It seems like the minute we catch up to the latest and greatest in fashion, the trends change and we are back to square one. To help us digest what’s new this Fall, we enlisted the help of our friend and former neighbor, Muffy Leblanc who owns HEMLINE in River Ranch. She broke the trends down for us.

Military Accents- Building on the military trends that we’ve already seen for spring, military this season is more loosely interpreted than in the past: army green, rougher boots, cargo pants and canvas embellished wedges. A great coat or military jacket is a key piece.

Skinny Jeans – Skinny jeans remain a staple for any wardrobe. You can keep the ones you have, or if you are looking for an update, try a skinny in black, grey, or olive, or try the skinny cargo pant look. Pair your skinny jeans with a great army inspired jacket and boots for a fresh look like this Ella Moss.

Leather- In the past few seasons, leather jackets have become a staple. This fall, we see leather expanding as a trend to pants, dresses, vests, t-shirts and more.

Lacy Details- Complementing the military and leather trends that we are seeing this season, lace adds a feminine touch  to the more masculine looks. The key to wearing lace well is to strike a balance in the amount you wear.

Beige is the new Black- We’ve seen the resurgence of nude and neutral shades in Spring and Summer, and camel is an extension of that trend.  Camel is a fresh alternative to black, reflecting fashion’s renewed interest in classic American-style sportswear.

Velvet- While the mere mention of velvet may bring flashbacks of prom night in the 80s, velvet in 2010 is nothing like the velvet disasters of the past. Dresses, Handbags and Headbands in rich colors. Keep the style classic and tailored for more longevity.

Fall Color Palate- Beyond beige, Fall 2010 brings a multitude of fresh hues sure to brighten any outfit. Who better to talk about fall colors than the world’s premier color expert: “Mindful of consumers’ need for practicality, plus their desire for newness, designers offer many options for women to extend and embellish their wardrobes this fall,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Building on the color palette from spring, this season’s offerings include innovative takes on fundamental basics, as well as transporting, lively colors that conjure images of travel and adventure, whether real or aspirational.”

For more information, visit HEMLINE in River Ranch near Bonefish Grill. 337-406-1119 or find them on Facebook

1. Sometimes even heavy furniture needs to be secured to the wall. Don’t just assume that because a furniture piece is heavy, a child can’t tip it.  Children are very creative and use shelves and drawers to help them climb.  Just a little leverage is all it takes for a large piece to come toppling down.
2. Many parents make ample use of plastic grocery store bags around the house. Using them to line bathroom trashcans is one common use. Unfortunately, children are drawn to the crinkly sound that these bags make and they can pose serious choking hazards.
3. Don’t forget that anything thrown away in a bathroom trashcan is within a child’s reach.  Lock the trashcan away for now if you need to.
4. We always think to lock up household cleaning supplies under the sink but many times our personal care and cosmetic products get overlooked. Items as simple as soap and shampoo can be toxic to babies and small children when ingested in large enough quantities.
5. Energy saver light bulbs should not be used in children’s bedrooms, playrooms, family rooms or any other common areas where children play. They contain mercury that doesn’t pose a threat until the light bulb is broken but since accidents happen, it is better to be safe than risk exposing anyone to mercury.

In today’s economy, many families are working to fix the various issues around the house themselves instead of buying something new or calling in a pricy expert. Having a well stocked toolbox can save time and costly trips to the store.

• Phillips head and flat head screw drivers in sizes #1 (smaller) and #2 (standard)
• Set of Allen wrenches (these are L-shaped with hexagonal tips) for assembling and disassembling cribs, bicycles, etc.
• Pliers (needle nose and standard)
• Glue (Elmer’s and a quick setting epoxy)
• Eye glass repair kit
• Picture hanging kit
• Measuring tape
• Hammer
• Level
• Duct Tape
• Utility knife
• Adjustable crescent wrench (comes in handy for adjusting bolts on large toys and outdoor equipment)
• An assortment of nails and screws.
• Drill. 9V (volt) drills are lightweight but powerful enough for most jobs.
• A starter set of drill bits

Sunglasses are an essential part of keeping your eyes healthy and maintaining good vision.  There are many ocular conditions that are a direct result of too much exposure to UV light.  Conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, pingueculae and pterygia can develop and progress with exposure to the harmful UV rays.  And these effects are cumulative over a lifespan.  Protecting your eyesight now is crucial.

Choose sunglasses that are labeled with a UVA/UVB rating of 100% to provide the most UV protection.   Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having more UV protection. The darkness of the lens does not indicate its ability to shield your eyes from UV rays.  Many sunglasses with light-colored tints, such as green, amber, red, and gray offer the same UV protection as very dark lenses.

Large, wraparound-style frames may provide more efficient UV protection because they cover the entire eye-socket. They will also protect the delicate skin around the eyes from certain skin cancers.  This is important when doing activities around or on water because much of the UV comes from light reflected off the water’s surface.

Polarized sunglasses, which contain a special filter to eliminate glare, are ideal for dealing with reflective glare conditions.   When light strikes a surface, the reflected waves are polarized to match the angle of that surface. So, a highly reflective horizontal surface, such as a lake, will produce a lot of horizontally polarized light. Therefore, the polarized lenses in sunglasses are fixed at an angle that only allows vertically polarized light to enter.  This provides increased comfort and visibility, not only for activities around water but for driving, biking, jogging, skiing and most outdoor activities.

Dr. Erica V. Lukasko, O.D. along with Dr. Jim Piccione  and their highly-trained staff at Lafayette Family Eye Care strive to stay at the forefront of all medical and technological advances, and to provide their patients with the highest quality eye care in a warm, friendly environment.

Pediatricians and sleep experts agree: good, quality sleep is essential for your child’s good health throughout all the stages of childhood. Sound, undisturbed sleep on a quality mattress is the key to rejuvenating the muscles and the mind.

At Simmons Kids, we’re all about helping your child receive the quality sleep he or she needs to become healthy and happy. We can’t put your kids to bed at night, but once they get there, we can help them be in a position to enjoy the best sleep possible.

Sleep Tips from Simmons:

Stage One: Babies (0-2 years old)

• Newborns require a lot of sleep: 10-18 hours per day. To get the most out of their sleep, be sure to give them their comfort and support:
• Crib – firm, tight-fitting mattress
• Mattress – quality baby mattress that is firm and supportive
• Ample support for the mattress – bedding can’t be easily dislodged

Stage Two: Toddler (2-4 years old)

• Once your baby is ready to crawl out of the crib, they’re ready for a toddler bed! Toddlers also need lots of sleep: 12-14 hours in every 24-hour period. When selecting their bed, keep these points in mind:
• Kids may be able to sleep on just about anything – the reality is their growing bodies need a comfortable and supportive mattress.
• As a child grows, their needs will change – it’s more cost efficient to buy a better quality bed at this stage, one that can take care of their needs as they grow and develop.

Stage Three: Kids/Teens (4 and up)

• As your child grows, sleep becomes even more important. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 60% of children aged 4-12 years old complain of feeling tired during the day.As kids get older, they also appreciate more spacious beds for activities like reading, talking on the phone and working on their laptop. Choosing a full size or queen size bed for your child gives them:

Room to grow
A place where they spend 40% of their childhood as their bones are still growing
Make sure your kids are sleeping on a mattress that is comfortable and supportive enough for them to fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Our Simmons Kids™ and BackCare® lines are loaded with features to promote better health.

(Thanks to The Sleep Foundation and the Better Sleep Council for some of the information used in this article.)

from: Simmons Bedding Company. All Rights Reserved.

1 pound ground beef or turkey

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 envelope chili seasoning mix

1 envelope ranch dressing mix

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, undrained

1 can (16 oz.) black beans, undrained

1 can (8 oz.) V-8 juice

1 can (16 oz.) cream-style corn

1 cup shredded cheese

Brown meat in a large pot.  Drain.  Stir in seasoning mix, beans, and juice. Simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes.  Stir occasionally, Stir in corn; cook and stir over low heart for 15 minutes longer. Stir occasionally.  Garnish with cheese.

Note:  use only part of the chili seasoning mix if you prefer a milder chili.

recipe courtesy of the LSU Ag Center

With the first day of school drawing near, parents and children across the country are getting set for their return. Focused on ensuring parents and kids have everything they need for school, the following checklist will help families get ready for the big day:

• Check with the school to ensure all registration requirements have been taken care of and ensure that the school has contact numbers for school closings or other emergencies.

• Determine how your child will be getting to school and then plan the safest route possible by choosing the most direct way with intersections that have crossing guards.

• Walking or riding to school is an excellent way to fit physical activity into your child’s day. If your child is riding his/her bike, always keep bike safety in mind. Ensure the bike is in good working condition, that their helmet fits properly and the bike has a bell.

• To help ensure your little ones have everything they need, contact the school to see if it has a supply checklist. Some of the basic items most students need include: notebooks or paper, pens, pencils, pencil crayons, ruler, eraser, glue stick, pencil case and backpack.

• Allowing kids to choose their own school supplies will help create excitement about heading back to school. Whether it’s notebooks, binders or lunch bags, there are school supplies featuring popular cartoon & TV characters are sure to be a hit with kids.

• A healthy lunch and snacks will help ensure kids have the energy they need to get through the day. By choosing a cooler lunch bag and using plastic storage containers, you can help ensure food stays fresh. Bottled water and juices are a great way to keep kids hydrated. For a refreshing treat, freeze water bottles or juice boxes overnight.

• Don’t forget homework. Check with your child everyday to see if any work was sent home. Buying a ready-to-assemble desk, desk lamp and desk organizer is a simple and affordable way to create a student’s very own workspace away from the distraction of television and video games.

Ingredients:

1 cup canned pinto beans, drained

1 can (15 ounces) tomatoes, no-salt added

2 cups chicken broth, fat-free, low sodium

1 cup water

1 cup frozen chopped collard greens (spinach is an excellent substitute)

½ cup elbow macaroni, uncooked

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon Italian herb seasoning (optional)

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Place the beans and tomatoes in a saucepan. Mash the beans with a potato masher or hand blender, until about one third of the beans are mashed.

Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil; reduce to simmer and cook until the macaroni is done.

Yield: 7 servings. Each serving(1 cup) provides about 87 calories, 1 g fat (less than 1 g of saturated fat, no trans fats), 15 g carbohydrates, 6 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 0mg cholesterol and 166 mg sodium. This recipe is high in Vitamin A

recipe courtesy of the LSU Ag Center

Preparation time, 5 minutes, cooking time, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

3 cups beef broth make from beef bouillon or add 3 cups of water

2 ½ cups elbow macaroni

1 ¼ cups condensed cheddar cheese soup

¼ cup salsa

½ cup parsley, chopped (optional)

Preparation:

Hear a heavy, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté meat 3 to 4 minutes, stirring to break up meat, until browned. Spoon off excess fat. Stir in beef broth or water. Stir in pasta and reduce heat to medium. Cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until macaroni is almost tender. Stir in cheese soup and salsa. Cook until heated through. Stir in parsley before serving.

Serves 6

Nutrition analysis per serving: calories 557, fat 22.5g., 37% calories from fat, cholesterol 100 mg., protein 36.9 g., carbohydrates 50.4 g., fiber 2.8 g., sodium 1,289 mg.
(from the LSU Ag Center)

Robert and I are very excited to announce that we are moving our store this weekend. You may have seen the “Guess Who’s Moving Here” sign on Ambassador Caffery next to Crazy Charlies… No more guessing: it is Pippin McGee.

The new store is quite a bit larger than our current location. Having the extra space will allow us to expand on our current philosophy of “Partnering with Parents from Cribs to College” by hosting fun activities and educational classes for both children and parents.

We will also feature an expanded toy section and have completely revamped our floor with lots of new furniture groups and rooms.

We are beginning the moving process today. We will continue through the weekend (closed Saturday and Sunday) and plan to be open early next week.

I want to say thanks to all of our great customers and their families for supporting us and our fellow local businesses. I hope to see all of you soon. We’ll be the same friendly faces, just in a new place. Join us for popcorn and cookies any time!