Ah, the times they are a changing. Rather than worrying that I’m the right shade of summer tan, this modern mom is now battling her former friend: UVA rays. I’ve discovered the cuteness that is baby shorts and wetsuit inspired tops that cover baby skin much more effectively than sunscreen. Mom 4 Life has some adorable options (nom photo above shows lots to choose from in mix and match styles), providing baby with 98% protection from the sun with their Baby Skinz swim shirts and Baby Bloomers swim shorts by UV Skinz.

Before I could snatch those up, Daddy surprised us with darling (and SPF 50!) smartness with a set from Cinco via Target. Cute for many reasons, including ease of pull-on and bright colors. Here’s Fred rocking it with her friend Adam at our Memorial Day BBQ, photo by Dan Kim:

Here at Modern Urban Baby we love anything sustainable. One approach to responsible manufacturing was represented at ICFF by Connecticut’s ducduc group, introducing their new Mason Gray line. Based in a restored 1897 building on a reclaimed brownfield site, and eschewing particle board and MDF for wood certified by The United States Green Building Council, this company epitomizes smart use. Named for ducduc’s CEO’s daughter Mason, and the Chief Creative Officer’s daughter Gray, 2009’s offerings are intended for “fans of ducduc who also appreciate something more traditional.” Wonderful clean lines and pulls are complemented by hand-applied stains in bright colors (our pick: the fuchsia and green mix) or subtly gorgeous shades including the perfect powder pink. Something about the look says Doris Day film, something says Hamptons, but it all adds up to a green gorgeousness you can be environmentally comfortable coveting.

Is there anything cuter than a pudgy palm handing you a just picked bloom? ICFF 2009 recognized this with accessories appreciating the elemental appeal of a lone blossom. Raleigh, North Carolina’s The Other Edge Design Studio turns your coffee cup into art with their Pocket Vase. Stainless spring steel and rubber ensure you’ll always have a place for your little treasure’s treasure.

Japanese designers +d go one further, celebrating the root of the plant, in order to make a point about the origins of our lives. The house, whose motto is “This is a message,” wish everyone a life with plants nearby. Online here. 

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair marked my debut representing Modern Urban Baby, and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. The designers were available at many of the booths, and the range of chic baby wares being displayed was impressive. Emblematic of the mood of the show were these brightly colored chairs from El Salvador. This “monster idea on the loose,” was created by Alvaro Guatemala and Hugo Zambrana of Guaza Creative Studio. The graphics background of the young artists (currently teaching design at their Alma mater Dr. Jose Matias Delgado) informs their choices of luminescent acrylic, attention grabbing bold colors and distinctive shapes. Choosing from centipede, bear, fox or fly will be the hardest job for anyone looking to spice up a room with out of the ordinary and fun pieces.

Hi everyone, it’s Tracy. Yikes! I apologize profusely for the lack of postings to Modern Urban Baby :< Life has been so hectic over the last 6 months. Between running my other blogs and traveling back and forth to Europe, I haven’t been giving MUB the tender loving care it deserves. Realizing I need help to keep the site going, I have reached out to one of Brooklyn’s most talented modern moms, Shannon Mechutan.

Shannon, who will be signing on as contributing editor, has a rich history in media. And as a new mom to 9 month old Frederica, she has her finger on the pulse of modern baby gadgets, furniture and fashion. I am really excited about this  new partnership and i know you will be too! Shannon will give MUB the attention it deserves, freeing me up to work on the back end of  my blogs. Shannon has a brilliant eye for design and I think you will really enjoying reading all about her new discoveries.

Over the next couple weeks you’ll see some transitioning take place as we settle  Shannon into her new web space. So stick with us readers!! We promise we’ll have lots of exciting new content for you very soon. If you would like to email Shannon new products or ideas you’d like her to feature click here. Or if you’d just like to say hello, drop her a line.  I know she would love to meet her new readers!

Thanks so much readers! I really appreciate your support as MUB continues to develop. And while you won’t see too much of me on MUB in the future, I will still be working in the background so you never know when I may be popping in to say hello. If you are interested in advertising opportunities you can click
here to reach me. Thanks again for your support!