Archive for April 2010
Our daughter loves to “clink” glasses. Actually she loves to clink anything food-related. We’ve caught her attempting to toast with forks with broccoli (apparently the “clink” makes it taste better…I say, whatever works), sandwiches (which don’t really clink, they really make a more muted “thump” sound) and slices of cheese (they go “squish”).
Since we didn’t sit around the table when she was an infant, toasting each other all the time on the job well done in parenting our new baby, we’re not quite sure when this started. But we have a theory. We think that it’s her desire to share the experience of enjoying her food or drink with a friend. The “clink” is fun and always comes along with a smile from both parties involved. In the case of the broccoli, I think it’s more misery loves company.
The “Salut!” T-shirt from Atsuyo Et Akiko’s baby clothes collection is perfect for her. The comfy organic cotton makes her smile, as she “clinks” her way happily through most meals and snack times. And the neon puts an extra statement factor into it. It’s almost as if you didn’t hear her the first time, just look at the expectant glimmer in her eye and read her shirt. You’ll get the picture and join her in the celebratory toast.
At least that’s what my daughter’s best friend’s room is inspired by, with all the colorful stuffed, painted, stick-on creatures. Actually she’s a little outside the box when it comes to calling it a true jungle. Sure, she began with the standard lions, tigers and bears, but oh my, now she also has cows, dogs and bunnies. These are not exactly straight out of the Amazon Rainforest. Instead of jungle, let’s call it an animal kingdom, shall we?
Within this kingdom of hers, the great queen lavishes all of her animal friends with plenty of attention. Imagination rules the land, as she creates stories for each of these furry (and not so furry) friends. In the center of this world are the playful figurines from her Cardboard Pop Up Animal book. With no rhyme or reason to habitat, this toy’s rabbit, bear, deer, cat, baby bear, donkey, goat, dog, goose, and a little bird all live in harmony. And of course, to guide them through many adventures, are a boy and a girl.
After she has popped out the animals and people, she creates even more loyal subjects by tracing and drawing with the cardboard cut-outs. She creates more and more animals and people, all for her glorious storylines that she imagines in her room. She is so engrossed with this that she wants only animal prints on her baby clothes!
Basically, my husband thinks that my daughter’s best friend is building an animal cut-out army to take over the world. Good thing we’re on her good side.
Sometimes I look at a design pattern on a girls’ dress and it’s clear what it is. It’s a giraffe. It’s a daisy. Oh look, it’s another butterfly. But then there are the precious times where the design is something more of a mystery. I might not know what the animal is, but it makes me laugh. The flower type might be unrecognizable but it sure is beautiful. I welcome these times when the design elements are more emotional and physical. Not everything needs to be so cut and dry. Sometimes something just has to make you feel good.
The basis behind the design of the Marilyn Dress by designer Dagmar Daley is just that. It’s not what the shapes are. It’s how they make you feel. These lovely white arrangements on the pattern almost resemble pussywillow shadows. Or fluffy cotton explosions. Or delightful little dandelions, ready to blow while you make a wish. Who knows? I really have no idea. But the main thing is how they make you feel.
When you look at the dress, it’s as light as a feather. It gives you this serene feeling of sheer happiness. The light flow of the cotton and the lovely empire waist evoke even more of an airy emotion. And if something can attribute a serene feeling to the whirlwind that is a young girl…well, I’ll take two.
I don’t speak French. I consider this a flaw of mine, since the language evokes the loveliest of emotions. You could read the phone book in French and sound romantic, feminine and interesting. And really, who doesn’t want to sound romantic, feminine and interesting while reading the phone book.
I’m currently having the sweetest little French love affair. And no, it’s not with the phone book delivery guy. Soft and comfy, with an almost a faded look to it, the Je T’aime Brooklyn baby T-Shirt and its subtly sparkly pink self has captured my heart.
Coming from a decade full of “sayings” tees (the ‘80s had so much to share and it was all written on the front of a ripped Flashdance-esque T-shirt), I thought I had just about had it with catchy phrase clothing. But this really sweet take on the I Love New York motto is très girlie and cute.
For a oui bit more adoration, designer Atsuyo Et Akiko’s chose the best organic cotton for his baby clothes and had the shirt hand-silk screened actually in the Big Apple itself. So whether you love Brooklyn, simply like it OK or have never even met it, this child adds a je ne sais quois to every outfit.
You know cute. This is a proven fact. And you know what is going to be big before most people do; another proven fact. Back in 1983 when you first saw Madonna’s Lucky Star video, you knew that those black rubber bracelets were cute and that they were going to be big. You and your sister took the subway to find that tiny shop that sold them cheap and by the bagful. Soon everyone was wearing them. A year later when you saw Madonna on the MTV Music Video Awards singing that song your parents didn’t want you listen to (you know, the one about the virgin) you sat there smugly thinking to yourself, “Oh, I knew she was going to be big.”
You still carry those talents and as you look at Max & Lola’s Cotton Poplin Harem Pants, stocked at NY baby clothes store Estella; you say to yourself, “These are cute.” Of course, proclaiming these harem pants the King of Cute is a no brainer. For starters, the color is a refreshing shade of green that just screams fun and all that is bright. Next, the level of quirky cool on these 100% cotton poplin pants is just cool and quirky enough — unusual, yet approachable. The harem pant cut, with its funky silhouette, is made all the more precious by the drawstring waist and tapered legs.
So you go ahead and stock up on several pairs for your little star. You know cute and these baby pants are cute and soon everyone and their mother will catch on and want a pair.
Don’t say you didn’t warn us.
Here’s the seventh in our 10-part series of articles from Sabra Krock, on how to best capture images of your child.
Don’t be afraid to scoot in as close as you can when photographing your child, especially down on the ground at eye-level. Many amateur shots are taken so far back that you lose the best details: your child’s eye lashes, toes, the light in his or her eyes. Mix it up and come in close on some shots. You will love having an archive of all those little details later on.
Getting down on the ground to take photos will also change your perspective and help you see your child’s world from their vantage. You will have a better chance of getting your child to look straight into the camera and the surroundings you capture will reflect their universe.
Here are couple of Max, close up and on his level. I love making eye contact with my subjects. It’s a cliché, I know, but the eyes are truly the windows to the soul.
I also vary my perspective and take wider-angle environmental shots where possible. But moms always love close-ups where they can really see the detail of their child’s face!
This is the seventh installment in a weekly series of posts by Manhattan photographer Sabra Krock on how to take better photographs of your child. Come back next Monday for Tip #8: Click, Click Click.
If you didn’t get a chance to read the previous posts by Sabra just click here:
Tip #1: Turn Your Flash Off and Use Natural Light
Tip #2: Get to Know Your Camera
Tip #3: Get Candid
Tip #4: Don’t Forget Yourself
Tip #5: Don’t Leave Home Without It
Tip #6: Hire a Pro
I remember thinking that onesies were brilliant. Snaps that keep it all in? Wayward poop? Riding up diapers? Cheerios that didn’t make it into the mouth? Genius! From the day she was born, until the wondrous moment she was potty-trained at 2, my daughter wore them with everything. For playtime, we would throw them on with comfy pants and a hoodie. Napping or down for the night, she wore one solo for summer slumber or under feety PJs to warm winter’s chill. Even dressy occasions were no match for the onesie—a dress and some tights and no one knew she had her own little snapped-in comfort zone beneath.
Yes, I was almost sad to see the onesie go from her wardrobe (although who was I to argue with a training toddler…those snaps are tough for small fingers to tackle…especially when she’s trying to get to the potty quickly). I actually felt a twinge of jealousy of all those mamas with tiny tots when I saw this adorable striped onesie. Truth be told, my envy of days gone by disappeared when I realized that those parents still have to deal with diapers. But I digress.
A private label by high end NY baby clothes store Estella, this wear-with-everything onesie is available in 10 colors, from sweet baby blue to jailhouse red. Yes, it’s true. Some of the colors are reminiscent of prison garb. But aren’t the stripes of a thief perfect for baby? After all, they steal your heart every time they look at you. Besides, wayward poop should be illegal.
It is that special kind of grey, just before the sunrise and prior to a rain shower. You love it when the sky is like that — filled with mist and hope and so many possibilities. You have about half and hour before the rain will start, just enough time to get in a quick run. So you slap on your shorts, pull on your sweatshirt and peep into your boy’s room. He waves at you from his bed signaling that he’s ready to come along.
Out comes the jogging stroller, and you with gym shoes on and adrenaline pumping. Baby’s arms reach up, eager to hug you and give you the unspoken pep talk. You can do it! Yes, you can! You grab your teeny trainer’s heathered button hoodie by Album di Famiglia which is as perfect for a morning like this as it is for the brunch you are going to have later this morning. Balthazar for brunch? Yes, please!
This hoodie puts other hoodies to shame. Made with 100% cotton, it has a softness that cannot be denied. The silhouette says modern and stylish while its playfulness is perfect for kids. The silver buttons are the crowning touch on this luxurious item.
So you bundle your little guy in his warm baby clothes, buckle him in his stoller, stretch out the last of the morning kinks, take a deep breath and go. It feels so good to run but nothing feels as good as the hug waiting for you from your little cheering section at the end of the run.
Run, mama, run!
You are grown now. You own a terrific apartment, you and your spouse are proud parents, you understand wine — a big deal considering you drank white zinfandel when you were 22. Still, here is the thing, you haven’t given up your love of a good pun. And by good pun, you really mean a bad one. The art of punning has been with you since you were a child and you have no plans on stopping. You are a grown up and can do as you see fit, after all. Q: How do you catch a unique bird? A: Unique up on it. Oh, that was a good one. A good pun every now and then never hurt anyone.
The other day, when you were out shopping for baby clothes with your baby girl you discovered Bon Bon’s Baby Bloomers. You immediately knew you were on to something. These terrific pants made of soft cotton, feature a gathered waist and legs for a winsome fit. Add some cute baby sandals, a onesie and your baby girl’s every day wardrobe is all set. But can you be truthful and really admit why you have fallen for these? Come on, you can tell and we won’t judge. Bon Bon’s cotton baby bloomers won a spot in your heart because you can now tell your friends that while your parents were baby bloomers, your daughter is now a baby bloomer.
Q: How to you catch a tame bird? A: The tame way. Wow…those are some cute pants.
There is nothing funnier to a child than watching their swimsuit fill with air and float on top of the water. They lift their suit out, let the air get trapped in it and then they sit back down in the water so that it bubbles up on their backside and pops above the water. If they are lucky, it might even make a funny sound as the air escapes, sending them into bursts of giggles. The child laughing hysterically about this is usually a boy, but I don’t think gender has any bounds when it comes to funny bubble butt behavior. It’s simply a matter of boys’ suits have more material. Therefore, more bubble-ability.
These striped boys trunks from French designer Europpan have an attractive classic striped pattern (something you’ll love) but more importantly…they have a soft, roomy fit. This means comfort when they are running around on the beach or sitting seaside building a castle. But it also means…you guessed it…more bubble-ability. Something they will love.
The color pattern of these boys trunks is eye-catching, if you can take your eyes off the fact that your child’s butt is suddenly bobbing on top of the water. They almost have an old timey fashionable look to them. There’s even a little pocket in the back for whatever it is little boys put in their pockets at the beach. Better not be rocks. Or else their butt flotation device will be a no-go.
RSS