Category: Fun

Beyond being a mom twice over, it’s literally my job to test baby items (I do so year-round as part of PureWow’s Happy Kid Awards). That said, when people started asking me for a baby registry when I was pregnant with my son, I wasn’t sure what to list. I planned on reusing a lot of the big-ticket baby items (the swing, crib, high chair, etc.), but there were some things I used the first time around that I didn’t love—or particularly like. And, as I soon learned when my son was born, things that my daughter loved that he didn’t.

So, what kinds of gifts can you give a second-time mom? What will she really like? I polled other parents and scoured what I’ve loved to compile this list—both for you and for reference when I need a gift for an expecting parent in my life (because no matter how much I swear I’ll remember that lifesaver or game-changing gadget…it always seems to slip my mind when the baby shower or birthday invite arrives).

What Makes a Great Gift for a Second-Time Mom:

• It simplifies her busier-than-ever, sleep-deprived life. Acts of service (like a meal delivery or cleaning service, or even a visit to hold the baby while they shower) are everything, and they are never forgotten! Trust.
• It’s a splurge she wouldn’t spring for normally. There are those gorgeous swaddles you dream of…and then there are the ones you’ll get by with. Most moms choose the latter, especially when facing a mountain of other expenses.
• It’s a treat for her personally. Little luxuries go a long way, especially when you’re in the phase of your life when a shower feels like a G-I-F-T.

The Best Gifts for Second-Time Moms:

1. Quince Lightweight Cotton Cashmere Nursing Shawl

Sometimes you want a little privacy if you have to nurse in public. Or you just need a shade to tuck your baby under when the outside world is overstimulating. Or the plane/movie theater/etc is chilly. Whatever the reason, this chic wrap provides some warmth and breathability, and it’s ludicrously soft, doubling as a baby blanket when you need it. Plus, it’s less than half the price of similar styles.

(That said, if the mom you’re shopping for has said she’s not going to nurse this time around, then please respect her wishes and find something else on this list!)

2. Frida Mom Pregnancy Skincare Kit

Dryness, chafing, swelling, itchiness—pregnancy wreaks havoc on your skin. This four-piece set covers it all, and while I didn’t use the chafing stick so often, I became obsessed with the in-shower lotion (a body wash that TRULY moisturizes?! Yes, please), stretch prep balm (sweet relief for an itchy, achy, ever-expanding belly) and—in the third trimester in particular—leg and foot swell spray.

3. A DoorDash or Uber Eats Gift Card

Give the fam the gift of not having to cook one night—and still enjoy their favorite meal. I’ve tried several meal kits and delivery services, and across the board, DoorDash and Uber Eats were the most reliable and low-lift. (Seamless had multiple gift card issues, unfortunately, which took several calls to customer service to resolve. And as much as I love Blue Apron and Hello Fresh, finding 30 minutes or more to cook can be tough those first few weeks.)

4. Late-Night Changing Dream Team: Magnetic Me Coverall + Hypo3 Diaper Spray

Make those 3 a.m. diaper changes—or diaper changes any time of day, really—ten times better with this duo. You’ll have to buy them separately, but oh, how they’re worth it. First, a stretchy outfit that’s easy to get on and off, especially thanks to its magnetic closures (!!), so you can dress bebe when you’re still half asleep.

Second, a diaper spray that relieves rashes before they get out of control, without swiping on gobs of Desitin. No mess, and babies don’t seem to mind the spritz at all.

5. SpaFinder Gift Card

Yes, yes, another gift card on the list. But right now, most parents are swimming in kids’ stuff—not to mention things to do—so an experiential treat can be even more valuable. A few moms told me how touched they were to receive a gift card for a facial or massage (or even couples’ massage), along with an offer to watch the baby while said mom enjoys the service. Who wouldn’t love that?!

If you’re not sure where to start, SpaFinder curates a ton of spa deals, so you could get a gift card and let them choose the service or place near them they’d prefer.

6. Pixi DetoxifEYE Depuffing Hydrogel Under-Eye Patches

As an eye cream addict, I’ve tried so many varieties, from $5 drugstore buys to $50 splurges, but nothing refreshes tired, achy eyes quite like these gel-like Pixi under-eye patches. Put them on for 15 minutes, and even a sleepless night feels a bit more bearable. (Plus, the cooling, soothing quality seems to last much longer than anything else I’ve tried.)

7. Case-Mate Gold Metal Phone Chain

Fact: When you’re a parent, you constantly have your hands full—and you’re always looking for your phone. This chain turns your phone into a wrist bracelet, so you have it within easy reach—and it looks glam in the process. (There’s also a gorgeous Kate Spade version, if you want to splurge a bit.)

8. LouLou Lollipop Hometown Swaddle

You know that luxuriously soft swaddle she was eyeing but went the practical route and bought three stiffer-yet-perfectly-fine blankets last time around? This time, spring for the fancy, cozy number that she refused to treat herself to. She’s got the basics covered. Aden + Anais makes some beautiful and wonderfully soft designs, as does LouLou Lollipop. Choosing a style that nods to her interests or hometown (or current town) is a nice bonus too.

9. Love & Fit SoftLuxe Stay Put Leggings

For the first six weeks, she’ll probably live in joggers and loose pants. Later, leggings will be key. These are the softest pair I’ve ever tried, yet the performance fabric is thick enough to still provide compression and smoothness, so you don’t feel half-naked running errands in them. But the best part by far is the combo of deep pockets (which can hold my brick-sized cell phone) and silicone grips at the waistband that keeps these leggings from slipping down, no matter how much bending and running around you’re doing. And, thankfully, the grips aren’t noticeable as you wear them—I worried they’d dig in or feel rubbery, but that hasn’t been the case.

10. Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler

If she doesn’t already have this, spring for it. I know, I know—it’s the much-hyped tumbler everyone raves about these days, but they do so for good reason: It keeps drinks ice cold all day (or night), holds 40 ounces of water and has a smooth matte grip. As someone who could never commit to a water bottle—and was prone to postpartum headaches from not drinking enough water—this was a gamechanger.

Does Yeti work just as well? I’ve tested both, and I’ll be honest: yes, it does. You can’t go wrong with either option, though Stanley has a lot of fun accessories to customize your cup, like straw caps (that look like mini Stanleys!), holster purses and boot covers.

Some people love working out; I am not one of them. When it comes to cardio or anything HIIT-related, I need to be tricked into exercising. That’s how I got into Pound back in 2014. The cardio drumming workouts made you focus on keeping the beat, so you didn’t notice how many squats or lunges you were doing to hit each note; it was more like an interactive concert than an exercise routine.

I practically memorized every routine in the DVD system, and since there weren’t any IRL classes offered near me at the time, in 2020 I went through training to become an instructor, or Pound Pro, simply to subscribe to The Label and access new songs and routines. Then Backstage—Pound’s set of virtual classes—hit my radar, and during a 50 percent off promotion, I signed up. So, was it worth it? Here’s my honest take, after 9 months of use.

What Is Pound Backstage?

They’re on-demand cardio drumming classes, ranging from 3 1/2 minutes to 46ish minutes, with videos targeting different areas or needs: toning, cardio, upper body, lower body or core, as well as family friendly videos you can do with your kids.

You’ll need a set of Ripstix, the brand’s cardio drumsticks (which are made of a durable plastic and weigh a 1/4 pound each), though you could get away with using regular drumsticks or even trimmed-down pool noodles. (I’ve seen teachers use the latter to teach kids, so if they accidentally hit themselves or another student, no one’s harmed.)

How Much Does Pound Backstage Cost?

There’s a 14-day free trial, and after that, it’s $13 per month.

How Does it Differ from Taking Pound Classes in-Person or in a Live, Virtual Setting?

Since the videos are pre-recorded, an instructor can’t help you perfect your form, and they’re set to generic music, instead of major pop/rock songs, like you tend to hear in class.

Plus, there are only 12 classes offered that are 30 minutes long or longer, so your options for a full-length class are more limited, unless you mix and match shorter videos.

The Pros of Subscribing to Pound Backstage:

• It’s way more affordable than most online or IRL workouts
• It’s great for time-starved people to sneak in a little exercise here and there
• No major equipment is needed (just those $22 Ripstix)
• The workouts are entertaining and easy to follow

The Cons*:

• The generic-sounding music isn’t as engaging as drumming to your favorite song
• It seems like less than 5 new videos are added each month. If you like variety and hate replaying a workout, you’ll run out of options fast
• Many videos are under 10 minutes (that said, there are 84 videos in the library as of Sept. 7, so you can definitely mix and match a bunch)

*While listing the cons, I have to remind myself of a few things: First, it makes sense they wouldn’t upload a ton of content and full-length workouts here, because they don’t want to offer a product that cannibalizes their instructors’ work. Pound Pros are essentially small business owners, so releasing on-demand workouts that eliminate the need to take the pros’ local classes or virtual ones would be a slap in the face to them. Second, offering pop music would mean incurring licensing fees, which would increase the cost of Backstage, so it makes sense they avoid it.

The Verdict: Is Pound a Good Workout?

Yes—it’s a fun, engaging workout, and after all those squats, you’ll feel the burn the next day. While some estimates say you can burn between 500 and 900 calories during 45 minutes of cardio drumming, I’ve found that I’m often lazy and just stick to a 20-minute workout, rather than string together multiple videos to hit that 45-minute mark.

I’d renew if I found another annual membership discount; I’m not sure I’d pay $13 per month when my subscription ends in January, simply because the videos aren’t updated frequently enough to justify the cost. I may stick to Y7 online and the occasional Zoom Pound class going forward.

If you’re interested in trying it out, you can sign up for Pound Backstage here.

Images: Pound/YouTube/Amazon

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You know Barbiemania has officially taken over the world when stores as diverse as Bloomingdale’s, Hot Topic and Hollister are all debuting Barbie the Movie-themed merch. The movie doesn’t hit theaters until July 21, but the marketing machine is in full force, with product extensions truly everywhere. There’s even a weeklong set of deals on Amazon, running alongside Amazon Prime Day (July 11 and 12, in case you’re curious), dubbed “Barbie’s Best Week Ever.”

So if you’re thinking of adding a little Barbara Millicent Roberts energy (or Kenergy) into your life this summer, we’ve got your back. Here’s the coolest merch we’ve seen.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which help fund the operation of the site.

1. Glasshouse Fragrances Barbie Dreamhouse Candle

This candle will remind you of strawberry-scented dolls from your childhood. It’s peak nostalgia without an overpowering scent; there are hints of strawberry, elderberry, brown sugar and crushed mint, along with a subtle “plastic doll accord”—which, yes, sounds totally weird, but is actually the key to nailing that newly unboxed Barbie scent. With an 80-hour burn time and that fun glass jar, the price tag is a *smidge* easier to swallow. $55 at Bloomingdale’s

2. Barbie x Impala Lightspeed Inline Skates

Barbiecore went full throttle after photos emerged of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling on set in their neon rollerblading gear. Now, you can steal their look—or at least their mode of transportation—thanks to Mattel’s collaboration with Impala Skates. $190 at Zappos

3. Barbie 8-Foot Surfboard by Wavestorm

Ideal for surfing beginners, this board is lightweight (11.5 pounds), thanks to its foam core, though it’s still pretty sturdy, due to a triple-stringer system that basically acts like a spine for the board, running through the center of it. Right now, you can save $39 on it—and have it arrive in no time, since it’s available via Amazon Prime. $260 at Amazon

4. Barbie the Movie x Aqua Checked Cropped Blazer and Bustier Mini Dress

It’s a sleeker riff on Barbie’s pink and white checkered dress from the trailer, and well, it’s just fun. $118 at Bloomingdale’s

5. Cakeworthy Barbie Box Passport Holder

A passport holder that looks just like the Barbie box? The only thing better is Cakeworthy’s Barbie Box purse, which is—sadly—sold out. $25 at Cakeworthy

6. OPI x Barbie Nail Polish Collection

For a more subtle take on the trend, you can snag Barbie’s manicure. OPI’s latest collection features nine shades, ranging from a ballet slipper pink to a bold fuchsia. $11 at Amazon

7. Aldo x Barbie Stiletto Sandals

These four-inch strappy stilettos are selling out lightning-fast, and for good reason: Have you seen anything like them lately? They remind me of every pair of custom heels Elle Woods wore in Legally Blonde 2, which basically became a focal point of the sequel. $140 at Macy’s

8. “Welcome to Barbie Land” T-Shirt

Sometimes you just want to be comfy. This shirt is it. $23 at Amazon

You’ve seen the Instagrams featuring half-pound, chocolate-studded cookies. You’ve heard of people waiting up to 11 hours in the virtual queue at Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs, just for a taste of those sweets, then shelling out $6 per treat. And that these treats are in such high demand the company has to limit sales to seven cookies per person (which is still 3+ pounds of dessert, BTW). Could it possibly be worth the hype?! Yes, friends, it is. At least in our books.

Here’s some of the backstory—and little-known facts—gleaned from articles, podcasts and other interviews, revealing facts about Gideon’s Bakehouse that even some diehard fans don’t know.

1. Gideon’s Bakehouse is based on a book the owner, Steve Lewis, found.

It’s a common question: “Who’s Gideon? What’s the story behind Gideon’s Bakehouse?” Gideon is a name scrawled in a cookbook founder Steve Lewis unearthed while collecting antiques. The book was from 1898, and Gideon seemed to be a kid very interested in baking.

“I hunted for proof of Gideon’s name associated with bakeries in the late 1800s to early 1900s with no success,” Lewis told the Disney Food Blog. “I’d like to think he followed his dream, and I certainly think he’d be proud of what we’ve done in his name because it’s done with love and good intentions.”

2. That cookie recipe is 15 years in the making.

And it takes an entire day to make. Nobody on staff knows the exact recipe, save for Lewis himself.

3. The Disney Springs store can churn out 7,000 cookies a day.

Which may seem like a lot, until you factor in the foot traffic for that area—and the fact that there’s typically at least an hour wait before getting a cookie. Hence why Gideon’s has a seven-cookies-per-person limit.

Of course, that naturally begs the question:

What Is Steve Lewis’s Net Worth? Or: What’s the Net Worth of Gideon’s Bakehouse?

Turns out, that’s a main query that brings people here. Considering the cookies cost $6 each, and if they’re making 7,000 a day, that’s up to $42,000 in daily cookie sales alone, not counting the sale of cake slices, coffee, merch and other products. That’s $15.33 million a year in cookies alone! But that assumes zero food waste, and it doesn’t account for the cost of having 180 employees, rent (especially on Disney property!) and other expenses, not to mention inflation’s impact on said expenses (like eggs). Since net worth is determined by someone’s total assets and liabilities, I wouldn’t trust anyone who gives you a hard figure here, unless it comes from Lewis or Gideon’s Bakehouse directly. There are just too many unknowns.

To that end, Lewis has been very open that his margins are low, and he doesn’t consider money to be an indicator of success, so he hasn’t been pushing to rake in cash. (If he were, he’d probably be obsessed with scaling as fast as possible and licensing out his IP—two things we haven’t seen him do.)

4. Look closely inside the Disney Springs Bakehouse, and you’ll find a rare gem from the Haunted Mansion.

Look up at the chandelier—it’s an actual prop from the famous Magic Kingdom ride. (And no, we’re not pulling your leg; Lewis confirmed it during an interview for the Second Act Stories podcast.)

5. A famous illustrator inspired the bakery’s design.

A lot of people say Gideon’s Bakehouse reminds them of something out of Harry Potter—or straight from Tim Burton’s mind—but Lewis often cites another source as his inspiration: writer and illustrator Edward Gorey.

6. There’s a reason you can’t buy iced coffee at the East End Market store.

Lewis spent years perfecting his peanut butter cold brew, but he doesn’t sell it at the East End Market store out of respect for fellow Market shop Lineage Roasters. (Lineage roasts the beans that are in his cold brew, BTW.) Lewis is passionate about supporting other independent brands and has said he doesn’t want to take business away from them.

7. All of the books in the East End Market store are actual antique books.

Many sourced from Lewis’s home. That’s partially because the concept is so intrinsically him; it’s also because he founded the company with $800 and shopped his place to help create the aesthetic.

8. The average wait time to go inside the Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs is 5 hours.

Thankfully, there’s a virtual queue—where you give the attendant your phone number, and they text you when it’s nearly time to go inside—so you don’t have to wait in a physical line all that time. (Times do vary, though; this average comes from the June 1, 2022 Second Act Stories interview. When I was last there on a Sunday evening in July, the estimated wait was 90 minutes, but they texted me just shy of an hour.)

9. Gideon’s Bakehouse started as a one-month-long pop-up bakery.

Lewis took a hiatus from his job to bake cookies at East End Market as part of a temporary pop-up. He enjoyed it so much—and people went so wild for his treats—that he turned it into his full-time gig.

10. The cookies’ giant size happened almost by accident.

Initially, Lewis wasn’t in the business of making massive, half-pound cookies. He’d been running his pop-up bakery when a local TV station invited him on for a segment. “I made them bigger, thinking they would look better on TV. I then realized it would be false advertising if they were smaller cookies for the pop-up, which launched the almost 1/2 pound cookie I sell today,” he told Perfecting the Magic. The rest, as they say, is history.

11. All those calorie counts you’re seeing online are, well, anyone’s guess.

As soon as people take in these gigantic cookies, they immediately ask, “so, how many calories are in a Gideon’s Bakehouse cookie?” Estimates range from 400 to 951 calories per cookie, but those are often based on user-submitted data to nutrition-tracking apps or on copycat recipes (which Lewis has said he’s checkout out but hasn’t found a copycat recipe that’s a spot-on match for his ingredients and process).

So take it with a grain of (Maldon sea) salt—they’re, at best, guesses. Restaurants only have to list calorie counts if they have more than 20 locations, according to the FDA, so Gideon’s Bakehouse is exempt from providing this info.

Does that calorie range seem accurate? Well, given that a 5.5-ounce Crumbl chocolate chip cookie clocks in at 720 calories and doesn’t seem quite as decadent, the 750- to 900-calorie range for Gideon’s seems fair, but again, it’s just a guess. If you’re indulging in Gideon’s, maybe give yourself a break from calorie-counting, so you can savor the treat?

12. The latest permanent menu item is based on one of Steve Lewis’s earliest baking memories.

Praise be, the Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookie is no longer a limited-edition find! And, as Lewis recently told WDW Radio, it’s inspired by one of his first forays into baking as a kid, where he took a box banana bread mix and added chocolate chips to it, reveling in his creation. Relatable.

This article originally ran on July 4, 2022. It has since been updated with additional information to reflect changing prices and menu information, as well as answer some of your biggest queries about the brand.