These might seem silly but I’ve been meaning to start a Whrrl series on things I can’t live without.

Why?

Because whenever I talk to my friends, be they moms or non-moms, I love when they open up and share their personal secrets.  Don’t you just get the biggest rush from finding out a fabulous new lipstick or book or television program?

I know I do.  So here is my first go at sharing things that I am currently loving!

LINKAGE ROUNDUP:

• SEED – Restful Lavender Sage Lotion
• My Tagalongs – Fun, fun products.  It is hard to link to just one or two.  Truly fun and fab gift ideas as well!
• e.l.f. Cosmetics – Pretty much everything.  I use the mineral makeup, creme eyeliner, bronzer, brushes… it all rocks and it is super economical!
• AviMotion Toning Shoes – This is new for me but boy and I loving them!

As I mentioned in my post today, I was invited to be a part of the We Give Books initiative that kicked off in Washington DC at the National Press Club.

This philanthropical effort was launched by the Pearson Foundation and Penguin Books with the ultimate goal of donating one million books to literacy campaigns worldwide in their first year.

Anyone with internet access can put books into the hands of children who need them.  COMPLETELY FREE.

Not kidding.  Giving books … for free.  What a truly inspired idea.  In my life, books were my window to the world.  Aside from my faith and my family, books have been one of the biggest influence in my evolution as a person.  Imagine the power you can have to shape a little one’s life by simply going online.

Here’s how it works: You and your child (ages 1-10) go online to the We Give Books site.  You select a partner charity and then you let your child choose a book to read online.  (There is a wide variety of books to choose from, with more being added each week.  The site itself is so easily navigable that you can literally hand the laptop right over to your little one and let them go.)

Once your child is done reading, the screen will show them that a book has been donated to their charity.  Simple and impactful. Your child reads and at the same time, gives.  The more they read, the more they benefit others. What a truly wonderful concept!!  The simple act of reading online helps tackle one of the biggest challenges faced around the world – illiteracy.

It is also a phenomenal way for you and your little one to begin to open up a dialog about giving back.

I urge you to try We Give Books out with your children. If you are a teacher could be a powerful way to involve your students in philanthropy!

I wrote this review as part of a campaign by Mom Central on behalf of We Give Books and received breakfast, a gift bag, and a gift certificate. All views about this phenomenal campaign are mine.  I’m a sucker for a good cause and an avid reader, as you well know by now!

When my boys were born, we lived in Nashville with no close family nearby.  The boys were infants (18 months apart) and we were brand new working parents WITHOUT A CLUE. We had to rely heavily on friends for help and were at the mercy of their schedules.

As young (read: naïve) parents working in the entertainment industry, we were in desperate need of reliable resources. Unfortunately we had to fend for ourselves.

Years later we find ourselves in the DC Metro area surrounded by friends and family with children in the same age range.  We are in a completely different situation; we now have resources.  We have other parents we can swap babysitting with, share errands with and arrange playdates.

But I often think back on the years when my babies were small.  I could have used a network of women I could connect with and depend on.

HiveMoms is a website where moms can meet online,  schedule play dates and babysitting co-ops. Brilliant! HiveMoms enables you to not only find other moms who live nearby but also to see and join play dates being hosted in your vicinity as well as join babysitting co-ops.  You can also earn and spend “points” by taking turns to babysit within a babysitting co-op.

Don’t let the “meeting online” aspect concern you.  You can chose who to show your information to.  There are enhanced security and privacy features.   In short, you meet and interact with other moms before you opt into the co-op.

• If you are interested in finding out more about HiveMoms, there is a Twitter party tonight (Thursday, April 22^nd) from 6-7pm PST or 9-10pm EST.  The host is @hivemoms with co-hosts @moneywisemoms and @singlemomseekin. Just follow the hashtag #HiveMoms!
• Another fabulous opportunity is the fact that HiveMoms has a $250 STORY COMPETITION going on now through May 9^th.  Just in time for Mother’s Day!  Who couldn’t use an extra bit of spare change?  Details on the contest are available here.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.

I’m a runner.  I have been for years.  Some weeks I run longer and harder than others but regardless of the mileage I have always had some sort of foot problem.  Most are a result of my plantar fasciitis. But don’t even get me started on that…

So when I was offered a chance to try out some fun products from a company called “Kushyfoot,” well, let’s just say I was open to it.

They sent me a variety of fun and unique things to try out:  Foot Covers, Yoga Socks, Flats To Go and Athletic socks. Thrilled?  Why yes, I was.  The item I had heard the most chatter about was the Yoga Socks.  I’m not really a Yoga girl but I found that they were really fun to wear around and I can see how they could come in handy pedicure-wise.

My favorite items were the Flats To Go and Athletic socks. The flats are just brilliant and I have used them in a pinch a number of times.  Small enough to carry around with you – that is for sure.

But the socks were out of this world.  According to the material I read on them, they have a reflexology inspired sole and heel saver slippage. Which is technical speak for ultra-comfy.  (Awesome.) I used them to run in AND to wear around the house.  They were the perfect balance of cushion and breathe-ability.  Pretty safe to declare that I’m a convert.

Kushyfoot is available at mass market drugstores or can be online at www.kushyfoot.com.

FTC Disclaimer: I was provided with a number of products to try.

I haven’t been to the circus since I was a kid.  I remember it like it was yesterday, it was in New York City, under a big top and there were these amazing clowns on a tightrope….

Ah, memories!
My kids recently got the opportunity to see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® circus’ presentation of ZING ZANG ZOOM® when it came to Washington D.C.
I can’t even describe to you how perfect it was for them.  They were mesmerized the entire time.  Not a peep out of them except for them reminding me to video tape the performances so they could watch them again.  (If my kids were mesmerized, that is saying something!) And when they shot those ladies out of a cannon, well, my boys were enthralled!

The “plot” of Zing Zang Zoom is this:  Magical Zingmaster Alex and his assistant Levitytia lead the audience through a world of fantasy that celebrates the  spirit of the circus and also wards off the cynical Mr. Gravity and his team of Heavies, who try to bring everyone down.

If you would like to check Zing Zang Zoom it out for yourself, it will be coming to the following cities:

Fairfax, Virginia
Mar 24, 2010 – Apr 04, 2010
Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 07, 2010 – Apr 18, 2010
Charleston, West Virginia
Apr 21, 2010 – Apr 25, 2010
Dayton, Ohio
Apr 29, 2010 – May 02, 2010
Albany, New York
May 06, 2010 – May 09, 2010
Columbus, Ohio
May 13, 2010 – May 16, 2010
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Jun 10, 2010 – Jun 13, 2010
San Antonio, Texas
Jun 16, 2010 – Jun 20, 2010
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jun 24, 2010 – Jun 27, 2010
Corpus Christi, Texas
Jun 30, 2010 – Jul 04, 2010
Houston, Texas
Jul 07, 2010 – Jul 25, 2010
Dallas, Texas
Jul 28, 2010 – Aug 08, 2010
Fort Worth, Texas
Aug 11, 2010 – Aug 15, 2010
Austin, Texas
Aug 18, 2010 – Aug 22, 2010

Disclosure: I was provided tickets for my family to attend this performance.