With summertime, comes summer gear. And that includes all the super- fun beach and pool paraphernalia.
Check out this adorable Mermaid Swim Fin—it holds both feet in one flipper, and of course it's pink (or purple, whichever you prefer). The fin has a velcro strap that fits shoe sizes 1-7, so moms, I'm sorry to say that it probably won't fit you.
Ariel, is that you?
I don't have any need for a diaper bag right now, but this pretty minimalist one from Fleurville is making wish I did. And I don't love it just for its looks—it's also kind to the planet. That's because the fabric is actually made out of recycled plastic water bottles. This style prevents 10 of them from ending up in a landfill, where they take 1,000 years to break down (yikes). Recycling never looked so good!
It's spring and you're no doubt spending as many minutes outside with the kids as possible (at least if you don't suffer from seasonal allergies). So while you're hanging out in the garden, suit up in some good-looking gardening gear and get your hands dirty (after Mother's Day, of course—no maintenance of any sort for you on May 11th)! Enter to win this all-you-could-ever-need garden kit, designed by domestic darling, Katie Brown, produced by The Companion Group. Here's the loot:
To enter to win, just post a comment on this post (click on "comments") by midnight ET on Friday May 9. We'll email the lucky winner on the following Monday. Goody Luck!
Full rules here.
Some parents who've had it with all the baby gear decided to make a profit. Los Angeles Times
A new study finds that (in most ways) things are better for American children than they were a decade ago. Washington Post
Peanut allergies and bullying can be a dangerous combination. ABC News
Should an NYC 4th grader be allowed to take the subway alone? A debate over parenting styles. Newsweek
Biking sends kids to the hospital more than any other sport, according to a new study. Chicago Tribune
Original photo via
I know you're wondering, "Is that a bug or a spoon?" Well, it's all both of these things and more: It's a Beetle Spoon!
The spoon looks like a big ol' bug, but unfold the wings and it's a spoon. (There's even a spork model!) The wing-handles of the spoon are soft and comfortable to use. It comes with a sturdy travel case that fits nicely into any lunch box.
Anyone with an 80s toy obsession will flip over this wonderful spoon. There's nothing quite like eating pudding with a cousin of the Insecticons. Although this is supposed to be for my soon-to-be-born daughter's future lunches, I think I'm keeping it for myself.
It seems like just about everything can be made from bamboo these days. The eco-textile is being used to make furniture, floors, plates, cutting boards, clothes, bedsheets and more! Why? Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world (it can grow up to 3 or 4 feet per day), which makes it a renewable resource, and it doesn’t require pesticides or insecticides to grow. Its soft fibers, which are naturally anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic, form a fabric that's so comfy and durable it's been dubbed the "new cotton". Do you love the sweet bamboo outfit pictured to the right? Then check out the great new product line from Baby Bambu and get your hands on some green bamboo gear today.
Before you and your kids head outside to enjoy the warm weather this spring, you might want to get your hands on some sun-protective gear - like the Eclipse Solarveil from Secure2Me. This stroller blanket is made from a lightweight, breathable material that blocks 95% of the sun's harmful UV rays, which makes it a great extra layer of sun-protection (remember to always use sunscreen as the first layer!) for your child while you're out on your stroll. And what's even better is that the Eclipse is designed to clip directly onto strollers (not to mention baby carriers, car seats, slings and more) so you don't have to worry about droopy blankets getting caught in stroller wheels or falling along the roadside. Get your own here.
The spring season is still young, but that doesn't bother the people at Land of Nod: They're having a huge "spring cleaning" sale full of tons of great stuff...and it's up to 80 percent off! Our top pick: These chic and simple bowling bag-esque "Strike and Spare" diaper bags ($69, down from $140.)
No child support? No hunting! A new program in Illinois encourages dads to pay up. Chicago Tribune
Why being pregnant makes you want to renovate. New York Times
A new study looks at the long-term health consequences of premature birth. Yahoo! News
Pregnancy discrimination complaints are on the rise. Wall Street Journal
Scary trend: Parents sign their kids up for human “cockfighting.” New York Daily News
How does it feel to be a pregnant man? Advocate
Original photo via
I proclaimed my love for Envirosax back in May 2007, and now I have yet another reason to swoon over them: their new Japanese-inspired Mikado line is super-chic (my fave pattern is at right.) Head to their Web site and check out the mind-boggling stats while you’re there—it takes 12 million barrels of oil to make the 380 billion plastic bags Americans use each year!
