New Store in PLG Attracts Families From All Over
by Karen on 2/02/12 | 0 Comment(s)
Parents in Prospect Lefferts Gardens have been thrilled with the addition of newcomer Play Kids to their area. Since it opened, it’s not only locals that come: parents from Ditmas Park, Prospect Heights, Park Slope and even as far away as Carroll Gardens are making the trip. What’s the draw? Their stellar lineup of unique [...]
Chalkboard Paint Just Grew Up!
by Karen on 1/31/12 | 0 Comment(s)
Chalkboard paint has gotten a color facelift! Though we love to draw on a chalkboard as much as anyone, having a wall of dark grey in a room can be a bit….drab. Hudson Paint, a small paint manufacturer in the Hudson River Valley, has become the Pantone deck of chalkboard paint. Now, any chalkboard can [...]
How to store (and back up!) your digital photos
by Karen on 1/20/12 | 6 Comment(s)
In my other life or increasingly, my former life, I was a photographer. So, I get asked a lot about how to store digital photos. Since so many of us are taking digital photos of our children, I thought this might prove of interest to you. Here is what I do: I make 2 backups [...]
Some of the Best Holiday Books for Kids: 2011
by Karen on 12/16/11 | 2 Comment(s)
When I was a full-time employee at Barnes and Noble (for far too long at the age of 21 and 22 years), I invested my paycheck in books. I didn’t just buy art books or fiction books, but childrens’ books. I have a grand collection of childrens’ books from that time. After all, I did [...]
Found: a Christmas wonderland in the city
by Paula on 12/06/11 | 2 Comment(s)
While I can’t deny that the Christmas trees that grace the pages of home design magazines are gorgeous with their artfully arranged ornaments, coordinating ribbons,and garlands, they aren’t for me. I vowed that when I became a parent I would never have such a perfect looking tree. A Martha Stewart approved Christmas tree would just [...]
50% Discount On My Fav Vitamins For My Fav Readers
by Karen on 11/09/11 | 0 Comment(s)
Last year I wrote about my triumph in finding the perfect multivitamin for my children. Yes, some go on a quest to find themselves, but my 3 year quest was to find the ideal kid’s vitamin! SmartyPants gummy is an all-in-one vitamin that has BOTH the Omega-3s and 100% of recommended daily vitamins. Forget that [...]
Radiators- childproofing and safety
by Karen on 9/16/11 | 5 Comment(s)
Now that we are in September, those of us less inclined to the cold chill, have started our heat. That means steaming hot radiators and floor-to-ceiling scalding hot pipes. How do you child proof them and do you really need to? The short answers are: many ways, and definitely yes, yes! First: Is your landlord [...]
Alternatives to Teflon
by Karen on 8/21/11 | 11 Comment(s)
My husband decided TODAY to throw away our teflon pan and roasting rack, both of which had flecks of teflon missing. Duh, why hadn’t we done this before? It’s amazing to me that I can be neurotic about buying organic apples and then let a deteriorating Teflon pan go by… month after month. Courtney from [...]
Mini or Apartment sized cribs for small apartments
by Karen on 7/13/11 | 7 Comment(s)
The DaVinci Annabelle is another option and people love the small crib, but don’t like the flimsy mattress. (Around $189). We loved our Arms Reach CoSleeper. It is especially great for newborns and if you want to have your baby near your own bed. It has a lot of storage both below the bassinet and [...]
Organic Teethers: What to Look for and Where to Find Them
by Serena on 7/11/11 | 3 Comment(s)
Teething is not only painful for babies- it’s painful for us parents. The screaming, crying and anxiety of hearing your child hurt can be awful. How do you soothe your child? I have tried everything from frozen peas to cold rings, necklaces, blanket or other chewable teethers – some work and others don’t. The problem [...]
Northside Market: A New Artisanal Market Featuring Music, Food and New Products!
by Serena on 7/06/11 | 0 Comment(s)
We love checking out new products and goods for ourselves and our kids and now we have a new pop-up market to check out right in the heart of Williamsburg. Featuring artisanal and handmade goods, crafts, local musical acts and a DJ, Northside Market is an innovative new space to check out local and international [...]
Jumping for Jumpers this summer- kids and mom
by Karen on 5/22/11 | 0 Comment(s)
When we had some hot days this May (that seems ages ago now)- I was running around in this jumper designed by Calypso for Target. It is a steal at $24.99 and it soooo comfortable. At all the baby expos this month, I’ve noticed that jumpers have “jumped” in popularity in children’s clothes too. I [...]
Overload: Brooklyn Fleas, Food Trucks and Craft Markets
by Karen on 5/19/11 | 1 Comment(s)
There is an overload of great events in Brooklyn this weekend. Essential events for foodies include the debut of Smorgasburg in Williamsburg. This Brooklyn Flea newcomer boasts 100 plus food vendors and everything you need to get your kitchen in top-chef shape. Gourmands can not miss the Food Truck Rally that will gather famous food [...]
A landing spot: Smoochie Baby in Williamsburg
by Karen on 5/04/11 | 0 Comment(s)
I was moving our car for alternate street parking last week when I found I had no place to move it to. Every parking space was taken. How annoying and incredibly inconvenient! With the thought of a $115 ticket, I grumpily started driving aimlessly which eventually took me to Williamsburg. Not a bad place to [...]
Fire Resistant Pajamas and Sleepwear: are they safe?
by Karen on 5/02/11 | 14 Comment(s)
I have always wondered if fire resistant pajamas were toxic. Both Birch and Willow have a lot of hand-me-down pajamas that are all fire resistant. To be honest, I have been slow in researching this because it is so convenient to have all these second-hand pjs. But, I bit the bullet. After all, free pjs [...]
Family Cookbooks Worth Their Salt + Baked Apple Puff
by Stacie on 5/02/11 | 3 Comment(s)
I’m not big on most kid or family cookbooks. They’re usually filled with cutesy foods or “kid menu” favorites in which I have no interest (or can figure out how to make myself). I mean, can you imagine your Hungry Papa getting excited about “Spaghetti and Eyeballs”? Really. Before you write me off as a [...]
Tutus for the ballerina/princess obsessed
by Karen on 4/13/11 | 8 Comment(s)
My 2.5 year old daughter Willow has caught the ballerina/princess bug early. It means: multiple visits to Angelina Ballerina at the theater, a tutu to be worn daily, shrieks when anyone resembling a ballerina crosses our path and long (very long) episodes of sitting on the floor watching my budding ballerina do some valiant attempts [...]
Free Brooklyn Babywearing Workshop
by Karen on 4/07/11 | 0 Comment(s)
This free workshop by Slings in the City is a great way to learn all about the different carriers, how to tell if a carrier is safe and correct positioning for newborn through toddler. The Brooklyn Slings in the City co-leader will have lots of carriers for you to try on or you can bring [...]
No Shoes in the House?
by Karen on 4/05/11 | 23 Comment(s)
We have a “No Shoes” policy in our house. Most people “get” why we have it but I have friends that are totally irritated by it but silently de-shoe. When I see their annoyed reactions, I wonder, “Oh, should I just forget asking them?” But the idea of that gum, poop, lead, pesticides and spit [...]
How to Clean Toys, Backpacks, Shoes and…just about everything!
by Karen on 4/04/11 | 6 Comment(s)
Real Simple Magazine had 2 articles on how to clean everything from cotton to backpacks. I found them incredibly helpful. Here are both articles melded together. Both written by Sarah Stebbins How to Wash Cotton Made from the fluffy fibers of the cotton plant, most cotton fabrics are preshrunk, so “you really can’t mess them [...]
Current car seat practices unsafe
by Karen on 3/23/11 | 4 Comment(s)
I remember that moment of relief when we could turn our babies’ rear-facing car seats forward. We could finally see their faces while traveling and it did seem like a milestone: our babies (and us) were moving out of the infant cloud into babyland. As advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics, we turned their [...]
Finally- a multivitamin with fish oil- all in one
by Karen on 2/27/11 | 10 Comment(s)
I’ve been writing on this blog about multivitamins and fish oil supplements throughout my own quest to find the best ingredients and taste out there. Every morning both my children get an Omega 3 gummy and a multivitamin. They both dread the fish oil and I don’t blame them. Their breath betrays how bad it [...]
Knit your valentine some leg warmers
by Karen on 2/03/11 | 0 Comment(s)
I always think it’s a shame that leg warmers haven’t made a big comeback since the days of Flashdance. But luckily, leg warmers (apparently) never go out of fashion for the children. If you are looking to increase the leg warmer supply in your child’s drawer (and, who isn’t?), then head over to GUMBO for [...]
“A love child betwen Etsy and Craiglist?”
by Karen on 1/28/11 | 1 Comment(s)
We all love the Brooklyn Flea for its amalgamation of vintage items and new designer items and neighborhood feel. Well, imagine something like this online. That’s krrb- an online venue for local and in-person commerce. Think of Krrb (pronounced ‘curb’) as a virtual market where you can find items from people’s sewing baskets, attics, or [...]
My favorite $10 gadget for kids
by Tuey on 1/17/11 | 0 Comment(s)
Raise your hand if you have had one of these problems with your child: A. Your child won’t get in the stroller B. Your child won’t hold your hand while crossing the street C. Your child wanders away from you while walking If you answer “none” than either you don’t have a walking child yet [...]
