More coolness from recent weeks…

Birthday countdown

Birthday countdown

I owe a whopping thanks to Big Day Chains for getting me to my daughter's 5th birthday (today!) without completely losing my mind. Because if there's anything more annoying than the "Are we there yet?" question, it's "How many days until my birthday?"These smart 30...

Craft inspiration beyond egg cartons and glitter pens

Craft inspiration beyond egg cartons and glitter pens

I'm always on the lookout for websites that can help me with my neglected crafty side, like tips, tutorials, and ideas for cool new projects. I'm feeling the inspiration from the talented folks at Cut Out and Keep. Basically this member-centric site lets you post...

Childrearing advice for when you’ve misplaced your gay uncle

Childrearing advice for when you’ve misplaced your gay uncle

Fellow blogger and Vanity Fair contributor Brett Berk has unleashed on the world his parenting perspective with The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting: Candid Counsel From the Depths of the Daycare Trenches. Berk obviously has no uterus and no children. That said, you may...

Making a toast to Klean Kanteen

Making a toast to Klean Kanteen

I may not know my Syrah from my Pinot Noir, but there are still times I'd love a glass of wine at a late-day beach picnic or at that Little League game that goes into extra innings. But dragging along a glass wine bottle (let alone wrestling it open in the bleachers)...

My little babushka

My little babushka

We have been fans of Bella Tunno baby products since the early days, before little retailers like Target discovered how cool they were. It's been a while since I visited their site (they don't need us any more, sniff) and was intrigued by the new kids headscarves...

Mid-century classics for the munchkin set

Mid-century classics for the munchkin set

We're all major fans of Knoll studio, which is synonymous with elegant, modern furniture design. So we're especially happy that they've rolled out Knoll Kids, featuring scaled down versions of some of their most famous pieces. Your child can return to the womb,...

Home of the Brave, the Furry and the Grouchy

Home of the Brave, the Furry and the Grouchy

With a little one who hates loud noises and falls asleep before 9, seeing big Fourth of July fireworks has become one of those "maybe next year" dreams we tell his older siblings. So we were happy to learn about PBS' A Capitol Fourth which will have a whole bunch of...

Avast, ye scurvy junk food

Avast, ye scurvy junk food

It had to happen eventually - -first Cookie Monster, and now pirates have gone on a health kick. Now your wee sea raider can easily sport a message of terror best befitting his or her station in life (right at the highchair) with these adorable pirate onesies. And...

A kinder, gentler gift wrap

A kinder, gentler gift wrap

I've admitted here before that I'm a terrible gift wrapper, but as long as there are children aging in the world, there will be presents to wrap. Which is why I'm so happy to have found the Eco Deco line of green gift wrapping from Olive Paper. Yes, of course a true...

Read it again (and again and again and again)

Read it again (and again and again and again)

We've all been there; the kid has found his Most Favorite Book Ever, and he wants to hear it over and over. Sure, you were a patient and loving model parent the first 5,000 times, but after that I think you get a pass.With One More Story, not only your kid get his...

Y water? Because we like it.

Y water? Because we like it.

Since bringing home a few bottles of Y Water to try out, my kids have been asking for it pretty much hourly. And that is saying something, because getting them to drink water lately is like getting them to eat foods that aren't white. Basically the stuff is like a...

The one page baby record book

The one page baby record book

We've all experimented with the best way to keep track of a newborn's schedule of eating, sleeping, and pooping. If the pen-and-paper way isn't for you, then Sarah Masci's stylish and eco-friendly Lullaboard may do the trick. This dry-erase board is formatted to track...

The leg room’s not bad but they don’t serve lunch

The leg room’s not bad but they don’t serve lunch

When I saw the Cardboard Designs airplane at Arte Bebe, I immediately sent it to my husband the pilot, who immediately sent it to all his pilot friends because it might just be the coolest plane toy we've ever seen. We're already fans of recyclable cardboard toys for...

Easy peace-y

Easy peace-y

I think somewhere in my heart I'm a damn dirty hippie with all this suppressed nostalgia for the Woodstock era. Of course that would be the Pepsi commercial version of Woodstock, where all the guys are hot and shirtless, the tie-dyes are cute and clean, and the...

This Works. Says them. And us.

This Works. Says them. And us.

Each morning, it takes a vat of coffee to get me going and ready to face another day in charge of three young lives. So yes, I was eager to try out a shower gel with the word "energy" in it. This Works: Energy Bank Bath and Shower Gel works indeed. Not...

Cool Beans

Cool Beans

Magic Beans may sound like something a frat guy tried to slip me back in college, but it's actually the name of a super stocked Boston area baby gear and toy store. The mom/pop team of Eli & Sheri Gurock have done a great job streamlining  the site with the...

The dress that makes me want a third baby. (This time a girl.)

The dress that makes me want a third baby. (This time a girl.)

I have two boys, and while I adore them, I've always felt like I missed out a little when it comes to shopping, because boys really get the short end of the stick for play clothes. I'm especially feeling that way now that I've seen the beautiful dresses from kid a...

Let’s go to the clip

Let’s go to the clip

Just when I think I've seen every hair clip known to man (or diva-in-training), I discover the adorable children's barrettes from artist Hayley Hackler of Flying Frog Apparel.  She takes fabric scraps and buttons, layers them, and refashions them into teeny...

Like a craft fair without the parking hassles

Like a craft fair without the parking hassles

I just discovered the wonderful Poppytalk Handmade, and I am wondering where it's been all my life. This online craft fair comes from the minds behind the wonderful Canadian design blog Poppytalk and each month there's a new theme (right now it's summer fun) that...