Archive | wishlist

in my beach bag

August 14, 2013 at 2:52 pm

We’ve been spending a lot of time at the pool and beach this summer, whether it’s an hour away or just down the road… or on our balcony. (More about that later.) Here are a few things in our beach bag this summer:

1. Hats for everyone! We love our newest sun hat, a present from Uncle Charlie (similar here). We also love hats from H&M: usually about $5 each and so cute.

2. This infant sunscreen has been a staple in our home since Lena was born. It is extremely well-rated by the Environmental Working Group, which is the deciding factor in our house when we buy infant skincare products.

3. A hat for mom. I got mine at a tacky tourist shop on vacation and have loved it for all kinds of outings, even hikes. Similar here (but with a pink band!).

4. Lena’s swim suit is so much cuter than this Zara suit, but I can’t find her suit online. I love the classic look… and I’m a sucker for stripes!

5. Beach read for me. I’m forever trying to catch up on this magazine. It relaxes and inspires me… but, to Elliott’s frustration, I almost never make or cook anything from it! Gotta work on that. I earned a free subscription here.

6. Toy for Gil. This is my favoriteof all his toys. Sand doesn’t stick to wooden toys like it does to some others.

7. Puddle Jumper floatie for Lena. She loves this thing and so do we! We got it for her last summer when she was about 18 months, and our friend Elise (age 6) has tried it out and loved it too. Every time I go to the pool, some mom asks me where I got it because they see how happy and comfortable Lena is in the water. Highly, highly recommended.

And I forgot to add this one to the collection above, but perhaps our favorite beach/pool item this summer is our inflatable pool — $8 on Amazon— that we literally use every day. We put it out on our balcony, plop the kids in it, and they go to town! Add a couple of plastic cups and bowls, or some bath toys, or even water balloons… and you’ve got some refreshingly wet fun ahead of you.

What is helping you stay cool (and cute!) this summer?

4 :: in gift guide, wishlist

customized board books for your baby

January 24, 2013 at 3:55 pm

I’ve been eying these customized photo books from Pinhole Press for awhile. Plug in photos of family and friends, press “order,” and in no time flat you’ll have a way to enjoy the faces of loved ones with your baby. Especially since we live in Sicily and Lena’s entire extended family lives in Virginia, this seemed like a wonderful way to help her remember their names and faces.

However, as with most things in life that cost money, I just looked. I did not do.

And then what should my mother-in-law get Lena for Christmas but a customized photo book! It came from a company called Pint Size Productions. After browsing around, I really like Pint Size because it’s much more customizable and they also offer many more book options. I’ll be going to them with any future board book orders, I think.

Lena’s Marmee (which sounds like “Mommy” when she says it these days) put together a beautiful book with all Lena’s aunts and uncles from Elliott’s side of the family. She loves it! Below is a little video I took of Elliott and Lena reading it together on the night she received the book. Makes me want to make one for my side of the family!

Have you ever made a customized photo book? Or a board book? What’s your favorite online resource/company to use?

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P.S. This is not a sponsored post. I just like these board books and thought you might too!

8 :: in Lena, video, wishlist

the cuteness of mini Ruche

November 7, 2012 at 10:22 am

The other day I was entering a blog giveaway* in hopes of winning something from the Ruche children’s section. I didn’t even know Ruche had a children’s section, but wow. Their stuff is so cute! I’m especially head over heels for that “future bird watcher onesie” so my little boy can be just like his daddy!

1. iron-on ties (how brilliant is that?!)
2. Marty the Monkey stuffed animal
3. bird watcher onesie
4. prepster saddle shoes
5. future photographer onesie
6. fruits and veggies wooden magnets
7. animal parade print
8. billy crayon caddy
9. striped romper

*Why do I do that? I have almost no chance of winning. But enter giveaways I do, and faithfully. Have you ever won something?? Well, besides you, Bethany, because you won my giveaway. :-)

9 :: in Baby Numero Due, gift guide, links I love, wishlist

Christmas wish list-ing

October 19, 2012 at 1:00 pm

My grandmother asked me to put together a Christmas list. Don’t you just love it when someone does that?! It gives you full license to put together all the things you’ve been thinking about all year!

Here are a few goodies I’ve come across in my searching, and some of them just might end up on The List: