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“For girls, initials can offer a gender-neutral alter ego to a feminine name,” says explains Laura Wattenberg, baby name expert and founder of BabyNameWizard. If the possibility of a short, punchy initial-based nickname appeals to you, here are some names to get you started: A.J. Alexa Jane — A short (and hip!) version of Alexandra pairs well with the plainer and perennially popular Jane. Alyssa Joelle — This variant of Alicia (which stands for nobility) creates great rhythm with Joelle — which plays into the hot trend among girls of French middle names with a stressed second syllable....

Because there are so many flowers and design styles to choose from, you can decorate your body in many different flowers and have each one look very unique. Floral designs are gorgeous alone or decorating another piece. Here is a collection of 25 floral tattoos that will always be in bloom. Image via Amy Shapiro More from The Stir: 25 Moth & Butterfly Tattoos So Enchanting You’ll Want One Too (PHOTOS) More from The Stir: 31 Matching Couple Tattoos to Get With Your Favorite Person (PHOTOS) More from The Stir: 25 Lovely Bird Tattoos to Make Your Heart Soar (PHOTOS) More from The Stir: 21 Mother Daughter Tattoos That Are Simply Breathtaking (PHOTOS) More from The Stir: 20 Awesome American Flag Tattoos (PHOTOS) More from The Stir: 26 Whimsical & Wonderful Dr....

Not to mention that, for those who are obsessed with Halloween, being pregnant during this time of year couldn’t be more perfect. For the Halloween lovers who start planning their costume in July, a fall pregnancy announcement is the perfect opportunity to let loved ones know that there’s no tricks, only a treat this year. They can pull out their cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and witches brew as fun props for a photo that will surely make friends and family do a double take....

I recently visited the “What’s New” section of ShopBop.com (which I check out religiously) and there they were — the After Midnight Open Thongs ($16) — in the company of some amazing moto jacketsand a fabulous dome ring. Marveling at the slit-laden undies, I asked myself these important questions … Have I been wearing undies (in my case, thongs) for all the wrong reasons? I don’t wear undies to obscure my vajayjay from view....

Actually, make that long layers, to be more exact. Layering is the tried-and-true way to make sure we survive the low temperatures — because as we all know, life doesn’t stop just because the weather is freezing cold. Have no fear. Layering doesn’t mean we’re going to end up looking like the Michelin Man (who looks pretty warm and toasty, TBH). Dressing with long layers can actually be quite stylish as long as we keep a few things in mind....

But there are certain recipes that we pass by. Recipes that are not so delicious. Recipes that maybe don’t work, or that don’t actually exist in this dimension. We feel badly about ignoring these funny, inedible recipes, so we’ve pulled them all together in one post. Let’s call this the Island of Misfit Recipes. For example, have you ever wondered how you really make ice cubes? Read on! 1 banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 2 teaspoons flax seeds, 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon wheat germ, 30 milligrams cocaine....

OK, there are some who are not on the hunt for the sparkly, but the rest of us are on the perpetual hunt my 4-year-old daughter refers to as “the sparkle chase” (a game we play when I shop where she searches for “sparkly things” and points them out to me). For us giryl-girls there is no better time than the holiday season. Sequins are never more appropriate than in December whether they are at a holiday or new year celebration and the jewelry?...

That said, there are SOME “healthy” foods that absolutely do NOT make me feel like my very best self. At all. In fact, given the choice between these superfoods and a super-sized rear end, I think I’d choose the extra booty every time. For instance: Asparagus. So tasty when it’s grilled or roasted, especially with a little lemon and olive oil and sea salt, SO UNSPEAKABLY HORRENDOUS LATER WHEN YOU PEE....

But some men hate on a woman for breastfeeding. It’s true. If you disagree then realize that you are a lucky woman that you don’t have those kinds of jerk faces in your life. When I was in the Lactation Lounge at BlogHer, I was talking to the other women in the room about this very topic. It’s something I have recently experienced myself — a hater of my lactating mammaries....

You move left … he flops right. Go right … and he does a surprise maneuver. His head falls forward and he spits up all over you and that cute little shirt you are trying to get over his head. Game over. That little bugger. Here are the 50 steps … yes, 50! … moms go through to put a shirt on a newborn baby. It’s really comical when you break it down....

Western sailors have been donning these kinds of tattoos since the 1800s, getting their names, rank, and service number inked on themselves. Like a badge of honor or way to tell a story, they also often symbolized an important part of their military journey: the places they went (like Hawaii or the South Pacific), anchors (which symbolized stability), or swallows (which represented a sailor having traveled 5,000 miles). By the ’60s, artists like Sailor Jerry and Don Ed Hardy (remember Ed Hardy?...

Play clay: As long as your baby is squishing her fingers through her oatmeal anyway, you might as well go all the way. Here’s how to make oatmeal play clay with oats, flour, water, and maybe some food coloring. Industrial-strength hand cleaner: Hands greasy from fixing the car? Forget that chemical goop. You can wash up the natural way using a cleaner made from oatmeal and milk. Odor eater: Apparently baking soda does not absorb odors in your refrigerator....

Some people do it simply with an announcement via telephone or in person, but plenty of people up the ante and get pretty elaborate with their announcements. Here are six creative ways people announce their pregnancies. How did you announce your pregnancy to your spouse, family, and friends? Image via Ross/Flickr title: “6 Creative Ways To Say I M Pregnant Photos " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-17” author: “Lowell Mcclellan” Some people do it simply with an announcement via telephone or in person, but plenty of people up the ante and get pretty elaborate with their announcements....

People have been trying to make menarche a THING for years, mostly in a super-granola, earnest kind of way. Hippie packaging, use of the words MOON and WISDOM and the like — gee, I wonder why the first period gift back concept hasn’t hit main stream?!? But it’s getting better. Here’s a few more modern gift boxes and ideas that might actually appeal to girls in the year 2013. Period Packs: These are gift boxes for the special girl in your life who just met her Aunt Flow got her first period....

Turns out, though, you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. If you look hard enough, you can find desktop fans with a retro or vintage style that are also kid-friendly. 7 Vintage-Style Tabletop Fans: And my favorite vintage-style fan: Fans shown above: Deco Breeze Lime Retro Metal Fan – green, other colors available ($49.99) at Target Minka Aire Retro Style Fan Table Fan – brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze also available ($53....

If you’re not the type to eat flowers, we’d love to tempt you to try something new. If you’re STILL not convinced, at least look at the stunningly beautiful photos and dream of what could be. And what woman doesn’t love roses, anyway? Behold these 8 beautiful rose-petal recipes (pesticide-free, of course). Ooh la la! More from The Stir: Candied Edible Flowers: Would You Eat Them? Image © Kompatscher, Anneliese/the food passionates/Corbis Store in a close mason jar for a few days to let the rose scent infuse the sugar....

We found 8 simple solutions that may help you get your locks back in order in a hurry. More from The Stir: 10 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Hair Static Have you ever tried #7? It’s our new go-to solution! Do you have an easy remedy for hair static? Image © Betsie Van der Meer/Corbis; Jessmine/shutterstock More From The Stir: 10 Wacky Ways to Do Away With Winter Hair Static (PHOTOS) “Never spray Static Guard directly onto hair because it can weigh the hair down....

Sure, it gives your makeup an absolutely flawless finish — but it’s not without its problems. It can attract bacteria, it eats a lot of product, and for what looks like a regular sponge, it’s a little pricey. That’s probably why every beauty Instagram star and their mom has come up with their own bizarre “replacement” for the neon pink sponge. And by “bizarre,” I mean bad. Because, seriously? These household object foundation hacks just don’t freaking WORK....

More from CafeMom: Adorable 4-Year-Old BFFs Clap Back at People Who Say They’re Too Different to Be Twins More from CafeMom: 8 Signs Your Awesome Potty-Training Plan Is Failing So maybe parenting a toddler isn’t the easiest job out there, but it’s totally worth it. It’s an exhausting couple of years to say the least, but you will never be bored, because toddlers are the world’s greatest entertainers — enjoy the show while you can....

However, even though I find holiday decorating to be a bit of a chore, I still do it. I love Christmas and the festive feeling that takes over when the house is all decorated. And I think it’s important to keep tradition alive for my kids’ sake. In other words, I suck it up. And decorate. However, I’ve come across others out there who are really not pulling their weight in spreading holiday cheer....