Ever discover something that is so unique and exciting that you just HAVE to share it?

A friend of mine recently introduced me to Rendi. INSTANTLY IN LOVE. Rendi has some of the most beautiful and customizable gifts and home decor items that I have ever seen.

Perfect for the holidays!

The minute I flipped through the catalog and website I started making lists for Christmas. (I’m here to tell you that I could find something for every single person in my life. It has become quite the addiction!) I found gift ideas for my teachers, friends, family members and colleagues.  The fact that each piece is uniquely created for each individual makes it a something that will not soon be forgotten.

A small sampling…

I ordered this beautiful customized “wall tag” on late Monday afternoon and it was completed and shipped by the next day. Talk about service!

Mary Kate Battles is my Rendi stylist. I encourage you to stop by the site today and try it out for yourself!

Note: The last day for regular shipping to get these by Christmas is the 14th, but express delivery is available! And don’t forget that these are also perfect for birthdays, graduation and other life celebrations as well.

As I mentioned yesterday, I was thrilled to be invited to feature some back to school must-haves for Good Morning Maryland. The segment won’t officially air until tomorrow morning but I’ve got a copy early to share with you. (Props to anchor Charley Crowson who doesn’t have children but totally hung with me through the Wiggles and lice talk anyway!)

Here is some information on the products that I featured during the segment:

LiceGuard’s Robi Comb:

As back to school time approaches, so does the head lice boom. The Robi Comb is a non-invasive electronic lice comb powered by a single AA battery that detects and destroys lice on contact simply by combing it through dry hair. When the Robi Comb’s metal teeth touch lice, the lice get zapped, die and then get combed away.

They retail for $29.99 and can be found at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid, as well as thousands of local pharmacies across the nation.

EMTEC Animal Series USB Flash Drive:

Kids these days are so high tech; with digital text books and internet based homework assignments, it’s tough for some parents to keep up! To ensure your child’s homework and digital assignments get to class on time, the Animal Series USB Flash Drive from EMTECH is a cute and fun way to protect your files.

They retail for $13 and can be purchased at Staples, Office Depot, Barnes & Noble and online at Amazon.com.

L.L. Bean Critter Pack and Lunch Box:

L.L. Bean Bags will last your family for years! These bags have bright colors and fun reflective critters for boys and girls. Constructed from durable textured nylon they also have a reinforced bottom and are water and spill resistant. They are tested as safe for lead, phthalates and PVCs.

They retail for $39.95 and $15.95 and can be purchased online at llbean.com.

Whole Foods A Better Bag:

A pretty, oversized lunch bag from Whole Foods. They sum it up perfectly on their web site: “Save the planet while lunching! ”

These bags retail for only $0.79 and are available at all Whole Foods locations nationwide.

What are some back to school products that YOUR CHILDREN can’t live without?

Wondering how my little teeth whitening challenge went?

Tada!

Are you seeing the above results? I know, right?

I have to admit that I was more than a tad skeptical of the Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips when I pulled them out of the box. The whole concept was way too simple and way too affordable to deliver what it promised.

But even this skeptic has to admit that the results speak for themselves. Truly easy to use. I put them on one evening, proceeded to read a book and in a flash …. DONE!

My husband was so impressed that he used them for a big interview he had the next day AND we went out and purchased the Crest 3D White Multi-Care Whitening Rinse. Converts? Yes, you could say that.

Would you like to try them out for yourself? Then follow this link and get yourself a coupon. Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips are available at mass retailers and drugstores nationwide. For more information, visit 3DWhite.com, or visit them on Facebook.

Disclosure: I am participating in a Crest 3D White 2 Hour Express Whitestrips campaign hosted by One2One Network. This is a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% mine.

TodaysMama and GameStop are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?

That we are all happy and healthy of course. Also that the boys BELIEVE in Santa for this one last year!

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

My husband and I usually wake up before the kids, believe it or not. On Christmas Eve we all get new holiday pajamas so our morning consists of coffee, jammies, presents and music until noon!

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?

Oh I have so many, many things… Hmmmm…. a new MAC for the house. I love making iMovies!

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?

We’ve compiled a giant collection of Christmas movies and we usually pick a couple of “must watch” movies to get into the holiday spirit. Plus we also try to keep the holiday tunes flowing and our spirits soaring for the season. No one likes a GRINCH!

5. What games did you play with your family growing up?

What DIDN’T we play? Mousetrap, Clue, Monopoly, cards, Atari, Operation, Connect Four… I could go on and on!

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?

We give gifts to each other (meaning kid to kid) on Christmas Eve. That way our smaller, thoughtful gifts are not overshadowed by what Santa brings. It is so exciting to get a gift early, even if it is not extravagent. Every gift is special!

7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?

We would go on a Disney cruise if we could afford it. We’ve heard so much about them… I am sure they are magical around the holidays!

8. Check out GameStop and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?

We just visited a GameStop the other day so this one is easy! Number one is X-Box with Kinect, EA Sports Active2 for Kinect, the red Wii bundle, not to mention Wii games like Just Dance and Just Dance 2 . So fun.

A word of warning, dear readers – today you may fall in love with me.

Why?

Because today I bring you… FREE CHOCOLATE.

No, really.

I was lucky enough to be able to “test” out a new offering from Hershey’s chocolate called “DROPS.” I am capitalizing the name because anything that fantastic should be shouted. Don’t you agree?

Hershey’s Drops come in two flavors – Milk Chocolate and Cookies ‘n’ Creme and will be available across the country beginning in December. (My personal favorite is the Milk Chocolate but my kids devoured the Cookies ‘n’ Creme. D E V O U R E D) What makes them unique is the fact that they are the perfect snack size to satisfy any craving (size of a quarter) and their shiny protective coating. Delish!

Drumroll please….

Hershey’s and Hip As I Wanna Be will be giving away THIRTY (yes, 30!) lucky readers their own chance to score some Hershey’s Drops.

Amazing, no?

This is a 24-hour ONLY giveaway which will start at 7:00 AM (EST) on Monday, November 15, 2010 and will end at 7:00 AM (EST) on the next day.

To enter please leave a comment describing one or two little things bring you happiness. I know that for me giggles from my little guys and coffee with my husband or a good friend certainly qualify as a moment of bliss.

Optional: For extra entries you can do any or all of the following. (You must leave comment so that I know, however.)

- Subscribe to Hip As I Wanna Be. E-mail and RSS options are found on the right side bar.

- Connect with me on Facebook! (Also located on the upper right side bar.)

- “Like” Hershey’s on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/HERSHEYS.

- Follow me on Twitter (@MammaMania) and tweet about this giveaway. Please be sure to include me in the tweet so I am aware.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winners will all be selected at random using a random number generator from all eligible entries. The winners will be notified via e-mail and will have three days to reply with a name and mailing address (no PO Box) or a new winner will be chosen.

DO YOU WANT TO WIN A SPONSORSHIP TO BLOGHER 2010?

Well, then it is time to speak up and start talking about SEED!

SEED Power (a line of all natural body care) is providing some lucky ladies with the chance to attend BlogHer 21010 in NYC with their fabulous SEEDS OF INSPIRATION contest.  Not only will the winner receive a $250 CASH sponsorship, but they will also be VIP guests at an exclusive, swanky NYC PAR-TAY the Friday night of the convention.  (And let me tell you – from what I hear it will be FAB-U-LOUS!)

HERE IS HOW ENTER THE SEEDS OF INSPIRATION BLOGHER 2010 SPONSORSHIP CONTEST:

Visit the Seed Website and read about the products and the founder’s story.

Write a blog post about how the products, philosophy or owner’s story INSPIRE YOU to nurture your own entrepreneurial spirit, live a more organic lifestyle OR make a more positive environmental impact! The post must include a link to the SEED website within it and a mention and link back to this contest to be considered. Then come back to Hip As I Wanna Be and link up!

A COUPLE OF OTHER RULES, BABY:

All contestants must ALSO complete the following steps for their entry to be considered:

• Visit the SEED website and join their community via email
• Follow @SeedPower on Twitter
• Tweet the following “I’m inspired by @SEEDpower & the SEEDs of Inspiration #blogher10 #sponsorship contest http://bit.ly/b2oQDM #pickmeseed”
• Become a fan of SEED on FaceBook

{And don’t forget to leave a comment letting the contest host (ME!) know you completed these steps}

Submit your entry via Mr. Linky below and then you are done!

BUT THERE IS ONE MORE THING, LADIES... The fact that you can enter to win once a week until the contest closes. Just create a new post, link up again and tweet!  The coolness, never ends does it?  And if you want extra chances to win in a different way, you can enter each week over at Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom (Whrrl contest) and Makeover Momma (Vlog contest) as well.

Each entry must be unique and not simply the submission of the previous week’s entry.

Winners who have followed the submission rules will then have their entries judged by SEED on the following criteria: creativity, originality, interpretation of the theme.

SEED Power Body Care will choose the winner of the contest as well as several other winners who will get invitations to the swank-tastic invite only party being hosted on Saturday August 5th, 2010 by SEED.  BTW – Hip As I Wanna Be, though partially sponsored to BlogHer 2010 by SEED, will have no part in the selection process and is simply hosting this contest.

Contest ends March 31, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced on the SEED website on or about April 9, 2010.  (But it might be a good idea to follow “me” on Twitter and fan Hip As I Wanna Be on Facebook to make sure you are up to date on the contest 411.)

AND…. because they are a truly fabulous company, Seed is also offering the readers of Hip As I Wanna Be a discount on their products.  To order some fabulous products using your special discount code, click here.

NOTE: I AM A TECHNO MORON! For some reason the comments are closed. Just email me at jlgerlock@comcast.net and I will make sure SEED gets them!

Frivolous.  Vain.  Excessive.  Fabulous.  Passionate.  Genius.

There are many adjectives used to describe the fashion industry and those who make their living in it.

Regardless of one’s personal view on fashion, one cannot deny that what we put on (or don’t) each morning reveals a tremendous amount about who we are. It is an individual expression of our social and cultural views.

Personally, I love fashion but have never been a slave to it.  It is not something that I have had the luxury of spending a lot of time and effort on, although it has become more of a focus for me in the past year.

That doesn’t mean that I am not intrigued by the industry.  Oh contraire.  So when I was offered the opportunity to review the The September Issue, I jumped at the chance.  The documentary film, directed by RJ Cutler, is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of fashion, focusing on the infamous Anna Wintour and the Vogue team as they create the “must have-Bible” of Fashion.

This film is fascinating.  I must admit that I was riveted.

Anna Wintour, Editor in Chief of Vogue, is, by far, one of the most caricatured figures in modern culture.  (Ever seen The Devil Wears Prada? It is rumored to be based on the author’s time spent working as assistant to Wintour.)

Although I had heard, it wasn’t until I watched this film that I realized exactly how prominent Wintour’s position in the fashion industry is. Judging by the footage, the scope of her power and influence is phenomenal. In a 300-billion dollar global industry, it is amazing to witness that no one can really be a successful fashion designer right without her blessing.

Did you know that 13 million people purchase the September issue of Vogue?

Staggering.

The September Issue (trailer here) is being released as a two-disc “Double Issue” DVD on February 23^rd.  The bonus DVD contains over 90 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes, commentary with the director and a photo gallery.  To find out more, see the Facebook fan page for the film.

AUDIO CUT ABOVE: The audio cut at the top of the post is an excerpt of an interview I did with director RJ Cutler. In it he talks about the moments in the film that he considers the most powerful.

INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE AUDIO?

• My interview with Uma Thurman. (Yeah, THAT Uma Thurman)
• My interview with Anthony Edwards. (Goose!)

FTC Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this movie for review purposes.

If you have read my blog more than once you already know that I am a sucker for books. Specifically self-help books.  So when I was given the opportunity to review one – I jumped on it.  Hey, I’m lookin’ for my MOJO, remember?

The book is called Stop Praying. Now, right off the bat I didn’t know what to expect because I am a faith-filled gal.  Turns out it is not anti-God just more directed at motivating readers “who are fed up with a normal, go nowhere life.”  Okay, then. I’m in.

It uses five daily disciplines to spur you into action for a 21 day commitment, complete with journal for writing activities.

I must say that one particular chapter struck me.  It was the chapter on Choice Awareness. (Wince) I’d never thought about choices the way they were presented in the book before: “Every day we are subconsciously making hundreds of mini choices….by mini choices I mean things like tossing something towards the trash, missing by a little bit and walking on.” The author goes on to give examples of stopping your three mile run at 2.5 because you are “close” or having “just one” brownie because you skipped breakfast, ect…  The point being made is that by choosing the easy way out, not finishing and not taking the high road, you dismiss the little decisions as “unimportant” and consequently you are not living up to your potential. Basically arguing that our subconscious KNOWS and RECORDS these little moments.  Thus killing your self-confidence.

Fascinating and unnerving at the same time.  I’ve found myself way more conscious of these “mini-choices.”  So I’m committing to the 21 day journaling exercize.  I’m hoping that it will create a greater awareness and intention in my life.

AND BONUS: Two lucky folks will receive a free book copy and tote bag!  Just visit this site and enter the promo code “hip” … IT IS THAT SIMPLE!

This is the first of a new series I’m calling  “Stuff You’ve Just GOTTA Have!”

I don’t know about you, but when I find something that I think is terrific I’ve just gotta spread the word.  Have something you want to share?  Feel free to recommend your favorites to me by using the contact form found here.

STUFF YOU’VE JUST GOTTA HAVE: Julie Boonshaft Jewelry

My friend Julie Boonshaft is a true inspiration.  She is stunningly beautiful and tremendously joyful.  I am not-so-secretly-convinced that she can do anything – be it wrangle her four kids (Yes, I said FOUR!) or create delightful jewelry.

Julie is like so many of us mothers – although we relish every hectic day with our children, our aspirations to do something unique with our individual gifts aren’t always fulfilled. 

Julie found her artistic outlet in the creation of jewelry.

“Ultimately, I absolutely love being a mom, but I’ve also never had a more challenging job! There are so many times in the day where you question- Did I teach them all I could? Are they going to remember all the acitivities we do? The playdates? The swim lessons? The picnics in the basement just for fun?! I found that my days were absolutely consumed with the joys and perils of mommyhood. Selfishly, I needed something of my own- an outlet for my creativity, a tangible result to something that I had done.”

“I make jewelry in the middle of the night when the kids are asleep, my own time, just for me… and yet, ironically, the very first jewelry I created was “mommy” jewelry…  a name bracelet for myself.  Little did I know, the ‘Jared and Josh’ bracelet I wore so proudly would be the beginning of this incredible journey. They are and always will be my inspiration.”

Through her online website, Julie Boonshaft Jewelry, Julie offers stunning and unique personalized jewelry pieces that range from Yoga-inspired to bridal adornments and one of a kind commemorative necklaces and bracelets.  I dare you to find something you don’t love!  BTW – THIS is my favorite.  LOVE IT!

A mother's inspiration!