At the top of my New Year’s Resolution list with other notable yearly veterans such as exercise more, sleep more and give more is TRAVEL MORE. And yes, 2009 seems like a great year for it!

We love Concierge and their It List 2009 - a great place to start. Although I can only personally vouch for 50% of the proposed hot spots, Boracay Island looks positively delightful.

Bangkok (not on their list, but on ours) is a must! The Peninsula Hotel has an excellent spa!

What a laugh!  The Baby Owner’s Manual has operating instructions, trouble-shooting tips, and advice on first-year maintenance. At long last, Louis Borgenicht and
Joe Borgenicht have created the answer to every new parent’s first question:

Doesn’t this thing come with an owner’s manual?

With step-by-step instruction and even diagrams, The Baby Owner’s Manual explores the common concerns of every first-time parent:

What’s the best way to swaddle a baby?

How can I make my newborn sleep through the night?

When should I bring the baby to a doctor for servicing?

Louis Borgenicht, M.D. is a board-certified pediatrician with the American Academy of Pediatrics and has worked for the last 16 years at his private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was named “best pediatrician in Utah” by Ladies’ Home Journal in 2001.

Joe Borgenicht has co-authored The Action Hero’s Handbook, The Action Heroine’s Handbook, The Baby Owner’s Manual, and Undercover Golf. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

$25, available from Amazon.

We love these hand-painted wooden doll set by Alexander Girard, 1963. Based on documents and originals found in the Girard Estate held by the Vitra Design Museum, the partly joyful, partly grim-looking company of dolls is now coming out as a limited edition as a charming enhancement to any interior.

Alongside Charles and Ray Eames as well as George Nelson, Alexander Girard was one of the decisive figures in post-War American design. The focus of his broad oeuvre was on textile design, and a key source of inspiration for him was his passion for the popular art of South America, Asia and East Europe. The Wooden Dolls, which Girard created for his own home in Santa Fe and made himself, are likewise inspired by his own extensive collection of works of popular art.

At $820 for the set of 6, they are certainly more decorative than play inspired, but beautiful all the same. The dolls can be individually purchased at Baby Geared.

Just get a Senz Storm umbrella! Hooray!  This modern wonder can withstand gale force winds of up to 70 mph – its patented aerodynamic construction and powerful frame prevents it from inverting… really!  It automatically finds the most comfortable position in the wind, much like a weather vane, while ribs in the frame help absorb forces against it, making it nearly indestructible.

We love the ingenious “eye-savers”, designed to protect your eyes from being poked out. This umbrella has it all, it just makes SENZ!

Available in black or red. $60 - $78 depending on size from Unica.

Aren’t these OStreet Lighthouse mugs delightfully funny?   Creative Block,  Bright Ideas, Rabbie Burns and Mary Queen of Scots are sure to be a hit over coffee or cocoa.

£20.00 for 4 from Lighthouse.

Dorothee Becker’s Utensilo Wall Organizer is a dream come true. Both functional and beautiful, this Wall All or Utensilo has a space for everything. Designed by Dorothee Becker in 1969 and now produced by Vitra. A highly functional Icon of Modern Design that you will use every day! Use it in your office, living room, kitchen or garage. Fun for kids and adults!