GeekSugar

Download of the Day: Baby Smash

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:00:29 PDT

Got kids? Nieces? Nephews? I'm sure you can relate to my pain when I mention the words computer, kids, and curiosity. There's nothing more fulfilling than watching a toddler learn their way around a computer, but what if they are still in the smash and bash stages of early development? That's when you need Baby Smash! Baby Smash is totally free and will "baby proof" your computer/laptop when your kiddies fingers decide to play the piano on your keyboard. But what's great about it is the fact that colored shapes, letters, and numbers will appear on the screen instead of harming your computer!

This download locks out the Windows Key, as well as Ctrl-Esc and Alt-Tab so your baby can't get out of the application. And by pressing ALT-F4 you can exit the application and Shift-Ctrl-Alt-O will bring you up the options dialog. Neat, right?!

Real Mom Gift Guide: All Debra Messing Wants For the Holidays Is . . .

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:31:18 PST

Window shopping has never been so charitable! If you happen to be doing some holiday shopping in New York City or San Francisco, take a look at the store windows you pass - some may be filled with a high-tech way for mama to do some charitable giving without ever opening her wallet. Ebay just unveiled Give-a-Toy Store interactive storefronts that allow shoppers to use their smartphones to scan QR-coded price tags to make an immediate donation to Toys For Tots.

Debra Messing, mom of 7-year-old Roman, and the upcoming star of Smash was on hand to kick off the new endeavor and spoke with me about her favorite holiday traditions.

LilSugar: With the holiday season upon us, how did you come to work with eBay on this project?
Debra Messing: The holiday season is a time when people are more inclined to give, and I just thought that eBay's initiative was so brilliant. They have this window with virtual gift tags with toys, and there are different donation amounts - there's $5, $10, $20 - you just scan your [smartphone] over the window, you're on the sidewalk, and instantly you're donating to Toys For Tots and 100 percent of the money goes to Toys For Tots. Being able to make things really quick and easy and meaningful is important.

LS: What family holiday traditions are you most looking forward to this year?
DM: We just moved back to New York, but have always had family here. We love to go skating at Wolman rink, and go see plays - musicals specifically. Waiting for the snow to come. Looking forward to putting on the snowsuit and stomping through Central Park.

LS: So much of the holiday focus is on kids. What's on your wish list this year?
DM: For me, there is no better present than a massage. Flowers are beautiful, but they die. Champagne is fun, but it's gone - very quickly. As a mom we're on 24/7, and if we're working moms, which most of us are, we're exhausted, and sleep deprived, and we don't take care of ourselves. We feel guilty if we take too much time for ourselves. It feels like an extravagance, but it really is a necessity for moms to take an hour to shut down, rejuvenate, and have someone to rub out the kinks from carrying the baby on your hip too much or whatever you're doing. My son's now at a place where he likes to jump on my body to wake me up at 6 in the morning, so I've literally got bruises all over my body.

Keep reading to see how Debra Messing our famous Four Lil Questions about motherhood!

Chicken Soup With Kale, Garlic, and Sweet Potatoes

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:47:51 PDT

We love kale but had never thought to include it in a traditional Fall staple: chicken soup! That brilliant idea comes from Fresh Tart.

My mom is recovering from major surgery here at our home. She spent the first couple of weeks in a hospital and rehab facility, where the food was...truly awful. I brought her little farmer's market treats like sliced tomatoes and strawberries, to remind her that not all food comes from boxes and cans, but man, the overall effect of feeding healing people crap food is seriously depressing.

She is glad to be here now, noshing what appeals from my endless stream of cooking, and starting to cook for herself again too. She can't eat more than a few bites of anything at a time - and all she's truly hungry for is sweets, ha - but she made herself a killer BLT yesterday, thick with a perfect tomato and a pile of freshly picked lettuce, and managed to eat half of it.

Baby steps on the road to recovery.

She also managed a few bites of this soup, which really hit the spot on a cool, fall day. I love chicken soup for its endless versatility, and of course for its soothing, healing deliciousness. I studded this version with kale, sweet potatoes, garlic, and just a spot of bacon because my mom loves bacon.

More on the soup's healing properties - and a recipe! - after the break.

It's Party Time! 10 Creative First Birthday Party Ideas

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 13:41:19 PDT

Congratulations, you've made it through the first year of parenthood! Ask any new mama – who just yesterday brought home a newborn and is now planning baby's first birthday bash - and she'll tell you how fast a year can fly by. Baby's first birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime affair and as parents, we all want to make it a memorable one - but where to start? From smash cakes to party favors, we've got you covered. Put on your party planning hat and get inspired to throw the party of the year with these 10 creative first birthday party ideas.

Baby Cakes: First Birthday Cake Ideas and Inspiration

Angelica Marden — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:00:51 PDT

What's the best way to celebrate baby's first 365 days, or 8,766 moments on earth? Why a giant birthday cake, of course! Whether your one year old has tried the sweet stuff before or tastes the confection for the first time on her first birthday, you can expect whatever you serve will be enjoyed and rubbed all over the place. In fact, mini smash cakes, which are made to be smeared and drooled all over a baby face for the sake of a giggle and cheeky photo, have become quite trendy. If you're planning a first-year fete or just want some mouth-watering inspiration for future festivities, savor these copycat-worthy cakes and trends.

Texts and Tunes: Rockabye Baby Christmas Rock Classics

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:00:41 PST

Have yourself a merry lil Christmas without putting "Jingle Bells" on heavy rotation on the stereo. For everyone who wants to fill their homes with a little joy for their bundle of joy this time of the year there is Rockabye Baby: Christmas Rock Classics ($11). I'm already a big fan of the Rockabye Baby series, so I knew the holiday album would fit nicely in our family music collection. The lullaby renditions of less traditional holiday songs such as Smashing Pumpkins' "Christmastime" and "2000 Miles" from The Pretenders are a soothing way to calm your babe and make it a silent night.