Culture Shot: April Fool's Day

April Fools' Day though not a holiday in its own right, is a notable day celebrated in many countries on April 1st. The day is marked by the commission of practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, enemies and neighbors, or sending them on fools' errands, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.

Embarrass the gullible, huh? Well, it is a fun day to say the least. The small practical joke on your mom as a kid. Or, hiding something precious from a loved one. I can think of all the jokes played on this gullible girl through the years. A cruel tradition indeed, but more or less usually hysterical.

Gullible or quick-witted, be on the look out for the prankster in your life today!

Mommy diaries: bag a Caden Lane hobo!

No doubt, Two Blue Peas is growing. But not in the same sense some of you ladies are. Your family is growing, your belly is growing, and the amount of gear you have to tote around all day is definitely about to grow.

Helen and I are so excited about our recent change, that we want to spread the love and share in your growth as well. So we’re giving away a Caden Lane hobo diaper bag – worth $150 – to one lucky mama!

For those of you not currently on our Pea-Mail list, now is the time to sign up! Besides the insider info and exclusive offers you’ll receive each month, if you join before May 1, you will be entered to win a fabulous Caden Lane hobo of your choice – Sam, Sage, or Sara!

> Click here to join the Pea-Mail list now

If you’re already on the Pea-Mail list, not to worry, you’ll get your chance too. Simply share tomorrow’s Pea-Mail with all your friends, and be entered as many times as you forward the message. Just be sure to use the forward to a friend link at the bottom of the Pea-Mail to make your entries count.

Thanks for being a loyal Pea-Mail subscriber or thanks for joining the club. We’re so happy to have you!

We're Growing!

Like my 18 month old daughter, Two Blue Peas is growing like a weed. We have been listening to what customers and moms want from a boutique site and we have delivered.

We have launched additional categories to our product lines including:
- Diaper Bags
- Baby bedding
- Boon eating acceessories (plates, sippy cups, utensils)
- High chairs
- Baby Slings

With the addition of our new categories, Two Blue Peas now has a more updated and sophisticated look. We are bound and determined to be the best online baby boutique on the web, and we're doing everything we can to ensure you have the best shopping experience.

Please go check out all the new goods. And, if you feel so inclined, send us a note and let us know what you think!

Style File: Flipping or Flopping?

Austin is a town of acceptability. Literally, you can be whoever you want and Austin will welcome you whether you’re high-fashion, low-fashion, organic, punk or still caught in the 80's. That is why we love this town. One common thread among all these types is the footwear you see about town, flip-flops.

Not until I moved to Austin did I start a love affair with flip-flops. My toes were usually covered and in some sort of sensible shoe. But, a little like crack (so I hear), once you start it’s really hard to stop. No longer do you restrict flip-flop wearing to the beach, outside activities or the pool. You start to think, church is alright for flip-flops. I mean God doesn't really care about your feet does he? And, going out to eat is good too. I’m wearing my all-leather pair and not the rubber ones.

I think the rest of the country has started my same addiction. And, although Jimmy Buffet would be so proud, we have probably started down a slippery slope. Will bathing suits become the next flip-flop? All of the sudden the patron next to you at your favorite Italian restaurant is in board shorts or a halter top bikini? Let's hope that this laid back style stays restricted to feet.

From one addict to another, take a second glance at your footwear options before heading out. I'm going to guess you have a better option than the worn out, kitty-gnawed flip-flops that have your own permanent footprint indention on the sole. Lord knows, I need to take my own advice!

Things we love: toddler speak

You say spaghetti, I say pasketti. You say sandwich, I say sammich. Let’s call the whole thing off!

Sometimes speaking to a toddler feels like communicating with someone from another country, continent, or even planet for that matter. And although they will happily repeat a new word for you enough times to impress the family’s pet parrot, deciphering a toddler’s first words can feel like trying to crack some sort of uber top secret code.

Yesterday afternoon when I left the office, Lillie was happily singing (swinging) in her sing (swing) out back repeating over and over again: “heee fuff lies! heee fuff lies!”

Now as her aunt BooBoo, I clearly knew she was calling “come here butterflies!” to the lovely little creatures flying around her. But to a passerby, that phrase would probably be nothing more than adorable toddler gibberish.

I did a little digging around to find real phrases from other tots that probably took a few days for mom and dad to decode:

"fwoots and begebals" = fruits and vegetables
"raisin opium" = raisin oatmeal
“strangle eggs” = scrambled eggs
"wrong angle" = triangle
“bullsh**” = goldfish
“lover” = flower
“washquash” = washcloth
“simming soup” = swimsuit

Culture shot: mail order granny

It's not as dirty as it sounds. And we’re not talking about a lifelong commitment here. But it turns out that for the bargain price of around $45 (I know, ouch!), you can order a custom pair of hand-knit socks from a silver-haired sweetie across the pond at NetGranny.

The price tag is a smidge steep, and the site is primarily in German, but the concept is absolutely adorable and gives talented grannies something to do while watching QVC and re-runs of As the World Turns all day.

Here in America, the only granny you get is the one that birthed your mother or father. Evidently in Germany, you can simply thumb through some photos and pick your preferred granny based on her smile, knitting skills, and lead time to create a cozy pair of socks.

Head on over to NetGranny for a one-of-a-kind pair of socks, a laugh, and if nothing else, a virtual pinch on the cheek.

Mommy Diaries: Bucket Head

Lillie loves hats. We have a slew of hats at the front door, and she always pulls one on before heading outside. This love has emerged over the past few months, and is quite a change from 6 months ago where anything touching her head was immediately thrown off.

Since hats are a staple in Lillie's fashion routine, it seemed inevitable that she would start to transfer her hat feelings to anything. Toys, diapers, pots and my new favorite buckets have all become head fashions.

Her latest discovery while at Mimi's house was this beautiful pale blue sand bucket. Its a little Devo meets Cape Cod, but I think overall it works. You can see this bucket goes very well with pink footed pajamas. And, regardless of the fact that you can't see while it’s on your head, it doesn’t restrict the wearer from riding bikes, playing ball or running.

I have visions of that little boy from Parenthood that bangs his head repeatedly against the wall while wearing a bucket. All the while, parents smiling saying, he's very gifted!

My sweet pea. Fashion forward or backward? I'm not quite sure. You will have to be the judge.

Best things about Easter

Easter is the holiday that brings in the Spring season. And, what isn't there to like about Spring? The weather is tremendous, colors are magnificent and the air starts to smell fresh and lively. Birds chirping and new life growing. We all associate Easter with the coming of Spring. Here is my list of the best things about Easter:

- Frilly Easter dresses and white sandals
- Candy, particularly jelly beans and whopper robin eggs
- Hidden Easter eggs filled with fun things
- Big brunch with family, usually including mimosas
- Easter baskets with stuffed bunnies
- Funny fake grass that you put in baskets
- And, an Easter bunny, that oddly enough lays eggs

I hope you and your family enjoy this Easter weekend. If you're not celebrating, take a moment just to enjoy the birth of Spring. And, take a deep breath of fresh air. We all could use it after a long Winter.

Style file: Get shifty this spring

Few silhouettes are as forgiving and flattering as the shift. My closet is loaded with shifty tanks. They're perfect for throwing on with jeans, shorts and skirts. And also for concealing a pooch - whether caused by a bundle of joy or a basket of fries.

My Spring fever came a little early this year, thanks to the unseasonable 90-degree weather we've been experiencing here in Austin. Looks like the best medicine for the fever is a healthy dose of new shift dresses!

Everybody's pushing them right now. Anthropologie, of course, has the finer variety that I usually only lust after. But Gap, Banana and the other usual suspects are getting shifty too.

Even Two Blue Peas has a tiny version of the trend for your little fashionista.



I'm still clinging tightly to my fab brown flat boots, but according to the mannequin in the fancy section at Nordstrom, it's perfectly safe to mix the two together going into spring.

The only side effects seem to be complements and a randy husband.

Happy first day of spring!

Things we love: Wubbanub Pacifiers

There are few things in the baby industry that cause great buzz. Some of them being Baby Bjorn, Bumbo seat, baby slings and now Wubbanub pacifiers.

The Schneider family is the great inventor of this genius paci. As with most great baby inventions, this one was created by a parent in need of solution. It came to Mommy

Schneider one night when their little one absolutely could not fall asleep unless the pacifier was in his mouth. I've experienced this one myself when Lillie was little and would wake up as the pacifier fell out of her mouth sleeping. She sewed a stuffed animal onto the baby's paci and, voila, instant genius is born.

Two Blue Peas carries four different styles of Wubbanubs, and we actually have a hard time keeping them in stock. This is an item that is purchased over and over again by customers. And, from personal experience, my daughter loved her frog Wub for a long time. Even now she likes to play with him a bit. If the multitude of orders for this great pacifier is any indication of how others like it, well, let's just say it's a sure-fire baby pleaser.

Try out a Wub and see if your little loves it as much as our Two Blue Peas customers do. Check out the frog, duck, cat and dog paci's.

Culture shot: Grits ain’t just for suthnas

I know what you’re thinking. Grits are old fashioned, grody, and only consumed by people named Bobbie Sue, Mary Frances, or Martha Ann (that’s Ann pronounced with two syllables please).

I may originally be from small town Alabama, but I only have one first name and I’m a city girl now, so surely my word counts for something.

My mama’s Country Sausage Grits casserole is the best thing that ever happened to Easter brunch – whether on a paper plate in Podunk, or fine china in Poshtown. Go ‘head, try it out on the fam this Sunday. See if it doesn’t change your mind about glorious grits.

*Chef’s note*: this recipe is best when made fully-loaded with "real" cheese and meat (no 2% and turkey sausage, ladies), and consumed on a diet off day.

Country Sausage Grits

2 cups water

1/2 cup uncooked quick cooking grits

3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

4 eggs, beaten

1 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon dried white thyme

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 pound mild bulk port sausage – cooked, crumbled and drained

1 cup fresh chopped mushrooms

Bring water to a boil and add grits. Return to a boil, then reduce heat and cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cheese to grits and stir until melted together.

Combine eggs, milk, thyme and garlic powder, mix well. Add a small amount of hot grits/cheese to egg mixture, stir well. Pour remaining egg mixture into grits, then add sausage and mushrooms.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until set (be careful not to dry them grits out!), in a lightly sprayed 9x13 baking dish.

Mommy Diaries: Happy St. Patrick's Day

St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day, which celebrates Saint Patrick, one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17th. Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the color green.

This is a funny holiday in my book. I think beer companies may have a hand in why this holiday has become so popular. Because, most people need an excuse to drink green beer and eat fish and chips all day. At least, I hope they would.

Lillie and I will try and celebrate the holiday in our own way. Some celebration ideas for you and your bub, whether you’re Irish or not:

- Wear green, of course
- Search for three leaf clovers at your local park
- Put green food coloring in your little one's milk, mmmm green milk...
- Add Mc in front of your child's name for the day...McLillian Grace...

- Refer to your toddler as a leprechaun
- Eat fish sticks and french fries for lunch

Have a happy St. Paddy's Day everyone!

The Waiting List Game

In January a friend tipped me off that I needed to start looking into school programs if I wanted to have Lillie enrolled by August. At first I thought, seriously schools need 7 months to register and enroll new students? But, I heeded the advice and off I went on my search to find the perfect place to put my daughter in part-time school. And, I found three great places that I was really excited about. Then, I heard the dreaded words, waiting list. And, I'm not too ignorant, I had heard this term before. I just didn't quite realize the extent.

I've gained a little insight into how the crazy Texas cheerleader mom becomes who she is. Apparently from day one it is a competition to get your little one into a decent program. We're talking being first in line at 5 AM to hopefully be in the top 10 of the waiting list. If you can imagine after 11 years of this type of motherly competition, you might find it OK to put a hit on a competing mom. Not that I'm really condoning that kind of behavior, I'm just saying I see how it all starts.

So, I have been playing the waiting list game and Lillie is number 17 on one and 7th on another. And, as it seems now we're not going to get into school this August. So, take this advice. I know it sounds crazy, but if you are pregnant, check out your local schools and day care now. You might want to go ahead and get on those crazy lists! It beats standing in line with 15 other moms at 5 in the morning. I mean, come on, Starbucks isn’t even open then.

Style file: green with envy

Come Monday, the pinchers will be out in full force to find those of us who don’t have a single piece of green in our closets. I don’t have anything against the lucky hue; I’ve just never given much thought to wearing it.

Until this season’s graphic black & white prints opened my eyes to bright, jewel-toned clothing and accessories. Canary yellow is flying off the racks, purple seems to be making a royal comeback, and emerald green is turning basic outfits into true gems.


The key seems to be: less is more. So head-to-toe green a la leprechaun is probably overdoing it.

Unless you’re posing for the latest cover shot on the Lucky Charms box, sticking to jewelry, shoes, and smaller articles of clothing is probably best.



I’m not much for blowing the budget on a trend, or anything that will not become a staple part of the wardrobe for that matter.

But after some digging, I found several fabulous pieces that don’t require a lot of green at checkout.

Didn't your mama teach you it's not polite to pinch?

Things we love: Easter Goodies

Easter is early this year, and I hope you have your Easter basket purchased and ready to fill. I will be going on my own hunt for a basket this week. Ever since my Halloween costume buying disaster on the 30th of October, I try not to be too late in purchasing holiday gear. Because you hate to be the parent with a paper sack instead of a lovely little basket.

Since I am sure there are other mothers who, like myself, are last minute holiday purchasers, well, this post is for you. Two Blue Peas has some of the most lovely Easter goodies to fill your baby's basket.

We're talking 100% sugar and chocolate free items like blankets, lovies, shoes, outfits and the always popular socks and wubbanubs. And, today is a great day to make your purchase to receive it just in time for the holiday.

Go directly to our Easter page to take a gander at all the spring-time items your little pea can enjoy. Shake a tail feather and get yourself together this year for the upcoming egg-fest! Which, by the way, is March 23rd.

Culture shot: Rockabye Baby!

Nothing can discount the amazing bond you experience and the sheer satisfaction you get from lulling your little one to sleep at night. But let’s face it. Sometimes those traditional tunes you have to play over and over again make you want to scream rather than shush.

You’re already sharing your heart, soul and precious beauty rest with your baby. Why not share your love of music as well?

Popping in your favorite Nirvana album is probably not going to do the trick. But strip out a screaming Kurt Cobain, and trade in a 1965 Fender Jaguar electric guitar for a soothing vibraphone – and, voila! You’ve got a surprisingly peaceful rendition of Smells Like Teen Spirit, perfect for rocking your baby (pun intended folks) peacefully to sleep.

Rockabye Baby! is an LA-based (of course) company that’s in the business of "making children’s music cool – not only for babies, but for their parents too."

The brilliant founders turn to their own music collections as inspiration for these modern lullaby albums. The music ranges wildly from Coldplay to the Beatles to Bob Marley. But the common thread is that each collection is hip, parent-friendly, and most importantly, just what the spin doctor ordered to whisk baby off to dreamland… hopefully for the rest of the night.

> Visit rockabyebabymusic.com

Mommy Diaries: Have Elmo will Travel

Road trips have always been part of my life. I think I practically spent every summer in the car with my family traveling from Dallas to Virginia to see my mother's family. Driving the highway is something I know a lot about, and actually in most ways I really enjoy. So, when Lillie and I scheduled a trip to see my mom last week. I knew I needed to armor myself with the perfect road trip distractions.

When I would travel in the back seat of our Chevy Caprice Classic, there was just me, my sister and our imaginations. Coloring books and small games were about the extent of toys in the car. I often wonder how my mom and dad survived 24 hours in the car with us. What did we do with all our time and how much whining did they listen to?

Well, the best invention for road trips has to be the DVD player. I try not to fan the Elmo obsession fire too much these days, but with just Lillie and I on one of the craziest highways in Texas, I had to purchase a DVD player and enough Elmo DVDs to last 3 hours.

And, after traveling there and back, I'm hooked. My little toddler was calm, happy and could have cared less I was trucking her down the highway for 3 hours. Although, if I hear the Elmo theme song one more time, I might strangle myself. Let's just hope she doesn't expect the DVD every time we get the car!

Style file: diapers in disguise…

…and I mean reallllllly in disguise. Better than the Olsen-twins-dressed-as-vagabond-drifters-wearing-giant-sunglasses kind of disguise.

Women love their bags. Guys will never understand why we fantasize about the Prada we spotted at dinner last night. Or the sheer joy we feel when we get to break Mr. Vuitton out of his protective duster bag for a special occasion.

Besides our guys themselves, bags are by far the most important accessory. We fill them with all the goodies we hold near and dear to our hearts, and loyaly tote them around everywhere we go.

When it's time to lighten the load of lip gloss and Tic Tacs to make room for diapers and Cheerios, there's no reason this beloved accessory has to go from sleek and fabulous to babyish and frilly.

Some of today's designer diaper totes are gorgeous enough to make anyone salivate and slobber like a one year old. Watch the bag please!

So don't feel bad about splurging on a diaper bag you really love. Given the 18-hour push fest you just endured, you've more than earned it.

Besides, when Junior is finally ready to hang up the diapers for good, just fill that puppy back up with your own stuff to disguise it as a "real" purse.

Things we love: Serena & Lily’s Nursery Style

Besides the fact that Serena and Lily live seemingly parallel lives of the Two Blue Peas – blonde/brunette, nerdy/artsy, mama/mama-to-be (some day!) – Helen and I just adore these ladies and what they’ve done for the industry.

They have a flawless sense of style and an equally strong knack for knowing what it takes to create a tasteful and polished, yet totally baby-appropriate nursery.

Sometimes I think they’re crazy for revealing the genius behind the curtain. But lucky for us, they’ve published their secrets and tips in Serena & Lily’s Nursery Style.

No more run-of-the-mill zoo animals or teddy bear prints in obnoxious primary palettes. No more licensed Winnie the Pooh or Elmotastic explosions with every matching accessory you could possibly dream up. The lines are clean, the fabrics rich, and the paint colors imaginative and whimsical.

Just because you have a baby on the way doesn’t mean you must sacrifice your own personal decorating style for a 10 x 10 circus tent at the end of the hall. Give your baby a warm, welcoming haven that you can enjoy as well. After all, you too will spend many nights in that nursery until baby finally settles in.

Be on the lookout for Serena & Lily's fabulous line to grace the pages of twobluepeas.com very soon!

Culture shot: ABC song

Lillie has taken a strong liking to the ABC song. And, she will sing it on command or anytime there is a pause in conversation, playtime, eating, and whenever someone may need to break out into song. The best is that she has yet to master the alphabet, so the song is a muddled version of the original with long pauses and gaps. But, what is always the same is the tune.

Since this little ditty has been sung to me countless times in the past few weeks, it made me wonder. Where the heck did the alphabet song start? And, who gave our language building blocks such personality? Well, our friends at Wikipedia had the answer. Here is their (condensed) synopsis:

This is one of the best-known English language alphabet songs, and perhaps the one most frequently referred to as "the alphabet song" especially in the United States. The song was first copyrighted in 1835 by the Boston-based music publisher Charles Bradlee, and given the title "The A.B.C., a German air with variations for the flute with an easy accompaniment for the piano forte". The musical arrangement was attributed to Louis Le Maire, an 18th century composer. The Newberry Library says, "The theme is that used by Mozart for his piano variations, Ah, vous dirai-je, maman.This tune is more commonly recognizable as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

My thanks to Mr. Bradlee and Louis Le Maire for their genius composition. Little Lillie's day wouldn't be the same without it.

Mommy diaries: simplified sitter search

Whether finally caving to your husband’s persistent whining or reaching the realization on your own, you’ve decided it’s time. Time to tweeze your brows, put on a skirt (a clean one), and ditch the diaper bag for an adults-only night on the town.

But where in the world will you find a sitter who knows your baby wants a cookie when she says “tootie”, or that the best medicine for a boo-boo is singing the Itsy Bitsy Spider with a British accent?

Cloning yourself is not a possibility yet. But thankfully there are resources available to help you find someone better than your co-worker’s friend’s neighbor’s niece, Kimmy.

Other Moms
Conversations from the playground sidelines are brutally honest, so you can expect straightforward opinions from other moms.

You’re not the only one who has ever struggled to hire a sitter for the first time. Chances are pretty high you know a mom with a polished list of go-to sitters who have already passed her rigorous test.

Daycare Directors
Ask your child’s daycare director if anyone on staff is willing to watch your child after hours. A lot of teachers would probably work a little overtime for some extra cash.

They’re obviously passionate about little ones and they have all the necessary training. Best of all, they’re familiar with your child’s unique language and routine.

Neighborhood or Church Newsletters
Even though you may not know them on a personal level, the advertising teen’s family is already part of a group you associate with on a regular basis. Just treat it like any other hiring situation. Talk to the teen and her parents about her intentions and don’t be shy about asking for references.

Professional Organizations
Organizations like MommyMixer® (www.mommymixer.com) are designed to facilitate meetings between mommies and nannies in a relaxed, social environment. This helps reveal true personalities and chemistry between care-giver and family.

Online Resources
With very little time to spare, moms research and shop online for everything these days. It makes perfect sense that searching for a sitter online followed suit.

Touts from Oprah, the Today Show, and Martha Stewart have helped build confidence in sites like BabySitters.com (www.babysitters.com) and Sittercity (www.sittercity.com) to safely connect families with sitters all over the country.