It’s a crying shame that as a busy mother and business owner that I don’t have time like I used to to simply delve into books at my leisure. I spend so much time working and mothering that books far too often fall to tenth and eleventh place in my priority spectrum. That said, I want to let you know about two upcoming memoirs that just may move up to sixth or even fifth place.

Michele Norris, the beloved host of All Things Considered, has penned a memoir, The Grace of Silence, about race, but in doing her research she unearthed hidden secrets from her own family. It sounds like a great book. In fact, it has been heavily endorsed by Henry Louis Gates, Gwen Ifill, Tom Brokaw, Richard Wolf and Doris Kearns Goodwin. With their recommendations I know it’s good!

And, Condoleeza Rice is back in the limelight with a book about her family, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family. I have been wondering where in the world she has been hiding. Apparently behind a computer screen like the rest of us.

Have you ever heard of Global Girlfriend? I hadn’t either until I received information about their beauty picks.

Global Girlfriend is a company that brings woman-made products from around the world to us. Not only are the products at Global Girlfriend all woman made, but they are also fair trade and eco-friendly.

There are really fantastic beauty products at Global Girlfriend like the Bosa Body Lotion from Kenya.

The Bosa Body Lotion is made from organic coconut oil and is free of harsh chemicals. Cost: $12.50 for 6 oz. The Bosa Body Lotiono empowers Kenyan women with jobs and economic development.

Also, take a look at the Kenyan marula oil. It is cold-pressed from the marual fruit and used for its restorative properties. Cost: $28.00 for 2 oz bottle.

On the Net: www.globalgirlfriend.com

While the summer is quickly drawing to a close there are still many days at the beach and the pool left before we have to officially put away our summer wear.

A Pea in the Pod has you covered — literally!

Check out these fabulous one pieces, including the smocked maternity tankini swimsuit in navy. Plus, A Pea in the Pod has a $20 off $100 purchase that ends TODAY! Be sure to take advantage of the savings!

MilkMakers

While breastfeeding is a breeze for some moms, for others it can be a challenge. If you are having difficulty producing enough milk for your little one, consider MilkMakers.

MilkMakers are cookies that come packed with ingredients that help increase your milk supply like oats, brewer’s yeast and flax seed. Moms are advised to eat one to two MilkMakers each day to increase milk supply. And the packages can be stored in the freezer to maintain freshness.

Click the MilkMakers site to order.

I must admit: I don’t know much about cars, but I do know I want to keep my family safe in the car I drive. Lexus understands that. And, honestly, with all the recalls lately, they know they have to get this right and they have.

Last week I traveled to California for the Lexus Family Safety Camp and in four short hours I learned a tremendous amount about how important features such as Anti-Lock Brakes and Vehicle Stability Control are to the overall safety of those driving and riding in their vehicles. I know most of you already know and understand how important these are but for those of us who were at the safety camp we were able to see how cars perform that don’t have these features. Scary!

One of the features of Lexus vehicles that really caught my attention was their Brake Override System. At the end of this year all Lexus vehicles will have the Brake Override System. Essentially, this technology tells the car that even if you are driving and your car is in full throttle if you press the brake firmly your car will stop. Period.

In fact, you can press the brake and the accelerator at the same time and the brake will override the accelerator. That is amazing technology that I have never heard of before. If you’re in an emergency situation, Lexus wants to give drivers the peace of mind of knowing their vehicle will indeed stop.

Additionally, each Lexus vehicle comes equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) that helps drivers retain complete control of their car if they are driving in slick conditions or when making turns.

We rode in a Lexus vehicle where the VSC had been deactivated and you could really see and feel the difference in the car’s movement when making turns and driving on a slick road. When the car detects a spin-out is imminent, it auto-corrects and slows the vehicle.

The Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is also vitally important to any vehicle because it helps drivers maintain control of their car during emergency braking situations. At the Lexus Family Safety Camp, I interviewed Bill Kwong, Lexus PR Specialist, about the importance of Lexus’ Anti-Lock Brake System. Take a listen.

As a luxury brand, we know Lexus vehicles are not cheap! But after riding in a few of their models and seeing their safety features I can confidently say that if you buy a Lexus you are definitely getting your money’s worth and you can feel assured that you are purchasing a safe vehicle.

Next week I will share what I learned about children and car safety.

Today we welcome GE Lighting who is guest posting about lighting your backyard.

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, homeowners will be spending more time in the outdoors, especially in their own backyards. Here are a few tips on how you can turn this space into a summer sanctuary:

• Create an extension of your home with your deck, gazebo or sunroom. Decorate the space with the same fabrics, furniture and accents as the house’s interior to create an outdoor escape. You’ll have the perfect romantic getaway or relaxing nook without leaving your property.
• Breathe new life into old furniture and reupholster cherished pieces with all-weather fabrics. For items that are wicker or wood, grab a can of paint and a brush to add flowers, swirls and polka dots for a fun, garden theme. For the more artistic decorator, these shapes can be done freehand, or run to your local craft store for stencils and embellishments.
• Beautify on a budget by taking inventory of items in your home that can be repurposed for the outdoors. Consider an iron headboard that can be painted and used as a garden trellis or figurines that can add accents to flowerbeds. Plus, you’ll knock out two big projects at once: you’ll have a breathtaking backyard and won’t have to declutter!
• Shed light to create the perfect ambiance to your backyard, especially after the sun goes down. Add a glowing light fixture without attracting bugs with the GE® Bug Lite. The bulb has a special coating that makes it invisible to insects so they aren’t swarming your patio party. Or, if you’re looking to illuminate your backyard, try GE’s outdoor LED area light, which provides up to 60 percent energy savings, a longer life and light-level uniformity.
• Add color with flora and fauna to your outdoor living space. Hit multiple senses by including fragrant flowers as well as eye-appealing plants, such as roses, lilies and herbs. To give the effect of a full garden with a limited budget, plant lush greenery to prevent the yard from feeling too small. Accent your new floral designs with figurines and lawn ornaments of your favorite critters.

Taking the time to beautify a backyard that reflects your style and personality will not only create a go-to destination for you and your family, it will also provide the perfect backdrop for entertaining guests on a warm summer day.

For more tips on improving your home’s backyard, visit www.whatsyourlightingstyle.com.

It can be difficult to assess whether you want to have your baby delivered by a midwife or obstetrician. When I was pregnant with my second daughter I initially wanted to choose a midwife, but decided to go with an obstetrician simply because I vibed with the obstetrician better. Today, I would definitely choose a midwife, though, because I would want a more natural alternative for childbirth.

The American College of Nurse-Midwives’ (ACNM) has put together a web site, DeliverMyBaby.com, that helps you better form a decision about delivering your baby.

New Book: Motherhood and Feminism

A new book, Motherhood and Feminism, has recently been published by Seal Press. I was delighted to see Mommy Too! magazine was featured in it. I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but will be digging into it while I travel this month.

To learn more about Motherhood and Feminism, visit SealPress.com.

On Monday, Land O’Frost’s community site for moms launched. It’s called Land O’Moms and I am proud to say I am one of three brand ambassadors for Land O’ Frost.

I am thrilled to be able to lend my voice as a mom of daughters who are inching closer to their tween years. Additionally, my family eats Land O’Frost lunch meats anyway, so the partnership is a definite win-win.

Right now on landomoms.com you can download a coupon for $2 of Land O’Frost Premium. Get the coupons while you can. They’re going quickly!

eebee’s Mix & Mash by Every Baby Company, Inc.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really miss those years when my daughters were just learning about foods, their textures, smells, and, of course, their tastes. I miss the days when my daughters squished through their food and tossed food everywhere when I let them explore on their own. Those days are long gone for me, but for you who have babies now, there is a new baby recipe book that you should definitely check out with your babies. And, that’s important.

Eeebees Mix and Match: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby and You is a board book for your child that teaches them about foods and colors, and while they’re exploring through the pages you learn new recipes for baby food that are nutritious and easy for babies and toddlers to eat.

Additionally, there is an informative CD, co-produced by Parents TV, that explains the philosophy behind Eebees and serves as a how-to video for the recipes shown inside the book.

What makes Eeebees Mix and Match: Adventures in the Kitchen for Baby and You a great read for parents and kids: The food is unique for kids and opens them up to out-of-the-ordinary finger foods that far exceeds crackers and cereal like tofu and avocados. Plus, your child gets to see gorgeous photos of other children having a colorful good time with finger foods, bowls, and kitchen utensils.

View all my reviews >>

Click for more about Kids and Teens after the jump.

KIDS

Trump Kids: In response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, the Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York has implemented a program for kids to get moving while guests at the hotel. If you’re staying at the Trump Tower, there’s now a great way to help your kids burn off calories that are sure to be eaten on a family vacation. Find out more: Trump Kids

The four new options are:

Pool Sports Blast – Everyone in the pool! Swimmers six years and older and at least 4 ½ feet tall can enjoy a variety of pool games with high-energy instructors for one hour devoted to fun.
No charge.

Wii Sports Package – Virtual reality can yield real results when a personal trainer shows how to get the most of out of gaming on the Nintendo® Wii™ in the comfort of the suite. Ages six and older. A 55-minute session is $90.

Introduction to Boxing – Ding ding ding! Round one! An exercise physiologist will help children learn the essentials of safe technique, basic punches and footwork drills. For ages 13 and older. A 55-minute session is $90.

Introduction to Fitness Training – Learn from an exercise physiologist who will help children understand the basics of fitness and how to use fitness equipment. For ages 13 and older. A 55-minute session is $90.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Spring is just around the corner and for young ones who are just beginning to learn their colors, Raindrops: A Shower of Colors is an excellent board book to teach them about animals and the various hues of the rainbow.

More and more I judge toddler books primarily by their illustrations.When my daughters were quite young their little eyes feverishly gazed across the pages of vibrantly-colored books. And while their young ears heard the stories the illustrations really told the story. That said, the illustrations in Raindrops paints the entire story beautifully and the wording is ideal for young children whose brains are constantly learning new things.

What I love most about Raindrops is each page has a see-through raindrop of its respective color.

Why I love this book: Raindrops: A Shower of Colors is a perfect book for young children to read alone when they’re sitting on the floor using their tiny fingers to explore their piles and piles of board books. The illustrations in Raindrops are vibrant enough to capture and keep your child’s attention and the story is simple enough to teach them new insects, animals and colors without overwhelming them or taking away from their favorite things: pictures!

View all my reviews >>

I really, really, REALLY love my iPhone, but I can’t help but think the new Microsoft 7 Phone looks extremely appealing. I haven’t seen one in person. The only thing I know about it is what I have read and watched online, but I’m thoroughly intrigued.

Check it out at  www.windowsphone7series.com

As a blogger I have worked closely with Kmart and I have always had a great experience with them. I had the privilege of being dressed by some of their designers last year at Blogher, which was really fun and an amazing experience. I love how Kmart is working hard to improve their products and reach their customers.

Now, Kmart has teamed up with Steve Harvey for their new Share the Word (kmart.com/sharetheword) campaign which is designed to provide valuable resources to their customers during Black History Month. This year, their focus is beauty and wellness.

Steve Harvey launched the Share the Word campaign last Monday in Atlanta.  And in Chicago (Kmart, 4101 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn) on Feb.  27 celebrity hair stylist to the stars Johnny Wright will bring the expertise he’s gained through work with his A-list clientele.  Wright will offer his favorite healthy hair tips, provide hair assessments and make suggestions to Kmart customers.

Steve Harvey talks relationships and love to customers at Kmart, 230 Cleveland Ave SW., Atlanta on Monday, February 8. The event, coinciding with Black History Month, is part of the company's 'Share the Word' Beauty and Wellness program designed to celebrate the inner and outer beauty of African-American women. (John Amis / AP Images for Sears Holdings Corp )

Steve Harvey hugs an excited fan while speaking to customers at a Kmart store, 230 Cleveland Ave SW., Atlanta on Monday, February 8. The event, coinciding with Black History Month, is part of the company's 'Share the Word' Beauty and Wellness program designed to celebrate the inner and outer beauty of African-American women. (John Amis / AP Images for Sears Holdings Corp )

If you are on Twitter and want to follow the conversation, check out #sharetheword.

On the Net: www.kmart.com/sharetheword