No More Noggin

Did you hear that Noggin is no more? The cable channel which touts itself as "preschool on TV" is now officially called Nick Jr. My six-year-old shouted the news to me the other morning and said "It's very startling!" Rest assured, though, all of the programming and characters are the same- the change is a name change only. My daughter further hypothesized, "Well maybe because they [Noggin] thought it wasn't fair for the other people because they get the whole channel switched so they decided to make ours just the same just with a new name." Got it? Hmmm. Check out the website for the channel-formerly-known-as-Noggin at Nick Jr. (and read their explanation for the change here).

Polished and Preppy at Children's Place

I've been having very good luck with smart, preppy, and super-affordable outfits for S. from Children's Place recently. He got a lot of compliments recently when he wore this striped vest, checked woven shirt, and utility pants, all of which are now on sale for just $9.09 apiece (hurry- inventory is low). For less than $30, this is a great Fall look for a little boy and will carry over well to holiday season, too. We did also get the black shoes ($18.50) but they seemed to fit too tight (despite ordering his normal size), so I think we'll buy dress shoes elsewhere. Visit Children's Place for more clean-cut looks for little boys in sizes 6months to 4T.

Tweet Dreams

I have a new favorite Etsy find. Chicago-based Etsy store Craftsquatch sells these hipster "social media and geeky pillows." Totally what I dig(g). There are pillows representing Twitter (and the cute little Twitter bird), Facebook, MySpace, and more. And they are supremely affordable- just $19.99 for each handmade 12"x12" square fleece pillow, including filling. Buy a couple for your office space! Visit Craftsquatch. I'm tweeting about them right now.

Jelly Bean Pictures

I've had little time in the past year to snap good photos of my kids, so I jumped at the chance to have a photo session with Jennifer Tonetti-Spellman from Jelly Bean Pictures. Jennifer is a talented NYC-area photographer and mom herself to a two-year-old "jelly bean." I was very impressed with her portfolio which really captures kids as they are...whether on their best or less-than-perfect behavior. My kids definitely took to "Miss Jennifer" quickly during our recent shoot in Central Park. They showed her some of their best, most endearing expressions. I'm saving the surprise for friends & family, but for now here is view from behind. I love how it captures their relationship and also commemorates the age where my son is about to overtake his big sister in height:

Jennifer offers a range of affordably-priced services compared to other NYC area photographers. A standard holiday session is just $85 and includes edited images on CD (not all photographers do this) plus a slideshow set to music. Also for $85, you can book Jennifer for a "Mini-Bean" session which is a 30 minute shoot perfect for "firsts" like first haircut, first trip to the park, etc. Finally, she offers "Jellybean Pictures Parties" where you get a bunch of your friends together (5 family minimum, $50 per family) and everyone gets a 20 minute shoot for their child/children with 7 edited photos on CD. I wish I had done this with my kids' playgroups when they were younger!

Here are some more examples of Jennifer's work:









Ready to book a holiday session? Contact Jennifer through Jelly Bean Pictures and set a date...spots are filling quickly. Oh, and check out her fun blog- it is interesting to observe different families' photo shoots...and you may just find mine.

Rainbow Collection

If you're a decor or design geek, you'll like these Pantone Mugs I just saw in an Uncommon Goods catalog. The set of 10 mugs features the original primary colors by Pantone. It's pricey ($110 for the set) so make sure you save your favorite color for yourself. Buy it at Uncommon Goods.

Hadley Stilwell

As a mom of a first grader and preschooler, I don't post about maternity items here very much, but I'm making an exception for Hadley Stilwell, a beautiful new collection of nursing clothes. Founded by a mompreneur (natch), these garments are especially designed with working new moms in mind. The pieces flow (pun intended) easily from home to work and back- these are not just nursing clothes, but clothes you would want to wear anytime. They all offer "quick access" to make pumping at the office a breeze (since I had to pump round-the-clock for both of my babes, it is nice to see thoughtfully-designed clothing like this). My favorite piece is the machine-washable sleeveless crossover shirt ($57.00) which is perfect for warm weather, or layering in cooler climes. Visit Hadley Stillwell.

p.s. Also check out Hadley Stilwell's "Milk Note" blog with lots of helpful information about nursing and pumping.

Boden Gift Cards

Good news- Boden is now offering gift cards which are valid for purchasing any of their women's, men's, kids', or baby clothing. It's an actual card (which can be mailed to you or the recipient) and is available in $25, $50, $75, or $100 denominations. They arrive in a gift package with an enclosed catalogue. Makes a nice gift for a new mom, because she can spend it either on baby or herself (tell her to spoil herself...). Buy one at Boden.

p.s. I'll be observing Yom Kippur starting this evening and will post again on Tuesday morning.

No David!

Remember the book exchange/chain letter I told you about a while back? Well, sure enough, I participated and only received one book for little S. (boo hoo). But it was a real winner of a book. It's "No, David" by DAvid Shannon and even though I'd seen it when my daughter was younger, we somehow never read it till now. And my kids both LOVE it (I think it's pretty cute, too). The short, fun, semi-autobiographic story is how active little David is always getting into trouble, but still gets a hug from his parent at the end. The illustrations are terrific (my kids love the one of the messy bathroom) and the text is short enough that my six-year-old can easily read it herself to her little brother. It's a great gift for any toddler or preschooler. $13.59 at Barnes & Noble.

p.s. Stay tuned for more posts about my favorite children's books (after I wrote a post about board books for boys, several readers asked for more suggestions). There will also be a book giveaway soon.

Little Black Dress

I've spotted this circle tiered print dress by One Kid on several girls in my neighborhood this Fall. This is how a little girl can wear black, in my opinion. I actually first saw the dress at the ENK Children's Show last Spring, and thought it would be a popular purchase for stores. Now it's on sale at CWD Kids, where it costs $39 (reduced from $52-$56) in sizes 2T-10 (runs small). Coordinating tights available, too.

Baby's First Marquee

Some of the items I stumbled onto at Etsy.com make me so happy. Like this handmade Personalized Baby Name Mobile. Each letter is made from brightly colored felt and stuffed with fiberfill (you can also choose other colors or fabrics to coordinate with your nursery). Each letter hangs from a dowel with ribbon so you can hang it either from the ceiling or on a wall. It costs $30 (U.S.) from the Australian Etsy.com shop Masalachai.

Corner Stork Baby Gifts Winner

Congratulations to Eve, who wrote, "The Big Dreamzzz Baby MD outfit is so cute! I'd love to win it for my nephew." Please e-mail me to claim your prize.

My Polarn O. Pyret Trunk Show

I had so much fun hosting the Polarn O. Pyret trunk show last week. I was so busy during the event that I forgot to take pictures, but luckily I snapped some photos beforehand. The guests are starting to receive their online orders; one of the evening's attendees, who bought a bunch of clothes for her two boys (ages 3 and 5), just sent me the following note:

I got the clothes from the trunk show. My goodness, my kids are looking beautiful!! Almost too beautiful for school. the jackets are gorgeous, they love them, they love the hats. My older son says they look like firemen in the red raincoats and he says he looks like a secret spy in his red winter jacket. I love the coats. They are so well-made and the attatched glove on the sleeve is wonderful because now the wind won't go up their arms. They look like little Europeans in nice clothes, not like messy Americans! I am simply floored by these clothes!


A rave review, right? Here are the photos from the trunk show:

First, there is nothing like snacking on Swedish fish while buying Swedish clothing:




R., wearing her beloved "Upside Down" dress ($43.50) by Polarn O. Pyret, plays with some of the paper dolls the company provided as giveaways:


Here's how I presented the paper doll sets- rolled up and placed in a glass vase:


Rack #1 of beautiful, colorful cotton clothing. At far left is one of my favorite items, a butterfly graphic top ($30):


Cushy, thick socks and a Terry Hare in Stripes ($20.50) to snuggle with:


More socks, a striped P.O.P. bunny ($20.50), and R's own teddy bear, which she found made a perfect model for P.O.P. hats:


More clothing. Facing front: a blue floral tunic ($19.50) navy tunic shirt, and P.O.P. mascot pajamas ($28.50).


It was so much fun- I hope to host more trunk shows in the future!

Can You Count Your One, Two Threes?

My son has a SEIT (special education itinerant teacher) who helps him in his mainstream preschool classroom a few mornings each week and also does therapy sessions with him at home to improve his communication skills. For his birthday, she gave him this terrific Eric Carle 1, 2, 3...To The Zoo Floor Puzzle by Galison/Mudpuppy (one of my favorite manufacturers of kids' toys and puzzles). He loves to assemble it with her; for him it's pure fun and he doesn't realize how much he's learning- from improving his fine motor skills and matching skills, to helping him answer questions about counting, sequencing, animals, and colors. The puzzle lays out to 2 x 3 feet on the floor, and consists of 24 jumbo pieces that are perfect for preschool hands. It's packaged in a box with a rope handle and makes a great gift for any child of this age. It costs $14.95 at Baby Earth.

I've Opened an Etsy Shop!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade BrownEyeBlue.etsy.com

Psst- if you tried the text link yesterday and it didn't work, please try it again today- I fixed a glitch.

Surprise! I've opened my own small Etsy shop, Brown Eye Blue, where I'm selling Halloween and autumn-themed folded notecards featuring photos I've taken over the past few years. They cost $3.75 each and shipping is free now through October 15th. I'm really proud of them and hope you like them, too (I'll be adding card with year-round themes too). My "mini pumpkin" card even got featured in an "Etsy Treasury" on 1st day I listed it, which was a great honor. If you're interested in these as prints for framing rather than stationery, I can do that too. Please visit the shop and I hope you find something you love!

p.s. Oh, the name of the shop is a reference my friends and family will get. For the rest of you, I chose the name because I have one brown eye and one blue eye (and, yes, was born on Halloween, too).

Ready, Set, Read

I am sort of surprised how much homework my first grader already gets, including instructions to keep a log of how much she's read (or been read to) every night. I'm less surprised that someone enterprising (maybe a mom) came up with this idea to create a "Mark My Time" Digital Bookmark which is not only a bookmark but also a digital timer (with clock and alarm) to help track a student's cumulative reading time. If you've got a reluctant reader on your hands, this might make bedtime book-time a bit more fun. A 3-pack of bookmarks in assorted colors costs $33 at Amazon.com.

Thanks to my best friend E. (who has a preschooler, 1st grader, and 3rd grader) for the tip about this product!

Target's Mirrored Bedside Table

Several readers told me that Target also carries some mirrored bedside tables like the ones I have been looking for. Of course, this style is very trendy right so I wasn't surprised to find that several models at Target are sold out, but then I found this cinema side table which is chic-er (and pricier) than Target's usual offerings. It's the cinema side table. For $329.99, it will definitely give your master bedroom a glamorous, old-style Hollywood vibe.

Lemonade in NYC

I recently visited the brand-new shop Lemonade which opened in my neighborhood (for you NYC folks, you can visit it at 1038 Lexington Avenue, near 74th Street). Lemonade is one of those sweet stores that looks like a tiny storefront from outside, but inside has a bright, airy feel and offers a high-quality selection of kids' clothing and gifts (especially for the younger set). Here's a look inside:

I am trying to track down who makes the boys' sports-themed pajamas hanging on the wall- I forgot to note the designer. Would love a pair for my little guy.


There are some pricey but popular clothing brands such as Oeuf, but nothing is outrageous (at least by New York standards, I guess).


I adore these "Day of the Week" barrettes by A Little Something.


These cute animal-themed hand-cranked flashlights are not just fun for kids, but they are practical too if the lights go out unexpectedly.


And I was happy to spot some of my favorite sibling tees by independent designer Pluto Tees:


Visit Lemonade NYC if you're in the area (website is still under construction).

Hooray by Cynthia Rowley

Designer Cynthia Rowley has just created a line of trendy, affordable baby and toddler clothing for BabiesR Us. Called "Hooray by Cynthia Rowley", this exclusive collection describes itself as "pretty with a twist" and includes apparel, diaper bags, bibs, and blankets. I think I like the infant onesies best, especially this Number One Coverall. It's a fun print and the price ($11.99) surely can't be beat. See all of Cynthia Rowley's designs for BabiesRUs here.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Corner Stork Baby Gifts

I first learned about Corner Stork Baby Gifts when I received a personalized baby gift from them for S. three years ago. I've shopped there several times since. They are a one-stop baby gift store offering everything from shower favors to personalized baby gifts (blankets, clothing, and gift baskets) to toys (plush animals, books, and developmental toys). There's even a special section for twin gifts. Here are some of my top picks:

OiOi Giraffe-Print Diaper Tote ($160). A great shower gift for a stylish mom.


"Welcome to the World" Pink Baby Wagon - Ten-Piece Gift Set ($80, boys' version available too). I'm a sucker for gift sets like these, especially when the packaging- in this case an adorable pink wagon- can be re-used as nursery decor or toy storage.

Halloween Tote for a Tot - Pumpkin ($42). Know someone who's having a Fall baby? This set- which includes a personalized onesie and bib- makes a perfect gift.


Wonderful World of Monkeys Baby Socks Gift Set ($24.50). Trumpette's baby socks are always a hit at baby showers. You can't go wrong with these for either a girl or a boy.


Comfy Cozy Friends ($27.99). S. had one of these as a baby and to this day (he's now 3) he snuggles up to it.


Win it! 1 MyMomShops reader will win a $25 gift certificate to Corner Stork Baby Gifts. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below), indicating what your favorite item from Corner Stork Baby Gifts is.
2) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST, Thursday, September 24th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) One winner will be chosen at random and announced on Friday morning, September 25th.
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 Friday to see if you won. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited after 72 hours.

Good luck!

Halloween with Kate

I guess it's not a surprise that this Halloween's most popular gag costume so far is this "Eight is Too Much" Kate Gosselin Costume Wig. Apparently, many Americans want to channel the beleagured reality TV mom by sporting a wig with her infamous "reverse mullet" 'do. I think it's a pretty bad costume, but I get the joke. It's on back-order right now; if you want to order it, keep checking back at BestCostumeSite.com where it costs $14.99.

Suit Up

I needed to buy S. an outfit for the Jewish holidays, but didn't want to spend a lot because how many times does a three-year-old boy actually need to wear a suit? I found this Suit with Sportcoat, Tie, and Pants by Good Lad and it fit the bill. How cute does a little boy look dressed up like a man going to work, by the way? The set includes a light blue oxford shirt with darker blue striped tie, navy sport coat, and elasticized khaki pants. Available in sizes 2T-4T for $37.99 at Baby Boy Company.

I'll be observing the Jewish New Year this weekend and will be posting again on Monday. L'Shanah Tovah!

Abby & Emma

My daughter got this Abby & Emma Magnetic Wooden Dress-Up Dolls Set from Chase's Treasures for her sixth birthday. It's a good thing it includes two dolls because she and her 3-year-old brother (who worships his big sister and therefore her toys) would be fighting every day over this set. The toy includes two "friends" Abby and Emma with nearly 60 pieces of clothing and accessories to mix and match. And unlike the paper doll pieces we used to play with, these pieces actually stay put. It also includes two stands to help Abby and Emma "model." It's a great birthday gift or big sister gift and costs $18 at Chase's Treasures.

Pimp My Ride

Here's another good idea that's come along too late for my kids (my younger one is almost done using a stroller). Maclaren makes these new reversible liners that fit all Maclaren strollers, allowing you to get a spiffy new look for your buggy. Or cover up some unfortunate messes (wow, I could've used these when my kids were toddlers). There are over two dozen patterns available ranging from solids to stripes to florals, and with each one you get two new looks. They are machine washable, of course. You can buy them for $25 at Maclaren's online store. Your stroller will thank you!

30% off + Free Shipping at Polarn O. Pyret- Today Only!

The trunk show last night for Polarn O. Pyret was soooo much fun (thanks to everyone who came!). Today I am very happy to share an exclusive coupon code with all of my readers- it's for 30% off plus free shipping (no minimum order required!). You can use through midnight tonight (Thursday). The guests at my trunk show used this coupon code last night (pssst...you can use it again today, too) and were oohing and aahing not only over the sample clothing here, but also over the deep discounts. Pictured above are some of the most popular items that sold last night, including (clockwise from top left) Denim Jumper ($35 before discount, $24.50 after), Wear Everywhere Winter Jacket ($132.50 before discount, $93 after), Striped A-Line Dress ($46 before discount, $32 after), andZoo Friend Top ($26 before discount, $18 after). Visit Polarn O. Pyret today and snag these deals before they expire at midnight!

A few tips for shopping at Polarn O. Pyret:
1) Sizing is generous! You do not need to "order up." Everything is machine washable (love the practical Swedes) and has very low shrinkage- just 3%.
2) Check out the selection of 100% organic cotton "Eco" clothing.
3) The rainwear is all PVC-free, which is important to me. I'm getting this rain coat for R.

Enter code "MYMOM" at the first page of the checkout process to receive a generous 30% off your order AND free shipping at Polarn O. Pyret. No minimum required. Does not apply to items already on sale. Expires at midnight TONIGHT.

Trunk Show Prep

I'm busy getting ready for the trunk show I am hosting tonight for Polarn O. Pyret, Sweden's leading children's clothing company. There are currently several racks of colorful cotton European threads for kids in my living room and I couldn't be happier...neither could 6-year-old R. who is excited to "model" various garments to all of my guests tonight. Her fave (today at least) is this Eco "Upside Down" Dress ($43) from P.O.P.'s eco-friendly collection. I'm not sure she will let go of it after tonight. Photos to come!

Fall Letter-Writing

This set of "A Fall Classic" notecards by Emma J is perfect for quick letter-writing to friends. I saw some samples by Emma J at last May's National Stationery Show and I think she has some lovely designs (scroll down here to see the Fall notecards as well as several other themed sets). $10 for 8 cards plus envelopes at Emma J.

Ride On

Now that my kids are 3 and 6, I can travel a little lighter when we are out and about (bye bye, ginormous diaper bags). Over the past month, I've started using this Vintage Schwinn Bicycle Illustration Recyclable Canvas Tote Bag from the Etsy shop Happy Family (the same shop where I purchased baseball-style birthday tees for my kids). This tote (which had the honor of being featured on Etsy's homepage) is hand-printed and made from 100% cotton heavy canvas. It is just the right size for a quick outing with diaper-free kids- 15" long x 14.5" wide by 2" deep. Since it's black, it hides dirt. And, it is extremely affordable- just $10. Snag one for yourself at Vintage Schwinn Bicycle Illustration Etsy.com.

One Kid On Its Way

I love the U.S. brand One Kid and am glad to see it sprouting up in lots of stores. I spotted this outfit from their Fall 2009 collection in the window of Z'Baby, an upscale boutique in my neighborhood. It's a putty colored top with sequin bow, with an ultra-girly berry-colored tulle elastic waist skirt. Like most of One Kid's outfits, it is fun and fresh and just the right amount of "sophisticated" while remaining age-appropriate. It's hard to find One Kid clothing to purchase online somtimes, but I tracked the skirt ($60-$64) and shirt ($38-$42) down in sizes 2 through 6x at Abigail's Children's Boutique.

Short Stack

I spotted this P'kolino Puzzle Stacker in a recent issue of Cookie Magazine. It's one of the prettiest wooden baby toys I've seen in a while. Every toddler loves stacking toys, and this one features premium construction and the extra perk of interlocking puzzle pieces. It's a great 1st or 2nd birthday gift. $38.50 at P'kolino (browse around the P'kolino site for some outstanding modern play tables, storage, and seating, by the way).

Tori and Me

This past weekend I got to meet Tori Spelling at the launch of her Little Maven clothing line at Bloomingdale's here in New York City. Here she is arriving at the event:


Tori is every bit as friendly and easy to relate to as she appears on her reality TV show on Oxygen. I say this with some authority because during my earlier career in NYC's museum world, I met plenty of celebs and know how diva-ish they can be (I'm talking to you, Madonna). But Tori seemed genuinely happy to meet her fans, and instead of quickly shuffling each one along, she took several minutes to chat with each one. She asked me about my blog, and asked whether I am on Twitter (I am, here) and asked how she could send me a message via Twitter (which would just about make my day). When some people posed for pictures with her and fumbled with their cameras out of nervousness, she laughed and said, "Don't worry, take as much time as you need" and actually meant it. She gave each person as much time as they wanted for pictures, autographs, what have you. And I must admit, it was pretty cool to meet her- I mean, I "knew" her back in her Donna Martin days when my college roommates and I loyally gathered every week to watch 90210 in its very first season!

I was about tenth in line to meet her, and in addition to chatting with her, I presented her with some personalized gifts I chose from Etsy for her children, 2-year-old Liam (whom she calls "Monkey") and one-year-old Stella (whose nickname is "Buggy" for "Ladybug".) Here's what I gave her:

Two personalized birthday shirts from Etsy shop Lilly Bug Blankets. You can get the shirts personalized on the reverse side, too.



And, these matching Ladybug Bloomers with Bows for Stella from Etsy shop Stephanie's Boutique (if the bloomers are sold out and you want to order them, just send a "convo" through Etsy to the shop owner):


As you can see, Tori was excited to see the personalized clothing for her kids- "Wow, I love these!" she said.




Tori suggested we pose for a picture with the shirts:


Many readers had submitted questions for me to ask Tori (especially about some of the fabrics she used to decorate her new house). I did find out where she got the fabric for that gorgeous headboard in her master bedroom (I will post it this week). Thanks to the equally friendly and gracious Mehran Fahrat (Tori's business manager/"gay husband") whom I met as well, Tori may answer the other questions via e-mail so I can post the answers here- so stay tuned.

And, last but very not least, the Little Maven clothing is a bit pricey but adorable. A bunch of new items have arrived at Bloomingdale's- you can browse them here. Here are some of my own photos (I bought this polo shirt and jeans for S.)



You can also shop directly at Little Maven and sign up for its mailing list; if you do, you'll get 10% off plus free shipping on your first order. The clothing goes up to size 4T for both boys and girls.

Tori, it was a pleasure meeting you!

Baby Box Lunchbag Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Laura, who wrote, "I love the personalized baby pillows. Especially the pink bunny. What a cute gift idea at a reasonable price." Laura, please e-mail me to claim your prize.

Paper Culture

I stumbled onto another great site for photo birth announcements, party invitations, and holiday cards. It's called Paper Culture and it has clean, fresh designs that are all exclusive to the site- so you haven't seen these cards before. This Penguin 1st Birthday Party invitation celebrates your wobbly one-year-old and is available in your choice of four colors. It's printed on recycled paper and starts at $1.49 per card. Visit Paper Culture.

Boogie Baby Blanket

Jennifer G., a long-time reader of this blog and mom to two little boys, sent in a picture of this Boogie Baby Blanket she received for her infant son. Though I received many blankets myself for my two kids, I never got one like this and I wish I had. It's a sort of "build-a-blanket" where you (or the gift-giver) picks out everything from the design to the fringe color to the personalization. Jennifer says it is super-soft and has a magic effect on her little boy- and from the picture, it seems that is true. Looks like a good nap blanket for an older child, too. The blankets are handmade and are available in five sizes, starting at $50. Visit the Boogie Baby Store.

Thanks for the tip, Jennifer!

Eight Years Later

Like most New Yorkers, I am stopped in my tracks every year on 9/11 and remember the sights, sounds, and even smells (burning airline fuel) of that day. That morning becomes a bit more distant as each year passes. For me, personally, it was a day I spent partly on the phone with my grandmother (who died four months later) and partly with my then-boyfriend/now-ex-husband, and my father. All New Yorkers have these idiosyncratic memories of that Tuesday morning, and for those of us who now have children, I wonder which memories we will share as more September 11th anniversaries come and go. My own daughter seemed totally unaware of it today and I doubt they will mention it in her first grade classroom. But as a born-and-bred New Yorker, it sometimes confronts her- she asked recently as we drove by the old WTC construction site, "Mommy, what are they building there?" I told her something had burned down. I was not ready to tell her the rest of the story- how everyone's lives, how our own lives, have changed since then. Because I'm still figuring it out myself.

What I Bought at Boden

I indulged in a bit of retail therapy last night at Boden. I am usually quite strict with myself, but since they were offering 20% off plus free shipping and returns, it seemed like a good time to snag some clothes I'd had my eye on for both the kids and me. There's still time to enjoy a discount there, but it's a bit less today (15% off) and less still on Saturday (10% off). Click through here to get the discount.

I bought myself (yes, myself!) this fun button cardigan ($78 with discount) in light blue/mocha stripe. This is what I love about Boden- fun, colorful, unexpected details.


For S. I bought this long sleeve applique tee shirt ($22 with discount) in the navy blue/basketball pattern. The pediatrician told me at S's 3-year-checkup that S. is off the charts for height- in fact, he is the height of the average four and a half year old boy. So basketball may indeed be in his future.

I'd been thinking about buying six-year-old R. this wool blend spotty coat in red to coordinate with my own (purchased 50% off) from last year's catalog. She is into mother/daughter dressing now and I think she'll love it!


Quick, go to Boden while the spirit (and sales) still move you. And before they sell out...several items are already backordered.

And Now For Something Completely Different

My kids have been entranced recently by our Sesame Street Old School DVDs, which I love watching along with them because I can relive my groovy seventies childhood. R. in particular is so taken with the classic skits and songs that she wanted me to find some others on You Tube, where I found this one called "Red Ball 1, 2, 3." If you're past, ahem, a certain age you may remember it. I didn't recognize it at first, but once the music started, I could picture my sister and I watching it on our old (black and white) television in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Watch it all the way to the end...there's a yummy surprise. It makes R. giggle every time.

Oh, and in case you're curious, it's from 1970 (so I saw it in repeats). Wow.

Stella's New York Nursery

Last week I visited my dear friend Ann and her new baby girl, Stella. Ann and I met over a decade ago when we both worked at The Jewish Museum. Ann had a fun sense of style then (she had an awesome Barbie skirt cake for her 30th birthday party), and still does now. While lots of parents consider modern design choices for their children's bedrooms, few actually take the plunge. Ann and her husband Patrice (who is a talented photographer outside of his day job) did- and it worked brilliantly! I love four-month-old Stella's mod, not-too-girly nursery (they did not know the baby's gender in advance so many items are unisex). I think they have successfully mixed high-end design with some bargain finds to create a unique, child-friendly, New York look. Here are some highlights:

First up, the birch Sparrow Crib ($690) by Oeuf sets a simple but stylish vibe. It works in just about any decor and can easily be passed on to younger siblings regardless of gender. To the left of the crib is DWR's popular Mag Table ($199) designed by Eric Pfeiffer in 1999; it does double-duty as a nightstand. I love the unique wall and floor lighting Ann and Patrice chose, too; both the green Smila Bagge Wall Lamp ($9.99) and Jonisk Floor Lamp ($49.99) were Ikea purchases.


Stella's fitted, 100% certified organic cotton elephant parade crib sheet ($40) is by Q Collection; the organic giant dot bumper ($109) is by Pottery Barn Kids (online only). The neutral bumper is a calming contrast to the patterned sheet.


I recognized Stella's eco-friendly, bamboo Jungle Friends Mobile ($68) from Petit Collage the moment I saw it. It looks beautiful, but be forewarned that even Patrice, who is quite handy, had trouble setting it up.


I saw these animal pillows by Areaware at a Bubble trade show last year; Stella enjoys the company of this fawn ($84) as she slumbers.


And a close-up of the sleeping beauty. By the way, for a four-month-old girl, Stella has a tres chic wardrobe of European threads (Patrice's family hails from France). Her onesie is by French brand Sergent Major.


Opposite the crib is a modern take on a "nursing nook." No pastel glider chair here. Instead, modern design fans will recognize the Paulistino Armchair ($700) from DWR, a version of classic 1950s Bauhaus design. To brighten it up, Ann and Patrice opted for a colorful Missoni slipcover (they purchased it on sale for $250, now back at full price of $800) also from DWR. The personalized puzzle stool was a baby gift that works as a footstool now; when Stella is a bit bigger she can play with it, too.


And, the piece de resistance is this unique artwork- a framed pair of jeans. Ann wore these jeans so much as a little girl that they started to fray (that's when her mom sewed the 70s style "love" patches on them), and once they no longer fit, Ann's mom framed them to turn them into a keepsake. I'm not sure she envisioned them ending up decorating her future granddaughter's room, but what a great idea this turned out to be! I love it.


What do you think of this modern New York nursery?

Channeling Mr. Rogers

I love preppy cardigans for little boys, and since I have a Macy's store credit I might buy this Little Boy Hazy Cardigan by Quiksilver for S. Perfect for back-to-school, it's made of lightweight cotton and is machine-washable. It's on sale for $34.99 (was $46 and I saw it a local store for even more) at Macy's.

An Almost-Free Makeover

If you, like me, are drawn to those "free" cosmetic gifts in department stores, you'll want to check out this one which caught my eye. It's a "Milly for Clinique" bonus bag that is yours with any Clinique purchase of $25 or more at Bloomingdale's. I've been wearing Clinique products since high school, so I am obviously a fan. This set is a $75 value and includes 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula, Even Better Skin Tone Corrector, Pink Slate eyes, Rosy Blush cheeks, and Blushing Nude lips, all packaged in a really cute cosmetics bag made exclusively for Bloomingdale's by Michelle Smith for Milly. So if you want to freshen up your own back-to-school look for less, this is a pretty good deal- $100 worth of products for just $25. Buy it while supplies last at Bloomingdale's.

A First Grade Princess is Born

Considering that one year ago, my now-six-year-old daughter steadfastly refused to wear anything pink, I am actually quite thrilled that her backpack of choice for 1st grade (starting today!) is this Large Disney Princess Sparkle Garden Backpack ($19.95 at Amazon.com). While many little girls enter the Disney Princess stage at age 2 or 3, mine held off until age 6. And that's fine with me...because the longer that Belle and Jasmine hold her attention, the longer we can put off the Jonas Brothers. I'm dropping her off at school this morning with her new backpack, chock full of more school supplies than I ever thought a first grader needed (a dry erase board? really?) I can't believe I have a first grader. I am so proud of her. Hope all of your first days of school are going well, too!

MyMomShops Giveaway: Monogrammed Lunch Bags from Baby Box

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Back-to-School season is officially here and I can't think of a much better way to start this Tuesday than with this giveaway from NYC gift boutique Baby Box. These monogrammed lunch bags beat any other lunch bag hands down, in my opinion. They are made from retro-style oil cloth that is easy to wipe clean, and they come in several fun patterns and colors (I'm partial to gingham as always). And, of course, the personalization is the perfect finishing touch. Each one costs $40 at Baby Box.

Fall for Onesies

For a fresh, cooler-weather take on a monogrammed baby onesie, check out this Sleeve-in-Sleeve Contrast Initial Onesie at Etsy. The designer has added cotton knit longsleeves to a regular onesie for a trendier look; the longsleeve color coordinates with the embroidered fleece square monogram (your choice of red, blue, black, navy, or pink). Available in sizes 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 18 months, 2T, and 3T (as a mom whose chubby 18 month olds wore size 3T, I still appreciate when onesies go up to that size). $20 at the Etsy.com Jake & Lucy.

A Toy Guide I Appreciate

Toy giant Toys R Us recently unveiled its annual toy guide for differently-abled kids- a printed and online guide it publishes annually. I had no idea Toys R Us did this, even though I am the mom of a special needs 3-year-old (you can read more about my son here, though since that post I'm very excited to report he is now talking!). Promoted by child advocate/actor Whoopi Goldberg, this guide (available both online or printed in stores) helps parents of special needs kids identify toys that are particularly helpful in developing specific skill sets- for example auditory processing, language expression, fine and gross motor skills, and social skills. These are "regular" toys you already know by brands like Lego, Fisher-Price, or Crayola, but for special needs parents, it is especially helpful to know which toys work best in helping developmentally delayed children play and learn to the best of their abilities. In fact, I smiled to myself when I saw this promotional picture featuring Whoopi Goldberg and five-year-old Grace Kurowski, because they are playing with a toy my own children love- Melissa & Doug's Baking Cookies Set ($24.99). Check out Toys R Us's special toy guide here.

Label This

Planning a last-minute trip to Staples anytime soon for school supplies? Maybe I can inspire you to buy this Type-A mom's dream product, which my own mother recently purchased for me (thanks, Mom). It's Brother's PT-1290 Label Maker and it recently inspired me to label a bunch of keepsake boxes in the kids' rooms. Warning: label-making is an addictive home organizing habit (this is why magazines like my dearly departed Domino often profiled it). The model I have offers 15 patterns, 2 fonts, and prints labels up to 1/2" wide that you can preview on a 15-character LCD display. It's pretty easy to use and runs on 6 "AAA" batteries. Buy it for $39.99 at Staples and plan to become a bit obsessed.

Cityscape Pillow

I'm looking into some new throw pillows for my living room and found this 18" square zip code pillow at CB2. It would look very cool in a city apartment like mine. It's eco-friendly, too- made from recycled woolen fibers. And, like everything at CB2, it is affordable at just $29.95 (feather insert included). Check out all the pillows and throws at CB2 for a quick decorating fix.

Big Sister Baseball Tee

I see a lot of sibling tees and some of them are a little "too much." I prefer the clean, sporty look of this 3/4 length sleeve big sister baseball tee by Bare Bellies. Available in sizes 2T, 4T, or 6 for $24 at Bare Bellies; a version with black sleeves is also available here.

Picture Yourself

One of my favorite paper-goods shops, Feterie, has just launched a collaboration with Claudine Hellmuth, an illustrator that Martha Stewart admires (so you know this artist is good). Claudine has created exlusively-designed bookplates, notecards, and invitations for Feterie featuring custom-made artwork of you! More unique and artist-inspiredl than gifts made with digital photos, Claudine's custom-made likenesses make these products extra-special to give as gifts. You can see all of the choices here. I'm especially digging the bookplate sets which include twenty-five 3" x 5" bookplates for $40. I can think of many book-lovers who would enjoy these. Keep in mind, though, that they take 6-8 weeks for Claudine to make, so order them early as holiday gifts. Visit Feterie.

Perfect Fall Dress

My six-year-old loves the ease of comfy cotton dresses that slip right on over her head. We've never tried Garnet Hill's best-selling knit tiered dress but I think we might this Fall. I love all three patterns they are offering this season- Brown Dot, Aqua Floral, and Chocolate Butterflies. The rib-knit dresses are made of eco-friendly Green Cotton and have extra girly touches like an empire waist, lettuce-edges on each tier, and picot trim. $36 each (two or more for $31 each) in sizes 2T-6 at Garnet HIll.

Help Me Decide

Breaking news- I just checked the Pier 1 site and the prices have been reduced on all mirrored pieces in the Hayworth Collection- the prices listed below were the original prices.

Remember I told you about the new Pottery Barn mirrored side table I was so excited to find for my bedroom? Well, it is sold out in the NYC area stores and is back-ordered online. In the meantime, though, one reader reminded me that Pier 1's "Hayworth Collection" is similar (and less expensive). So, I checked it out in my local Pier 1 store.

Here is the store's signage displaying the entire Hayworth Collection and its prices . I would only be getting a small table, but you can go all-out if you want (though I think getting too many mirrored pieces like this may be overkill, unless you're Marie Antoinette):


The tall chest of drawers ($449.95) is another nice piece that would work well on its own to glam up any bedroom:


Here you can also see the large mirror (which I like for any room) as well as the coordinasting Queen headboard ($449). I wasn't so crazy about the headboard; I think an upholstered one would soften the overall look.


The smaller night-table is very cute and affordable at $199, but I don't think it has enough storage for me:


I would probably opt for the bedside chest instead ($399) since it's slightly larger and has more interior storage:


The Hayworth Collection bedside table is actually the same price ($399) as Pottery Barn's table (see below), but I am still having trouble deciding. Which one do you prefer? Give me your opinions in the comments. Here they are again:

Pottery Barn:


Pier 1 (also shown in photos above)


p.s. A number of you have asked me about what fabric Tori Spelling used for her fantastic upholstered headboard (which is flanked by two mirrored bedside tables). I am investigating this (I may even be meeting Tori next week!) and hope to have an answer for you soon! I am also going to present more options for upholstered headboards.

Its a Small World, Sixties-Style

One of my parents' early dates was to the the 1964 World's Fair. 52 million people attended this futuristic exhibition in Queens, New York. I caught this 1996 documentary (narrated by Judd Hirsch) on PBS this past summer when it aired to commemorate the Fair's 45th anniversary, and found it very entertaining. Did you know that Disney's "animatronics" (the animated people and animal figures that entertain visitors on Disney World rides like "It's a Small World") were first exhibited to test audiences at this Fair? If you love history and retro pop culture, you will enjoy this documentary as much as I did (and the sixties clothing and hairstyles are, of course, priceless). And if your own parents happened to catch the '64 World Fair, this will be a great gift for them, too. I gave one to my parents and it brought back a lot of memories for them. Buy it for $17.99 at Amazon.com.

Out of the Box

I have this set of Pink Gingham Nesting Boxes in R's room and it stores almost all of her keepsakes and cards from birth to age 5. The boxes range in size from a roomy 6.75h x 12w x 16l to a cute 4.25h x6.5w x11.25l. They're covered in pretty gingham fabric and bows and are reasonably sturdy- mine have held up to some tough handling. $59.99 for the set (shipping is free) at Target.

Bargain Alert: Corduroy Patchwork Jumper

I stumbled onto this Lilypod Patchwork Corduroy Jumper at One of a Kind Kid. Isn't it perfect for Fall? I love the bold mix of colors- it reminds me a little bit of the clothes I wore as a little girl in the 70s. Fully fashioned with lining, side vents with bow, and back zipper. It's a steal at just $29.99 (originally $80) in sizes 2, 4, and 6 at One of a Kind Kid.

Photo Cards for Rosh Hashanah

Our family celebrates Rosh Hashanah, and I've been looking high and low for personalized photo cards for this holiday. I was so happy to find this site More Than Paper which features exclusive Rosh Hashanah photo cards by stationery companies Take Note and Chispa Designs. There are lots of pretty designs including apple trees, pomegranates, and shofars, and I love that you can include your own photo (if you prefer personalized Rosh Hashanah cards without photos, those are also available; click here and scroll down).

Pictured above are two of my favorite designs, Three Trees by Take Note (40 cards for $79.20), and Flat Jewish New Years Cards by Chispa Design (50 cards for $97.50).

Rosh Hashanah begins on Friday evening, September 18th, so place your orders right away! L'Shanah Tovah.

Remember When Postage Cost a Dime?

If you're a fan of American pop culture history, or a 1950s television afficionado like I am, you'll enjoy the U.S. Postal Service's brand new Early TV Memories stamps. This pane of twenty commemorative stamps includes memorable scenes from classic shows including I Love Lucy, Howdy Doody, Lassie, The Ed Sullivan Show, Perry Mason, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Imagine how happy the grandparents will be when you mail them a letter using these stamps...and you'll probably hear about how postage cost a mere nicke. Buy a pane of 20 commemorative stamps for $8.80 at The Postal Store.

Ask MyMomShops: Doll Clothes Trunks

Dear MyMomShops,

I love your blog and am so glad I found it! You have given me some amazing gift ideas (and quite a few items I want for myself!)

Growing up, I remember having a "trunk" to keep all my doll clothes in. It had a couple of latches and a handle to carry it around. Now I am looking for something similar for my daughter. Any suggestions?

Thanks, from Kristin


Dear Kristin,

It is funny that you ask this question since I am looking for the same thing for my 6-year-old daughter. I have been keeping her dress up clothes and doll clothes in mesh pop-up hampers and it is not so pretty.

There are not many doll clothes trunks out there (not like the ones we had as little girls, anyway), but I did find this hamper/toy storage chest at Amazon.com ($64.95) which would work nicely for dress-up or doll clothes. It arrives all assembled (bonus!) and as your little girl gets older, it will transition nicely to store other items, or even function as a hamper. And, of course, it has a nice "girly" feel that your daughter will probably love.



It's available in several other designs, too. Check them out and let us know what you think!

Best,
MyMomShops

One Two-Fer

I am seriously loving "two-fer" tees for my boy this Fall, like this Orange Tow Truck 2Fer Tee ($39.95) by City Threads. It's available in sizes 6-12 months through 6 at Tutti Bella Kids, which is one of my new go-to sites for trendy togs. They have a flat shipping fee of $5 and if you follow them on Twitter like I do, you'll be alerted about special deals. Visit Tutti Bella Kids.