Posts filed under 'home'
I like vintage shopping, so I’m kinda digging the fashions at ModCloth, which sells, yep, vintage, plus indie designers’ cleverly named vintage-inspired pieces. Online. Awesome. Now I don’t have to go dig through musty over-stuffed racks of clothing, and can just sip a Sidecar while browsing the Internet from home.
Their selections and styles seem to span the eras. Besides clothing, they’ve got shoes, accessories (who doesn’t need a great cloché for fun?), fun (and funny ha-ha) knick-knacky stuff and books, etc., for the “apartment.”
I can see myself now, outfitted head to toe, as I hop a vaporetto in Venice to head over to Peggy Guggenheim’s for a party. They’ve got some techie geek job openings in their San Fran offices. Maybe I’ll implore my husband to apply so I can enjoy the staff discount.
— Mama Kate
June 10th, 2010
How cool! Decorative chalkboard stickers that you stick on your kiddos’ walls, and let them doodle away. The pre-cut stickers press on, and can be removed and repositioned, when you feel the need to “redecorate.” Choose from two different sets, $21.95 each (wow, that seems like a decorating deal): Planes + Clouds (comes with four clouds and two plans, one of the large), or House + Trees (includes large house, large tree, bird, sun, and three flowers). You can find these in the Acacia catalog.
— Mama Kate
March 10th, 2009
Multipurpose is the smarties’ mantra in these economic times. If you haven’t yet uncovered the Stokke line in your search for necessary kid furniture that’s built to last, then here’s a quick chance for enlightenment.
Our first Stokke pieces were the Sleepi crib and Care changing table. We just couldn’t swallow purchasing a crib that for $800 served no purpose beyond a sleeping space for tinies and, if were were lucky, would expand to suit a toddler before collecting dust in the attic. Imagine our thrill in finding the Sleepi, which starts as the Mini bassinet, then converts up to larger crib, a toddler bed, a full-sized children’s bed, then ultimately breaks into two chairs. How’s that for ultra useful, and getting incredible bang for your buck?
The Stokke Care changing table grows right along with your kids, too. Use it for books or storage, or convert it to a small or large desk.
We love the ergonomic Tripp Trapp highchair, too. We never had room, either in our small kitchen or more minimalist design sensibility, for a big, bulky high chair. The modern look suits our taste, plus the chairs tuck right under the table, just like grownup chairs. We’ve now got one for each kid. They’ll be siting in them until they’re in high school — the highchairs also adjust to grow with your kids — or decide to belly them up to the changing-table-turned-study-desk.
Stokke’s multipurpose/expandable designs are a boon to those of us who like to avoid the excess packaging and “disposable” mentality of so many products today. These things Stokke are made to be used — for a long time, by a lot of kids. Hooray.
— Mama Kate
January 19th, 2009
The debate over the safety of BPA continues to rage on. As parents — and consumers in general — we are concerned. My husband and I recently cut out our family’s favorite beverage — Klarbrunn sparkling water, in the can — because the cans have an epoxy liner that contains BPA, as confirmed by a company spokesperson. (Klarbrunn’s plastic bottles are make of PET, according to the same spokesperson, and do not contain BPA.)
Anyone concerned about the subject should read the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s compelling investigative special reports and editorials on BPA, published this fall, including one estimating amountsof BPA a child could ingest daily due to leaching from conatiners.
Here’s other food for thought to entice you to read up on the subject. According a November 17, 2008, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article by Meg Kissinger:
“BPA, used to make baby bottles and the lining of metal food cans, including those containing infant formula, is tied to reproductive failures, breast cancer risk, diabetes and heart disease. A study last month found that it interferes with chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.”
“In addition to Congress, 13 states have proposed bans on BPA. Wisconsin is not one of them. But State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) said Monday that she is preparing legislation to ban BPA from children’s products in Wisconsin.”
Hooray.
Please read the articles for more details.
— Mama Kate
November 20th, 2008
Preggers or not, winter is the perfect time for nesting. You know, tackling those old projects that have been hiding in some dark closet corner. Author and uncluttering expert Donna Smallin has filled The One-Minute Organizer with great tips. It’s helped me start whipping things into order.
The book’s design is perfect for busy moms — or busy anyones. Each page offers a tip or two, and some details, but doesn’t overwhelm. Read a snippet over your morning coffee or other sparing peaceful moments of the day, and then schedule a few minutes a day to tackle a project, or a portion of it. Plus, it’s small — tucks into your diaper bag for reading on the run.
It’s organized into two main sections: Getting Organized and Staying Organized. Within each you’ll learn how to clear out clutter, deal with all that paper, arrange spaces, and how to strategize to get things done and keep them in order — including how to organize your to-do lists and schedules. If you need more details, you might check out Smallin’s larger title, Organizing Plain & Simple (hey, she’s also got books on cleaning, and uncluttering your mind and life!).
This book has helped me organized my out-of-control recipe files (for years, hundreds of them were crammed loosely into folders). I actually now use them; before I could never find them in the mess. I know where all the owner’s manuals are, and my closets and drawers are accessible, thanks to Smallin’s suggestions.
The beauty of the book’s premise is that, if you tackle getting organized just one minute at a time, it becomes do-able, not daunting. Whew, it feels good to get it together.
— Mama Kate
November 18th, 2008
I posted about the great products available from Buttoned Up a while back, but I finally started to use them and woooohoooo—-organized organizing!! So great, I had to write more!
I have the Life.doc, which features a great CD-ROM to help you get your files buttoned up electronically as well. Genius! You will find filing for your emergency plan, family basics, in sickness and in health, insurance, dollars and sense, legal ease, caregiver information and home sweet home.
The Collision.kit that I have is also so very clever with the on-time use camera, clipboard (so you don’t have to awkwardly write the other party’s info against the not-so-flat surface of a car), forms, and an envelope to keep your registration and insurance documents. Much better to keep those things Buttoned Up in this nice little case so that you don’t have to go digging in your glove compartment for these things which would send baby wipes, tampons, smashed cheerios and the like, flying in front of strangers. Not good.
I have the Tax.filer which is a neat way to keep all things taxes. This thing is detailed—as taxes should be! A nice accordian folder with sections for last year’s return, your investments, business, income, money in, money out, contributions, dependants, deductions etc…very handy come April 14th …It also includes free tax software–yea!
The Babysitter Pad is also wonderful and I have used this many times. It is so great when you are in a hurry and trying to remember what to tell your sitter about snacks, bedtime, favorite stories, where you’ll be, when you’ll be back etc…My head is usually all over the place when I am trying to get out the door with my little one tugging at my leg and this helps a lot. There are sections for multiple children as well, so that you can convey food allergies, special instructions for one etc…
Check out these products if you are wanting a leg-up in the organization department.
MaMa Jen
May 1st, 2008
I love soy candles, and while watching an episode of Oprah that was recorded on my DVR this week, Sandra Bullock was promoting her new line of eco-friendly soy candles called Bessence Candles which are in addition to her Austin, Texas eco-friendly restaurant called Bess Bistro. These candles are have lead-free wicks (why do some candles have lead-containing wicks anyway?) and clean burning soy wax. Check them out…healthy ambiance for the whole family!
There were also amazing tips from Hollywood mom Sophie Uliano who wrote a fabulous book called Gorgeously Green. If you are looking for a nice one-stop reference on how to bring more health to your family and our planet, this is your book!
Mama Jen
April 24th, 2008
I like vintage shopping, so I’m kinda digging the fashions at ModCloth, which sells, yep, vintage, plus indie designers’ cleverly named vintage-inspired pieces. Online. Awesome. Now I don’t have to go dig through musty over-stuffed racks of clothing, and can just sip a Sidecar while browsing the Internet from home.
