I guess I thought that purple would make it better somehow. I’m embarrassed looking at it. I was going to buy one of these beautiful, hand-made costumes that I’ve been admiring, but a wise friend with two daughters looked askance at me and told me to get over it and just get her what she wanted: the chintziest monstrosity that Target offered. And while I couldn’t do that, I also couldn’t justify buying a costume to fit my taste.

I recently read Peggy Orenstein’s “Cinderella Ate My Daughter” and in it, she talks about how parents are often happy to indulge in princess culture because it feels like we are protecting and somehow prolonging our daughters’ innocence by doing it. I can definitely see that, but I can’t help but feel like it’s also part of a bigger, out-of-control machine that I’m just not excited about. But some days I wish I didn’t overthink this thing, because really, watching her dress up and play is just so much fun:

You guys have opinions about the whole princess thing? Love it or hate it? Am I the only manipulative mother here?

Cute prints from Dusen Dusen.

Sigh. Hipster bow ties. If ONLY there was a man out there who would finally make me happy and wear bow ties.

I love having the chance to get to know the designers, read about their processes and seeing their fun tutorials.

Here’s a peek in the studio and process of Manimal, who makes moccasins for babies and women.

A tights-dyeing tutorial from Ann Yee. Awesome.

And an intro to the 8 people who work together to produce a piece of clothing for Society for Rational Dress.

Pretty cool, huh?

(All images from Of A Kind)

It’s a tradition in many Chinese households to do a nice, thorough cleaning in preparation for Chinese New Year, particularly because right after New Year you’re not supposed to sweep, since it would sweep your happiness and good fortune right out the door. What can I say, we are a superstitious people. I like the tradition as well, though it makes me just a little crazy getting everything ready. Some years I just give in, but this year, I’ve been making trips to Goodwill and doing tiny home improvements and I feel good. Turns out new rugs and a spare closet do some good for my psyche.

I also cleaned out my jewelry box, which has been filled with “treasures” I’ve held onto since childhood. But most of these will never make it to Goodwill, as the kids launched a surprise raid and cleaned me out. Both kids are getting much enjoyment out of their new baubles, as you can see. This one might turn out to be a Liz Taylor.

Bee’s outfit:
shirt: Target
skirt: Bluebird
socks: Gap Kids
clogs: Hanna Andersson (by the way, why are clogs ever a good idea, especially for kids? Bee loves hers but every time she wears them is like a silent-era comedy, full of pratfalls, slipping, and not being able to get up.)

The holidays are such a weird time. There’s so much hustle and bustle and preparation, and the kids are home, so there was really no time to think about my business. It felt like I was on some strange, imposed sabbatical, as though I were in jail. Now I’m ears-deep back in the thick of things, working every moment I can, and I love it though I’m also feeling a little stressed. My poor kids have been tortured lately — Bee has rather good-naturedly (and occasionally, foul-naturedly) been modeling my clips, and Otis comes home every day to find all his spaces covered in hair clips and props (his usual response: “Do I have to clean ALL THIS up?!??”). And despite all my ardent promises to myself not to reward my children with food, well, you can imagine how I’m going to finish this sentence.

But now, pictures have finally all been taken, line sheets are just about ready to be sent in response to the exciting inquiries that have been streaming in, and the shop is about to be updated. And in spite of myself, my business taxes will be calculated and filed soon too. Once I get this through this batch of to-do items, I’m really going to have to sit down and look at the numbers and think about what they mean and how to think about the future. You know, the way real business people do, rather than have the numbers go blurry despite having disappointingly good eyesight that make stylish glasses unnecessary.

Want to take a peek? Well, come and see the slide show on the website. And stay tuned – the shop will be updated soon.

A little while ago one of my favorite bands, OKGo, made this video:

They make just about the coolest videos ever.
And today, F is obsessed with this artist:

He’s got others, too, and funny fact: he buys most of his supplies at Ikea.
Did you know that there’s an official Rube Goldberg website? They have a Twitter feed and everything!

I keep forgetting to do this, don’t I?
shirt: Surface To Air
sweater: Petit Patapon, from Taiwan
skirt: made by Mama from Etsuko Furuya fabric
slip-on sneakers: Target (Harajuku)

I was so grumpy all weekend because I was having camera and computer issues, and I have so much work to catch up on. But I think (knock on wood!) that my issues are fixed now. Phew! How did my very existence become so dependent on technology?

And now, some FSS extra credit:

The kids went off on an adventure to the zoo today with friends. And well, after Bee put on her zebra stripes and her preschool t-shirt, it naturally made sense for Otis to do the same. They even tried to match sweatshirts and water bottles, though they didn’t quite manage to match on exposed bellies. Lord, these two crack me up. I don’t think our friends’ Dad will lose these two any time soon.

The Parents were finally able, with no small amount of cajoling, to convince him to wiggle and wiggle and wiggle it one night. The next morning, the tooth fell out.

Awkward smiling and slight lisping ensue.
The tooth is immediately put into the Tooth Fairy bag, and placed under the Toothless Boy’s pillow.

The next morning, filled with anticipation, he looks under his pillow and in his bag, only to find that the tooth is still there! Wailing ensues. The Parents, contrite, attempt to sooth the Boy, telling him to be patient.

The following morning, again filled with anticipation, the Toothless Boy anxiously looks under his pillow again and what does he find? His tooth is STILL THERE! What parents are these? They deserve to have sweet revenge exacted upon them, Grimm-style. The Parents, now feeling panicky, assure him that SOME TIMES this happens. The Tooth Fairy gets back-logged and it takes a little bit longer. She’s not Santa Claus, after all.

That night, upon conferring with friends, the Steadfast Father formulates a plan. It is complicated, but he is determined. The following morning, the Toothless Boy finds his tooth gone, and his prize and this note in its place:

Childish wonder and amazement reinstated!
But wait, the second part of the plan takes patience! One day later, a 7 year old neighbor brings the following, which were discovered under her pillow:

Two children stupefied with one plan! The Parents’ “Good Parents” status reinstated. All grown-ups involved feel relieved, amused, and self-congratulatory.

****

Mere days after the first tooth fell out, The Toothless Boy’s other front tooth fell out as well. The next morning, the Tormented Mother woke up in a cold sweat, only to remember a moment later that the tooth was still at school, being held in a safe keeping spot. Lesson learned. Hopefully.

And somehow, the Toothless Boy looks awkwardly adorable again rather than just awkward.

We went to Big Sur, and it was breathtakingly beautiful and oh-so peaceful.

See this? It’s the view from Highway One. The drive is hair-raising and car sick-making, but can you believe how stunning it is?

It turns out this pavement-lover loves a good nature walk.

Don’t I look sporty here?
That’s not enough proof that I actually went on a hike?
How about here?

Don’t I look so natural and comfortable in the wild environment?
I’m converted. In fact, we already took the kids on a hike this past weekend, and plan to do more.

Of course, all was fine at home, with many phone calls and a few tears. It was my tender-hearted Otis who was most sad. But it has made me feel like evenings and nights away from our children are things we can and should do. I was talking with a woman who has teenagers right after my trip, and she gave me the advice to start going away for progressively longer trips from now on. Hmmm, looks like Wu Yi Lao Lao will be on the hook after she returns from Taiwan….

My mom leaves tonight, and we are all sad. She will be missed.

Quick, ring in the new year with a kiss!
I think I just got a sneak peek at the teenage years…

Hope you all have a great year!
Did you make any resolutions? I mean, other than resolving to comment more on your favorite blogs?

F and I are going away B Y O U R S E L V E S for two nights. I’m practically giddy. How’s that for a great start to the new year?