Next week, GILT Baby & Kids is hosting a few fab sales worth checking out. You’ll find loads of chic toys, accessories, shoes and clothing from Sunuva Kids Beachwear (5/20), Puma Kids (5/21), Fila Kids (5/21), Design History (5/22), Amelia Kids (5/23),   and more!

Our picks: The Design History Striped Cardigan (now $28, originally $48) and the exclusive Hatch Collection Hatch to Hospital (now $198, originally $248), which includes a comfy robe, tee, socks and underwear for new moms.

Not a member of Gilt? Use our exclusive link to sign up.

Courtesy Carter’s

Carter’s Do you think you’re doing a great job as a mom? Then make sure to enter Carter’s new 100,000 Ways to Celebrate Moms sweepstakes for a chance to win $100,000 and a $5,000 Carter’s gift card.

Just visit facebook.com/carters, upload a photo and tell them why you love being a mom. You have until June 3rd to enter. And make sure to visit their Facebook page daily for chances to win instant prizes.

Courtesy Giggle

Giggle They’ve asked some of the industry’s best designers to create the ultimate mid-century modern nursery — and they need YOU to help them pick a winner!

Pin your favorite styles from the finalists, design your dream nursery around the collection, and share your Pinterest board with them. Plus, don’t forget to cast your official vote at RedClayDesign.com/giggle. The winning designs will debut in 2014. And one lucky winner will walk away with a $1,000 giggle gift card!

Courtesy Hudson Bleecker

Hudson Bleecker Mother’s Day may be over, but that doesn’t mean that special lady in your life doesn’t still deserve something special. The company’s chic travel and accessories are perfect. And right now, they’re giving our readers an exclusive discount. When you enter code: MOTHERSDAY20, you’ll receive 20 percent off.

Courtesy Lalalounger

Lalalounger This unique children’s lounger starts out as a comfy resting place for your infant and then eventually transforms into a cushion for older kids to rest. Talk about functional! Plus it’s available in loads of fun prints. Get 10 percent off any order over $75 when you enter PEOPLELALA at checkout.

Courtesy Little Skye Boutique

Little Skye Boutique This full service online children’s clothing boutique is hosting their “Summer Savings Event” with up to 20 percent off a vast array of designers including Joah Love, Lemon Loves Lime, Little Wings among others. Now is your time to stock up on the latest summer fashions.

Courtesy The Mini Social

The Mini Social Here’s what’s coming up on this private sale site:

5/20 — Rock Me USA and Olli & Lime, 5/21 — Civil Society and Funkyberry, 5/22: Mademoiselle A Soho and Lazoo, 5/23 — Little Lark and Urban Infant

Courtesy Patemm

Patemm We’re big fans of their stylish (and handy!) changing mats, so we were happy to hear they’ve launched a new collection for parents including an iPad Soft cover ($40), perfect pouch ($24), pitaka purse ($18) and multi-purpose pouch ($22).

Courtesy Svan

Svan Until May 29, enter for your chance to win an exclusive Signet Complete Chair, which was featured on Ellen‘s Mother’s Day show, in their sweepstakes. Go to facebook.com/svanofsweden to enter.

Courtesy Tiny Tags

Tiny Tags  We love this company’s personalized mommy jewelry (we have the 2 Tag Initial Necklace!) — it’s a great way to show love for your little ones. Currently, they’re giving Moms & Babies readers an exclusive discount. When you enter code: TT0513, you’ll receive 10 percent off your order.

Courtesy Zulily

Zulily  With over 10 million members, this daily deals site continues to feature the most coveted brands for moms, babies and kids. Not yet a member? It’s free and signing up is fast and easy. Once you’re a member, you’ll be the first to know about the site’s amazing offerings.

Here’s what’s coming up this week: 5/19 — Kids Swimwear Blowout, Sun Kissed Maternity and Kathe Kruse Toys, 5/20 — Lele for Kids, 5/21 — Hello Kitty Gear, Volcom and Rocket Dog, 5/22 — Trumpette, 5/23 — Birkenstock, 5/24 — O’Neil Boys and Youngland, 5/25 — Wrapper and Star Vixen

The actress — mom to son Ronan, 2½, and daughter Gemma, 10, with  Adam Beason – stars on Army Wives.

Bell, 44, can also be found online on Facebook and @reallycb on Twitter. 

In her latest blog, the actress fills us in on what she’s been up to since she last wrote in 2011.

Courtesy Catherine Bell

Wow what a whirlwind it’s been since we last chatted! Let’s see … Where do I start??

Ronan is now 2½! Not a baby anymore. And Gemma just turned 10 (and she has turned out to be the BEST big sister ever — such a help).

(Forehead initials so you can tell them apart!)

Courtesy Catherine Bell

I just wrapped season 7 of Army Wives! And this last season I moved back to Los Angeles so I was commuting … Whew! It actually wasn’t too bad. I got used to the miles and time changes and because of the new cast members (and needing time to tell their stories and introduce then to the audience), I somehow managed to have a fair amount of time at home doing what I love to do the most: be a mommy!

The kids are happy and well and already used to L.A. My social butterfly Gemma had made a ton of new friends (she was never shy, unlike her momma who was VERY shy as a child, though fortunately I outgrew that!).

Ronan is also very outgoing and talkative. He always has a story to tell. Usually about superheroes or swords. He’s all boy! But with a super-sweet cuddly inside. His new thing is to come running up to me, make me put down anything I’m holding, push my arms out of the way and then — when everything is right — he wraps his arms around my thigh and just holds me in a bear hug for a full minute! Ahhhhh best thing ever!

Courtesy Catherine Bell

It’s been a bit of a juggle between getting used to being back in L.A. and traveling back and forth cross country so much. But somehow it all works out. They’re troopers! And of course they have Dad and grandparents while I’m away.

And when I’m home we make up for lost time. In a big way! Gymnastics and learning to ride bikes and cooking and cleaning (that’s a constant work in progress but sometimes they get really into it). And all the usual little moments that are so special — and you realize it even more when you’re away — bath time, story time (that’s when Ronan likes me to make up silly robot, dinosaur, Spider-Man stories, plus it’s Gemma’s favorite time to tell me about her day, her dreams, her fears, her crush). so beautiful. All of it.

And now I’ve been in Vancouver for a few days doing a few episodes of TNTs new show King and Maxwell. Fun tough sassy character! And then back home for more mommy-ness. And getting ready to move to a new house — but that’s not until next month! Plenty of time! Keeps it interesting, that’s for sure

Courtesy Catherine Bell

Okay, more soon!

XOXO,
– Catherine Bell

Wearing white linen, the Billboard Music Awards host, 44, and Wollover, 26, enjoyed opening gifts brought by their guests.  Already father to three sons, “I am over the moon excited and just want a happy and healthy baby and a safe delivery for Megan,” Morgan told  PEOPLE in January.

Dennis Samatulski

Dennis Samatulski

Dennis Samatulski

• Rachel Zoe: My husband and I are not above diaper duty — SheKnows
• PHOTO: A life-size Barbie dream house opens its doors in Berlin — ABC News
• Mom stirs up controversy when she pulls out a potty for her training toddler — Gothamist
• Adorable ways to make snack time fun for the whole family — The Stir
• After her daughter was abducted, a woman crashes her car into suspect’s vehicle — HuffPost Crime

Who: Kim Kardashian

Where/When: Filming reality series in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday

Diagnosis: Swollen pregnant feet in dire need of comfortable flats. We get that the mom-to-be is committed to high fashion, but wearing too-tight shoes — in this case Givenchy’s Albertina Podium Heels — can never be a good thing, especially when your feet have the tendency to swell up (um, third trimester, anyone?).

And yes, a lot of stars wear pumps while expecting, but when it starts to feel like you’re stuffing sausages into casings, it’s time to break out the less sky-high and more roomier options.

Prognosis: Kim, we actually love your Givenchy White Open Sleeve Midi dress with its cool cape-like sleeves. But it would have been nice if you wore it with chic flat sandals — the less straps, the better — so your feet could breathe a little during these last few months. Seriously, they are doing the bulk of the work right now. And do we have to remind you of what they suffered just a couple weeks ago? In the future, make a mental note of the photo you posted on Instagram May 4 (below) whenever you’re putting together outfits.

TELL US: Would you wear feet-cinching heels and flats while pregnant? Or, how would you fix Kim’s footwear problem?

-Shanelle Rein-Olowokere

Courtesy Kim Kardashian

• Today’s generation of girls and boys are being raised in gender-neutral environments — CNN
• How one company is using a furry friend to show off the latest kiddie fashions — Mini Pup
• England’s NIH proposes pregnant women should undergo breathalyzers — Telegraph
• Mom dresses up her daughter to pose as historical icons, not princesses — TODAY Moms
• VIDEO: Two men experience labor pains — including contractions — The Bump

On May 6, Sarah Jessica Parker took a stroll with her Mini Mes in their N.Y.C. neighborhood.

And we couldn’t help but smile at Tabitha and Loretta‘s aww-worthy ensembles.

Both girls, 3½, paired peasant style frocks with leggings (Loretta’s wearing Luna Leggings Spring Moon Footless Tights, $29) and light jackets.

But it was their fun accessories — pom pom headbands, funky beaded jewelry and comfy shoes — that really took their outfits to another level of cuteness.

SJP’s little fashionistas are wearing Chewbeads‘s new Juniorbeads necklaces ($19.50), which are made of 100 percent silicone, heat-resistant, chemical free and super easy to clean.

Loretta’s also rocking Yosi Samra‘s red polka dot ballet flats ($48).

RELATED: Loretta and Tabitha’s Adorable Twin Style

• Anne Heche: The terrible twos pale in comparison to having a 4-year-old — Breezy Mama
• The perfect presents to gift your new pregnant pals — POPSUGAR Moms
• Wealthy Manhattan moms are hiring handicapped tour guides to skip the lines at Disney — New York Post
• Alyson Hannigan: Why I’m done having kids — HuffPost Lifestyle
• One mom opens up about going gluten-free after her daughter’s Celiac diagnosis – SheKnows

Becoming a mom changes a lot in a woman’s life — your schedule, sleep pattern and more. But it can also awaken your desire to pursue other passions, which was definitely the case for Ali Larter when she welcomed 2-year-old Theodore in 2010.

“After my son was born, I realized how much time I spend on set acting and how much I love that, but when I’m not on set, I’m usually throwing dinner parties or cooking and entertaining in some way,” the actress tells PEOPLE.

“So I thought you know what, maybe I’ll try to put a book together, that sounds like kind of a fun thing to do in my off-time.”

The result of all Larter’s hard work is Kitchen Revelry: A Year of Festive Menus From My Home to Yours, which will hit stores in September.

According to the actress, the entertaining guide/cookbook is for women who are just starting to learn the art of hosting.

“I wish I had [this] when I was 25,” she says. “I threw some really horrible dinner parties when I was younger because I put so much stress and pressure on myself to make things prefect. What I’ve really learned is that no one really cares if things taste perfect. All they care about is having a great time and being together with friends and being invited into your home.”

Luckily, Larter shares several simple dishes that are guaranteed to impress your guests. One of her favorite appetizers: gougères, which are “just a decadent cheese puff.”

And she’s also finally revealing the ingredients of her homemade buttermilk ranch dressing. “It’s pretty incredible, my friends are always trying to get that recipe.”

So does the busy mom have any tips on getting your little ones interested and involved in cooking?

“Start out with things that you love. At this point, I try to feed my son what we eat for dinner and expose him to really interesting, different foods. And if he doesn’t like it, it’s fine, it’s more about trying and thinking of food as a fun adventure.”

For more of Larter’s entertaining tips and recipes, go to her blog kitchenrevelry.com. Also, the actress exclusively reveals one of the book’s recipes below:

Amy Neunsinger

Fig, Prosciutto and Mascarpone Crostini
Serves 12

1 baguette, cut on slight diagonal into 24 slices

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
6 ripe fresh figs, stemmed, each cut crosswise into 6 slices (Substitute with any seasonal fruit if needed)
8 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
¾ cup mascarpone cheese (about 6 ounces)
Balsamic syrup, for drizzling
Freshly cracked black pepper

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Arrange the baguette slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Brush the baguette slices lightly with olive oil. Bake until the slices are lightly golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let the crostini cool to room temperature on the baking sheet.

Spread the mascarpone cheese over the crostini, dividing equally. Top each with a lightly folded slice of prosciutto, then a fig slice. Drizzle each generously with balsamic syrup and sprinkle lightly with cracked pepper and serve immediately.

-Shanelle Rein-Olowokere with reporting by Kiran Hefa

Elisabeth Röhm, best known for her roles as Serena on Law & Order and Kate on Angel, has been blogging for PEOPLE.com for over two years now.

The actress, 40, currently stars as Taylor on The Client List, and recently wrapped filming on American Hustle, David O. Russell’s latest movie.

Her book, Baby Steps: Having the Child I Always Wanted (Just Not As I Expected), was released in April.

She can be found on Facebook, Google + and on Twitter @ElisabethRohm.

In her latest blog, Röhm — mom to 5-year-old Easton August with fiancé Ron Anthony — recounts her experience in Boston during the bombings, and its effect on her and her daughter.

The day the horrible bombings took place, my daughter was flying to Boston — where I have been shooting David O. Russell‘s latest movie for the last month — to join me. I’d been there for weeks alone, getting established and aching for Easton’s sweet butterscotch kisses and energetic hugs.

I’d been anticipating her arrival by getting tickets for the Big Apple Circus, planning out days filled with museum visits and aquarium adventures and stocking the hotel we’d be hunkering down in with goodies, games and fun projects to entertain and pass the hours.

I was psyched! She was psyched! We’d been missing each other and even though she was thriving in her routine at home with school, play-dates and some serious Daddy-bonding, we are two girls who are attached at the hip. The time had come to reunite and it was going to be divine.

I’d spent endless hours on Skype with Easton, telling her all about beautiful Boston and how fun it was going to be for her when she got here. There wasn’t a moment of our days that had not been organized with activities that would allow us to explore and celebrate being in a new environment together.

Globetrotting is one of the many perks of being an actor. Although it creates some obstacles in the “normalcy” (whatever that is) of home, we see it as a blessing in my family. Easton has been all over the world since she was an infant, and it’s pretty apparent that she embraces the adventure of new places, things and people.

She melts my heart when she says, “Let’s go on an adventure, Mama” — words I know I’ve taught her. Openness to uncertainty and a curiosity for the unknown is a part of her nature. Perhaps it’s something I’ve encouraged, but now we share it together, this quest and thirst for newness, renewal and a comfort in discovery.

So excited for the show – Courtesy Elisabeth Röhm

The Boston Marathon was happening on April 15, the day that Easton arrived. The energy was palpable. The celebration was strung through the air like holiday lights, twinkling with anticipation. The weekend hustle and bustle of my hotel had been thrilling as people brimmed with eagerness to get their run on.

They’d traveled from all over the world to participate and their families had come to cheer them on. The hotel was stocked with kids of all ages and I was grateful to know that Easton would be able to make pals with kids from all corners of the earth when she got to Boston. Little people like little people! Perhaps she’d make a new friend that she’d never forget in the pool.

I have to say, not being a marathon runner myself — as of yet, anyway — they are a happy lot! Freedom-seekers who delight in these runs and their colorful gear seems to underscore their vibrant love of life, the body and community. Many of them travel from city to city to participate and the marathon is their social scene. The hotel was full of spontaneous celebration! It was a party all weekend and I was pleased that Easton would be arriving on a day filled with so much joy.

I planned to attend the marathon since I was there in the hub of it all. Just minutes away from the finish line, it seemed like the thing to do! I was busy running around finishing up my mommy errands, turning our simple hotel life into our temporary home for a few weeks. I was grocery shopping and getting pink (everything of Easton’s is PINK, PINK, PINK) flowers, arranging all the wonderful games that would light her fire. As I wound down my to-do list, I had about an hour to spare before I was to head to the airport and get my darling daughter. Woo-hoo.

As I unloaded my packages, I was tossing around a big dilemma … I thought, “Finish line or nap, nap or finish line?” It was a toss-up as I had been swept up by the infectious joy I’d witnessed all weekend. People bopping around in their florescent sneakers, uproariously laughing, back-slaps of encouragement — well-wishers from all over had gotten me in the mood. I wanted to be there whistling and cheering! But I was a little tired. It was a long week of shooting, plus my five-year-old was arriving and that would certainly keep me on my toes! Right?!

I lay in the bed, closed my eyes and rested. Somehow that hour passed real quick! Soon it was time to drive to the airport. I knew nothing as I joyously walked through the hotel to the front door. The moment I stepped outside and smiled at the valet, four girls piled out of their taxi openly sobbing.

Swan boats – Courtesy Elisabeth Röhm

I thought one of them might have gotten hurt so I naïvely asked, “Are you okay? Did you get hurt running?” They just looked at me, eyes filled with terror, and said, “There were bombings at the finish line.” They moved into the hotel shocked, broken and in fear. Like little girls, they huddled together trying to comfort each other.

I looked around to see if anyone else seemed to know about these bombings. One by one, people kept being dropped off from cars in tears. My car suddenly pulled up in front of me. It was time to go get Easton. I thought, “Oh my God — there has been a terrorist attack and my daughter is about to land in less than an hour.” I jumped in, turned on the news and hauled ass to the airport.

The calls poured in from all my family and friends warning me to stay in my hotel and not to leave. I simply said, “I’m driving to the airport to get Easton. Once we are back in the hotel safely, I’ll call you.” What was going on?!

The airport was in serious chaos when I arrived. Runners walking shell-shocked through the hotel on phone calls with loved ones, security and police gearing up for what would be a heinous week here in Boston. Everyone was talking to strangers and sharing in the fear, grief and confusion of the moment. It reminded me of 9/11.

Then the doors opened and Easton came bounding into my arms. We must have hugged for 30 minutes, squealing with delight and showering each other with kisses. It had been a long couple of weeks away from each other. I held onto her for dear life, not knowing what I had brought her into by having her come to Boston.

Our adventurous plans were squashed as I gathered her suitcases and raced all of us to the car in hopes that the quicker we made it back to the hotel, the safer we’d be. I didn’t know if roads would be closed or what the reaction to the bombings would be. I didn’t know anything. Nobody did at the time. It was a city under attack, with chaos and pain. I had to get us into our hotel room and get a handle on what was going on around us just blocks away from our hotel.

Boston Common Frog Pond – Courtesy Elisabeth Röhm

I tried to speak in vague terms with Tammy, my dear friend and Easton’s nanny, about what had happened at the marathon. It was awkward, as I didn’t want Easton’s happiness to be with me in Boston to be ruined or affected by the horrific events of the day. I also didn’t want her to be afraid.

Once we got to our room, I didn’t run to the TV and turn on the news, even though I was concerned and wanted to know every detail that was available, just like the whole world. Instead, I read the news on my iPhone as a way to protect Easton.

People kept calling and I’d have to say things like, “Yes, we’re okay. Yes, Easton and Tammy are here. We’re not leaving the hotel. It’s okay. We’re okay.” But the truth was, we weren’t okay because there were people in Boston that night that were suffering. People were injured and people had died. Everyone was living in fear with broken hearts over the tragedy.

Worse, the officials had absolutely no idea where the criminal who had orchestrated these cruel acts of violence was. There I was with my five-year-old, thinking, “What do I say to her? Do I explain this to her?” I was just thankful that it was late afternoon when they got in. That way, it didn’t seem odd that we went to our room and stayed there for the rest of the day.

I chose to say nothing.

As the days went on, it was hard to continue pretending that all was okay. You couldn’t find a corner where the incident wasn’t being talked about. People were gawking at the TVs and there were police everywhere. On Tuesday, we went to a museum that happened to be right next door, but that was about it for our day’s activities.

Unsettling scene – Courtesy Elisabeth Röhm

Soon after, the city went into actual lockdown. What do you say to your child who wants to go out and play in the sunshine? How do you tell them that leaving the hotel is not an option AT ALL? I told Easton a little bit more — “We can’t leave the hotel today, sweetie. The police want us to stay inside to be safe.” She never asked any questions. I guess I was lucky.

Obviously everything, including production on the film, was shut down. We went to the pool where she made those friends I’d thought of before she’d arrived. We spent the day inside as the manhunt escalated.

It was surreal to watch the children laughing and splashing in the pool while the adults would make eye contact, not uttering a word but shaking their heads in dismay, hurt and confused about what was happening all around us.

Lockdown in our hotel. That was what it was like. I had escaped having to explain anything really — bombings, terrorists, death, anti-American acts of violence. We didn’t have to talk about it because she is 5. Her world is Mommy. When Mommy is fine and normal, then Easton is fine and normal.

And so I was. I acted as if all was okay when it certainly was not. She didn’t need to know about such things. It shouldn’t be a part of a five-year-old’s world.

The next day, there was no safer place to be than in Boston. The world was watching. They’d captured the perp. We finally bounced to the park to relish our new freedom (something we’d taken for granted) and the carousel of Boston Common. I tried to be in a joyous mood like her as we absorbed the day.

Commons Carousel – Courtesy Elisabeth Röhm

There they were: police, military, special ops, FBI and of course, the Red Cross. Trucks spread all throughout the park. It was hard not to have to explain a little bit more as Easton innocently asked, “Mommy, why do they have guns?” “To keep us safe,” I replied, matter-of-factly.

As we walked hand-in-hand under the sunshine with the season springing all around us, it was impossible not to think of those families. Their lives had been torn apart by the bombings, and they were doing anything but strolling through the park on a pretty day.

My heart was and still is with them.

– Elisabeth Röhm

More from Elisabeth’s PEOPLE.com blog series:

• Elisabeth Röhm’s Blog: My Visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Elisabeth Röhm’s Blog: Deciding When to Share and When to Shield