Hey folks…yes it’s been a while. I’m doing what I said I wouldn’t do which is do nothing. Not write. Not check in. I have many really good excuses which include…actually, none of them are that good. I’m going to start a new, but right now it’s late and momma needs some rest. However, I did want to let ya’ll in on a Big Sale from Nuseryworks going on now while supplies last. 50% off so many of their amazing furniture products. My little man numero uno’s room is all decked out in their sweet gear and we absolutely love it. Yes, we know times are tough, but here’s a great chance to score some quality furniture that’ll last your little one ages. Remember expensive and over priced are two different things. There’s real value to be found here http://www.shopgenes.com/brand-nurseryworks.html.

On my trip this afternoon to the grocery store, I was on an unfamiliar mission…spend less. Our family, like yours, is feeling the impact of our shaky economy in small and large ways. So, as I walk down the aisles…super card in hand…I looked, for admittedly the first time, at how much everything cost. Making a conscious effort to actually remain conscious…to know what I was spending my money on and why. What I realized is that cost and value are sometimes mutually exclusive. In this troubling economic time…I’ve taken to teaching my children lessons on finding value in goods and services. As the founder of genes, I’ve always displayed our belief that a well crafted, well designed, durable item trumps a cheap knock off any day of the week and twice on Sunday. I still believe that, but I also realize that we’re all just trying to get by.

One area where I really found value — my new toothbrush. Preserve toothbrushes are now shelved quietly next to their Crest and Colgate partners, but I found ‘em. Do they cost more than their common couter part? Well, if you looked purely at the price tag…possibly, but there’s much more to it. These brushes will not only keep your pearly whites pearly, but they’re doing good for the earth too. Made in the USA of 100% recycled plastics (from those ghastly/impossible to recycle yogurt cups) and fully recyclable again via postage paid mailer, this is the worlds best toothbrush. Lest we forget design, I was even more thrilled when I found an ergonomic handle and the cool colors like lime green, black and white. So, even when you’re pinching pennies…it pays to go green in more ways than one.

Genes is always green…view our eco-friendly find here.

I recall very vividly the day I had this epiphany…”Children need food.” Ugh, the horror of that day is forever branded on my brain. Obviously, abstractly I knew this, but as a nursing mom for 2+ years (ya, i know), it never really struck me that I’d actually have to cook for my kids. And THREE meals a day no less, PLUS snacks. It all just seems a little excessive to me. Nonetheless, they do apparently require this.

As I’m sure you can gather, I cook…well…not so much. So the invention of the steam in their own bag veggies (brand favorite…Bird’s Eye) is well, basically the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Here’s what you do. Go to the grocery store. Pick up about 10-15 bags of your kid’s favorite veggies (or at least ones that don’t make them gag). Pull one out at dinner time. Stick in in the microwave and cook for 5 mins. I am very fortunate to have the micro that requires literally only one button to be pushed to make it start so I close the door and hit 5. That’s it. Done. Open and thow ‘em in a bowl.

Oh the joys of invention…the personal computer, hybrid cars, the light bulb…and microwaveable vegetables.

Confession time folks. I have officially developed an unhealthy addiction to CNN. So much so that if one of my poor little boys came to me bleeding out the eyes I would actually think twice about rushing him to the hospital if AC 360 was on. (I mean…how much blood can one loose out of their eye? Surely he could survive an hour.) This confession, I realize, will paint me as possibly the worst mother in the world. So be it. It’s the truth. I AM a political junkie. I want nothing more than to see the love child of Anderson Cooper and Campbell Brown. Literally, I’ve actually had that dream.

This addiction started innocently enough. While I’ve always known where my political alliances lie, I did want to educate myself as much as possible on all sides so I could speak intelligently and passionately about my beliefs. Good intentions, I suppose, but just like a junkie starts with one hit…so goes my addiction. It got really bad when I wanted to paint my bedroom in the colors of the electoral map (have you seen that cool touch screen thing they have? OMG!) The final straw came when I started screaming at the little numbers on my HDTV going in the “wrong” direction during a key debate. That can’t be good.

I am distrubed. This is my cry for help. My poor babies deserve better than this. Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?

Probably our most favoritist brand these days has got to be Monte. Why? Well…because we sell a lot of their stuff. No, no…we kid. That’s not the ONLY reason we love Monte…they are Canadian too, after all. Oh, and there’s the little fact that the make the best looking, most comfortable, highest quality rockers, gliders and bassinets on the market. Looks like we’ll be adding “awesome highchair” to our love list soon as Monte Design has debuted their Tavo chair at the ABC kids show. Blink and you’ll think it’s just another dining room chair…and that’s a good thing.

Coming this fall to genes for the low low price (well..not too high, at least) of $345.00. Want more details on the Monte Tavo? Email us at customer_service@shopgenes.com. You’ve got questions…we’ve got answers.

I’ve heard rumblings for weeks now. At the playground. The grocery store. The houses all around our block. “I can’t wait for school to start again,” say all the moms + dads. Really? I’m clearly in the minority here, but I wasn’t looking forward to today. I wasn’t happy to see my now 1st grader walk into a new school 20x larger than his more manageable previous school. I didn’t want to see our late mornings and later nights turn into schedule bed times and hurried runs for the school bus. I’m none too thrilled about trading our beach days for books and our summer strolls for studying. I should get pleasure out of watching my first born grow and thrive and live…and I do, but I also see my baby slipping through my fingers and it makes my heart ache a bit.

There is the flip side, though. I will clearly be required to have fewer Pokemon battles each day. And fall brings new fashions to drool over. We’re adding more every day, but check out the best for boys here and the greatest for girls here.

We’re always hard at work at genes searching for the latest and greatest products for your little one. Sometimes though, the greatest isn’t the latest. Sometimes…we like to go old school. Take a gander at our book selection and we guarantee you’ll take a leap back in time. Our personal faves…Tikki Tikki Tembo, Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, and Strega Nona. Watching my guys enjoy the same classic tales I loved as a little girl is twice as nice.

As someone who prides herself on being an original, the very thought of a copy cat conjures up some pretty negative emotions. Logically, I know that those who mimic, copy or otherwise blatantly steal the ideas of others should be pittied for not having the courage and intelligence to blaze their own trail. Emotionally, though, it just pisses me off. However, I choose to believe that hardwork and dedication due make for success and that karma can be a real…well…you know.

So, what does all that have to do with this cute onesie set I’m posting? Uhm…nothing, really…just getting a little something off my chest.

Now, this Twin Set from Wry Baby is a form of copying I can really get behind. Sure to be the fave gift for any baby shower x 2.

As an ardent supporter of Ella Moss for many years now, we were totally stoked when we learned they were finally downsizing…to a mini line, that is. Coming soon to genes is the new Little Ella line featuring the trademark fabrics and signature styles us moms have come to love from Ella Moss. If we had a little lady, we’d definitely be jonesing for this Clementine Striped Hoodie. Comfy + Cute = Fashion Gold.

I came to the realization some time ago that I have a moderately unhealthy obsession with chairs. After some soul searching it became clear that my “illness” stems from an overwhelming desire to sit. Sit…in the abstract sense (relax, be calm, enjoy the little things) and also just to literally SIT. This is likely because my hectic life leaves me little time to do either of these things, or simply because I’m a slug. Either way…the end result is that I’ve been a collector, commenter, and critic of chairs for many years now.

It’s with this expert knowledge that I present to you…tada…the Empire Rocker by Nurseryworks. At first glance this classic creation looks a bit out of place among the mass of ultra-mod pieces we offer. We know there’s some who’ll disagree with us, but we applaud Nurseryworks for dipping their toes slightly into another genre. And, more importantly, any good designer knows that being able to add an unexpected element to a space and having it look completely integrated and intentional is the key to great design. We think this rocker could most definitely be that piece.

The Empire takes the styling of a classic winged back, tufted chair and updates it with plush fabrics and rocker legs to boot. The icing on the cake? This baby is insanely comfortable. Just enough softness and give to make you feel like you’re sitting on a bed of marshmallows, but with the lumbar support and general heavyweight craftsmanship of any luxury furniture piece. How do we know this? We’ve sat in it. And after a long day of walking around the Javits Center at ICFF in inappropriate footwear (hey…they looked good) we could barely convince ourselves to get out of it.

For the nursery, the den, the office…for comfort + style. At genes, of course.