Made With Care

If the words "locally produced" and "sustainable" conjure up images of a granola-snacking survivalist for you, then it's time to drop the Ikea catalog and contemplate vintage with me. Because mass consumerism is an ecological and environmental disaster. And, really, nothing compares with having something made with care.

These goods were handpicked by me especially for you:


This is a jar of pickles I got...from Texas! They're crunchy {code word: fresh}, homemade, and possess the perfect degree of pickleness.

I had them with a sandwhich on a recent visit out west and promptly ordered four jars to be delivered to Brooklyn straight away.

They're going to make great I'm-coming-over-for-dinner-with-a-yummy-jar-of-pickles-for-you gifts.







These Scollars are sophisticated, chic, made-to-order, unisex, soft and warm. What more can you ask of the fashion hybrid?

I found a colorful collection of these in one of Boston's trendy neighborhoods--the adorable vintage-inspired, sewn-in label will tell you which one--and had a newfound appreciation for hardworking knitters everywhere. Each Scollar is designed one- of-a-kind, so this is a gift that'll really make a loved one feel special.

Both of the featured products are handmade with care by someone's mother. If you care to get in on the gifting potential of these fine goods, email me for the details and information.

Memories, Milestones and Forgettable Moments

Here’s a throwback: Think back to when your little bundle was pure joy, not the scattered mess that he can be at times now. Do you remember how odd you found people who couldn’t recall their precious child’s milestones in specific detail? Like how exactly they transitioned their baby from purèes to solids. Or which month of what year their baby said her first word clearly. Afterall, they’re not called milestones for nothing. They are significant and basic to human development and should therefore be instantly recalled when asked. Right? Well…

Here’s a story: When Hayes started school, the three days a week we signed up for was simply not enough. Though it was a major transition from spending every waking second together for days on end, it was not enough time for me to really get busy not actively being mom. So when he upgraded to going to school full time, my life became nothing short of hectic. All of a sudden I had a thousand things to do in addition to being mom.

Here’s the point: Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend—a four-day, program-free stretch with a toddler who I had forgotten was still dependent on me to actively be mom at every moment. {Four-and-a-half days if you include Wednesday’s early dismissal from school}. Well, I had fallen out of the habit. I have changed with my maturing child and forgotten what it was like to spend ninety-six fully engaged hours together. It’s the bittersweet experience that parenting is. We live in the moment of wherever our child is on the developmental path. And in doing so, milestones get lost in all of the transitions.

Here’s the lesson: When I was new to Babyland, I can remember thinking parents were the weirdest people in the world for not remembering everything about their children’s lives. But now that I’ve settled into parenthood, I'm constantly reminded of how it all passes by so quickly.

Mmmm...Have a Slice!

Champion career advisor Tory Johnson recently gave me a tip: Blog every day, multiple times a day. Take a big idea, slice it up and dish it out to your readers in morsels. Brilliant. Wait…Are we talking about cake?

It’s a recipe that works well when quantity matters. But insert your most vivid memory of cafeteria food here and you can see how the quantity over quality game is played out everyday in cyber world.

Now, back to our cake. I tested the recipe with a sweet idea. I sliced, but ended up posting only once—over a three-day period. And I must say, I’m sooooo satisfied. So, if starving a reader with one post a week is virtual suicide in cyber world, then how can a blogger keep her public satiated?

I choose to change the game; I only post when I have something relevant to say. Quality over quantity ain’t no piece of cake, but it sure goes down well. And for that, I’ll gladly pass on any compromise.

Because in today’s race to fill up the web, the ultimate goal should not be to satisfy a reader with fillers. No, no, no. In today’s game, the real goal should be answered with this question: When a reader reads a blog, does the blog return the favor?

Thanks for reading.

All I Want for Christmas: A Practical Revelation

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s almost Christmas time. And Christmas time means gift getting. So after “hours of uninterrupted sleep” and “a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep,” I suggest adding something a bit more realistic to your wish list this year.

Here is the first of a long list of things to get addicted to and people to hit up for a happy, healthy 2008.

SHARP SHOOTER
Tell a grandparent you need this {preferably your childs' grandparent}:


The Canon PowerShot SD750 digital camera allows you to capture the world--and that maniac kid who can't stand still for a three second photo--and share it all with friends and family. {Find all the details, including info on this camera's cool face recognition feature, at Staples}.

SECURITY!
Ask your boss for a raise to go with your holiday bonus and buy this:


Paranoia is the new normal and well adjusted. A shredder like this may help you cope with the thought of pesky identity thieves. This one from Staples eats everything from paper junk mail to paper clips and compact disks. And it provides good, clean, orderly adult amusement for seconds at a time. {Yippeeee}!

Be sure to check back here for more premium goods all day, every day. Ok, every other day. I promise.

Always Love Your Mother

Call me a sap if you must but I’m a sucker for a guy who loves his mama. Maybe that’s why when I heard the news of Donda West’s passing I felt deeply for Kanye’s loss.

For all the controversy he tries hard to stir up, Kanye had that adorable John-John thing with his mom—that unabashed I-love-my-mother-and-I-don’t-care-what-you-have-to-say-about-it thing that doesn’t always translate well among the girlfriend set, or even among some of the fellas for that matter, but ultimately gets respect from everyone.

I mean, how can you not like a guy who shows up at red carpet events with his mom on his arm, who writes, produces and sings a song about the woman who gave birth to him, and always celebrates his success with her with a big smile on his face? Well, for all the things to not like Kanye for, you can’t not like him for that.

Afterall, Kanye knows how to keep the mommies happy. And when mommy’s happy, everyone’s happy.

Take note, young men. Really, take some notes.

Total Babes

Ever wonder what the world of child modeling is like? Well, my child is no model (even though he totally thinks he is), so there's no real information about manikin tykes here. But this shoot for Babesta (66 West Broadway in Tribeca) was quite the scene--six toddlers and a whole gang of grown ups trying to control them. Oh!...And did I mention that my son totally thinks he's a model?

How I live

One of those shows featuring celebrities and some of the things they just can’t live without recently caught my attention. You know, the kind where the rich and famous run down a list of expensive, inaccessible, and borderline ridiculous items they’ve grown accustomed to on their rise to the top? Think 1500 thread count, 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens…all stark white.

Sure, all of our dreams would be sweeter with some added little luxuries. But watching someone enjoy them who need not worry about keeping linens bright or long lasting is slightly painful. And on a more pertinent note, why should celebrities have all the shine?

Here are a few things I just can’t live without (in no precise order):




Reusable bottles that are safe and not plastic are good for my health and the environment. I carry the sexy, black one filled with water. Hayes prefers the sippy cup version.



Homemade bread and a pat of butter is the quintessential cold weather comforter. This recipe for pumpkin muffins is fast, easy, and tastes great as is. But feel free to get fancy with it and add whatever you like. Hayes takes his star-shaped with raisin smiley faces.

1 ½ c sugar, 1 ¾ c flour, 1tsp baking soda, 1tsp allspice (can be substituted for ½ tsp nutmeg and ½ tsp cardamom), 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp salt, 2 large eggs or egg substitute, ¼ c oil, ¼ c water, 1 c canned pumpkin.
Preheat oven at 350 degrees, spray/butter pan, combine all dry ingredients and mix, combine all liquid ingredients and mix, combine dry and liquid ingredients and mix well, pour into pan, bake for 25 minutes, check with toothpick. Makes 12 muffins.





…Perfect for cold, windy mornings. A little slather goes a long way on Hayes’s cheeks and hands.
…Perfect for everyday pampering. Yes, I said every day (as in of the week).





The book I carry everywhere I go and consult the most, a gift from my mom—a true lady. Maybe I’ll pass it on to Hayes’s future partner. On second thought, hopefully I won’t have to.





My Colby 1GB MP3 clip player is tiny and holds up to 17 hours of music—enough Joan Jett on the train for me and The Laurie Berkner Band on long walks in the stroller for Hayes.



…And speaking of keeping Hayes occupied and technologically astute, Noggin's website is a plethora of smart, interactive toddler play. Hayes grasped the simpler activities in no time, leaving more time for me to...well, do me.