ASK A GROOVY GAL
TFG DEPUTY EDITOR AND BEAUTY DIRECTOR CHELSEA KAPLAN OFFERS HER HINTS
FOR EASY LIVING

Do you have any recommendations for a cute, nice-smelling hand wash to keep by my kitchen sink? I keep drying my hands out when I use my dish soap to clean them. –Mira, Dallas, TX

Thought the only sure-fire way to keep your hands— and manicure—safe while washing dishes is to wear gloves? Think again: try Davies Gate’s Gentle Hand Cleanser in my favorite scent, white clover ($11, www.bathandbodyworks.com). Its extra-gentle, non-drying formula includes sesame seed and sweet almond oils that work together with wheat protein and vitamins to moisturize and soften your hands, even after repeated washings. Lather up!

I need a good idea for a baby gift for a friend who just had has second child. She already has everything she needs in the baby gear department, but of course I still want to get her something. Any ideas?–Jenny, San Francisco, CA
	When baby #2 enters the scene, it’s important to recognize the little munchkin with the same fanfare as you did with baby #1. This usually means you have to get a bit creative, which can be hard, because you do want to get the parents something they’ll actually use and maybe even need. Try choosing something that’s either personalized with the new baby’s name or something that wasn’t on the market when they had their first child. If you go the personalized route, I absolutely adore the idea of giving a set of personalized burp cloths like these from The Cutest Things ($33 for a set of three, www.cutestthings.com). They’re perfect to stash in the diaper bag when Mom and Dad are going out and a ratty old cloth diaper just won’t do. If you prefer the idea of choosing something new to the baby market, I love the Patemm Pad, which is a large, circular-shaped changing pad that features inner pockets to hold wipes, diapers and diaper cream ($48, www.patemm.com). I had the large one and would constantly get “That changing pad is so cool, where did you get it?” queries when I was in the Nordstrom changing room. I swore by mine and so will your friend.

I am consistently bummed by the lack of healthy (read: not fried) kids meal options on most restaurant menus. Is there any way of getting around this? –Melissa, Lake Forest, IL

I run into this problem a lot, too, and it’s seriously frustrating for two reasons: one, because you don’t want your kid eating a bunch of fatty crap, but two, because the stuff is usually so tasty that you end up eating his or her leftovers for yourself, just because it’s there. Was the last one just me? Oh well, anyway…..I’ve found that the easiest thing to do is check out a menu’s side items, where there are usually options for ordering steamed or sautéed veggies. Also check out the appetizer section. I often get my child steamed dumplings or baby crab cakes, both of which he loves. Choosing something off of the adult menu isn’t off-limits either—just take the remaining portion home and serve it the next day. When all else fails, I find that most restaurants are able to grill you a chicken breast or throw together a fruit salad, especially when you tell them sweetly that it’s for your dear, darling child.

Click here to read all about Deputy Editor/Beauty Director Chelsea Kaplan's life with child in her blog, “I'm Somebody's Mother?”

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