[Spotlight: Gear] The Masculine (diaper) Bag

Whenever Erik, my husband takes the kids out, he brings his Patagonia Critical Mass® bag. He packs the necessities - water bottles, diapers, snacks, a sweat shirt for each kid and bandages (you never know), Benadryl and the Epi Pens. Then when he's done and out of the way, the kids pack in their own stuff - books, cars, stuffed animals and the ever important mini blankies for both of them.

I've never really had a traditional diaper bag per say but my chosen bags have compartments. Erik has veered away from the compartments all together. He says he has his own organizational thing going on in that bag. I look in it and see chaos, but hey, he's taking them out of the house so I'm not complaining any further. I didn't start to love his Critical Mass bag until I used it for the first time months ago. Yea, it's chaos in there but an organized kind of chaos.

Anyway, the moral to the story is - when he's done using this as a diaper bag, he's still going to use it. When I'm done using my diaper bag, I'm done using my diaper bag and getting one of these.

[Tags: Patagonia Critical Mass, diaper bag for men]

[photo credit: patagonia.com]

Eating on the Go

Ring Cutlery Set by GSI Outdoors

Eastern Mountain Sports is one of our favorite shops. We're not avid hikers, or bikers, or skiiers or climbers but our family has it's share of 'pro' equipment. The kids and I love EMS because they always have these really cool gadgets, most everything is so streamlined and sleek.

On our last trip to the shop for beach shorts (for me), I saw this cutlery set by GSI Outdoors. It's basically a fork, spoon and knife all kept together with a plastic ring. Sometimes it's just handy to have a set for the kids, keeps eating with their hands to a minimum. The two best things about this set? It's BPA-free and it's kept together so no losing a fork here or a spoon there. I keep their sets in a handkerchief, which sometimes doubles as a lunch napkin.

Not only are these cool, it's an eco-friendly way to eat on the go than using disposable flatware.

[Tags: Eastern Mountain Sports, GSI Outdoors, ring cutlery set, camping utensils, eco-friendly, BPA-free]


[photo credit: Smuppy Kids, GSI Outdoors]

The Ultimate Wrapping Station

Gift Wrapping Station at our local Godiva Retail store

We were out shopping at Riverside Square in Hackensack, NJ this past Saturday and came across this awesome gift wrapping station at Godiva. I spoke with one of the staff and turns out you can customize your gift wrapping when you buy chocolate for a gift, how thoughtful!

I am so inspired to put a wrapping station in our studio. Would be nice to have a place where I can keep ribbons, trinkets, paper and fabric wrap all in one place. Over the years, I have amassed a collection of ribbon of various lengths, colours and textures. Right now it's in shoe box that I regularly forget about. Hmm...

While I was at Godiva, I also joined their Chocolate Rewards Club. I get a free piece of their yummy chocolate once a month and there's a free gift when you spend $10 or more at the stores. I am a big chocolate fan, thank you Godiva! Next time I'm in Godiva I will surely test our their custom wrapping station as well.

[Tags: Godiva, Chocolate Rewards Club, free chocolate] 

[photo credit: Smuppy Kids]

[Spotlight: Handmade] Nutty sock friends

Bunny Monster, handmade by BlinkyMuffin via Etsy

We have a birthday party this weekend and I want to give something special to my good friend who has two wonderful young kids, vibrant, smart and beautiful. They are very lucky children to two of the most dedicated parents I know. I thought it would be sweet to give them something handmade... so I am browsing on Etsy. One keyword search led to another and then I found him. Bunny Monster. I saw him and just smiled. Like something out of a kooky kids drawing, his bug eyes and jumpsuit just made me smile. He also has a crew of the most adorable friends...


Artemis, handmade by BlinkyMuffin via Etsy


Millie, hand made by BlinkyMuffin via Etsy

These little guys are just the sweetest. They are all hand made, using 100% new material with eco friendly bamboo stuffing. If that wasn't great enough, the profits from the sale of these great characters will help support the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society of Canada.

[photos: blinkymuffin]

[Spotlight: Travel] I spy...

Rubberneckers Travel Game from Chronicle Books, available from Happy Tuesday

We live in the suburbs and most often times, it takes over an hour into Manhattan, even when navigation tells us 20 miles and 32 minutes. Sometimes we tell stories in the car, make up silly words with sillier definitions, dream up of what the kids' stuffed animals are doing while we're out of the house. But sometimes with two hours of traffic, we (the grown ups here) need a little quiet time. That's when we whip out Rubberneckers. I am sure we're not playing it correctly but I'm sure a 4 year old and a two year old don't care too much. After all, they just want to be the first to spot all the things in their deck of 10 cards before we arrive at our destination. Winner gets a lollipop. The kids have been playing with the same ol' deck for a year, the edges are dog eared, some have creases from an over-excited "mama, I see an oil truck on Broadway, I win!". I think it's time for a new deck...

[Spotlight: Apparel] Dopie Naked Shoes for Kids

Dopie Sandals for Kids

I have been wearing my orange Dopies for two summers now, and they are just the most comfortable sandals ever. They have good arch support, unlike most flip flops. Sure, I look like I'm from outer space when I wear them but they're comfy so it's worth the interesting stares I get in town.

So happy they've launched them in kids sizes too!

Terra Plana is having a 30% off Father's Day sale. Just punch in the code "FATHERSDAY". Dopie for kids and other great shoes can be ordered directly online. Sale ends June 20, 2009.

[photo: terra plana]