Fab Find: Anya Hindmarch Canvas Tote

As you may already know from my previous posts, I am a huge Anya Hindmarch fan! I recently visited the store on the UES in search of one of her marvelous Canvas Totes. They are roomy canvas totes with buttery leather straps perfect for the farm market, the beach, or general trips about town. I have fancied them for a while but spent the last year and a half so wrapped up in diaper bags I couldn't embrace their full appeal. But this summer things are different. Toting Pooka around no longer means having an overflowing diaper bag filled with a blanket, a change of clothes, multiple diapers, a nursing cover, pacifiers, toys...you get the idea. These days we travel a lot lighter: a Joya Baby Diaper Clutch, a Monkey Foot Designs Wet Bag filled with the summer essentials (sunscreen, hat, baby legs, wipes), snacks, and mama's wallet and phone. For errands we pair down to just the wallet, phone, and wipes. So now the Canvas Tote makes perfect sense for a morning Starbucks trip and a quick jaunt to the swings, but it's still roomy enough for a whole day adventure or a trip to the sprinklers at AMNH. And to put the icing on the cake, Anya Hindmarch now does a tote with moms in mind with the adorable navy blue and turquoise Toys Tote. If you're looking for something more grown up check out the Boat Bag Tote, Beach Bag Tote, Picnic Tote, Gym Tote or others. These totes are a great price at $98 so ditch the diapy as we head into summer!

Win a Rosie Dress from Pink Chicken New York

If you aren't familiar with the charming clothing of Pink Chicken New York then you are greatly missing out. To see my full review of their new Spring/Summer 2010 collection please read my previous post. One of my favorite pieces from the line is the Rosie Dress, and lucky for you we have one to give away. One fortunate reader will take home a Rosie Dress in Pink Chicken's classic Indian Paisley in summery lime, yellow, and orange. It's perfect as a dress or beach coverup, and I love that as your little one grows the dress simply becomes a tunic rather than be retired too soon. When you see how darling this dress is you will want your daughter to wear it until she leaves for college!

You have two chances to enter to win a Rosie Dress:

1. Send an email with "Pink Chicken Rosie Dress" in the subject line to lifewithpooka@gmail.com

2. Follow @lifewithpooka on Twitter and tweet "RT and follow @lifewithpooka for a chance to win a darling Rosie Dress from @pinkchickenNYC - http://bit.ly/a16I6m"

Or better yet, do both and enter to win the contest twice! A winner will be selected at random next Wednesday, March 24th. The dress for giveaway is sized 18 months. Good luck!

Thanks to Pink Chicken New York for generously offering us this dress for our giveaway contest!

Everything's Coming Up Rosie: Pink Chicken's New Spring Collection

Not everyone likes to dress their little lady in onesies with slogans like "I love Mommy" or dresses with cute applique teapots. For those with more discerning taste craving a sophisticated but unstuffy style take a look at Pink Chicken New York. After 15 years in the fashion industry, creator and mom of two Stacey Fraser moved to the Hamptons and began designing bohemian style dresses for little girls above her garage. She was inspired to become a momprenuer after the birth of her second child. She realized she couldn't go back to the work and travel schedule of the corporate world, and wanted to do something she was truly passionate about. The world's of children's fashion is a better place because of Stacey's passion! When I asked her how she balances work and motherhood she jokingly exclaimed "OMG, barely!" but shared that having her own business allows her to have a flexible schedule so she can take her kids to school and activities. These are things she couldn't do if she were working for someone else.


Designed for "easy, breezy dressing that is no fuss but always stylish," the influence of the beach is evident in the laid back styles and airy prints and fabrics of Pink Chicken. The line now includes fabulous knits, swim wear, and newborn clothing but continues to shine most brightly with it's dress collection. This spring's collection is inspired by her love of summer: sun, surf, and downtime with family in the Hamptons. Prints range from gorgeous pinks and purples echoing lilac and fragrant flowers to vibrant yellows from the sun and a touch of blue from the ocean.

My favorite prints are found on the Belle and Sasha dresses. They remind me of dresses my aunt used to sew for me as a little girl, which makes them timeless and perfect for Pooka. The Rosie dress is Pink Chicken's iconic summer style, and this season finds it in indian inspired prints and with beautiful embroidery. And if those don't wow your pants off with their cuteness, then check out the preppy chic Ella Dress or boho Nellie Dress. For casual play dates check out the knit collection featuring the adorable Lucy Dress and great capri leggings. And you don't want to miss the swim collection. Where else can you find an amazing bathing cap with embroidered flowers for your wee one with a matching suit? And even the littlest ladies can get in on the action with the newborn collection. I love the two piece Belle sets for 0-12 months.

But I think I have saved the best for last...Pink Chicken has now released a women's line so Pooka won't be the only one looking fab at the beach (or in the park) this summer! You too can have your own Rosie or Ella Dress in the same great prints, or maybe a Sasha Top to match your little one's dress. Moms get their own styles too. I love the Beatrice Top, Eva Top and Marcia Maxi Dress. Whichever Pink Chicken ensemble you chose, wether for yourself or your wee one, you will be sure to exude that effortless style and sophistication that many desire but few attain. Toss a few in your bag and you'll be able to travel light on your trips to Montauk, the Vineyard, or Wellfleet this summer!

We'd like to thank the wonderful ladies at Pink Chicken New York for sending us a Rosie Dress for review and giveaway. Stay tuned for our next post featuring a contest to win a Rosie Dress for your little dear.

Beach bound? 7 Ways to beat the summer sun

It's that time of year when people are headed out on summer vacation, and if the weather cooperates that usually means some time at the beach. Our beach vacation is coming up in a few weeks, and I've been putting together some things to help keep Pooka safe from the sun. She is under 6 months old and sunscreen options are limited, so we must compensate in other ways. Some of these items we already use on a daily basis. Let's start with the basics, the i-play Girl's Brim Hat with UPF 50. Pooka has been wearing this all summer, particularly when she is in a baby carrier. We like this one because it has a large brim with a little bit of substance to it so it doesn't flop in her face. It also seems pretty breathable, as she doesn't get too sweaty while wearing it like she does in some of her cotton sunhats. Our next line of defense is the new UPF 50 BabyLegs Cool. They are made of a new breathable, mesh-like material, and they look adorable on. These are great when Pooka is in her stroller or a baby carrier with her legs hanging out. We're also big fans of the long-sleeve Patagonia Sunshade shirt, which is made of a breathable UPF 50 fabric. These are all items we use regularly, but for a day at the beach you need the big guns. First, a UPF 50 swimsuit if you plan on dunking the little one in the water. We got a cute one at the Gap with good coverage: the top is designed as a teeny rash guard shirt. Pooka will also be sporting a stylin' pair of i-Play Flexi Specs infant sunglasses in pink. We will be rounding out our sun defense with the Phil and Ted's Traveller portable crib with added UV screen. It is nice and airy with screens all around so Pooka can enjoy the ocean breezes but stay out of the sun's direct rays. The crib is extremely light at 5.5 lbs, and a snap to put together once you figure it out (it took us about 20 minutes the first time, but less than 10 the second time). Finally, while most pediatricians don't recommend sunscreen on children younger than 6 months old, the American Academy of Pediatrics does endorse using them on babies under 6 months, particularly on exposed areas such as hands and face. I always carry some with me in case the sun can't be avoided. The two sunscreens I trust for my little one are California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion and Super Goop's Dr. T's Quick Stick SPF 30. Both are mineral sunscreens with no nasties. We also use these sunscreens on ourselves since Pooka usually has her hands all over us and then proceeds to shove them in her mouth. It does no good to use safe suncreen on her unless you use them on yourself because your sunscreen will inevitably end up on her anyways. Now we understand why you always see parents loaded down with bags and contraptions, lugging everything but the kitchen sink, for a relaxing day at the beach. Despite promising not to be one of those parents (we were always going to travel light) it seems it is inevitable! I can only imagine what we will be lugging next summer...