totmama

Can not WAIT for the latest film adaptation of “Alice in Wonderland” coming from Disney next spring (March 5th, 2010). I have always loved the story, and to think that it’s getting such a cool overhaul makes me just giddy. Tim Burton’s slightly twisted wonderland will be in Disney Digital 3D, and stars newcomer 19-year-old unknown Mia Wasikowska from Australia. There were photos released to the press today, and just looking at Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter makes me dizzy. (He surely got the “Mad” part down!) Of course who can doubt that Anne Hathaway as the White Queen and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen weren’t perfect choices! Sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun, and one that should become an instant classic. Looking forward to a peek down the rabbit hole!

While leafing thru my enormous pile of catalogues this week, i spotted these very chic sculptures/stools and immediately thought NURSERY! (okay, okay… i always think of nurseries, but that’s for the therapist to figure out.) These handmade Grazing Sheep by Ronel Jordaan would be lovely in a little girl’s room as a statement piece, am i right? Created of wool and wire, these sheep come in four styles from a very graphic Black Dot to a flirty and feminine Floral. What a wonderful addition from anthropologie. While you are there, check out these charming hand-carved wooden mobiles too!

They have finally arrived state side! A beautiful new array of Marimekko wallpapers, including this adorable Bo Boo transportation print that would be perfect for the transition from mod nursery to big boy room. I adore the classic Marimekko Unikko Beige Wallpaper, and could totally see creating a lovely nursery based on this as an  accent wall. Currently they have a wide variety, and they really are tempting. Check out a color swatch (8″x8″ for only $4) and experiment. Believe me, you won’t be able to resist smiling when you look at them!

Sometimes I really feel like I’m in a sea of plastic baggies. We use them for everything from wet swim gear to leftover meatloaf. Luckly I have found a way to lessen our families footprint while being stylish at the same time. Liberate yourself, and try these great reusable snack and sandwich bags from green street bags. In lovely designer cotton fabrics (even Amy Butler!), you are sure to find something to catch your eye. Each bag is lined with water and stain resistant nylon that is free from all of the bad plastic stuff. Just pop in your kids favorite snack (can you say choco goldfish!) and go. The bags only need a quick wipe down and they’re ready for the next outing. If they get a bit yuck from being buried in your diaper bag too long, they can be machine washed and air dried. Looking good never tasted so yummy.

With everyone going green, us parents have been just overwhelmed with the latest items made from recycled materials and sustainable woods. Who really knows which plastics are safe and what items truely are non toxic? Ease your mind by going with blocks. Sometimes it’s the simple things that really are the most fun. Check out these cleaver and fun sets I know I’ll be adding to my newborn and toddler gift stash this summer.

Ant Antic Blocks by Uncle Goose - These lovely blocks have child safe inks, and create ant trails no matter how you connect them. Just think of the fun you can have bringing your own ants to your next picnic!

 BOK Wooden Blocks Town Scene by petitflaneur - BOK handmade blocks are the ultimate in hardworking fun, being created to work from infancy to your child’s school years by incorporating cleaver puzzles and games. Made of reclaimed wood and non toxic materials, the set of 12 can be rearranged to create a beautifully drawn town scene complete with school bus and fruit market. Turn the hand printed blocks again for a game of apple and ice cream tic-tac-toe. Did I mention they are gorgeous?

City and Country Mini Blocks by Fidoodle - Made of Baltic birch, these hand screened blocks give you the feel of it all, be it the hard city streets or a country farm. Created to fit in to a gift loving 3″ recycled cardboard cube, they’re perfect for on the go. Flip these over and the pieces fit together to create a cool puzzle scene. Excellent for your child’s “blue period.”

We’ve got a squirmer, climber, and an objector all rolled up in one in my family. While she may look like the sweetest thing on earth (I’m a bit biased), she is the most defiant child ever when we go out to eat. Simply show her a picture of a wooden restaurant style highchair, and screams of “Noooo Nooooooo! Nooo!” come flying out at a sound just below that of a dog whistle. It’s not good. A nice break from sparking up the oven turns into a night where no one eats but her. We sit stressed out as she laughs, grabbing morsels from everyone’s plates while she jumps lap to lap. She’s thrilled, and free from the mean old wooden highchair. We are on lockdown, guarding and blocking our food like goalies. Just when I thought I was going to have to give up going out to some of my fave restaurants, someone hips me to one of the coolest things I’ve seen in a while. It’s called Totseat! Made in the UK, this lightweight fabric highchair seat cover attaches to all types of chair backs for a safe and secure fit. It’s plastic clip and cummerbund help attach it to even the trickiest chairs you can find. In great stain resistant fabrics, this highchair travels in it’s own cool bag and can be popped into the wash after loosing a fight with mushy peas. Still time to make reservations at Opaque!

With the trend of really cool bento box style lunch boxes hitting the market lately, it’s hard not to be caught up in the frenzy. We have come so far from just cramming a PB&J on wheat and a huge thermos of milk into a metal “archie & jughead” pail and letting them fight it out death match style. Usually my sandwich was the looser, coming out looking like a 2 yo cliff bar found under the rear seat of the car. Finally, functional and clean design for kids is here! It’s prominence has brought a nice crop of great mealtime products. Made by “clean” plastics, reusable and dishwasher safe, these will save, serve and tote your food in style. Don’t believe me? Check out these cool items made by OOTS! Very practical, yet beautifully functional and easy for little hands. No doubt I will be sending my little one off to K in the fall with one or more of these adorable pails. Now I just need to to figure out good bento box lunch recipe ideas!

Just adore these very cute, collectible creations by KoKo Company in New York. The textile maker has extended it’s exotic and eclectic bedding and pillow collections to include a few items perfect for kids. These Zoo Felt Animal and Zoo Cotton Pillows are so fresh and fun. Definitely a smile maker, these handmade felt critters boast bright colors and lovely fauna attached. Can’t resist the Felt Zoo Giraffe, Monkey and Rhino. For more fun, there are black and white animals as well as Zoo Cotton, featuring a crabby Zoo Crab and Zoo Frog set. Great gifts for the child who has everything, and it makes a statement in any nursery.

In these days of unsure economic times, we can’t feel totally safe with the “usual” investments and financial institutions. Seems like “brick and mortar” banks are being snapped up left and right by merger or going bankrupt. What CAN you really be sure of these days? Well, it’s nice to know you can “invest” your money in a lovely bank like this Elephant Bank by Johnathan Adler. No doubt he’s talented, and with these clean lines and the adorable color pallet at least you’ll know your money is “secured” in the classiest place in town. 

We the people have the right to live in a place free of the yucky stucco and bare white walls of the usual apartment or condo. (If you own a house and have Bare White Wall syndrome, FOR SHAME!) In our quest to rid the world of this horrible, crippling syndrome we nominate a new wonderful place to help hip your crib. For very little money, The Poster List can take your sad walls from plain to “knowhatamean” in seconds. We personally love the Orange “Chill” Couch and the Primary Cameras. They have something for everyone and every situation. (Did we mention that the posters are 2 for $20?!?!) Choose the lovely Pink Hanging Chandelier or the Pink Old School Phone for your daughter’s nursery. Maybe you can rev up your pre-teen boys with the Grand Prix on Wood or Vintage Cars. Rock out with their Guitars, Brown Amp and Drums. Cool Numberpress in the playroom… you get the idea? Let not your dining table be flanked by stomach turning white walls again. Get some “wall medicine” for your home and live happy.