Say It, Don't Spray It

Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking movie when it was released -- brand new digital imaging technology, the works. And yet, what I remember most about that movie is that it's poison-spitting dinos inspired every 8 year old I knew to run around proclaiming "Say it, don't spray it." And that's exactly what I think of when I look at these adorable jammies from Skivvydoodles. Regardless, I love the print, the lively colors, the sensible (and required) flame-retardant material. You can put your little fire-breather to sleep knowing he'll be safe and inspired to dream of far away places and long ago eras.

I Feel Pretty, Oh So Pretty...

This has to be one of my favorite dresses of all time. It's universally flattering in color and cut -- no surprise, really, because there are few better at dressing a woman than Michael Kors. There isn't anyone who doesn't look stunning in an A-line frock, and I love how the empire waist and gentle fluting cover any flaws -- such as the ubiquitous twin-skin that a few of my friends profess to have. I think you could even use it as a maternity dress, at least for a little while. This is the kind of dress that required a twirl from you when you were young, just to see how far the skirt would flare. It falls just to the knee, making it demure yet still a bit sexy. Now to find the perfect pair of heels to go with...

Turkish Delight

Red Flower has created a travel-sized set of products based on the rich tradition of hammam -- Turkish bathhouses. The bathhouses were sites of rituals that prepared the body for complete cleansing and relaxation. Bathers moved from a room of warm, dry heat designed to increase circulation and encourage perspiration. From there, they moved into an even hotter room, and finally splashed with cold water. After a full body wash and massage, bathers moved to a cooled room for a final relaxation period. The Red Flower products are designed to take your skin through a similar ritual, with each step designed to prepare your skin for the next one -- all intended to detoxify and leave your skin healthy and glowing.  The kit includes a mint tea purifier, olive stone scrub (I love scrubs -- they are so satisfying!), clay polish, a steam room mist, cardamom oil and tangerine butter creme. The scrub will open your pores and increase circulation, while sloughing off all that dead skin that accumulates, and everything else will leave you moisturized, and dare I say, gorgeously scented.

Flutterby Little Butterfly

First, an admission: It took all of my willpower not to title this entry "I Love Lamp." Now that I've let slip my fondness for Steve Carell, I will attempt to distract you with an absolutely stunning lamp. (It shouldn't be too hard -- this piece would stop anyone in her tracks!) The Delight pendant lamp from 2jane.com would be perfect in a nursery -- perhaps suspended over a favorite reading chair? It's hardwire only, but I actually prefer that, because it means there aren't any hanging cords for little tots to entangle themselves in. The white wool felt shade allows plenty of light to filter through, casting shadows that flit across nursery walls just like the migrating Monarchs that share my garden each fall.

Adorable Animal Blocks

Much has been made of the alphabet blocks sold at Il Cocco di Mamma -- and they are quite beautiful. But if you are looking for something a little different, the Naef animal blocks at Yoyashop.com are perfect! They are puzzle and building blocks in one, and the wood is sustainably harvested maple, so you know they will last long enough to become heirlooms. The colorful paints are non-toxic, of course. The entire puzzle is 25 pieces, but the sides of each block feature parts of  different animals: elephant, monkey, lion, owl, rabbit or bear. If your wee one is particularly imaginative, you may even spot a few rablions or elepowls in the final construction!

Monkeying Around

My near-constant quest to discover unique nursery art led me to Blue Sage Arts this morning -- and what a good thing it did! The site is fabulously full of gorgeous baby gear, including artwork by Meghann O'Hara. I'm torn between pieces but after a good deal of deliberation, I have settled on her Oopsy Happy Monkey as my favorite. It's a lightweight stretched canvas -- which means those little grabby hands can reach for it without fear of glass breaking or heavy corners landing on tiny heads. The canvases have a decorative edge, so there really is no need to frame it at all. Even though this little simian is my favored piece, I can easily see pairing it with the other pieces in the collection to form the basis of a nursery theme. Since the pieces are canvas, you could even use them in a bathroom or kids' powder room! While you're on the site, check out the other artists -- if cheeky monkeys aren't your thing, something else is bound to appeal!

Paint? Pshaw!

I love the idea of chalkboard paint -- finally, a surface the kids can draw on without repurcussion! I do not, however, love painting. The endless taping, and retaping when you realize your line isn't straight. Priming. Rinsing the rollers. How to reconcile this love/hate relationship? Chalkboard wall decals! It's as if my very own fairy godmother came along -- please, refrain from referring to me as "Cinderelly," even if it is in your best mouse imitation. These decals can go up and come down according to your whims. As someone oft struck by whimsy, and who likes to rearrange her rooms on a monthly basis, decals like this are perfect. And, when the kids write on your freshly painted wall anyway, you can just move the decal to cover the unsightly spot.

Belly Shots

Where I live, maternity photographers are a dime a dozen. The trick is to find someone who really sees the beauty of pregnancy; someone who can make the bright light of her subject's soul shine through. It's a rare quality. Brandy Anderson at Fresh Sugar Photography has that rare quality. She shoots with 100% natural light, so there are no harsh shadows or hot lights to sit under. The resulting photos are nothing short of stunning. Even though she's located in Calgary, I'd think seriously about booking a trip out there to have her shoot for me -- making a little time for a visit to Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut while I'm there. A girl has to have her priorities in order, you know.

Hushabye Baby

Ask anyone who's been through the first year with a new baby, and they'll tell you that a baby swing is one of the smartest investments they made. Unfortunately, those swings are almost always something of an eyesore -- certainly nothing you'd want to make part of your permanent decor! The Hushamok is different, though. The sleek design and bright, modern colors would meld with anyone's home -- but more important, the Hushamok provides a safe (and portable!) sleep solution for your wee one. It is now recommended that babies sleep on their backs in order to reduce the incidence of SIDS; the Hushamok allows this while also positioning the baby to reduce flat head syndrome. The gentle swinging motion of the hammock can help ease the symptoms of colic, while also keeping baby's head elevated to prevent acid reflux. And for those particularly restless sleepers, the hammock provides a gentle, constant motion to help lull them away to the Land of Nod, allowing you to catch a few Winkens yourself.

Koo-Koo for Karakuri

The word "karakuri" refers to a mechanical device intended to tease or take a person by surprise. Karakuri tradition requires concealing technology with puppetry and robotics, which is embodied by designer Keisuke Saka's delightful collection of miniaturized Karakuri models. The delicate paper used to create the models means this probably isn't the perfect craft project for toddlers, but older kids would enjoy the process. And I've no doubt younger kids would find themselves enchanted by the mechanical workings of an already-assembled Karakuri. Each model takes about two hours to assemble -- sounds like a perfect rainy day project to me (at the very least, the cheery colors will ward off some of the gloom)!