if the shoe fits...

I love little converse sneaks on tots! I'm sure your dads wore them when they were younger, and you probably have a pair too. Converse are timeless and an absolute adorable shoe! Good for all seasons. Here are my favorites:

Chuck Taylor All Star Slip in chocolate are edible! Boy or girl. Retails for about $41 at Zappos.com. I especially enjoy buying things for my daughter that aren't pink! They have a massive selection - from a huge array of colors to Velcro, slip-ons, or laces - they will look adorable!

chairs to you!

My friends over at Just My Shopping had some exciting news for me! They just got some beautiful pieces in and wanted me to check them out! Just My Shopping is an online furniture store catering to everyone with their wide range of styles! It's a great place to check out. Here are a couple of my favorite pieces:

The Zuo Modern Velour Pyramid Chair is the perfect combination of modern and luxurious. Retails for about $460. Comes in a great black and white floral pattern as well. The seat itself is velour microfiber - so you know it's extra comfy! The chic espresso color has almost an eggplant undertone and looks vintage, really making this an elegant piece.


Red is bold and bold is in! I am so head over heels for this amazing ABS "S" Chair by Zuo. The chair retails for $392 for set of two. Made of plastic (kid friendly) and stackable! It's available in white, black, orange, as well as green. This chair would sit beautifully in a stark white kitchen or even around a wooden traditional dining table. Fantastic!

check out justmyshopping.com and use coupon code: 3purplebirds5x and receive an extra 5% off at checkout! enjoy.

bookshelves taken to a new level!

I recently came across an article on how to freshen up a room with a crowded bookshelf. The article said to take brown paper and cover each book with it and neatly write the title along the side of the book. This seemed so drab! I am not a fan of a room that looks like it had far too much time spent on it. Things always look so much more chic when they seem as though they were "thrown" together.

Here's a much easier way to make your bookshelves look put together without all the fuss: group them by color! it's actually that easy - and it makes such a difference, especially if it's in a den or a commonly-used room in your home. Check out this one below (from my sis's house):


These Ikea bookshelves (available in white, too!) retail for about $80 and are perfect for bins of toys and books! The grouped books are ever so pleasant on the eyes. And the combination of stacking the books alongside the standing ones give the shelves much more dimension and personality. Love it!

wall decals - too cool!

I've been checking out room decals for a while now - and they really are a fantastic way to give a room a fresh new makeover without breaking the bank...or your back. Here are a few of my favorite, ever-so-cool wall decals...


"Modern Elegance" from Etsy's Lana Kole is fabulous. The rich detail in the chandelier gives the decal personality, but the clean lines make it chic and modern! Retails $22.


"Circle Tree Wall Decal Modern Funky Larger Size" by Etsy shop Leen The Graphics Queen belongs in a little kids playroom! Add a little 70's with a pinch of modern and tadaa! This great tree is a children's playroom/bedroom decor must! The neutral, yet funky matte colors bring a level of sophistication to a white canvas wall! Retails $40.

The Deal With Diaper Bags

Are you pregnant and feeling down about your ever-expanding stomach?
Did you JUST give birth and wonder how you're going to fit into those cute skinny jeans you used to lived in?
Is there something not right about your daily routine and you think it might have to do with the ugly print/non functioning diaper bag hanging over your stroller (on the nose, right!?)

If you answered "yes" to one or more of the questions above, then it's time to start feeling better. And I also think it's time to go shopping for a....DIAPER BAG! (trust me, there are many nicer bags than the one the hospital gave you!)


Here are some questions to ask yourself before purchasing your diaper bag:

1. style - over the shoulder? purse?
2. pockets - are inside pockets necessary?
3. colors - neutral? boyish/girlish?

I originally purchased this Reese Lee diaper bag...

I love the soft, neutral color palate and convenient adjustable straps that hooked on to my stroller nicely. The bottom of mine ripped a little and I returned it to Nordstroms, no questions asked. I contemplated ordering the same one again but decided to hold off for a little bit...Until I met Ms. Pickle Bottom, Petunia Pickle Bottom:




The adorable diaper bag costs about $160 but worth every penny (okay I had a store credit, but still well worth it!) I love the trendy Anthropologie-esque patterns and great seatbelt inspired shoulder straps. I was unable to find the EXACT pattern I purchased but this one is pretty close. All of their glazed diaper bags (great for a wiping spills) have a small embroidered design; the one above has an embroidered flower to the right side of the label on the flap. I have to give my mom the credit for this one. She convinced me to put the adorable Marc Jacobs hobo down (I was sure I could fit everything in it) and purchase the Petunia Pickle Bottom one. She said that I would definitely need the room, especially when the baby was first born. And she was right. I love that I can wear it over my shoulder or across my chest. It isn't too heavy and has just the right amount of space. It comes with backpack straps (which I have yet to use).

Here are a couple other really great (one-strap-only) diaper bags that caught my eye:

This gorgeous bag by Dante Beatrix is affordable and durable (coated canvas). Priced around $160 (though marked down on numerous websites) it has great side and front pockets with a main zipper closure.

Dante Beatrix makes numerous kinds of bags for kids and moms and they are adorable! She uses soft, natural, yet eye catching hues...check her out at www.dantebeatrix.coms

This adorable, giraffe print hobo from OIOI retails for approximately $140. It has a great outer pocket and comes with a wipes case, a changing mat and lots more...and it's great for the mom who's looking for something to tote around with or without her baby - it really doubles as a purse! OiOi also makes a messenger style diaper bag in this same print, equally adorable!

If you're not into spending a lot on your diaper bag, there are some great alternatives...check out Old Navy and Babies R Us - I was able to find a few neutral bags ranging from $19.99 - $79.99

check out the links...

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2591372

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=25781&pid=607490&scid=607490012&vid=1

Please post your experiences with diaper bags....what do you like/dislike about your diaper bag? share your recommendations!

love the stroller, who's the designer??!

When did strollers become the new accessory? Apparently who you're strolling (and I don't mean your child) has become the new "it" thing.

We've all seen proud new parents strolling their new little bundles around in that beautifully bulky, unable-to-make-a turn, thin piece of metal their parents, and theirs before them, called a stroller. Times they are a chaging and lately it seems that picking out your stroller has become as serious a job as picking out your fine china. And I'm pretty sure that like tankinis, this trend is here to stay.

Chic moms want to stroll around chic strollers and thats all there is to it. Strollers can get pretty pricey, but with new models coming out all the time, lower-end competitors are showcasing updated strollers with more modern designs.

I was researching different strollers when I was four months pregnant. And when I say "researching" I mean looking at all the colors and designs and seeing which would be the most practical and versatile.....to match the gorgeous chocolate brown floral diaper bag I just had to have from Nordstroms (and no I didn't keep it, but we'll get into diaper bags another time!) Well I found one: The Bumble Ride Flyer. I saw it in a coffee shop in the summer and fell in love with it. My husband, the more practical one, insisted I check out all the details to make sure I liked it. Okay, pretty qoa color: check. Giant basket underneath: check! You see where I'm going with this....I convinced myself that it would make a GREAT all around stroller because it was substantial enough to take long walks in AND work well with on-the-go errands. I was wrong. Here's a list of what I love and what I wish I'd thought about a little more:

LOVE:
- the color and design - it's definitely an eye catcher and comes in bright, lovely colors!
- the seat adjusted to 5 positions which came in handy as my baby got older. When the sun was in her eyes this stroller was the way to go!
- the handles turn around in less than 5 seconds! it was great when she was a newborn and great now - she can face the world or take a nap completely lying down - it's one simple step!
- canopy is HUGE and has a zipper in the back for ultimate sun coverage!
- giant basket
- UNBELIEVABLE customer service - I am never on hold and all problems get resolved, no if, ands, or buts!
- handlebar is adjustable to up/down motion only (convenient when parking it in tight space)

Things to consider:
- heavier than I thought - the idea of transporting the 19 lb stroller (the lightest of all the models) actually tires me and makes me grateful I borrowed my sisters umbrella stroller!
- the wheels tend to squeak and they require cleaning (but customer service sent me 4 more! score!)
- the handlebar doesn't adjust in height, so it works for me (5'3"), but my husband trips over the wheels
- it's bulky, nuf said
- when facing baby, feet touch wheels

Overall - the stroller works for me. Would I get it again if I could? not sure. You have to try all your stroller options out and see which one will work for you...there are pros and cons to all strollers (which is why MOST people will tell you that they have more than one) - so it's up to you to decide which pros you love, and which cons you can live with...

Here is a breakdown of some of the higher-end strollers that have caught everyone's attention (including the celebs)!

The Bugaboo Strollers -

The Cameleon, priced the highest of the three models, is priced around $900-950. It comes fully equipped with everything Bugaboo has to offer. I recently went to Buy Buy Baby (www.buybuybaby.com) to get a good look and feel for them. They were great - and the staff there does tons of demonstrations on all the great features the Bugaboo has in store!

The Frog, priced around $750-$770 has all the great features as the comeleon WITH THE EXCEPTION OF: the Aerosleep mattress, adjustable handlebars (which makes a difference with taller parents), and adjustable swivel wheel suspension - it weighs one pound less than the Cameleon (19 lbs.) and can hold four more pounds of baby love (up to 44 lbs.)

The Bee, the newest model, resembles nothing like the other two. It's priced at $530. It has different wheels making it unable to trek through sand and snow. Although it's very light, a mere 17 lbs., it doesn't come with the bassinet as the others do (a bassinet with a stroller comes in handy for travel!) If you are looking for something with clean lines and pretty reliable, this may be for you.

Quite a few of my friends have the bugaboo Cameleon or the Frog and they all love them. But they all need an umbrella stroller for those in-and-out errands. The all ride beautifully and definitely feel high-line. Just make sure it can fit in your trunk!

Stokke

You may not think you've seen one, but I'm sure you have. The modern, astronaut-esque, highchair-on-wheels is the Stokke. Priced around $1,000 this is a great stroller. Their idea behind the design is to have your baby/child at your reach to better bond with him. It's great for restaurants because the seat can adjust to the height of the table so your baby can actually feel included. Handle bar resembles a half moon shape and is easily adjusted for your comfort as well. The bottom storage does not look very big - so The Mommy Clip is a must! The Stokke comes with a bassinet making this a great stroller from birth+. If you have a large budget for a stroller, the Stokke should be taken into consideration.

Quinny

Sleek, and very user-friendly, the Quinny is a great find. Priced around $500, I was able to find it cheaper on quite a few websites in various colors (at least $100 less). The Quinny has an exceptionally cushy seat and faces to and away from parent. With just a touch the Quinny opens and closes - a truly convenient feature for the mom who's always looking for an extra hand. The handles are adjustable! The basket is extremely small, so clips would be necessary.

Orbit

The Orbit's ultra-sleek 360 degree design allows your child to sit in virtually every direction (comes in handy for restaurants). Priced around $900, the Orbit design makes it really simple to transfer your baby from the stroller, to car , to rocker. Take a look at the demonstration on their website; www.orbitbaby.com. It shows the installation of the car-seat base and it truly looks effortless and extremely secure. The Orbit was also designed to grow with your baby. Here's the deal: their products looks great, but most of their items are sold-separately - which could make things a little pricey. Their bassinet actually turns into a rocker, IF you PURCHASE the base. But, in way you are actually saving from buying a bouncy chair. The Orbit is an investment, wait - no, no, it doesn't make money and depreciates as time goes on...hmmm, okay, the Orbit is expensive but could be used over and over again. My advice would be to speak with someone who has purchased it and get their opinion on it.

Here are some strollers I would recommend:

If you are looking for a smooth ride but don't want to spend $$$$ check out www.babyjogger.com. They have quite a few strollers (I recommend the City Series)- lightweight, fold with one hand, great colors and style selection - they are truly a great buy and everyone I know who has one really loves them!

Maclaren is a name you can really rely on. They have a huge array of strollers, from simple umbrella strollers to more pricey adjustable strollers. I have found very few negative reviews from them - with reason! Their products are built to last and have a great warranty policy!

Here are some questions to think about while you shop:

1. are you a walker? If you are a city person you may want to consider air tires!
2. how much weight can you carry? maybe 19 lbs is a breeze for you!
3. do you need an easy-folding stroller? one you can close with one hand?
4. what's your price range? are you planning on having more than one stroller?

Hope this helps...please feel free to share your opinions!

Good Luck!

Hello quinoa! Lovely to meet you...Won't you please come in?

www.breadbakingsupplies.com/quinoa.htm

I'd like to preface this post by stating that my sister, Green Gal, has gone green. And I don't mean in a commercialized-sort-of-way (the kind where you pay more for a bottle of glass cleaner because it has trees on the label) but honestly wants to make the earth a better place to live. I think I first noticed this when I saw her baby crawling around in brown, environmentally friendly diapers. I, on the other hand, have put numerous cloth bags into my diaper bag to later use at the supermarket and conveniently "forgot" to take them out when bagging my groceries (I'll line my bathroom garbage with them, okay!? sheesh!)

Green Gal is also always raving about these yummy organic and healthy foods she's been making lately: "oh you just have to come over and try my black bean burgers I made today, they are unreal!" she'd say. I'd have two words for her: Dr. Praeger. Don't get me wrong, her food is always delicious but I didn't think of myself as someone who actually wanted to take the time to, shall I say embrace new ingredients and prepare them...Until I was introduced to Quinoa.

The deal with quinoa:

Originally from the Andean region of South America, Quinoa is a complete protein source due to its balanced set of essential amino acids. It's a great source of fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. (Wikipedia: Quinoa) For a pseudocereal (non-leaf plant) to contain all these nutrients is extremely rare.

I was excited. After trying my sisters delicious quinoa that she had boiled in chicken stock with sauteed peas and onions mixed in it, I was truly hooked.

preparation:
Quinoa has a bitter outer layer that should be washed thoroughly. I recommend using a flour sifter (quinoa is very tiny and if you put it though a colander you'd lose most of the grains). My sister recommends filling a bowl with water and soaking them for a couple minutes until you find that the water has a sudsy appearance. This works well top, just be sure you strain it well.

Bring one and a half cups to two cups of water or stock (I used Imagine Vegetable Stock) to a boil with one cup of Quinoa - I started with the one and half cups and towards the end added when I found it wasn't cooked through. The directions say to cook covered for 14 to 18 minutes once it's come to a boil but I found I needed at least another 5 to 8 minutes on top of the 18. You'll probably need to experiment a couple times until you like the consistency.


Here are links to great looking quinoa recipes I am anxious to try:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Robins-Quinoa-with-Mushrooms-and-Spinach/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-with-Chickpeas-and-Tomatoes/Detail.aspx

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-Salad-with-Dried-Fruit-and-Nuts/Detail.aspx

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-asparagus-and-quinoa-salad-with-goat-cheese-and-black-olive-vinaigrette-recipe/index.html


Making small steps to healthier eating habits; using brown rice pasta, throwing more veggies into the stew, or even experimenting with more nutritious ingredients can really go a long way. And just remember, making a few healthy dishes now and then doesn't mean your kitchen needs to look like Whole Foods - it just means your making smart decisions for you and your family!

Happy Quinoa Making!