totmama

I have adored Simple Shoes ever since I stumbled onto a pair of their “Messy” skimmers on sale a few years back at Hanna Andersson. I got so many compliments in the “mommy world” that I could have started a pyramid scheme and made millions. I could say that I’ve been addicted ever since. They are so comfortable, due to their special PedBed pad, entirely vegan, sustainable and easily washable! Since then I have added a few (ahem) pairs to my shoe arsenal, and now I think I may have to share the love with my family. I was checking out the women’s Toepaz flat, when I saw that they now have a few new kids styles! I was happy to find these adorable infant Weebit slip ons for the modern green baby. Very cute, and in great sizes too. Since I am always on the lookout for unique shoes for Alex, and I think these toddler Skippies Car Tire shoes need to be on the short list this fall. They are vegan friendly, made from hemp, bamboo, water-based glue and recycled car tires. With such a picky little man, it’s nice to think that all I will need to say to him is that they are made with (er..) monster truck tires, and he’ll be sold. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it! 

Most of you know that I am a scent girl. I can walk almost anywhere and tell you where the closest cypress tree  or eucalyptus is! My favorite things are citrus, yuzu grapefruit, verbena and rosemary. There was a time (before Alex) when I was totally obsessed with Fresh Hesperedes Soap (and if you haven’t tried it.. GO NOW)! I put the bars in my intimates drawer and it gave me a wonderful whiff of grapefruit every time I opened it.

Anyhow, I have been very interested in reed diffusers lately, but have not found any that I thought worthy of recommending to anyone else. Most of them smell waxy, are overwhelming floral or chemical scents or loose the scent very quickly. With prices ranging from 15 bucks at Target, to over a hundred for others, I just wasn’t willing to drop cash on it. Until now that is.

I have fallen for a new diffuser from Altru called Rememberance. I was hanging out at my local Anthropologie store and smelled something that hit me so hard, I was walking all over the store with the sales person, asking what it was until we finally figured it out. Ironically it was something I had heard of months ago, but dismissed as a silly whim. The Altru collection is a product created by Manuela Testolini, the ex-wife of musician Prince. Her collection was something I was told about because of our unofficial fan website prince.org. Unlike all of Prince’s fly-by-night concoctions, the Altru Collection is actually a viable and well developed product! From the packaging to the scents, you can tell the woman had a mission. Check them out (on sale now) at Anthropologie or read more at Manuela’s site www.gamillah.com. 

Now I can’t help wondering if she developed it to mask the smell of the purple one’s sticky socks or funky beats. Hmmm…