Blog Posts by Babble.com

7 Skirts with PocketsThere's just something about a skirt with pockets that makes me feel super happy. It gives me a warm, safe place for my hands, a note, or a few dollars. Though I've seen plenty of miniskirts with pockets floating around, I personally prefer a skirt with a bit more substance. Here are 7 great options for warm weather months.











Emerson Fry Green Pocket Skirt 1. Emerson Fry Green Pocket Skirt
This kelly green number is to die for. What a great color for spring!
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ASOS Lady Skirt 2. ASOS Lady Skirt
I love the length of this skirt. The pockets and the fact that it's made of cotton make it absolutely perfect for warm weather.
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J.Crew Jardin Skirt 3. J.Crew Jardin Skirt
We've seen these skirts all over, but not with pockets! They keep this breezy skirt from feeling too dressy.
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Related: 18 spring dresses for grown-ups


Banana Republic Sunny Day Skirt 4. Banana Republic Sunny Day Skirt
This may be the first slim pleated skirt I've seen with pockets. Everything's more fun in yellow, too!
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Denim Wrap Skirt from Madewell 5. Denim Wrap Skirt from Madewell
Retire

Why Mean Moms RuleI'm a Mean Mom. No, I don't make my kids work in a coal mine after the third grade. (It's illegal - plus, there aren't any coal mines in my area.) And I do smother them with physical affection. (More than they seem to want - particularly my 7-year-old, who has become accustomed to diving out of the way of direct kisses.) I'm mean because I stick to rules; because I believe in order and schedules; because I buck the "my kids are my best friends" trend; because I honestly don't care if every other second-grader has an iPod (kiddo, you're not getting one). My kids are not perfect (and neither am I), but I believe we're on the best path for us. So yes, I'm one of those Mean Moms. And here are 5 reasons why we rule.



Mean Moms retain their sense of self. 1. Mean Moms retain their sense of self.
You may have seen this on Facebook: "I traded eyeliner for dark circles, salon haircuts for ponytails, designer jeans for sweatpants … Repost this if you don't care what you gave up and will continue to give up for your children!" If,

6 reasons to get a labradorIt's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I adore Labrador Retrievers. My fondness for them went up exponentially when we adopted our pup, Django, last year from New York's North Shore Animal Center.

She is the perfect blend of friend, companion, and fun for our crazy family. But I'm not the only one who has a special affection for Labs. In fact, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds for families year after year.


Related: 12 dog-friendly treats you can make at home

If you are considering a medium to large-sized dog to introduce into your family, here are 6 reasons why a Lab is a great choice:









Excellent Temperament1. Excellent temperament
They are extremely well-suited to family life and like to feel as though they are part of a family's daily activities. Django accompanies us in everything we do. If we are in any given room, the yard, or porch, so is she. When we sleep, she sleeps. When we eat, she eats. You get the picture.

















They can get big, but not huge2. They can get big, but not huge
Although some

What's your parenting mission statement?Have you ever had to come up with a mission statement? Back when I worked for GE Capital, it seemed we had mission statements for everything. And when a business partner and I started a granite countertop company in 2003, I found myself pondering mission statements once again.

Shortly after the triplets were born, something occurred to me. Given that I was no stranger to crafting mission statements for various enterprises, shouldn't the institution of parenting have one? I decided it should. And just last week, I got curious about what some of the other Babble writers would come up with if they crafted a mission statement of their own.

This is the part where I tell you that I'm only 50-50 on mission statements. Because, let's face it, to an extent, they're hokey. And I know I'm not the only one who thinks so. In fact, in soliciting responses, I got the following one from Kid Scoop writer Buzz Bishop (aka Dad Camp): "My parenting mission statement is I have no mission statement.

Kitchen UpdateI spend a lot of time in my kitchen - breakfast, lunch, dinner, supervising numerous snacks - so it doesn't take long for the look to get stale.

Unfortunately, everything in there is just so big that I'm kinda stuck with it. We don't have much wall space, to simply update decor, and we won't be updating appliances until they completely die on us.

That's why I was so thrilled to see this $700 kitchen remodel. It's still out of my budget, but it did give me a few ideas.







Related: The 12 best ways to store seasonal clothes

"For a cheap renovation, look for ways you can utilize what's already in your kitchen, and pick projects you can delve into yourself without paying a contractor," says Katy Carter. My head has been swimming with ideas ever since.

Check out these small changes that could make a big difference:



Art ApplianceAppliance Art
Can't afford all new, stainless steel appliances - how about a magnet? With Appliance Art, you can change the look of your kitchen appliances with the switch of

Date NightRAWR, baby!

Can we talk about my total hottie for a husband for a moment? He is so devilishly handsome with his blue eyes and Southern boy facial scruff that sends me swooning in my petticoats. I have loved him for almost a decade and he's the only one I let see me in my mouth gaurd at night. In short, I did a fine piece of magic convincing him to tie the knot with me and then I still liked him so much that we had a baby two years ago.

So, who's got two thumbs and a fine piece of man-meat by her side for the next fifty years? This girl.


Related: 13 tips for snagging a man (circa 1938)

We have a few "rules" in our marriage, like always having cinnamon rolls in the fridge and never saying "shut up" and having regular date nights. It started pretty early on into parenthood, thanks to having my parents close by as babysitters - sometimes it's just grabbing a milkshake for a quick drive through town, other times it's a full-on gussied-up affair with high heels and a movie to follow. It

This bathroom makeover is brought to you by IKEAIf you're like me, you tend to associate IKEA with living rooms and bedrooms. However, many IKEA home accessories actually make great bathroom solutions. Check out these 5 IKEA hacks that add space, storage, and style to even the tiniest bathrooms.








BEKVAM Kitchen Cart Vanity 1. BEKVAM Kitchen Cart Vanity
This bathroom vanity is actually a BEKVAM kitchen cart. The size and shape are perfect for a small square space.














PLATTA Bath Mat 2. PLATTA Bath Mat
Who knew? Ikea's PLATTA outdoor decking looks like an expensive bath mat you'd see at a spa.










Related: 20 home office IKEA hacks


LACK Bookshelf Vanity 3. LACK Bookshelf Vanity
Bookshelf? Bathroom shelf? The versatile LACK shelf in this hack looks like a custom-made vanity.










SANDNES Space-Saving Hamper 4. SANDNES Space-Saving Hamper
IKEA SANDNES shoe cabinets are just the right size for a space-saving clothes hamper that catches dirty clothes as they come off. They're easy to empty, too.









Related: 5 amazing IKEA LACK table makeovers


REKTANGLE Room Divider 5. REKTANGLE Room Divider
Nearly 1,000 REKTANGLE vases were used to create this brick-like room

7 Reasons Your Vegan Recipe Tasted WeirdMistakes in the kitchen happen, especially when you're dealing with vegan recipes and ingredients. Often, these ingredients are unfamiliar. You can easily get confused, lose your way, and basically, mess up. So whether you're just starting to experiment with vegan or vegetarian recipes, or are a long time vegan cook - here are 7 common vegan cooking mistakes. And yes, many of these are pulled from mistakes that I have made in my cooking adventures. Live and learn and keep cooking!







Neglecting to use the right egg replacement1. Neglecting to use the right egg replacement while baking
When veganizing a recipe that traditionally contains eggs - like cookies and cakes - it is not only important to use an egg replacement, but to use the right one. Ingredients like flax seeds, chia seeds, and vital wheat gluten can help with binding. Extra baking powder can help with rising, and silken tofu, applesauce, mashed banana, and grated or pureed veggies can help with moisture and body.
Make bluebird bread



Mixing cold ingredients with coconut oil 2. Mixing cold ingredients with