Ask a Groovy Gal (Lifestyle & Home)

ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG DEPUTY EDITOR AND BEAUTY DIRECTOR CHELSEA KAPLAN
GIVES YOU THE GOODS ON HOW TO LIVE LARGE

My daughter is about to transition from her crib to a big-girl bed. Can you recommend some bedrails that are easily removed and attached/travel well? She spends some nights at her grandparents’ house, so I want to be able to take them there when she stays over. —Kyra, Wayne, NJ

Wow—would said grandparents be interested in taking my two little guys for a weekend night? I’m jealous! For easy-on and easy-off yet safe bed rails, check out Summer Infant’s Sure and Secure bed rails. Each panel measures 42″long x 18″high, and they feature a simple anchor mechanism that attaches to the side of the bed (anything up to a queen-size), ensuring a snug fit. They fold down for easy access to the bed or to change linens. They sell for $19.99 for a single rail and $39.99 for a double rail at www.babiesrus.com.

My 6-year-old is obsessed with taking pictures. He always wants to use our family’s camera, but I fear he may break it. I’d like to purchase an inexpensive—around $200 or so— yet relatively good quality digital camera for him. What’s a good one? —Meredith, New London, CT

Good for you for encouraging his interest in photography. Who knows—you might have the next Ansel Adams on your hands! I checked with the AV experts at JC-Penney, and they recommend you take a look at the Fuji Z20FD 10MP Digital Camera, which comes in blue, black, pink and green. It is exceptionally durable, ultra-compact, uploads images easily to a computer and features a 2.5" LCD screen so he can immediately and clearly check out the pictures he snaps. Also included are a rechargeable battery, charger, camera case and 1GB SD card. The camera retails for $219.99 on www.jcp.com.

The product I’m loving this month:

Erin Condren Family Calendar and Life Planner

Erin Condren Family Calenar and Life Planner

My New Year’s resolution: get organized! With these tools, I have no excuse; Erin’s absolutely adorably-designed (think whimsically mod) Family Calendar and Life Planner are too cute for me to not use and too user-friendly to get all bogged down in the process.

The 11.5″by 17.5″16-month calendar features a centered hole punch for easy hanging and is backed with heavy-duty acrylic should you prefer to rest it on any cookbook holder in the kitchen for easy viewing. Its front page is an info guide you can complete with valuable information for babysitters or housesitters. Also included are 216 colorful circle stickers to highlight birthdays, vacations, doctor’s appointments and more. You can also use the colorful “blank” stickers to create your own color-coded system. Each month features a different bright design and inspirational quote.

The week-at-a-glance life planner (color coordinated with my calendar, of course) has plenty of space to organize every morning, day and night. It features blank, oversized daily columns that give you the freedom (and the space!) to jot down whatever is important to you and plan your days accordingly. Also offered are month-at-a-glance pages to help you plan ahead, and a birthday organizer to keep you from forgetting the special day of a loved one. ($40, Family Calendar and $48, Life Planner, www.erincondren.com)

Need a good laugh? Click here to read all about Chelea's life with two little ones—in her blog, “The Momtourage”