MoMA-Mia!

I'm a MoMA Store fanatic!! Heaps and heaps of  independent designeres bringing art at its very best to the rest of us. They do have a selection of sale items from their exhibitions (MoMA is one of the most incredible Museums/Art Galleries! Always hip and always current; if you are in the greater New York area and appreciate the Arts - definitely pencil this in on your itinerary. You can view a list of their current exhibitions here.), but the good stuff is a fabulous array of featured fresh designers and their take on home goods. I got an update from them in my inbox today (don't you just love good email??) and wanted to share their hot new collection for Fall 2010. Here are some of my newbie favorites:

1. Choco Tape Dispenser - nix Office Max and spruce up the workspace.

2. Chairs Wall Calendar - I'm a chair freak, remember?

3. Apple Jars - fresh, vibrant, and not too kitschy for the kitchen. (Honey jar, anyone?)

4. Dustpan & Brush - perhaps I'd be more prone to cleaning if I were using this...

5. Memory Card Reader - multi-tasking minimalist.

6. Mi Chair - speechless.

7. Safe Bamboo Radio - let's hope it's only used as an object of decor, but play it safe.

8. Mix Spoon Set - Wonderful wedding gift (it's been wishlisted).

9. My Backyard BBQ Set - now this is every grillin-daddy's dream!

10. Neo's Baskets - woven. neoprene. need I say more??

11. Rainbow Chopsticks - the life of the sushi party.

12. Washi Paper Masking Tape - I'm japanese tape obsessed.

Trendy Threads

Wovenplay. Beatifically breathtaking and overtly overpriced.

Some things were meant to simply inspire (and I'm taking notes!).

How completely entrancing is that Peter-Pan-inspired butterfly costume?? I think I must attempt a knockoff...

And this silk and layered tutu? Mmm mmm good.

Plant a Little Seed

Wouldn't it be great to get an early foot in the door with your kids new teacher? Sure we'd all like to get to know them, appreciate all their hard work etc., but what we'd really appreciate is if they show our kids a little extra love (don't worry, I was a teacher for 4 years - this is not meant to be derogatory; just (humorously) honest). Plant a little seed of favoritism by starting the year off by gracing them with a fantastic gift for the New Year. This year, Rosh Hashanah happens to fall out within the first week/s of school - make it an early "teachers-appreciation-week" with this (holiday themed) charming wooden apple 'trinkets' box. Let your child's creativity reign through their own paint and design, to be proudly displayed on their beloved teachers desk; a constant reminder of personal encouragement and student-teacher connection. And besides, which teacher wouldn't appreciate a modern take on the "desk apple", and a great place to stash paperclips/loose change/chalk etc.

Wooden Apple Tricket Box, from $7

On a serious note, show those teachers some real appreciation! The begining of a school year can be as hard on the teachers as it is on the students... and good education is of real worth.

"I touch the future. I teach." - Christa McAuliffe

(P.S. These would make great end-of-year gifts or shalach manos for a teacher as well.)

Glueing Green

Just in time for back-to-school the longtime staple gluestick of Italian classrooms is now available in the greener USA. Coccoina glue is non-toxic, non-solvent, and acid free. So nix the additives - this glue is made with ingredients we've all got in our kitchen pantry at the moment! Extracted from almond oil, this sticky stuff smells and tastes of marzipan - just in case you got yourself a preschool paste-eaters. : )

Coccoina Glue Stick $4.50

A Skokie Summer Shoot

I've been blessed with having some wonderfully talented photographers in my family. To me, photographs capture a moment/time/place even more than words can ever tell. I grew up with my father, always with a camera, shooting even the smallest special moments with the kids. He diligently kept albums for each of us; photographs narating out little worlds, which have now become a treasury of life - a tale of childhood, youth, growth, and family. Photographs are worth all the time in the world, all the lugging around a camera, all the stopping mid-action to capture a smile, a laugh, a tear. These pictures become keepsakes for families and children to enjoy and pass on for years to come...

The most fabulous pictures come about through watching a child in action. Skip the posing, skip the props, skip the backdrops (inevitably skipping out the stress, time, and drama of family photos in studios). Photography is most captivating when it's honest. Take your kids to the park and let them play. A good photographer (or your own camera!) should be able to join you and capture their playful moments of happiness.

These photos were taken by my incredibly artistic brother, Yossi Belkin.

And Freida's wardrobe is by Peek...Aren't You Curious.