Bargain Alert: Free Father's Day Photo Card

I just created a card for my own dad (using a photo of my kids) by taking advantage of this Free Father's Day Greeting Card offer at Shutterfly. I chose the "Father's Day Gift Coupon" template- the "coupon" will be for a visit from my kids to Grandpa's office. The cards, which normally cost $2.49, are being offered for free (you just pay shipping which is as little as 99 cents). Makes not only a great card, but also a sweet keepsake, for a favorite dad or granddad. Buy one at Shutterfly.com.

Little Maven Enroute

Did you catch the first episode of the new season of Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood? Tori mentions that she is working on (among other things) her new kids' clothing line Little Maven, which I reported on a few months ago. Having seen a preview of Little Maven in person, I am excited for it to come out in shops. The manufacturer, Hartstrings, has kindly created a Little Maven web page which provides updates, including prices (retail $24-$88) and sizing (6-9mos to 6x for girls; 6/9 mos to 4T for boys). Keep your eyes out for Little Maven in stores this Fall.

Summery Sandals

I was browsing Vera Bradley and found these Bali Gold Straw Sandals which I think are so pretty. Made with natural fibers and straw, the sandals are priced at a reasonable $28/pair in sizes small (5/6), medium (7/8) and large (9/10). Check out coordinating "island" accessories, too, at Vera Bradley.

Beep Beep

I spotted this stacking toy in American Baby magazine. It's called "Mix, Stack & Beep" and is made by Alex Toys, a company best known for their arts & crafts toys. Besides being super cute (and quiet- a plus), this wooden toy costs just $15, making it an affordable toddler or preschooler birthday gift (it's recommended for ages 2 and up). Check out this and other gifts at Alex Toys.

Why I Cried During Jon & Kate Plus 8

Did you watch Jon & Kate plus 8 the other night? Even if you don't watch it, you probably know that this reality TV family (Jon + Kate plus their twins and sextuplets) is falling apart at the seams. Kate seems obsessed with publicity; Jon wants a normal life back (and seems to have had an affair, too). Regardless of whose side you're on, there were many somber moments in the episode such as Kate's realization that they may have just taken their last Gosselin family photo together at the sextuplets' fifth birthday party.

That moment resonated with me, a lot. I cried when I saw it, for reasons I have had to be completely silent about for the past 2 years- until now. Almost 2 years ago, we took our own last family photo, also at a "5th birthday party" of sorts- a joint party for R's 4th birthday and S's 1st birthday. I smiled and laughed and hid the fact that I was in deep emotional pain as I tried desperately to save my marriage. Barely 6 weeks after that party, my marriage ended quite abruptly, under distressing circumstances. And in the 19 months since my marriage ended (hard to believe it's been the majority of little S's life), I've had to endure much worse, seeing a side of people and of life I never believed existed before. I joke (sort of) that my story has many elements of Lifetime TV movie to it- I've become used to seeing jaws drop as I give the "nutshell" version to people. Sometimes I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry. Mostly, I just hug my kids extra tight.

As longtime readers of this blog may know (even if they did not know about my divorce), my children also both (have) had special needs and this has become a major focus for me each and every day. My son has a disorder called apraxia and still is not talking, even though he is nearly 3. He has received a host of different therapies through Early Intervention which has made a huge difference. This morning he pointed at me and said, "My Mama!" and I melted. He can now walk, run, and (almost) jump. He tolerates activities that used to be very difficult for him. And he is just about the sweetest- and smartest- little boy you'll ever meet.

Dealing with my son's special needs- on top of difficult divorce proceedings- over the past year and a half has been one of the most difficult challenges I've ever faced. But, as I always learned from my own parents, I know how incredibly fortunate I am on so many levels. I am blessed with the friendship and support of many people. Now that I can be "go public" about my divorce, I hope that anyone out there who is struggling with the same challenge knows they are not alone.

This blog has been- and will continue to be- a wonderful distraction and tonic for me. I love that people enjoy reading this blog, and I love working on it. Writing about kids' toys or clothes while all this other stuff in my life has been going on has at times seemed oddly incongruous, but it has done wonders for my soul. So thank you for being such a good audience.

Earlier this week- 19 months after my husband and I separated- we finally signed our divorce agreement. While I wouldn't wish this nightmarish process on my worst enemy, I finally feel a tremendous sense of relief, accomplishment, and hope for my family's future. My children and I experience joy in our home, laughter with our friends, and love among our family, on a daily basis. And those provide security, confidence, and an excitement for the future that I have not felt in years. To those of you who knew already- and to those of you who know now- thank you a million times over for your caring and concern on this "journey". Much love to you all!

Inside a Gift Bag...

Oooh, I love kids' events in New York City. Yesterday R. and I attended a great "birthday party" extravaganza hosted by Big City Moms and inside the goody bag we got this boys' gambler polo shirt by hipster designer Appaman. It's a 4T and perfect for my blue-eyed boy! It retails for $48.95 at Sugar Baby On Sunset. Thanks, Big City Moms!

Bargain Alert: Lancome Gift Set at Macy's

I'm a sucker for those free gift sets you get when you buy beauty products at a department store, and this Free Lancome Gift Set at Macy's seems like an exceptionally great deal. If you make any Lancome purchase of $29.50 or more, you automatically get this free gift set which is a value of $84-$102. It includes your choice of a moisturizer, mascara, eye shadow quartet, eye make-up remover, and lipstick, all packaged in a handy and chic Lancome signature striped bag (your choice: red or blue). Love it! Visit Macy's.

Summer Perfection

I'm a big Gymboree fan, and this brand new Watermelon Seersucker Striped Dress is probably my favorite item from all of their spring and summer collections this year. It combines several of my favorite elements- seersucker, shirtdress styling, and 100% machine washable cotton. And I love the pale green color- it would look so sweet on my green-eyed daughter. Available in sizes 3-12, $34.75 at Gymboree.

Pinkalicious Goes Gold

If your daughter is a Pinkalicious (or Purplicious) fan, you'll want to add the series' latest edition to her library. Author Victoria Kann's Goldiliciouswas just released yesterday, and I've ordered a copy for R. I'm not so sure about the plot- Amazon says that Goldilicious is Pinkalicious's pet unicorn who protects her "from the evil wizadry of her little brother, Peter." Hmmm. Well, I'm sure Pinkalicious's youngest fans will love it even if the storyline is lacking. Buy a copy at Amazon.comfor $12.23 (retail price $17.99).

National Stationery Show Part Three: Best New Product Winners

Each year the National Stationery Show selects a group of Best New Product Winners. Of this year's winners, these are some of my favorites (one of them- 9 Spot Monk- I have mentioned already). Enjoy!

9 Spot Monk



Paper Stories Letterpress


Tomoko Maruyama


Paper and Ink Designs


Green Paper Company


Tiselle


Emma J Cards

Girl Meets Boy

Here in NYC where you see double strollers with boy/girl twins on just about every street corner, I think these Pink and Blue "TWIN" Bodysuits by Baby's Language will be a top seller. They are tagless, made of 100% organic cotton, and available in sizes 3 to 6mos or 6 to 12mos. Each set costs $34.00. Tell the new parents to charge that camera battery for an adorable photo-op! Buy them at Buy Buy Baby.

My Favorite Sunscreen for Kids

I don't normally write about children's cosmetics or toiletries, but when I find a product I absolutely love and use all the time, I like to share it. Every summer, I buy a few packages of these Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes by MD Moms. As a mom of two fair-skinned kiddos (and as a mom who also has a master's degree in public health), I am very conscious of sun safety for my family. Most of the time, we all wear Coppertone Babies, but my kids don't really like the feel or smell of it (can't say that I blame them). So, for special occasions or if they're going outside after a bath, for example, we use these towelettes instead. What a difference. They are completely non-greasy and sweat-proof, and barely scented at all (and what little scent they have is totally pleasant). Most importantly, they offer effective SPF 30+ protection along with the reassurance that they are phthlate-free, hypoallergenic, and all that good stuff. My kids love them, and so do I. If they weren't so expensive (a 15-towelette pack costs $26), we'd use them everyday instead of our drugstore-bought sunscreens. Treat your own family to a box or two at MD Moms.

Enter code "SUMMER" for free shipping and handling on all orders at MD Moms, now through 9/4/09. Also, any orders over $25 will receive an extra individually wrapped towelette.

Happy Weekend

I'll be "unplugged" for the next few days, posting again on Tuesday, May 26th. Have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! And while, yes, there are some great sales to be shopped this weekend, another way to celebrate the holiday is to send a thank-you to our troops via a wonderful site called A Million Thanks (thanks, Twitter, for the recommendation).

Have a great weekend!

Photo: Memorial Day 2008, East Hampton, NY

National Stationery Show: Smock Paper

There are some shops from the National Stationery Show that I love so much that I must write about them separately. One is Smock Paper, a letterpress studio in upstate New York. This is actually the 2nd year I've visited Smock at the show; last year they already wowed me with their luscious thick letterpress cards, which happen to be the only cards in the United States printed on paper made from bamboo. Their commitment to the environment shines throughout their work; their studio is powered by wind energy, their packaging is tree and petroleum-free and certified biodegradable, and they donate 1% of sales to environmental causes.

Most importantly, their work is simply breathtaking. The texture of their cards is amazing and the photos don't quite do it justice. The cards even smell beautiful (if you are a letterpress fanatic like I am, you will know what I mean...nowhere but the National Stationery Show do you find hoardes of well-educated people sniffing stationery).

Here are some photos I took of Smock's notecards, invitations, gift wrap, and more:




Look at this adorable customized "eco" hanger they used for their display- you can order one for yourself (with any custom word or name...cute baby gift!) here:


Smock even had their own calligrapher on-hand to give samples of their work made extra beautiful with her penmanship. Boy, I wish I had this talent:


Awww...doesn't that look so pretty?


Can you tell I'm in love? You will be, too. Visit Smock.

Swimsuit Sale at Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill has a ton of kids' swimsuits on sale right now including my favorite "Dreamsicle" design tankini. It's reduced to $24 from $36 in sizes 4-14; check out all the kids' beachwear on sale while you're there.

Gift Hero Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to the following 2 winners:

Winner of the Kids Watering Can Kit: Suzannah who wrote, "We just planted seeds this weekend! My daughter would love the watering can to keep her sunflowers and nasturtiums growing!"

Winner of the Safari Adventure Mini Golf Set: "dddiva" who wrote, "I think either would be great, and my favorite toy from Gift Hero is the Take-A-Part-Crane."

Winners, please e-mail me with your name and mailing address to claim your prize. Enjoy!

National Stationery Show: Part Two

Here is more eye candy from this past week's National Stationery Show. I've provided links to the designers where available (please note that if you see product prices in the actual photos, these are wholesale prices- retail will be more).

1) 9 Spot Monk has introduced a fun line of eco-friendly letterpressed "Little Artist" cards ($4.50) that kids can color. Crayons included!



Also new are these letterpress printed "Dress Me Up" coloring placemats $12.50. Coloring placemats are an emerging trend, I've noticed:

2) I was given a personal tour of the new baby/kids products at industry giant Crane & Co (you've heard of them, right?) I like these sweet bunny, duck, or elephant thank-you cards ($18) with lined envelopes. Easy and elegant for an expectant mom to have on hand for thank-you notes (since personalized notes will take a little while to receive after baby is born).

A Crane's representative told me that these imprintable monkey cards ($13) have actually surpassed Crane's classic plan ecru foldover cards in popularity.

I also like these "B" is for Boy cards congratulatory cards ($4.75) ...girl cards available too, of course.

3) My favorite eco-friendly notebooks come from Canadian design shop Ecojot. They are 100% made from recycled materials. Love these new designs:


4) Fugu Fugu is a small letterpress shop from Pasadena, California. I love their eco-friendly letterpress cards printed with soy-based inks. In the almost saturated market of letterpress cards, Fugu Fugu stands out for its too-cute retro-style illustrations. How adorable is that pregnancy card?



5) This was the first year I saw the booth for Yellow Owl Workshop, a paper shop hailing from San Francisco. I like how their products have a kid-friendly vibe, like these stamp sets ($36.50) in a hand-finished birch box.

I also dig their "England" postcard set and "Write Your Own Message" gift wrap:


6) These letterpress alphabet posters ($30) by Sycamore Street Press make beautiful wall art for a nursery or playroom.

7) Finally (for now), last year's trend of sarcastic/ironic greeting cards was still in evidence, but less so (perhaps the troubled economy make everyone a bit less snarky and a bit more compassionate). Nonethless, there were still some gems like these (I apologize, I don't have in my notes who makes these...if they're yours, please let me know!)



More stationery show goodies to come.... I have saved some of the best for last. Stay tuned!