Spotted

Wow, check out these beautiful moth paintings I saw here. I'm in the mood for a new painting. 

Oh Baby!

We had a fantastic photographer come over a few weeks ago and take some really special shots of Gus. Alex Herring is a super nice guy and put us totally at ease. For all NYC parents here his site and details: alex@alexherring.com Here are a few of shots and happy rainy New York Wednesday. xo

Bag It!

We all know we use way too much plastic, we bring our own bags to the grocery store, we recycle, we reuse etc..this film looks really interesting and explores the subject of waste, plastic and all things green! Here is a link to an interview with the film makers. 

The 3/50 Project

I love love this idea, the 3/50 project, was started by Cinda Baxter, you can check out her blog here. The premise is to choose three independently owned stores in your neighborhood, for instance, your favorite coffee shop (mine is two blocks down, i visit it almost daily), or your favorite little book shop, mine is McNally Jackson's in Nolita or your favorite clothing shop. Spend $50 a month at one of the stores and it can really (and truly) make a big difference to your community and quality of life, not to mention the struggling business owner. I love living on New York's upper west side but I fear it is turning into one giant mall. My husband, a born and bred New Yorker, who grow up in this area, said the change is shocking. In one way, street crime is way down and it is much more kid friendly but gone are all the mom and pop shops, the fabulous Shakespeare & Co bookstore, the Mystery book store, the diners are also fast disappearing...So go out there and choose your 3/50!

Food!

Now that Gus is eating, cooking his food is something I so so enjoy! I just love feeding him good, nutritious food. It makes me happy and I think he likes it too

Paris Magic

Check out this magical Parisien apartment...

Solar Rainbow Maker

How about that!? A solar rainbow maker for baby!

Red Tub

In the house I grew up in, my sister and I had (at times) the attic bedroom to ourselves. In the bathroom was a giant red claw foot bath tub, it was awesome. I wish I had a picture of it. I'll never forget the day we had a contractor in the house (I was about 8 or 9) and the tub starting to crack the floor below, the contractor ran down the stairs in this absolute panic and for some reason we thought it was the funniest thing. One day, I'd like to have a red tub again, maybe something like this:

Food!

Now that we are feeding Gus food, this chart is such a great little tool. Found on the Moomah website. 

Parenting

It has often been said, there is no manual to parenting. First time parents (myself, one of them) must fumble, stumble and find our own way to being a confident, self assured parent. There are so many (well meaning) people, willing to give advice. The best person to listen to, I've found is yourself. This article hit a chord with me, mothers are just trying their best everyday without having to worry about a 6 month old 'babbling vowels'. A friend told me the other day, it really all depends on the rhythm of the mother, is she happy, is she calm etc...and I couldn't agree more. Sometimes, I feel like I've got it all sorted out and then the next day, I feel like I'm flailing (just a little flail here or there:) Every parent I've ever known only wants their child to be healthy and happy, it is universal. I try to read as much as I can about being a good mother, but I might start to listen more to the mother inside me instead of the mother on the written page.