I am a nervous wreck when I put on a bathing suite.   Even when I was a size 4 I thought I had major flaws.  Now that I am a size 8 and have a little extra weight (from my last birth.. over 3 years ago.. yes, that’s my excuse) I hunt for just the right swimsuit. 

Here is what I look for in a swimsuit:

• It has to be a one piece swimsuit
• I prefer black or dark brown
• My swimsuit must have straps – the boobies just don’t tolerate strapless.
• A skirt to cover the upper thigh area

I got an email newsletter from Lands’ End this morning telling me about their new swimsuit selection and I thought, sheez it’s still Winter, why do I want to look for a swimsuit now?  Well, I thought looking at swimsuits now might inspire me to lose the 10 lbs I put on since October (medication related, but still).. ugh!

What’s really cool about the Lands’ End swimsuit selection is that you can choose your ANXIETY ZONE!  There are currently about 48 swimsuits offered in the Lands’ End Swimsuit Anxiety Zone section.

In the swimsuit area of the Lands’ End there is a list of anxiety zones buyers can choose from.  Anxiety Zones include:

• Minimize Tummy-Waist.. yes please
• Minimize Hips-Thighs
• Enhance Bust.. no thanks
• Lengthen Legs
• Enhance Waist..interesting
• Minimize Bust.. yes please

I’m giving one lucky reader a $25 Lands’ End e-gift card!
Do you have swimsuit anxiety?  Swimsuits aren’t always cheap but the extra expense is worth it.
Leave a comment below telling me what your swimsuit anxiety is, your favorite kind of swimsuit, and/or your favorite summer beach destination and I will enter every commentor to win a $25 e-gift card to use at LandsEnd.com.. on me!  Entries accepted through Feb. 10th, 2010.

I was not compensated financially or with product for this blog post.

Lands’ End Swimsuits – Choose your anxiety zone! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Give mom the gift of yoga this Mother's Day. If mom hasn't discovered yoga yet, she's in for a surprise. It's a tried and true way to relieve stress and help maintain flexibility as you age. My dad does yoga three times a week and he is in excellent shape! To get mom started gear her up with the essentials. Of course she'll be more motivated if there is a cute outfit involved – the loungewear pajama set is ideal for the beginner at home. A guided yoga practice from Suzanne Deason will help give an introduction to what's in store at the yoga studio; mom will be a perfect downward dog in no time. And of she'll be off to yoga class in no time with her yoga mat, water bottle and a chic yoga tote to carry it in.

Beau Yoga Mat Tote in Grey, $30
Organic Loungewear Set with coordinating jacket, $24.99 – $39.99
Gaiam Bronze Medallion Aluminum Water Bottle, $13
DVD, Yoga Conditioning for Women, $15.00
Antimicrobial Yoga Mat, $50

All available at Gaiam.com
Coupon code – THEFIND4, Free Shipping on orders over $25., April 1st – June 1st.

From our friends at TheFind.com.

Give “Namaste” For Mother’s Day is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

Having this is the next best thing to laser hair removal.  Philips offers moms the perfect solution for bikini line trimming with their wet/dry Bikini Perfect Deluxe system.  Philips at-home hair removal
kit pairs a  soothing and smoothing spa touch with a sensitive,
skin-friendly, super-precise buzz.  New moms just don't have the time to care for their bikini line like they used to!  The Bikini Perfect Deluxe system makes the process quick and easy.
 
Features of the Bikini Perfect Deluxe system

• Lemon+sage body butter
• Personal trimmer with six attachments to trim and shape 
• Rechargeable for up to 60 minutes of cordless grooming
• Wet and dry use
• bliss-Philips drawstring beauty bag to store your Bikini Perfect Deluxe in

GIVEAWAY!  What.. what?
Yes, we are giving away even more great stuff for Mother's Day! 
Enter to win a Bikini Perfect Deluxe for yourself, your mom, or a friend.  If you are a winner, we want to deliver your prize to you by Mother's Day so this entries are accepted until 10pm May 6th!  Winners will be notified May 7th by email and must respond May 7th with their mailing address.

You must be a subscriber to enter, then leave a comment below, telling us why you want a Philips Bikini Perfect Deluxe.

Philips Bikini Perfect Deluxe Spa-at-home grooming system + Mother’s Day Giveaway! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

 Sleep is precious to most moms. And for most moms, sleep is hard to come by. 

Because I have a difficult time falling and staying asleep I have a little bedtime ritual during which I prepare my 'sleep aids'.   First, I turn on my sound machine and set it to play ocean waves. The ocean waves sound is what helps me go back to sleep when I wake in the night.  Second, I replace the scented pillow liner on my pillow if I need to.

Sleep Scentsations scented pillow liners are thin, soft liners infused with essential
oils and fragrance oils. I place a new scented liner on my pillow, under my pillow case, every week or so.   I have the Shanghai Nights Scented Collection box which includes 10 scented liners in 6 different scents.  My favorite liners so far are the White Tea & Lily liner and the Day at the Beach liner.  One that's really a cool idea is Cold RX.  I haven't needed to try it yet and hopefully won't for a while, but definitely will next time I have a cold.  After using Sleep Scentsations scented pillow liners for about a month now, I have total confidence that the Cold RX liner will work.

Check out Sleep Scentsations Scent Menu for a list of all available scents.

GIVEAWAY!  I have one Shanghai Nights Scented Collection box to give to a lucky subscriber!  Click here to go to our Subscription page, subscribe if you haven't already, then fill out the entry form on that page!  That's it!

Sleep Scentsations scented pillow liners + win one! is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

This is a guest post from TheFind.com.  This is not a paid  advertisement.

This Rebecca Minkoff wallet is the perfectly cheeky
solution to the age-old question, "paper or plastic?" Sure you can flash
this colorful wallet in the bag boy's face, but in this case 'paper' and
'plastic' refer to your credit cards and cash. Made of Italian leather, we
love the bright colors and sturdy construction.

Totally functional are the
generous pockets perfectly sized for your "I can always return it"
receipts and zippered coin compartment. It's the bold gold metallic
graphic that really has us sold. I'll take one in every color please!

Pair the "Paper/Plastic" wallet with a Rebecca Minkoff tote.

The Rebecca Minkoff Wallet That Asks: Paper or Plastic? is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!

The second in my series of Coach Parker handbag reviews.. the Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is yet another beautiful new bag from Coach's new Parker line. 

The Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is a gorgeous, mid-sized, leather shoulder bag with fabric trim and a delicate fabric inner lining. 
This bag is the rosegold/nickel color/style.  In addition to this beautiful metallic color, the Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is available in three beautiful spring inspired shades that work well with the season’s key colors.  This Parker bag will make even your simplest ensemble look radiant. The shaded Parker Leather Shoulder bags are $358 while the metallic bag is $398 and is an excellent value as it is a handbag that you will enjoy for many years.

Why I love the Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag:

• The size is perfect for a mom with a toddler.
  Madleyn is 2 so I don't have to carry 3 outfits, diapers, 2 sippies, snacks, etc..

I carry 1 change of clothes, a sippy cup, a snack bag, a book, and a toy.  All of these things plus my wallet, phone, and 'accessories' fit nicely in this Parker.

Overall, the Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is an excellent bag for moms with new babies and toddlers alike and of course for women in general!

GIVEAWAY There are two ways to enter.
Enter to win this Coach Parker Leather Shoulder Bag by simply leaving a comment below telling me why you want to win this bag and your email address will be entered once. 
2 ENTRIES: Your email address will be entered twice when you  subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter by April 30th.

GOOD LUCK!

New from Coach’s spring 2009 Parker line: Parker Leather Shoulder Bag is a post from: The Mommy Insider. It looks like you are reading this post in your favorite RSS reader. Don't be shy..hop on over to check out our current giveaways, coupon codes, and to share your comments!