Maybe it's because I'm surrounded by way too many pretty princess shirts (thanks, in-laws) or that my daughter has threatened to start liking "Hantana." But when I see a shirt like the Kickin' Girl from Appaman, it's hard for me not to t…
My mother-in-law is always bugging me about what she should get my son. Sadly, my indecision has led to a showering of scary expensive outfits (emphasis on the scary part) that just end up collecting dust in his closet. So if you've got …
With fall rapidly approaching, I've been on the lookout for the perfect jacket for my toddler son. Since I live in the South, it can be hard to find a jacket that's light enough for our short fall season, but that's hearty enough to get …
While I may not always feel smartre enough for Sartre, The Woollyhoodwinks vs. the Dark Patch is one for this existentialist. With a mix of cute handmade sock-puppet-looking things (the aforementioned Woollyhoodwinks ) and whimsical sent…
I won't be winning any cooking awards any time soon, but as far as the concoctions my daughter and son are creating in their play kitchen, courtesy of Haba's new Biofino line of cloth play food , they're on their way to winning Top Chef.…
I'm generally not so keen on clothes that emphasize a baby's already cute-as-it-is butt with ruffles and words like, um... juicy . But a monster -- like the one on Sckoon's Ha Ha Tee and Monkey Pant Set ? Cripes, I can't think of anythin…
You wouldn't think a bunch of blabbermouths like our family would need help starting a conversation, but I've got to thank The Chatterbox for providing some welcome encouragement in that area. Instead of questions about obscure Baby Boom…
When it comes to buying gifts for my friend's kids, I really try hard to find unique items that no one else would think of, but aren't so obscure that the poor kid has to ask his parents what the heck it is. Enter the Dumpling Dynasty Ex…
My favorite baby clothes were always the beefy cotton ones - just good, simple soft basics that felt cushy and cozy, that I knew wouldn't start to look worn or faded after a few weeks of the puke-wash-puke-wash cycle. Parade Organic 's P…
I have yet to figure out why for most lullaby books, the illustrations seem to be an afterthought. I suppose the justification is that if the words are effective enough, the kids eyes will be shut? Or something. Not so Clare Beaton's Mrs…
As I was perusing the selection of fall boys clothes at my regular haunts I noticed one overwhelming commonality: Unless you're into super duper trendy duds or have a taste for the alternative, artsy stuff, the regular boy clothes are pr…
Wish as I may that I could dress my kids in retro hipster clothing, the combination of my southern locale and my preppy husband make it a look that I just don't think we can pull off. But if you've got a kid that can sport a derby to the…
Hello to the onslaught of new fall babies, including my own, thanks to those cold boring winter months and crazy holiday parties ( ahem ). Even though I've got no baby shower in sight myself, that won't stop me from snagging one of these…
"Oh my", I thought,"these look like a bunch of colorful floppy discs. What in the world are the kids going to do with these?" Silly mommy. Don't you see that they easily fit together and make...a rocket ship that I can fly around the hou…
The Beijing Summer Olympics kicks off today, and I wholeheartedly cop to the fact that I'm the type who gets all caught up in the competition. I can't wait to sit down and watch with my older daughter, then explain why mommy's crying ove…
My memories of picnicking as a child include my poor dad struggling to carry a giant plastic cooler weighing approximately 100 pounds to our picnic site. He'd heave the monstrous beast onto a picnic table and then go sit down to mop the …
I know I'm not the only woman out there who's glad that the myth that girls aren't good at math has been soundly debunked. No way do I want my girls to believe that what's between their legs should determine what goes in their heads, but…
Matthew Porter is the artist behind my baby's favorite ABC Book , so how can I not jump all over it when I hear he's turning his talents towards adorable clothing that she can wear too? At the One Red Panda shop, a collaboration between …
I used to think that a rattle was some generic baby gift that people gave when they couldn't think of anything more original. Wow, was I wrong. My babies adored their rattles so much, we kept them in every diaper bag, crib, Pack n Play, …
I have a strong sense of empathy for the uglier creatures of the world. I have an English bulldog, not a lab, always thought those misfit toys from the Ruldoph movie were cooler than the non-misfit ones--even if I never was entirely sure…
Okay so I just want my girls wearing this New York Times tee from Altru . Like, every day. They'll look smart, and more importantly, they'll make me look smart. Even if these days, I'm lucky if I even make it through the Styles section. …
I admit that I was the type who kinda liked the guy who might have worn the tuxedo t-shirt to the prom. That is, before Screech did it on Saved By the Bell , or whatever TV nerd turned it from semi-rebellious to positively dorky. So it's…
Question: Does the world really need more cute baby t-shirts? Answer: If those shirts are made from organic cotton, colored with organic dyes, tag-free, and ubercute, then absolutely . CMP fave Baby in a Blanket 's latest offering are ju…
I realize that back-to-school is knocking on my door, but considering it stays warm and sunny in our neck of the woods until early October, I'm not sure my daughter will be sporting the brown eather Mary Janes on August 11. So I can blam…