''17 Most Beloved TV Moms'' -- Do You Agree?

A blogger on LiveJournal wrote a post about the 17 most beloved TV moms.

Some on the list are Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch, Joyce Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sophia Petrillo from The Golden Girls, among others. To see the complete list, click here.

There are numerous TV shows with some pretty hip and cool mothers so it can be difficult to narrow your favorites down.

Who is on your list for the 'most beloved TV moms'? Do you agree with this list?

How Do You Keep Your Romance Alive?

Whether you've been in a relationship for months, married for years, or are parents of children, romance is key in making a relationship stay healthy and alive.

There are many things you can do as a couple, whether it's going to breakfast together on the weekends, watch a movie, go for a walk or bike ride, or even leave the kids with a babysitter so you and your SO can enjoy a nice dinner or take a mini vacation.

No matter what, there are ways to keep the sparks flying, even if you feel stressed from the duties of being a housewife, mother, or both.

Funny Friday: "Charlie Bit My Finger"

Enjoy this funny video. It's a laugh!

Wedding Gowns: Which Silhouette Do You Prefer?

There are numerous things to consider when picking out a wedding dress, such as the color (if you don't want white), neckline, waist design, etc... but the one thing that is very important is choosing the right silhouette.

Here are silhouette's you can choose, depending if you prefer to wear a poofy or slim fit dress:

1. A-Line




2. Cocktail Dress




3. Princess / Ball Gown




4. Mermaid




5. Sheath




6. Tea Length

Which silhouette would you pick for your wedding gown? If you got married already, which silhouette did you choose?

Adoption: Has It Crossed Your Mind?

Recently, we've seen it on the news. Angelina Jolie, Madonna, and other celebrities have adopted a few children from different parts of the world and have made them part of their family.

But you don't have to be a celebrity to adopt children, though. Many children's dream is to have a family that will love and care for them. Whether you can have kids or not, adoption is always an option, even for same-sex partners.

Have you thought about adopting children? Do you know anyone who has adopted children or is thinking about it?

Is This Your Kid?

It's common knowledge that smoking is bad for you and that smoking while pregnant is even worse (a good article to read about the effects can be found here). However, even with this in mind, some moms-to-be seem to ignore all warnings and puff away. With all the added stress of pregnancy and health issues that could develop solely on their own, why add to it?

Don't forget second-hand smoke, too! Breathing in the toxins from a cigarette can actually be more harmful.

Do you know anyone who's smoked during pregnancy? Do you still consider it bad to smoke around your child when they're older?

Do You Let Strangers Hold Your Baby?

Mothers, how many times has this happened to you? By this, I mean strangers walking up to you and telling you that your baby is so cute while reaching their hand out to rub your baby's hand or try to hold him or her. It can be irritating at times, right?

Some mothers don't find this annoying at all because they like it when others compliment them and their baby. However, others do not appreciate it and sometimes get mad because they don't like it when strangers touch or hold their children. After all, who knows if their hands are infested with germs or if they're recovering from a cold?

Would you let a stranger hold your baby?

Is +1 Worth It?

If you read our post about saving money on your wedding day (bride on a budget), you may recall one suggestion to make your wallet smile is cutting down the number of guests that attend your perfect ceremony.

A way to cut down those guests? Nix the +1 that singles get.

This could reduce the cost of your wedding dramatically but also could leave some single friends feeling underappreciated or hesitant to attend.

Would you risk a friend's feelings for the sake of cutting down your wedding's cost? Do you have any experience with this happening to you? Do you think it's fair?

Calling All Cheese and Chocolate Lovers!

With the warm weather coming up, I'm sure you will be attending barbecues, or at least throwing some parties to kick off the summer.

Cheese platters and chocolate are very popular for guests who want to pick on something before or after the main meal. Instead of separating the two, you can combine them with this Party Cheese and Chocolate Fondue Set so your cheese and chocolate loving guests will have the pleasure to enjoy both of them at once. You can even dip strawberries in the chocolate or mix crackers in with the cheese on the platter. No matter what, you won't be disappointed!

For more information about this product, click here or visit MyRegistry.com to add it to your registry!

MyRegistry.com on ABC's Morning News!

Hooray!

This morning, ABC aired a segment of "Real Simple Wedding Tips" for brides-to-be, and MyRegistry.com was shown and mentioned!

To see the segment, click here!

Mama-Razzi: Get Your Old Body Back!

Ever wonder how celebrity mothers pop out children and months later the pounds fall off?

This week's trendsetter has revealed that many celebrity moms have been sweating the pounds away with the BOB Revolution Jogging Stroller. If you like jogging, this stroller is the perfect match for you. Plus, not only will you spend time with your baby, you will get your old body back!

To find out more about the BOB Revolution Jogging Stroller, visit MyRegistry.com's stroller section or click here!

Wow Your Mother-in-Law!

Are you stuck in a rut and don't know what to get your mother-in-law for Mother's Day?

Don't fret because MyRegistry.com has a solution for you! Not only could you choose gifts from our Lifestyle "For Her" section on our site, but last week's trendsetter suggests some great ideas!

In case you missed out, here's the trendsetter from last week!

Welcome... Baby On A Budget!

So you're thinking of having a baby, eh?

With the current recession, you must be thinking that the idea of having a baby is close to, if not, ridiculous. Sure, other potential parents with the same idea may feel the same way, too, but if you spend your money wisely, this financial crisis won't feel like a crisis at all.

Bringing a child into this world is one of the most miraculous things two people can do, and although it may be fun to splurge on a cruise to Aruba or on that hot new bag you've been eying, the excitement of having a new bundle of joy outweighs any kind of purchase.

With these baby-on-a-budget tips, you'll save money that will make you and your baby happy:

• Make your own baby food: Sometimes you're lucky and a couple of grocery stores may have sales on baby foods. I know Pathmark recently had a sale: 6 Gerber baby jars for only $4. Sounds like a good deal, eh? Maybe not. In the long run, the money is going to keep adding up and you'll realize that the money you spent on baby food could've been used towards something more important, like bills or a house renovation. Although this will require some time, it's much easier to make your own baby food and at least you can add whatever your baby likes to it. For homemade baby recipes, click here.
  

• Hand-me-downs: I know some kids hate hand-me-downs. Knowing that his/her older brother or sister wore the same clothes makes some children antsy. But you'll be saving money in the long run! Whether it's your first kid or not, you can ask a friend or neighbor for hand-me-downs. Trust me, your wallet will be grateful.
  

• Make your own baby wipes: Who knew that you could make your own baby wipes? Since baby wipes are expensive, you might want to get in touch with your creative side and consider making them yourself. It's easy and shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes. For instructions on how to make your own baby wipes, click here.
  

• Shop at thrift stores: If you're expecting, going to a thrift or convenient store like Goodwill definitely benefits you financially. The clothes there are cheap and you can spend around $10 for some maternity clothes.
  

• Switch to cloth diapers: If you don't mind doing laundry, cloth diapers are your destiny. It may be annoying at first to keep washing them, but at least you can re-use them and don't have to buy diapers as often. If you're looking for an environmentally-friendly solution, gDiapers is a great idea. They're organic and feel like cloth, so your baby will feel cozy and comfortable. (For more information about gDiapers, click here.)
  

• Breastfeed: Breastfeeding is not only the healthiest choice, but it's a money-saving solution. You won't have to spend money on baby food nor time preparing it (if you don't want to). It also might be a good idea to borrow a breast pump or even purchase one if you're planning on having more than one child.
  

• Go to garage sales: Although it's a great idea to give your child hand-me-downs, you can also go to garage sales to purchase baby cloths if the former option doesn't sound appealing. At garage sales, you may also be able to purchase cribs, toys, and other baby products at a bargain price, too!
  

I hope these tips were very useful! For other baby-on-a-budget products, check out the Baby on a Budget section on MyRegistry.com.

Good luck and remember that having a baby should be an enjoyable moment in your life!

Here Comes The Bride: On A Budget!

"I Do" doesn't have to be the prelude to "...not have the money to marry you right now."

Economic stress is getting everyone down, but it doesn't need to rain on your wedding day parade. Many brides are rethinking just how exactly their perfect day is going to take place now that money may not be as abundant, which means many ways of still having a beautiful wedding and not breaking the bank are forming!

Here's a few tips:

• Opt for a vintage gown instead of designer: Strike while the iron is hot! Vintage is all the rage and doesn't appear to be going away anytime soon. If looking classic is in, why not take up the opportunity to spend less on a dress? You can find a lot of vintage dresses at any boutique, as well as online at places like Etsy.com; even just google it!

• Don't Immediately Clear Out Your House: Cutting a formal reception out may be your first idea when you think of cutting costs but keep in mind that the cost of tents, tables, food catering, port-o-potties and more can actually turn out to be more expensive than just renting a fully equipped area. Make sure to do your research and compare it using a list to guarantee you're getting the most bang for your buck.

• Scratch that +1: You don't need any kind of wedding blog to tell you that the more guests at your wedding, the more money out of your pocket. Also, don't feel bad for the single friends - they have others to speak to at the wedding! Sticking to just close friends and family will make it much simpler and cheaper. We promise Vicky from the 5th grade will understand.

• Cake & Food Can Be Simple Too: If you've chosen a sit down formal dinner don’t have a lot of courses. It’s usually cheaper to have 3 fabulous courses rather than 5 simple ones. Better yet, it’s often a much cheaper option to have a buffet. Just like choosing to hold the reception at home, opting for cupcakes instead of a fancy tiered cake may run you over your budget as well. Often it takes the baker a larger amount of time to pay detail to every single cupcake. But there’s no need for a multi-tiered cake; just buy a small wedding cake and have them serve sheet cakes of the same flavor for your guest. You can even have them decorate each plate with a flavored sauce or buttercream frosting!

• Picky Photography Is The Best Photography: Hiring a photographer for the main ceremony and only a portion of the reception to get formal shots is still reasonable. For the rest of the party keep digital (even instant) cameras around to capture candid moments. Most digital cameras have a video mode to capture video, and if not - opting for a video camera and trusting a friend to record is still way cheaper than hiring a videographer.

Want more? MyRegistry.com has a whole section dedicated to tips and products to help you keep your money in check. Check out Bride On a Budget!!

The Right Stroller

Baby registries differ. Some registries may ask for crib sheet sets and diaper supplies while others may focus on educational toys and teeny tiny outfits. However, the one product that seems to find itself onto almost all baby registries is the stroller.

The more you view baby registries and attend baby showers, the more you notice this particular stroller trend --there are usually about five different options available on a given registry! Why is that?

Well, aside from the numerous names for a stroller (pram, pushchair, buggy, baby carriage, perambulator) the number of different kinds of strollers is exorbitant. You have jogger strollers, urban/rural adaptable strollers, posh strollers, lightweight strollers, strollers that convert into car seats, and strollers for multiples. Factors to consider include price, terrain versatility, how it accommodates a growing baby, safety components (check out consumer reports for this one), adjustable features, pushing ease for parents, and more.

So how is a new mom supposed to select a quality stroller? Well, we're not saying it's going to be an easy task, but we can offer you some recommendations.

Here are three of MyRegistry.com's faves:

a. Bugaboo Cameleon

Why we <3> This durable stroller's unique 3-in-1 design easily adapts for car seats, reversible bassinet and reversible seat.

b. Quinny Buzz 4

Why we <3> Stylish factor aside, this stroller includes a spacious replacement seat to accommodate your growing child.

c. Peg Perego Skate Stroller:

Why we <3> This chic stroller will keep your baby safe and comfortable with its 360-degree side protection and three head positions.

So, to new moms out there, which stroller are you currently using? How did you end up choosing it? Do you have any stroller recommendations for expecting mothers?

The Wedding Planning Process

Let's face the facts: Weddings tend to be expensive. The economy is not so great.

Now, more than ever, careful budget control is necessary when it comes to planning a wedding. For example, ordering flowers from a florist located 5,000 miles away does not seem like a feasible option for many brides. Having a delicious cake imported from another country also seems a bit too extravagant these days.

So, what can you do? How can you create the wedding of your dreams? The key word is research. Once you've marked your wedding date on the calendar, begin the planning process. Contacting various local vendors, bands, and wedding oriented services will save brides a considerable amount of money as well as unnecessary headaches.

Here are some top things to include on your checklist:

a. Banquet Hall (reserve early if you're set on a specific reception hall)

b. Photographer (check out various photographers' portfolios and decide on which one will best capture the tone of your wedding)

c. Attire (finding the perfect bridal gown at a decent price requires a bit of searching)

d. Invites (get the word out early, especially if many of your guests are flying in)

e. Wedding Bands/Vows (speaking from the heart is what turns good vows into memorable ones)

Overall, brides should definitely allot enough time to shop around for exciting deals and book early. Luckily for brides out there, MyRegistry.com has compiled a list of reliable wedding resources. Our Wedding Vendors section features wedding businesses conveniently organized by state location and category (florists, themed weddings, videographers, etc). With its beautiful and elegant recommendations, the Wedding Vendors section has proven to be a wonderful resource for many couples.

How are brides out there going about planning their nuptials? How do you find great deals? What tools have proven to be invaluable throughout the planning process? Any helpful tips?