Archive for April, 2009

Too bad you didn’t save your old baby frocks, because as your mom says, they don’t make ‘em like they used to.

Rediscover classic clothing: Belle Heir is a throwback to the hand-stitching, smocking, pin-tucks and pleating of an earlier time (perhaps when children were seen and not heard). Original vintage pieces for newborns to 5-year-olds include precious little rompers, short sets and dresses from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. Items are classified by the condition they’re in (like new, near perfect, gently used), and measurement details help you figure out the fit.

How thoroughly modern.

Available at belleheir.com.

With so many great children’s books out there, how do you pick one that’s engaging, educational and age-appropriate?

What to Read When: The Books and Stories to Read with Your Child — and All the Best Times to Read Them guides parents through the process of finding that perfect book for any child at any moment. Award-winning educator and literacy advocate Pam Allyn offers an annotated list of more than 300 titles, broken down by childhood themes (from friendship to divorce), age and stage, and type of book (pop-ups, tactile, books for the bath). Family-oriented tips, like how to create a comfortable reading place in the home, will help foster a lifetime love of reading.

Available at whattoreadwhen.com.

Those thin little crayons that once stayed neatly in the box now lay strewn around house, snapped in half or whittled down to a nub. Time for a refill.

Crayon Rocks are non-toxic soy crayons made with renewable soybeans and colored with natural mineral powders. The wax quality enables budding artists (recommended for ages 3+) to draw smoothly, while the rounded shape makes them easy to hold. For $8, your pint-sized Picasso can play with 16 colors that cover everything from a favorite purple dress to Daddy’s red hair.

Available at nicoandzoe.com.

Another Mother’s Day, another bottle of perfume. This year, go for something more personal.

Foreverlily is a new fragrance inspired by author Beth Nonte Russell’s memoir of the unexpected adoption of her daughter Lily from China. Throughout her book, Forever Lily, the power of scent helps draw parallels with the personal awakenings Nonte Russell experienced during the incredible journey that all parents will find inspiring. This resulting eau de parfum is an Oriental blend that reminds you of life’s sweeter moments — however unexpected.

Available at goodtruebeautifulinc.com.

The wannabe Warhol-inspired paintings of your kid in Technicolor just won’t cut it when it comes to original art.

Give the old-fashioned portrait a new take: Name Your Design uses a photo of your child’s profile to create a custom silhouette. This modern spin, done on an 18X24 canvas, is classic yet totally contemporary. Available in turquoise, pink, blue or orange, with mod dots, your new unique piece comes ready to hang.

Make some room on the wall.

Available at nameyourdesign.com.

What name haven’t you heard on the playground? Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, coming up with a unique moniker (that won’t get him teased on said playground) is hard work.

The newest addition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to 40,000 Baby Names will help you find something special, whether he’s named after a president’s kid (like Lyon Gardiner, son of John Tyler) or a rap star (Andre, Kanye or Wayne). Thousands of ideas and 200 lists, culled from everyone from American Idol finalists to vampires, are sure to give you inspiration to the babe-to-be you now call “Sprout.”

Available at amazon.com.

This Earth Day, what can your family do to make a difference? Below, Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization, offers a few simple tips to preserve the planet this spring. Remember, every little bit counts.

1. April showers bring May flowers: Capture rain water and use it to water your garden.
2. Sort through old things to find out what can be recycled (everything from newspapers and cardboard to aluminum and electronics are recyclable). Donate usable items to local charities.
3. Go organic: Save money and go green by cultivating your own favorite vegetables and fruits. Even easier — buy local produce and support local farmers.
4. Do what you can to reduce litter on your local beaches — with summer coming, you’ll keep your favorite places to swim safe.
5. Walk to work, school or the store to save money, conserve energy and be more active.
6. Spend time outside. Take advantage of local parks and plan activities outside. Spending time outdoors is a great way to enjoy the weather and reduce energy consumption.
7. Teach children about how important our environment really is. Make sure they know to keep the tradition of Earth Day alive, not only on April 22nd, but every day.

Surfers have their own style, but it’s only fitting that their little groms be equally outfitted.

Get amped for Haiden Surf, a new boys’ swimwear line that does pint-sized swim trunks (sizes 3 months to 7) in the funkiest prints possible. Started by two So Cal surfer moms (of four boys, Haiden included) who were over the idea of boring beachwear, these zebra stripes, polka dots and plaids mix well with pullover short-sleeve SPF rash guards, onesies and flip-flops.

Your boogie boarding baby will look the part.

Available at haidensurf.com.

Looking for a light read? These new mommy memoirs give a glimpse into life with baby, in all different forms.

Rattled! by Christine Coppa
This blogger’s (Storked on Glamour.com) new book honestly details her story of dating in NYC, getting accidentally pregnant at 26, moving back to the Jersey suburbs (and as she says, “trading skinny jeans for sweatpants”) — and finally, finding contentment in her new family of two.

Mommywood by Tori Spelling
The reality show regular goes beyond Tori & Dean in her tales of raising kids in Hollywood. From racing to lose the baby weight (and trying to hide her second pregnancy from the press) to belly creams and birthday party mishaps, Spelling offers a candid look into being a mom in the spotlight.

Bad Mother: A Chronicle of Maternal Crimes, Minor Calamities, and Occasional Moments of Grace by Ayelet Waldman
Her New York Times piece on loving her husband more than her kids caused an uproar. Now, Waldman tackles the notion of being a “good mother” in her memoir-slash-manifesto about the messy details of modern-day parenting and the impossibile quest for perfection.

When it comes time to celebrate your favorite expecting, new or veteran mom this Mother’s Day, a little jewelry goes a long way. Below are some of the latest baubles with babies on the brain:

Personalized leather cuffs by Dillon Rogers show off your kids’ names or a special message. Available in colors from butter to Burgundy, the design comes in three widths made of soft, flexible leather.

Jennifer Fisher’s Sloane necklace lets you pile on the personalization with a quartet of 14k gold heart, moon and circle charms with diamond borders. The cool configuration leaves plenty of room to add even your pet’s initials — if your heart so desires.

New moms will love the unique calendar necklace from Dalla Nonna that commemorates a baby’s birth date. The piece, in 14k yellow, white or rose gold or sterling silver, is accented with a sapphire to highlight that special day.

For the frugal but fabulous, the Recession Betty necklace by Emily Elizabeth Jewelry features a puffy vintage brass moneybag charm (yellow/green/pink gold, white gold or brown/black gold) reminding us all to spend wisely.