I may be partial, but man, Midwest kids don’t get the credit they deserve, do they? Time and again, I’m amazed at the creativity that exists between the much-praised coasts, scattered among cornfields and cityscapes and cottages. We’re scrappy and resourceful, continually pushing the boundaries like the middle kid seeking a hint of the spotlight.
Bee and I haven’t yet entered the craft stage (we’re still working on getting the spoon in the mouth rather than on the dog), but I’m so looking forward to a bright future of glue sticks and construction paper. Crafting was one of my favorite hobbies as a kid, and although I’m not much of
Museum gift shops are kind of my best-kept secret for discovering new and unique (unewque?) kids’ gifts. From books to games to educational toys, the variety can’t be beat when shopping for all ages. (Also of note? Membership discounts!) And although I don’t have a museum we frequent here in the Midwest, I often take
I recently shared the creative journey of Bryony Shearmur – a musician-turned-photographer-turned-author-turned-designer (are you as exhausted by that title as I?), and she mentioned something that has reverberated in my ears ever since – the idea of a creative ecosystem. The realization that our creative lives and passions and dream jobs are the sum of
One of the most valuable lessons my parents taught me was the ability to budget wisely and save, save, save. So before Bee was born, Ken and I knew we’d strive to pass along that same wisdom our parents had given us. Although I always relied heavily on the envelope system as a kid, there’s
When I lived in Los Angeles, visiting the farmer’s market was a huge highlight of my weekend. The sights and sounds and smells and flavors were the perfect way to kick-start two days of rest, relaxation and quality time with Ken and the pups. And now that we’re in the Midwest, the changing seasons make
Today, inspired by animals and the babies who love them, I’m collecting a few cuties from around the web (20 to be exact!):
Whenever I chat with designers who happen to have children, a recurring theme continually surfaces: the idea that, as parents, we’re all just really trying to create products that solve problems for our families. Take Italian father Matteo Ragni, for example: a designer who not only created his own version of an everyday beloved toy,