Book Ends

Henry's library grew by two beautiful new books today courtesy of two of my best mom friends, who sadly live far away. Sandra M. sent When You Were Small. Nina M. sent The Gruffalo, one of her girls' faves from their temporary stint in the UK. Thank you, mamacitas. It was such a nice surprise to receive them both in the mail on the same day. Can't wait to crack into them!

p.s. The photo on the left is from the kids library section on inchmark journal, an amazing family lifestyle blog by Brooke Reynolds, a former Martha Stewart art director. I love it but it definitely gives me a complex about my lack of craftiness.)

Apple of My Eye

I got this adorable cast iron apple pot for my sister's birthday. She doesn't read this so it's not like I'm spoiling the surprise. Or does she...?

Don't Cry Over Spilled Coffee

Not crying over spilled milk is a no-brainer. But, this morning when Henry knocked over a full carafe of hot (thankfully not boiling) Ristretto Roasters Cowboy Blend coffee, I definitely had to stifle some emotion. Firstly, because my poor little guy almost burned his arm off. But, secondly (and if it makes me a bad mother to admit this, so be it) because it was almost the last of the beans my mom brought back from Portland on a recent visit to see my sister. Had it actually been the last pot, tears would definitely have been shed.

Yacon Syrup: The New Agave?

I happened upon this jar of yacon syrup at Whole Foods the other day while perusing my maple options. I had never heard of it but apparently it's a natural sweetener with half the calories of cane sugar. Since agave turned out to be a big letdown in terms of its actual health properties --- and I the fool for believing that drizzling, nay, dousing, it over everything was really good for me -- I'm somewhat skeptical. But, I bought it anyway. Mostly, because I'm a sucker for a jazzy, modern label and the fact that it comes from Peru.

Devil Squirrel On The Loose: No Pumpkin Is Safe

Preppy Tights

Way back in my pre-pubescent preppy heyday, I would have killed for these mint and pink tights.

Bleach: There is no substitute

I consider myself a highly conscientious consumer. I do my best to make environmentally sound choices that do not poison my family or the earth, sometimes driving myself insane--and to several different stores--in the process. But, when it comes to getting things clean there is nothing like good old-fashioned bleach. For example, when your toddler leaves his favorite Plan Toys fire engine outside during a week-long rain spell and it's covered with a nasty black rash of mold, what's a mom to do? This has happened to other toys, like a beautiful set of rustic tree blocks. Eventually, I had to to toss them because they were starting to grow hairy legs after several overnighters outside in the yard. But, the fire engine I couldn't bring myself to dispose of. Besides being something that Henry actually enjoys playing with--as opposed to slamming it to smithereens a la Bam-Bam--it was also a gift from Uncle Geoff in Toronto.

My mom just so happened to be visiting when I showed her the ostensibly ruined toy. She bought a bottle of Clorox, gave the engine a 4-plus hour bleach bath and then a good scrub with soap and water. Glory Hallelujah, the wood came out sparkling like a newly peroxided blonde. I have seen the light.

Inspiration: Market Makeovers

I discovered Market Makeovers at The Food Rendezvous in August and have not stopped thinking about it since. It's a youth-led organization dedicated to transforming junk food-stocked corner stores and bodegas into healthy markets in low-income neighborhoods or "food deserts" where liquor and convenience stores dominate and farmers' markets are a foreign concept. What really struck a chord was their civic approach to the problems of obesity and diabetes plaguing poor areas. It's easy to point a finger at "the parents" for not teaching their children to eat fruits and vegetables at home but often times the only ingredients available to moms without transportation or time is an aging box of macaroni and cheese on a corner store shelf. By linking these underserved areas directly to farmers and farm-fresh produce, not only will there be better food choices but there's also an opportunity and incentive for people to spend their hard-earned dollars within the community. A simple revolutionary concept. Check out this video:

Life on the Funny Farm

photo courtesy of Gwendolyn and the Goodtime Gang

This is the latest soundtrack to my insanity, playing on an endless loop in my brain. I have only myself to blame for exposing Henry to the retro charms of Gwendolyn and the Goodtime Gang.

Bye Bye, Bondi

We're back from our Oz journey, easing back into our Venice life, and moreover, life as a new homeowner. I really needed a break from the 24/7 entourage of contractors, painters, and landscapers. As Mike put it, if 747 Marco were a movie, there would be a lot of credits to roll at the end. I think "playing house" made me less neurotic about spoiling the newness of our real home and more ready to live in it. But, I digress. What I want to share are our regular, favorite spots in Bondi, not in any particular order, all within walking distance from 43 Hastings Parade (our Sydney address):

1. Harry's Espresso Bar: Rocket fuel coffee and Adriano Zumbo ham and cheese croissants served from an Italian-style counter. I loved that they had a bag of Blue Bottle and Stumptown on display.

2. Bru Coffee: We hit this surfer/swimmer pitstop pretty much everyday towards the end for their "famous healthy bircher". They use pear juice to sweeten it, though not sure why this makes theirs particularly famous. Nevertheless, it was very tasty topped with fruit and thick, greek yogurt.

3. Jed's Food Store: Single Origin coffee, rasta-hipster setting.

4. La Piadina: Tiny flatbread factory cranking out hot, mouthwatering sandwiches made with super-fresh ingredients.

5. Ria Floral: Gorgeous bouquets of buds like jonquils and anemones, wrapped in elegant black paper. Perfect hostess gift.

6. Miljo: Didn't get to shop very much but I did manage to score a pair of black clogs that I was obsessing about at this stylish Scandinavian boutique.

7. Jo and Willy's Depot: A regular pitstop for homemade muffins and babyccinos. Mike was into the gluten-free pancakes, believe it or not.

8. Oh Baby, Baby: Of course, I found the new baby boutique stocked with Aussie kid lines like Ouch.

9. Kids Pool at Bondi Beach: I wish they had something like this in Venice. It's a man-made kiddie wading pool, carved out of the ocean. The waves crash against the side, lessening the impact of the tide. Needless to say, Henry stayed in until his lips turned blue.

10. Rotary Playground: The view overlooking Bondi's famous waves were killer from this playground, where we hit the swings. Every. Single. Day.

Camera Shy

I envisioned taking lots of photos on this trip but when forced to choose between capturing a charming storefront and making sure the Tasmanian devil doesn't run into oncoming traffic, guess what wins out? Luckily, the camera loves the little man and vice versa. Here he is trying to make off with a stool from the Cheap Monday store.

Life of Reilly

Henry makes it a point to travel to the Antipodes at least once a year, where he enjoys a good babycino. Not too hot, please, with a marshmallow on the side.

Move Over, Cholula

Here's something spicier: peri-peri sauce. Made with a fiery pepper also known as African Red Devil, this is Mike's new best friend while temporarily parted from his buddy old pal Cholula. The vinegary sauce is common in both Africa and Portugal, as well as Australia thanks to its healthy Portuguese community, which has made its mark in mainstream fast-food. Our friend Alexis has been on about trying the butterflied chicken at Oporto since we arrived. Apparently Nando's is big here, too. The sauce we tried came with some delicious takeaway we ordered in the other night from Plumer Road Chicken Shop, a local Rose Bay spot recommended by our Aussie pal, Kate. Came in handy for spicing up an otherwise lackluster chili I made, too.

How Bondi Lads Play...

Saw these kids on our way into town for a coffee. We were blown away. They told us this is what they do when there are no waves or the waves are too big, like they were this weekend.

A Mercedes for the People?

I've never considered myself a Benz gal but the A170 is pretty adorable. Too bad they're not available in the States.

Take Dos

Hello, again, hello. I'm taking a stab at this weblog thing again after impulsively deleting my last effort. Back in Sydney after a year and a half. It's the beginning of spring here and the weather is perfect like East Coast fall: chilly in the mornings and at night and warm during the day. We're renting an adorable house in Bondi Beach for our seventeen-day stay. It's just like being at home minus the dog poop, trash on the streets, and gun shots in the alley. Plus, it's got an amazing backyard that reminds me a little of my great-grandmother's old house in Miami, ideal for chasing Henry to wear him out.