by elisabeth@itsyfactor on December 13, 2011
How much am I looking forward to The Other F Word?
Have you heard anything about it yet? It follows Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and 20-some-odd other fathers from the punk rock era. How they went from anarchists to disciplinarians, how they differ from their own absentee fathers, and in what ways they mirror those they tried so hard to reject. The story hits home when I think back to my wayward twenties on the Lower East Side not so very long ago, when I met my other half. It’s the picture of him, tattoos and all. Sounds like a date.
How is your parenting style different from that of your parents? How is it the same? Did you always know you wanted children, or does it still sometimes surprise you to find yourself here?
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on December 12, 2011
The fabulous Alix over at Modern Kiddo has done it again. She digtized her vinyl into a most delectable collection of holiday classics, and it’s now available for you completely free!
So may your inner Grinch be gone to the tune of I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus.
Download it here.
Thanks, Alix! I’m really enjoying it.
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on December 6, 2011
Any of you having a devil of a time finding the perfect holiday dress for your little girl this season? Seems prime shopping time was November, and many stores are already sold out of classic plaids and brilliant reds. No matter. I had in mind a sophisticated Christmas this year, something along the lines of Audrey Hepburn meets New Year’s Eve. This, my friends, is what I uncovered. Shocker of shockers, some of my favorites were to be found at Tar-zhay!
Have you gotten your family duds all situated for the holidays yet?
1. champagne 2. black 3. gold 4. black 5. black 6. cream
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on November 14, 2011
Hello *waves* from the depths!
I have been MIA for a while, so sorry. In my world, it’s a good thing though. You see, we are moving, and my energies have been filled with all that that entails.
In my absence, there have been birthdays, costumes, snow in October, babies born in galleries. There’s a lot to catch up on.
I’ve also taken on a new online job — writing for Apartment Therapy’s Ohdeedoh. I’m absolutely thrilled to be there, so if you need an Itsy Factor fix, check out my recent Ohdeedoh articles first:
New York Times Best Illustrated Books of 2011
DIY Cloth Baby Book
Creative Pregnancy / Gender Announcement
Geometric Color Blocking Trend
I’m a Giant Dollhouse Challenge
Crib Bumper Repurposed as Teething Rail
Potty Roundup
My work there may give The Itsy Factor a different turn. Perhaps it will be more personal here. Perhaps I’ll do more inspiration boards or more fashion. Perhaps I’ll be more inclined to write about my personal experience, both of parenting as well as my creative and inner struggles as a woman. It will be interesting to see where my new environment and my new ‘hood guides me.
What would you like to hear about?
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on October 9, 2011
French Bull has just come out with a new set of dishes that won’t break when your two-year-old tires of his spaghetti and throws his plate across the room. Needless to say, we’re big fans in this household. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe.
[Lolly's sitting in my lap right now and says "baby elsant and baby girass miss their mommy." They look pretty happy to me though.]
I don’t know who doesn’t love animals, but if jungle theme isn’t your gig they also have robots, princesses, monsters, and super heroes. Want to use them outside for the whole family? They have a brilliant abstract line as well.
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on October 6, 2011
For the little Libra / Gemini / Capricorn / Pisces / Sagittarius / Virgo / Leo / Cancer / Aquarius / Aries / Taurus / Scorpio in your life. What a great birthday present this would make.
From Parada Creations
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on September 30, 2011
The Nest (1:2:3:4) chair, or rather, suite of chairs, is my new favorite find. Designed by Kirsten White and built by Brothers and Sons, I’m still waiting to see if and when this prototype comes to market. But my, how delightful it is. Perfect for the city dweller whose space is at a premium, I see this in a Williamsburg well-lit loft. Or my railroad. That would do too.
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on September 22, 2011
Simply put: Little Goodall Coats are all good.
I take that back. They’re not just good — they’re amazing. Molly Goodall’s expert craftsmanship and classic designs, paired with cunning whimsy, make for one winning combination. In love yet? It gets better. Molly, a Parson’s Graduate, is totally brilliant and has thought of everything. The coats are made of 100% post-consumer eco felt, AKA plastic bottles that might have spent the rest of their days in the bottom of the ocean. Instead they’re awesome coats.
Sure Halloween is coming, but what child wouldn’t love parading around as their favorite animal on a daily basis? While my personal favorites are the lion and the fox, Little Lolly is all about the panda, and Beatrix? The big green gnarly dinosaur of course. ROAR!
(Maybe I’ll just get the fox for myself).
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on September 16, 2011
Los Angeles-based photographer Emily Ulmer is in town. I’m absolutely smitten with her work. She captures childhood with an astute, almost painterly eye. I’m trying to take notes on her use of natural light and positioning in the frame. The backlit images are especially speaking to me right now.
We were going to take the girls today, but Lolly managed on Wednesday to get a golf-ball sized egg on her egg so we postponed. No more running on the sidewalk for that little one.
Missed this time? Not to worry. Emily will be back October 26th-30th. Check for updates on her website, or email the nice lady at emily.ulmer@gmail.com.
P.S.- If you’re a name fanatic like I am, you’ll especially enjoy perusing the images. The children have beautiful names like Astrid and Atlas, Oona and Mieke.
by elisabeth@itsyfactor on September 7, 2011
For months Zara teased us with its up-to-the-moment fashion affordable fashions for the whole family, but they were not available to purchase online.
As of today my friends, from Alkehatchee, Alabama to Zigzag, Oregon, you too can acquire this previously elusive collection. I’m eyeing the European scarves and inexpensive outerwear for my little girls.
So exciting.
