Allie

Rack 'Em If You've Got 'Em

Allie — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:37:00 GMT

No matter how manly and comfortable in their skin, few men would feel comfortable requesting a (pardon this, please...) set of balls.

However, when my baby saw these billiards destined beauties, his desire was poorly hidden:

The Belgian manufacturer Arasmith is the gold standard for both professional pool players and basement buddies alike.

Needless to say, this is one gift idea that will indeed be "tabled"...in the most appropriate of ways! (Now of course I need to track down the perfect pool table...)

Knowing when to take a "cue*," (sorry...I'm full of them today!), I remain ever yours---
Allie
[*or taking it from the classic board game Clue, Miss Scarlet, in the Billiard Room, with a candlestick! I do kind of resemble her, don't I?]

PS - Did you check out the writer dads' speaking out on their "Best Gift Ever?" Go read!

LP 2 CD ASAP

Allie — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:32:00 GMT

From first glance, this post title looks like it could be a Prince song, and therein lies a portion of my motivation!

Musical purity is of the utmost importance to me; but for me, "clarity" is less digital remastering, and more recreating/replicating how the tune in question sounded as it first hit my ears. The sputters. The scratches. The hollow hums. In many instances the more muddled the music traversing those 33 1/2 rotations per minute, the greater the testimony to my repeated childhood playings.

Inherited album copies of the Clash's London Calling, Queen's Night at the Opera, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and Frank Sinatra's Ring A Ding Ding have a heritage that deserves to be heard.

As they've done so often, Hammacher Schlemmer pulls through in a personal passion pinch. Now with this home conversion system, old albums -- complete with all their beloved imperfections -- can be transferred to CD and listened to in locales formerly LP-unfriendly.

Shhh...don't tell Syd, but I'm recording selected tracks from my Travolta/Newton-John soundtrack of Grease for tomorrow's playgroup...and everyone will be leaving with their own copy!

I remain ----
Hopelessly Devoted to You,
-Allie

PS Did you catch Eliza's packed lunch precious finds? Forever fresh!

The Art of Noise

Allie — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:57:00 GMT

Well, one could hardly describe the zen-spiring tones of a breeze-activated chime as "noise." Check out the sculptural, sound-sensitive stylings of artist Tim Kline!

Ornamental and audibly pleasure-bringing -- now just to find the ideal garden locale...

Peace---
Allie

PS - Did you catch one of our feature pieces this week on the importance of singing to your sweeties? This twin mama cannot carry a tune, but apparently, Mai and Ringo won't mind!

A Voyage to Versace

Allie — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:28:00 GMT

Oh Gianni.

We miss your smile. We miss your style. We miss your designs.

When in Miami, we still feel the impact of your presence, and your passion for all things beautiful -- especially when passing by your former Miami home, the amazing Casa Casuarina. Brought back to its sumptuous Spanish glory by your loving, restoring, embellishing hands, the mansion is now the residence of one of Miami's -- if not the world's -- most exclusive private clubs. Fine Dining. Spa treatments. Elegant accomodations. Exquisite gardens. International appeal.

Wonder if they're seeking any new Mama members? ;)
-Allie

PS - Have time for a li'l lime? Check out Eliza's piece of the pie!

Cuckoo for KoKo

Allie — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:51:00 GMT

Hot and bothered from all of last week's blather on boots, ballet flats and Blahniks? Inspired by this week's insights on Miami's heat? Sail on Silver Girl, I'll be your bridge over troubled water! Let us cruise down Miami's Cocowalk and survey the selection of shoes extraordinaire at KoKo & Palenki.

Name a designer, any designer. If the skilled staff at K & P cannot fulfill your footwear fantasy with in-store stock, the connected crew will pursue all avenues to accommodate your acquisition.

My former dreams of finding a Floridian (Cocoa Beach?) wish-providing genie/Jeannie no longer seem necessary. Wonder if I can rub my newly-discovered KoKo & Palenki "bottle" for these Fall 2008 high-steppers from Casadei?

Meet you on the red cushions, my Miami-bound Mamas...we'll do a li'l shoe shoppin'!

--Allie

PS - Did you catch Syd's li'l organic orgie? (Doesn't the "-ie" soften it ever so nicely?) Go see!

Teetering Tots

Allie — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:25:00 GMT

Not tater tots -- teetering tots....

Check out these aptly named Heelarious High Heels!

Naturally, the "heels" are non-weight supporting, but for little ladies on the stroll (or more accurately, in the stroller), what a glam way to go!

What better way to get Baby ready for Blahniks?
-Allie

PS - What finds are your faves for the baby brigade? Pop on over to our Baby Fashion Forums and share!

A Little Lift from the Laundry

Allie — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:57:00 GMT

Chinese Laundry, that is.

Ever since my college days, I've loved their trendy looks; and even though I've already opined on my disaffection for the renaissance of the gladiator sandal, here's one that works for me:

The orange faux croc uppers update the redux...making them a bit less "toga," and a little more terrific! And if the piece Syd cites is true, well, well, well...might be time to sandal up with the double stroller!

Happiness and High Heels-
Allie

Olympic-Influenced Apparel for the Offspring

Allie — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:44:00 GMT

The Olympic Opening Ceremonies always move me to tears (much to Mai and Ringo's daddy's amusement). With our talk of togs for tots this week, and Beijing's beginnings, it's a perfect storm (or rationale) for me to deck out my darlings in Olympic-themed outfits. From the comfort of my sports watching sofa, I can order mascot rompers for my munchkins from China Sprout!

For Mai, "NiNi" :

And for Ringo, "HuanHuan" :

China Sprout also offers miniature cheongsam and dragon jammies for when the babes blossom into big kids. I'm sold!

Enjoy the Games, Mamas!
--Allie

PS - Did you read Syd's seminal Dish this week? (She's lookin' right hot, too!) Go check it out!

Babies, Bags and Betsey

Allie — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 01:14:00 GMT

Spending time a la laptop this afternoon, spurred by the article on designers serving our diminutive darlings, and still stimulated by our weeks of focus on diaper bags and things retro, how could I not share this find?

For those last treks of summer, for future fall excursions, take your tot's (or in my case, tots') tiny togs along in this sequined bowling bag by Betsey Johnson. Terrific in teal, even when the kiddos are college bound, Mama may make her weekend trips with this timeless travel bag...made even more marvelous by the memories.

Peace (and doesn't the airplane insignia resemble the peace sign?)---
Allie

In with the Mad-ding Crowd

Allie — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:23:00 GMT

Rarely does a television show keep me genuinely entranced. Rarely do I mark both my paper planner and PDA to watch a program as it actually airs. (DVR typically works well enough for all others) Rarely do I recommend a series without reservation.

With a hubby in the ad biz, and a personal pull toward all things '60's, AMC's "Mad Men" is our no twin-sitter required, Sunday night date night -- and wonderful weekend wrap-up. From the series' first episode (last year), the superlative set design and inspired art direction alone compelled further viewings; but the crackling dialogue, simmering storylines and phenomenal fashion encouraged us to not only watch weekly, but to purchase the first season DVD in order to re-watch in anticipation of Season 2 (which premiered last week).

Swagger and swilling. Cigarettes and scotch. Three martini lunches? Why wait 'til lunch? Why only three?

Draper. Don Draper.

Watch him, along with his debonaire, searingly sexist (anachronistic now, but historically accurate) compadres. Enjoy les femmes, well-aware of their gender and society imposed limitations, work their wiles -- and womanly wisdom -- to their advantage.

Know where I'll be tomorrow at 10:00pm. Tune in and we'll touch base Monday!

Advertising and Amore-
Allie

PS - Did you see Isabelle's tote reco? Betty Draper would surely take it to the shore...

Turning Over a New [Old] Leaf

Allie — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:17:00 GMT

Good manners never go out of style! 21st century children can be hip and highly polite in sweet synchronicity.

The freshly reprinted issues of Munro Leaf's classics are not only retro, they're responsible. Even though the concepts are perhaps a bit aspirational at this stage for my merely-months-old munchkins, we make a point to read them aloud, and often. After all, etiquette simply cannot be exercised too early!

Affectionately yours---
Allie

PS - Seeking some end-of-summer beach lit for your babies? Check out our recommended reading list!

My Name is Luca, I Live on the Second Floor...

Allie — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:11:00 GMT

Well, actually it is LUCCA, Elliott Lucca.

Look at this little lovely from the pocketbook purveyors extraordinaire...

While the color choice "dove" appeals to my peace-loving nature, I must confess the far gorier-sounding "oxblood" option meets my need for a non-neutral bag. Newly preggers Jen Garner is an avowed Lucca lover. Wonder if she'll opt for a version of this -- the "Estella" (awww, yet another reminder to R.I.P., Golden Girl Getty) -- for toting Tyke #2's toilette?

Peace, Love and Purses---
Allie

PS - Did you see Syd's man-bag finds? Manly and marvelous!

Wake Up, Maggie; I Think I've Got Something to Say to You...

Allie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:01:00 GMT

Like "Baby, I'm-a-want-you; Baby, I'm-a-need-you!" All this bag banter has got us on quite a rationalize-able roll!

Check out Mulberry's kelly green patent leather "Maggie" tote:

Shiny buckles and straps would surely entertain multiple wee hands; the zippered compartments would easily handle my wee multiples' entertainments! The bag comes in a lovely, larger version -- equally vibrant in emerald tone, but surpassingly spacious; able to accommodate all variety of mama and baby-affiliated accoutrements. Celebs of all sorts have been picking Mulberries (Mena Suvari, Kate Moss, even David Beckham kicks around with one of their manbags), think I'm ready to harvest some fruit!

Off to order online!
--Allie

PS -- Did you catch Julianne Moore's advice on "diaper bag" acquisition? She'd be so proud of me!

Forking and Spooning

Allie — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 17:29:00 GMT

Mind out of the gutter Mamas, and into the kitchen!

As a young girl growing up, one of the constants of our family's decor (no matter where we moved) was the oversized fork and spoon, hewn from a wood indecipherable, and hung alongside our refrigerator.

Even though the carvings themselves were not superlative, the pop art sensibility of oversizing the mundane and then thematically hanging them in an gastromically-appropriate "gallery" (if you will) worked for the wee art historian in me.

Seeking a similar sculptural addition to add some visual spice to our family's kitchen, I found this fantasy flier:

Titled "Ted Zeppelin" by sculptor Scott Carey, the location-logical "found objects" of egg beaters, forks, a bundt pan and other food prep paraphernalia bring a smile to the face and some whimsy to the kitchen.

So two questions for you Mamas in parting:

1.) Did you have the gargantuan spoon and fork in your childhood home(s)?

2.) How do you bring art into your kitchen?

Do spill !
-Allie

PS -- Have you checked out our cooking-crazed picks this week? Go sample a taste!

What's Cookin' with The Closer - Kyra Sedgwick!

Allie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:16:00 GMT

Our good friend and co-author of Peeing in Peace (we shared a fun snippet of her book here), Beth Feldman, hosted a great function in NYC last week featuring a Q&A session none other than the lovely star of "The Closer," Kyra Sedgwick!

Somehow we resisted the urge to send our PoshCravings proxy loaded with questions about her second cousin and Andy Warhol muse, the late Edie Sedgwick, or the infamous party game centered around her husband's career "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon." Instead, we got Kyra's responses to the questions we really wanted to hear...and here they are!

Enjoy!

[Photo by Susanna Martin]

As a working mother, how do you organize and manage your time?
Kyra: That's funny! I don't. People literally walk behind me and gather everything I've dropped. I'm not the organizer. Organizing is great if you can do it but I can't do it.

You’ve been married for 20 years. How do you maintain such a happy marriage?
Kyra: The first secret is not to be naive enough to think that there is a secret. I think that's a start. How do we all do it? I got lucky. I really like him. I really lust after him still which is a good thing. I think we are both similar in our managing styles. [When it came to issues like poopy diapers] whomever smelled it first always got to do it. Also when one of us worked, the other kind of stayed at home which was nice. I got good at being a single parent. I have empathy for the single parent. There were plenty of times where he would be working and I would be home with the kids. Not that I didn't have help. I was lucky enough to always have help.

How do you make sure your daughter Sosie has a positive body image?
Kyra: It’s so hard. Welcome to America. It's like portions are huge and we are supposed to stay skinny. I mean I don't get that! How did that happen? We are supposed to be skinny and hot and change a poopy diaper. My daughter is 16 and doesn't seem to have any eating or exercise issues but I most certainly did. It’s something I've worked on very hard. I used to be an obsessive exercise person. Now that's a confession. I mean every day 'OMG how am I going to burn more than I took in'. It's just the luck of the draw. She just doesn't have that gene. And I talk to her about it and the insanity of it. A lot of her friends are struggling with the issue. Everything is tall, thin and skinny and how can we come out of it? We just try to talk about it. I really don't have the answer.

How did you bounce back so beautifully from having your kids?
Kyra: I was a compulsive exerciser which wasn't proper. I spent a lot of time at the gym instead of being at home. I also had my kids very young. I had my son when I was 23 and my daughter when I was 25. I also breastfed - that was very good. Don’t expect the pounds to come off overnight. That is just not realistic. Damn those magazines with the before and after celebrity pictures showing them fully bounced back! [Not] a great message you know?! It’s not their fault by the way; it’s the magazine's fault.

How do you unwind after filming?
Kyra: I don't unwind! For the 6 months of shooting I never unwind. It's like being at the beach and enjoying the water. You see a big wave, get sucked down by it, recover and enjoy it... but then another wave comes and knocks you down again. That's what it feels like to be on the show.

What is your schedule like? How often do you film? And what do you do on your downtime?
Kyra: I film six months out of the year, and when I'm not working I try to see my friends and spend more time with my family. All my family is in New York. I try to exercise, and I also try to make a movie to be perfectly honest. I want to make sure my feet stay wet.

Do you want your children to become actors?
Kyra: You know. It's a totally narcissistic industry and I try not to be... I try to stay outward focused. It can get complicated. You can be very self involved. It can also be very insecure and as a mother you don’t want your children to be told they aren't right or perfect or good, ever.

You don’t ever want them to hear 'you aren't going to get the job because of x, y and z'. You don't want your kids to feel bad -- not even for a day!
________________________________________________________

How right she is!

Be sure and tune in to see Golden Globe winner -- and all-around winner -- Kyra on the all-new season of The Closer!
--Allie

PS - She's so petite, she makes me want to bake her up a batch of Jessica Seinfeld's brownies!