Loopa Bowl

Price: $7.99-$9.99.

What it does: Contains your little ones' spills in a fun and entertaining portable orb.

How it makes your life easier: This odd-looking bowl is made with a technology that can help keep your car, floors and upholstery clean. Its mobile center bowl is capable of rotating 360 degrees and containing its contents when dropped or tilted in the kind of unpredictable directions little tykes like best. It is by no means spill-proof, but it is pretty spill-resistant. I found it to be great for serving Cheerios, Goldfish and other similarly sized dry snacks or drained fruit slices, whether on the go or seated at a table. Smaller snacks such as Rice Krispies are more likely to find an escape route (as I discovered during an unfortunate incident with my 18-month-old daughter), so it's best to avoid those. It will not contain liquids. Loopa comes with a form-fitting lid for travel, is easy for kids to handle and can entertain your tot with it's Saturn-like appearance and orbiting inner bowl. It is dishwasher safe. While its size is roughly the circumference of a cereal bowl, its quirky construction may take a little more storage room in cabinets or diaper bags.

Who would use it: Parents, grandparents, caregivers and daycare centers who often deal with toddlers.

Where to get it: www.bedbathandbeyond.com, www.loopa.com, www.onestepahead.com; select Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

joyce.hicks@newsobserver.com or 829-8908

Parade of Homes

Grab a pair of comfortable walking shoes and head out for a veritable feast for home-loving eyes today during Wake County's 43rd Annual Parade of Homes celebration. The showcase kicks off at noon and runs til 5 p.m., continuing Sunday and Oct. 10-12 and Oct. 17-19 at the same times. More than 390 homes will be featured on this year's tour, which spans all of Wake County and features homes priced from $125,000 to more than $3 million. Seasoned paraders and even newbies can feast their eyes and senses upon the work of some of the area's top builders, picking up decorating tips, landscaping pointers and the latest in home design and color along the way. Fully furnished homes are featured along the route, but many more homes are empty, allowing your imagination to run free with possibilities. Comfortable shoes are a must; slip-ons are even better. Socks come in handy, too, as shoes are not allowed in many of the homes. Wake County residents will find a Parade of Homes magazine insert in today's paper. You can also get more detailed Parade Books, complete with floor plans, details and directions to each home, at several sites in Wake County. Go to www.hbawake.com/about/2008-parade-of-homes/ to learn more.

Plant giveaway

Friends of the Arboretum will host its annual plant giveaway for members from 9 to 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 11 (rain or shine). Thousands of rare plants will fill the distribution center on the N.C. State University campus at 4415 Beryl Road in Raleigh. Bring a wheelbarrow (or two) to transport the plants and something to line your trunk, too. Arrive early. The plants usually go within minutes of the giveaway's start time. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. Only members may attend the giveaway; however, nonmembers are invited to join the day of the event. For information, call 513-3826 or visit www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum.

Panoramic address labels

Add a whimsical or outdoorsy touch to your everyday correspondence and holiday cards with Felix Doolittle's line of panoramic return address labels. You'll find a wide assortment of rectangular, 3-inch by 11/4-inch labels. Whether you're an admirer of the great outdoors (trees, beach, flowers, autumn leaves, horses or fishing) or you prefer cutesy holiday fare (gingerbread men, sleds and Christmas trees), you'll likely find something to float your boat here. Thirty personalized stickers cost $42 and can be found at www.felixdoolittle.com, where you can also peruse an extensive collection of stationery, cards, gift tags and labels.

Charleston home tours

Hop in the car and head south for the Preservation Society of Charleston's 32nd Annual Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens. The tours are Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. through October. Afternoon tours are Sundays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Each tour will take you to a different neighborhood in the city's historic district. Tickets are $45 per person per tour, or a weekend package may be purchased for $120. Purchase tickets online at www.preservationsociety.org or by calling 843-722-4630.

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