holiday gift guide: give annabel karmel

Uggh! I start getting frustrated every day at about 4 PM. That's about the time I have to start thinking about making dinner for the family. All four of us! What happened to the good 'ol days when single-girl-me could go to the movies and count my small portion of popcorn sans butter as my dinner allotment. Now not a day goes by without four tiny eyes staring up at me saying, "I'm hungry. Is dinner ready yet??!" The worst part is, I feel like I know how to whip up a few basics and I stick to them since I don't have much time to start creating new dishes. Thankfully, leading nutritionist and children's book author Annabel Karmel comes through with the book, Favorite Family Meals, and there are enough pages to feed my kids (and husband!) for at least a few months. Not only does she offer delicious easy-to-make recipes--everything from soups and pizzas, to vegetarian dishes and desserts--but she also features plenty of tips, like preventing tooth decay, offering healthy protein suggestions, encouraging weight maintenance in kids and lunch box ideas (there's also a Lunch Boxes and Snacks book too!) Find both, as well as Karmel's other great titles at www.annabelkarmel.com.

present perfect

We've all been there: You've got three kids' birthday parties coming up this weekend and you haven't bought a gift yet. Sure, you could dash over to the Gap and pick up a gift card but you probably won't make a lasting impression. Instead, check out the newly launched website, Gift Hero. Founded by mompreneurs Lisa Fielding and Stefanie Katz-Rothman, it features a unique Gift Finder feature so you can search for the perfect gift by answering three quick questions: What is the birthday child's gender? How old is he/she? What is your price range? In seconds, you will find age/gender appropriate, affordable gifts that are ready to buy and ship! Plus, if you order the ecofriendly gift bag, there is no need for wrapping - just put the gift in the bag, pull the drawstring and head to the party. Another bonus: The birthday child doesn't have to be the only one who's happy to receive your gift. When ordering from Gift Hero, you have the option of adding on a small donation to a children's charity to provide gifts for children whose families can't afford them. Need a last minute gift? Place your order by 11:59pm EST and it will ship the next business day. Check out the site now for great outdoor gifts like mini golf games, darts, rockets, or the popular Sand Play Set (kids can build a castle or dig for buried treasure at the beach or in the sand box). Go to www.gifthero.com to order.

first-class seats

We all know the drill: You get the kids dressed and pile them into the car for a long drive. Not even 20 miles into it, your nine month old's bottle leaks all over the infant car seat and your toddler throws up his lunch...we're talking projectile! Thankfully, you've packed a spare set of clothes for each. Double thankfully, you've just installed your new Dressy Dribbles car seat covers. I know, you're thinking car seat covers? A little much, right? But when you find yourself in this predicament, you'll be glad you decided to invest. They snap right onto your infant or toddler car seat and come off easily so you can throw them in the washing machine when they need a cleaning. The best part: They are beautifully made and feel luxurious to the touch. I put mine down on the couch for a minute and my 16 month old daughter put her head down on it and went to sleep. Made of quality minky, denim, cotton and satin fabrics, it's the only car seat cover that snaps on and off so you don't have to rethread the car seat straps every time you remove it. All styles are reversible so you get two patterns in one; matching canopy covers and blankets are also available. My favorite: The Miracle ($50; shown here), a purple flower Asian brocade with reversible lavender minky. Available at http://www.dressydribbles.com. For a more affordable version, check out the Dressy Dribbles line for Target which features a pink or blue cotton/denim style for only $29.99! Go to www.target.com to make your purchase.