Sweet Music!

If I do say so myself! Well, it's not often (or easy) to shamefully plug yourself, but, hey, since it's for a good cause....

I started this project as a simple 5 song recording to send to my daughter in Thailand. My husband & I adopted a beautiful baby girl and finally brought her home this past October. So I recorded some songs for my sweet girl to hear Mommy's voice and feel comforted in knowing someone out there was thinking of her and loving her. It ended up inspiring me to do a whole album's worth of music.  

The title track, Butterfly Moon is a song I wrote for her with the help of my incredibly talented friend, George Mesterhazey. George did all the arrangements and played all the music. Bob Kimmel deftly produced it and also played some percussion. The result: a beautiful collection of lullabies and sweet songs for babies and children. You can hear samples on my music blog or see my main web site for info/bio/etc. Half the proceeds of this CD will go to Mercy Centre for slum/street children orphaned and/or living with HIV/AIDS. Help a great cause and lull your little ones to sleep all at the same time! Hey, now that is multi-tasking and shopping at it's best! :-)

The Sweetest Little Prints!

Darling art work for kids bedroom or play room. Stumbled across this fabulous artist on Etsy and her use of color is just beautiful! There are, of course, lots of different color palettes she uses - I had a real tough time choosing - but these were some of my favorites. You can find Edie Pijpers work at www.edieart.etsy.com.

Kate Mack Has It In The Bag

...or should I say, in the POOL? Really, I can't say I have seen a cuter collection of swimwear in ages. All with adorable matching accessories. Her ballerina suit has sold like hotcakes. Get 'em while you can. A few sites have them on sale, but you better hurry cause they won't last long!

Kate Mack Rhumba Rhythm Tunic & Bottoms

Kate Mack Strawberry Fields Bubble Suit. Is that cute or what?

Pink Provence Sun Hat

Pink Provence Swimsuit

The one at the top is called Cherry Picnic and my favorite. Sold at Nordstrom stores but best price I found was at Adorables Children.

Manners Are In The Cards

Stumbled onto this unique store for retro-ish goodies.  A friend put it on her blog after receiving a cool poster as a gift. It's called Blue Ribbon General Store and is chock full of fun and nostalgic gift ideas. One thing that caught my eye in particular were these clever little flash card games for kids.  Fun and respectful = Genius! Why hadn't I thought of that?

Oh, and how about these cute chopsticks for kids? Very fun. Doesn't every girl need a pair?

Fun In The Kitchen

Okay, if I were, say, 5 and I had a dream kitchen THIS is what it would look like. So cute I couldn't resist posting...

Pink Retro Kitchen - Pottery Barn Kids. Cost: Don't ask!

Adorable matching apron - Williams & Sonoma Kids - $18 or $24 if personalized.

Red Retro Kitchen - Pottery Barn Kids. Seriously, you don't want to know the price.

Adorable 1940's style retro aprons for kids & moms. Hand made. Stitchthrutime.com. $43.95

Little Prep Kitchen - Pottery Barn Kids. On sale and reasonable at $109.00

And while your spending up a storm, you could always use a $49 toaster or mixer from Pottery Barn to match with their kitchens. Yea, it's ridiculous, but they ARE hand crafted wooden accessories. Besides, I'm only dreaming. Uh, I mean, for my daughter, of course!