My Muse Max 38

My Muse Max 38

Striped Tank – Uniqlo, Striped Swim Trunks – Zara Kids


T-Shirt of the Week #25

threadlessBurgerRunThreadless – Burgerman T-Shirt (size 3 months – kids large) $15-$20.00 www.threadless.com


Back to School – Top Backpacks

boys_backpack

On your mark, get set, go! The mad dash to purchase that laundry list of “Back to School” supplies is here. While certain items like pencils, notebooks and paper are a no brainer, a backpack is something that should never be bought on a whim.

Unlike clothing and shoes, your child will not outgrow their backpack during the school year, or need to swap it out when the weather changes. It’s the one constant they will proudly wear everyday to school. So why not make it something special?

Always remember a backpack is way more than just a vessel to carry your kid’s books to school. It’s an extension of their personality. A representation of who your child is to their peers. Maybe your kid loves kittens? Maybe it’s a certain cartoon character? Maybe they’re obsessed with pink? Whatever floats their boat. In the end, it’s all about making them feel good about themselves by building their confidence and self-esteem…all while getting their homework home in one piece. – Jill Topol

TOP BOYS BACKPACKS

  1. Crewcuts – Max the Monster Backpack $59.50 jcrew.com
  2. Fred Perry – Plaid Signature Backpack $95.00 asos.com
  3. Nintendo – Large Controller Backpack $29.99 target.com
  4. Sprayground – Eyenstein Backpack $60.00 sprayground.com
  5. MadPax – Heavy Metal Full Pack in Moonwalk Silver $65.00 madpax.com
  6. Vans – Eley Kishimoto Old Skool II Backpack $42.00 vans.com
  7. Herschel – Classic Backpack in Navy Portal $39.99 herschelsupply.com
  8. Mojo – Burger Deluxe Backpack $48.00 mojobackpacks.com
  9. Jansport – Superbreak Backpack in Multi Mixtapes $36.00 jansport.com
  10. Star Wars – Grey Millennium Falcon 3D Backpack $31.99 target.com
  11. Zara – Giraffe Detail Backpack $29.90 zara.com
  12. Paul Smith Junior – Dinosaur Backpack $262.00 www.luisaviaroma.com                                                                                                                                                                                           

goils_backpack

TOP GIRLS BACKPACKS

  1. 2D Bags – Pink 2D Backpack $29.99 2dbags.co
  2. Tokidoki for LeSportsac – Palette Backpack $138.00 lesportsac.com
  3. Mojo – Studio Disco Backpack $48.00 mojobackpacks.com
  4. Jansport – Big Student Backpack in Hairball $45.99 kohls.com
  5. Gap Kids – Owl Backpack $39.95 gap.com
  6. Sprayground – Kitten Grillz X Cupcake Mafia $65.00 sprayground.com
  7. State – Kane Backpack in turquoise/peach $55.00 statebags.com
  8. Mojo – Doughnuts Backpack $48.00 mojobackpacks.com
  9. Moschino – Quilted Bear Printed Backpack $725.00 luisaviaroma.com
  10. Gap – Printed Senior Backpack in Mint Puppies $44.95 gap.com
  11. Hello Kitty – Mint Sunglasses Backpack $40.00 loungefly.com
  12. Dickies – Patchwork Backpack in Soft Turquoise $19.99 www.target.com

My Muse Max 37

Keith Haring T-Shirt – Uniqlo, Striped Shorts – Bit’z Kids, Hat – H&M, Shoes – Burger Clogs by Crocs, Sunglasses – bought on the street in Shanghai


Princess Phooey at TADA Youth Theater in NYC

Princess Phooey Postcard FRONTLive in NYC and looking for something fun to do with your little prince & princesses? Then check out Princess Phooey playing at the TADA Youth Theater now through August 1st. Use code PRINCESS5 for $5 off.


T-Shirt of the Week #24

LarryDavidDeer Dana – Larry David T-Shirt (size 2-6 yrs) $45.00 www.openingceremony.us


A Sky Full of Thunderbolts

MaxFreedomtoMarry

Sometimes life can be glorious. With all the depressing things our country has endured over the last few months, It’s hard not to get choked up with joy over the outpouring of good news that’s taken place over these past 2 weeks. Obamacare becomes the law of the land. The long overdue removal of the confederate flag, and drum roll please…the Supreme Court declares same-sex couples the right to marry in all 50 states.

I’m grateful that my LGBT friends and family are finally recognized by our country as the loving families and couples that they’ve always been.

I’m grateful that my son will feel free to choose love not based on what the government says, but what his heart says.

President Obama said it best, “Sometimes there are days like this, when that slow, steady effort is rewarded with justice that arrives like a thunderbolt”.

Tonight we celebrate what makes this country great with a sky full off thunderbolts. Happy 4th of July! – Jill Topol


Go Shorty, It’s Your Earth Day!

Earth Day T-Shirts

While Mother’s Day is still over 2 weeks away, today we celebrate the “mom of all moms”, Mother Earth. To pay homage to this beautiful planet we call home, it’s time to show your mama some love. Instead of buying her a bouquet of flowers, plant some in her honor. Instead of driving the kids to school, enjoy a bike ride together. Instead of tossing that water bottle in the trash, recycle it. If we all started doing something small each day to help our environment, think of the big changes we could accomplish. Your mother would be so proud of you. – Jill Topol

1. Gnome Enterprises – Tree Hugger T-Shirt (size 2-12yrs) $24.00 www.gnomeenterprises.com
2. Peek – “Protect Our Forests” Baby Tee (size 3-24m) $24.00 www.peekkids.com
3. Peek – “Respect Your Mother” T-Shirt (size 2T – 14yrs) $34.00 www.nordstrom.com
4. Stella McCartney Kids – Lolly Rainbow T-Shirt (size 2-14yrs) $55.00 www.stellamccartney.com
5. Crewcuts – Girls’ Foil Earth Tee (size 2-14yrs) $34.50 www.jcrew.com
6. Peek – Woodsy Owl T-Shirt (size 3-24m) $24.00 www.peekkids.com


T-Shirt of the Week #23

Stella McCartney Arlo T-ShirtStella McCartney Kids – Arlo “Meat Free Monday” T-Shirt (size 2-14yrs) $80.00 www.stellamccartney.com


Words of Wisdom As Told By a 7 Year Old

For the past 2 years or so (age 5-7), I’ve been jotting down every funny and bizarre comment that comes out of my son Max’s mouth. I call them “my little gems”. And what makes these “little gems” so priceless is that they’re not said with the intent to be funny; they just naturally are. I’ll continue to be his own personal stenographer until he becomes a boring adult just like the rest of us. – Jill Topol

Max Huff Post

1. “Obama is the boss of America, and you’re the boss of me, right?”

2. “I love you more than diarrhea.”

3. “Mommy, when you tell me not to do stuff it hurts my brain a little bit.”

4. Max – “I’m really good at helping baby animals.”
Me – “What do you mean?”
Max – “Like if a cheetah was chasing a baby bird, I’d give the baby bird a knife so he could defend himself.”

5. Tomorrow is Max’s 5th birthday. I told him he needs to be polite and say “thank you” for all the gifts he receives, even if he doesn’t like something. His response to me was “You mean like a suppository?”

6. “You can rub soap on your penis, but you can’t rub a dog on your penis.”

7. “Grandma doesn’t make pancakes, but she has a delicious recipe for hotdogs.”

8. “You cracked my heart.”

9. Max – “Yay, the winter Olympics are starting!”
Me – “What sport are you excited to watch?”
Max – “Bowling.”

10. “Women grow boobs and men grow beards.”

11. “Mommy, when you and Daddy were little were there trees?”

12. “What do you like better, technology or cookies? I’m having a hard time choosing.”

13. “Some kids in my class did something very inappropriate today. They twirked. But don’t worry, I think the principal saw them do it on the security cameras.”

14. “Some doctors say if you eat candy when you have rabies it makes you better.”

15. “Smiling is a sign of laughing.”

16. “Shut your pothole is a much better choice then saying shut up.”

17. I was watching TV with Max and this elaborate commercial with fireworks comes on for KY Jelly. Max turns to me dead serious and says “Mommy, would you like me to buy some KY for you as a present?” I told him, “That’s ok, you already got me a lovely Christmas gift, but thank you.”

18. “What if everyone was all made of sugar?”

19. “What if everyone in the world farted at the same time?”

20. “There’s no pee in peanuts, right?”

21. “The Catwoman Lego is way cooler than the Wonder Woman Lego because she’s wearing mascara.”

22. Max is playing with his Catwoman doll. He rolls his R making her say “Purrrr-fect”. I try to say it, but can’t roll my R’s to save my life. His response was “Mommy, you can only roll your R’s if you’re hispanic or a cat. You’re just Jewish”.

23. “My 2 favorite animals are cats and unicorns.”

24. “Mommy, you have a vagina and it’s hairy. No seriously, it has hair.”

25. “What would happen if someone fell asleep on the potty while they were pooping?”

26. Max – “I can’t believe Daddy’s last name is so short?”
Me – What do you mean? It’s the same as yours?
Max – “No Mommy, Daddy’s last name is Jr.”

27. “Can you put Tic Tacs in my lunch box?”

28. “Can I have a ring pop for breakfast?”

29. “Tell Grandma I’m not hungry for food, but will eat ice cream.”

30. We’re on the train heading out to visit my mom. Max breathes into his hand and smells it. I ask him what he’s doing? He says “ I want to make sure I have fresh breath for Grandma.”

31. “I think I’m going to marry my friend Lily. She’s funny. She’s smart, and she’s easy to lift.”

32. “I need somebody to kiss, cause I’m already puckered up.”

33. Max’s cousin Violet asked to marry him. His response was “I can’t marry you because I’m already marrying my best friend Lana, but if we move to Utah I can marry you both. You can marry as many people as you want there.”

34. This past Sunday I took Max to the carnival. He won a stuffed poodle at a darts game. When I asked what his poodle’s name was he replied, “Her name is Diamond. You know, like Madonna. She only goes by one name.”

This story was originally written & published for The Huffington Post.