Since my last post I’ve celebrated both Gemma’s 5th birthday and Day Light Savings. As a result, we’ve been having semi-evening bike rides since it feels like summer all of a sudden (and she feels like a big kid all of a sudden!) I’m a super sucker for local bike shops and even though this one is no longer local to me, I still fell for it’s hipster accessories (like a Rick Owens Lillies-esque reflective vest, for starters.) Natch-y! Ever since my first glimpse of Gemma in a unicorn helmut while ringing a bike bell, I can’t help but switch them out when I find a new, cool one. This one is from Eleanor’s, a self-proclaimed stylish Brooklyn bike shop…Ding ding ding!
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If your kids are like mine, they like very small things and require some kind of bag for which to carry it all around. With Valentine’s Day approaching, I’m a little obsessed with these sweet Claire Vivier leather pouches that will stash everything from treasures to charms to stickers – and can be monogrammed to boot. When stretched apart, they even double as chic ring trays for your night table. So perhaps a better idea might be to put your own initials on one and let her use it to tote her trinkets from time to time.
Whenever I lack in the freelance department I slip into domestic mode – big time. A long time fan of Catherine McCord’s Weelicious blog (where we’ve made everything from Mexican Wedding Cookies to Wild Salmon Bites,) I’ve always wondered what lunch box she uses as her meals seem so preciously compartmentalized. Meaning, the tins are small enough to fill up the ‘box with lots of different things. Today I learned the answer: Planetbox‘s Rover System. I’ve never said this before for obvious reasons but: Oprah Moment. For those of you who obsess over the LB like I do, I really think this will be conducive to a gorgeous, colorful, balanced lunchie. Bring on the freeze dried fruits!
I’ve oft written about my love for great wrapping, even though I am the worst wrapper ever. Furoshiki, an eco-friendly Japanese wrapping cloth (to be exact) has been popping up on a few web stores and I have been struck by it’s loveliness. Recently I was scouring the Harabu House site for a writing assignment and found this great looking style that even I couldn’t make ugly. In a psychotic fit of web browsing, I found a wrapping tutorial here. But the best part is that once it’s unwrapped, your friend can re-gift the wrapping. I like it.
Cleo’s turning one in a few weeks which to many, is the most important birthday (ie. my friend Eve who threw her son a circus-themed bash at The Soho House.) But turning one is also a home decor milestone because you’re finally allowed to deck out the crib with pillows, blankets and animals (even though a baby can squirm out from underneath any of those things long before twelve months.) So let’s spruce it up, sister. Here, the Scholten & Baijings pillow that I’ve been waiting to smush into the corner of the crib…I’m sure it will be bathed in drool once thirteen months arrives.
Let me just put my Mommy Blogger hat on for this one (eye roll, gag.) These Ruby’s Studio DVDs (read: highly stylish Brooklyn-based productions) first taught kids about feelings and are now teaching them about friendship in a thoughtful and musical way. Since the theme song is catchy and they’re not too gooey, you won’t mind getting caught in the nightly “Can we have Ruby?!” cross-fire. Stop, look, listen…You’ll be singing it all day too.
Your kid’s school means lots of new friends. Which means lots of new invitations. Both good things. But holiday open houses? Mmm, not s’much. I guess the appeal is that you can duck in and duck out without the guilt but I’d rather commit to an evening and actually hang out with the people who are invited. And then, what to bring. It’s not a dinner party so bringing wine would be silly and it’s not brunch so flowers are out. Basically, something gorge-worthy but totally chic at the same time. Enter truffle amazingness. (I got scolded for using “enter” as a “transition word” at a magazine years ago, but they warrant that kind of intro.) I saw these in Food and Wine and immediately went to the Truffle Truffle website. Though the brand is heavy on the “Beer and Pretzel” flavor profile, this gift-worthy little box has spiced bark, snickerdoodle and gingerbread. Arrive, grab drink, set down truffles, mingle, grab drink, mingle, float out. 
I’m kind of ghetto when it comes to wrapping paper. Yes, I linger over the $4-per-sheet designs like all the other crazies at the art store but when it comes down to it, I just can’t do it (especially with little kids who could give two shits about the way gifts look from the outside.) But then the Ouef Gift Guide came to the rescue of my presentation dilemma. You can download these “face designs” that you color, cut and paste onto brown kraft paper (which is like, 7 duckets per roll on amazon,) and then you have these almighty looking gifts that have style and major personality. And…you won’t hear register sounds go off when the paper gets ripped to shreds.
I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! While I truly enjoy contributing to the feast (maple glazed, marcona almond topped root vegetables and bacon and kale salad,) I discovered that I do not like being in charge of the turkey. It’s as if the fate of everyone’s Thanksgiving lies in my hands: the constant basting, brushing, temperature taking. And then repeat that every half hour for a thousand hours. But then it was done and gorgeous and Jon took ten Hipstamatic pictures of it from every angle. We were proud parents. This weekend oficially kicked off the holiday season – a time of sharing, giving and helping. These Dear Hancock note cards are festive but not at all corny and will be essential for December. Just sign here.
My mom likes to point out how many grammatical mistakes I make on this blog. To that I say, Oh shit, you’re right mom, but also, Well I’m just really fucking tired!! I know…and I call myself a writer. (I mean, I don’t call myself one, but…) Below is a picture of one of Giles’ limited edition dolls that he made for Matches which launched yesterday. It’s also a picture of how I feel on a daily basis, and I believe many other parents of young children feel this way as well. So I apologize for any grammatical mistakes. I am sleepy, sloppy, and as my husband often points out, am someone with “no attention to detail.” But from now on I will proof-read bettere…Just testing you, mom.
