volume control.

I love this shirt! If only the volume control really worked, it would be perfect. I have a child or two that could definitely use an on and off switch once in awhile. 

behind the scenes:

If you're anything like me, it makes a world of difference to know the woman or mom or parents behind an already incredible company.  Our enthusiasm about Puj (see above giveaway!) comes from believing in their Go Sling and Booti as well as knowing (and celebrating) Katie as a person and friend.  We thought you could do the same!  Meet Katie:

*Katie, these new shoes are fantastic and very newborn Camper-esque (but with plenty of originality of course).  What did you pull from for inspiration when designing the Booti? 

I have always had a great admiration for all things simple. My favorite flower is the calla lilly because it's one pedal and so beautiful. I have always admired European/Scandinavian design because it was so minimal and had such beautiful clean lines. Originally I was a furniture designer and I always admired a design that could stand the test of time. Charles and Ray Eames were masters at this and have created a number of classic chairs that are both beautiful and functional. When I spend my money on something I don't want it to just look good but it must work well. I want it to last me a long time.

*So, what's the process for creating designer baby booties?  How long have these been in the works?

I started working on the booti pattern soon after my son was born (he just turned four).  Originally they were made from fabric. But when it comes to durability and simplicity the leather was a natural material for me to gravitate toward. I just kept thinking that most of the baby shoes on the market were either too stiff or had no form to them. I wanted a form that would be sophisticated and classic and yet have some character to them, without sewing on a lion or duck to be so literal. And the idea of a symmetrical shoe was just another way for me to make a parent's life that much easier. I can't tell you how many times I have wrestled my kids to get their shoes on, only to discover I put them on the wrong feet. It's these little things that can send a parent over the edge. And so Puj's mission is to eliminate these little daily hassles and make your time with you own "puj" more enjoyable.

*Congratulations on being en-route to becoming a mother of three boys!  What are the benefits and/or trials of being a mother-run business?

Being a mother-run business I feel I have a huge advantage over the large corporations because I am the customer. I am living the life of a parent every day and I experience the joys and frustrations that come along with it. In the Fall I will have 3 boys at home all day for one year before my oldest starts kindergarten. So I have plenty of little ones to test out my ideas. I also keep a notebook of ideas because there are times when I think "I wish I had one of these, or this would work so much better without all the extras." Of course, being a full time mother is an overwhelming task in itself and Puj would not be possible if I didn't have people around me who supported me and wanted to help out. My husband is a huge help and a BIG part of the company. He is a product designer as well and we're always bouncing ideas off each other. We also just hired our first employee who is helping to oversee manufacturing so I can focus on design of new products.

*Tell us a little about your family.

My husband and I met in the Industrial design department at BYU. We moved to the Portland Oregon area when I graduated and were working for competing design firms. Now I stay home full time as a mother and am LOVING it! We love going on adventures and playing outside. My husband introduced me to riding a road bike (bicycle) and now we go for rides with the whole family. We also like to grow a garden and have been doing a lot of work in our yard to expand it.

*I have the advantage of knowing you (and of course am a solid Katie fan), but for those who don't:

-your daily routine?

I am up and back from a morning run before my boys get up (most of the time). I am loving granola with yogurt and berries for breakfast these days! My husband works close to home so he usually joins us for lunch. I try and answer emails and get some work done while the boys are napping. Almost every afternoon we are usually at the park, even if it's cold and rainy! We also love the library and reading fun books before bedtime. I don't really get solid working time during the day and so I have had to learn when to put it down and go play hide-and-seek. I do also work at night after the kids are asleep, but sometimes I am ready for bed too after 8pm. 

-what are your passions?

Passions?  Hmmmm! I love fresh squeezed orange juice and a cold glass of lemonade! I love looking through all my fabric and thinking up a creation and making it up right then. I really like carpentry and welding but I don't have access to a shop these days and so the sewing machine has become my new passion. I use a 1968 Bernina with all machined parts. You can't believe how heavy it is but it is such a tank. I've been amazed and what it will sew through. It is always fun to explore new materials and try making something new. And most importantly I love seeing my boys get along and share with one another. It is so rewarding to be with a family I love and watch my kids learn and grow.

-an unfulfilled dream?

I really feel like I am living my dreams. Growing up I use to tell people "I wanted to work with metal." Though I do still love metal, really what I wanted to do was create with my own two hands.  I do like to compose on the piano and as a kid I dreamed I would be on the Oprah show and she would ask me all about my compositions! But, anytime I try to play the piano these days I have two little "helpers" playing with me.

-your favorites?

One of my favorite albums of all time is "David Gray: Lost Songs." He is such a sincere singer/songwriter and plays from the heart.  I love Vietnamese food. It is so fresh and flavorful without being greasy.  I am really liking non-fiction these days. "Dare to Discipline" by Dr. Dobson and Andrew Carnegies "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is great for business relationships. I have a pair of red "Shelly" shoes that look kind of like a flat dutch clog + are super comfortable. The best part is they were originally $80 and I bought them for $10 at this great store in Phoenix (where I grew up).  Designers: Marc Newson, Charles and Ray Eames, Phillipe Starck, Scott Wilson, and the like.  And vacationing in Southern Alberta. This is where my mother grew up and it was so fun to go and stay with my Grandparents and enjoy the farm country, Watertown National Park, Banff, Glacier National Park, there is just so much to see.  

*Is there anything we can anticipate from Puj in the future?  Where do you hope to take your company?

We do have a couple products we hope to introduce sometime this summer. And of course there are many more we are pursuing. I really feel like our brand could branch out into not just parent products but people products. We all can appreciate something simple that makes our lives better. 

Katie, you and what you've created are pretty fantastic.  I can't wait to see what's to come.  Congratulations on the Booti!  

the toddler owner's manual.

Finally an owner's manual for your toddler. Operating instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips and Advice on System Maintenance.

"Does your toddler refuse to consume fuel? Are there viruses in her system? Do you need to program her sleep routine? Whatever your concerns you'll find the answers here..."

While you may not be in need of the toddler owner's manual we're willing to bet you know someone who is. If you're lucky enough not to, it couldn't hurt to brush up once in awhile. Instructions for ages 1-3.

michela.

Michela has two kids: Tomasso (nearly 3) and Beatrice (2 months). She is Italian and living in Milan.

{morning}
What's a typical breakfast for you and your family?
*My 2.5 year old son has a bottle of milk and then snacks on a couple of biscuits (cookies), I’ll have a cup of tea (no milk) and biscuits my husband has an espresso at home and then a cappuccino with croissant at the café next to the office.

*I’m not very regular, but I like a Total Body Workout in a local gym that is taught by my sister’s dance teacher. She is tough and the class is never boring. I’d love to have a treadmill at home though (jogging in Milan is everything but healthy).

Clothing style?
*Boot cut jeans and a turtle neck, with camper shoes.

Your #1 makeup/skincare item?
Touche Eclat by YSL.

*I like my children’s clothing to be without weird prints, rhinestones or cheesy embroidery… so I’ll shop around for simple plain stuff which is not too expensive. I’ll mix and match from Petit Bateau, Du Pareil au Meme, Benetton, H&M and Zara. Will get some GAP, Old Navy or Ralph Lauren stuff from american Ebay or on the odd trip to London. Here and then I would treat my kids (and me!) to some nice piece from Moe.

{noon}
What you don't leave the house without?
*Bottled water and my mobile phone.

What's the cost of a cafe lunch for you and your kids?
*In a cafe we could spend between 5 and 10 euros each.

Your favorite day time city activities?
*Walking around town doing a bit of shopping (if I just have my newborn daughter with me, and I’m not working).

What do you do on a bad weather day?
*Stay at home, read books and watch a Pixar dvd with my older son.

What's your creative outlet?
*I’m not very creative, I love to cook and do a bit of cross-stitching.

Online?
*I read Italian newspapers everyday and I also like the Observer website. I read their Women and Food Monthly regularly... It makes me feel closer to London!

Is it easy to live "green" in Milan?
*Not too easy, and not really encouraged. We recycle plastic, paper, glass and cans. We try to use a lot of energy saving light-bulbs and when we finally bought a car we got a petrol Euro4 (low emission).

{evening}
*I make dinner, even though my husband is a decent cook.

A typical menu?
*A nice pasta and a salad.

How do you kick back at the end of a long day?
*Having a white beer as an aperitive and if kids allow me by surfing the web, watching Grey's Anatomy or Ugly Betty or reading a nice book.

Your favorite film?
*Difficult to choose, I have to admit that 4 Weddings and a Funeral is probably the one. Sex and the City (the movie), it's not out yet... but I know I will love it!


Visit Michela on Babyccino.

emilie.

Emilie has a daughter, Madeleine (but we call her Coco) and she is 2. Emilie is also pregnant with another daughter due in April. She is French/German/Irish living in Paris, married to a Kiwi.

Missed Monday and Tuesday? Learn about our Babyccino tour here.


{morning}
What's a typical breakfast for you and your family?
*The healthy version is muesli, yogurt and fruit for the grown up and Weetabix for the kid. But we often do indulge in croissants from the bakery across the road. They are very hard to resist.

How would you define your clothing "style"?
*Smart casual. I have given up high heels but have not given in to sweatpants yet. I like wearing clothes that do not feel out of place during the day but I can also wear out at night with a little change of accessories.

Your #1 makeup/skincare item?
*NUXE Reve de Miel

*I can't go anywhere without my old fashioned filofax diary. I have tried electronic diaries and a lot of other things but always go back to the type of diaries you have to write things into!

{noon}
What's the cost of a cafe lunch for you and your kids?
*Anything from 5 euros for a croque monsieur to about 10 euros for a pasta dish. The great thing is that since January all the cafes and restaurants are smoke-free so you can go to most of them without coming out smelling like an ashtray.

*My favourite local children's boutiques are BONTON and LILLI BULLE. I also get a lot of children's clothes from our local super market Monoprix as they can have really cute and inexpensive children's clothes.

Your favorite day time city activities?
*(with kids) I love taking my daughter to the park as there are some great little playgrounds around here and it gives her an outlet to let go of all that surplus energy.
(without kids) I love walking around and discovering the city I live in and people watching. It is the best way to get to know a place and it is such a luxury to have the time to wander that I really love it!

What do you do on a bad weather day?
*Read books, cook and try and sort out my wardrobe for the millionth time
I am currently reading "The Time Traveller’s Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger but I can't say that I have really gotten into it yet!

What's your creative outlet?
*I actually really enjoy making things from sewing clothes to knitting to making furniture. It is such a nice feeling to have something in front of you that you made yourself.

Online?
*I am a daily reader of the main newspaper websites, le Monde, the BBC and the Guardian. My other favourite website is chic shopping Paris. It always has great tips for little shops and original places to go.

*I was very lucky to find a mother’s collective.. when I first moved to Paris and did not know a soul. This is how a met a lot of my girlfriends and we all started a weekly play group together. It is a purely Anglo group though. Meeting genuine local mothers has been hard as most French mothers work full time and the kids are in full-time nursery care. I met most of my French friends through going back to work.

Is it easy to live "green" in Paris?
*It’s difficult. We recycle glass and plastic here, but there is no way to participate in a composting scheme and it is very difficult to have an energy efficient heating system. There is a very good bicycle rental scheme that has been implemented by the city council. You can find VELOLIB' pods all around the city and pay a minimal fair to rent a bike. Once you are done with it, you just leave it at the nearest VELOLIB' pod, even if it is at the other end of the city. It’s a great idea but obviously not very useful if you are traveling around with kids in tow.

{evening}
*Both my husband and I cook. We eat a lot of salads and vegetables (courtesy of our almost daily local farmers markets). Also a lot of Thai-style stir-fries and curries.

How do you kick back at the end of a long day?
*I will do anything from meeting up with my girlfriends for a quick glass of wine at a local cafe or watching a DVD of a movie with a happy ending. I can't do sad endings anymore.

*I am a big fan of Robert Rodriguez movies, though I have not seen his latest "Planet Terror". I really enjoyed "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Brokeback Mountain"





Visit Emilie on Babyccino.

esther.

Esther has two kids: Sara (2 1/2) and Pim (turns 1 this month). She is Dutch and living in Amsterdam

Catch up. Learn about Babyccino here.


{morning}
*Breakfast in the Netherlands is extensive! There are different sorts of sliced bread or buns in a basket (toasted or not). On the table, there will be butter, cold cuts (i.e. ham, chicken, sausage), one or two big pieces of Dutch cheese (yes, with cheese slicer!), and a variety of sweet toppings (jam, apple butter, chocolate sprinkles). Everybody makes their own ‘boterham’ (sandwich). Even my 11 months old eats his boterham, with cream cheese or pâté and cut in pieces. My 2 ½ year old loves chocolate sprinkles, but has to eat a boterham with a savoury topping first. We often have a soft boiled egg with it, and drink coffee and orange juice (the children drink milk).

I must say I’m very lucky as my husband always takes care of breakfast in the morning so I can have some extra sleep (I’m not much of a morning person, to be honest).

Clothing style?
*Trendy and comfortable: skinny jeans, cool sneakers (Ash, Emma Hope), leather jacket or cashmere cape. No heels while pushing the pram!
(But for evenings I like to dress up, and the heels will come out of the closet!)

Your #1 makeup/skincare item?
*I use Shiseido's tinted moisturizer every single day!

Your favourite local children’s’ clothing brand?
*A very cool Dutch brand I love is Imps&elfs.

{noon}
Your favourite day time city activities?
*Honestly? With or without children: Meeting up with a girlfriend, browse through some cute shops (mostly for the kids), have a nice lunch, go to a (kid friendly) museum.
I seem to be rubbing off on my 2½ year old daughter, who now defines ‘shopping’ as one of her favourite activities!

What do you do on a bad weather day?
*Laundry!

With the children, I take out the paper and paint and try to come up with a creative project (e.g. make your own caterpillar).

What's the cost of a cafe lunch for you and your kids?
*About 10 euros for 2 panini, a cappuccino and an apple juice with straw... (depending on the venue of course).

Your favorite local lunch cuisine?
*A crispy bun with cheese or meat, salad, sprouts, etc. and a LARGE cappuccino!

Online?
*I check a variety of newspapers, and love fellow Dutch girl Bloesem’s blogs.

Is it easy to live "green" in Amsterdam?
*People in the Netherlands are very well trained in recycling. In supermarkets no plastic bags are provided for free – most people bring their own bags (if you forget you can buy them for 20 cents each). Public transport is easy and affordable. Paper, glass etc. are collected separately. Car taxes are high.

But, unfortunately, the whole organic craze is only starting to hit Holland, so in the everyday supermarket you won’t be able to find a very good organic selection (but specialty stores exist, though are not very sexy like Whole Foods and the like).

Also, everyone in Amsterdam cycles everywhere. The city is well-designed for cyclists, which makes it easy. I even carry both my children on my bicycle!

{evening}
Who makes dinner? A typical menu?
*I do! I love cooking, for me it is relaxation. Unfortunately, nowadays it’s more stressful, with 2 hungry children climbing in my legs!
I like roasting chicken or fish with steamed veggies, some pasta, potatoes or bread and a salad. But I also love to cook oriental, or soups, or pies – anything!

How do you kick back at the end of a long day?
*A couple of glasses of wine or a white beer. I usually end up in front of the computer, browsing a bit (we don’t have television). Or, I crawl in bed with a magazine (and my man)…

Your favorite film?
*Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind was very, very intense but I can never watch it again as it made me cry non-stop for 2 days (I was pregnant at the time, I admit).
I love most films with Hugh Grant, they are just silly and funny and take my mind of off things.





Visit Esther on Babyccino.

babyccino.

We loved hearing about Babyccino blog, the latest "community" for mothers in the city. The appeal? They're real women, all friends, now spread across Europe: London, Amsterdam, Paris and Milan. Babyccino has become their forum to continue to discuss life in the city, kids, style and products they love. Even better- you're invited. All women and mothers, (etc.) are welcome to take part in talks about romance with toddlers, the latest stroller (buggy) buzz, or their insight into a full week guide of their city. We love internationalism. I crave diversity and was thrilled about the idea of sharing a bit more about the women behind the blog. {Because reading Babyccino does leave me wanting to know even more..} Follow us throughout the week for a peek into a day in the life of... Courtney, Esther, Emilie and Michela. It's an exciting tour.

courtney.

Courtney has two boys: Easton(2 1/2) and Quin(10 months). She is American, living in London.

{morning}

*Breakfasts in our house are like dinners in most… my husband doesn’t have to leave for work until 9:30, so we always enjoy a nice long breakfast as a family! I usually make oatmeal in the mornings during the week (or, if I’m lazy we’ll just have cereal)! But on Saturdays my husband lets me sleep in and makes us all ‘skinny pancakes’!

*I’m sure if I really got my act together, I could squeeze in time for a workout, but unfortunately I’m just not that organized! Thankfully I live in a city where you can walk everywhere! So just leaving my house with two boys in tow (pushing a double buggy) keeps me active and fit (enough)!

How would you define your clothing "style"?
*I live in ballet flats (the Lanvin ones are my favourite) and my flat boots. I’m either in jeans or in leggings. I’m not a very good bargain shopper, so instead of having a lot of really trendy little things, I have a decent amount of nice, good-quality pieces.

*I’m really not good with make-up. (Remembering to brush my teeth is a struggle)! But I could NOT live without my very favourite brand of face lotion: Sjal Cela Intuitif renewal cream. It’s pricey, but I love it

{noon}
*This will sound very frumpy, but I can’t leave the house without the diaper bag. I have a Skip*Hop diaper bag and always keep it loaded with diapers, wipes, snacks, toys, etc. etc.

Your favorite local children's clothing boutique?
*Well, if money weren’t an option I would shop exclusively at these three shops:
1. Caramel Baby: The clothes are SO stinken’ cute, and very European!
2. Brora: Their cashmere jumpers for kids are so cute and cozy, and the quality is great! (I love their stripy hooded jumpers).
3. Elias and Grace: They stock all great kid’s brands like: Album di Famiglia, Quincy, Maan, Petite Bateau, Earnest Sewn Jeans, Simple Kids, etc.

*London is famous for having LOADS of green space. There are the big (and famous) parks, but there are also a ton of little parks tucked into neighbourhood streets. They are everywhere, and they almost all have a playground for kids. We live right off of Hampstead Heath (London’s biggest park), and the Parliament Hill playground is fantastic! It is definitely our “second home”.

If I don’t have the kids with me, my favourite thing to do is just stroll through one of London’s hip neighborhoods. Marylebone High Street is my favourite street in London. I like to just walk down the street starting at the top (toward Regent’s Park) and walk all the way down to Oxford Street. It’s beautiful, quintessentially London, and has almost all of my favourite shops!

*Monkey Music is a great music class where I have met a ton of local mum friends. I’m also a member of the KCWC (Kensington and Chelsea Women’s Club) which is great at facilitating playgroups for mums in similar neighbourhoods. They also plan fun kid’s parties on Easter and Halloween. I’ve met a lot of my closest friends from this club. We have a playgroup that has met every Thursday for the past two years!

Online?
*I read the New York Times ever day, and occasionally I’ll pay a visit to People.com (but don’t tell my husband)!

Is it easy to live "green" in London?
*London is becoming more and more aware of carbon emissions and the environment. We drive a Prius Hybrid (which is great because we don’t have to pay the 8-pound congestion charge to enter central London), and we really LOVE it! I also always try to carry around cotton or canvas bags in my buggy so that I never need plastic or paper bags for my shopping. We try to always buy organic and locally-produced food, which is generally easy to find. I have an organic box delivered to me weekly by Abel & Cole who support local farmers as much as they can. Also, we recycle everything that we can, and all our light-bulbs are energy efficient! Recycling is pretty easy here, as the council gives you specific bins, and they collect once a week.

{evening}

*I make dinner for the kids every night (or if I’m lazy I’ll pick up fresh pasta from the Italian deli next to my house). I usually make them fish or chicken and vegetables. Both my boys aren’t picky when it comes to food, so it makes my job really easy! After I put the boys to bed I usually make dinner for my husband and myself. (But my favourite dinners are pizza nights when I don’t have to cook)! My husband and I have a rule—if you cook, you don’t clean up. So my husband usually ends up doing the dishes!

*My favourite book is “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver. A friend recently told me to read her new memoir, “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle”, but like all the other books I want to read, it is sitting in a huge pile next to my bed. I’m just too tired at night to read a book—my eyes can’t stay open long enough to finish one page!

How do you kick back at the end of a long day?
*With a glass of red wine (or two) and a bit of dark chocolate!!

So, to sum it all up:
*London is such an international city, and so culturally aware. Our friends come from all over the world, and they are smart and well-travelled, and it’s a great influence on us and our kids. It’s also easy to travel all over Europe, which we LOVE. I also love living in a city where I can walk everywhere—where I can buy fresh bread daily and have everything at my fingertips!





Visit Courtney on Babyccino.

potty training.

Tara recently wrote in with the question below and although it kicked me into gear in a bit of a frenzy (her daughter and my son are the same age.. I better get moving), it's been good to start searching for answers.

Dear T & T,

I don't think you have covered this subject yet but I am excited to hear what you and others have to say on the subject of "Potty Training".

I have of course looked at all the gear but I would love advice on what you (or others) have found successful. For instance, is it good to use a little potty or should you start out on the real thing with a kid sized topper? Or, I know accidents will happen but is there any way, other than keeping my child on a tarp, to protect my carpet?

Anyway, I am full of questions and would appreciate any advice or guidance from T &T. I am sure some of you are about to embark on this fun adventure too and we could all benefit from the info you can provide!

Thanks! Tara

Boon Potty Bench, Baby Bjorn Potty Chair

Kabooster step stool,
Cookie Mag's step stool "round up"

We thought that we could learn most by hearing from all of the experts- you, the parents that have been there and done that. So.. please share: your favorite gear (chairs, stools, trainers, undies), the tried and true methods, how to best prepare, and what to do about those inevitable mishaps. Comment away... please.

the cradle.

If you're an expecting or new parent, bookmark this one: The Cradle {just launched in beta on Friday!} is a lifestyle destination with a "fresh approach to planning and preparing for a new (or growing) family." It offers a social networking community, pregnancy progress tracker, product showcases and giveaways, customizable web page options, as well as fresh and trusted content organized by stage and topic and written by a team of incredible parents and experts.

Maybe you're curious if the combo c-section/tummy tuck truly exists or need help{!} with choosing a baby name, are in the market for a stroller... but don't know where to begin, or are searching for tips about throwing an eco-baby shower; whatever your search, The Cradle is your all-in-one resource.

In celebration of their brand new launch, the giveaway to be noted is happening now! From a Svan wooden highchair to a Bugaboo Bee stroller or Boon silver baby bracelet, the prizes are all fantastic and free.

Be sure to explore the site, become a member, and offer any of your in-the-know feedback. Enjoy! {And... what do you think?}

lobotoME.

lobotoME {luh-bot-uh-mee} is a company to instantly fall in love with: creative and quirky design meets brilliant concepts executed perfectly for the modern woman/mother. We have Jenny [chief of surgery/mom] to thank for bringing us products designed around the simple idea of "keep{ing} ME sane."

If you're a lister {think notes list, menu planner, grocery list, honey-do list, workout tracker, etc}... simply me to the "T"... you'll be thrilled to hear that you can now have it all in one place!

"I wanted a fun weekly planner that would encompass all of the above and MORE! I also needed to be reminded on a daily basis to take time for ME so that I remained sane and could recharge for my family and my job and so I wouldn't end up in the loony bin or worse yet with a lobotomy... Here's to no more lobotomies."-- Jenny Newcomer

The goods include sanity-inducing weekly planners, Pack ME note pad, Help Me not pad {honey do list}, Feed ME note pad, Save ME note pad {weekly to do list} and the Mantra ME poster.


I like the idea of having this poster {above} hanging above my computer and feeling the craziness drift away. More so, I'm needing the momME weekly planner to organize all that comes with living in a new home {still in boxes!} and setting up a winter routine for Cole and, like lobotoME so geniusly encourages, make time for me.

Three cheers for lobotoME.com striving to create products that are eco-friendly {made locally with recycled materials} as well as working with the commitment to offset their own carbon footprint by donating to several respected funds. On top of it all-- offering this goodness for very reasonable prices. I'm a fan.

chocolate cake club.

Survival tip #1 for the upcoming holidays: join the club! The Chocolate Cake Club allows parenting to be happy, indulgent and relaxing {like the best of chocolate cakes} by offering a one-stop shop for busy parents looking for quality toys and gifts.



I know several mini chefs that would quickly embrace their very own set of kitchen gear. Cole and I were recently gifted the Playful Chef Kids' Cooking Kit and he's still carrying around the whisk and pastry brush. It's a perfect addition to any play food collection... and will prove even more exciting, I'm sure, when the miniature apron is covered with real cake batter after his first attempts of helping stir in the chocolate chips.

The kit comes packaged in a kid-sized vinyl backpack with room enough for plenty of culinary enthusiasm. $42.95

Be sure to browse other Chocolate Cake Club gifts by either need, age, or type. Shopping couldn't get much easier. My favorites:


Sugarbooger Baby Diaper Bag Organizer Pouches by ORE


eeBoo Candy Matching Game


Barnyard Animals Melamine Kids Dish Set by Crocodile Creek

read this when...

My favorite Real Simple family feature was the "read this when..." section: letters written to children by their parents to be read at various milestones. "Some are funny, some are instructive, some are bittersweet, but rest assured: All of them will make you want to pick up a pen." It's true.

{I searched the internet for the printed article.. but couldn't find it. I retyped my favorite of the letters.}

to Sloane, age one, to be read on your wedding day
by Rob Corddry
{Rob Corddry is an actor is Los Angeles.}

Sloane!
Hey bug! Who's a bug? Who's a bug? Are you a little bug?
I hope that still makes you laugh. In 2007 I kill with that. Sometimes you laugh so hard, I think you're going to turn inside out. But if you are reading this letter, you haven't. You are still right side in, and you are getting married. I wonder what year it is. When do people get married in the future? Your mother and I got married late compared with our parents. I do hope you're not 75. I understand that you may want to have fun and travel, but 75 is way too old to get married for the first time.
Are you happy? Are you the person you want to be? I hope so. If not, don't worry; you still have plenty of time. I hope this person you're marrying helps you out with that.
Here's a good question: Do you still make "the goofy face"? Let me explain. The other morning, I got you out of your crib (are you sleeping past 6:30 A.M. these days?) and brought you into bed with us like I always do. I laid you next to your mother, and you turned and looked at me with the goofy face. It's a very calm yet intentionally piercing gaze, contemplative in the way you cock your head and purse your lips at me. You don't stare at your mom in this fashion. It's almost as if you know I'm going to say something stupid and you are giving me the requisite look, pre-embarrassment.
"She's making that goofy face again," I said to your mom.
"That's not a goofy face," your mom said. "That's a mature face."
And at that moment everything changed. I saw you as you may look today, reading this letter. I saw a flash of the young woman you may become. And in that flash I fell more deeply in love with you, if that's even possible. I reveled for a second in the relationship that we have barely begun to forge. I can't wait.
I hope you enjoy this day. I hope your mother and I weren't impossible and didn't invite too many of our friends or clients. Then again, I am, most likely, paying for this damn thing.
Have a wonder-filled day and a wonder-filled marriage and a wonder-filled life. I'm trying to raise you with love and just the perfect amount of detachment, for as a wise man once said, "You don't belong to me. You belong to God." Tell your partner that when he gets a little too clingy.
Bless you, Sloaney Baloney. My little girl. My little bug.

baby wish list:

This was a fun post that Missy wrote six months ago. A lot has changed since then. 1. Thinking of pregnancy #2 is in my near future, and 2. I keep running across such amazing products. Both of these have led to a list I keep in my Tangled and True {Blissen} journal: the baby wish list.


1. a modern baby bouncer like the svan or oeuf lounger. {the Bloom cocoa baby bouncer is pictured.}
2. a changing table. {I'm in love with this one.} even a great changing cushion would do.
3. modern crib bedding. {I have a list that I love! I'll share when the time comes.}
4. a mobile. {Cole doesn't have one.}
5. a {cariboo} bassinet.


6. a bebe au lait
7. a great nursery lamp. {I love these and this.}
8. wee gallery cards
9. the first 1000 days: a baby journal
10. kina booties
11. babysparewear clothes
12. one lucky baby hooded towels and lovely blankets

13. built ny thirsty totes
14. sigg bottles {they keep the milk cold!}
14. organic baby book

I'm sure this is just the beginning of my wish list. I'm also sure that some will rank higher than others come time to shop. And I also know that this blogging thing {finding amazing products/companies} comes hand in hand with temptation. I love my hobby!

What's on your list?

baby book

We received a few applications for virtual baby shower #1 for adoption babies. So glad to hear it too. All of the applications were moving, to say the least. It's such an exciting time and undoubtedly a really remarkable experience for the parents and the children. I have two sister-in-laws that are in the process of adoption {one through China for a daughter!} right now.

It seems that most baby books out there are for natural-born children though. I found this book {via babygadget} that is perfect for adoption. Fill the book with memorable moments like "first meeting" or "adoption legalized."

Includes a softboard cover; plenty of photo spots; baby shower records; dual (and removeable) family trees with over sixty stickers for accurate labeling; back cover envelope to hold memorabilia. 48 pages, full color. $17

friend.

reclining two week old Clementine.

We have a reader who is nice and has smart taste in anything from children's names to onesies. Justyn {our friend/reader} has created a beautiful photo blog that she is willing to share. With a peak into her life comes some of her favorites. We're so happy to get to know women like you, Justyn.

1 pogi babies handmade

2 aj & co. etsy shop

3 olive juice kids

4 circular accessories etsy shop

5 chasing fireflies

back to school.

I'm a runner so I like to peruse http://www.runnersworld.com/ whenever I get a free moment, which isn't often, but when I do I'm always left a bit more inspired. I especially love Kristin's Armstrong's (Lance Armstrong's ex-wife) blog called Mile Markers. She writes like the reader is her friend, opening up her life experiences while giving details on her current marathon training at the same time. I enjoy it.

Her post this week is about her twin daughters first day of kindergarten. I suggest you read it (here), but I'll warn you. It caught the best of me and I choked up. Maybe it's the mother in me. Or maybe it's me picturing myself in her spot four years down the road.

Either way, if you found dropping your little one off to kindergarten for the first time difficult, know that you aren't alone.

{image from flickr}

recall

I know I'm not the first to report about Mattel's recall on over 436,000 products yesterday. The reason? An "impermissible amount of lead" used in products made between May and July of this year. This is the second major recall for Mattell within a short amount of time {one month}. Yowzers.

This is unnerving to me as a parent. My daughter inevitably puts everything in her mouth and if it were a Cars toy car, I wouldn't think twice about it. And now I might need to.

I know there is a forward going around cyberspace right now. If you have received it, you know what I'm talking about. A few parts:

- We survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
- They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes.
- We were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
etc...

Get the point? I do. Part of me agrees too. But, the other part of me screams otherwise. I'll do anything to keep my daughter safe. And if that means not purchasing plastic cars at toy stores, then I won't. There is enough going on (and sure to be more) that I can't control and I'm well aware of that. So why not do what I can? Choose lead-free and eco-friendly paint, buy as much organic milk as my budget will allow (we addressed that here), and not have tuna more than twice a week while I'm pregnant. Just in case.

Like anything else it is a fine line. And while I don't mind giving my daughter Kool-Aid, other parents might frown on it. And who am I to shake my head and tsk, tsk at them? I won't. I love this post earlier on in our blog's history.

Read more about the recall here.


[photo from http://www.nytimes.com/]

virtual baby showers!

baby bird in nest
{by: modern art everyday}

Hello moms! Get ready. We're ready to further celebrate motherhood, life and happiness by throwing you virtual baby showers. Just like the real deal but maybe even better: with artists, boutiques and hip companies being the givers and Missy and I, your hosts. {Essentially giving you and your baby the best of the pretty, the modern, the practical, the unique and the organic.} Simply because we like to make you happy.

Want to be part of the party? Send in an application to tangledandtrue@gmail.com {titled: virtual baby showers} with your story. All applications must include:
*your name and address {we have to get those gifts to you}
*a photo of you and your belly {if applicable- adoptions will be celebrated as well.}
*your due date
*whether you are expecting a boy or girl {if you know and/or want to share}
Keep it creative!
Winners will be surprised and all baby showers will be thrown {on Tangled and True} unannounced. Just start hoping... and happy growing.

note: all requirements must be met for application to be considered.

[Are you a company that would like to contribute a gift? Email us with your contact/product information or request for further details.]

the first 1000 days.

I have recorded all of Cole's firsts in a personal blog. I'm in the process of printing that blog into a hardbound book so I have a physical record of everything that has been new to both of us over the last year and a half. Something I know I will never get tired of going back to. Over and over again!

When I do it the second time {baby #2}, I would love to journal it. There is something about handwritten memories that just captures the moment even that much better. And I can't think of a better forum than Nikki McClure's baby journal: The First 1000 Days.



Artist Nikki McClure is known for her painstakingly intricate and beautiful paper cuts. Armed with an X-acto knife, she cuts out her images from a single sheet of paper and creates a bold language that translates the complex poetry of motherhood, nature, and activism into a simple and endearing picture.

Yes please! Doesn't it sound beautiful! This journal is modeled after a journal she started for her own son, Finn. "..Celebrating the first 1,000 days of life, from the story of birth to jumping into her first mud puddle." Complete with detailed illustrations and a special focus on nature and the world it opens to the superstar, it is the baby book I've been wanting. I'm now anxious to own it.