Hot Trend: Matryoshka

This Babushka sure got a modern makeover!! Being seeing an overload of Matryoshka themed gimmicks on the market - some may be a bit more cuter than the next, but either way, these are most definitely not your Bubby's russian nesting dolls! 1. Ninja/Robot 2. Play Quilt + Wooden Teether 3. Babushkups

4. Bento Box 5. Bath Mat 6. Measuring Cups

7. Tape 8. Modern Graphics 9. Crochet Pattern PDF

10. Stamps 11. DIY 12. Gift Tags

13. Throw Pillow 14. Pantone 15. Buttons

16. Tea for Two 17. Nesting Birds 18. Pepper Grinder

I think the whole theme is really fun and charming, don't you?

(For those of you ladies skilled in needle-work - those crochet PDF's would be so lovely made with a rattle inside. What an adorable handmade baby gift!!)

Happy (Solar) New Year!!

Wishing you all the happiest of new beginnings, and a fresh start to one of the most important aspects to a mom: the Calendar. Be it a life-sized family-shared wall calendar that keeps track of ballet recitals, soccer practice, PTA meetings, and the birthday party that you thought was this Sunday but was (oops!) last Tuesday, or your own personal planner filled with weekly meal plans, an abundance of "to-dos", preschool performance dates, a year's worth of work meetings, and way too many lists... 2011 is bringing us a fresh page, making us feel (even just a teeny-tiny bit) more organized than yesterday.

Just don't forget to squeeze yourself into all that family planning!! From a simple pedicure, to a girls weekend beach getaway, to unwinding after bedtimes with a glass of red wine; taking care of ourselves is an integral part of being a good mother and a good wife. A bit of tweaking to the scheduling and you won't believe how much you can fit in for you!

Dr. Christiane Northrup is most famously quoted for having said, "Healthy caregiving absolutely must include the mother herself.", and I think that is the most timeless of advice.

Here's to resolving in setting aside time for us this year...!

Social Network @ 30,000 Ft.

Firstly, how cool? Also, honestly speaking, what really made me look was the little "pear" logo in the backside of the laptop! :) http://vimeo.com/17303749

Wishing the best of luck to all you jetting around the country during this holiday break - especially those of you who have been stranded on the islands of NYC!!!! Traveling with your brood is bound to be difficult, check out some of my favorite in-flight necessities here.

Rounds of Humidity

I don't know if it's my asthma acting up again, or just the common cause of an ongoing winter cold, but I feel like I'm breathing in dry desert air! Waking up parched in middle of the night to chug down water doesn't quite make for peaceful sleep... After a bit of a coughing fot, I finally ended up crashing in Freida's room last night - to get the benefits of her humidifier. Craving this beauty of humidity from PlusMinusZero, designed by the same team behind Apple's sleek creations, for my bedroom... Fukasawa Humidifier by PlusMinusZero

But at close to $400, I think I'll opt for this $45 one.

Dangerous Dress-Up

These images are part of a photo shoot editorial in the latest issue of Vogue Paris. Seriously, what ever happened to little girls?!

Maybe I'm overreacting - are these photos meant to be cute?? The make-up is heavy, the necklines are plunging, and the body language/facial expressions are not what you see when little girls play dress-up! These images are obviously adult-staged and adult-choreographed... Personally, as a mom of a little girl, I find this even more disturbing than appalling.

Welcoming any thoughts on the subject from all you other moms out there...!! Want to know I'm not alone in shock here....

I'm thinking:

- What happens subconsciously when people look at these pictures?

- Can these images make people associate young girls with adult sexuality?

- Can these possibly make us perceive kids as more sophisticated than they really are?

- Will photos like these put inappropriate and unfair pressure on little girls to grow up?