the hippest kid

Boo Foo Woo Hippy Oil Tank Top

In the spirit of high gas prices and my love of rainbows, I bring you this kitchy little top.

Available at Black Wagon.

Pirate Costume by Wovenplay

This pick represents something I never thought I'd see: organic fabrics used on a child's costume. I could get very used to this whole mass-marketing "be green" trend.

Available at Tiny McSmall.

Mermaid Towel

-- Quick Pick --

Mermaids are said to be known for their innocence. This towel is a surefire way to perpetuate the myth that little girls are all sugar and spice and everything nice. Who can argue with its rhubarb-pie sweetness?

Available at Chasing Fireflies.

Vintage Baby Bibs

Unless you live in a hole, you've heard about the lead drama underway throughout the country. Infuriating.

[-- rant begin]
This is 2007... why on Earth is paint still made with lead? And more importantly, why is it on my kid's toys? For crying out loud, if I can buy a lead detection kit for $12.99, why can't a multi-national corporation?

So the latest discovery of lead in vinyl bibs has sort of put me over the top. Lead. On. Kid's. Clothing. Worn. Near. Their. Mouth. WTF is wrong with this picture?
[rant end --]

OK, that feels much better. In the spirit of not poisoning children, let me present these absolutely adorable vintage-inspired bibs by Bambini.   

All the goodness of cotton and none of the pesky brain-damaging effects of lead.

Available at The Baby Gardner.

"Skip Dessert" T-Shirt by Threadless

Getting a 3 year old to eat the healthy stuff is like getting the lion and the lamb to lie down: It ain't happenin' without some mayhem first.

I've tried snack trays and sticker charts. I've resorted to out and out bribery. To no avail. So today, I was heartened to find this sweet as pie t-shirt on Threadless. It comes in kid sizes too. Perhaps this will provide Jude with the inspiration I've been seeking.

Veggies and Hostess cupcakes living in harmony. It's a lesson for us all.

Appaman Motorcycle Shirt

Recently, some of my online friends were discussing the power that marketers have in determining what is gender appropriate clothing. After thinking about it, it really ticked me off that there are no pink shirts for boys.

I mean really, who wrote the rules for clothes? Why isn't there boy clothing with kittens, hearts and flowers? Or girl clothing with puppies, airplanes and bugs?

Well, thankfully, my faith in mankind has been restored with this unbelievably cool shirt.

Pink. Motorcycle. Boy. Girl. Love.

Available at Black Wagon.

Crab T-Shirt by Christarenee

Jude was anything but a terrible two. A song of pure delight I would even venture to say.

Until the day the pod people took my sweet baby and left me with a three year-old. Bitey, negative and whiney... such a delightful and charming trio.

Fortunately, my friend Christa has come up with a way to make me laugh through the tears with this cute as pie t-shirt.

Yup, crab pretty much covers it.

Available at her Cafe Press Shop.

Fleur Coat by Uniform Studio

Finally, there are girls for me to shop for. My best pal has a wee woman now and my sister Megan has one on the way.

I've been turning a blind eye to all the girly delights that cross my path, but no longer. The govenor is off the engine.

The tipping point came today when I saw this handmade linen coat. It is crazy beautiful.

Available at Uniform Studio.

Linen shirt from Flora & Henri

-- Quick Pick --

Swooning as I type. Simple & elegant. 'Nuff said.

Available at Flora & Henri.

Charlie Rocket Bike Tee

Let's hope Jude doesn't inherit my ability to crash any vehicle I touch. I've been in so many car wrecks (none my fault, amazingly) that I'm sure my head will simply pop off in my lap should I get in another one.

This wonderful trait of mine carries over to bicycles as well. When I was in college, I averted a collision with a child on the bike trail by using my chin and boobs to brake in gravel. I ate through a straw for a few weeks after that one. Good times.

In December, I decided to take up cycling again for some masochistic reason. I was soon rewarded with road rash down my leg. It's such a comfort to know some things never change.

With my attention back on bikes, I zeroed in on this adorable t-shirt from Charlie Rocket. It'll be good for Jude to see that bikes are supposed to be ridden in the upright position.

Available at Tutti Bella.