germs on un-wiped countertops. Boxes from Amazon brought straight into her apartment. Does she even have 409? In discussions on current events, it’s pretty clear that if the girls run out of toilet paper, they won’t have any newspaper to use.
“Take precautions, honey. It isn’t just about you. Think about your grandparents,” I remind her, choking back tears. I fill her front seat with Clorox wipes and watch her drive away.
Wear your mask!
Stuck at home after prematurely moving out of their dorm, my son and his girlfriend are communicating solely through FaceTime and texts. Five-weeks into lockdown, with both families mostly isolated and working from home, we become “a pod” so our teens can spend time together.
But that was months ago. Back when lockdown had an anticipated end-date. Back before a framework for “reopening the economy” is devised then repeatedly revised. Images on television of bustling bars across the country look foreign to us in California. I envy the normalcy of smiles.
I know that at my children’s ages, I’d have done everything in my power not to alter my near-constant quest to carpe diem. I’ve shared cautionary tales of my mistakes, but I’ve based my parenting on openness to discussion, on setting the foundation for good choices, and then letting them venture out. Is reminding them to “Wash your hands! Wear your mask!” and hoping for the best enough? It can’t be emotionally healthy to hold young-adults captive in our homes for the greater good while they watch the Instagram world move on. There’s no guidebook for parenting in a pandemic. I wish there were. With more questions than answers, I know I’m in no place to write it.
Suzanne Weerts is a producer, writer and storyteller who (pre-pandemic) shared tales from her life on stages across Southern California. Lately she's been indulging in way too much wine and chocolate while trying to change the world in conversations with friends on Zoom.
Whether you need a Halloween costume for 8-year-olds, a dinosaur costume or maybe you just want to know what the popular Halloween costumes are this year, there’s no better place to start than Amazon. You’ll find tons of costume ideas and any accessories you might need as well. Plus, if your kids are anything like ours and decide at the last minute he or she wants to be a ninja, not a firefighter, those quick shipping and free returns perks will be game-changers. Scroll down to see the best kids’ Halloween costumes on Amazon.
Skeleton
The ever-popular skeleton can be scary or it can be sweet and we like the latter. This cozy shirt and pant set is perfect for a Halloween at home.
Would it be Halloween without seeing a few dozen Elsa’s out and about? We think not. This awesome set comes with everything your Ice Queen will need to look the part, and there’s even a blond ponytail included.
Dressing up as a first responder is always a big hit with young kids. This Melissa and Doug firefighter costume will stand up to pretend play for months to come.
Wonder Woman 1984 is still expected to premiere in October of this year, so it's perfect timing for your own Wonder Woman. She'll get plenty of wear out of this sweet costume that comes with a dress, belt, gauntlets, tiara, and even shin guards. Halloween night may be the first of many times she saves the neighborhood.
You've been gaming '90s-style with your kids since March, so how about this spot-on Super Mario costume, complete with hat, mustache, gloves and a one-piece jumpsuit? And, yes, that is an inflatable belly! This makes a great buddy costume, too, if you have a Luigi in the house! Plus, you can’t beat the price.
How adorable is this scarecrow costume? All the accessories you see here are included (except the tights and shoes), so you’ll be all set when Halloween night arrives.
A popular choice for preschool kids, this Gekko costume is listed as an Amazon’s choice and a #1 bestseller, and with over one thousand reviews, we think this is one a winner when it comes to Halloween costumes for kids.
Harry's smart and spunky BFF is a huge hit with girls who are reading the Harry Potter series. This robe is affordable, has the Gryffindor crest on the front and is offered in three sizes. You'll need to buy the accessories to complete the look, like this tie and this wand.
Trolls World Tour was a huge hit this year, which means Poppy, Branch, Bridget, and DJ Suki will be trending this Halloween. This darling Poppy dress may get some wear all on its own, and she’ll definitely want to put her hair up for fright night!
Descendants 3 fans will love this Mal costume! While the wig is not included, you’ll get the gloves, the moto jacket, the jumpsuit and a vest. Will your kid defeat the Queen of Mean this Halloween?
Do you have a kid that’s obsessed with outer space? Then this Astronaut suit is just the thing! Choose from three different colors (orange, white and pink) and each suit comes with authentic NASA patches, a cap, and ankle cuffs with adjustable velcro straps.
Whooo will be the cutest baby on Halloween night? Yours, if you order this adorable owl costume. Not only do the colors pop, but it’s comfy, cozy, and has leg snaps to make diaper changing easy.
This one is bittersweet after the loss of actor Chadwick Boseman, but what better way to pay homage than dressing up as his iconic character Black Panther? One of the most important and popular superhero movies ever made, we think this one is going to be a popular choice this year.
Another very popular choice when it comes to costume ideas is a dinosaur. This fun version is bright and cheerful and looks super warm for a cold Halloween night. It even comes with the plush egg.
