Having recently introduced my girls to the joys of Willie Wonka (yes the original. Sheesh.) they became instantly fascinated with the idea of a teacup that you could actually eat. I had to explain that it was just a movie, and that no, w…
I know that starting tomorrow I will admire my family members' beautifully adorned holiday tables and think I should really do more with mine. And then I will start virtually shopping online for gorgeous linens and flatware and other pre…
We've been eating out waaaay too much lately because of a kitchen renovation, and though my kids have finally grown sick of chicken fingers, they are also sick of those restaurant-supplied paper activity mats that hold their attention fo…
Trying to agree on a tea kettle with the sigOth last weekend in a Maine gourmet shop was nearly as difficult as trying to agree on a baby name. The kitchen is more or less his domain (the culinary school degree grants him as much), so he…
I've long thought about how to channel the power of the restaurant paper placemats in my own home so that we can all enjoy a pleasant meal. In other words, one in which the kids are occupied while I'm busy cutting their food into a billi…
Those of you with little ones probably cannot imagine the day when your tween despairingly announces that her glasses make her look like "a total dork," but I'm here to tell you that it happens. And suddenly your kid is big enough to wea…
It's only a week into school around here in the deep south, and already I hear a lot of my mom friends complaining that they've exhausted their lunchmaking tricks . Well, thanks to the new lunch punch styles, there's no need to throw in …
I'm in love with a set of drink coasters if such a thing is even possible. But when I spotted these handmade film director coasters on Etsy this morning, my heart started racing, my palms got all sweaty, and I think, my friends, that tha…
I always thought of tea towels to be completely prim and proper, but that's absolutely not the case with the gorgeous block printed tea towels at Fisk and Fern. The bright inviting designs are printed on absorbent 100% cotton which evide…
I have accepted the whole princess thing that has definitely turned into a Princess Thing around here as of late. But I'm still having trouble embracing...you know. The princesses . The ones with the skinny waistlines and luxurious hair …
You know that whole "kill three birds with one stone" thing? Well, Zo-li , the small company offering safe, green solutions to parenting problems, has conveniently solved three of my biggest problems with one Fedex shipment. First of all…
I have to appreciate any shop with the cajones to put out something called the Child Labour Collection ; but then again, I'd expect nothing less from our irreverent friends across the pond at Twisted Twee. I'm laughing at the silkscreen …
Regardless of what type of activities we bring with us to the table when we eat out, we still only ever get about 10 minutes of peaceful eating time. And that's on a good night. If you feel my pain, you'll want to invest in a few pairs o…
I've been a fan of Chilewich pretty much since designer Sandy Chilewich first launched the line of woven vinyl decor and accessories in 2000. I've always had to track her stuff down at small home boutiques and museum stores where the sel…
Before I had kids, I vowed that I would force them to eat the crusts on their sandwiches.. And then I had children who hated crusts. Now I'm eating their crusts and my words. With the Lunch Punch , you kill two birds with one stone -- cu…
When my kid were old enough to stop smacking their cereal bowls with their hands to flip them, I was excited to trade up from the melamine dish set we had. Besides, I was getting kind of tired of the same bright orange every day. I think…
Since all the issues with BPA surfaced, I, like many of you, have been on the search for safe glass kids dishes. But the combination of glass and two rambunctious kiddos means that they'd need to include some Xanax in the package. I am b…
Now that the weather is actually starting to be spring-like in these parts, the kids are asking for ice cream. So I was thinking that maybe this year, to save a bit of cash , we'd do more delicious frozen treat making instead of deliciou…
When I first discovered Smiling Planet , I was instantly smitten by this mom and pop company's avid commitment to teaching children respect for the environment through artful, eco-friendly housewares . Essentially Freddy and Olivia Deane…
You know what is a sign that a mom has it all together? Perfect hair. And freshly vacuumed floors. Thank-you notes sent in a timely manner. I have none of those. I do, however, have children who seem to like me and charming linen tea tow…
I have this dream. In this dream, my house is always organized, dog hair is contained on the actual dog, cushions are kept on the couch, and I frequently host elegant cocktail parties attended just by adults who speak about current event…
I can't even believe my household has entered the phase of Nooooo that's MY plate! I'm not sure exactly what makes my daughter think a certain piece of dishware is hers besides the fact that her sister touched it first, but I'm going to …
When I got married (the first time... ahem), we received endless items from Crate and Barrel. And don't get me wrong, it's all very useful stuff, but... well... plain. Boring. So color me surprised to see that C&B's younger, hipper sibli…
While in the great outdoors, someone once said, Take Only Memories, Leave Only Footprints, which is really a polite way of saying, Don't You Dare Throw That Cup On The Ground, Bucko. If only everyone heeded this, my picnics in the park w…