More coolness from recent weeks…

Flights of Fancy

Flights of Fancy

Sometimes I come across one-of-a-kind artwork that’s just so wow, I’m almost tempted not to share it here. Because if you like it before I get around to clicking "add to my cart," I lose.

Dream Dolls

Dream Dolls

If I were a designer, I would create excellent dolls that looked like turkey on rye. But thank goodness designer Esther Schuivens is Esther Schuivens, and her line of fabulous Esthex softies are inspired by a non-sandwich cast of characters.

Who Doesn’t Like Jimmies?

Who Doesn’t Like Jimmies?

God love the Wonderpets soundtrack, but I’m just about one long car ride away from "accidentally" cracking the CD in half. So on a recent trip, I was happy to have another CD on hand to try out: The premier album from NY-based kids band, The Jimmies, Make Your Own Someday: Silly Songs for the Shorter Set.

Stuck on Stickers

Stuck on Stickers

My daughter has officially reached that very important developmental milestone known as the sticker age. If it’s got an adhesive back, then to her it’s the single greatest thing since ice cream–Scotch tape included.

The Itsy Bitsy Yet Totally Stylish and Even a Little Avant-Garde Spider

The Itsy Bitsy Yet Totally Stylish and Even a Little Avant-Garde Spider

I am all for spending a little more on an article of kid’s clothing if it’s gorgeous, well made, good for multiple uses, and particularly if it’s supporting a small business. And now that I have a second daughter, I’ve got a new trick: Just look at any price and divide it in half – 50% for each child. Isn’t justification wonderful?

The Grand Canyon: Not Just a Big Hole in the Ground

The Grand Canyon: Not Just a Big Hole in the Ground

I’m an old-fashioned kind of mom. You won’t find tubes of yogurt in my refrigerator, licensed characters on my kids’ sheets, or a portable DVD player in my car. I don’t care whether we’re driving five miles or flying five hundred miles – Dora is not my co-pilot.

Merit Badges for Diaper Changing? Right On.

Merit Badges for Diaper Changing? Right On.

The one drawback to Mother’s Day is that it gives some people the idea that you only need to be thanked, rewarded, and otherwise showered with praise one day a year. Beg to differ. We (I) need all the gratuitous "good job" and "you’re pretty" type accolades we (I) can get.

That’s Mr. Posh Spice To You

That’s Mr. Posh Spice To You

As our nation’s kids head back to school–and soccer practice–with visions of bending it like the newly green carded David Beckham, I say get them a little gear to go with the aspirations.

Once in a Blue Moon, Farts Aren’t Funny

Once in a Blue Moon, Farts Aren’t Funny

If you had a cranky, gassy baby like my daughter, then you know how terribly frustrating it can be. And while there’s no shortage of products to help relieve bloated bellies, not all of them work for every baby.

Rockin the ‘garten

Rockin the ‘garten

It’s an understatement to say that my daughter is thrilled about her first day of kindergarten. She’s already selected her outfit and has been mulling over backpacks. But she also has a gazillion questions

The Many Colors of Babies

The Many Colors of Babies

As a bi-racial woman raising a multi-racial child in a homogenous suburban neighborhood, it’s challenging to provide my daughter with a wide range of cultural experiences. In plain speak: All the kids are white!

Love Bug

Love Bug

I used to chuckle when all my friends with little boys would complain about the clothes offerings. Little did I know, I’d be chiming in with my own disgruntlement with the lack of anything other than crossed hockey sticks and little toy trains.

An Heirloom Minus the Mothball Smell

An Heirloom Minus the Mothball Smell

Who doesn’t love those high-quality, family heirloom baby clothes that were skillfully hand-made by Great-Great-Grandmama after which they were preserved and passed down through the generations?

Those Who Skipped the Changing Table, Raise Your Hand

Those Who Skipped the Changing Table, Raise Your Hand

With my daughter, I invested in a handy dandy changing table that I used all of four times. I strongly suggest you use a dresser top and a changing pad…or like I did, maybe just your bed. Then all you need is a cute little diaper caddy to hold the essentials.

Could I See Your ID?

Could I See Your ID?

My parents started a lovely tradition of buying each of us an engravedgold ID bracelet when we were born.While I love the sentiment, I just can’t see myself buying my kids a filigree yellow gold bracelet considering they’ll probably never wear it.

We’ll Always Have Paris

We’ll Always Have Paris

Being a mom of two little ones means the only Paris I’m likely to see anytime soon will be on a movie screen. Oh, who am I kidding. It’ll be my television if I can pry my eyes open past 9pm.