So I'm a sucker for everything handmade with a nerd-chic pop culture reference built in. It's like three of my favorite things all in one glorious, slightly weird package. And the handmade finger puppets from Abbey Christine fit the bill…
As Valentine's Day creeps closer, I've been looking out for treats that don't list corn syrup or "chocolate-y" filling among the ingredients. One ingredient I do like: Felt. And that's pretty much all these adorable fortune cookies are m…
I've been pleasantly surprised by all the cool, modern updates to alphabet decor, like this recent Etsy discovery which almost makes me wish that I had another baby's room to decorate. The Now I Know My ABCs mobile from MiChiMa L.A.N.D. …
O, G. Can it B? Y, yes, I can C that a rainbow of letters is waiting for U. Seriously, though. Aren't these recycled felt letter pillows too adorable for words? The Personalized Letter Pillows from MableDear on Etsy are big, snuggly, and…
I grew up playing with muñecas de trapo (rag dolls ) so when I saw the new modern doll line by Cool Mom Pick favorite Petit Collage I was instantly smitten. They're just like the dolls I grew up with -- except that, well, they're not exa…
Some mornings, as I leave for work, my daughter says, "Mommy, give me something from your bag so I can remember you!" I reach in and pull out a business card, a pen...anything will do really. It's become a sweet little tradition between …
I've been staring down the task of tagging a bunch of different items for my daughter's foray back to school. I don't know if it's because she's now a pre-K-er--a.k.a., one of the "big kids," (sniff)--or if that eau de Sharpie isn't my f…
A few years ago I got really ambitious and made birthday crowns for my two children. Flash forward a bit and I've now got a third child and still only two birthday crowns. Any guesses where this is going? Yeah. I'm kind of thinking these…
Lately, my daughter is looking pretty sheepdoggy -- how is it that bangs grow five times as fast on an almost-4-year-old? -- and, occasionally, she will concede to wearing a hairband or ponytail so that she can actually see things before…
Most girls--my own daughter included--have lots of these little metal snap barrettes lying around and, if you happen to be a crafty type , you probably also have some pretty wool felt at home, too. If so, in just about 15 minutes you can…
When my kids were younger, they received a big bag of plastic play food filled with such gems as skinny hot dogs, rubbery pizza slices, flat burger patties and even a few brown chicken nuggets. Well, this grass-fed beef buying, farmers-m…
Hanging boughs of holly and popcorn is fine for the mantel, but you wouldn't want to wear them yourself. I mean, think of all the cleavage sap full of popcorn crumbs. If you're looking to decorate yourself for the holidays while staying …
I'm such a huge fan of finger puppets for kids , which inspire all kinds of creativity and good thinking. I'm thinking about tracking down a finger puppet theater this holiday, so we can have a more formal stage for all that tiny enterta…
My daughter has signed on to the idea of Christmas early. Not "early" like prodigy-early; I mean early like she discovered a teensy faux Christmas tree in our garage this summer and has been diligently decorating it for the past three mo…
As the final countdown to my favorite holiday of the year begins, I can't help but want to break out the package of fun size M&Ms and throw fake cobwebs around my foyer, like right now. Since I know I'll only eat all the candy and end up…
Just when I thought my daughter had sort of outgrown the wand phase, a few days ago I watched her snatch up a tulle covered one and attempt to pawn off a pointer to her younger friend. You can be the " teacher fairy " , she said. Not bad…
Everybody goes gaga for a squishy new baby. Not only do they look like Winston Churchill and smell like heaven, but you can dress them up the cutest little thumb-sized shoes without the scuffing and "Oops, we left it at the playground" i…
I still remember that excitement of putting together a little soft photo album for my babies. They'd gnaw at the pages and we'd convince ourselves that we were somehow imbuing them with essential social cues to put them on the path to he…
It seemed like yesterday that I was dying to put a hair clip in my oldest daughter's nearly bald little head. And now with her bangs all grown out and her hair all grown in, she really can't leave home without one, so I'm always on the l…
Edited to add: Unfortunately, Kate Landers Events no longer exists. Why settle for paper plates with generic movie princesses on them when you can actually have a party fit for a princess, complete with a hand-made felt crown and persona…
This is one of those times when I find myself wishing I owned a sewing machine. And that I had a single crafty bone in my body. Check it out: Gulf Coast Cottage , a wonderful shop filled with soft toys, has an entire category filled with…
After stumbling upon the Design Your Own eggheads felt book from Beeper BeBe , I'm on the verge of nixing the whole Easter basket thing and going with Easter presents instead. because really, when you add up the price (and let's face it,…
When I was a kid, a tent was a musty quilt over a card table, and it was heaven. Kids have it a little better today, and the magic of a secret fort lives on with the fantastic card table playhouses by Miss Pretty Pretty of Imaginative Pl…
I've been following the headband trend, waiting for something that I could possibly get away with, you know, as I glamorously work from home and chase three kids around. Sorry if I just can't do the whole feather and lace thing these day…