More coolness from recent weeks…

Free calories from Starbucks! We’ll take it.

Free calories from Starbucks! We’ll take it.

There's a lot of talk about Starbuck's new logo launch this week, and frankly, whatever. What I like is that it gave them an excuse to offer customers their new treats to sample, totally free. Starbucks has just introduced Starbucks Petites, desserts that are the...

Hey, baby. Here’s your sign.

Hey, baby. Here’s your sign.

Well, I do believe I have just discovered the most original new baby gift on the planet. Bold proclamation, I know, but have a look at these new custom birth charts by Amy Karol --yes, she of "Bend-the-Rules Sewing and Bend-the-Rules with Fabric fame. And then try to...

Play clothes for the sand trap or the sand box

Play clothes for the sand trap or the sand box

One of the many surprise discoveries I made after having a baby boy was that I'm actually pickier about boy clothes. Specifically, a lot of sports-themed duds don't pass muster, but select favorites make me swoon. But here's a new line that gets the green light from...

Diaper bag chic, minus the diapers. Nice.

Diaper bag chic, minus the diapers. Nice.

Over the course of a mama's diaper bag carrying years, there will be times she may curse that heavy bag and long for the carefree and fabulous purses of her youth. But as time goes by, that longing to be rid of the diaper bag turns into--or at least it has for me--a...

Turn those kiddos into busy bees

Turn those kiddos into busy bees

Spring break is on its way, and I'm making plans. But my spring break plans don't involve beaches, bikinis, or beer. Instead, I'm looking for ways to keep my kids busy. (Besides cleaning the bathroom, my standard fallback response to the cry of boredom.)If you're in...

Supporting New Orleans crafters for Mardi Gras

Supporting New Orleans crafters for Mardi Gras

It's been a long time since I've munched on a beignet or window-shopped my way down Royal Street, but I have very fond memories of my last trip to the fabulous city of New Orleans and how alive it always is with music and laughter.From my home many miles away, I can't...

Calling all NYC area mamas and mamas-to-be!

Calling all NYC area mamas and mamas-to-be!

Besides brownstones and indie coffee shops, Brooklyn is also known for being home to oodles and oodles of families. (As our Ed-in-Chief Liz can attest.) So it makes perfect sense that the first ever Child Grows in Brooklyn Baby Expo would take place in New York's most...

Two-step program

Two-step program

Okay, I'll come right out and admit it. My bathroom has one of those mass-produced step stool eyesores in it that just about every one of my friends has, too. Yes, it works. My kids can climb onto the toilet with ease, reach the faucet to wash their own hands and...

The stackable storage shelves of your super-organized dreams

The stackable storage shelves of your super-organized dreams

Stuffed animals, princesses, puzzle pieces, barrettes, stickers, play food, books...Walking into my daughter's room makes me to want to scream in a fit of frustration and horror. With all the options for toy storage out there (and we've covered quite a few), there is...

The drink of the gods, now in your coffeemaker.

The drink of the gods, now in your coffeemaker.

Before kids, I thought coffee was a charming diversion. After kids, I'm pretty sure I drink more coffee than water, and whenever I have blood drawn, I expect it to be brown and flavored with hazelnut. Therefore, when I heard that there was a new drink on the market...

An online baby book that lets you plant sweet memories

An online baby book that lets you plant sweet memories

So this adorable thing happened the other day with my preschooler and baby. It was really adorable. It happened and I said to myself, "Self, remember this so you can write it down after they're in bed." ....Yeah. If I could only remember what that adorable moment...

Vancouver travel with families – O Canada!

Vancouver travel with families – O Canada!

When you think of foreign travel, Canada probably doesn't spring to mind. After all, we've got hockey, maple syrup, and a Francophile or two here in the United States, right?Well, yes. But as I discovered on a recent trip to Vancouver and the Whistler Blackcomb ski...

Bookplates that make me fall in love with books again

Bookplates that make me fall in love with books again

There's something so precious about that pride of ownership that comes with one's very own storybook, clearly marked with one's very own personalized bookplate. I remember having fond memories of my own bookplates, and I'm so excited for my children to have their own....

This cloth diaper is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

This cloth diaper is bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

The only thing more adorable than a cute baby bottom in a cloth diaper is saying "Charlie Banana" whenever someone asks you where the diaper came from.Cloth is making a comeback, mainly because it's good for the environment and cuter than ever. But you already know...

Jughead 2011

Jughead 2011

Our kids may never debate the merits of Betty vs. Veronica or laugh at Jughead's ability to gulp down hamburgers. But you still have to admit that this crown-style hat hearkens back to the golden days of Archie, before all comic book characters either had creepy...