Like the dorks that we are (meaning, we are not smart enough to be full-fledged geeks), architectdad and I love watching shows on the Discovery and Science channels. HBO series are the staple, and the science-related shows are the dessert.Tonight, we watched an eye-opening show on the Science Channel called "Zero Waste." It is part of a series called "Eco-Tech." The program showcases the most cutting-edge innovations in waste and recycling technology. By following waste from the landfill to the lab, the show demonstrates why "waste management" is quickly becoming the hottest new trend in the scientific world.For instance, did you know that 40% of all potable (drinkable) water is used for flushing our toilets? Also, did you know a cloth diaper service washes each diaper SEVEN times (using potable water) before it is returned to you? Currently in the U.S., treated sewage water is returned back into the rivers and streams. In many European, as well as Asian, countries, treated water is returned back into the drinking water supply. Scientists are now working on innovative ways to filter waste water, making it potable. One method is using a high-tech membranous fiber called "Z-weed" (by Zenon) to treat dirty water by filtering out harmful particles. Strands of Zweed are submerged into the dirty water. Each membrane contains tiny holes that are much smaller than bacteria and virus, including HIV. It allows water molecules to pass through, while filtering out 99% of cells, bacteria and viruses. If everyone could change his/her mindset about how dirty water is treated, then we have a chance of recycling what will be our most precious resource in the future.Also, did you ever think about where all your old computers have gone to die? The staggering rate at which new gadgets and computers are created and revamped, has contributed to the increasing amount of heavy metals (such as mercury) in our natural environment. A company (the name escapes me) has been recycling used electronic equipment parts and using the byproducts for other uses. Each piece of equipment is smashed into little pieces, then sorted for useful materials. The metal-containing pieces are plucked out with magnets, while some other pieces have to be hand sorted.Lastly, the coolest recycling method shown on the program is plasmagas technology. Solid waste is heated into liquid state, the liquid is then heated to a gaseous state. By passing the gases through a electrically charge plasmagas torch, your garbage is broken down into pure elements and electricity. Pure elements, such as hydrogen can then be harnessed to power a H-car in the future. According the scientists, ANYTHING is recyclable using this method. Even disposable diapers, which usually takes 500 years to degrade. At the moment, NYC spends $90 per ton on garbage management. If the city were to use plasmagas technology, it could sell the electricity the process generates and end up earning $15 per ton of garbage.Our increasingly complex lifestyle will inevitably create more waste than ever. However, it is certainly encouraging to know that there are alternative disposal methods which will hopefully protect and conserve our natural environment.
Claude Diwan and Maurice Elmaleh launched the French Canadian brand, Deux par Deux, in 1986. It offers fun, European-styled apparel for infants and kids (girls and boys). The winter 2007-2008 line features a lot of beautiful knits with interesting details and graphics. As with most DxD clothes, the knits are off the charts in the colors department. Not necessarily gaudy, just...bright.
To avoid the danger of turning your child into a clown at the circus, pair the adorable multi-color pom-pom scarf with a minimalist top and, voila! You've got a beautiful combination. Or, go tonal with the sophisticated cerulean blue ensemble instead. You can find Deux par Deux online at Trendy Togs. Be sure to check out the DxD tights...they are fun-o-rama!
...there is a slight chill in the air...it almost smells like autumn...hee...time for adorable knit hats and mittens...
The Bee has arrived! How exciting was it to find a Bugaboo box sitting under the stairs when we came home from Starbucks this morning!Out of the box, the Bee looked pretty much like it should when it is completely folded. I just had to pop the two front wheels in and we were good to go. As usual, the Bugaboo directions are clear and concise. Although one might get a little overwhelmed by the different "bugaboo specific" terms. For those of us who need live-action demonstrations, the Bee even came with a multi-lingual DVD instruction video. Like the geek that I am, I watched the entire thing. Well, at least it was a good way to pass the time while O took her afternoon nap.They tell you in the advertisement that you can fold and unfold the Bee with the touch of a button. Not quite. To open, you press on the break pedal with your foot, pull the handle bar toward you, and it pops right open. Easy enough. However, you need to make sure the handle bar is full extended and locked in place, otherwise the whole stroller will be off-kilter. To fold the stroller, you have to press secondary lock button on the left side of the handle bar while sliding the folding locks on each side upwards. See what I mean..."Bugaboo" terms. Once you've mastered the unlocking action, the Bee pretty much folds itself. And it is light. The whole contraption weighs about 17 lbs, one pound less than O at 7-1/2 months.I tried facing O forward and backward. Either works fine, except I think the Bee looks better with the seat facing forward. The seat is nicely padded, even on the sides. However, this means that the width of the seat may be a little more snug than some of the other umbrella strollers. There is one important difference: you can recline the seat completely parallel to the ground, which is great for afternoon naps should you find yourself no where near a crib or bed. Also, you can customize the depth of the seat bottom by pulling it out or pushing it in.Judging by the instructional video, it is very easy to clip the Maxi Cosi, Graco or Peg Perego car seat onto the Bee. I have only seen the Graco and PP adaptors sold here in the U.S., but am not exactly sure how the Maxi Cosi fits on there. Although Pacifier is claiming "adapters for the Maxi-Cosi Mico car seat will be available Fall 2007. Adapters for the Graco and Peg Perego car seats will be available in April 2008." Curious.The spring-loaded, independent suspension ride is very smooth, even on pavement. However, the four small wheels definitely do not equal the two big wheels of the Cameleon. I definitely had more difficulty maneuvering over cracks and pot holes with the Bee.Is the Bee as good as the Cameleon? No. Is it as versatile? Maybe. Is it better for travelling and car trips? For sure. Nevertheless, the Bee is definitely not a replacement for the Cameleon. To me, you can't replace the weightiness and stability of the Cameleon. Also, the Cameleon bassinet is a great feature that I couldn't have done without during O's first three months of life. However, one of the accessories (the Nest) does allow you to convert the Bee into a faux-bassinet.The price of the Bee is slightly troublesome at $529. It is only $150 less than the Bugaboo Gecko, and it is almost $200 more expensive than the Maclaren Techno umbrella stroller. Also, the maximum allowable weight on the Bee is only 37.5 lbs, whereas the Maclaren Techno SLR can hold up to 55 lbs. Then again, would you want to be pushing your 55-lbs third-grader around town???The biggest disappointment? The Bee doesn't come in orange. No worries, Puo is already making the pattern for the custom Marimekko cover as I write.
With maybe the exception of mealtime, I think O's favorite ritual of the day is bath time. She loves to splash around and play with her bath toys. Out of all the toys, her favorites are the scoopy cups that came with her tacky aquarium bathtub. By the way, for those moms and dads who are not already "in the know": there is something about CUPS that all babies love. Put a couple of plastic toy versions in front of them, anywhere, and they can self-entertain for...minutes!
Other bath accessories that are big hits with O are the Boon Bath Toys. She loves them because she can sink her two teeth into the foam applique shapes...not enough to rip off small pieces, of course! She also loves her various rubber duckies...although Z ate her Devil Duck just last week. Bad dog. O also has some Luxury Ducks which are rubber duckies with fancy names, dressed up in fancy outfits. And, you can never go wrong with squirties.
If your baby loves the faucet as much as O does, make sure you get the Boon "Flo" faucet cover. It not only deflects water flow and creates a gentle waterfall, it also protects your baby from injuring herself on the faucet. Best of all, "Flo" acts as a bubble bath dispenser! No assembly is required--just clip on and turn on the water. After the bath, scoop everything up with the Boon "Frog Pod."
When O was born, she had a full head of hair. Unfortunately, the hair didn't stick around. Well...at least the new ones started emerging as the old ones buried themselves in her crib, her stroller, her towels, her clothes...Her hair is now about 1-1/2" long overall--enough for mom to start experimenting with hair accessories. I'm not talking about satin bows and tulle...yech! I found some felt hair clips made by Giddy Giddy that are simple and mod. Best of all, it stays on...even on baby-fine hair.Each clip is handcrafted with a snap clip sewn securely inside felt fabric. You can choose from three categories of designs: flowers, animals or food. You can buy them online from Piccolini.com.
If you enjoy tongue-in-cheek graphic tees, you'll love the onesies and tees by Urban Smalls. Each onesie features a quote that is either sarcastic or super cheesy--so cheesy that it's funny
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