Waldorf Dolls - The Zen Doll

Have a hundred interests, find one passion.

I'm still working on that, one interest at the time and right now, I'd love to share my most recent one, which are Waldorf dolls. The moment I saw these, I knew I had to give them a try. They are quite a challenge to make but the result is wonderful. They just look so Zen and peaceful, don't they?

The body is made of cotton and wool, which makes them feel cuddly and warm. The eyes and mouth are hand stitched and the hair is made of soft felting wool, that is also stitched strand by strand to the head. The body is very flexible and poseable, so it's easy to change the clothing too. Almost everything about these dolls can be personalized. This particular one belongs to Irene, my older daughter and she loved her already, even before I stitched the hair in!

Any suggestions for the next one?

Vibram Five Fingers - LOve mE?

The Bikila LS

Admittedly, it takes a certain amount of courage to step into them and step outside, specially when you live in the outskirts of South Tel Aviv. 

The first time, I found myself running aimlessly, just so people wouldn't have time to notice them on my feet. But that of course, was before I came to realize that, unlike grown adults wearing Crocs, this actually was a worthy statement. 

The Vibram Five Fingers are not pretty, not by a long shot, but they will make you run and think differently. They are extremely light and snug and have just enough padding to protect the foot, all the while leaving you with that wonderful feeling of being the road runner. 

They take time to get used to and you should limit yourself to 2 minutes runs and slowly increase it. As with any other muscle, those in your feet need to adapt, otherwise you might end up with an injury. I personally felt some soreness on the arch of my feet up to the calves, but it was gone after a couple of days and I was able to get back to running.

So who should wear these? Anyone really, even kids, but if you like running and hiking,  these are worth a fair try. The grip is just fantastic!

Still having a hard time getting over the look? There is a huge selection of models and colors. Chances are, you'll find one that you'll actually feel less self conscious to wear the first time... but you'll be proud to show off once you really get the feel of it.

Where to find them? Pro:Sport  (wonderful service and in store test run to find the perfect shoe for you)

Price: 300.00 Shekels (They are on sale now!)

Tommee Tippee - Explora Magic Mat

Here's a nifty little gadget from Tommee Tippee that will keep your baby's plate in place.
But don't get your hopes up, your little one will still make a mess, he just won't be able to throw the whole thing up in the air, which is a such a comfort! ;-)
Seriously now, the neat thing about this silicone pad is that, aside from actually working, it can be used with any plates, thanks to a strong suction cup. All it needs is a flat surface.
It's easy to use, easy to clean. It also comes in a range of pretty retro colors.

Where to find them: most large children products retailers.
Price: 60.00 Shekels a piece

Zumreed - Retro style Headphones

Here's the ultimate accessory for little girls who love music. These headphones from ZUMREED come in so many other colors, it was hard to pick one. The pink shade is brilliant, absolute eye candy.
These run small and are perfect for small ears. The sound is fairly good too. They are, of course, fully adjustable and can be plugged on any media.
Not the usual birthday gift, it's sure to be the one to stand out in the crowd.  

Where to find them: Ivory Computer Shop
Price: 165.00 Shekels

Hair accessories are from Lady Care
Price: 5 butterfly hair clips at 4.40 Shekels