Photojournalism at Its Best

A few months ago, I watched a documentary on PBS about White House photographer Pete Souza. Well, I think Mr. Souza nabbed one of the year's defining photographs with this image of President Obama and his staff watching the mission against Obama Bin Laden play out on May 1st, 2011.

More behind-the-scenes photos can be found on The White House's Flickr photostream.

Political Commentary

About two weeks ago Baby S. "watched" President Bush's daytime press conference on TV with me and I swear he (Baby S.) was grimacing the whole time. It reminded me to check one of my favorite politico-baby sites, Lower Case Tees. They are promising new designs soon (hopefully well in advance of the '08 election) but in the meantime check out the "Mommy Wants a New President" tee shown here. Toddler sizes 2-6, $17 at Lower Case Tees.

p.s. While I disagree with our President, I strongly support our troops. Please visit Any Soldier (a site I learned about on Goodyblog.com), to find out how you can personally help the men and women serving in Iraq and elsewhere.

We Believe

I wanted to send a thank-you gift to a politically-inclined friend of mine, and thought these "I Believe In..." personalized notecards from Etsy fit the bill perfectly. Inspired by our new Presidential administration, the cards celebrate "Hope", "Change", "Unity", "Progress", and, of course, "Obama." Each set of 10 cards has 2 of each design, with your choice of colored envelopes. Buy some for your own Obama-loving friends. $15 per set at the Etsy.com storefront of Inacard.

New York International Gift Fair: Part Two

Here are some more of my favorite finds from the recent New York International Gift Fair:

First, I loved just about everything on display at the booth for Kid-O NYC. Not all of the items I photographed are for sale yet, except for the City & Country Blocks ($50) and various puzzles. But call the shop or keep checking back to locate these other toys.





Next, Obama-fever was at an all-time high at January's gift fair. Check out these totes and accessories by The News: LA. An Obama tote- made from recycled newspapers- costs about $75.


Finally, I was very impressed with the designs of artist (and former MoMA employee) Terrence Kelleman at his shop Dynomighty. The "mighty wallets" made from durable Tyvek (same material as those white express mail envelopes). Their clever origami design means this wallet actually gets stronger the more you stuff into it. The "3 Ring Binder" design wallet ($15, currently sold out) is my favorite- and everyone else's too, apparently. Also check out Dynomighty's magnetic Desk Dots ($15) which have tons of uses, and look fun to play with, too.





Browse more of the vendors from the New York International Gift Fair.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Hiho Batik

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
Top image courtesy of TrendSpotters.com.




With interest in Malia and Sasha Obama at fever pitch, it's no surprise that we hear about their clothes non-stop. I love that the girls always look cute, comfortable, and age-appropriate. Case in point: the 100% cotton, batik-dyed tees by Hiho Batik that Sasha has been seen in several times. These bring back memories of the batik shirts I made in sleepaway camp back in 1980! In fact, the founder of Hiho Batik, Julia Silver Cohen, had that retro-feel in mind when launching this unique line of batik tanks, tees, yoga pants, and tote bags. Each piece is an original and is individually waxed and dyed.

We are giving away two items from Hiho Batik this week- first this cool faded black "Champ" tee for little guys in size 2T ($34), and second, a heart-adorned toddler girl dress in size 12mos ($42). Both pieces are 100% cotton and machine washable. There will be 2 winners- 1 for each item. When you enter the contest please indicate which one you'd prefer (you can also say you'd take either one!) Both are exclusive offers- not available at the Hiho Batik website currently- but you should take a peek at what else is for sale at Hiho Batik.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Sandbox Threads

This contest is now closed. Congratulations to Patricia, who wrote, "LOVE give peas a chance! too cute!" Patricia, please e-mail me with your name, address, and size of onesie or tee.

OK, I've posted about a lot of mom-launched businesses thus far. Now it's time to give kudos to an entrepeneurial stay-at-home Dad. This one has given birth to Sandbox Threads, an online boutique that sells decidedly hipster, original tees and onesies. There's someting to suit just about everyone's tastes (and you won't see another kid at the sandbox wearing the same shirt). Choices include future activist onesies (it's Election Day today- remember to vote!), vintage onesies (being a child of the 80s, I am partial to the Joystick and Rubik's Cube designs), and famous faces onesies (like Jimi Hendrix,pictured here...there's also a fab Bill Murray one). And, these great threads are priced starting at just $17 (a pretty retro-sounding price these days). Check out all the offerings at Sandbox Threads.

Enjoy a 10% discount on any order at Sandbox Threads, now through November 30, 2007, with code "momshops".

Super Duper Tuesday

I am a political news junkie and it seems to be rubbing off on my almost-4 1/2-year-old daughter R. She excitedly tells people that is "going with Mommy to vote on Super Duper Tuesday!" And, that she herself will "vote" for "'Rock Obama!" (I am still undecided). At NYIGF this weekend, I was thrilled to stumble on the booth for Wry Baby, one of my favorite go-to sites for funny onesies. They are celebrating election season in style with the great limited edition threads shown above ("Get Raucous at the Caucus," they urge).

I also saw Wry Baby's new "on/off duty" pillowcases (each is reversible) for adults, which are sure to make a great baby gift. They are not yet being sold online but, given the number of times I've heard newly-minted moms (and dads) complaining about how it is always "their turn", I think these will be popular indeed.

Political Party(time)

The energetic, multi-talented Isabel Kallman (founder of AlphaMom) has a great post up about her inauguration viewing party, which I was honored to attend on Tuesday. The history day was even more meaningful for Isabel personally because she completed, signed, and sent in her US Naturalization application. Read about the party (and see more photos from the event- yours truly is in one of them) here. I was sent home with cupcakes (see above) which were convenient for my own mini-party with R. and S. later (R: "How come I wasn't invited to an Inaugural Ball?") Four days later, we are coming off of our sugar high, but are still on cloud 9 about our new President Obama.

Don't Miss This Flight

I just got an e-mail from Craftsbury Kids about their brand-new Limited Edition Obama Airforce One Collectible Toy Plane. Fly, don't walk, to snatch a few of these up! It is the ultimate kids' keepsake from the Inauguration. Featuring a silk-screened image of our 44th President, the airplane is made in Pennsylvania from eco-friendly domestic hardwoods, with non-toxic, lead-free paint and finish. At just $18, it's pretty much a guaranteed hit as a gift for any child, or even for a new baby in 2009. Order it for $18 (it may be worth much more someday!) at Craftsbury Kids.

OK, due to a very tight budget I buy verrrry few of the items I feature at this blog, but I just had to grab this one. Just ordered it for R. and S. Can't wait for it to arrive!

Oh Happy Day

Update: Wow, what a day! A million thanks to Isabel Kallman of Alpha Mom who invited me to her inauguration viewing party, where I met lovely and talented fellow bloggers from Design Mom, Cool Mom Picks, Looky Daddy, Mommy Poppins, and Mama Knows Breast. There was lively conversation, joyful tears, Obama cupcakes, and plenty of champagne. Doesn't get much better than that. Congratulations, America!



I won't be posting today...just soaking it all in. Enjoy the celebrations, everyone.

From the top:
Inauguration Day charm at Etsy.com.
Congratulatory message for President Obama, from my daughter R., age 5.

The Pre-Party

Yes, another political post today (and tomorrow, too...I'm in the zone now! Back to shopping on Wednesday). Did you catch the Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial on TV yesterday? It was pretty amazing. It was also fun watching the Obama girls' reactions (how cute was 10-year-old Malia taking her own photos?). Here are some favorite images I found online (top three from Yahoo, bottom two from Gawker):

Rosa, Martin & Barack

Happy Martin Luther King Day to all. I think we can all say this is one MLK day we will never forget!


"Rosa Sat" print ($30) from Etsy.com.

10 Days From Now

Gotta get this I Heart President Obama pinback button to wear on Inauguration Day (and to add to the Election '08 keepsakes I'm saving for my kids). Grab one for just $2 at the Etsy storefront of Button Empire (R. is reading over my shoulder right now and chimes in, "I heart Obama, too!")

Pat the Politician

If you're a political news junkie like I am (I loooove watching election coverage the days after the kids are asleep...) you will appreciate this (very) tongue-in-cheek Pat the Politician 2 book at WishingFish.com. More for moms than tots, this book helps you really "get in touch" with the '08 candidates (both parties included). Pull Hillary's purse strings, fluff John Edwards's hair, and don't forget to wave bye-bye to George W.! $10 at Wishing Fish (currently sold out but new shipment expected soon).