What Will They Think of Next?

I need a second opinion...

My husband has for years now been teaching me the fine art of frugal living. I will admit, I still have a long way to go, but I really don't make that many crazy purchases. However at the moment I am pregnant and I have raging hormones, right? I mean they're out of control, right? There is a good chance that these hormones are responsible for all lack of reasonable decision making. I just can't help it, it's biology.

So if I want to spend $95 on a hip and trendy hospital gown, instead of wearing the ones provided to me for free, do I get to use the excuse that the hormones made me do it? Or am I just flat out crazy?

Now before you decide look at how cute these gowns are! They look like dresses, and I mean hello...everyone is going to be taking a hundred photos of me...well, ok not really of me, mainly the baby, but I will still be in the background!




These are my two favorite designs but check out all of the other designs that they have on their website http://www.shopbyog.com/index.html Granted, even if I get the gown I haven't figured out how to convince my hairdresser to do my hair and make-up while I am in there...hmmm

Leave me a comment and I will tally up the votes:

• Yes, you're one crazy pregnant chick
• No, go on then, it will make you feel better on the big day
  

Underwater Tea Party

Size: 24" x 24"
Medium: Oil on canvas
Price: $300
Artist: Susan Cox

Having Trouble Deciding on How to Decorate Your Child's Room?

As expectant mothers there are a lot of important decisions that we need to make on behalf of our new babies-to-be, many of which can be rather stressful. What hospital will I have him at? Will I breastfeed? Will I try a natural labor? Who will be his pediatrician? What college fund will I start?

And then there are the fun, and sometimes frivolous, choices that we have to think about, like what to put on our registries and how to decorate the new nursery...

Decorate the new nursery! Who am I kidding, this was one of the things that stressed me out the most. Why? because with this pregnancy I now know a lot more mothers, and I swear all of my friends are pregnant. So, if you are anything like me you will want to make certain that there is still some sort of individuality and style in your future child's decor, because of course it would be such a faux pas if you all ended up with the same baby bedding. (Make sure you read that last line in a super snotty tone of voice).

What did I end up doing? A nautical theme, real original huh! But in my defense I am having custom artwork painted from photographs that I took on my honeymoon in Italy. They are of boats in a harbor near the Cinque Terre. They will be sophisticated, a little grown up and personal...so I will keep them forever. (I will be sure to take photos for you all to see when they are complete).

Anyway, if you are having trouble getting inspired you have to check out http://www.projectnursery.com/ On the left hand side of their home page there is a tab titled "Get Inspired" where readers have sent in photos of their children's rooms...and they are great. I can't get over how creative and stylish parents are!

So I hope this site helps you with at least one of these important questions. Oh and you might be wondering what my friends did? Well they are all having girls, so they can battle it out amongst themselves...phew

Stolen Treasure

Size: 24" x 24"

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Price: $300

Artist: Susan Cox

Ten Simple Ways Parents Can Get More Art in Their Kids’ Lives

If the public schools in your area are anything like mine you will know how severely arts education is suffering. Whether it be fine art, music, dance...all areas have been cut back on, and our children are losing out as a result.

So what do we do? Well we can sign petitions, protest, rally behind our teachers, complain to one another that we wish things were different...and hope that things eventually change. But I am a firm believer that well rounded kids are the result of well rounded parents. Parents who show a desire to expose their children to new experiences will raise children that have a desire to learn. So no matter how busy we get, especially if we are working mothers, we should try to interject a little bit of knowledge and interest into our child's lives. Read books, visit museums, visit art galleries, do crafts together, watch live musicians...the possibilities are endless.

At the Americans for the Arts organization this is a serious subject and the organization have embarked on a National Arts Public Education Awareness Campaign for the past couple of years now. Here is their top ten list on how to increase the art in your child's life:

Top 10 List
1. Enjoy the arts together. Sing, play music, read a book, dance, or draw with your child at home.
2. Encourage your child to participate in the arts and celebrate their participation in or out of school.
3. Explore your community’s library and read “the classics” together—from Mother Goose to Walt Whitman.
4. Read your local newspaper to find out about attending local arts events like museum exhibits, local plays, festivals, or outdoor concerts.
5. Tell your child’s teacher, principal, and school leadership that the arts are vital to your child’s success and an important part of a quality education. Find out if your school has sufficient resources for arts education, including qualified teachers and materials. If not, offer to help.
6. Contact your local arts organizations to inquire about the arts education programs they offer either during school hours or after school. Volunteer to donate time, supplies, or help with their advocacy efforts and connect these services to your child’s school.
7. Attend a school board or PTA meeting and voice your support for the arts to show them you care and make sure the arts are adequately funded as part of the core curriculum in the school budget.
8. Explore your child’s dream to sing, to dance, to draw, to act—and encourage them to become the best they can be through the arts.
9. Be an arts supporter! Contact your elected officials—lawmakers and school board members—to ask them for more arts education funding from the local, state, and federal levels. 10. Sign up to become an activist on the Americans for the Arts website, just a click away! Through our e-activist list, you will get news updates and alerts about arts education.

Why is it important to make art a part of your child's life?

According to Americans for the Arts, the arts:

• Improve kids' overall academic performance.
• Show that kids actively engaged in arts education are likely to have higher test scores than those with little to no involvement.
• Develop skills needed by the 21st century workforce: critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, teamwork and more.
• Teach kids to be more tolerant and open.
• Allow kids to express themselves creatively and bolster their self-confidence.
• Keep students engaged in school and less likely to drop out.
  

For more information please visit: http://www.americansforthearts.org/public_awareness/get_involved/001.asp

The Mom Blogs Directory

Hi everyone,

I am excited to announce that Little Art Collector has been added to The Mom Blogs Directory. http://themomblogs.com/blogs/detail.php?link_id=4748

If you haven't checked out The Mom Blogs yet it is a fantastic compilation of blogs related to topics that are of interest and importance to moms like us. It is the perfect place to connect with other mothers and the categories are wide and varied.

Did you find us through The Mom Blogs?, well welcome and I hope you enjoy what you see here. I am new to blogging so I encourage everyone to leave comments and advice on how to improve this blog.

Silhouette of a Pregnant Woman

I still have yet to take any photos of my huge pregnant belly, which I guess then would make this the first.

While outside looking for lizards with my son, and taking photographs of the whole process, I noticed my shadow and just had to snap a photo.

Ketchup & Mustard

Size: 6" x 6"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Price: $100

Artist: Susan Cox

Top 10 Art Museums for kids

So this list was published back in March 2006 but I think that the article, written by Megan Othersen Gorman, is still a good point of reference for finding great art museums that cater to children. I figure that once I stop waddling around, and after I have had Cameron in September, I will take the boys to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with their Grandma. I will let you know how it goes.

1. Art Institute of Chicago

2. Metropoliton Museum of Art, NYC

3. Dayton Art Institute

4. De Young, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

5. Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh

6. Los Angeles County Museum of Art

7. Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha

8. Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, DE

9. Dallas Museum of Art

10. Peabody Essex Museum, Salem MA

Here is a link to the full article: http://www.lacma.org/programs/pdfs/kidfriendlymuseums.pdf

Rocky Road

Size: 6" x 6"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Price: $75

Artist: Susan Cox

Cookie Dough Please

Size: 6" x 6"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Price: $75

Artist: Susan Cox

Let Them Eat Cake

Yes I did it, I spoiled myself rotten and bought the Petunia Pickle Bottom Cosmopolitan Carryall in Midnight Blackberry Cake.


They say that the Fall 2008 Cake Collection is "vintage style meets current-day functionality for the sophisticated mom on the go." Well I don't know how sophisticated I am, but I sure feel like a princess carrying this bag. (Although I am not due to have Cameron until Sept, so for now it sits lonely in his room).


I knew that I wanted a diaper bag that didn't look like a diaper bag, so the Cosmopolitan Carryall's shape was just what I had been hoping for. The fabric has a unique look and feel with it's black cut velvet and cream tweed background, which Neiman Marcus describes as Art Deco in pattern.


What I also love about the bag is that you can actually change the style by detaching the shoulder straps and adding the longer messenger straps; I find that makes it very versatile. It also includes a zippered changing station, matching black wipes case and many pockets to eventually stuff with bottles, breast pads, cheerios, baby food, spare clothes, slobbery pacifiers, spit-up covered bibs and most likely, the odd dirty diaper. Remind me why I spent $342 on a diaper bag again...

Where to buy:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/
http://www.poshtots.com/
http://www.ilovefairytales.com/

Loosey Goosey

Size: 3" x 2.5"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Price: $50.00

Artist: Susan Cox

Baby Duck in Sunshine

Size: 4" x 4"

Medium: Oil on canvas

Price: $50

Artist: Susan Cox