Good with Style

My Phil + Ted's Excellent Adventure

 
Have you ever experienced the emotional claustrophobia caused by having too much stuff? I feel this may be one of the most undiagnosed conditions of modern times. If you can come up with the antidote, you'll make a mint. Then you can buy even more stuff. Just kidding. You probably already know that the most effective defense is practicing self-control--being mindful of how much you acquire in the first place. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, after all. I know this can be a challenge, especially when it comes to having kids. It's a fact--children grow out of things--quickly. The planned obsolescence trap seems unavoidable with something as simple as a stroller--a standard purchase upon the arrival of your first child. If you decide to have a second child, you need another stroller--unless your older one is able to walk everywhere, and in the city, kids pretty much reach adolescence before they get out of the stroller. My almost five year old still begs to sit. Hey, don't judge. We do a lot of walking every day. I walk four miles (20 New York City Avenue blocks--round trip) just to pick her up from school every day. I bet some of you would want to sit in the stroller too.

So, how did I find a stroller that can adapt with a changing family? When my daughter was born nearly five years ago, after doing a lot of research, we purchased a Phil and Ted's stroller. Phil and Ted's sells single strollers that can turn into a double stroller (note: you do have to buy a "doubles kit"). You can see our Phil and Ted's in action here. Yes, these are expensive strollers. But, they last and they don't become obsolete if you decide to have a second child. I'm still looking for a good option for three children. I'll let you know what I come up with.

Bonus: The company has great customer service--they will replace pretty much any part free of charge. Because of the durability, these strollers really last--which means you can get a great deal if you decide to buy one second hand.  

Contact: Phil + Teds

Stroller Image Credit: Daddysswag.com

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers...

...The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them--because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.

"Think Different" ad campaign by Chiat/Day which was inspired by this:

"When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world. Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money.

That’s a very limited life. Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact, and that is - everything around you that you call life, was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.

The minute that you understand that you can poke life and actually something will, you know if you push in, something will pop out the other side, that you can change it, you can mold it. That’s maybe the most important thing. It’s to shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just gonna live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it, make your mark upon it.

I think that’s very important and however you learn that, once you learn it, you’ll want to change life and make it better, cause it’s kind of messed up, in a lot of ways. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again."

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

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Christmas at My House

Just a few simple things to bring the holiday spirit to our home. I try to keep it simple. The tree is faux, many of the decorations are from my mom and grandmother.        

My grandfather was Swedish, and many of the the ornaments I have are from Sweden.  Christmas is celebrated for almost two months in Sweden, with December 13th being St. Lucia's Day. Traditionally, the eldest daughter in a family dons a headwreath with candles and serves the family St. Lucia buns (Lussekatter) and coffee in bed. Many of the tree ornaments are made of straw and wood. Typical for the simple life of the Swedish countryside. The Candle Carousel is an old European tradition stemming from the invention of the windmill. When you light candles, the heat makes the carousel spin. Natural energy! I hope you have a lovely Christmas. God Jul!

Find out more:

Plaited Straw Decorations

Christmas Candle Carousel

All This Happened, More or Less

Source: anneevamargriet.blogspot.com via Sara Kate on Pinterest

 

 

Like so many Americans, she was trying to construct a life that made sense from the things she found in gift shops. (Slaughterhouse-Five)

Happy Birthday, Mr. Vonnegut.

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An All Hallow's Eve Poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Source: cfabbridesigns.com via Toni on Pinterest

 

Things are starting to get a little spooky around here.

Alone

Edgar Allan Poe

From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were — I have not seen
As others saw — I could not bring
My passions from a common spring —
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow — I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone —
And all I lov’d — I lov’d alone —
Then — in my childhood — in the dawn
Of a most stormy life — was drawn
From ev’ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still —
From the torrent, or the fountain —
From the red cliff of the mountain —
From the sun that ’round me roll’d
In its autumn tint of gold —
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass’d me flying by —
From the thunder, and the storm —
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view —