Kolcraft Contours Options Tandem Stroller

When I first saw this it reminded me a lot of the Zoom twin stroller that will be coming out in Europe this summer. They have a lot of similar features. The seats have several combinations of what the kids can see, you can use it with two car seats, or you can use it with just one seat and a lot of storage. And there is a little storage compartment between the cup holders (this is America after all). It does come with just one car seat adaptor, you have to buy a second one if you have twins. It doesn't have carriages and it probably isn't as light or small as the Zoom. The Contours Options Tandem has two things on the Zoom though: it is available here in the US now, and it costs just $198.95.

Piet Hein's Baby Furniture

Everybody knows that Piet Hein makes some high art scrap wood, rather ugly baby furniture. But why doesn't anybody ever point out the cute, rather retro furniture that he has designed. See his whole children's collection here.

Montale Jasmin Full

I never wear perfume, the scent can't compete with the floral lushness of my gardens. I want to smell like the scent that floats in through my windows on a hot summer night, of gardenias, jasmine, and honeysuckle. I have finally found a perfume, Jasmine Full by Montale. It lacks the gardenia scent, but it captures the feeling I was looking for. It smells like July without the 105 degree heat.

For The Little Cook

Playful Chef Cooking Kit, $40.

From NotCot

Rose Petal Syrup

I made rose syrup this weekend. It's really simple to do. I'm going to use it for making soda, marshmallows for summer s'mores and rock candy. And I'm going to experiment with making a rose-peppercorn bbq sauce for lamb. I think the kids will love the soda and candy though. I don't use food colouring because the roses will color the syrup, can't wait to try it with my lavender roses. Here is the recipe:

6 cups sugar

2 cups water

2 cups rose petals (from the garden or and organic source, do not use any rose that has been sprayed with anything)

Put everything in a large pan
Boil for about ten minutes

Strain and let cool and store in the fridge for about a week or two.

I let the left over rose petals dry and eat them as a candy.

Serena and Lily Market Sling

A pretty sling by Serena and Lily, available in three colors. It is not adjustable, but comes in three sizes. The largest size only goes up to a size 14. I guess they don't think that larger women want to carry their babies, or dads either for that fact. But it is still one of the loveliest slings I have seen. Coming in June for $129. Preorder now.

Why?

Does the Jeep Wrangler really need to licence its name to a stroller? And what looks like an unoriginal stroller at that. I'm not feeling the need to rush out and buy this one. Which is saying a lot, because the love of strollers has replaced my love of handbags. I'm just waiting for a little one to push. Even worse is the Jeep Liberty baby walker. I know that they have saying that walkers are dangerous for at least a decade. I remember buying one for my fifteen year old, and then knowing better with my nine year old. But they still make them.

Tzawa Baby Dress

Nobody needs a $180 baby dress. And yes, silk isn't very practical for people who vomit on a regular basis. But there is just something about this outfit.

In The Market

I'm in the market for one beige baby girl. Willing to pay top dollar. Before you get your knickers in a bunch I'm just kidding (unless you have said beige girl). I haven't completely given up hope of making my own yet.

Orbit Infant System

I spend a lot of time telling people where to get the newest and best European strollers, but what about how to get the newest and best American stroller in Europe or Asia. There is nothing like the Orbit Infant System available on the international market. I'm looking for somewhere to ship internationally for all of those outside of the US.

TrackerPal

Do you have a problem teenager that is completely out of control. This may just be your answer. Track them like they are criminals. I looked at a lot of personal GPS systems when my oldest was starting high school. He has autism and in the seventh grade his school lost him. Actually lost him, as in call out the sheriff helicopter to look for him.I was looking for something like this, but smaller. But if you're having problems with your kid this may work for you. It has two things going for it, the embarrassment factor of having a tracking anklet and you get to know where your kid is at.They will even alert you if your child is somewhere he shouldn't be. You have to buy the anklet, pay $150 enrollment fee, and about $13 a day. But it is probably cheaper than rehab, and could prevent a bunch a Miley Cyrus like moments.

Miley Cyrus

Disney can claim that those photos are of a look a like all they like. But they should just come out and say that's how a lot of teen girls act and look these days. It's a shame but it's true. Miley is going to have to learn to make sure there are no cameras around when she acts like a tramp.

Huffy Green Machine H2O

This may be the ultimate summer toy, a big wheel that shoots pressurized water over twenty feet. Just think of all the fun the kiddies could have. The Green Machine H2O costs $100 at Amazon. Long live gaudy plastic toys.

Prom Part 7

Etsy is a great resource for prom. Just type in what you want, and tons of options pop up.
Top Row: Vintage dress $33, garter $20, journal $30.
Middle Row:Flower purse $85, violet hat $140, dress $390.
Bottom Row: dress $89, flower headband $45, and capelet $145.

I Love This Print

I usually find the Bumbleride strollers too traditional for my tastes, but I love this print from the 2008 collection. It's just so happy.

Babies Shouldn't Be A Trend

What are all these celebrities going to do when pregnancy and babies aren't the trend? Does anybody ever see the pocketbook sized dogs that they all had anymore? Or when they don't have babies or toddler, but surly seven year olds? Or heaven forbid, when they fall off of the D-list and can no longer afford the nanny? Who will raise their kids while they are off at parties until the wee hours? Or what happens when the next big trend comes along?

What Do You Get...

If you tweak Cinderella to have a song instead of a glass slipper, and to feature the Jonas Brothers. You have Disney's Camp Rock. Disney has seen that the tweens love the musicals, and they are probably hoping for the next High School Musical. And the Jonas Brothers are probably hoping to make as much money as they can before their 15 minutes are up.
And what happened. Disney used to be pretty good at picking talent. A lot of stars that are in their mid-twenties now are Mickey Mouse Club alumni. The batch of "stars" that they have now just seem so white bread boring. I only see one or two of them having careers in ten years, and only if they can escape Disney's grasp.

Pepsi and Converse Are Teaming Up

Little kids love to collect things. Here is something cute for children to collect. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Converse, Converse has teamed up with Pepsi to create a dozen tiny shoe cell phone charms. They will be available with Pepsi in May.

From HighSnobiety

Doll House TV

A working television for a dollhouse? With inputs for a dvd player or such. Why? All for about $195.

from Engadget.

Belle & Boo

You should buy something from Belle & Boo's Etsy shop now. It is art that is perfect for someone who wants something to personify childhood, but that isn't childish.

Bad Mommy

How come doctors won't just come out and say, "Your eggs are too old, you ovaries aren't working, and your uterus never worked right. Give up old gal." It's like they enjoy stringing you along.

IStroll Prototype

Check out this stroller prototype designed for the Ipod Nano. I love the seat, but it doesn't look very practical. There isn't a harness or padding. But it looks cool, that's what prototype are for. They don't need to do anything but look cool.

From Minor Details

Funny As Hell

Where does a VJ go after MTV...to Teen Nick of course. At least that's where Quddus went. He's the host of Teen Nick's new dance show, Dance On Sunset. Watching a bunch a tweens trying to learn the choreography is too funny for words. But at least it gets them up and moving. There are also performances by musicians and professional dancers. You have to give Nickolodean credit for coming up with something original. Disney is talking High School Musical 4. Maybe it's time to take that ho off the stroll.

Why Doesn't Someone Figure Out How To Really Make This

For April Fool's Day , ThinkGeek featured a digital pregnancy test that would not only tell you if you are pregnant, but what your HCG level is. And it plugs into a USB drive to create a graph, if you are expecting multiples, and calculates an expected delivery date. Of course I would be peeing on the thing every hour on the hour, waiting for the telltale fall in HCG levels. But, I still wish that someone would make this thing. I want a PTeq now.

Great Customer Service

Charles and Marie has great customer service. They sent me the wrong item, but fixed the problem within twenty-four hours. They responded to my first email within two hours, even though I was rude(I've been cranky and sad lately). I am quick to point out when something is crap, so I should take the time to point out when people are lovely.

An Extra 20% Off Final Sale & Free Shipping At J.Crew

Spend a $150 and get an extra 20% Off final sale items and free shipping at J.Crew. Enter code SHIPSALE at checkout. Sale ends 13 April.

Prom Dresses Part 6

I love BCBG dresses, they have a certain movie star quality to them.

Top Row left to right: $400, $288, $340.

Middle Row: $440, $360, $288.

Bottom Row: $200, $300, $380.

The dresses that cost $288 and $200 have a Herve Leger feel for about a tenth of the price.

Some mornings I feel like my youngest son's Secret Service agent than mom. I'm always at least five feet behind him, in a dark coat with ear phones. And he doesn't even glance back.

Baby Shoes

Aren't these little shoes by Diddle Dumpling sweet. $23

Babychic101's Mystery Stroller

The stroller you are looking for is Mamas and Papa's Ziko Herbie, the system costs about $1000 US.

If I Was Depressed Yesterday Morning...

It only got worse yesterday afternoon. One more pregnancy announcement. I felt like snapping back, "It's not good to tell people about a pregnancy at five weeks, 50% of pregnancies end in miscarriage." But that would have been evil. Is everyone having babies but me?

Lionwitchwardrobe

Lionwitchwardrobe makes beautiful classic children's furniture out of hardwoods. Their work is stunning and extensive, even though they have just three ranges. The pictures speak for themselves, I especially love the toy box. And they ship internationally.

I Live In Fertility Hell

In the last two years, on my block of about twenty houses, six babies have been born. There have been five in the last year, while I have had miscarriage after miscarriage. One more baby and I would consider moving to a neighborhood full of the elderly.

Orbit Stroller System

The Orbit Infant System is the go to west coast celebrity stroller. And there is a good reason, Orbit has designed an attachment for almost every stage of a baby's life. And it is a car based system, the seat is designed so that it just plops onto the frame. If they found a way to strap a second seat onto the frame, this would be viewed as the second coming (not everyone has a nanny).
The system is based on a circular docking hub that all the pieces attach to. This allows the seat to be rotated to any position. And it makes putting the baby into the car seat a breeze. But the greatest innovation is the car seat base with StrongArm tightening. Just put in the belts, turn the little knob in front, and it tightens the belts to the proper tension. No more worrying if the car seat is properly attached, or if little Billy will go flying out of the car in an accident.
There is the car seat, car seat base, stroller frame, bassinet, a rocker, toddler stroller seat, and toddler car seat.
The one downside is the cost. The base system costs around $899. And everything listed above will cost $1699.95. It is a lot, but when you consider the cost of purchasing a comparable car seat, stroller with pram, bassinet, and toddler car seat it's not really that much more.

Roberto Cavalli Gold Ballet Flats

Completely unnecessary, but still really cute. About $195.

Does Your Kid Want To Be President

Encourage them. The Clintons have earned over $100 million in the eight years since they left office. Speaking fees are even better than a Nobel Peace Prize.

Codex Transportica

Nick Pearson, the autor of the Codex Transportica left a comment saying that there may be a book when they get to over a hundred vehicles. So far there are about twenty-three or four. Can't wait. My youngest draws copies of some of the vehicles. If they don't do a book, they should at least do a colouring book for kids like him. A Codex Transportica colouring book would be the coolest birthday gift on the party circuit.

Bronze Jungle Gym

If I were selling an overpriced jungle gym there are two things I wouldn't want is associated with...Michael Jackson and Neverland Ranch. The African Jungle Gym by A.J. Obara is a work of art. Made of bronze, it took four years to create. And it is designed for little ones to climb all over, but still the artist really needs to talk to whoever is doing his marketing campaign.

Baby Scents

When I think of babies, I think of Johnson & Johnson's baby lotion. The kind in the pink bottle. I haven't used the stuff in almost two decades, but I can close my eyes and smell it is as clear as day.

Urban Outfitters Jenny Phone

I got an email about my rotary telephone that was in the corner a photo.I love it. It works without electricity, so it works during winter storms.It doesn't get lost. I bought it on ebay a few years ago. This Urban Outfitters Jenny telephone is a modern reproduction with push buttons, and it costs just $50. And the kiddies can't slink of to their rooms with it, so it makes ease dropping much easier. I kid.

Things My Son Forgot This Week

Wednesday: He lost $1 of his lunch money. He figured out when he went to pay, and had to put something back.

Friday: He took the wrong pills, had a panic attack about it, and missed the whole day of school.

Care Bears On Fire

Care Bears on Fire were on Cartoon Network's Fried Dynamite last night. They seem like intelligent, real children. So unlike the robotic stepford wives children on Disney. I think it was because they thought of the answers themselves. It seems like on Disney the answers on written by thirty year old men, and the kids rehearsed until all feeling is gone. Care Bears on Fire didn't come across as little adults. Take your kids to see them live.

The Berg Moov

This is a brilliant idea, a set of pieces that you can build four vehicles out of. Coming to the UK in June. You can almost always find an online store in Britian that will ship to the US.
From NotCot