More coolness from recent weeks…

Mommy likes the leather

Mommy likes the leather

Having just picked up the sad, scattered remains of a beaded ring just now destroyed by my brute of a 6 month-old, I forgot how tough babies can be on mommy's baubles. With that fresh in my mind, I'm very happy to have found artist Allison Sattinger's Marshmallow...

Killing Three Baby Books With One Stone

Killing Three Baby Books With One Stone

Was it just me or is it every pregnant mom's shower nightmare to get fourteen cutesie baby books that haunt you from your closet, unused,  months after your baby is born. I'd rather request this fantastic three book combo by Loralin Design that we spotted at chic...

Haul Out the Holly

Haul Out the Holly

So maybe you need a little Christmas, right this very minute - or maybe you're doing your best Bah, Humbug every time you hear another round of Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer in the supermarket. If you're in the former camp, you're going to love the festive...

Moms At Work

Moms At Work

If you haven't yet bookmarked Mommy Track'd, The working mother's guide to managed chaos, you haaaave to do it. Besides fantastic columns from great writers and a slew of resources for working moms, I always like poking around their shop to see what's new. Amidst the...

Hey Kid, Paint Your Own Toys.

Hey Kid, Paint Your Own Toys.

With all toy recalls, everyone has been joking about making their own toys. But considering I can barely make a complete dinner, I don't know that I can be trusted to handcraft a cool toy worthy of my picky 3-year-old.But we can most certainly paint our own...

Mom-Approved Mistletoe

Mom-Approved Mistletoe

I'm all for celebrating the holidays with a bit of seasonal wear, but I haven't quite figured out why, in order for something to be considered festive, it has to be drenched in snowmen and candy canes. Baby Legs' stylish new seasonal collection is calling to...

Next Stop, Oprah’s Book Club

Next Stop, Oprah’s Book Club

I have yet to nail down the perfect way to effectively collect and display my daughter's massive amounts of artwork. But then I found Little Author, an awesome mom and dad-run business that will take your kid's artwork and turn it into a real live book.The process...

In the News[boy]

In the News[boy]

I am now calling my son "The kid with the largest head on this planet" -- said with love, of course. The search has been on to find a hat for him that's cute, warm, and won't cut off all blood flow to his brain.Well thanks to Faith's Hats at Portland-based...

The Little Engine That Refused to Contain Lead Paint

The Little Engine That Refused to Contain Lead Paint

In light of this year's recall of the Ubiquitous Licensed Cartoon Character Train Set Which Shall Remain Nameless, we've gotten an insane number of inquiries from cautious parents looking for other options. Oh, if only there were something made from wood, in the USA,...

When is a Box Not a Box? When It’s a Mansion

When is a Box Not a Box? When It’s a Mansion

Like all parents, I've learned that indeed it's true, kids are often happier playing with the package a gift comes in than the gift itself. Of course it doesn't stop us from giving them more than cardboard boxes. Until now.The cardboard playhouse is maybe my...

Bring Home a Kitten for the Holidays

Bring Home a Kitten for the Holidays

I am a little melancholy as I embark upon my first holiday season in close to two decades without my beloved, nasty, shedding, crazy, man-eating cat. But if the trade-off means that I can justify bringing home these Little  Dear Fatkitties from artist Aimee Ray,...

Baby Gifts That Give Back

Baby Gifts That Give Back

If you hear the words "fair trade" thrown around but never really knew what it was, let us 'splain: It basically means that you're buying from people who take care of their artisans and workers by paying more than minimum wage, providing benefits, and...

Coats on the Wings of Angels

Coats on the Wings of Angels

I confess I'm totally guilty of tossing the kids' coats over chairs, the stroller handle, the exersaucer (the floor) - pretty much everywhere but in the coat closet. Excellent example I'm setting, I know. Maybe I'd be more apt to hang the outerwear if I didn't have to...

I Go to Extremes

I Go to Extremes

If you rummaged through my son's drawers you'd find absolutely no sports themed wear. I'm just not a fan of overpriced licensed jerseys that help fund overpaid athletes.But I am loving Milkshaxs, a Vancouver clothing company that caters to the sports fanatics of the...

Kiss These CDs, They’re Irish

Kiss These CDs, They’re Irish

Enough with the four thousand versions of "Lullaby, and Goodnight" already. For something out of the ordinary but with the same lulling qualties, I'm loving Putumayo's new compilation, Celtic Dreamland. The tracks fall on the opposite side of the energy...

Yo. My Blocks are Cooler Than Yours.

Yo. My Blocks are Cooler Than Yours.

So blocks are blocks, right? They're wooden, you build with them, you knock them down. Blocks. Yeah, well, not the Graffiti Blocks from Rockin' Blocks. No alternababy or rock n' roll love child's toy collection is complete without a set. They're handmade in Brooklyn,...

Baby’s First Way Cool Christmas Clothes

Baby’s First Way Cool Christmas Clothes

I have never understood what people need with a "Baby's First Christmas" onesie spelled out in red and green bling anyway. Do you think that without it, the parents will look back at photos of their five month old surrounded by gift wrap and say, "Hm, I...

Hey, Snowflakes Really Are One-of-a-Kind

Hey, Snowflakes Really Are One-of-a-Kind

I've always been more of an artisan-made, crafty ornament type. I know, you're not surprised, but shiny balls that come in the 30-pack from CVS are not really my style. I'd rather have fewer ornaments, each one special and beautiful. So when I came across the lovely...