Teeny Manolo

In the world of toy designs, some rare creations are so enriched with the superfabulousness that comes from pure genius that it’s hard to believe they didn’t always exist.

CrazyForts is one of those designs.

Like oversized TinkerToys, these safe and sturdy frames can be put together in almost infinite variations. And you get to keep the cushions on the sofa where they belong! To create the world’s most customizable fort, just pop the frame together in the configuration of your choice and throw a sheet over the skeleton. It’s up to the kids if they want to use the Star Wars ones or the flanellette cowboys, though. You don’t want to interfere with creative genius.

Kids just love to pretend that they are older, don’t they? The Munchkin loves to sweep and vacuum and be all grown up, just like the Scarecrow and me. Too bad we are probably on the last legs of this trend, and sooner rather than later I will be bribing him just to make his bed.

But, for the kids that are still groovin’ on the grown-up thing, these are just the ticket.

Playskool Dusty the Talking Vacuum Cleaner with Bonus Mini-Vac Has animation, fun sounds and even Dusty’s friend Brushy! And oooh! Bonus mini-vac!

Little Tikes Mulching Mower Love stuff from Little Tikes! This one has “mulching action” aka little bouncing balls, a gas cap, and realistic sounds that will be sure to be a big hit.

Little Tikes Shopping Cart The Munchkin got this cart when he was three, and he adored it. It doesn’t just have to be a cart for food, it can be a cart for just about everything! Be prepared, though, to have your child careening around the house with it. They just can’t help it.

Little Tikes Tot Sports Easy Hit Golf Uh, it seems like Little Tikes should be giving me some sort of commission here. For your budding Tiger Woods, this can be played both indoors and out.

Wooden Take-Along 24-piece Tool Kit From Melissa and Doug, this cute little toolbox gets high marks for creativity and safety.

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor Set Many doctor sets don’t have enough equipment, but that isn’t a problem here. There’s enough for an entire medical team!

Learning Resources Teaching Cash Register Check it out, from ages thirty six months to seven years! Not many toys have that kind of longevity. Show me a kid who doesn’t love a cash register, I dare you!

LifeStyle Dream Kitchen A big hit with both boys and girls, this kitchen from Step 2 has great attention to detail, including “stainless steel” appliances and “granite” countertops. It also has lots of fun little extras like boiling water sounds and a 28-piece cookware set.

Animal Hospital Pet Vitamins! Boo-boo cream! Little invidual cages! Keys that open separate doors! This set by Parents is everything an aspiring vet could want.

Your eyes are not deceiving you, the little girl is indeed writing on the refrigerator.

Introducing the Amana “Jot” model that comes with a front composed of the same material as Dry Erase boards.

Just think of the incredibly detailed notes you could leave! 

What do you think? Cool or not?

Oh, I’ll have a double helping of this.

Recall, if you will, Glinda’s thoughtful post on the concept of the “Alpha Mom.” The Alpha Mom would be described by those who aspire to Alpha-dom as a woman who has it all and runs it with aplomb. She would be described by pretty much everyone else as an insufferable snob, an undermining, competitive bitch, and a complete pain in the ass.

You know the type.

Well, the type, it seems, has a regular column in the Times of London (Mother’s Little Helper is the tagline; you can’t make this stuff up!) and we (as highly professional parenting bloggers) do cast a narrowed eye over the gilded ghetto of the Alpha Mummy column from time to time, holding our noses against the clouds of Coco Mademoiselle (Mademoiselle? Really? I thought you were 40, darling?) and squinting through the glare coming off all that lamé. You’ve no idea the sacrifices we endure for you.

Or the joys.

For lo, in the land of the TeenyManolo there was great joy last night at about 3am, when we saw the comments that regular readers had made on the Alpha Mummy blog. Possessed as we are of commenters both witty and supportive, we could only chuckle malevolently to ourselves as the delightful waves of Schadenfreude washed over us.

The post:

What to do this weekend. Kids.Modern fair.

Instead of spending the whole day in our pyjamas or doing the grocery shopping, this Sunday we’re heading to Dulwich for the Kids.Modern fair. This is the first fair, run by the folks who do the Midcentury Modern fair, but focussed on vintage and new design for kids. Children will be able to make t-shirts, make trays, play with toys, interact with digital wallpaper and more…

Okay, this is more of a post than I’d normally steal and re-post, but I just have to say: that, is, too, many, commas. And when I say that, you gotta know it’s true. Don’t they have copy editors at the Times Online? But the very cockles of our shriveled and dried hearts were warmed by tears of joy when we read the comments, which we are also going to steal and re-post. Behold and cheer:

ps am I alone in wondering if Jennifer’s kids will come home and start to interact with analogue wallpaper, otherwise known as scribbling on the walls….

Posted by: J | 24 Feb 2008 11:51:51

Actually I am spending all day in my PJs AND doing the grocery shopping, thanks to tesco online.

The younger ones appear to be playing in a cardboard box, whatever, I dont really care

Posted by: J | 24 Feb 2008 11:50:31

Is interacting with digital wallpaper as criminally dull as it sounds?

Posted by: Annamac | 22 Feb 2008 18:22:35

One can only assume so. And no doubt the budding Wallpaper editors will be thrilled to the very core at the chance to colour pictures of old Eames chairs and the like. Except, it seems that even the vast resources of the most respected newspaper in the world couldn’t get a picture of children doing this. I wonder how much they had to pay the two grups in the shot?

I mean, seriously, people (there go those commas again!) when the best you can think of to do for the weekend is to take your kids to a cunningly-disguised trade show, it’s time to stop breeding.

Just a few days ago Target launched a new baby collection, a collaboration with DwellStudio.  DwellStudio is an upscale designer known for their modern, colorful graphics.  As with most designer team-ups at Target, style is offered at a low price.  And seeing how a regular crib set from the DwellStudio line runs upwards of $384.00, a discount would be deeply appreciated. 

The graphics featured at Target are simpler than the pricier ones, but that is to be expected.  But the looks are similar, and the DwellStudio imprimatur is apparent. And I like that the line is very inclusive.  From rugs to lamps to wall decals, they’ve got you covered. .

Take this Olivia 3-Pc Crib Set, featured at Target and currently on sale for $65.00!

Source

And compare it to DwellStudio’s Garden Blossom set:

Source

OK, so the more expensive one is photographed in a prettier room, but the cheaper set is not that far off! Think of how many diapers/bibs/books/whatever you could buy with the savings!

Apparently Kanye West, for whom I have an inexplicable weakness (but then, I have a thing for egomaniacs, they remind me of … me) is, apparently, quite the blogger. And good for him. Like all bloggers, sometimes he gets it right, sometimes he gets it wrong, and sometimes he splits the difference.

Like this:

Because we all know a $15,00.00 baby carriage covered with precious metals and diamonds is totally justified.

From KanyeUniverseCity, via WhatWouldJCrewDo?

Are you independently wealthy?  Inherited a large sum of money lately?  Did you make a killing in the real estate market before it went bust?  Did your bank robbery go off without a hitch?

Then I highly suggest you check out The Well-Appointed House  and peruse their children’s collection.  Because you will need quite a bit of money to buy even the cheapest items on the site.

But, it is one of those sites where you oooh and aaah over the unbearable cuteness that you are seeing.  Then, you look at the price, and you still think to yourself, “Damn… but they’re still sooooo cuuuuute!”

I’m going to focus on showing you the lamps, because they are unlike any that I have seen.  Granted, I travel in the wrong social circles to see these types of lighting fixtures in a kid’s room, so I guess that may not be saying much. 

I love that Cow Jumped Over the Moon Lamp so much that I could sleep with it every night.

These handmade, one-of-a-kind items are so expensive that the price isn’t even listed on the website.  And you know what they say, if you have to ask the price, then you can’t afford it.  I’m actually afraid to ask.