There are many stages in a child's life that require certain equipment. New babies require a crib, highchair and all the small child paraphernalia. Once they grow a bit, you'll transition to the toddler bed and, of course different toys and equipment accompany this stage. By the time you child makes it to kindergarten, they're working on their third (or fourth) bed, and of course, the toys that once fascinated them are now too "babyish" to even been seen looking at in the toy stores. Searching store after store to shop for these stages in a child's life can be daunting, until All Children's Furniture came along - they have everything you could need - kids bedroom furniture, toys, bedding - all of the accessories necessary to make their room the place they want to spend some time.

All Children's Furniture carries 611 kids beds (that's just beds!!). Everything from Function to WOW!, all with style. These are some of my favorites (click on the picture to go to their web page).




















I did say WOW!, right? Name one little girl who wouldn't give up dreams of a white pony for this bed! Being the Mom of two girls, my eye naturally gravitates toward all things "girly", but they have tons of beds for your rough & tumble little guys too!


Not only do they have beds, they've got all the other furniture you need too - dressers, nightstands, lamps - you name it!

Did I mention the toys? All Children's Furniture carries 6,489 toys! If you can't find it there - maybe you didn't really want it in the first place.

So, no matter what stage of life you child is at, when you need anything from beds to lamps to toys, All Children's Furniture is your One Stop Shop for All Things Kid!

We have one (1) classic toy to give away to one (1) lucky reader - A Little Tikes - Cozy Coupe 30th Anniversary Ride-On!

There are several ways to enter - here are the rules:

Please note: Your email address MUST either be in your comment or available on your blogger profile or your entry will NOT count!! **

*Pop on over to All Children's Furniture and have a look around. Then come back and tell us your favorite item in their huge store.

* Become a follower on Twitter. Leave me a comment to let me know your twitter name (if you are already a follower, leave me a comment with your twitter name).

* Become a fan on our new Facebook page. Leave me a comment to let me know your Facebook name.

* Subscribe to our RSS Feed or sign up to receive Pink Lemonade by Email. Leave me a comment to let me know you. If you are already a subscriber, leave me a comment and let me know.

* Blog about our contest on your blog. Leave me a comment with your post url.

* Place our widget on your blog (it's toward the bottom of this page in the far right column - just click "get widget" at the bottom of the widget). Leave me a comment with your site url.

* Become a member of our Social Network. Leave a comment with your username.

There you have it! Seven very simple ways to enter our contest - how easy is that? Complete rules can be found on our Contest page.

This contest ends Monday, July 6th at 11:59pm (pdst) so don't wait - make sure you've gotten all seven entries! Please note: entries received after the cutoff time will be deleted prior to drawing a winner.

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Even with all the technological advances in the world I don’t think our society will ever truly be paperless. In fact, the recent technological advances seem to have created more paper to deal with in many cases. We have receipts, bills, insurance policies, certificates, investment statements, health records, and more. Then added to that is the daily influx of junk mail- magazines, catalogs, sweepstakes entry forms, etc. Today we will learn how to overcome paper clutter once and for all.


Mail:

Your mail needs to have a designated spot. When you pick it up from the mailbox each day, bring it into the house and put it in the same spot. This can be a basket, a designated space on the kitchen counter, or on your desk in your home office.

Your goal should be to handle mail as soon as it enters your home. But at the very least try to have a set time each day that you go through the mail and deal with it, so you don’t end up with piles of mail and magazines spread throughout the house.

• Magazines- only keep the current month’s issue


• If there are articles that you want to keep for future reference or for a recipe, etc than invest in a 3 ring binder with plastic page protectors. Tear out the article that you like and throw away the rest of the magazine.


• Catalogs- When a catalog arrives at your home and it is not one that your regularly order from call the 800 customer service number on the back and request to be taken off the mailing list.


• Junk Mail- this should be immediately thrown away. If you like the coupons from the ValuPak, etc then clip the ones you like and throw the rest away. This will cut down on the amount of paper clutter laying around the house. To stop unwanted credit card offers call 1-888-567-8688 or write to Direct Mail Association Mail Preference Service at PO Box 643 Carmel, NY 10512. Include your name, complete address, zip code and a request to “activate the preference service”. This means you will only receive those catalogs, offers, etc that you personally request. The Direct Marketing Association estimates that this will stop 75% of the junk mail that comes to your home!


• Bills- have a place for all the bills that need paid to be filed until it is time to pay them. This can be a plastic shelf divider, a basket, a file folder, an accordion file, etc. Whatever works for you is the best system to have.


• Invitations, fliers, etc.- We all get the invitations to weddings, special events at the senior center and family goings on. Have a place that you put all these and weekly go through and sort out what has already happened and throw it away. As soon as you receive any type of invitation or reminder with a date in the mail you should check your calendar and if you plan to attend go ahead and write it on the calendar so that you don’t forget in the future.
  

Paper, in general:

• Newspapers- If you use the Internet all major newspapers including the local papers are available (in their entirety) on line. If you are not computer savvy or prefer to hold the newspaper than be sure to recycle or toss newspapers at least weekly. Piles of old newspapers are untidy and create a fire hazard as well!


• Important personal papers- These include your will, birth certificate, social security card, passport, etc. Keeping these in a fireproof box is safest or use a safe deposit box at the bank. Other files you may have include 401k statements, bank statements, mortgage statements, stock/bond/IRA statements, warranties/instruction manuals, car information including car insurance and title. Keep your files organized and accessible according to how often you access them. If you only access certain papers once a year at tax time than file them in a banker’s box in the attic. Keep files you need on hand in the file cabinet.
  

How Long Should I Keep It?

We are often asked by clients how long they should keep various types of paper. These are general guidelines that we use when working with people. But remember it is always important to check with your accountant or tax advisor about your individual situation before shredding any documents.

• Auto Records- keep these as long as you own the vehicle


• Appointment books- some people like to keep these as a type of journal, I keep them for a few years as back-up for mileage purposes. Keep them up to ten years for this type of reason.


• ATM slips- Keep them six years for tax related purchases. Store them with your bank statements.


• Credit Card statements- six years for tax related purchases (such as owning your own business) Otherwise keep until you receive the interest statement issued with by the company annually. Then you can shred them.


• Dividend Payment Records- Until you receive your annual statement


• Health Records- permanently


• Home Improvements- as long as you own the home. Store these with your tax records


• Household inventory and appraisal- As long as they are current. Update them annually (we will talk more about this next week when we talk about organizing for a transition)


• Insurance policies- (auto, homeowner’s, liability) through the statute of limitations. (disability, medical, life, personal property, umbrella) keep for the life of the policy


• Investment purchase records- As long as you own the investments


• Investment sales records- six years for tax purposes


• Mortgage or loan discharge- as long as you own the home or six years after the discharge


• Pay Stubs- until they are verified by your W-2 statement


• Property bill of purchase- as long as you own the property


• Receipts- as long as they are current, or as determined by your accountant
• Safe- deposit box key and inventory- as long as they are current


• Tax records- current year plus six years prior (can be filed away in a bankers box)


• Utility bills, etc.- Until they are paid (your cancelled check is proof you paid and the company keeps records as well)


• Vital Records and documents- birth, marriage, divorce, death certificates: permanently


• Wills, trusts, estate plans- permanently
  

Other tips to keep in mind when dealing with paper:

Dealing with paper clutter is not only about appearances and organization. It is also about safety. The more paper you have lying around your home or apartment is the more “kindling” a fire has if one were to develop in your home. Consider that as motivation to deal with the clutter in your home.

Happy Organizing!

Melissa


Posted by Melissa of Multitasking Mama

Featured Weekly on Pink Lemonade Online Magazine

With summer revving its engine, classes ending and summer jobs starting, it’s a great time of year for teenagers.

However, between driving to work, taking road trips and joyriding without care, teens are on the road a lot more in the summer months. It is no surprise, then, that data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows an annual spike in traffic accidents, injuries and deaths among young people in the 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

As teens start cruising around this summer, it is important for parents to remind them how to stay safe behind the wheel. Below are a few quick tips for parents of teen drivers from http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org.

Create a driving contract for your teen, and be prepared to stick to it. A driving contract is a great way to let teens know that driving is both a privilege and a serious responsibility. It also establishes clear expectations about driving for your teen: always wear a seat belt, never get into a vehicle with someone who’s been drinking, etc. A customizable contract template is available at http://www.thinkbeforeyoudrive.org.

Choose an ICE contact. All drivers should designate an emergency contact in the address book of their cell phones under the name "ICE" — In Case of Emergency. Emergency workers in many towns check for an ICE contact in cell phones.

Set a good example. Practice what you preach. When parents run red and yellow lights, speed down the highway at 75 miles per hour, weave in and out of traffic, ride the bumper of the car in front of them and exhibit signs of road rage, they are telling teens that rules don't count — and this can be fatal. Be a role model for your teen.

Feeling a little "behind" when it comes to the Internet? Is your sixth grade daughter also doubling as your personal tech support? Your kids may be of the Facebook generation but not to worry, you can still catch the train. Get on board now because the train is a fast moving one! Here are five tips to help you get started...

Tip One: Get on Facebook even if your child is too young (less than 13 years old) to be on it. It is a communication site unlike anything you've ever seen. Besides reconnecting or "friending" others, it is a way to share pictures, communicate and have fun. Once reserved for college aged students, it is now expanding across generations. If you have a teenager, it is likely that they have a Facebook or some other type of social networking account. After you've established yourself:

Learn the lingo. A friend of mine couldn't understand why his teenage daughter was so upset after she had been "tagged" on Facebook. Did someone catch her he wondered? He didn't know what being "tagged" meant and it was only days later that he learned an unflattering picture of her had been identified and was seen by many.

Know the privacy settings. While nothing on Facebook is truly private, it is important to understand how the settings work. I keep my privacy settings high meaning only my friends (people I've approved) can view my information.


Tip Two: Know how to do a good Internet search. If your child is interested in learning about something or needs to do research for a school project, the Internet is often the first (and sometimes the only) stop. Learning how to do a good search can help get to the right sites quickly. Hint: using quotation marks and symbols are a must.


Tip Three: The movie screen has shrunk - to less than 3 inches on a web enabled device like an iphone or blackberry. YouTube has allowed anyone to be a movie maker. Movies of all kinds are constantly uploaded to YouTube. Easy to use recording devices have made uploading to YouTube fairly simple and straightforward. Take a spin on YouTube and see what your kids may be watching. Then, once you figure it out ask if they have a favorite channel or what they like to watch.


Tip Four: Communication has gone high tech. Sure, the best communication is still done face to face but other communication techniques are widely used. Standard phone calls and even email are being replaced by Internet video calling and text messaging. Many people use a tiny keypad to send text messages but if I'm at my computer, I'll use that instead since it is free and not as tedious.


Tip Five: Find your music online. The days of buying a CD are winding down and chances are pretty high that your child doesn't even consider buying a CD when they want to listen to music. Pandora is a hit with young and old - essentially a internet radio station you customize. iTunes is a favorite for many wishing to download music and makes a great gift for someone of the Facebook generation.

Courtesey of: RosieKnows.com

No, they're not cartoon characters... Ottilie & Lulu is a line of hair and skincare created specifically for ‘tweens.

Created by New York mother and communications veteran, Deborah Hernan, Ottilie & Lulu was designed to fill the obvious void in the marketplace for a product that was “grown up” enough to be appealing to the ‘tween demographic but appeased their parents desire to protect their innocence.

Ottilie & Lulu's easy-to-use products, ranging in price from $10 to $25, include a Shiny Silky Detangler & Conditioner, Feel Good Shampoo & Body Wash, Clean Skin Facial Wipes, Everyday Moisturizer with a non-chemical Sunscreen, SPF 20 and a Body Glow Lotion. All are created with gentle formulations, of anti-oxidants for protection from environmental stresses, vitamins to nourish and enriching botanicals to soothe. They are non-irritating and do not contain parabens, phthalates, SLS, mineral oil or petrolatum. Ottilie & Lulu products are dermatologist, allergy and clinically tested (never on animals) and are made in the USA.

The great folks at Ottilie & Lulu were kind enough to send over some samples for Little Miss Lauren to try out. Of course, she was thrilled to receive beauty products meant just for her - and I was thrilled to know that they weren't full of things that could harm her. (We had been using baby shampoo previously, and well... you know all of the awful things they've found in that recently!)

She immediately decided it was bath time and brought her Feel Good Shampoo & Body Wash and her Shiny Silky Detangler & Conditioner with her. They are both minty-fresh and Lauren loved the way they smelled when she was washing her hair. She inherited my hair - fine and tangly so having a great conditioner is a must - it is wonderfully thick, so a little goes a long way. Her hair was clean, shiny and manageable when she was done - it definitely passed the Lauren test!

We also received a sample bottle of Body Glow Lotion - this great lavender scented lotion isn't oily or greasy, Lauren loved the way her skin felt and smelled when she was done putting it on.

So, if you're concerned about the safety of the bath products you're currently using for your girls, go check out Ottilie & Lulu, they have a complete line of skin and haircare that you can feel good about letting your girls use - and they'll feel all grown up with their very own products!

- Liz

Posted by Liz of Pink Lemonade

Add a touch of glamour to any special occasion. From anniversaries to weddings and milestone birthdays, I thought your readers might have interest in these creative, custom finds…

Whether you are celebrating a milestone birthday or other important date, Toppers With Glitz offers the unique décor you are looking for! Their hand crafted Swarovski Crystals add bling to cake toppers, serving sets, champagne flutes and more. Plus you can customize and coordinate colors with the theme of your event.

Toppers With Glitz offers a look to last a lifetime and are affordable in this down economy with cake toppers starting under $99. The business was started by a woman after she couldn't find the cake topper she dreamed of for her wedding!

Find out more at www.topperswithglitz.com.

Summer equals roof top parties, backyard BBQs and just about everything else under the sun involving cold beer and kegs. Nothing like a fab party with some drinks to take the night to a whole new level...that is until the keg goes dry and the wine and liquor runs out. Cue your run for the door.

However, this summer a dry keg and empty shots will no longer be your excuse when everyone has dashed. A new company is available to residents called Delivery.com (www.delivery.com) and just like the Sex and the City episode points out, big city dwellers can now get anything delivered to their front doorstop around the clock. The good news for your readers though is that you don’t have to be living in NYC to get it!

PARTY BACK UP PLAN: No one likes to have to be the one to run out and replenish the liquor cabinet and beer fridge because 1) you will inevitably miss the coolest part of the night and 2) you will likely be drinking and driving, which we all no is a big no-no. So think of Delivery.com as your party insurance for the night—when the last beer has been drank all you have to do is log onto the quick and easy site and order a variety of beverages among other things without missing a beat at your party. Your fridge will be full within a half hour.

This new site is available across the country now and is the one-stop shop for your readers when it comes to liquor, but also groceries, late-night food, gifts and flowers, catering and household goods—pretty much any and everything essential for a party to be talked about the next day and a Facebook photo album named after.!

The Script may have been last year's biggest breakout band in the UK and Ireland, but now they are poised to be the next big thing in the US. Danny O'Donoghue (keys and vocals), Mark Sheehan (guitar), and Glen Power (drums) make up the Irish trio who boast a new brand of Celtic Soul -- blending hip hop lyrical flow with pop melodies, R&B production with anthemic rock dynamics, and classic song construction with gritty contemporary narratives. The Script sold more copies of their first album than any other debut group in the UK in 2008. Their single "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" has become a global phenomenon with top five slots in thirteen countries.

The Script released their self-titled album in the US on March 17th of this year and have started burning up the charts with "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." With songs featured across several major TV campaigns, a spot in VH1's "You Oughta Know" platform and an upcoming headlining US tour, it's safe to say that these guys are headed in the right direction.

Before heading out on their own tour with Parachute on July 30th, the band has received the honor of opening up for Sir Paul McCartney as the first artist to ever perform at Citifield in New York. Stay up-to-date with the band at TheScriptMusic.com and check out their video for “The Man Who Can't Be Moved.”



Listen to their album here (I have not previewed the entire album and it does have and "Explicit" label - so be forewarned).

Tonight is the 2nd episode of ABC Family's original series "Make It or Break It". If you missed the premiere episode, you can watch it HERE.

Last week, I got a chance to attend a Q&A session with two of the stars of Make It or Break It, Josie Loren & Cassie Scerbo.

Josie Loren, has been in films such as "17 Again" starring Zac Efron and The Disney Channel Movie "Hatching Pete" as well as guest-starring roles on television series like "Cory in the House", "Hannah Montana", "Veronica Mars", "Medium", "Drake and Josh" and "The Bill Engvall Show". On Make It or Break It, she plays Kaylie Cruz, daughter of rich and powerful Alex and Ronnie Cruz. Expected to be the best at everything she does and constantly pulled in different directions, she is determined to balance the pressure coming from her parents to "be the best" with the desire to have a normal life (which includes having a secret boyfriend). Will her secret romance jeopardize her spot on the National Team? Can she hide her secret and still make it to the Olympics?

Cassie Scerbo is famous for the role of Brooke in "Bring it On: In It to Win It". On the smaller scree, she is part of the group "Slumber Party Girls" where their alubm was featured on the TV show "Dance Revolution". She is playing Lauren Tanner on Make it Or Break It - the show's ultimate "mean girl". Lauren is driven to be the best and isn't about to let anyone or anything stand in her way. When things don't go exactly as Lauren and her Father have planned, she'll stop at nothing to nail a spot on the National Team - even if it means pulling everything away from her teammates.


Here is the Q & A Interview with Josie and Cassie:


Moderator:
Welcome to the Make It or Break It call with Josie Loren and Cassie Scerbo. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. We will be conducting the question and answer session, and instructions will be given at that time. At this time, I’d like to turn the conference over to Ms. Chrissy Fehskens. Please go ahead.

C. Fehskens:
Hello, everyone. This is Chrissy Fehskens from New Media Strategies. Thanks so much for your patience and for standing by. I wanted to welcome you to the Josie Loren and Cassie Scerbo Q&A session and start things off by thanking Josie and Cassie for being with us today. As you know, Josie stars as Kaylie, and Cassie as Lauren in ABC Family’s new original series, Make It or Break It, which premiered this past Monday.

In a moment, we’ll begin the Q&A session. As a reminder, all participants are currently in a listen-only mode and will need to enter the moderated question queue in order to speak on today’s call. This call is also being recorded for transcription, and you’ll receive a copy of the transcript from me within the next 48 hours. With that, I’m going to turn things back over to our moderator to begin today’s session. Vince, please go ahead.

Moderator:
Thank you. Our first question is from the line of Elizabeth Gilbert with Pink Lemonade online magazine.


E. Gilbert:
Hello. My first question is for Cassie. How fun is it to be playing somebody who is so driven to win that they would go to any lengths to do so?

C. Scerbo:
Oh my, God. Honestly, I wouldn’t pick any other character to play. I love playing Lauren. She’s got a ton of spice, and I mean it’s really fun just stepping out of the box every day and being able to come to work and be someone completely different. And, I mean, obviously when we’re off set, all the girls know that I love them and that I’m really not that mean, but I mean I love it, and that’s what it’s all about. And it’s really fun, and sadly enough, there are people out there that really will take it to that level. So, I mean, it’s somewhat realistic, and it’s really fun to just step out of the box and become this really mean character.

E. Gilbert:
Well, I have to say thank you because you have provided with the pilot a very good teachable moment for my little gymnast about ethics and cheating and all that kind of stuff.

C. Scerbo:
And karma.

E. Gilbert:
Exactly. That’s right.

C. Scerbo:
Because it got thrown back in her face.

E. Gilbert:
That’s right. I guess my other question is for both of you. Are there any plans for cameos by big name gymnasts like Shawn or Nastia in the future?

J. Loren:
I think, well, so far in this series, we haven’t had any cameos. We hope to have some for the last episode when we actually get to nationals, but nothing has been said and done yet.

E. Gilbert:
Then my last question is for either of you. What appealed to you about this show that made you want to be a part of it when you read the script?

C. Scerbo:
I think what’s so great about it is that we just got off the Olympics and it’s got a lot of female power to it. A lot of, you know, I mean, it’s such a great sport for males and females, but I think it really let’s women take a stand, and I think it’s just – I don’t know – it’s such a great script for girls, and, you know, it’s athletic, and I love athletic scripts. I’ve done two before this, and it’s just really fun to be able to basically work out and act at the same time, and just like all the athletic involvement is really fun. And, like I said, just coming off the Olympics with Nastia and Shawn being such idols to young teenage girls and to many people around the world right now is just, I think it’s just really fun, I mean, because it’s really cool coming right off the Olympics and being able to do a gymnastics show right after that.

And actually, Nastia did stop by the set, so we’re hoping she wants to do a cameo or something in our show, one of the upcoming episodes, but she did stop by the set, which is really cool, and she was a big sweetheart, so hopefully we can see more of her in the future on the show.

E. Gilbert:
Thank you very much, ladies.

J. Loren:
Thank you.

C. Scerbo:
Thank you.


Moderator:
Our next question is from the line of Jamie Ruby with Media Boulevard.

J. Ruby:
Thanks for answering our questions. This question is for both of you. What got you started in acting in the first place?

J. Loren:
I started acting when I was like five in monolog competitions at this private elementary school. Ever since then, it’s kind of progressed. From there, I went to magnet art schools for middle school and for high school, but I was always involved in musical theater, and I went to one summer camp for TV and film, and that kind of sparked the other direction, I guess, for acting in the TV and film world, and so I’ve just kind of been doing it every since I was little.

C. Scerbo:
I really couldn’t tell you when that interest sparked for me because it’s just been something that I’ve wanted to do forever. Like I literally came out of my mother’s stomach singing before I can talk, and dancing before I can walk, and just, ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a performer. I started in charm schools, I mean, at the age of four or five, dancing, singing, and acting. And I just, I like telling the story, no matter what it is. Singing, acting, or dancing, I’ve just, I’ve kind of always been a performer.

And my parents have always said, well, don’t you have a Plan B? You have to have something to back it up in case it doesn’t happen, and I was just always like no. I don’t have a Plan B. I’m not setting myself up for failure, and I just kind of always stuck with that, and I’ve always just been really driven, and I guess I kind of was just born wanting to be in this industry and tell a story, do what I do, and if I could and can change lives while I’m doing it and throughout the course of everything. Yes.

J. Ruby:
Great. Now I know the show is supposed to be set in Boulder, Colorado. Is any of it filmed there, or are you all filming in California?

J. Loren:
Absolutely none of it is filmed in Boulder, Colorado. We film in Santa Clarita so actually in the middle of the desert, which could not be more different than Boulder, Colorado, but some of it, obviously like the external shots, they get that footage from Boulder, Colorado, but it’s not filmed there.

J. Ruby:
For both of you, what’s your favorite part about working on the show? What do you enjoy the most?

J. Loren:
I think what I enjoy the most about it is the fact that I get to play a gymnast on TV and be passionate about something on television. I think a lot of the shows right now are a lot of just pretty much revolve only around relationships and drugs and alcohol and sex. And what I love about it is that we get to show a different aspect of teenage lives and show teenagers who are passionate about something, who are driven about something, and that’s my favorite part of just being on the show, being able to bring a different element to the stereotypical teenager.

C. Scerbo:
I used to say one of my favorite things about being on the show obviously is that I get to play the mean girl once again. It’s really fun. Like I said, it’s really stepping outside the box, and the cool thing about my character is that when you watch that person for the first, about two to three episodes, you’re just going to think, oh, this girl. She’s such a big brat, but it’s really cool because you see where it comes from, and a lot of her anger and a lot of her impulses and the way she acts towards people, all her bratty moments comes from a place of pain, which is really interesting. And, as the show progresses, I think the viewers are going to find it really interesting what’s really going on in Lauren’s life and why she has so many issues. And I think that really she just masks everything with this huge attitude. It’s just basically one big façade because she has had so many issues in her life, as all the girls are having issues going on in their lives.

And it’s so cool because it’s like watching the Olympics, yet a really cool teen drama at the same time. And I think it just has something for everyone, and I love being able to be a part of something that teens can watch with their friends, and boyfriends can watch with their girlfriends, and mothers can watch with their daughters, and it’s just really got something for everyone. It’s just, there are so many different life situations going on and different love triangles and relationship drama. And yet, you still have, like Josie said, a really awesome sport that these four girls are so passionate about that they basically give their lives up for, and it’s just really interesting.

It’s cool that it has all the gymnastics along with all the drama. It gives it something different and a whole new dimension. And, like I said, it’s really cool that we have a broad casting of adults. We have kids, teenagers, and there’s basically just something for everyone, and I like being a part of that.

J. Ruby:
Definitely. Thank you very much.


Moderator:
Our next question comes from the line of Sarah Fulghum with TotallyHer.com.

S. Fulghum:
Thanks for taking my phone call. The show has aired its first episode. What reactions have you both experienced so far?

J. Loren:
I think we were all very shocked with the exceptional ratings that we got, so just, I mean, a lot of praise and surprise and pleasant surprise, obviously. So just, I guess, the message that I’ve got in this past week is just keep doing what you’re doing because what you’re doing works. Basically what my dad says is that the formula that you’re using, you know, it works, so keep doing it and finish off the season with a bang so that you can start – so you can finish just as well as you started.

C. Scerbo:
I was really, really excited about the ratings. I think it’s really cool that we got the second highest ratings for ABC Family’s premieres, for any TV show, and I also thought it was really cool that – I don’t know exactly the age range, but there was a certain age range that we actually got the highest ratings for – I think was teenage girls, somewhere in that age range. I don’t remember what it was, but I think that really just means a lot to me because it shows that there’s all these teenage girls watching us, and we have to really remain role models and show them – you know, be able to express that we really have this amazing passion for this sport, and anyone can have a passion for what they’re doing and take it to that next level as long as they focus and concentrate. And, I don’t know, just remain focused, like I said. I think that was really cool that we got all these young girls, women viewers, so that was one of my favorite things about when we got the ratings.

J. Loren:
I also, I heard a lot of wow, you know, ABC Family has, you know, this is a great, wholesome family show that they, you know, parents aren’t afraid to sit their kids in front of the television to watch, and that’s also really nice to hear because we have the dramatic conflict in it, but it’s not the drama that parents shy away from or is taboo. It’s something that I think more kids should be exposed to because then they’re kind of channeled to focus on one thing, whether it be gymnastics or whatever sport, or it could be simply baking. But do something that you love to do, and so that’s like the message that it gives, and I think that’s why it’s such a – parents are really embracing it.

S. Fulghum:
I do have another question to the both of you. How do you handle the body image pressure of playing gymnasts?

J. Loren:
Well, I think it’s just a matter of, my motto is always, everything in moderation. I still, I obviously, I eat healthy. I just have kind of amped up the workouts, try to go a couple times a week to the gym and take, you know, tae bo, whether it be tae bo classes or yoga classes, just keeping very, very active. I mean, we play gymnasts, so we have to look like gymnasts. We just do it in the healthiest way possible.

C. Scerbo:
I just honestly have been blessed with a really supportive, large Italian family that has always basically supported me and made me feel confident and beautiful no matter what was going on in my life or whatever, and I think I just remained really confident about everything and just staying, like Josie said, just eating healthy and going to the gym and being able to work out on whatever downtime we have. I mean, yes, there are tons of people that are basically going to be judging us and staring at us, and even here on set, there’s tons of people just staring at us … and I think you just need to remain confident. And everyone is beautiful in their own way, and I think that we all have been working really hard and training to have the best gymnast body we can possibly have.

And, yes, I just, I mean, by eating healthy and staying in shape, that’s, I think that’s the best way to go. I’m not really bulimic like Lauren is in the show, and I do not believe in it, so just embracing what you have and loving who you are and being confident and feeling wonderful in your own skin, and just eating healthy and staying fit.

J. Loren:
And I do have to say that a lot of people I’ve heard are commenting on the fact that we don’t have the typical gymnast body, and I just have to say that it doesn’t matter how much we work out, because we’re not doing what Olympic gymnasts are doing with their bodies, we cannot do those tricks. We are not skilled to do those tricks or trained to do so, our bodies will never look like what theirs look like just because that body is a product of, you know, doing this intense, intense physical training and these skills. So it doesn’t matter how much we go to the gym. Unfortunately, we’re never going to reach that goal, but we strive to it as much as possible.

C. Scerbo:
Yes, I mean, it’s a TV show, and we would just … back to like if people could just understand that and realize that we work as hard as we can as actresses to be gymnasts. We’re not truly Olympians, so we just try to work as hard as we can to get there, but, I mean, we haven’t been training since we were four years old, so naturally we don’t have, you know, the physique that some of these women have, some of the Olympian doubles on our set and some of the girls. But we try our hardest, and yes. We have been definitely telling craft services to not put out as much junk food, although it’s hard.

S. Fulghum:
Thank you so much for answering my questions, and I just want to let you know the show is great, and I’m really enjoying it.

C. Scerbo:
Thank you.

J. Loren:
Thank you.


Moderator:
Our next question comes from the line of Kendra White with Side Reel.

K. White:
You guys are saying it’s great to be role models to young girls watching the show and show them how it’s great to be passionate about something and do it in a healthy way, but then there’s also a portrayal of issues with eating disorders.

C. Scerbo:
Well, I think it’s really cool because it’s showing teen girls that nobody is perfect, and girls do have problems, and no teenager out there is perfect. There are girls that have problems with their bodies and turn to bulimia and anorexia, and it’s really sad, and it’s showing that here are these strong, wonderful women who are training for the Olympics, yet even they have problems. Even they have bulimia issues and body issues, and no one is perfect. So I guess the whole, being a role model, that will be shown in how passionate we are about our sport, and I hope that young girls become passionate and realize how passionate we are, and they become passionate about what they’re doing. But they can also see the risks that we’re taking that aren’t working like maybe my bulimia is not working for me.

I mean, I think that they’ll be able to see both sides of the spectrum, like the way that we’re, you know, the places that we’re progressing and the places that, the things we’re doing that aren’t helping us like maybe being in relationships and having all that drama in the show isn’t helping us focus on the sport. Having bulimia issues and problems is mentally not helping us with the sport, so it’s going to show both sides of the spectrum, which I think will be really important because no one is perfect, and I think it will be important for girls to see that.

J. Loren:
To be honest, after the pilot, those issues aren’t – they’re not addressed again, the bulimia, the anorexia. That kind of, I think, was an idea that was introduced in the pilot, and they didn’t follow up with it because they wanted to make us role models for young girls, and show young girls that you can be these fantastic athletes and not go to these lengths of eating disorders. But then again, we do have the comment in the scripts later on, you know, that some girl, one of us might not be very happy with our bodies. We watch what we eat, to show that flaw that we’re not perfect. We might not have eating disorders, but we definitely have the concerns that every other girl has because no one is perfect, and everyone has their own issues. But the anorexia and bulimia is definitely dropped after the pilot.

C. Scerbo:
Yes.

K. White:
Thank you. My other question, as far as the advanced gymnastics moves and everything that we’re seeing on the show, how do those scenes work? Are there stunt doubles popping in here and there, or how are those scenes filmed?

J. Loren:
We have the most phenomenal stunt doubles ever. They’re definitely stunt doubles. Some of them have been in the Olympics. I mean, one of them was like a three-time national champion. So basically we do the move, the beginning of it and the very end of it, the landing. All the dancing of it, like the floor routines, the beam routines that aren’t the actual tricks, we actually do that. We learn those routines, and we perform them to the best of our ability. But all of the tricks are done by doubles. Sometimes they fly them in. Others they’ve recruited from the LA area, just a great, great team of gymnasts that really work hard to make it all seem realistic and look the way it does.

C. Scerbo:
Yes. If it was up to me, I’m like the biggest daredevil ever, and I’m sure Josie feels the same way. We would love to be able to learn how to flip and do all these crazy stunts. I’m not doing it because I’m being lazy. I know none of the other girls are either. We would love to be able to learn some more stuff and learn how to vault, but the thing is, you have to also realize there’s liability issues and there’s laws and certain regulations where we can’t get hurt in our contract, so that's the reason why we also need – also because we’ll never be able to do some of the things they can do, but that’s just another reason we need the stunt doubles there, just for safety, and so that none of us get hurt during the time that we’re filming.

But we do try to learn as much of the routines as possible, and we have all learned a few tricks here and there on the beam and the bars, and we try to do as much as we can to show how much we do respect all the gymnasts out there and how hard they work. I mean, it is tough. It’s not easy, so we have the utmost respect for everyone, for all the gymnasts out there.

K. White:
Great, well, it looks very good.

J. Loren:
Thank you.

C. Scerbo:
Thank you.

K. White:
Thanks.


Moderator:
Our next question is from the line of Roger Newcomb with We Love Soaps.

R. Newcomb:
Hello. Thank you guys for being here. In what ways are you similar to your characters, would you say?

J. Loren:
I feel I have a lot of differences from Kaylie, but also a couple of similarities. I think Kaylie deals a lot with the internal conflict of wanting to be this amazing Olympic gymnast, and also just wanting to be a regular teenager, and I feel that sometimes, actually a lot of times. You know, at being a young girl, sometimes I wish I just had the regular college life that doesn’t have a care in the world really, can be a little reckless, and not have as many responsibilities. But then again, I want to be the absolute best actress I can be and do these wonderful projects.

So I feel that a lot, so I completely feel for Kaylie and understand where she’s coming from when she’s having this relationship with Carter behind her father’s back because another element of Kaylie, she’s a people pleaser. She wants everyone to be happy, whether it’s her dad, her boyfriend, her coach, her friends. She literally bends over backwards to please people, and in a lot of ways I can relate to that. I do have a breaking point that comes a lot quicker than Kaylie’s but I do try to make everyone around me happy with my performance, with my performance, whether it be as a student or as an actress. I’m 3,000 miles away from my family, but I try to be the best daughter, sister, aunt I can be. So I feel for Kaylie a lot because I feel like she’s just torn in so many different directions. That’s how, I mean, that's how mostly I relate to her with that internal struggle and just kind of being pulled, and not knowing what she wants a lot of the time.

C. Scerbo:
I really don’t have many similarities with Lauren. I mean, it’s so completely different from my life. In the show, Lauren plays basically an only child. She lives with her dad. She’s daddy’s little girl. Her mom is out of the picture, and you guys, everyone, all the viewers will come to see why, as the show progresses, but her mom is out of the picture. And in my real life, I come from a very large family. I’m a mommy and a daddy’s girl, and it’s just my living situation is so different from the show’s living situation.

And also, you know, obviously Lauren is this huge brat, and I think it really just comes from holding so much inside that when it comes out, she just acts out on impulse, and she doesn’t really – she doesn’t even realize a lot of the times that she’s hurting people. She just is so determined to hide her pain and her anger that she just acts out on these impulses.

I would say the one thing that’s similar between Lauren and I is that we’re very, very driven. There’s never – I can’t really think of one thing that I’ve pursued in my life that I haven’t given literally like my blood, sweat, and tears. Everything I do, I become a perfectionist, and I think Lauren is the same way, although she tends to go to the limit and actually hurt people, and I would never do that. But, yes, there are not many similarities between her and I.

R. Newcomb:
That's probably good. What’s a typical workweek like for you guys? Do you film one episode in a week or what’s the schedule?

J. Loren:
The schedule changes for each of us based on the episode. We film a one-hour episode every seven working days, so it takes a little bit longer than a week. Sometimes we have 12-hour days, 14-, 16-hour days, and then other days, you know, it’s one scene, and we’re out of there. Usually those days are few and far between, but some days we get lucky, and other days we’re just in there forever.

C. Scerbo:
Yes, forever. We get very delirious.

R. Newcomb:
Well, thank you very much. I really enjoyed the first episode.

C. Scerbo:
Thank you so much.

J. Loren:
Thanks.


Moderator:
Our next question comes from the line of Lisa Hiser with Shine On Media.

L. Hiser:
First of all, I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking our call. I guess, first, what kind of training did you have to go through for this show?

J. Loren:
We started working out with a personal trainer about a month before the show, and we did – I think we worked out like every other day, and we did different workouts. A lot of the times we would work out on the beach, in the sand, on Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. Other days we would work out in the gym where we did a lot more gymnastics training, so we would be – we would get a lot more comfortable on the apparatuses. Other times we did workouts in a dance studio, and our trainer would, you know, put up different sections that each of us kind of rotated through, so it was just a series of workouts that were strength workouts, and also workouts that just gave us a lot more knowledge about the gym in general.

L. Hiser:
On the show, each character kind of has a different background, and I know you said you’re kind of different from your characters and the like, but is there another character on the show that you relate more to?

J. Loren:
I actually, when I first read the script, I related a lot more to Payson’s character. I actually was like, oh, that’s so perfect for me. I’m extremely driven. I’m one of those people that, like Cassie said, I see something. I set a goal, and I go for it wholeheartedly. And I’m very, very focused, and very disciplined, diligent with my work, so I don’t know. I relate a lot more to Payson. I’m not Kaylie in the sense that she kind of lets her gymnastics go to the wayside for a boy. Cassie can tell you. I’m like the last boy crazy you’ll ever meet. I’m not a boy crazy girl, and I would never let a boy get in the way of what I want and what I’m going for, so Payson is like that, and that’s why I’ve always just related a lot more to her.

C. Scerbo:
I really, there’s no one character, I think, that I relate to completely, but I think there’s a piece of each character inside of me. I think that’s what’s going to be so important for our viewers is that there’s really something for every single teenage girl, and there’s like every stereotype, every family problem you can think of, and I just, I think I just have a little bit of everyone inside me, and maybe except for Lauren, who I actually have to play, but that’s the best part about it that she’s so opposite, and it’s just really fun, so yes.

L. Hiser:
And the next one is for Cassie. Your character is kind of the mean girl. Are we going to be able to see her maybe take a turn towards the end of the season, or is she always going to stay mean?

C. Scerbo:
You know what, Lauren takes turns throughout the entire season. She a lot of the time just goes back to her mean, this mean mentality and all her brattiness and attitude. And, like I said, it does come from a place of insecurity and disappointment and betrayal and abandonment, and just so many different things. That’s what’s so cool about Lauren is that, as the show prevails, as the show progresses, people are going to see that a lot of her anger and a lot of her impulses come from a place of pain, truly, and she just tries to mask it and always wants to act like she’s perfect and everything is okay. And that's why everything comes out so awful, and she looks so mean. And she is really mean. I’m definitely not making excuses for her. She’s a huge brat, but it’s really cool because she takes tons of unexpected turns, and there is a reason that she is so mean, and that's what’s so cool about her.

And I hope that it shows teenage girls out there that are getting bullied or that have that annoying click in their school, that mean girl click. I hope it shows these girls that maybe those mean girls just have insecurities of their own, and to not let these bratty girls’ insecurities hurt them when they act out impulsively, and that every girl has their own problems and situations. So if it can teach anybody anything, I hope that I can do that for young girls out there.

L. Hiser:
For both of you, you’ve done a lot of work in TV, and you also did movies like, Cassie, you were in Bring It On, and Josie, 17 Again. What’s the biggest difference between filming a TV show and a movie?

J. Loren:
Personally, I enjoyed filming. Obviously I enjoy any project I get to work on, especially films, but it’s been so nice being a series regular just because since I’m Kaylie all day, every day, I don’t have to work as hard when it comes to like an emotional scene or scene work with the other girls, like my relationship with other girls because, after a while, after you’ve played this certain person all day, every day, you just start to believe the circumstances. Where before, if I was on a film, I would have to really work on like emotional triggers to get emotional in a scene, or I’d have to really, really analyze the relationships, which I did all of that with Kaylie, but I did it more in the beginning, and now, as we’re – more in the beginning and the middle, and now as we’re ending, we’re closing the season, it just comes naturally to me.

I don’t have to work so hard in emotional scenes because I just believe my circumstances so much more, and that just comes from being this character so often, so that’s just been something kind of nice that I’ve noticed and I’ve never experienced it before because every project for me has either been a film or a guest starring role. It’s like, wow, this is so much easier when you’re doing it every day.

Kaylie is just, it’s something that I can just snap into. I’m not a lot like Kaylie, but I understand where she is coming from, so it’s a lot easier for me to tap into now, which before was a lot more difficult just because she is very, very different. And also, the fact that we get to bond with the people around us because we’re with them all the time, so when Cassie and I are in a scene today and we’re laughing, we’re not fake laughing. Like we don’t have to work hard to be friends. The friendship that you see on screen is real because we’re together all the time and, fortunately, we all get along so, so well, and that’s just another blessing of being a series regular on a TV show brings to you. Your relationships just become real, and you don’t have to act it or try so hard to achieve that.

C. Scerbo:
Yes. Sorry, guys. No gossip. We actually get along for once, like, in a TV show, especially with four girls. We get along so well, it’s honestly unheard of and such a blessing. And, for me, I would just say, like Josie said, being on the set all day, every day, like, people just call me Lauren now, and I do something like, oh, yes. What’s up? Oh, we’re ready for lunch. You just really become like your character as well.

You’re with these people all day long. You become one big family. You learn each other inside out, and I feel the exact same way. Sometimes I come onto set, and if we have a short scene, I’ll just learn it here in my trailer because all I have to do is learn the words. The emotional placement is already there. I already, you know, have relationships with all these girls, have a special bond with all these girls, and when I’m in a scene, it really, just like Josie said, especially an emotional scene, it’s just, it’s so real because we know each other as people, not just actresses, and we love each other as people, and we understand each other as people, and it makes it so much easier in a scene.

It makes it so much more realistic, and it really does trigger those emotions so much quicker just by being with these people all day, every day, and just knowing them inside out, their families, their situations. It’s just, it’s really beautiful being on set with these people all the time. It makes the job so much easier.

L. Hiser:
I grew up watching Full House, so I’m a huge fan, and I’m really excited that Candice Cameron is back on TV. What was it like getting to work with her?

J. Loren:
I mean, when I heard that we got picked up, I was excited, but I don’t know why I didn’t freak out like the other girls did. But when I heard that Candice Cameron was casted as Summer, I freaked out. That’s when I had my freak out. Like, I grew up watching Full House, watching DJ kiss Steve and oh my, gosh. I lived vicariously through DJ. So being able to work with Candice, well, the first time I saw her, you know, I kind of, I got really, really nervous, and now she’s just – I mean, now she’s a friend. We see her all the time. We know about her and her life, and we’ve met all of her family. They come to set often, and I kind of, you know, I get a little high saying, hey, I’m friends with DJ. That's awesome. Once you got over the fact that, okay, she’s DJ Tanner, she’s just another, you know, working actress who is one of the nicest people I have ever met, with literally like the prettiest family I’ve ever met too, but that’s….

C. Scerbo:
They’re like a Barbie and, like if Barbie and Ken were to have babies, that’s like her family. They’re just amazing.

J. Loren:
For sure.

C. Scerbo:
But for me, when I found out, and then I didn’t know for sure if it was a rumor or not because I found out I was going to have some sort of relationship with her. I really could not believe it either, just like Josie said. That was one of the most exciting things that I’ve heard since we found out about the show. I was literally on cloud nine. I mean, like I remember growing up watching Full House with my sister. Like I still to this day sometimes get like just so weirded out, like I’m sitting next to and acting with DJ Tanner. It’s so weird because, I mean, who didn’t watch Full House, and who doesn’t know? I mean, DJ Tanner is a household name, so it’s just really a blessing, and I respect her and her craft, and she was also a young, working, female actress, you know, so we can learn a lot from her and everything as well.

And she’s just such a great person, and I hate that I have to be so terrible to her, but when we cut, I always give her a big hug, and I’ve also been really lucky and very fortunate, and I’ve been able to have great emotional scenes with her as well. As the season progresses, you guys will be able to see that. We have some great moments and great bonding moments because, you know, she comes into my life because my father wants to marry her. She’s going to be my soon to be step-mom. So basically it’s just, it’s been really fun and really great, and what a coincidence that we’re Tanners, and everyone knew of her as DJ Tanner. It’s just, it’s so funny, and my dad in the show, his name is Steve, and her boyfriend forever was Steve, so it’s just really funny, and it’s been an amazing experience already, and I can’t wait for hopefully the up and coming season.

J. Loren:
I have to say that when I got casted in the pilot, and then the pilot was picked up for ten episodes, my little brother was like, oh, you know, congratulations, Jo. It was like a pat on the back. That’s great. When I found out that DJ, well, that Candice was cast, he was the first person I called, and he was just like, oh my, God, Josie. You have arrived. You are seriously now famous. Like, you know, that's how big it was for us, so it’s really a treat to have her on set.

C. Scerbo:
Yes, I agree.

L. Hiser:
All right. The last question is, what kind of acting advice would you give for young girls that want to aspire to be like you?

J. Loren:
I guess, I mean, I don’t know. I just started in theater, so I get that question all the time. Yes, you can, I guess, look for an agent or whatever, but I think it’s about just kind of doing as much of it as you can, whether it’s a school play or reading plays or taking voice lessons and dance lessons and there’s acting classes that you can enroll in and summer camps. Just do it as much as possible, and then you’ll find your niche, whether it’s theater, whether it’s TV, whether it’s film, comedy, drama. And then things, I think things kind of fall into place for you if it’s really meant for you to do this.

But as a kid, I mean, like I said, I started off doing monolog competitions and kind of fell in love with it from there. And every opportunity that I had, whether it was like, I mean, I was in musical theater, touring companies, and in local theaters. I didn’t have an agent when I was young. I didn’t get an agent until three years ago when I came out to LA three and a half years ago. So I just kind of took every opportunity that I could get and did as much of it as possible to get better and better. And if you love it, you continue to do it, and things fall into place.

C. Scerbo:
My number one quote, it’s something I’ve always said, and I’m actually going to be having an organization, a nonprofit organization named after it is nothing’s impossible, so if you – you know, you can do whatever you dream of, but just like Josie said, you have to be willing to give it your all, you know, blood, sweat, and tears. You have to be willing to, you know, never stop learning, never stop reading, and never stop taking classes. And I don’t know. You have to be very passionate about it. I’m a big believer in being passionate about everything you do.

My favorite acting quote is acting is half shame, half glory. Shame for exhibiting yourself, and glory when you finally forget yourself. Being an actress, I’ve learned that the hardest, yet easiest thing is just being able to let go. It seems so easy, but it’s actually the hardest thing, and if you really just want to become a character, you have to let go of everything and be able to face up to your own fears and really just let go and forget yourself, and that’s basically what I do what I do. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.

And for those true aspiring actors out there, all I have to say is just strive for that feeling and that moment when you completely forget yourself, and you’re just so in the moment, and everything else in your life is just gone, and it has just disappeared, and you’re just in that moment because it’s the best feeling in the world. And if you’ve experienced that, then I’m sure you understand, and don’t give up on what you’re doing, and keep going because it’s not easy, and you have to be willing to take rejection and take the haters and take just all the nonsense, and just throw it to the side and stand above it, and take anything that's thrown in your face every day.

I’ve actually had an agent since I was ten, but I didn’t get to come out here to Los Angeles until about four years ago, and I didn’t get to move here until two years ago. Like I literally had begged my parents forever. That's how passionate I was about it. But just from doing it since I was little, you have to really be able to take that rejection and be able to just take it, and use it, and grow from it. And I guess I would have to wrap. I can go on forever when it comes to acting, but that would have to wrap up my speech, just to be passionate about what you’re doing and nothing is impossible. So if it’s something that you really love, then keep going, and don’t give up on it.

L. Hiser:
Thank you so much.

J. Loren:
Thank you.


C. Fehskens:
Ladies and gentlemen, that is all the time that we have for today. I’d like to once again thank Josie and Cassie for being with us. Again, transcripts of today’s call will be distributed within 48 hours, which I will pass along to everyone, so please look out for those. And, of course, remember to turn into ABC Family’s new original series, Make It or Break It, airing Monday’s at 9:00/8:00 central on ABC Family. Have a great day, everyone.

J. Loren:
Thank you.

Moderator:
Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, that does conclude our conference for today. Thank you for your participation and for using AT&T Executive Teleconference.

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Take center stage at your next gathering or event with this delicious savory side salad from “Flavors of America” TV Chef Jim Coleman and Chef’sChoice.

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Coleman’s Spicy Egg & Potato Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups medium diced (scrubbed or peeled) new potatoes, approx. 1/3 pound
7 jumbo large eggs, fully cooked
½ cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot
1 large jalapeno pepper (or favorite “hot-pepper”) finely minced
1 Tbsp. green onions finely chopped
2 tsp. rice wine vinegar
¼ tsp. kosher salt, or to taste
¼ tsp. each of white, black and red pepper, or to taste


For Potatoes:

In large saucepan, over high heat, bring enough salted water to cover the potatoes to a boil. Add potatoes and reduce heat, simmering 10-15 minutes (maybe more or less depending on the size you cut the potatoes) or until tender. Drain the potatoes and let cool to room temperature.


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Peel eggs and coarsely chop them to approximately the same size as the potatoes. (The key to this dish is properly cooked eggs to the correct doneness. Be careful not to overcook the eggs).In a medium to large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, shallots, hot pepper, rice wine vinegar, salt and trio of pepper. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours (longer is fine as well) to allow the flavors to “infuse”.


An hour before serving, remove salad from refrigerator and gently fold in eggs, potatoes and green onions, lightly mixing until well combined. Serves 6.


For fuss-free perfect eggs, try the Chef’sChoice® International Gourmet Egg Cooker Model 810. It automatically prepares up to 7 eggs. Eggs in the same batch can be combined to cook some soft, others medium or hard boiled! Features include brushed stainless and easy clean design, electronic timer with audible ready signal, convenient lift-out egg tray, poacher and large water reservoir for multiple cooking cycles. MSRP $39.99.

Coleman Background: Philadelphia-based Chef Jim Coleman hosts “A Chef’s Table,” a live weekly radio show broadcast on WHYY 91 FM and throughout the country over National Public Radio. Coleman’s “Flavors of America” show airs in 50 million homes across the country. He currently holds the position of executive chef at Blue Bell Country Club and Normandy Farm in Blue Bell, PA. Previously, he was executive chef of the AAA Five-Diamond Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia where he won many accolades. Coleman has also published three cookbooks: “Flavors with Jim Coleman,” “Flavors of America” and “The Rittenhouse Cookbook.”

Chef’sChoice® Background: Headquartered in Avondale, PA, Edgecraft Corporation markets in 50 countries around the world under the Chef’s Choice® brand and manufactures high-quality electric and manual knife sharpeners, cutlery, food slicers, waffle makers and mixes and hot beverage products as well as the gourmet egg cooker and an electric food grinder.

The economy has everyone down, but don’t let it affect your summer reading material!

In the sun, the shade, on a plane, or during a staycation, BookSwim, the Netflix for books, has put together a one month free Summer Reading Stimulus Plan that will allow everyone to read more this year.

In the chance you’re working on any summer stories, thought this might work as an item whether it focuses on savings (why buy new bestsellers/textbooks when there are far cheaper alternatives), or a fun Summer-specific item for literary hounds, beach-goers and families—depending on the issue you’re working on.


“Swimmers” can enter the code “SUMMER09” at checkout for one month free as part of a three month summer subscription to BookSwim. Full details: http://www.bookswim.com/summerreading

It's the celebrities' and fashionistas' closely guarded summer secret-how to look cool on the outside when the temperature hits triple digits. For years Kleinert's® -- the premier source of sweat-proof products for everyday use since 1869 - has been keeping the elite looking breezy and carefree.

Kleinert's® has long been catering to the entertainment industry, lining its costumes and fitting actors and actresses with dress shields that help them to appear confident and glamorous. Today, although the technology has advanced, the best secrets of Hollywood are still keeping starlets and handsome heartthrobs seemingly cool under the heated movie lights on camera and the summer sun off camera.

"Over the decades, Kleinert's® has used its experience in the industry and the technology of the day to provide those who rely on appearances the most with the best perspiration shields on the market," said Michael Brier, Chief Executive Officer, Kleinert's®. "With the summer season upon us, we're excited to affordably share our industry secrets with those who love their summer fashions and activities, but despise the frequent dry-cleaning that keep fun styles looking fresh."

Whether it's a casual lunch at the beach with friends or a midsummer's night cocktail party in humid weather, Kleinert's® products such as disposable underarm shields and clothing accessories treated with Fabrapel® --a sweat and stain resistant treatment that eliminates heat and odors even with cotton-- keep sweat from wetting through expensive summer looks. Everyday fashionistas no longer have to sweat the small stuff and can enjoy the summer feeling as cool as the fashions they wear.

Kleinert's® products are removable/disposable or are sewn into garments providing a dependable but breathable barrier of protection between perspiration and expensive summer fashions that can ruin them. Aside from disposable shields which can be conveniently and discreetly adhered to any fabric including silk, Kleinert's® provides creative ways to securely wear shields without hassle. For women, a variety of valara tops with built-in washable shields are worn over the bodice and secured around the torso working well with v-neck tops and youthful dresses. For a more discreet look, Kleinert's® Ready Shields with snaps and links work with adjustable straps that easily slip around the front and back of any bra strap.

For a quick transition from hot days to mild nights, women can throw a light sweater onto a breezy Fabrapel®-treated camisole or where the camisole as a short top with some belly-bearing jeans. Simple Kleinert's® women's t-shirts and tops are also flattering and fashionable with scoop neck and v-neck styles coming in a variety of colors with or without sewn-in shields.

For men, Kleinert's® provides disposable underarm shields and a variety of undershirt garments with built-in and washable shields that can be worn subtlety under any dress shirt or polo. Kleinert's® is also growing its line of polo and casual shirts that come in a variety of designs. Select styles are easy to care for with wrinkle-resistant material and enlarged underarm shields that prevent wet-through, stains and odor all day long.

Kleinert's® cool Starter Kits for men and women -with several products --are available to explore which solution works best for the individual.

Providing another level of comfort, Kleinert's® also developed Dry Soles® shoe inserts, eliminating squishy feet in the summer sun when gladiator sandals, flip-flops and the latest in open-toe apparel come out in full force. Dry Soles® use a non-woven fabric that absorbs moisture and channels it away from feet where it dissipates quickly so there's no fashion faux pas of slipping out of the latest summer shoes.

All Kleinert's® products can be found at www.kleinertsshields.com.

About Kleinert's®
Now Located in Elba, Alabama, Kleinert's® was founded by Isaak B. Kleinert in 1869. Since its inception, Kleinert's® was a creative force developing many products still in common use today including the shower cap, the shower curtain, the garment shield and the baby pant. Today, Kleinert's® is an international brand built on products that are known for its quality. The company continues to be innovative in developing and improving on designs and concepts that are beneficial in multiple environments. Select Kleinert's® sweat-proof and sweat-resistant products can also found in departments stories, lingerie boutiques and pharmacies, but the full line is available at www.kleinertsshields.com and athletic wear is available at www.drydefense.com.