In the Town All Year ‘Round
If you have a small child, you need this book. It takes the same set of scenes and people through a year of seasons. That’s it. Not a complicated concept … Continue reading
The Birthday Parties
Pages and pages have been written by moms much more organized than I am about how to manage all the birthday parties your child will be invited to and how … Continue reading
Spinning Lights
In honor of our Independence Day, I’d like to suggest a toy that is anything but minimalist and definitely made in China, i.e. very American! The LED spinner or whatever … Continue reading
Books: Butterfly Butterfly
We found Butterfly Butterfly at our local library last month and Astrid loved it. It’s your classic love story – girl plays with butterfly, loses butterfly, finds a bunch of other bugs, … Continue reading
Infant Soaps and Shampoo
Yes, you will need to buy separate soap for your new baby. The Irish Spring in your soap dish has too many chemicals and perfumes for your infant’s brand new, … Continue reading
Leander: Cradle, Crib, High Chair, Changing Table
I’ve just discovered Leander, and I’m a little bit in love. OK: a lot in love. All the pieces are beautiful: minimalist Scandinavian design in natural woods, light colors and lovely … Continue reading
Matchbox 20
In my grandmother’s town, where I spent my summers as a kid, there was an ancient toy store run by an even more ancient man where he still sold individually … Continue reading
Best Baby Blanket
This is the best blanket, period. I know it doesn’t look like it’s that different from the thousands of others on offer for babies and little kids, but it is. … Continue reading
Books for Dad: Armin Brott
Papa is often overlooked in this whole “Yay! We’re pregnant!/Hooray! What a cute baby!” continuum. You don’t see a lot of massage gift certificates coming his way and his life … Continue reading
Tea Collection Sale
Tea Collection makes some beautiful clothes, especially for babies. They’re expensive, though, for something little Albert will only wear for a few months, so getting their pieces on sale makes the … Continue reading
Fire Trucks
Fire trucks are awesome. What’s not to love? I got a ride on one once. The firemen were heading out, I came by on foot wearing something fetching, and voila: … Continue reading
Gymboree Jeans (I’m Talking to You, Gap Kids)
Astrid was a Gap baby: their infant line – boys and girls – is tasteful but still cute and they were the only place I found reasonably priced pants for newborns. (I … Continue reading
KidCo BabySteps Feeding Dish
A couple friends of mine swear by this three-section plate for feeding new eaters on the go. The lid keeps the sections’ food separated when you take it with you, … Continue reading
Blackout Curtains
Unless you have those awesome European interlocking blinds that can turn your baby’s boudoir into a room fit for developing film, you might want to consider investing in blackout drapes, … Continue reading
Best Play Food: Condiments
Kids love dipping their food. Ketchup, syrup, tartar sauce: our refrigerator door is crowded with salty and sweet condiments. So it makes sense that the condiment bottle collection we got … Continue reading
Best Play Food: Salad!
Astrid loves vegetables. I don’t feel like I can take much credit for that because I’ve tried to get her to like fruit too and it hasn’t worked at all. … Continue reading
Bouncers!
A bouncer is a must. You need to have one. Really. Yes, baby can lounge in a cat bed or on a posh pillow, but there’s no substitute for giving … Continue reading
First Doll
I wasn’t keen on raising our little girl to just like dolls and kitchens, so I got her a red car about the same time as I got her her … Continue reading
Bubbles!
With a two year old, bubbles are on the menu every day. They have been for a while. And babies love them too. So stocking up on bubbles, especially novel … Continue reading
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Play Mat
I’ve always liked Skip Hop‘s style and Astrid (and I) were really happy with their farmyard activity mat when she was tiny: soft fabric with some texture and crinkles for … Continue reading
Haba Toys
Full disclosure: I’m not a fan of tons of colors and noises for infants. The way I see it, if you’re new to everything, everything is interesting. Also, babies are … Continue reading
Baby Journal
Here’s the thing: I wish my parents had done a baby journal for me. Here’s the other thing: as the mother of one toddler, finding the time to create one … Continue reading
Travel Placemat
I’m kind of a tidy freak. Not like, “Clorox for everyone!” but still pretty into the orderly. Astrid is too. She asks for a napkin to clean up spills. It’s … Continue reading
Transitional Object: Gund Comfy Cozies
I wrote a while ago about “transitional objects” and how important they can be for babies. Chances are, you’ll pick out one you like before Baby arrives, or someone will … Continue reading
Ladybug Snuggle Sack
Today is Astrid’s birthday party and the theme is ladybugs because she loses it every time she sees a ladybug. Even more so when she sees a flag, but I … Continue reading
Food Masher and Bowl (Annabel Karmel)
I’ve mentioned before how much – as a new parent and non-cook – I liked Annabel Karmel’s recipe book, 100 Best Baby Purees. I’m not sure I realized it at … Continue reading
Hello Bugs!
As I’ve noted before, babies aren’t into books. Because they can’t see. They’re weird like that. But they can discern black and white shapes and patterns before colors, which is … Continue reading
Chronicle Books: Taro Gomi collection
I came across Taro Gomi’s beautiful board book My Friends at the Academy of Sciences playroom one day last year and immediately went home and ordered a copy for Astrid. The … Continue reading
Eat Your Veggies
Let’s face it: if you’re cooking dinner, your child is too. They like you, these kids of yours. So if you’re in the kitchen dicing vegetables, chances are, they’ll want … Continue reading
Pacifier Wipes
Yes, I know: these don’t sound very minimalist. They sound like yet another thing germaphobe mamas pack in their diaper bags. You know the ones: hand sanitizer dispensers installed by … Continue reading
Birthday Party: Kara’s Mini Cupcakes (San Francisco)
Last year, Astrid’s birthday party was a little bit of a circus. An awesome fun circus, yes. Also, enough people (40) and kids (12) that we couldn’t manage making the … Continue reading
Shopping: Bloomingdales
I have one word for you: pajamas. I have two more: ten dollars. At Bloomingdales. I know: I couldn’t believe it either. Like the New Yorker I am, I love … Continue reading
Lift the Flap Books
Why am I a big pop-up book fan? Because they’re awesome, that’s why. Awesome for me, that is. Not so awesome for curious small children. Correction: awesome for them too, … Continue reading
Shopping: Macy’s
OK, so let’s be clear up front: I hate going into department stores. I appreciate that they’ve clumped everything together in one place for me, but, man alive do they … Continue reading
First Toys: The Teddy Bear (Another One)
OK, so I know I said you don’t need to have your future child’s teddy bear all sorted out and kicking it in the nursery when the baby arrives, and … Continue reading
Skwish Mobile
I was in Giggle the other day and came across the Skwish Mobile. I love me some mobiles, so I had a look. Even though I don’t think I would’ve … Continue reading
Cards and Invitations
You’re either the kind of person who sends printed birthday invitations or you’re not. Subcategory of the former: the kind of person who designs your own and and prints them … Continue reading
Minimalista Mama 