More coolness from recent weeks…
It’s never too early to think about fall accessories
Even though it's still in the 80s here in the deep south, I've heard rumors that the weather is already starting to change in other parts of the country. Lucky you! But whether you're still in shorts like me or you're pulling out your fall trenches, it's never a bad...
Switching On The Moon
Though I was long ago (like, on day one) over the nightly battle that was part of our bedtime routine, I never, ever tired of the snuggly part, where we wrapped up and read as much as possible before admitting it was time for lights out. And I'm never tired,...
Preppy is back! Three (very respectful, understated) cheers.
Preppy is back, mamas, if you haven't noticed. My once and future idol, Lisa Birnbach of Preppy Handbook fame, is out promoting her follow-up book True Prep; loafers are everywhere; and Kanye West is influencing a whole new generation to choose blazers and suspenders...
Organic plush toys that are ripe for the picking
My kids really love their stuffed animals, but not knowing what the heck most of these piles of fur are made of, I kind of wish they'd love them a little less. And after seeing a new organic line of plush toys that is not only safe for all ages, but totally...
Boys get grubbie, in a good way
The concept of cool boys clothes shifts as kids get older. At first cool is defined by his mom, but mark my words, at some point -- for me it was around 7 -- your son will start to have very definite ideas on what constitutes cool and what is horrifyingly babyish....
Fall is coming: Is your camera ready?
Editor's Note: Unfortunately, Big Picture Scrapbooking no longer exists. Lazing in the pumpkin patch. Biting into a just-picked apple. Jumping in a leaf pile. I have all of those iconic family pictures of fall sitting in photo albums already. So what's next?...
Modern telegrams -(STOP)- For real -(STOP)-
It's unlikely that you need to let anyone know that the stagecoach is likely to be late or that there's trouble at the train depot, but why should that stop you from adding a vintage twist to that special message? If you go to Telegram Stop, for under $6 you can send...
Under my umbrella
I'm officially giving up on cheap kids' umbrellas. We've gone through far too many in far too short a time, so I'm kind of done with that. At 3 and 5, my girls really are old enough to remember to bring their umbrellas home--and if that seems like a lot to hope for,...
Guilt free snack packing
I know, I know - we keep featuring reusable snack bags! What can I say, there are so many to choose from these days. Our job is just to pare down the cool ones for you, and we've got a couple more options for you, whatever your own personal lunch packing needs. The...
Have you virtually hugged a grandparent today?
You may not have realized that today is Grandparents Day. And while yes, it's a so-called Hallmark holiday, totally fabricated to maximize card-purchasing potential, I think it's awesome. Maybe you can make sure to call your own grandparents if you're still lucky to...
LEGO Man! To the coloring rescue!
When I saw these LEGO Man crayons. I fell in love. I'm not sure what to do with them exactly, but that's never stopped me from loving an item (or some men) before. I'm thinking party favors, a new big brother/sister gift for a toddler, stocking stuffers for a family...
Nesting with beautiful throw pillows
We all should know by now that birds are the new black. Or maybe the old black? It's hard to say. But I'd imagine that looking back on this decade, we'll equate bird motifs with the french poodles from the 50's and happy faces from the 70's. I find something quite...
Just like the white winged dove
When you search for nursery decor online, you tend to get a lot of the same old same old. But when you search for decor and leave the kids out of it, sometimes you end up with something unique and beautiful and unexpected. I think these peace love bird wall decals...
When you care enough to lick a stamp.
My birthday is coming up tomorrow (happy birthday me!) which means I have cards on the brain. If not in the mailbox. As much as I love ecards and send them with abandon, there's still something nice about getting something in the mail that's not a bill, a bill, or a...
I got schooled by Mrs. Meyer, and now I clean like the dickens.
Once upon a time, there was a girl who wasn't a very good housekeeper. Then she flew to Minnesota--which is cooler than she could have imagined--and met a fairy grandmother who taught her that cleanliness is next to just-plain-goodness, because it can actually be...
9/11: A day to remember, through service
I have struggled with how to explain September 11th to my children ever since they were old enough to understand that something big and terrible happened that day nine years ago.I still struggle, but now that this has also become a National Day of Service, I like the...
Ruffles, ruffles, everywhere and lots of girls to wear them
Of the kids' clothing lines that I anxiously await the new season's collections, Ses Petites Mains is definitely high on the list. And let's just say that designer Beth Miles' combination of ruffles and plaid, with some adorable denim on the side makes me very happy...
Twin sets for babies of type geeks
I have quite a few friends who are mothers of twins, so I've always got my eye out for cute twin tees that aren't the same old same old. And yes, they do exist. [don't miss a nice offer after the jump!] Case in point: The wonderful Twin Baby onesies from the mom and...
We like WeWe (and so does Hollywood)
Some kids put on a Superman cape when they want to run super fast. But my kid puts on her "Cheetah Dress," which is actually the Jasmine Shell Puff Sleeve dress from WeWe Clothing. And she has good taste, according to celebs like Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, and...
Mamas & Papas is good news for mamas and papas everywhere.
The last thing that the world may be waiting for is another stroller brand. And yet Mamas & Papas is not new to the world--just to the US. As of, oh, about right now. And I actually was waiting for it. For real. After nearly 20 years, Britain's number one baby...
The wit, wisdom, and expensive stationery of Simon Doonan
Dempsey & Carroll makes the kind of fancypants stationery that you drool over in high end department stores -- that is, if you're the type who drools over fancypants stationery at all. Yes, I am that type. It's the kind of stuff you want on hand should you ever...