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Archive for June 23rd, 2010

Elephant Ears: Smart or silly?

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Baby Elephant Ears have been sitting on my desk for weeks. It’s a Minnesota company, created by an enterprising mom with a great personal story – three big selling points when I’m looking for Cool Products to feature for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. But I can’t bring myself to declare this one “cool,” because, well, I think it’s sort of silly. The Elephant Ears, $21.95, are pillows intended to keep baby’s head, neck and spine aligned in the stroller, swing or car seat. Alicia Overby created the pillow after talking to a chiropractor about her infant son Finn’s apparent discomfort, which the chiropractor said was due to a sore neck. Now, I do recall worrying my firstborn’s neck would snap when his head dropped to his lap in the stroller. I made various attempts, in vain, to prop him up. But I quickly learned how resiliant babies are – and how adept they are at sleeping in a wide variety of contorted positions that appear ridiculously uncomfortable to adults. So while I think this pillow is cute enough – provided it is kept out of the crib, of course – I can’t help but relegate it to that category of baby goods that play to anxious parents rather than infant needs. What do you think? Tell me I’m wrong -that Elephant Ears are a smart invention – and I’ll make it a Cool Product Alert in the coming weeks.

Room & Board in color

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

As if I didn’t already love Room & Board enough, the contemporary furniture retailer is introducing bold pops of color to its usual repertoire of soft neutrals. The Frank Gehry designed abstract cube (perfect for outdoors) was just released in five brights: yellow, green, blue, red and magenta. The classic Wishbone chair is available in blue, orange and white and the Moda kids bedroom collection comes in eight new shades. Wonder how long until some pieces show up at the Weekend Outlet.

Glamorama build up

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Expect a more dance-intensive Glamorama from Macy’s this year. “So You Think You Can Dance” choreographer Brian Friedman, who has worked with Britney Spears, Beyonce and Usher, has been brought on to produce the dance numbers. The fashion sequences will continue to be choreographed by Myron Johnson, artistic director of Ballet of the Dolls. At a kick-off event at Crave yesterday, the Macy’s team seemed especially excited to have Issey Miyake in the show for the first time. They also said Macy Gray won’t be the only headliner and promised another announcement soon. Glamorama takes place Aug. 6 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis and then travels to Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. For tickets, click here.


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