Dan Bucatinsky: I Advocate...

...Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute When my husband and I decided that adoption was the best option for us to start our family, we were immediately filled with hope and expectation but also dizzy with questions, concerns, preconceptions, and fears. Luckily for us, we were adopting in California, where both parents in a same-sex couple can legally adopt together. With our adoption attorney and social workers at a child services agency, we had a great network of support through the challenging process. We need strong advocates and leadership to improve adoption laws and services in this country. Since its establishment in 1996, the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute has been the preeminent independent voice providing leadership and support to improve laws, policies, and practices--through sound research, education, and advocacy--to enhance the lives of everyone touched by adoption. AdoptionInstitute.org

...Shorty's Barber Shop. I've always loved visiting Shorty's in West Hollywood for a quick, affordable, but always fabulous and trendy haircut that's the very definition of "cutting edge." Then after I had kids I realized the same pierced and tattooed crew members were excellent at the kids' cuts too. Just make sure they face away from the wall of R-rated tear-outs from provocative magazines. ShortysBarberShop.com

...Pamela's Gluten-free Baking and Pancake Mix. I love waking up on Saturday mornings and making chocolate pancakes with the kids. And since Daddy's a celiac, this delicious gluten-free pancake mix allows us all to enjoy them together.

...Toms Shoes. They come in all colors, fabrics, and styles for Dad, for Papi, and for the kids. Plus, for every pair of shoes it sells, Toms gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. It's shopping therapy with a conscience. Toms.com

...Pizzeria Il Fico. This new, fabulously low-key, brick-oven pizza restaurant on Robertson in Los Angeles was opened by John Tierney and chefs Nicola Mastronardi and Giuseppe Gentile. I love this place more than any other in L.A., not just for its family-friendly vibe, but also because it's able to make gluten-free thin-crust pizzas and pastas. PizzeriaIlFico.com

...Atelier Colognes. I want my kids to derive a sense of warmth and comfort from a particular smell they can associate with me. I love the line of concentrated formulas from Atelier in France. Trefle Pur in particular has just enough citrus, violet, and musk that it appeals to the daddy and the mommy in all of us.
AtelierCologne.com