Corolle Doll Evolution

I usually talk about how I can't believe that certain toys have not evolved or upgraded their options since I was a kid, however once in a while comes a toy so great and so lovely that I'm super grateful the exact same versions still exist for my little one. This is the case with Corolle dolls. Way long before American Dolls became a fad and made their way into my little-girl bedroom, I grew up on Corolle's. This fabulous French doll company has been making award-winning baby dolls since 1979. The dolls are now sold in more than 29 countries across the world, and in my opinion are better than anything else out there.

Never mind the superior quality and look of the dolls, I just love how many options there are!  Corolle makes dolls in a myriad of sizes and forms; you can buy bald ones or babies with hair, dolls for infants, toddlers, and little ladies, and if you're searching for a soft-bodied doll that can go in the bath tub, they make those too!

Freida got her first Corolle from her Bubby when she was 4 months old - a soft rattle doll with a "lovie" blanket attached to its hand. We bought her a second at around 8 months old - a version a tad bigger, bean-filled body, and bald. Her third was sent from her Great Grandma in Chicago (who spent hours with me when I was a kid in FAO Schwartz picking out the most beautiful ones!) - perfectly short hair, visible teeth, and realistically well-shaped hands and feet.

My absolute favorite thing about these dolls is the fact that the "new-doll-scent" last forever, because they bake the doll "skin" with fresh vanilla beans!! Wait 'til you take a whiff - lovely!

And believe it or not, they are priced well, to boot!

If you don't know of a toy boutique near you that carries them, you can buy one here.

Welcoming June

Wanted to wish you all a (belated) happy June! Hope your first June weekend was fabulous!! (You can see Freida is sure summer-lovin!)

Not quite (officially) summer yet, but not too far off either; the beginning of June always seems the opportune time to kick-start the summer planning. Nobody likes to feel like something went by without feeling accomplished about it (a long weekend, winter break, spring etc.), and summertime is no different. It's great to start thinking about all the things you'd like to do, try, and experience before September sneaks up on you. I'm not talking about sending the kids to camp, traveling etc. (hopefully you've planned that all out way before June 1st!), I mean all the extras! I just started writing my "Summer Bucket List" - a list of all my aspirations for the warm-months-to-come (some for me and my husband, some for me and Freida, and lots for those Sundays all together). It's great to get it all down on one paper now, and it's so nice to strike-out each one as we happily make our way through this marvelous, magical season!

For those of you with older kids, I recently read about a mom who makes a list with the kids and cuts out each one, putting all the strips of paper into a bucket. At the beginning of each week, the kids get to pull out a few randomly and add them to the weekly calendar.

Here's a few ideas (for you and the kids) to jump-start your list of summer-fun:

- strawberry picking

- sunset on the beach

- lemonade stand

- a camping trip (even just one night?)

- outdoor nighttime movie screening

- a real picnic

- yoga in the park

- homemade ice cream bars

Basically, think of all the things you'd like to do (even in theory), and watch and see how many you actually get done if you put yourself up for the challenge! Then you can stop wondering at the end of August  what you did all summer!! : )

Skinny Marinky RINKI Dink...

Loving this concept!! Check this out - a highchair/barstool. Form and function perfection, hey?

The RINKI from Seimi®

Fast and Slow

Observing the toddlers at play this weekend, I couldn't help but notice the drastic diference in their personalities! My little nephew is super-smart, super-fast, and all over the place! Freida is a stark opposite, walking slowly, stopping every few feet to (literally!) smell the flowers, look at leaves, attempt to eat a potato bug etc... She kept looking up with a bit of envy at her cousin running up the block at mach speed, and he continuously found her leisure curiosity amusing. Reminded me of this song from (the amazing) Laurie Berkner. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZgHeJ6yO1c]

Isn't this video charming?? The costumes, the artwork as backdrop - incredible!!

Check our other favorite songs from her: Rocketship Run, Family, Victor Vido, and I'm Gonna Catch You.

Believe it or not, she also did the vocals for one Weeds theme song "Little Boxes" (a bit out of character for a children's song-writer, but great nonetheless). : )

Cuckoo for the Koo

The ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) was held this month in NYC, and of the many designs for kids featured at the fair, I will have to say that my favorite is the Koo, the Bassinet/Rocker from Lunar. Talk about a multi-tasking piece of furniture!  No need for hacks here - this design's got it all in the making (in theory). Here's to helping chistle those late-night-newborn-feedings down to a T - with heaps of room to spare!  

And just for the record; I'm highly smitten with the Paket Table from Offi, as well. (Who doesn't love new things from Offi???)