September 2009 Archives

Baby baby decor is totally last year. You should avoid crayola and powder colored anything! Babies are humans too and they deserve better =) But to be totally practical, you will get way more longevity with decor that is not strictly meant for newborns. It will also stay upbeat and interesting to you for longer because once your tot grows out of infancy, you want that stage to pass along with any and all reminders of sleepness nights and inconsolable crying. If you love eclectic, this Rickshaw crib set will fit right in with your house like a glove. The bright and vibrant colors will set the mood and keep the entire family happy. It does come with a bumper, which is a bummer since I am kind of against the potentially suffocating and ladder like contraption. But unfortunately you have to pay for it in this set even if you don't use it. I wish stores would start offering the option to buy without bumpers! I think I might contact them about this! Udaipur Crib Set at Giggle for $380.

This might just look like another doll but for some reason, it makes girls so giddy and attached to her because she comes in a bassinet that converts into a travel pod. The bedding on the crib lifts off around the basket, it has a drawstring on it so when it is pulled tight it looks like a little handbag. The doll and bassinet is small, the doll is only 3 inches tall. My daughter has become inseparable with "Ashie" (she named her after we had that fire) and I don't mind her taking this everywhere because she is fully contained with lesser chance of loose objects falling out and getting lost. This is the perfect gift for any girly girl, especially this gift set with highchair and a closet full of clothes! The Gift Set is $125 and just the doll is $40 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

There is cute and then there is insanely cute. These Kimono onesies from Lucky Wang NYC is of course the latter. Instead of the plain white wrap onesie, Lucky Wang turned on their creative juices and came up with the same design but in a Kimono style! Brilliant does not even begin to describe the genius. This is so fantastic, it is making my list of favorite gifts I buy for newborns. This is memorable, functional and best of all, will be fantastic for photographs!! 100% Cotton, true to size and gets softer with washings. The Sakura Red Kimono is $34 and the Nono Hana
is $36 at Lucky Wang.

D&G Jr. knows how to design a cute dress for tots! But instead of some stiff and uncomfortable satin or silk, this is 100% cotton jersey with a loose elastic banded waist so your tot will keep this one with a big smile. The pink and brown combo is one of my favorites, I'm thinking of painting the girls room pink and brown, and with printed butterflies, it is a sure hit and no brainer. A tad on the expensive side but a great piece to have in the wardrobe! At Neiman Marcus for $365.

A cute and simple way to keep organized in any room. This toy tote easily transports from room to room or even take it on the go. We do a lot of road trips so throwing this in the car not only gets the tots excited about getting in the car, it makes life much easier at boring hotels or tot-less houses. It is so cute, you won't even mind it hanging out in the living room for a while. Actually, this would be really cute for magazines in my bedroom! Versatile, to boot! Measures 16" x 14". At Chasing Fireflies for $80.

I have depended on the trusted advice of my good friend, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, for years now. Kim is one of the first people I think of calling when I have an "uh oh" moment. She somehow always knows the right thing to do!  I have no idea how she juggles her life as an author (of four books-- check them out here), radio personality, lifestyle expert, her many national speaking engagements and mommy to JR (a bouncing soon to be two year old!)!  Read on to find out how this busy mom stays sane and chic!  Follow Kim on Twitter here!
 
Mornings are tough for moms. Do you have any tips or advice on how to look put together with no time to spare? You can always tell when I have had a hurried morning when my hair is in a pony tail! I love the look and I am always thrilled that it doesn't seem to go out of style! I keep a stock of simple rubber bands that are the same color as my hair in a drawer and I grab and run when I need to. I also love to buy dresses because it is so much faster for me to throw on a dress than it is to select a top to go with the pants then maybe a belt or a scarf...I could play dress up all day and I lose all sense of time in my closet! I also keep a stash of LuLu Lemon outfits to throw on. They are tailored in a way that most exercise clothes are not and, somehow, they seem a bit more polished than typical exercise clothes.

Whether you want to encourage your tot to be helpful in the kitchen or reward her for already doing so, this Piggy Story vintage apron will send out the right message - be empowered no matter what you do! Hopefully, for the majority of the world's cultures, gone are the days when women are forced to be in the kitchen. I love to cook and I love cooking for people I love. I love my title of "housewife", even though technically I am not one, but nowadays, being a housewife is empowering because it is what I choose. Taking care of my family is my number one priority. I also get to decide everything else in my life and that is the important difference these days. So, yes there is a lot of societal politics associated with buying a "vintage apron" for you daughter but I revel in the irony now that that image has been turned on its head. At La Bella Flora Children's Boutique for $21.

Here it is, the only coat your girly girl tot will need all winter. How incredibly chic and adorable is this? There is nothing that compares. And a Tartine et Chocolate, you know it is immaculately tailored so she will look posh and lady-like no matter what kind of mess she usually gets herself in. At Forest and Zoe for $310.

Restaurant high chairs actually work pretty well. The only thing is, it's not the cutest piece of furniture so I would never think about bringing it home. But this Tavo High Chair has all the ease and functionality AND it looks great! I love pulling up my tot right up to the table so she can be a part of the dining experience instead of being set aside eating by herself. It is the best time for the family to get together and on a round table (well, at least mine is), you get to look at everybody. How great is that? There isn't enough minutes in the day when you can just stare longingly at the people you love the most. The cushiony seat is comfy and easy to clean. The T-Bar allows even the smallest tots to sit securely, well, of course as long as they are able to sit upright by themselves. But by the time they are eating solids, they are most likely able to sit. Leather comes in brown, black or white and wood base comes in either light or dark stain. At Sparkability for $299.

I saw this vest yesterday and bought it immediately! How cute is this? It comes with pom-poms at the end of the ties and the faux fur is so soft and cuddly!! Vests are great for tots, it keeps them warm but allows them to move freely as they play and explore. The fur will dress up a dress or be cool and hip in casual jeans and tights. It is the perfect accessory for fall and a must have for miniature fashionistas! At Little Luna Blue for $94.