When it comes to decorating my kids playroom last fall, I wasn’t looking to do much. A former teacher, I recognized that, beyond a few basics (reading corner, work station, shelves and baskets) what they needed most was space. So with a minimalist approach, and a few hundred thousands toys, I searched for items the kids would use and could abuse. Items that weren’t overbearing, but would inspire creativity. Read the rest »

About a year ago, my mom’s best friend gifted my little one with a gorgeous, classy, personalized shadow box. Something I had never seen before, it matched his room perfectly–and I fell in love immediately. Being a shop owner who only stocks products she wants in her own home, I knew I had to find this product so that I could share it with others.

Thus began my search. And I searched. And searched. Until, 14 months later, I found MKandCo at a trade show in New York. Their elegant booth jumped out at me. “HERE WE ARE!!! WE KNOW YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR US! Heh… Heh… Heh…” It was worth the long search. What I found at the booth impressed me even more than the shadow box I have hanging on Wesley’s wall.

MKandCo produces original art work by MK Fleming, a designer who previously designed for companies like Osh Kosh B’Gosh and Buster Browns. MK now uses her art skills to design watercolor frames and shadowboxes, all inspired as gifts for families, from the heart.

Each shadowbox or frame can be personalized with as many or as few details as the gift giver chooses. Precious Personalities will work with you to ensure the personalization is perfect for your giftee.

Rest assured, when you’re gifting an MKandCo gift, the recipient (and her mommy) will be touched with the precious attention to detail, the gorgeous color and style.

Receive a 10% discount through December 1 with code Clever1 at Precious Personalities.

Its so cute when a husband carries a diaper bag. Okay, so only a mother can really say that. I know my husband isn’t too fond of my flowery backpack, or my berry leather tote. He’ll carry it, about as far from his body as it will reach. But, being the father of 2, there have certainly been times when he’s been in need of a diaper carrier. Admittedly, he doesn’t need the things moms need. He’s a guy—he needs the basics. 2 diapers and a pack of wipes. The rest can stay in the car.

Rather than a large, overpacked, sparkly and trendy bag, he chooses to carry a diapee & wipee. A lightweight, cotton pouch, diapees & wipees easily fit 2-3 large diapers and a wipes travel case. The envelope flap attaches with Velcro—allowing the diapers to stay unwrinkled. Read the rest »

It all started with communication. Like all parents, I knew my child was gifted. So when he was 8 months, I decided to invest in a little known program, Signing Time.

In early 2004, signing with babies was on the cusp of popularity, knocking on the door of “babies have to do this!” With no signing experience, my husband and I decided learning to sign would offer a great opportunity for our family to approach something new together.

I researched. A lot. And we discussed. A lot. (I don’t make many decisions without researching and discussing and researching and discussing.) We wanted a program that taught ASL, so that the signs we learned and used would be useful in the “real world,” not just in our household. We wanted a program that was enduring and entertaining, something that would entice our interest, as well as our baby’s, and motivate us to maintain our education. Read the rest »