The Outside World

But, will the CPSIA really affect you?

January 11, 2009

In theory, the CPSIA sounds like a smart idea: Dangerous toys were coming out of China. Scared Americans demanded tighter regulations.

In response, the CPSIA (the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) was born. It requires that any product marketed to kids, including clothing, toys and books, must have third-party proof that it does not have dangerous amounts of lead or chemicals in it.

What no one saw–what many still do not understand–is how much these regulations are going to affect us all.

Who will it affect?

the parent who seeks out U.S.- and European-made wooden and organic cotton items for their children, instead of mass-produced plastics;

smaller companies who cannot afford the massive testing costs. Companies like Germany’s Selecta, who already meet or exceed stricter European safety standards, have already stopped distribution to the U.S. since they would have to raise prices by 50% to pay for the additional testing;

the parent who must get his hands on an original Make Way for Ducklings to share with his kids;

the antique book seller whose focus is children’s titles, especially classic illustrated books;

anyone who shops for handmade items for their children–for a gallery of items affected by the CPSIA, see Endangered Whimsy (warning: it may break your heart);

the new mom who starts an Etsy shop to bring in a second income and do something she loves;

the homeschooling family who relies on the purchase of used curriculum and books to afford their way of life;

the librarian who fears that her entire children’s section of books, CD’s and DVD’s may have to be destroyed if exemptions are not made.

In less than ONE MONTH, all of these people and many more, will be impacted by the CPSIA unless major changes are made.

Less than one month.

Already, the impact is visible. Etsy stores are closing or removing children’s items from their inventory. Amazon has sent out warnings to their vendors. Libraries are tensely watching the situation unfold.

Some small victories have been won. On January 8th, the CPSIA announced that sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

But, small victories are not what is needed. We need the Consumer Product Safety Commission to realize that while protecting our children from dangerous (mostly Chinese-made) products is important, putting U.S. small businesses out of work is not the answer.

Also, we need to consider the tons and tons and tons of waste generated as toys, clothing and (I can’t even think about this one) books are destroyed. It makes me think that perhaps Wall-E’s world of trash was not fiction after all.

For more information and to find out what you can do, please click on the Save Handmade link on this page.

Please do something today.

Filed Under: The Outside World 15 Comments

Sorry, Honey, it won’t be anything like this

December 16, 2008

If I seem a little quiet as of late, it is because that two weeks after Christmas, I have to be ready to throw my oldest daughter a birthday party.

Two weeks sounds like plenty of time, but for some reason the week between Christmas and New Year’s just evaporates, and I’m left staring at a birthday coming straight at me. And, so, I like to figure out the details like “where, when, who and what” at the same time that I am shopping online, running to stores, addressing Christmas cards, planning holiday meals and. . .well, you know.

Another thing to know: I almost always host the parties in home. For one, I’m a control freak. Second, I’m cheap. So even though an American Girl Doll store opened not a half-hour’s drive from my home, the thought of spending $450 to usher my daughter and her friends into her 8th year just blows my mind.

So, we’re now leaning toward another DIY event. And, I’m toying with the idea of hosting a good old-fashioned tea party for her and her friends. I’m a bit torn on this because, while I think I could make it fun, it does sounds a bit “quaint” in these days of diva parties. But, I’m pressing forward and looking at as many websites as I can.

Which leads me to the title of this post. I decided to search Google Images for “tea party birthday party” to see how people decorated their tables for these types of events. That was when this photo, from a floral and event decor firm called Botanica, came up:

Whoa. Holy Pink.

But, even better is the copy under the photo which reads:

An 8 year old’s Tea Party at the Four Seasons Hotel. Our client wanted to celebrate her daughter’s 8th birthday in an uncommonly spectacular way. The theme was a formal English Tea Party. When guests arrived, they were given all the materials needed to create their very own Tea Party hat. When the doors to the party were opened, a Harpist played “Happy Birthday”. The table linen was an orange sherbert silk, with an overlay cloth of pink, hand painted silk with orange double faced satin ribbon border. The gold Chiavari chairs were upholstered in Orange Sherbert silk. The back of each chair featured a straw hat adorned with Roses, Hydrangea, and Cymmbidium Orchids. At each place setting, a custom gowned Barbi held her own straw hat covered with seasonal mixed mini flowers (to salute our guest of honor), standing in front of a Topiary of Hydrangea. Napkins were made of Orange Sherbert silk, and placed in a spring colored Manolo Blahnik shoe. The seven main floral arrangements on the guest table, were created off of wig forms which had been covered in hand tinted silk leaves. The hats were made of Ostrich and Maribou feathers, Roses, Hydrangea, Cymbidium Orchids, Peonies, and leaves. To compliment our hat themed floral arrangements, we added 8 hand bags made of woven branches, which had either Pave’ Roses or Tulips. On the perimeter of the room, 8 dress forms were custom made as floral arrangements, in eight seperate floral vignettes which featured more Manolo Blahnik pumps, mini dress forms, and over 3,000 Pink Revel Roses. After Tea and Scones were served, a fashion show was held for each guest to model their hat creation. Each little girl was given a gift, and a “Diva in Training Survival Kit”. We took children’s jewelry, make up and hand bags, and customized the packaging into “Harry Winston”, “Chanel” and “Judith Lieber“. It was the grandest affair any 8 year old (or adult) has ever seen.

A few things come to mind when I read this:

1) I don’t play the harp

2) Did the girls go home with just one Manolo Blahnik pump?

Please feel free to weigh in on any of the above. I’m too stunned to form an intelligent thought.

Filed Under: Fairly Odd Kids, Fairly Odd Me, The Outside World 21 Comments

Post-Election Thoughts

November 7, 2008

This is a bit belated, but given how sick I’ve been the past couple of days, I supposed you’ll understand. So, here goes:

WOO HOO!!!!

Oh, yes, I’m excited about the outcome of the election and have shed many tears over this historic win.

My euphoria dimmed today, though, when I opened one of my IRA statements and saw that my earnings are down almost 40% Y-T-D. Forty percent! Ack.

Oh, you mean that just because a new president was elected, all of our country’s problems aren’t fixed? Sigh. If only it were so easy.

In other election-day news, Massachusetts has voted to ban dog racing by the year 2010. This decision means that there will likely be a glut of greyhounds looking for homes. Since we’ve been thinking about getting a dog in the next few years, we’re now considering this breed, especially since it could fulfill my need to adopt, vs buy, a dog.

But, here’s the thing: you know that line of thought that says that often people end up choosing dogs that look like them? That kind of freaks me out, because. . . well. . .I think I kind of look like a greyhound: