I could count the many ways in which I am completely obsessed with Threadless , the original crowdsourcing art-to-product site, but who has that kind of time? Suffice it to say that the whole family enjoys their t-shirts, and I dream of …
Honestly, I think of felt and often I think "meh." But I've just seen the light, because the light, apparently, comes in the form of felt cushion wall hangings featuring bunnies and Matryoshka dolls that would brighten up any nursery in …
When I told my parents I was expecting, I didn't tell them I was expecting. I told them we'd done some interesting sightseeing, and did they want to see pictures? And then I gave them my ultrasound photos. If The Grandparents Handbook ha…
I generally prescribe to the "small boys are suitably dressed up for the holidays when wearing a cute sweater" school of thought, but sometimes that's not enough. Sometimes even little boys must wear a tie to be suitably (get it?) attire…
Sure, you can spend hundreds of dollars to get maternity jeans from hip labels, but the cost is exorbitant and you end up wearing them for just a few months. (Or, hopefully just a few months.) I know there are more options around now tha…
I confess; I made my own baby food. But just so we're clear, I was less a domestic goddess and more a garden-variety control freak. I spent late nights cooking and chopping and freezing, and honestly, I took no joy in it whatsoever. Bori…
My kids love "writing books," and I love that they're being creative, but I don't always love the Don Music-esque cries of, No, it's supposed to be a yak and I can't draw it right! I'll never get it! Can you draw it for me? (Answer: No, …
Yeah, sometimes we want to hit our favorite restaurant and the kids can nibble off our plates or make do with -- gasp! -- adult food, but other times we're faced with the realities of a tight budget and wanting to keep the peace. With Ki…
I'm going to be perfectly honest with you; in general the notion of putting cashmere on a baby seems absurd to me. In my world, babies and "hand wash only" are two things that don't go together. But now I humbly eat my words, having chec…
Do you hear that sound? It's my hips expanding. I know I'm going to rue the day I discovered Foodzie , the marketplace for hand-crafted and artisan foods. Whereas my resolve is unwavering when I pass the fun-size candy bars in the superm…
Travel is essential to keeping one's sanity after having kids, but in this economy every little discount and special deal helps. Well if you have an American Express card, you can now reap the benefits of their new Destination Family tra…
I'm having trouble deciding which I think is cooler-- GrowShow 's free and easy program to create a progressive slide show/movie of your child's growth , or their ingenious picture frames that can be configured in nearly endless ways. Th…
To say that I was a neurotic mess with my first baby would be an understatement; every sniffle and bruise had me wondering if I'd broken her. By the second baby, I figured I was an old hand . . . except that he was convinced he could fly…
It's music to any educator's ears: The chance for big bucks for the school, just because it's great. GreatSchools.net and Care2.com have partnered up to create the America's Favorite School Contest , and they're giving away everyone's fa…
Every year I tell my children's teachers thank you, and every year it feels inadequate. Often when I write notes to go with various teacher gifts , I write, You totally deserve a pony, but I thought this would make less of a mess. Thank …
Designer Cath Young says her label Chunky Chooky is dedicated to "cool things for small people," but I'd argue you don't have to be particularly small to relish her adorable softies--creatures, rattles, and so-called wabbits fashioned fr…
I'd argue there's little more useful than a chalkboard, especially the two beautiful new chalkboard stickers at Zoe b Organic in the shape of either the endangered Isabelle butterfly or a koala bear. They're made from potato starch, whic…
When I think back to my pregnancies, my first thought isn't of the miracle of life or even the swollen feet and the heartburn. No, when I remember those days, my mind immediately goes to one place: The bathroom. With each child, I rememb…
So maybe the first time we told you about the Flip & Tumble reusable shopping bags that you can just fold up into a teeny little ball and toss in your purse , you liked it...but you just weren't wowed by the solid prints. Well now Flip &…
My kids have been back to school for a few weeks already, and my inbox runneth over. I need more volunteers for the coupon drive , says the coordinator. This is quickly followed by a bevy of reply-alls which are making me crazy, so I can…
I used to do the consignment thing with my kids' outgrown clothes, but I've just not found a store in our new locale that has enough stuff I want to buy to make it worth my while to sell there. And I admit that dropping bags anonymously …
With the kids heading back to school , the birthday party circuit will be starting up again. If your kid is old enough to read, you may understand my temptation to give other kids books rather than more toys. The problem is that while th…
I have a giant soft spot in my heart for Threadless , already--my kids and I all wear the community-centered shop's artist designed shirts--but now there's one more reason to love them. Threadless Kids has recently teamed up with Babycen…
So you're pregnant, and every blurry black-and-white ultrasound photo of baby is up on the fridge, and you spend many a quiet moment imagining what your baby might look like. Will she have your eyes? His chin? That funny little dimple yo…
