The DeBroff DeBrief

Join us for the #RISEwithGrains Twitter Party!

With schools beginning to wind down and kids’ thoughts turning toward summer vacation, we Moms know that requests for a day at the local amusement park hover just on the horizon. Whether as part of a school picnic or family outing, kids love amusement parks – the stomach-dropping rides, the hot-dog-ice-cream lunches, the costumed characters, and the glittering shows and slapstick entertainment.

But regardless of the joy amusement parks bring to kids, we also know that they can present some challenges for families. Sprawling venues with attractions spread out over miles can easily exhaust and over-stimulate kids, and the endless gifts shops and treat stands can cause a severe case of the “gimmees.” Yet with a little planning and preparation, a family trip to an amusement park can go off without a hitch. I’ve included my favorite tips here:

Day in and day out, we Moms sweat the small stuff. Juggling tasks ranging from shuttling kids to after-school activities and signing off on permission slips to scheduling doctor’s appointments and managing household tasks, we face a compounding list of daily responsibilities.

As a result, we’ve become master multi-taskers – coordinating donations to the school auction while waiting in the car line, all the while checking work email. Clearly, juggling so many tasks proves exhausting, so many of us look for strategies to make it all manageable. While we all have our own individual style, many time-management tips offer up some universal ways to squeeze a little more time out of our busy days. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve listed some of my favorite organizational tips below to help Moms breathe a little easier:

Make Home Organization Work for You

Regardless of how frequently you go to the gym, sometimes you need a little extra help to get the best fit for your clothes. The newest line of body shapers from Julie France gives you that added boost through feel-good shapewear garments designed to camouflage imperfections, slenderize, and shape while smoothing the body with no lines.

Made from resilient microfiber materials, these undergarments feel lightweight and breathable while comfortably conforming to fit a variety of body types. Ideal for smoothing bumps or lines under any clingy clothing, Julie France body shapers come in a number of styles and colors.

If you’re looking for fuller coverage, try the mid-length Boxer Body Shaper. This shaper works to lift and support while also slimming the waist, thighs and lower back. The seamless Boxer Body shaper also has adjustable straps for additional comfort and support.

Join us for the #FAGEADay Twitter Party!

Date: Wednesday, May 2^nd
Time: 3-4 PM EST
Moderator: @MomCentral
Assistant Moderators: @StacyDeBroff, @DadCentral & @MomCentralChat
Guests: @FAGEUSA, @roccodispirito
Topic/Focus: Highlight how easy and enjoyable it is to incorporate FAGE Total Greek yogurt in your diet, share FAGE-inspired recipe ideas from special guest Rocco DiSpirito and talk about how FAGE Total is a healthy part of your daily diet.
Hashtag: #FAGEADay

Join us for a Twitter Party to talk all about energy balance and tips for keeping your family healthy and active!

Join us for a Twitter Party to talk all about your little one’s big milestones—and how Tommee Tippee Sippy Cups make them spill-free!

When I’m traveling and making appearances, I always want to look my best. I select my outfits and accessories carefully, packing everything I might need while away from home.

 Although I consider my beauty regimen low-key, I keep a short list of must-have products. One of these items, a can of Rita Hazan Root Concealer, always finds its way into my carry-on bag or purse. I rely on this touch up spray to keep my hair looking professionally done, even when it’s not.

I learned my lesson on a recent trip as I checked the mirror one last time before going to a TV segment and realized some gray roots were peeking out. My naturally blonde hair doesn’t cause many problems for me, but when the roots start growing out, they really show! Contrary to a few days prior, they now seemed glaringly obvious and I desperately needed a last-minute fix.

Join us for a Twitter Party to talk all about turning recycled trash into treasure!

What: #GladBlackBag Twitter Party

When: Thursday, April 19 2012 from 3:00-4:00PM EST

Hashtag: #GladBlackBag

Moderator: @MomCentral
Assistant Moderators: @StacyDeBroff, @DadCentral & @MomCentralChat
Special Guest Expert: @GladWildLife
Prizes: Six people participating in the party will win $50 Amazon gift codes and a Glad Black Bag product sample. Two pre-party winners will also receive $50 Amazon gift codes and a Glad Black Bag product.
Questions? Contact Melanie Cohn at mcohn@momcentral.com

When I hear the words “spring cleaning,” I immediately think of intense milestone projects like re-organizing the whole garage, clearing out the garden shed, cleaning all the stained carpets, washing winter-streaked windows, and wiping a season’s worth of dust off of everything from little-used shelves to ceiling fans.

But my favorite spring-cleaning projects do not involve such Herculean tasks. By looking no further than my make-up bag, medicine cabinet, and first-aid kit, I can get rid of expired products, replace them with new choices, and spring with confidence into the new season.

Make-Up Refresh
While we love to add new make-up and skin care items – from picking up a fresh tube of lipstick to a new face moisturizer – we rarely get rid of the old. But now’s the time to toss out what’s expired or literally been laying around for years: