pretty dresses

Tutti Bella has an overwhelmingly large selection of ridiculously priced boutique clothes. I am quite certain, however, that these lovelies would all pass the Zuzu "pretty" test if I gave into temptation.

party in a box

Darling little company I found on Cool Mom Picks today. It's called Just Add Cake and they have a very classy selection of theme based parties in a box. Loving the fairy princess package for Zuzu's #2.

ewwwwww

Do I really have two children that like bugs and how can I make it stop?

"wow I wish I'd done that!"

New York, NY – May 1, 2008 – The Art Directors Club today announces the top winners in the categories of Advertising and Design - including Interactive Media - for its 87th Annual Awards. The Art Directors Club is the first creative collective of its kind. Global membership spans the disciplines of design, advertising and visual communications.

Big Winner

Microsoft’s XBOX Halo 3 swept the Advertising channel with work from McCann Worldgroup San Francisco, T.A.G., AKQA and Stimmung with a total of 5 Gold Cubes, 1 Silver Cube and 2 Distinctive Merit certificates.

They earned Gold Cubes for:
- Broadcast/Product Service Promotion/Art Direction:
Microsoft XBOX Halo3, Diorama, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco & T.A.G
- Broadcast/Online Commercial Webisode:
Microsoft XBOX, The Making of John 117, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco & T.A.G
- Broadcast/Online Commercial Webisode:
Microsoft XBOX, Ammo, Enemy Weapon and Hunted; McCann Worldgroup San Francisco & T.A.G.
- Integrated Advertising:
Microsoft XBOX Halo 3, Believe, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco, T.A.G. & AKQA
- Broadcast/Craft/Art Direction:
Microsoft XBOX Halo 3, Diorama, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco & T.A.G

Silver for:
- Broadcast/Craft/Direction:
Microsoft XBOX Halo 3, Diorama, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco & T.A.G

Distinctive Merits for:
- Broadcast/Music/Sound Design:
Microsoft XBOX Halo 3, Believe, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco, T.A.G. & AKQA
- Interactive/Microsite:
Microsoft XBOX Halo 3, Believe, McCann Worldgroup San Francisco, T.A.G. & AKQA

“I haven’t seen many shows where one campaign galvanized the jury like Halo 3 did for this one. From concept to multi-layered execution, it was in a class of its own. The painstaking attention to detail, the incredible imagination at play and innovative channels used to bring it to life were fully appreciated. The biggest question for the jury was how to properly recognize its excellence. As the ADC did not have a “Best of Show”; the next best thing seemed to be multiple cubes and this acknowledgement that one of the toughest, most accomplished juries anywhere said collectively, ‘Wow I wish I’d done that!’.” said Nancy Vonk.

Believe

McCann, T.A.G. Win Grandy Award
BBDO, Burnett, Saatchi, TBWA are top agency winners
-By Adweek Staff



Halo 3 won big at the Andy Awards.

NEW YORK The Advertising Club's 2008 International Andy Awards today presented its best-in-show Grandy Award to McCann Worldgroup and T.A.G., both San Francisco, for the integrated Halo 3 "Believe" campaign in the toys, games and sports category.

The creative team winning the Grandy consists of creative directors Scott Duchon, Geoff Edwards and John Patroulis; strategy director Mike Harris; art directors Nate Able, Tim Stier, Ben Wolan and Nathalie Turton; and copywriters Mat Bunnell, Rick Herrera and Danielle Emery.

McCann San Francisco also received the Yahoo! Big Idea Chair, in its fifth year at the Andy Awards, for its Halo 3 creative work.

According to Mark Waites, honorary chairman of the International Andy Awards and founding partner and creative director of Mother, London, "We're seeing an intensifying global influence in the Andys this year with a strong showing of winners throughout international agency networks. In addition, conducting final judging in Sydney created a terrific bond for those of us in U.S. and U.K. agency worlds, underscoring the enormous talent and resources available to everyone in the global creative community."

He noted that the work continues to reflect a departure from traditional approaches and media, showing greater emphasis on integrated programs with a prominent digital component. "It's getting increasingly difficult to believe that a standalone TV spot is going to have any real impact these days," he said. "There has to be other elements to a successful campaign."

The 44th annual show was held tonight at Skylight Studios in New York.

accident prone?

I thought it was a nice idea to take the kids bowling after school today. Gage was in his own little world bowling set after set. Zuzu was having a blast too (in her own weird way). She would sit quietly coloring for a bit... then get up and run a lap around the computer... then go right back to coloring.

Grandma and I were actually enjoying ourselves too. I had one strike and several impressive looking 9's on the screen. Until. Until I walked up to the line with the ball, swung my arm aggressively with my eight pound ball, nailed Zuzu who had unsuspectingly run up behind me, and knocked her to the ground. She was hysterical. It was a dramatic few minutes while we tried to assess the damage.

We tried everything, even chocolate ice cream but nothing would console her. All she wanted to do was "go night-night mommy". This was not good. So we called for help...literally.

Sirens roaring, a fire truck and ambulance were at the bowling alley within minutes. Of course, when they arrived, Zuzu was in my arms scarfing down the now melting all over me chocolate ice cream. She was on the mend. We put down the ice-cream and the medics gave her a quick once-over anyway. They then let the little monkey and her star-struck older brother explore the ambulance.

Fortunately, I had my camera with me as the kids lounged in the ambulance. Unfortunately, I was far too embarrassed to actually set up a good shot.

Gage throws a spare:


Zuzu keeps score:


Checking out the buttons in the ambulance:


Following the ambulance out - fortunately none of us were in it:


I asked Zuzu if she wanted to go bowling again and she confidently told me no but Gage is hooked so we'll definitely be going back. There is no doubt in my mind that when we return Gage will reiterate a version of what he told me several times on the way home. It will go something like this, "Mommy, do you remember when we came here and you hit Zuzu in the head with a bowling ball?"

lego mechanic for hire

Last night while driving up highway 101 to dinner, Gage inquired about bus drivers, who are they and why someone would want to be a bus driver. Grandma Pat was there and she began to tell Gage how important bus drivers are because they make people happy, which she followed up with a personal experience to prove her point. She then explained to Gage that bus drivers have to take special classes and get special licenses to do their job.

This led to a frequent conversation that we have about high school, college, picking a trade and becoming an expert, getting a job & going to work. Gage has an insane preoccupation with growing up. I'm assuming this is normal for a 4 1/2 year old?!

This conversation really lasted no longer than 3 minutes but then got into how and when Daddy picked his job and how and when Mommy picked hers. Of course, Mommy no longer has a job which is still a novel concept so I joked, "I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up." (Actually not so much a joke).

To which Gage replied something like this, "but Mommy, you already have a job. You are the best lego builder ever. You should go around to all the kids houses that get legos and help build them." I cried. Dammit, I am appreciated!

So if you've got a problem with your legos...apparently I'm an expert.

a room fit for a princess

It's finally (almost) done. Done enough to share photos. There are things I would change (of course) but all in all Zuzu is quite pleased.

The wall graphic from blik was definitely frustrating to hang but was well worth the effort. Great option for California kids that can't have anything heavy hanging over their heads. Zuzu loves her big girl bed from PB Teen with her Dwell bedding however she likes it best when mom is in the bed too. The storage cubes from Via Toy Box are so easy to keep up and worked perfectly in the small space. Love the dress prints that Annie special ordered me at Goodnite Moon (new website coming soon) even though the one on the left is not the right pattern (who would know but me?). The vintage mirror, Saarinen tulip table from DWR & "zuzu" letters from Anthropologie help to break up the slightly overdone brown and pink (I got a little carried away). Shaggy Raggy rug & metal buckets are from Goodnite Moon as well. Thanks Annie!

Now we just need to get the little princess to actually sleep in her new room...

happy half birthday to you...

That's right. Half birthday. Four and a half to be exact. And boy did we celebrate. We started bright and early with presents. That's Gage's new 4 1/2 year old bike. (in all fairness he hasn't had a new bike in two years and was well overdue 1/2 birthday or not) This was followed by tennis lessons, popsicles in the park, lunch...various afternoon activities...dinner and cake. Yes, a special power ranger cake that read, "Happy 4 1/2 Birthday Gage!". I can only imagine what the cake decorator at Safeway was thinking...

stepping up

How cute is this? I pulled the image from Design Public but saw it on a few other sites tonight as well.

stuffed

I am not a fan of those family stickers on the back of the SUV's all over town but somehow these custom made pillows from Branch are different. Silly expensive but oh so cute.

social butterflies

That's the title of the new CB2 catalog that came in the mail today. I have to say, it's a good thing their corporate office is not here with the rest of the retail giants because this catalog almost inspires me to want to get back in the biz. Nicely done Crate.

Here are some of my fav's from the latest book:

lilies of the nile

Isn't this sweet? It's a series of six 20" x 20" x 4" metal etchings by San Francisco artist Beth Weintraub. She's making one just like it for our dining room. I'm in love.

I'm just sayin'...

The kids are making pictures to welcome Grandma to the house tomorrow. Something about this one made me giggle.

laughter is the best medicine

I'm pretty sure that when your kid has a fever, and stays home from school, you are not supposed to take them to the mall to buy shoes and ride simulated roller coaster rides. Oh well, at least I admit it when I'm being a negligent parent. They didn't seem to mind!

lefty

Gage's first official tennis lesson was a big hit.

blabla

I bought Gage one of these cuddly cat dolls about four years ago when he latched on to it at Mill Valley Baby & Kids. I didn't know anything about it but he loved it and that's just the way it works. He loves. I buy.



Lately I've been seeing more and more of them around town. Tonight, I noticed them in an article on cool mom picks, one of the inspirational blogs on my sidebar. Apparently, these darling dolls are made in Peru by a company called blabla kids. The collection is irresistible. They even have a giant size doll that's 3 feet tall. Dolls are not cheap but did I mention irresistible? I bought three for Zuzu:





Don't you just want to take one to bed yourself? I just might!

out with the old?

Zuzu has a new favorite song. She's only heard it once but she was riveted by the video and begged for more. I just don't know if "more mushaboom" is going to be as easy to whine as "more no one"!

It's by Feist and you can watch it here on youtube.

Gage got a Bionicle for Passover

The evening started quite well considering there were eight young children joining us at Seder. They drank some wine, ate some matzoh and surprisingly enough, were quite participatory.
See exhibit A.



Somehow we managed to make it through the Haggadah with very little distraction and the children then settled, kicking and screaming, in front of the television.
See exhibit B.



Did I once stop to think...is this going too smoothly? Nope. Maybe I should have. Therein lies exhibit C.



No, our friends do not have a funny medical room at their lovely home. This shot was taken at Marin General Hospital after Gage got bored with the movie, climbed on a chair, fell and drove one of his front teeth directly through his chin.

Fortunately, Scott and I had consumed the obligatory four glasses of wine (I jest...sort of) and both remained quite calm. And fortunately, the doctor seemed to think that stitching it up could cause more harm than good in terms of preventing infection so we got out of there (90 minutes later) with a prescription for penicillin and one relieved kid.

Might I add that our day tomorrow will entail following through with all of the promises that we made tonight under duress. Which is the sheer irony of the whole event because Passover is probably one of the only holidays that we have avoided giving gifts (the $.25 for the afikoman doesn't count). Leave it to Gage to find a way.

speaking of shoes

I got these pretty little flats at anthropologie yesterday. They bring out the ballerina in me.