Landfill Harmonic: Turning trash into beautiful music

by Kristen Chase | Doing Good

As a former music professor, I’m well aware of the transformative power of music in the lives of children. But this unbelievable Kickstarter campaign is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Or heard. Landfill Harmonic is the story of a garbage picker and...

It’s a chair! It’s a dollhouse! It’s genius!

by Kristen Chase | Toys + Playthings

Welcome to our home full of teeny kids’ chairs that are good for one thing. Or two if you count tripping over them. But these cool handmade chairs from CMP-fave Paloma’s Nest are good for three, or more. Just when I thought we were done with kids’...

Our simple spring cleaning checklist for busy parents

by Kristen Chase | Storage + Organization

When spring hits around my house, that means time to clean and kick the clutter, which isn’t such an easy task when you’ve got four kids running around. As much as I’d love to scrub the baseboards and wash all the windows, that’s probably not...

The coolest dollhouse for kids isn’t a dollhouse at all

by Kristen Chase | Uncategorized

With a house full of girls, you can bet that I’ve seen and owned my fair share of dollhouse toys, all of which have been some of my kids’ favorite gifts from us. Or uh, Santa Claus. But for as many version of the traditional dollhouse toy that I’ve...

Bring on spring with these cool new stroller shades from Bugaboo

by Kristen Chase | Baby

We’re almost out of the stroller stage at my house (sniff), but that doesn’t mean I don’t have total stroller envy. With all the gorgeous colors and amazing features, they’ve really become as much of a style statement as they are a gear...

Say “I Love You” with leggings

by Kristen Chase | Kid Style

I’m always reluctant to fork over cash for Valentine’s Day clothing for my girls that they’ll only wear on February 14. But the new spring collection from CMP-fave Luna Leggings is perfect for Valentine’s Day or any day. And even better, your...

Lotus Everywhere Crib: Puts “travel” back in travel crib

by Kristen Chase | Baby

I’m always amazed to see the vast improvements in baby gear even since my littlest one, only two, was a baby, which gives me hope that they will one day be able to manufacture sleep for us parents. Ha. Until then, I’ll just take little advances, like what...

Pretty Valentine’s Day jewelry that won’t break the bank

by Kristen Chase | Fashion

As much as I love Valentine’s Day, I know not every woman wants (or needs) an expensive Valentine’s gift. So I love these pretty necklaces which do a beautiful job of telling someone she’s special, for under $20.  These pretty mother of pearl...

Adler-awesome: stuffed toys with big, bold style

by Kristen Chase | Art + Decor

I suppose it’s just my luck that now that my youngest has outgrown her nursery, I’m finding all sorts of cool nursery decor and accessories. But that’s why I love Jonathan Adler’s Junior collection so much, because it works as well for babies...

Crazy adorable (and cuddly) baby rattles that will make you melt

by Kristen Chase | Toys + Playthings

My baby-having days are over, but lucky me, I’ve got lots of friends who are still pumping them out (ha), which gives me an excellent excuse to shower their babies with all sorts of baby gifts, like these adorable ones from CMP-fave Oots. These quirky rattles,...