Posts Tagged ‘112’

Most modern baby gear is cute and practical, but hardly worth holding on to.

For something more meaningful and lasting, check out the baby collection from Beekman 1802, a 200-year-old upstate New York farm turning out artisanal soaps and linens. Handmade 100-percent pure cotton swaddling cloths and bath blankets are woven by an award-winning master weaver and available in four colors inspired by historical dying techniques. An 8×8 inch washcloth is also hand-loomed and features a waffle weave for absorbency and softness. Pair it with the farm’s baby soap (a six-pack of chemical-free goat’s milk bars laced with soothing calendula to calm delicate skin) for a unique shower gift.

Heirloom-quality construction makes these linens keepers that can be passed down from generation to generation — and offers a far better legacy for your wee one than a onesie.

Available at beekman1802.com.

No more ties this Father’s Day — you’re looking for something a little more intellectual.

Humor, insight and truth — any new dad wants to hear the real deal from those who have been there, done that. That’s why The Book of Dads gathered top writers like Neal Pollack, Nick Flynn and Darin Strauss to share their advice, insights, ruminations and anecdotes about the world of fatherhood. Edited by Ben George (of the literary journal Ecotone), this anthology includes poignant stories like “The Night Shift,” a lyrical recounting of the first few years author Ben Fountain spent in the dark with his young children.

No matter what the experience, he’s not alone.

Available at amazon.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.

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.

Instead of handing over your hard-earned cash to a big corporate giant, you’re looking for ways to give back — even if it’s in small doses.

Online shop Namely Newborns (founded by two grandmothers, an interior designer and the co-founder of the Miami Children’s Museum) offers personalized gifts from artisans near and far. Colorful ABC quilts are handcrafted by women in rural Vietnam as part of Vietname Quilts, a community development non-profit organization. The cotton baby blankets are washable, and may be customized with baby’s name and birthdate.

You can feel a little less guilty splurging on your BFF’s baby shower gift knowing that it goes toward a good cause.

Available at namelynewborns.com.

Another friend had another baby, and while you’re happy for her new addition, it also means another gift. But she already has all the onesies in the world, her children’s library rivals Dr. Seuss and she’s got enough baby gear for Outward Bound.

Send a simple sweet treat: Simply Put Gourmet’s chocolate-covered pretzel get premium treatment for special occasions. The celebratory It’s a Boy or It’s a Girl varieties are drizzled with white chocolate and topped with pink or blue sprinkles. And at $10 for a box of six, you’ll get away with a thoughtful gift on the cheap.

Available at simplyputgourmet.com.

Yes, Valentine’s Day is commercialized and cheesy, and who has money to spend on showy displays of affection anyway?

Hugs and a few Hersey’s Kisses will certainly do the trick. But just in case you’re looking, below are a few takes on the traditional:

Jewelry
Pendants, like this opal, pink sapphire and seed pearl pin from Doyle & Doyle, are the type of jewelry investment to love now, then save for the next generation. $295 at doyledoyle.com.

Candy
To go beyond the usual Duncan Hines, NYC’s Tribeca Treats bakery will ship their pretty Hugs & Kisses Cupcake Box. Two vanilla and two chocolate cupcakes are decorated with Xs, Os and hearts, and wrapped with a pink ribbon. $9 at tribecatreats.com.

Cards
Write a lovely old-fashioned note to your sweethearts on Hello! Lucky’s hand-printed letterpress cards. The sock monkey or cuckoo-clock designs add an irreverent, modern spin. $4.50 at hellolucky.com.

Something Indulgent
For a mid-winter pick-me-up, go for the girly pink lip gloss, lip pencil and blush in the NARS Love Set. The azalea, mauve and peachy hues will help get you through this winter not-so-wonderland. $49 at sephora.com.

The term “push present” makes you cringe. What about a pretty piece that commemorates your DBs but doesn’t scream “mommy jewelry”?

Check out the casual-chic collection at Isabelle Grace. The handmade jewelry features the real stuff: semi-precious stones, sterling silver, vermeil, 14-karat gold and crystals. Personalized options include charm necklaces that you can customize with names, anniversary dates and birth stones in a sweet, subtle way.

Keep your loved ones close to your heart, without being pushy.

Available at isabellegracejewelry.com.

Unless you’re awfully careful, the minute you spawn you’ll find your abode filling up with primary-colored plastic crap. You won’t be able to avoid the ticky-tacky goody bag landfill fodder, or discount-store dross from Grandma and Grandpa, but what you can do is buy big basics in high-quality wooden versions so at least large swathes of your house aren’t given up to plastic eyesores.

The 1-2-3 Grow With Me cart is one wooden toy that will go the distance. This convertible toy can function as a wagon push toy for new walkers, a scoot-along riding toy for toddlers, and finally, a shopping cart, baby buggy or wagon for preschoolers. It’s sturdy, solid, and most of all, won’t make you sigh every time your eyes fall upon it.

Another big-footprint toy to consider is a wooden play kitchen. Properly set up and placed, a play kitchen will entertain kids from age 2 to 8. Something you’re going to have around for that long had better be nice to look at. And Elves & Angels’ Julianna’s Kitchen fits the bill. It’s made of oak and white pine, finished with a non-toxic linseed oil finish that leaves the natural wood grain exposed but is safe to put real food on. Hinges are solid and heavy, doors open and close smoothly. This toy might be nicer than your actual kitchen.

1-2-3 Grow With Me, $110 at magiccabin.com. Julianna’s Kitchen, $234 at blueberryforest.com.

Your well-accessorized offspring is obsessed with your sparkly earrings, sunglasses, and anything else she can possibly pull off of you and put in her mouth.

Maybe the mini-jewelry maven will learn the alphabet as she clings to your new ABC necklace from Jen Fisher Design. The sterling silver pendant on a cotton cord can be personalized by highlighting selected initials (yours, your kids’) in colored resins.

Plus, it’ll come in handy while singing the alphabet song for the billionth time.

Available at jenfisherdesign.com.