We’ve found another kids cup to love: The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.
Bret Plate, a father of two, was worried about the toxic components of plastics and how they may leach from his kids’ drinking cups and into their beverages. In search of a better alternative, he designedbeverage container of food-grade stainless steel, inside and out. All plastics used on the product are certified or tested free of BPA and pthalates (the company says it pays for independent lab tests to ensure the cups are free of these substances). The interior no-spill valve is made from silicone. Why are there no plastics on this cup, then? As the company says, nobody wants to sip on a steel straw.
The no-spill valve isn’t absolutely leakproof; the company admits that while the valve will prevent major spills, there still will be drips and dribbles when the cup is inverted. I haven’t found a perfectly hermetically sealed sippy cup, so I can live with a few drips. And I appreciate that this one’s easy to put together, and has saved us from those leaks caused by “assembly-mom error.” The removable outer sleeve adds a nice grip-factor for kids, especially if you choose not to use the sleek little handles, and also insulates cold drinks from their little mitts.
The Safe Sippy is easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe. We wash ours the fast, easy and green way: in the recommended solution of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, the same way we wash our other stainless steel containers.
And, well, the cup’s styling is just plain cool. It comes in three great color combinations: stainless steel and orange paired with bright blue, turquoise or hot pink. In fact, it’s so cool, my kids fight over the single Safe Sippy we have. Guess I should finally purge all those plastic cups and stock my shelves with these.
Mama Kate
August 18th, 2008
“I’m obsessed,” said Natalie Bass the first time I asked her how she finds the awesome fabrics and combinations for OrangyPorangy, her line of metro, retro and cool “fine ladywear.” Bass’s skirts in particular are arty, graphic, sometimes even sweet, but never boring — and as a mom on the run with little time for wardrobe/styling, I don’t want to be the latter if I can help it.
“I look for bold, graphic designs that catch the eye, but are not too busy. I love contrast, which is why I pick a lot of black and white prints. They also go with everything,” says Bass. She unearths her ever-changing array of fabrics everywhere, from antiques and thrift shops to e-bay for vintage patterns, and wholesalers for designer prints. “I look for what I like and what I would wear. My clothing designs are very simple; I let the fabric do most of the work. It makes having style easy. You can pair one of my bold, graphic skirts with a very simple top and a fun pair of shoes — everyone has those in their closet.”
“Most of the prints I pick also tend to have a vintage or retro feel. I love fashion from the ’60s; styles were so simple, yet so bold,” Bass adds. Currently she’s got two skirt lines — Poly, made of reclaimed fabrics “for your wearing pleasure,” and Opal, two-tiered with various fabrics — and Jane dresses, “simple, but never plain.” Frankly, I’d buy her stuff just for the cleverness with which she describes it all.
OrangyPorangy skirts flatter all body types. Really. “I have found that the A-line is a miracle of nature,” says Bass. “It looks good on everyone. It’s really comfortable, too.” While she doesn’t do commissions — wedding dresses, for example — she does do custom work, including making special sizes or lengths. She’s also considering making kids’ skirts.
I love that thanks to the cut and the fabulous prints Bass has chosen, I can wear strappy sandals one day with my skirt, and chunky shoes the next. And, of course, black; Bass tries to craft her skirts so they coordinate with that wardrobe staple.
You can find her skirts at OrangyPorangy.com (hey! free shipping all August long!) and around the country in a few hip boutiques. If you live in Madison, WI, on Farmers’ Market Saturdays you can visit her tent at the top of State Street and try them on for yourself. I dare you to walk away with just one.
The tagline on her fashions is reclaimed, recycled, really cute. And, truly, OrangyPorangy’s skirts make me feel terribly flirty in a modern, no-girlish-”frills” sort of way. Hmmm. I think I’ve found a new obsession, too.
Mama Kate
August 7th, 2008
Modern Tots has the fashionably mod kids chair you have been looking for and it is called the Cubino Chair. It’s hip’s answer to the puffy character driven seating that is available at most kids stores…
This little chair can add pizazz to any one of your rooms while affording your child some pint-sized seating accommodations.
Completely removable and washable seat covers—need I say more?
Mama Jen
August 3rd, 2008
My husband and I have been spoiled with the most amazing cousin who lived in town and was available to watch and love our daughter when we needed to get out on a date or run errands etc…we were so happy for her graduation and subsequent move out of town, but then there we were…no babysitter to call…
I found a few here and there, but nobody has been reliable, or near like our Anna—those of you with amazing people who watch your children will know what I mean…the bar has been raised!
Now, how do I go about finding this person since my informal searches have left me frustrated and feeling like I will never find one…I’ve come home from a date night only to be up cleaning for two hours after a baking experiment occurred in my kitchen, had no-shows, found my daughter up and running around at 10:30, people who are impossible to reach or inspire a call back from…fun…lots of fun.
Enter Babysitter Connections from Tiffany Kinder, who also runs the phenomenal Nanny Connections . Nanny Connections is a must stop if you are looking to get in touch with outstanding, pre-screened nannies , but I had no idea there was this amazing Babysitter Connections available to those of us who need a sitter, but not a more fully scheduled nanny. By the way, I have met one of the nannies who came from Nanny Connections since she works for my friend. I didn’t know that she was the nanny for a while because I thought she was a family member! That is how unbelievable she is!
So I decided to give Babysitter Connections a whirl!
There is a small fee required to access information on available sitters that includes their reference contact information, picture, personal contact information, background check, wage desired, experience and little bio.
Wooohooo! Unbelievable…I am babysitter shopping!! I have heard back from most of the girls I have emailed this week and will begin some face-to-face meetings tomorrow. I am giddy over the fact that I may have someone I can call, rely upon, and trust with my little one soon. Thank you Babysitter Connections for such a phenomenal service for Wisconsin and what looks like is beginning to reach out farther than that!!
Feel free to take a peek before you sign up. You can see which sitters are in your area and/or are available at a specific time prior to joining. You just don’t have their contact information until you pay the small fee to have access. Helping parents be successful in their sitter hunt??? Now, that has MomAppeal!!!
Whichever you are looking for, Babysitter Connections and Nanny Connections are sure to give you a HUGE leg up!!!!!
Mama Jen
July 24th, 2008
Finding the right nursing chair — ugh, it’s a cunundrum. With decidedly modern taste, I looked high and low to find the right chair. Never did for baby #1; instead, we rocked in a rickety, noisy, rattan number I’d bought right after college. No amount of pillows made it just right comfortwise. And, after my c-section, and then later when great with child #2, it was darn near impossible to get out of. Yeah, there are lots of gliders out there — and they are probably the most comfortable option — but I just could find anything that didn’t scream “traditional.”
If only I’d found Glam Glider (above) by Jennifer Delonge. With a 360-degree swivel and rocking capacity, too. The chair and ottoman come in hip colors (including celery, steele blue, apple green, as well as several more subdued selections). Frankly, I think they’ll fit with any decorating style. Check out the site’s other offerings. The retro-inspired furnishings, kid-size Grace table and stools are just plain fun.
I must tell, you though, that what we did find, right before #2 arrived, was the awesome Storytime Rocker (below, in mocha) and ottoman made by Lawson-Fenning for Nurseryworks. We love it’s solid square aspect and swoop of the wooden legs, and the fact that it’s double-wide — it fits mama/daddy and child, side by side for those long sessions with the Richard Scarry tomes and other faves — and customizable in terms of colors, materials and leg finishes. There’s also a Sleepy Time version, with a higher back that’s perfect for nursing moms, especially during those zombified wee hours of the morning when junior’s at his hungriest and mom’s at her most tired.
Hoping to outfit your nursery in a modernist way? You’ll swoon over some of Nurseryworks other offerings — from cribs and dressers, to bedding and accessories and even super-cool letterpress posters (above) made for for the company by Onethread. Makes me want to have baby #3 just to reoutfit the baby’s room (just kidding, Dear!).
Mama Kate
July 17th, 2008
I like my jewelry to be bold, especially since I usually wear only one piece at a time. And, while it needs to have presence, it’s got to be less than gargantuan, i.e., not so chunky that it fills the entire short/little space between my shoulders and ears.
Enter Stubborn. Artist Melissa Stiles’ pieces are eye-stoppers (and, apparently, people-stoppers — I can’t wear my orange Olicook without being plied with inquiries). Stiles handcrafts her earrings, bracelets, cufflinks, rings and necklaces from stainless steel, aluminum and silver and fills them with opaque resins in hip colors (brown, red, orange, citrine, graphite, even turquoise, blue and pink).
Stiles’ pieces are simple statements. To me they’re perfect modern minimalist objects: They don’t overwhelm, but they demand notice. I like the contrast, too: a bold piece suspended on a delicate wire, the industrial shine of silver partnered with earthy texture and tones of the resins.
Stiles started out as an architect and then became enamored with metal smithing. Now she’s in Portland, Oregon — that hotbed of creativity — and is “no longer an architect, but still stubborn and still making jewelry.” That’s bold, too.
Mama Kate
July 14th, 2008
HipBabyGear.com has the most adorable little piano available in pink white or red to get your toddler started tickling the ivories!
This little piano will not only look good, it will help your child explore their musicality!
This site also carries my favorite gift to my friends who are having little boys…Pee Pee Tee Pees!!! Never heard of ‘em??? Absolutely invaluable to parents of baby boys!!!
Mama Jen
July 14th, 2008
With all of this wonderful warm weather, outdoor games are a must! Oompa Toys has some phenomenal wooden games (and various other items of phenomenal quality) for your toddlers that are sure to be a hit with them and the grown-ups! These games are something that can be passed down through multiple generations and always remain popular.
Check out this cute little croquet set! Fun, colorful, and will help kids learn hand-eye coordination while having a blast!
For those who have tiny people who want to play golf just like daddy or mommy, check out this adorable mini golf set.
I am especially fond of the Goblin Catch Ring Toss…Just the look of it makes me want to giggle and start tossing rings at the little guys!
Mama Jen
June 30th, 2008
I was so happy to find the website notshowing.com …my husband and I are adopting a baby and there just seems to be a lack of adoption specific items for gifts, clothing etc…
I adore the t-shirts that say “Expecting from….” or “Adopting…Bump not required.” These shirts would be a cute way of saying that our family is growing. Such a fabulous idea!!
Mama Jen
June 23rd, 2008
Look at these amazingly cute, cute, CUTE bath capes! I absolutely love the idea…functional, imagination inspiring and fashionable!
These 100% terry cloth bath capes drape over your shivering little superhero and button in front so your little one can run around hands-free and warm!!! These would solve a big problem in our house—chattering teeth because our daughter’s towel—even though it has a hood— falls off, or is flailing wide open while she is destracted with some fun task her hands have gotten her into. A button would fix that in a heartbeat!
This Chicago based company that hand makes these capes, will emblazon a bath cape for your child and ship the item out two weeks or less from the time of order.
Mama Jen
June 11th, 2008
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