For the Hate of Diaper Bags

I have an abnormal fear of diaper bags. When I was pregnant with Little Man I shopped around everywhere for something that didn't have that obnoxious padding, bears and pastel. I didn't have much luck. The only options were those type and the $200+ designer bags. It is bad enough to try and look stylish when your pregnant but then to be hit over the head with the diaper bag was just the last straw for me.

So my solution was to go ahead and spend the big bucks -on myself! I bought what a wise old friend of mine once called the "mom bag": a Cadillac with handles if you will. So every year my gift to myself and my Little Man is a stylish real purse (big enough to carry my stuff and his).

Take a look at my latest lusting (I found it in a recent Paris mag):

So, I think we need a little contest here: who among you has the ugliest bag?? Leave me a comment and/or email me your fugly!

Toilet Training on the Brain

Just for sh!ts and grins -Japanese style!

Tour of Little Man's Nursery

Well here it is! Let's begin the tour left to right. At the very far left you see a bit of the pastel paisley silk curtain that goes from floor to ceiling (it was originally my landlord's). Then on the floor notice a low counter -it is actually a de-constructed Kaidan-dansu or step-chests so that the Little Man's toys can be easily accessible to him. The only place that I doubled it was in the middle so that I could put his stuffed animals there. Next we have the red collapsible boxes because you never know when or where they are going to fall hard.

Next on the ground is a litho I bought for the Little Man's birthday (every year I buy him artwork). These past two years I've bought them from the same artist who has sadly passed away in July. The crib -it is on loan from my landlord. It is a typical Italian made enamel birch crib. Then we have the collapsible laundry bin that is also a cool place for him to crawl into (when it isn't full). On the right I have a Japanese alter table where we change the diaper (for now). Later I plan on using it as a place for him to organize his own clothing.

I've tried to keep everything pretty gender neutral and cheery. I've also chosen to forgo a lot of the "traditional" nursery furniture for furniture that is real wood (as Montessori advocates) and can be used when he grows up (saves money in the long run). Also, none of it really cost me a lot which was an added bonus. What do you think?

Toys: Keeping it simple

So with the holiday season upon us so begins the avalanche of toys. I'm a really big fan of SIMPLE toys because it allows the child to use their imagination. The tickle-me-nemos of the world just don't have space in our toy basket because they are over-stimulating and then after five minutes their noise wears out their welcome.

What qualifies as simple? Blocks, music, books, musical instruments and as the photo proves even toilet paper rolls.

Museum Booty from the Picasso Museum

Take a look at this sweet little bag from the Picasso -it is our day out and about bag. I keep a days change of clothes, lunch & snacks, airplane, train and his water bottle. Little Man can access it all by himself if he needs something. The straps are long and short enough for both parents and for him to carry across the shoulder. Love this tote -art and convenience!

Cool Museum books for kids (& one for the adults)

The Louvre in Paris has an awesome collection of cool things both in the museum and the museum gift shop. Here are a few of my suggestions: My Little ... these are great little books for short attention spans. They help children identify objects in the museum and in the artwork. How to Talk to Children about Art is a great how to for those who need a little direction.

Maman a dis que je peux = My mother said I can

This is another French commercial a little funnier though. Enjoy!

Monoprix Advertisement

This was all over the airwaves in France. What do you think: Cute or scary?

Diapers and Potty Training (the French way)

So while we were in Paris we ran out of diapers on the last day and needed to make an emergency trip to the local Monoprix (luckily they were still open at 8 pm). I had a hard time finding the Little Man's size. I could only find pull ups in his size -so I took what I could get.

Later that evening when I was talking to Adorable Friend and I found out why I had such a hard time locating diapers in size 4. It turns out that a famous French Pediatrician from the 70's encouraged parents to start potty training as early as 4 months. I found this incredible especially since I've been told not to push potty training at all ('let the child discover the need themselves'). So, children in France have and carry around there own little "popote." Not a bad idea. I think I'll give it a shot.

As I was looking at the bag of diapers I noticed that they donate one vaccine for a child. All I could think was "Wow, why don't they do that in America?"

Speaking of which take a look at the pull up without the crappy branding!

Euro Doll house for All

So, I'm in Paris minding my own business and I came upon this awesome piece of architecture from Belgium. How cool is it that they are building these awesome doll houses for boys and girls? Take a look at the sweet all wood design -if only I could have taken one back. Truth be told next time I'm in Amsterdam I'm picking one up there because the Dutch have more classical styles with working parts too. Still this one is pretty sweet but the price is steeper than that staircase -250 Euros.