Unpack Your Adjectives

If you've ever shopped for a baby book you probably noticed that they all, well, pretty much sucked (it's okay to use that kind of language, my kids are in bed. And they can't read). The First 1000 Days is a beautifully illustrated baby book to document your beautiful baby's first 2+ years of life.

Having a kid means that your life as you knew it is over, but you can keep track of baby's new life using this book that was illustrated by Nikki McClure and Olympian artist and designer (she is from Washington state, and is not, as far as I know, a shot putter or javelin thrower). McClure might be more known for her relationship with independent record labels K and Kill Rock Stars, as well as the Riot Grrrl movement of the early nineties. Just because you may no longer be cool, at least the book you keep track of your little bundle's every first can be.

Usually, the only way flooring can cause you to hob-nob with the glitterati would be a red carpet. But, while this Hypnotic Rug from CB2 wont have you sharing cocktails and exposing private parts with Brit, LiLo, and Paris, it will give you at least one connection to pop-culture. You see, the rug is currently starring as one of the seven strangers in this season's addition of Real World. Weeeel, not exactly. The rug is, however currently sharing screen time with the 7 strangers while laying handsomely in the front hall of the Denver house. As if that pedigree weren't enough to sell you on it, the rug is currently on sale for just $99 (half price!).

And if you are the kind of person who must have the same couch that so and so hooked up with whats her name on, you can check out more furniture from the Real World Denver house at CB2.com.

Last fall, I picked myself up a Jimi Wallet. I'd been considering it for months, so when I was in New York City for business, and only steps away from the Museum of Modern Art, I couldn't help myself from buying one when I stopped into the MoMA Store to get my first in-person look at some their (or anyone else's) collection of MUJI merchandise.

I'm perfectly happy with the Jimi in my pants, but since I first came across Umbra's Bungee Wallet a couple weeks ago I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Luckily (or unluckily), the color I really want (lime) is currently out of stock everywhere I've looked. I may have to settle for the pink one. I'll probably call it something a little more manly, like "the light red one" to make myself feel better. That, and buy myself the matching Bungee Business Card Case.

I was born and grew up in New York City, but my children wont. This New York City in a Bag block set doesn't, and couldn't come anywhere close to the real skyline, but these six wooden skyscrapers from MUJI (via MoMA) sure beats another wooden farm set.

For the most part alphabet blocks are the same today as they have been for a hundred years. And then there are these beautifully colored and designed alphabet blocks and puzzle. Inspired by the work of mid-century textile designer Alexander Girard, these are blocks you wouldn't have to feel embarrassed having strewn all over the living room floor when unexpected guests drop by.

My daughter is a puzzle machine. Unfortunately, she is only two and so this (Noah's) Ark puzzle is probably a bit beyond her. Also, it is out of stock. That it hasn't disappeared off the site completely gives me hope that they may have it again soon. Or at least before she outgrows it. (They grow up so quick.)

I don't know what the benefits of fluorinated resin coating has over traditional knives, but I know I've been seeing them more and more recently, and for some reason I have an overwhelming urge to own this Santoku knive and kitchen shear set. The thing about these knives, though, is that with their bright colors they seem so very much "of the time." Twenty years from now, will my kids look at them the same way I look at my mother's brown, floral dish set that screams "1974." I very much try to only every buy furniture, tableware, and accessories that would have been as equally in place in a home in 1950, today, and hopefully 50 years from now. Do these knives fit the bill?

If you are like me, you'll be tempted to call these "spatula" bed linens. If you are also like me, you'll be tempted to lie down, get comfy, and take a nap in these satula bed linens, which are designed by Marimekko and currently on sale at CB2 for half off.

This Imbroglio (hidden in French) calendar was designed by Jean Pierre Vitrac. Made of powder-coated steel with screen printed numbers and a magnetic "cursor" to frame the date. Available in red or gray and desktop or wall hanging versions.

Enzo Mari designed this perpetual calendar in 1959. Shown in Italian, but sent in English. Dates, days, and month are represented on strips of varietal wood. I feel I've seen something like this in metals, but the wood gives this piece a real warmth that not many calendars have.