look ma, no Elmo!

It's a nationwide epidemic, and it needs to be stopped (grandmas are you listening?).  Like some urban mommy snobfest, we didn't want to have to register for our baby shower, but you've almost forced our hand (although, rest assured, we still won't be teaching our kids sign language...phew!)

Character clothing must be destroyed. I can't bring myself to buy tinker bell overalls for my daughter any more than i can line the back of my car window with neon carnival teddy bears...i just won't do it.  There are just too many cute things out there (and someday i just may be able to buy a few of them).  Until then, our family will stick to our uber conservative daily attire of pajamas, diapers and costumes.

*Clearly there is more to life than buying cute overpriced clothes, but it doesn't hurt to browse. So check out Nonchalant mom for more adorable geddups.

**(and keep Dora on your TV for heavens sake)

sweet "soup"

Inspired by my little super hero (and a talented artist i found on etsy), i painted this adaptation for my little "misther increble's" room. Unfortunately he has already moved on to his newest favorite super hero "Buzsth Lightgear".  

Ta da!

I am so in love with my new "ID" charms. A few posts back i posted about those fingerprint necklace charms, and then they went on sale, so i ordered two (for my two kids). The "kit" (don't be intimidated ...extremely simple) arrived in one business day, and after i mailed it back it arrived back to me just as fast.  I couldn't be more happy with it.  I told my husband had he thought of and surprised me with it I'd have cried fo sho! (but he didn't, so i didn't) but i love it, and him, just the same :)  

*sorry my camera blows and can't focus on a close up zoom.  If you want a better look at the charms, minus the stringy hair, click here (for all you lazies who don't want to just scroll down)

ummmm....that's cute.

photo by: nonchalant mom

You know those moms who are so annoyingly adorable you kind of want to...i don't know...steal their life (or at least their brain....okay and their skin).  Well, i must confess that i have a slight internet crush on this one.  I know this all sounds very Hand-that-Rocks-the-Cradle of me, but i think you will agree that Carina Schott who founded Nonchalant Mom, has an awesome website with all sorts of sweet products and ideas, and super cute blog to boot! 

Frankly, I hate/love her. She has my dream business: A laid back and modern collection of toys, clothes, vintage, and parenting ideas that i covet on every level.  Her home amazing home was also featured in Domino mag (another huge favorite of mine) a little while back.  Okay, so maybe i got sucked into the "competitive mothers" vortex, my admiration masquerading as psychosis, but for reals her site is browse worthy.  (also, please don't be scared of me :) 

images property of: nonchalant mom

know your ABC's

artwork by: Robin Rosenthal

Art is to a room as shoes are to an outfit:  any art will do, but special art can really make a space.  With kids rooms we feel more confidence to be more casual or even make our own! This site only has a few options, but i think these posters could be a sweet and simple pop of color to any "kid" space. 

Plus, kids will know you care about them when you teach them stuff (well kinda). 

sweet kid prints

I love little details like these.  I am definitely a girl who wears the same simple jewelry every day. I'd wear this.  (only i'd buy a cuter chain)

made, with your little munchkin's print, by Priceless Prints 

Find it here. 

Mom vs. Tinkerbell

Kids rooms are probably one of my favorite things to day dream about.  Same for my daughter. Therein lies the problem. I hate all things "themed" (other than parties), she likes all things Tinkerbell; aaaand wants a purple and green Tinkerbell monstrosity of a bedroom ("oh Disney...why do you torment me so!")  In a perfect world, my kids rooms would look more like these...

Oh happy medium speak to me!....(I'll keep you posted).

so simple!

I always marvel at the children of the world who don't mind a full cup of water being poured over their "tear free" shampoo infused hair. Oh how i envy the parents of these calm and wonderful "water tolerant" children.  On the flip side, bath time in my home is what one might compare to ...ummmm ....how to explain ....being trapped in a Pterodactyl cage.

It all started with my daughters ear infections which bred her overwhelming fear of getting water in her poor ears.  After my son's close observation of her bath time meltdowns, i now have two children with this tendency.

So you can imagine my delight when i came across this amazing contraption.

They say you can't put a price on sanity....i say it's $5.99. May all our eardrums be spared!!