We fell in love with these hand towels the minute we saw them. Chic yarn-dyed stripes monogrammed as you wish. And, although West Elm is billing them as hand towels, we have them in the kitchen as tea towels. The choice is yours. Either way, they won’t disappoint. $10.
As we’ve begun our holiday shopping and are checking our lists twice, one item of note has caught ( or re-caught ) our attention this past holiday weekend. Our first pick of way too many gifts is the Stokke Tripp Trapp. It’s a highchair like no other. And, what really made us fall back in love with this beautiful item, was that our babies were actually sitting, face to face with us at our holiday table. Not floating around somewhere near the table in a big, eye-sore of a highchair. Turns out, we are not the only ones who love this chair. According to Stokke, the Tripp Trapp is celebrating it’s 40th birthday next year with good reason; there are almost 8 million chairs in circulation around the globe. So as the next few weeks get busier than normal, take a few minutes and enjoy a meal at the table. Together. Studies show it reduces obesity and makes for happier children. Which in turn, makes for happier parents. We spoke with Catherine McCord, the creative chef who has gotten our kids to eat things we never thought they would about eating together: “Life is so busy, especially with all our crazy schedules. Meals are the one time of day that families can reconnect, share thoughts, feelings and a love of good food.” So. Sit down. Take a break. Make some of Catherine’s delicious recipes and enjoy the weeks ahead. As a family, together.
With one day until our 3rd Annual Holiday Social, we can barely contain our excitement. There are still a few tickets available, but once they sell out, you will have to wait until next year to get in on the action. It’s a night out like no other. Discounted holiday shopping and new product showcases from our favorite brands like Stokke, Tegu, Mabels Labels, Plain Mary and more. A pop up photo booth from our friends at Petite Simone Photography. Beauty treatments from the beauty industry’s top brands. Delicious food and drinks. And, if that weren’t enough to get you there, go home with a gift bag filled with products from your favorite brands. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Tickets are $35 and even include one raffle ticket to win some serious stuff. We’re talking a Stokke Xplory stroller, and more. And, should you want more chances to win items in our raffle we have partnered with reCrib and Chrity Turlington Burns’ Every Mother Counts Foundation to raise money for her cause. “I am thrilled that my maternal health advocacy campaign, Every Mother Counts will be included in this year’s Pint Size Social holiday gathering, said Christy Turlington Burns. “Everyone needs a night of fun and inspiration before the holiday season officially begins and this is the perfect night out.” So, click on over to see all of the event details and to purchase your ticket. We will see you tomorrow night!
If you are in NYC this November 5th, this is one event not to be missed. Rub elbows with celebrities, eat deliciously prepared food and watch your kids be entertained like you have never seen before. All the while helping to eliminate pediatric AIDS. Tickets for the Kids for Kids Family Carnival are on sale now. Get them before they sell out. They always do.
Most people take for granted the life they were given. Not true for Jake Glaser, son of the founder of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS foundation, Elizabeth. Having contracted the AIDS virus unknowingly from his mother, in utero, Jake now a healthy adult, is living each day to his fullest. Tirelessly carrying out his mom’s vision to help eliminate pediatric AIDS. And, each year in NYC the foundation puts together the most incredible event, helping to honor and support the cause. The Kids for Kids carnival is taking place in NYC on November 5th. Sure the tickets are steep, but the ticket price goes well beyond that day and the ridiculous amounts of fun you will have with your family. It will help their goal to eliminated pediatric AIDS. Something we would all like to do. So, get your tickets here(we already did) and check out a little Q+A we had with Jake the other day. He’s pretty impressive. We are sure he is making his mom proud. When she started the Foundation it was a time when there was no knowledge or work being done to help children living with HIV, let alone anyone living with the virus. She decided to attack the issue from a new perspective. She had to start asking questions, and challenging the medical community and the government. She needed to demand the attention that HIV deserved. After losing my sister Ariel, this was a family fight. She spoke to an undeniable truth: everyone has a family–and no one wants to lose that family. Her message had much seriousness and playfulness. One thing that was a requirement for her in our younger years was the ability to just let go and have fun—even when she was in the office. When it came to my mom, she made sure she enjoyed herself and those around her. She was an expert on showing us how to celebrate life and not letting us deny our responsibility to save life. What is it about the organization that keeps you involved to this day? Are there things, even now with so much knowledge out there, you are still surprised about, regarding peoples reaction to the AIDS virus? What do you do to help educate them? What are you doing these days? (aside from helping with the organization)
Tell us a little about your mom and what you remember about her starting this incredible foundation.
My mom, well, my mom was my mom. She was an amazing person. The one thing about her that I remember most is her spirit. She always had a smile. And she gave the warmest hugs.
First and foremost, my family. We all lived through this together. My mom started this Foundation to save my life, and in turn has saved millions. For me to be able to continue that work and be a part of the team at the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is an honor, because it is the people working every day who bring that success to the people who need it most. I remember the first time I walked into our DC office, the Foundation had grown from a small family-run organization to a global leader in the fight against HIV and AIDS. To see what had come of my mother’s hard work and courage brought tears to my eyes. Tears of joy. The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation brings hope, love and life to those who need it around the world.
What surprises me is the way the virus is viewed today. If you look at the status of HIV in the United States, we have been able to get the transmission rate from mother to child down below 2%. That is an amazing feat–but that does not mean the fight is over. Every day, 1,000 children are born with HIV around the world. We need to make sure we bring the same successes we’ve had in the U.S. to the places that need it most. I know we can eliminate pediatric AIDS but we can’t stop fighting. This is a disease which we have to keep in the forefront of our minds. The number one priority should be research and education. In this country, young adults are is where the majority of transmission takes place. We need to be educating our youth to prevent transmission, educating them on treatment and taking care of themselves if they are already infected, and allow everyone to play a vital roll in keeping this issue relevant so that transmission of HIV is non- existent.
Well, being an advocate is the first step. I am a big supporter of story telling. Throughout history, stories have allowed us to learn from our mistakes and capitalize on our success. And as an advocate, I get the opportunity to share my story with people all around the world. That story–with all its sadness and hurt–also shows perseverance and success. It is most important to help others see the power they have as individuals to make a difference.
I am starting a new journey of my own. In the time that I have been with the Foundation, I have found one of my favorite things to do: help people. And coming in close second, is cooking. It’s amazing, the therapeutic properties of food. While working as a gelato chef for two years I found that passion in food, and now I am perusing my dream. I also love photography and I work with a local studio in Venice, California, called Box 24 Studio. I guess you can say I’m creatively driven, and to be honest that’s one of the best parts of working with the Foundation. Getting to search for something new every day. A new way to communicate, a new perspective on HIV and AIDS, a new idea to share with the world. It’s that mindset that I try and carry to work with me every day, whether it’s food, photography or philanthropy.
New Yorkers take note: The beloved French house, Bonpoint is having their sample sale today and tomorrow. We got a sneak peak last night as to what they have to offer and trust us. It is good. Get there early. They might not be restocking. For a little recap of the sale, head on over to our friends at sample sally.
