Goodnight Bush

If you like our current President, skip this post. If not, read on. I recently heard about Goodnight Bush, a dead-on parody of the children's classic Goodnight Moon. Goodnight Bush treats us to a child-like GWB tucked into bed, and throughout his room there are numerous allusions to the administration's mishaps including election fraud, torture, illegal spying, and even failure to capture Osama Bin Landen (a mouse-sized Osama scurries around unnoticed in the dark). Enjoy a new twist on classic lines, such as the priceless "a quiet Dick Cheney whispering hush." If you are one of the many Americans who are anxious to put the last 8 years to bed already, pick up a copy of Goodnight Bush for $10.19 at Amazon.com.

Mama Bird

Oh, this Nestlings Necklace by Figs & Ginger is so sweet. A unique take on a mother's necklace, it features charming little birds perched happily next to their mom. You can add up to 4 Baby Birds (prices start at $70 for the necklace + 1 baby bird). Love it. It's handmade by Figs & Ginger, a husband-and-wife team who handmake simple, eco-friendly jewelry.

Sunday City Sights

Big-scale public art projects are yet another reason I love living here in New York City. You may have heard about Danish artist Olafur Eliasson's brand-new "New York City Waterfalls", a multi-million dollar art installation brought to the city this summer by The Public Art Fund after two years of planning. Shown here is one of the four waterfalls appearing in New York Harbor, this one directly beneath The Brooklyn Bridge. Wow. I can't wait to go see it and photograph it myself (the photo above is courtesy of The New York Times).

The Waterfalls are bringing back fond memories for many New Yorkers of Christo's famous The Gates which decorated Central Park in early 2005. I visited (and photographed) those Gates over and over that February. Here are some of my favorite pix. Hope you enjoy them.







(And here is 18-month-old R. and me at The Gates in NYC on February 15, 2005. R. wearing Mommy's c. 1975 plaid poncho- tres artistique. Thanks for the photo, Rosanne!)

Precious Pull Toys

How friggin cute are these Wooden Animal Pull Toys from Etsy.com? They are made of 100% solid wood with sanded edges and decorated only with lead-free, nontoxic paints. You can choose any of the available prints to make your toy one-of-a-kind. At just $15, it's a sweet, unique birthday gift. Check them out at the Etsy.com storefront of Cookie Dough.

Eating Off the Floors

Fishs Eddy is a NYC shop that sells fun, sturdy, affordable bistro-type dinnerware and kitchen accessories. I've been using their 212 New York Skyline Dinnerware (not pictured)) for years and I may just love their new Floorplan Dinnerware (shown above) even more. Most New Yorkers are obsessed with both real estate and food; what better way to combine the two? Prices range from $7.95 for a 5" "studio plate" to $32.95 for a 12" x 16" "penthouse platter." It's the perfect housewarming gift here in NYC, where every square foot- and every bite- counts. Visit Fishs Eddy.

Kuster K1 Highchair Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Shannon, who wrote, "I am in need of a high chair for Tristan!" Shannon, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize. Thanks everyone for entering this super-popular contest!

Top Ten BBQ Host Gifts

Hot off the keyboard- go to WEtv.com to check out my latest article on "Top Ten BBQ Host Gifts", including this impressive Warhol-inspired Ice Cream Cone Set, and much much more. Check out all the other cool summer gifts at WEtv.com.

One Kid One More Time

In Nantucket last summer I discovered this fantastic U.S. kids' clothing brand called One Kid. One Kid makes super stylish but not outrageously priced playclothes for boys and girls. But they can be tough to find online (they're actually sold sometimes at Garnet Hill Kids, but they're not identified as the One Kid label). Don't worry, I've done the online scouring for you. Here are some of their best new spring/summer looks, plus some of last winter's favorites now on sale (not much boys' stuff, sorry):

Floral Clogs ($55, sizes 25-29):


Pink Petal Dress ($45, sizes 2T-6X):


Lake Stripe Sweater (sizes 2-7, $48):


Bisque Flower Cardigan (sizes 2T-6, on sale for $37.80, reduced from $54):


Pink and Brown Top and Ruffle Pants Set (on sale for $86.40, reduced from $108; sizes 5, 6, and 6x left):


Berry Flower 2-Piece Set (on sale for $86.40, reduced from $108; sizes 5 and 6 left):


Berry Flower Reversible Vest (on sale for $52.80; reduced from $66; sizes 2T and 3T left):


See all of the One Kid line at the company website.

Chugga Chugga "Doo Doo"

As my son approaches age 2, it is fun to see him start to love little boy things like planes and trains (before anyone gets upset, my daughter loves this stuff too). Right now he's having a blast playing "doo doo" (translation: "choo choo") with his new Pirate's Cove Set by Learning Curve featuring, of course, the ubiquitous Thomas the Train (I'm in for several years of Thomas, right?) It's a 41-piece set featuring a pirate ship, "skull mountain", treasure tunnel, tracks, and characters like Thomas. Hours of imaginative play for the kids...and quiet for mom. It costs $149, making it a great birthday gift from the grandparents. Buy it at Learning Curve.

Note: it's for ages 3 and up. If your little one is still mouthing toys, save the smallest pieces for later.

Quilt Baby

Quilt Baby is a mom-owned business in North Carolina featuring simple, modern, and functional baby products. They make crib bedding, blankets, bibs & burpcloths, and mobiles, and each is designed perfectly. Aren't these lovely? They're reasonably priced, too. I adore the giraffe onesie ($18). Visit Quilt Baby for more goodies.

Star Spangled Sibs

I regularly check out the adorable, well-made brother/sister clothing at CWD Kids, and I'm currently considering these 4th of July outfits (which are on sale!) for R. and Baby S. Girls' sailor dress is reduced from $32 to $17.99; boys' tee and short set is reduced from $29 to $15.99 (girls' capri set is still priced regularly at $34). Check out these or other 4th of July looks at CWD Kids.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Kuster K1 Highchair

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.


Highchairs have come a long way, baby. When I was pregnant with R. in 2003, a Prima Pappa was considered high fashion. Now the bar (no pun intended) has been raised much higher.

The latest entry into the market of sleek, European highchairs that adapt to accommodate infants through children is the K1 Highchair from English manufacturer Kuster. Pictured above is the K1 High Chair in beautiful light wood with green and white polka-dotted (or "spotted" as the English say) cushion. Looks great, doesn't it?

The sturdy yet stylish K1 highchair is designed to adapt to your child's needs (and size) from about age 6 months to 6 years (let's hope he/she can sit nicely at the table in a grown-up chair by then!) For the infant years, there's a full 5-point safety harness keeping baby safe in the curved wood seat with high back (good for comfort and posture, too). The foot rest is adjustable and the tray table is removable, of course. And- my favorite part- there's even a storage basket for stashing favorite toys, bibs, and wipes. Wait, that's actually not my favorite part. There's no assembly required- you take it out of the box, pop it open, and you're ready to go. That's worth a pretty penny.

One lucky MyMomShops reader will win this object of beauty (the highchair retails for $250 without the washable seat cushion which costs an additional $49.99). So it's a total value of $300! How 'bout that? Don' miss this one.

If you're not the lucky winner, you can use coupon code "mms10offkuster" to receive 10% off of this or any other Kuster item, at the online boutique BareBabies.com.

These May Make Me Love Cooking

While browsing the list of indie vendors at the recent Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn (which I was unable to attend but hope to next time), I stumbled onto this amazing find- Beehive Kitchenware. This little company hand-makes all sorts of charming kitchen tools and gadgets; everything is made using traditional metalsmithing techniques and handmade tools. How awesome is that? What amazing gifts these would make for someone who loves to cook (or is learning to cook). I have one very elegant, proper friend who would love love love the tea strainer (Sarah, are you reading this?) Look at all these lovelies (top to bottom: "equivalents" kitchen hook; heart measuring spoons; tea strainer, and bird hooks). They are on the pricey side ($42 for the set of teaspoons), but, hey, you ain't gonna find stuff this gorgeous at Crate & Barrel. Trust me. Seriously I am so in love I may ask them if they'd like to do a giveaway here. Visit Beehive Kitchenware.

Last Summer Sale at Talbots Kids

Lots of great spring/summer stuff on sale now (up to 50% off) at Talbot's Kids, and, sadly, this will be the last chance to stock up since they are closing shop soon (supposedly after the back-to-school season). Sniff, sniff. Here are some things I have my eye on for R & S:

Striped Knit Cotton Dress (reduced to $17.99 from $28, sizes 2-8):


Ruffled Hip Swimsuit (reduced to $21.99 from $34, sizes 2-8):


Little Boy's Seersucker Blazer (reduced to $39.99 from $64, sizes 2-8):


See all the summer clearance clothing at Talbots Kids.

Jottum Twiggy Skirt winner

Congratulations to Jessica, who wrote, "This skirt is so cute and SUMMERY! I would love the size 5 for my little princess to grow into." Jessica, please e-mail me with your name and mailing address to claim your prize.

Stay tuned for another BIG contest tomorrow! Need a reminder to check back? E-mail me with "newsletter" in the subject line to receive upcoming giveaway reminders.

Sculptures in the Sky

Today was an example of why I'm so enjoying raising my kids in NYC. My parents and I took R. and Baby S. to see the Jeff Koons on the Roof exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (where I had my first paid job as a high school intern in the American Paintings & Sculpture Department). It was a glorious day and perfect for soaking in the spectacle of Koons' enormous Pop sculptures. R. of course favored "Balloon Dog". Check out his nose!


I personally loved "Sacred Heart".


R. was less impressed with that one.


Grandma and R. check out Coloring Book (inspired by a page from a Winnie the Pooh coloring book).


A view of my fair city....


Live in (or visiting NYC)? I highly recommend taking your kids to this exhibit! Visit the website of The Metropolitan Museum of Art for more info.

Gift Wrap You'll Save

Here is some fun new photo-realist "Giggle" giftwrap I found at the Museum of Modern Art giftshop. Pictured top to bottom: grass, sprinkles, and pebbles. $5.95 per 18" x 24" roll at The Museum of Modern Art.

Mixed Doubles

This Reversible Button Dress by Hannah Jane Designs is doubly sweet for a little girl to wear this summer. One side is a solid green print with pink trim and floral stripe detail; the other side is striped with pink ric-rac (I love ric-rac). It's 100% cotton and machine washable- so it's OK to wear to summer picnics. $48 at Three Lovelies.

J is for Julius

I love all types of kids' flashcards- I just stumbled onto these new Julius! Alphabet Flashcards by Paul Frank. The set uses Julius and his adorably illustrated cast of friends to go through the alphabet; the cards are printed on thick cardstock just right for toddler hands. They're suitable for framing, too (I love the idea of framing flashcards on a child's bedroom wall...must file this away in my crafty to-do list). $15 at Cattiwampus.com.

Army of Onesie

I posted a few months ago about discovering the fun, Japanese-inspired tee shirts by Loyal Army. Turns out they also make the most delish onesies for babies, too. This "Eat More Fruit" onesie ($22.95) is 100% cotton and available in sizes up to 12-18 mos at trendy boutique Tutti Bella. Click here to see the other onesie designs by Loyal Army; they're all winners.

Pillow Talk

Must you be between the ages of 13 and 19 to love the PB Teen catalog? Apparently not. My friends and I all seem to love this catalog, if not for choosing decor for our five-going-on-fifteen daughters, then for ourselves. I adore this Crinkle Puff Toss Pillow Cover which is 16" square and can be monogrammed. Shipping is free right now, too! Buy one for yourself (or your daughter) for $19 (pillow insert costs $12) at PB Teen.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Jottum Twiggy Skirt

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Today's giveaway is something luxurious and trendy for one lucky little girl. It comes from From Scratch Designs , a small, high-end boutique offering children's and women's clothing by Harajuku Lovers, Ed Hardy, Baby Bean, Joe's Jeans, Jottum, Junk Food and more. They are offering one of our readers this gorgeous girls' Jottum Twiggy Skirt (available in sizes 5 or 7...if you've got a younger girl, you can save it in her closet for later!). Jottum is a Dutch designer known for quality, imaginative children's clothing made in the city of Edam. The layered skirt is intricately detailed with ruffles, rhinestones, and ribbons...perfect for a girly girl. The skirt costs $149; it is not available at the From Scratch Designs website since it is being held for us, but check out their other girls' skirts here.

From Scratch Designs offers free ground shipping, plus any order placed through July 4th, 2008 will receive a free item of clothing of equal or lesser value! Wow! Just send an e-mail to them after placing your regular order with your top 3 selections (including sizes).

"What's Up?" Emily Green Place Setting Winner

Congratulations to the Buki Family, who wrote, "That is so so cute! My little one is just about to start solids." Please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize. Everyone else, stay tuned for another giveaway today!

Read the Footnotes

More examples in the ever-growing genre of "ironic" letterpress greeting cards- this time from the "Footnotes" collection by Old Tom Foolery:

Learn British

I've had my eye on this "Lorry" British flashcard shirt at Etsy.com for a while now. Baby S. loves trucks and I love England, so this shirt is perfect for us (I mean, him). It's from the Etsy shop of Charlie & Sarah, who happen to live in NYC and designed this line of shirts to teach their half-English son "proper British". Other designs include "brolly" (umbrella) and "wellies" (galoshes). The American Apparel shirt is screen-printed and avaiable in sizes 2-12 for $28 at Charlie & Sarah.

Siblings in Silhouette

I was checking out the new items at Warm Biscuit Bedding Company and fell in love with this personalized sibling wall art. What a great addition this would be to children's nurseries, bedrooms, or playrooms. The print is custom-made with your kids' names and you can either pick one of a large selection of silhouettes, or e-mail your kids' photos for an extra $10 for custom silhouettes. The image measures 8" x 10" and has a margin to allow for framing. At just $35, it makes a cherished yet affordable gift for family, too (this is definitely one for the grandparents!) Check out all the options at Warm Biscuit Bedding Company.

MyMomShops Giveaway: "What's Up?" place setting by Emily Green

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED..

Looking to freshen up your kids' dinnerware in time for summer? Our sponsor Pure & Honest Kids is offering a reader this fabulous gender-neutral "What's Up?" kids' place setting by designer Emily Green. The set includes an Imagination Mat, Plate, Bowl, Tumbler, and- my favorite- Doodle Sticks (erasable markers kids can use on the Imagination Mats, and they do not bead or wipe off on kids' hands!) The total value of this giveaway is $58. The set up for grabs is the "What's Up?" giraffe design, but if you don't win the giveaway, you can buy several other patterns, including Be Bop, Dot Dog, and Dump It. They designs are fun, colorful, and unisex- always a plus in my household so either kid can use them.

Also, now through June 30, 2008 all MyMomShops readers will receive FREE SHIPPING on ANY order with code "MMS0608" (tip: also check out Pure & Honest Kids's new summer arrivals from the stylish yet affordable Daily Tea collection- there is great clothing there for both girls and boys).

Grateful Dude

Fliggity is a new mom-owned business featuring "clothing inspired by a child's imagination", including superhero capes, birthday number shirts, and tie-dye onesies and shirts. I tried my hand at designing my own verson of their morning starburst onesie/tee, choosing "grateful dude" as the wording on a shirt for Baby S., and I am very pleased with the result (shown above). In fact, Baby S. has worn it twice this past week and we've gotten lots of compliments. Tie-dyed shirts and onesies cost $27 (including personalization) at Fliggity.com (check out their cute new Fourth of July designs, too).

p.s. Wooden Animal Kids' Clothing Hangers (sooo cute) by Kushies.

Restoration Baby

Since many retailers are going under these days, I was surprised to learn that Restoration Hardware has just launched Restoration Hardware Baby & Child, a website and catalog featuring upscale nursery furniture, bedding, decor, accessories, and baby clothing. I was excited to find out what they offered (a major new children's retailer? Woo-hoo!) but ultimately, their collection fell short of my expectations. It's very similar to what you've seen at Pottery Barn Kids or even Serena & Lily, though not as fun as either of those. Everything has more classic lines and patterns, which, while very attractive to adults, is not stuff that necessarily screams out to kids. The color palettes are limited; almost everything is in pastel blue, pink, or green with brown trim (and while I love pastels with brown as much as the next mom, it's not the newest look). And the stuff ain't cheap- cribs cost $900! But, I'll give them a chance. They are open for business online and plan to add bricks-and-mortar stores nationwide in November 2008. If anyone orders from them, report back here! Visit Restoration Hardware Baby & Child.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! Here's a unique gift for a musical Dad. This silver guitar pick from Etsy.com is engraveable with your choice of design or text. You can also choose a satin (brushed) or mirror finish. $50 at the Etsy.com shop of Andros Creations (the designer was a guitarist before he was a metalsmith!).

Ice Cream for a Steal

This great ice cream sandwich tee from Fooey is a summer steal at $13.99 (sizes 12-18m, 2, 4, and 6). Check out all the bargains available at "The Economy Sucks Sale" at Fooey.

Win a $300 Gift Certificate at CWDKids

CWDKids, a 21-year-old family-run kids' clothing catalog (and friend of this blog) featuring brands like Lily Pulitzer, Charlie Rocket, and Mulberribush, has just launched its own blog. KidBits features interviews with designers and employees, behind-the-scenes looks at catalog photo shoots and stories about the charitable organizations that the company supports. To celebrate the launch of KidBits, they're currently running a giveaway for a $300 CWDKids gift certificate (personally, I'd scoop up some of their adorable, tough-to-find brother/sister ensembles). The contest runs through midnight on Sunday, June 15th; enter by leaving a comment at their new blog (NOT here). Good luck!

Sad News

My friends know I've been a policital news coverage junkie for years; I either watch (or tape) Meet the Press every Sunday morning. I was stunned to hear about Tim Russert's death this afternoon. He was one of the best political journalists on television, and apparently a devoted family man as well. Ironically, Russert died on the eve of Father's Day weekend, just having attended his son's college graduation, and having published in 2005 a best-selling book about life lessons he learned from his father (who now survives him). For more coverage on this event, visit MSNBC.com.

Mabel's Labels

R. started camp this week (in Manhattan, "camp" means playing at water tables in a concrete courtyard) and I had a long list of items to label; this camp pack I received from Mabel's Labels helped quite a bit. I wish I'd had them last year when I tried to scrawl her initials with a felt tip pen onto fluffy Pottery Barn beach towels...no easy task! The camp pack shown here has 15 Sticky Labels (yes they stay on in the wash), 40 Iron-Ons or 50 Tag-Mates, eight Shoe Labels and two Bag Tags. They come in boy, girl, or unisex colors and cost $34 for the set (a big value over ordering them individually- and I can attest you will start using them for everything- water bottles, sunglasses, etc.) at Mabel's Labels.

These are the Bloggers in Your Neighborhood

I was invited to participate in a blogger-written neighborhood guide at Mommy Poppins, a fun site for NYC moms. My humble contribution is an article about hidden (and affordable) shopping gems for both moms and kids in my nabe (NYC's Upper East Side). You know, cool stuff beyond Gymboree (though I am a Gymboree addict, too, guilty as charged). Read my recommendations at Mommy Poppins and consult the entire NYC neighborhood guide- from Williamsburg to the Upper West Side- here.

Camo Cargos

I love anything with blue camo pattern for my little boy; I'd had my eye on these blue camo vintage cargos by Boden Kids for awhile but was waiting for a lower price; lo and behold I just received a Boden e-mail with 20% off plus free shipping (not transferable, sorry), so I snagged them for this Fall. Regular price is $38 at Boden Kids.

How to Run to Sesame Street

A few weeks ago, I was invited by Alpha Mom founder Isabel Kallman to a cool event at Kidville (in true New York fashion, I had actually met Isabel four years ago when I saw her apartment on the market). The event was a product preview for adorable, high-quality Sesame Street kids' footwear made by New Balance. In addition to seeing these new sneaks (pictured above...I loooove the Cookie Monster ones), I got to meet fellow bloggers from Celebrity Baby Blog (one of my own must-reads), Cool Mom Picks, and Laid Off Dad. As for the shoes, they won't be sold in stores or online till July (I will post about them again), but here is a sneak (pun intended) peek. I don't have photos of the packaging, but trust me, it is scrumptious, too.

Stylish Sleepsacks on Sale

When my daughter R. was born in 2003, the only sleepsacks I could find were the boring pastel solids fleece ones by Halo. It would've been a lot more fun to put her to sleep in something like this Babylicious Pink Dot Sleep Cozy, which I found during one of my regular checks of the Amazon.com baby outlet (super deals there, by the way). This sleep sack has two way zippers for easy diapering, a seat belt slit so you can use it on car rides (brilliant!) and adjustable snaps to accommodate baby's growth. At this price (reduced to just $12.54 from $29.99), you can stock up on a few as baby gifts (a boy's version is available too). Visit Amazon.com.

Patio Daddy-O

I can't attest to how good this book is, but I adore the title- Patio Daddy-O at the Grill. Offering "great food and drink for your backyard bash", the hardcover book includes recipes like Roasted Banana Splits, Jazzed-Out Blackberry-Thyme Mojitos (mmmm...) and Big Daddy's High-Style Cheese-Stuffed Burger. $14.95 at one of my favorite gift sites, Bibelot.

Little Tikes Fold-Away Climber Winner

Congratulations to Jennifer, who wrote, "My nephew would love this. Thanks for the chance to win." Jennifer, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize!

Method to the Cleanliness

This past Saturday night I attended a fun eco-friendly party hosted by NYC blog Mommy Poppins. It took place at the very artfully-designed Method pop-up store in Soho.


In addition to learning about Method's superb natural, biodegradable household products like cleaning and laundry supplies, soaps, and baby care items, I got to attend a cool "mixology" class taught by the famous Natalie Bovis-Nelsen of The Liquid Muse blog.


Natalie showed us how to make eco-friendly drinks like summer fruit sangria and (my favorite) cucumber mojitos made with organic vodka by Square One (organic vodka...who knew?). They were delish.



By the way, Natalie used this gizmo called a "Muddler" ($19.95 at Williams Sonoma) to crush the whole ingredients in the drinks. It looked pretty fun. Cool hostess gift, too. Am I the only one who never heard of this thing?


Several drinks later, my blogger pals and I were treated to some serious swag, delivered in these reversible market totes (I've been meaning to get a market bag for months and now I use this one almost every day).


The goodies inside included all-purpose cleaner, moisturizing hand wash, and Squeaky Green Baby Bubble Bath (Rice Milk + Mallow). My "product tester" R. gave it her seal of approval in the bath last night ("Mommy, I smell like vanilla! Can I use the whole bottle?")


Method products are available nationwide now in tons of stores like Babies R Us, Costco, and Target; you can also buy their products online directly at Method.

Many thanks to Method and Mommy Poppins for including me in this great evening!

Cute as a Button

When you have a child who has experienced developmental delays, each milestone they reach brings you indescribable pride and joy. Last night, my almost-five-year-old daughter (who has had gross and fine motor delays since infancy) buttoned an article of clothing herself for the very first time. It was the top of her favorite Small Paul Julius Pajama set ($49.95 at SandboxCouture.com), given to us as a hand-me-down from a friend (thanks, Stacey and Ro). I nearly cried when I saw her do this, totally unsolicited, with a huge grin on her face even though it was a struggle for her. I am so proud of her!

Big Elephant, Little Shirt, Great Company

I was browsing the new Boden Kids catalog as I sat near R. taking her bath (anyone else use this as reading time?) I fell in love with this adorable Big Applique T-shirt ($22) for babies. Boden makes lots of applique shirts, but something about this big elephant applique on an itsy-bitsy t-shirt just screams "cute!!!" to me. By the way, Boden has added customer reviews to its website, which is super helpful. They also deserve props for including fun stickers in their latest catalog; keeping my four-year-old busy for an extra 15 minutes makes me love this company even more. Visit Boden Kids.

In Case You Don't Shop Online Enough

MamaBargains.com is a cool new site which may become another addiction (and wallet-emptier) for you. Every day they feature one or more trendy baby or children's products at humongous discounts- the current deal is a flip skirt by Urban Baba (an on-the-rise designer I posted about back in January) on sale for just $11.27 (retail price $30). I've been checking the site out for the last week or so and though their selection is limited to several designers right now, the products are very high quality (including one of my faves, Timi & Leslie diaper bags) and they promise to be adding lots more designers soon. Check it out (and watch that credit card...) at Mama Bargains (by the way, the product offerings change randomly throughout the day, so the skirt shown here may not be offered if you click later today).

Romper Stompers

Did you have Romper Stompers when you were a kid? My big sister and I did, and, boy, was the Gen-Xer in me psyched to find them for sale online at Steve Spangler Science. Romper Stompers originated on that classic 1970s show "Romper Room" (which my sister and I eagerly watched every day on our black and white TV, a fact that shocks my four-year-old). The ultimate "simple" toy, they were simply constructed of two upside-down plastic cups secured with green plastic cords. They made you a whole SIX INCHES taller and,most importantly, you could make this really cool "clomp clomp" sound and drive your parents crazy while you stomped around. Ahh...the memories. Relive your childhood; snag your kids a pair for $9.95 (assorted colors) at Steve Spangler Science.

Between (Mom) Friends

I've recently sent some of these tongue-in-cheek cards from the Etsy.com shop of She's So Creative to fellow mom friends. Any mom of a child older than, oh, three, is sure to appreciate the humor behind these:



Check them out at She's So Creative; the designs change regularly.

Dorothy Grows Up

Sandals + Patent Leather= Perfection! These Whitney Patent Slides in red from Ann Taylor Loft would be perfect for hot summer nights out. They cost $39 and you can buy a 2nd pair (how 'bout in white?) for 50% off. Visit Ann Taylor Loft.

Hammer Time

Here's a fun Father's Day gift from Red Envelope (and if you order by Sunday, June 8th at 9pm, you're guaranteed ground shipping in time for Father's Day). It's a baseball or football hammer, and can be customized further with his favorite MFL, MLB or collegiate football logo. Though they've dissed my Mets, I still like this gift. $25 at Red Envelope.

Half Price Flowers

Baby S. had a playdate the other day with his "girlfriend" Hayden (age 18mos), who was wearing this fetching Black Dot Dress by Flowers by Zoe. Stylish but comfy, the dress is now half-price (reduced from $72.95 to $35.99); however, it is only available in size 6 or 6x. Check out all the Flowers by Zoe clothing at Tutti Bella.

"Enjoy Every Moment" necklace winner

Congratulations to Kimberly B. who wrote, "Wow, what lovely work she does. Sweet designs and terrific messages!" Kimberly, please e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize.

Father's Day Gifts: His Name's All Over It

I am a big fan of personalized gifts and there are some great ones out there for Dads:

Embroidered Leather Dopp Kit (on sale for $38.65) from Personalization Mall:


Father & Child Baseball Caps by Blume, available at Skimbaco.com. $34 for adults, $22 for kids.


Monogrammed Steak Brand ($39.95) from Williams Sonoma:

Treats for Teachers

A few weeks ago I bought a bunch of thank-you gifts for R's preschool and ballet teachers at Kate's Paperie (where my stationery obsession started when I moved to NYC in 1994). The store's website is lacking- they sell just a fraction of their items online- so these are not the exact items I bought, but they are close:

Recycled Spiral Journal, 5" x 7" by Ecojot ($12 each):


Self-Mailer Note Set by Iota Paper ($20):


Lux Notecard Assorted Set by Enid Wilson ($35):


I also bought darling notecards by Pink Door Paper but I can't find them for sale online anywhere...stay tuned.

Browse for more teacher gifts at Kate's Paperie.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Little Tikes Fold-Away Climber

Behold my children's newest obession- this Little Tikes: Fold-Away Climber ($99.99) which R. affectionately calls "the indoor folding playground" (as in: "Baby S., get off the indoor folding playground, it's my turn!"). It's working as quite a effective discplinary tool for Mom, too (as in, "If you don't stop doing that I'm folding up the indoor folding playground.")

For city kids like mine, having a "mini-playground" like this is a real boon. It features a climbing wall, slide, adjustable basketball hoop and soccer/hockey net. Predictably, the slide is my kids' favorite part, though they are also starting to "play" basketball too. It is designed for ages 1 to 5 (my kids are almost 2 and almost 5) and it is a big hit with their playdates (who also live in cramped NYC apartments).

Though I haven't yet followed up on my threat to fold the thing up, it seems pretty simple to do so. And even fully assembled, it measures a compact 50.5"L x 47"W x 45"H. Which translates to a whole lot of money in NYC apartment space. But it'll cost you only $99.99 at Little Tikes. Not bad. And tired-out kids are priceless, right?


Win it! 1 MyMomShops reader will win a Fold-Away Climber ($99.99 value) from Little Tikes. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm, Tuesday, June 10th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday morning, June 11th.
4) NOTE: If you wish to be contacted by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Wednesday, June 11th to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Vida's Market Round-Up

I stopped by the launch of Vida's Market here in New York on Saturday. It was a small, charming fair (housed in a church basement!) featuring local and indie designers' clothing, accessories, and toys for young children. I met founder Kate Maloy and was glad to hear she is a reader of this blog. Here are some of the designers I want to tell you about (plus there are 2 others I will write a longer post about; there is a great story behind them):

Tot Stops. Featuring NY-themed onesies and toddler clothing, and some toys & gifts, too. The Brooklyn Bridge Toddler Tee shown here costs $18.95.


More fun graphic clothing celebrating my hometown from Brooklyn Junior. This Street Light onesie or tee costs $20.


Jingle Bell Cloth Balls ($16 for set of 3) from the Etsy.com storefront of Apple Blossom Baby. Unique baby gift.


There were several booths featuring gorgeous hand-made clothing for little girls, such as Little Girl Pearl (the floral dress shown here costs $62).


Vida's Market plans to return to NYC again this Fall; stay tuned at Vida's Market.

Instant Giveaway: Win a Jillable.com Vase

We have several more vases to give away from our popular giveaway of eco-friendly Fill-Me-Up vases from Jillable.com.

This time, we're offering vases to the first 10 people who sign up for our free e-newsletter (featuring advance notice of giveaways and exclusive offers). This contest is open to new subscribers only.

To enter, e-mail me with "subscribe" in the subject line, and be sure to include your name, address, and choice of vase design from Jillable.com. Good luck!

Father's Day Gifts: For the New Dad

I'll be posting a bunch of Father's Day gift ideas over the next several days- first up are two ideas for proud new papas.

I love this New Dad Gift Basket which includes the books “Crouching Father, Hidden Toddler: A Zen Guide for New Dads” and the tongue-in-cheek “Keeping the Baby Alive ‘till Your Wife Gets Home”, as well as a much-needed post-partum "Mom Mood Monitor" and other goodies. $60 at Red Wagon Presents.


I wish I'd known about Diaper Dude when my kids were infants. What a great, just-stylish-enough diaper bag for a pastel-fearing Dad to carry. Pictured here is the Grey Dad Survival Kit ($110) which includes adjustable padded straps, interior and exterior zip pockets, cell phone pouch, bottle pocket, and changing pad.

MyMomShops Giveaway: CNK Designs

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Next week we'll have a Father's Day giveaway, but this week it's all about Mom. I just learned about CNK Designs, a site started by at-home mom/silver artisan Wendy Seebohar (CNK are the initials of her 3 children). Her family has been in the jewelry business for generations, and her experience and talent show. Her designs are creative yet simply executed, and are sold at prices you can afford.

One of our readers will win Wendy's Enjoy Every Moment necklace ($62), which is my favorite item on her site. Besides having a hand-etched image of a bird in a tree (and you know birds are very "in" right now), the 3/4" square fine silver pendant is engraved "enjoy every moment" on its other side. A winning sentiment for moms, if I ever heard one. The pendant is on a 16" double strand sterling chain with a toggle clasp. Check out this and all the other lovely necklaces at CNK Designs (I also like Seek Balance and Play).

A Winning Cause

Many thanks to all those who supported the kids and me in this past weekend's YAI Central Park Challenge, an event which raised $1.25 million to help people with disabilities. My kids had a blast at the walk, especially in the children's activity area (here, Baby S. watches his sister in the big bouncy castle). And, Baby S's very own physical therapist Alyssa placed 3rd in her age range in the 5K run. Way to go, Alyssa!

Happy Family

I was browsing Etsy.com recently and fell in love with this Family of Five painted wooden dolls from Lovemonkey. Inspiring more open-ended play than the little plastic people that arrive with mass-produced playsets, each of these sets contains one mom, one dad, and three kids (the parents are 3 1/2" tall, the baby is just under 2 inches). The merchant is happy to create custom groupings based on your own family- wouldn't this make a great gift? They're safe, too; each doll is handpainted with non-toxic paints and coated with non-toxic varnish. $25 per set at Etsy.com.

Easy Elegant Baby

Elegant Baby is a wholesale distributor of baby gifts and I find many of their products charming; now you can shop directly from their website. I'm admiring these Bib and Burpcloth Sets ($22, scroll down on their site to see all designs). They arrive gift-ready in a fabric, zipper bag and make a sweet, practical, and affordable baby gift. Shop at Elegant Baby.

My Little CEO

Like most young children, my kids love to play "office" (R. recently assembled a "desk" for herself, brought me over, and said, "It's Take Your Mommy to Work Day!"). I think they'd enjoy this Pretend & Play Office Set at BabyScholars.com. This award-winning playset contains faux office supplies including stapler, ID badge, paychecks, cell phone, and desk calendar. There are over 70 pieces, so hold on to that briefcase to keep everything organized! Great gift for the preschool set. $32.95 at Baby Scholars.