My mother is of the generation that either 1) got married out of college, or 2) majored in education or nursing and entered the workforce upon graduation. My mom? She did both. She married my father right out of college whilst starting her new career as an early education teacher. But it didn’t last. She and my father decided to start a family, and along came me. And my mother’s dream of being a stay-at-home mom.

But…

She was never meant to stay at home, and we all knew that was the case. So she started her own business, with her best friend Karen. And there you have it, the birth of ‘Curly Tops, Ltd.’

Karen and GiGi designed clothing for children, and sold it out of our little house on Hampton Road, in Great Neck, New York. I don’t think the business lasted long. My mother went on to adopt my little brother, and Karen had Adam, her second. But they made a go of it, and back in 1973? I like to think these two women were pretty forward-thinking.

And looking back, I think my mom was a pretty cool renegade of sorts during that era – for bucking tradition and doing her own thing. Sure, my father wanted her to be a proper corporate wife, but the rebel in me? Is so very proud of the rebel in her. I like to think that my own personal motto, “don’t tell me what to do!” originated with GiGi, back in that little house on Hampton Road.

And so now, here I am with my own children, and I am faced with consumerism every single day. If i’m not buying one thing, I’m buying another. Clothes, shoes, hair products, toys, books. The list is endless. But I do my very best to support small businesses, ‘mom shops,’ in particular. I have so much admiration for women who can churn out creative and beautiful products for my children that stand out from the norm, all while raising their own children.

When I checked out Buzzy Weez, I had an honest moment of nostalgia for my childhood, and my mom in our kitchen, designing tee-shirts for little ones. I’d long since forgotten about those days, and Josie’s adorable little kid tops and onesies really brought me back. I love clothing for little ones that’s not too cutesy, and these tops hit the nail on the head of adorableness just enough.

Coco has a new favorite top. It’s an adorable purple top with a really sweet goldfish in a bowl on it , and the word, “golden,” and it’s become her favorite item of clothing. The first week she had it, I must’ve washed it three times alone so that she could wear it continuously. And it’s a high-quality shirt because it held up to those washings like a champ.

These tops and onesies would make awesome gifts for little ones. They are adorable, well-made and affordable. And you’re supporting a small business run by a really creative mom in Nova Scotia who knows what she’s doing when it comes to clothing for our little ones that’s unique but reasonably priced, to boot. I promise your kids will love these shirts!

This has been a week full of madness for our household. School started on Monday, and not only is Pea now in school for a full day, five days a week, but we now also have a pre-schooler in our midst. That’s right, Coco, who was just a newborn when I began this blog years ago, is now in school. The same school as her big sister, although only three days a week, half-day.

Both girls are exhausted from the big adjustments we’ve all faced this week. After an entire month of swimming every day and lounging around until they each fell asleep and were then transferred to their respective beds, the girls suddenly find themselves back on schedule, in a routine that leaves little room for error, particularly as we try to get out the door in the mornings in our uniforms, with our backpacks, last night’s homework, water bottles and lunch boxes, teeth brushed, hair combed.

I’m exhausted. And schooled in how I will handle the summer / fall transition next year: with a return to our nightly routine at least two weeks before school begins. Because this last-minute business does not sit well with me. I don’t enjoy chaos. Turns out the girls don’t, either.

But in the middle of said chaos, I received a lovely treat at my front door. A gorgeous pearl bracelet from Pure Pearls.   My new freshwater pearl bracelet is white and it’s very elegant; very me. I’ve been wearing it daily with my most causal outfits, layered with my watch and another bracelet, lending it a rather boho-chic look. But last night, my husband and I went out to my favorite restaurant in Sundance to celebrate our eighth anniversary, and it paired up nicely with my dressed-up look; a grey wrap dress and sandals. You know I love anything that multi-tasks, and a simple but elegant piece of jewelry that makes the jump from daytime mommy-on-the-go to night-out-with-partner is right up my alley.

These bracelets, in particular, would make a great gift, whether it’s yourself, your own mother, or even your daughter. (Trust me, I’ve snatched back that little black velvet box with the bracelet tucked away inside from Pea’s room on more than one occasion!) Pearls are timeless, they go with virtually everything and Pure Pearls clearly believes that every woman should have a beautiful piece of jewelry that makes her feel special, but should not cost as much as a mortgage payment. And I agree. Pearls stand the test of time. I have a strand that belonged to my Grandmother, I have one from my own mother and two that I received as gifts from my father to mark two very important occasions in my life. All are well on the path to becoming heirlooms, to be passed on to my own daughters. And now I’m adding my beautiful freshwater pearl bracelet to the list.

(And by the way, check out the black freshwater pearl bracelet. Chic!)

I am absolutely in love with this bathing suit from Juicy. It is just perfection. The color is sophisticated, the cut is modest and the shirring is brilliant. No more sucking in my belly as I chase my kids around the pool. Shirring hides a multitude of sins (in my case, a few too many beers at the many barbecues we attend). And for those of us who actually swim with our kids, it comes with a strap to keep it up (not that it’s going anywhere otherwise).

I found it on 6pm.com, which I was turned onto by a friend. What a find! You do have to pay for return shipping, but if you’re confident about your sizes, this on-line shop is a veritable goldmine.

…that looks pretty, too.

Completely addicted to these sheerly-tinted lip balms with SPF from Nars. Pretty, neutral and pale shades, they also offer sun protection and feel like Chapstick on my parched spend-every-day-at-the-swimming-pool lips.

Nearly fell off my chair when I found out that Tracy Anderson of the Tracy Anderson Method has a book coming out this September. It’s available for pre-order on Amazon, so you know I got my name on the list.

If your’e not familiar with Tracy, she’s the fitness guru responsible for Gwyneth Paltrow’s current body. It’s a lovely body. Who wouldn’t want Gwyneth’s physique? And while yes, I know I’m not suddenly going to get out of bed one morning having grown another six inches, I can do the workout that Gwyneth does to maintain her killer bod. And that’s enough for me…

I was very ticked off when “Cookie” magazine ceased printing. I would devour every single page of each issue as they arrived, tear out pages, dog-ear pages.

Three of the editors from the now-defunct mag have published a cookbook designed to help take the guesswork out of family meals when children are involved. And as they once cleverly laid out their recipes within the pages of the magazine, they also do the same clever layouts in their new book “Time for Dinner.” They also have great ideas for a well-stocked fridge, freezer and pantry, which I also appreciate. It’s meant to take the “oh my gosh there’s no food what will I feed the kids?” anxiety out of meal prep.

I cannot put the book down. I’m updating my week’s grocery list and can’t wait to get started…

Warby-Parker is the most insanely awesome eyeglass shop ever. And I know what I’m talking about. I’ve worn glasses since I was 12. I’ve had cheap ones that ran me about $60 and I’ve had designer ones that ran me $500.

Warby-Parker will run you about $100. And that’s with the lenses. And they are the coolest frames around.

I’m particularly fond of the ‘Miles.’ In black, of course. (Black frames look incredible on any and every face imaginable.)

The best mascara ever. And it’s cheap! It doesn’t flake, you don’t need to pump the wand in and out to get the excess off and your lashes look so gorgeously natural after a single swipe. I’m buying it in bulk.

Coupled with my Shu Uemura eyelash curler, I’m looking like I got a full eight hours lately.

Completely obsessed with nail polish these days. Perhaps it has to do with the crazy colors that are so trendy right now. Fuchsia pinks, tangerine oranges, moldy blues. I could go on and on. I have never been a fan of odd colors on fingers and toes. I like my fingers painted in neutral shades. Same goes for my toes.

But…

There is something to be said for a short, classic red nail. Just so perfectly… French. My shade of choice? ‘Dragon,’ by Chanel.

Looks good on toes, too.

I cannot tell you how excited I am to see that this incredible craft site is being updated with new projects again. I’m particularly enamored with this one, for vintage towel bibs. What a brilliant idea for a homemade baby shower gift! Something handmade. One-of-a-kind.   

How much did you love Shel Silverstein as a kid? If you’re of the same generation as I am, he played a pivotal role in your childhood. Am I right?

Bookmark this site to check out with your little ones on a rainy day. It will take you back. And amuse the kiddos.

Check these cupcake kits out! Amazing! I think they’d be such awesome birthday gifts for a budding baker…

Kids and food. It’s one of my absolute favorite topics of conversation.

I absolutely adore the site ‘Raising Foodies.’ It’s one of the very few blogs that I check on regularly.

I’m a good cook. But I stick to the recipes. On occasion, I might make a creative substitution if I find I’m out of a certain ingredient. But to really whip dishes up with reckless abandon and have them be delicious? That is one of my main goals in life.

The author of this blog? She inspires me to give it a go. And to let my girls in on the excitement…

I just love perusing this site for interesting kid’s things.

What kid doesn’t need a gorgeous wooden plant press?

I love stationery. Really high-quality and personalized. I am old-school. I love to receive mail and I really love to send it.

How amazing is this site?

Check out this selection of notecards!