Beaching It with Fun Finds! – Review by Cara Potapshyn Meyers

This coming weekend will mark my seventeenth wedding anniversary. If I weren’t getting divorced, that is. In any case, it is too painful to remain at home reminiscing about what was and now isn’t. I decided to pack my bags and head off to a wonderful beach resort on the east end of Long Island. I was there over Labor Day week and weekend last summer, with my son, because a Hurricaine left us without power for almost an entire week. I loved it there! Although I won’t be going with my son this time around, I will be remembering the eight glorious days we spent together there and with a couple of “Fun Finds” that hit our office, it should be just as wonderful!

 Optari Sol Tote

The first of these “fun finds” is this adorable tote bag! The Sol Tote is going to be my carry-all when I mosey on down to the beach to lounge! It is a perfect size to carry my iPad, wallet, iPhone, sunscreen and a few other necessities! The best part is that it is waterproof and if sand gets into it, I’ll just wipe the inside clean! I am so excited to use mine this weekend!

Optari’s all-weather Sol Totes are available in two sizes and have a multitude of uses – from diaper bag, gym bag, beach or pool tote, lunch tote, and more – there are dozens of uses! Say good-bye to boring diaper bags and hit the next play date in style this summer with Optari’s brightly colored and customizable Sol Tote! As the fabric is waterproof, it is an excellent choice for moms with infants and toddlers who may need an extra change of clothes, burp cloths, or swimsuit this summer! 

Not only are they affordable, durable, waterproof and easy to clean, but the totes can be customized with your choice of Fobbz or Mini Fobbz, which are colorful charms that feature a rivet in the back of the charm that plugs into the holes on all Optari products. Make your bag stand out with over 70 shapes, silk flowers, children’s initials or interests, and more to choose from on the Optari website. With additional items in the line that can be mixed and matched, such as the Wristlets, don’t forget to make the Optari tote your own with the Fobbz and Mini Fobbz charms collections. I chose the ocean blue tote to coordinate with most of my beach attire, along with the pretty white flower Fobbz to dress it up a bit (see photo below)! 

The totes feature large handles for carrying the bag with ease and a roomy interior. Large Sol Totes are available in 6 bold colors, including Red, Royal Blue, Yellow, Orange, Purple and Black and sell for $20.

To see the complete line of Optari products, including backpacks and wristlets, visit their website at:

http://www.optari.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index

For My Children:

A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom 

by

Dionna Ford

One of the activities that will not only fit into my Sol Tote, but I will also be working on, is the journal, “For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom.” This beautiful and touching journal allows mothers at all stages of parenting, to share sage advice with their children while allowing them to relive their most cherished and unforgettable moments of motherhood!

“For My Children: A Mother’s Journal of Memories, Wishes and Wisdom” is a beautifully designed and illustrated book with creative prompts that will spark Mom’s recollections of fun family vacations, favorite games, and special holiday traditions.

This collection of fill-in-the-blank lists, questions and queries is the easiest way for any mother to record on paper answers to the questions her children never thought to ask but will love to discover.

Some of the Queries include:

•  What is some of the craziest parenting advice you ever received?
• What have been your favorite parts of being a mother? 
• In what ways are your children like or not like you?
• If life had a rewind button, what moments would you want to relive?

“My Mom and I rarely find the time – or make a concerted effort – to delve into family history or chat about fun or random questions,” explains author Dionna Ford. “It seems that circumstance or distance always gets in the way. “For My Children” is a way to chronicle a mother’s history, record stories and memories that might otherwise be forgotten, to pass on generational wisdom, and most of all, to strengthen connections.”

“For My Children” retails for $14.95.

I know that while I am listening to the sound of soothing waves this weekend, I will be filling out “For My Children” to remember my own son’s baby and toddlerhood, add comments about his childhood, and jot down memories or advice for him in the future. Since I never had the time or stamina to fill out the beautiful Baby Book I received when my son was born, “For My Children” should illicit or unearth some of my forgotten memories and bring them back to life! And what better place to do this than by the ocean, alone, hearing seagulls and being lulled by the sounds of the sea!

Note: Thanks to the featured companies for providing sample products.  Cara Potapshyn Meyers and MotherhoodLater.com assume no liability relative to products reviewed in this blog.

Tags: beach, Cara Potapshyn Meyers, Dionna Ford, For My Children, journal, Labor Day, ocean, Optari, parenting, Sol Tote, son