Take That, Atkins

Take That, Atkins

As the old ad used to say, I love sweets but they don’t love me. And then I discovered the carbs that love you back: The absolutely 100% calorie-free goodness of Heidi Kenney’s felt creations at My Paper Crane Shop. Heidi turns your favorite bakery items...
The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

The Other Layettes Will Be Jealous

Yes, you can purchase a "layette" as a baby gift–a complete set of boring onesies, bibs, and Victorian-era booties that I’m not sure ever make it out of the box, let alone the house. And then there are those sets that just make your ovaries...
Wait, So All Drummers Aren’t White?

Wait, So All Drummers Aren’t White?

As a woman of mixed heritage, I’ve often wondered how topromote diversity in our home when most of my toddler’s toys and clothes feature white folks–you know, because all farmers, ballerinas andmusicians are white. Right. That’s why I love the...
Just Don’t Call it Scrapbooking

Just Don’t Call it Scrapbooking

I cannot tell you exactly why I still have my Junior Prom corsage stuffed away in a shoebox between old report cards and notes my best friend passed me in French class, but I do. I mean, I didn’t even like the guy and he cheaped out on the champagne. But...
My Kingdom for an Hour of Sleep

My Kingdom for an Hour of Sleep

As a new mom, I had heard that swaddling was the answer to my sleep deprivation. I tried to make that perfectly tight burrito blanket the nurses achieved so effortlessly in the hospital, only for my daughter to free her hands in a matter of seconds and commence...
The Gift That Gifts Back

The Gift That Gifts Back

When I was a kid, every gift-giving holiday came with a request from my mother to make her something. After a few years of amateur photo collages and tedious poetry I was plum out of ideas. If only I had had a copy of I Wanna Make Gifts, by prolific writer Clea...
Ring Me

Ring Me

Whoever decided diamond rings were the ultimate symbol of love never to be removed from one’s fourth finger, certainly didn’t take care of a toddler. The end of each day has me picking Play-Doh and dried Elmer’s glue out of my ring with a pin. Since...
Saddlebags You’ll Actually Want

Saddlebags You’ll Actually Want

For several years now, Skip*Hop has made the practical, durable, men-love-’em-too diaper bags that adorn the strollers of the smartest parents around town. Recently the company went big with their ingenious double stroller bag. But now they’re changing...
No More Ring Around the Coffee Table

No More Ring Around the Coffee Table

There were a few precious pieces of furniture we sacrificed after having kids, but our gorgeous coffee table? No way. Since the prospect of rings on my beloved table makes me shiver, I’m always on the lookout for cool coasters. These beautiful blossom coasters...