Toy of the Year Awards go to….
by Nicole on 4/27/11 | 2 Comment(s)
Birthday season is about to begin and that means finding gifts that are just right for that birthday girl or boy. In celebration, we are going to be posting award-winning toys over the next few weeks. This week we are featuring some nominees for the Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), as presented by the [...]
How to Clean Toys, Backpacks, Shoes and…just about everything!
by Nicole 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 [...]
Kid and Toddler Bike helmet ratings
by Nicole on 4/04/11 | 2 Comment(s)
Spring has definitely sprung and I have put our snow boots away for good, at last! It’s time for bikes and scooters and that means protecting our kids from falls. Brooklyn has some of the worst sidewalks of all the boroughs. We do love our blue slate sidewalks, but, oh, how it heaves and cleaves. [...]
Game on! A new club that just might become your next “hangout”
by Nicole on 12/19/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Remember family game night when someone would pull out Yahtzee, Scrabble or dominoes? Game night wasn’t just about the game, it was about learning how to win, lose, strategize and be a member of a family. We recently started board games with our kids and love hanging out together, stomachs pressed on the floor, discussing [...]
Update: Shop local- Brooklyn Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs
by Nicole on 12/16/10 | 1 Comment(s)
While occasionally efficient, too much on-line holiday shopping can zap the holiday spirit right out of you. So once you realize you have been staring at your laptop for hours, (yes, I mean you!) just turn it off. Then, grab a friend, pretty up – whether that be by brushing your teeth or a putting [...]
Be prepared to blow your budget: book fairs
by Nicole on 11/30/10 | 1 Comment(s)
I have been known to blow my whole monthly budget at book fairs- which is why I am particularly concerned that 3 good ones are all coming up around holiday time. I’ll have to hold myself back…. The International School of Brooklyn’s French and Spanish Children’s Book Fair (Friday, Dec. 3rd and Saturday, Dec. 4th) [...]
Reader favorites: 38 iphone applications for your kids
by Nicole on 11/15/10 | 6 Comment(s)
When I want to know the real scoop on anything, I usually pose a question on our Facebook Fan Page. A few months ago (am I really that behind?!), I asked “what iphone apps do your kids love?” People named some obscure ones (sneezies!), some award winners (FacesiMake) and some oldies but goodies (Peekaboo Barn). [...]
The Switch Witch- what to do with Halloween candy
by Nicole on 10/24/10 | 6 Comment(s)
I have NO WILL when it comes to candy- I can’t eat just a teensy bit, I eat an entire bag. So, when it comes to my children, I have allowed only a small level of sugar in their diet- after all, someone needs to take charge of it and who better than the sugar [...]
Watch out! Dinos! (well, eco-friendly ones)
by Nicole on 8/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Last year we started receiving Sprig toys for birthday presents. I had never heard of them before, but it seems everywhere I look now, someone has one on the playground. You might have seen them too. There are the very popular eco-trucks that dig and dump in the dirt and the funny large-headed figures with [...]
Wow! Another resale shop opening! AND they pick up your stuff
by Nicole on 6/30/10 | 0 Comment(s)
On the heels of Lulu’s Cuts and Toys announcement this week that they are opening a new children’s resale (and some new) shop, another one announces it too is opening! That’s great news for families. There can never be enough resale shops- especially since Brooklyn is rumored to have had the most babies born in [...]
Recall: Step2 buggies
by Nicole on 5/15/10 | 0 Comment(s)
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Step2®, today announced a voluntary recall of 2.5 million buggies: The Step2® Push Around Buggy™ and Whisper Ride Buggy™. You should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. So why is it being recalled? A pin attaching to the yellow knob on [...]
Park Deli: fresh flowers, vintage toys and yes, skateboarding lessons
by Paula on 5/14/10 | 1 Comment(s)
Valentine Leung and Michael Sclafani are the co-owners of Brooklyn’s super cool and fantastically multi-purpose Park Delicatessen where in addition to selling skateboards and lovely flower arrangements in hand painted cans, you can also pick up a patchwork baby quilt ($275) with a matching pillow ($46) as well as bibs ($18) and baby clothing. Valentine, [...]
Top of the Shop: Green in Bklyn
by Nicole on 4/21/10 | 2 Comment(s)
This is the second installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a weekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then my favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. [...]
My favorite fabric store is moving
by Nicole on 3/31/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Purl Patchwork in Soho has been my favorite fabric store ever since I moved to NY (going on 10 years now!). I love all their chosen fabrics, from tiny robots on sea blue to bold fuschia polka dots with jaguars. Plus, the women in there can answer any sewing question you have. They have a [...]
Top of the Shop: Brooklyn Junior
by Nicole on 3/30/10 | 3 Comment(s)
I am starting a new feature – called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a weekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then my favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Let me [...]
Bklyn Designer showcase and Spring Fling arrive on the same date
by Nicole on 3/30/10 | Comments Off Comment(s)
Bklyn Designs, an exhibition of designers of all cool things made and designed in Brooklyn, announced today that it will take place at St. Ann’s Warehouse in DUMBO, Brooklyn, May 7-9. See www.bklyndesigns.com for a complete listing of exhibitors and events. On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, they will have programming dedicated to families and [...]
Kids Clothing Swap with book signing and playspace this weekend
by Paula on 3/25/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Nothing says spring like a refill on my Nasonex prescription and an overwhelming desire to GET ORGANIZED. If your apartment is bursting at the seams with clothes and toys your kids have outgrown, swap them out for stuff you need at Nairobi’s Knapsack this Saturday. Gently used infant and children’s clothing sizes 0 to 8 [...]
How To Make Play Doh
by Nicole on 3/16/10 | 3 Comment(s)
Doh! by Rebecca of eensies.com Little ones and playdoh go together like peanut butter and jelly. Sure those little yellow containers say non-toxic, but your nose keeps telling you otherwise. Make your own and you know exactly what’s going into your dough, and it’s a great way to spend time with your sweetie. Well, you’re [...]
Art Projects to do at home
by Nicole on 3/09/10 | 0 Comment(s)
There are plenty of days that I wish I had an art project I could do with the kids- and a guiding hand to take me through it. Well, I have found help. RADkidsART is the brain child of Rick Anthony Diaz, who has been a teaching artist in New York City since 1995. Rick [...]
Brooklyn Women’s Exchange: Unique Handmade Gifts
by Nicole on 2/16/10 | 1 Comment(s)
If you haven’t been to the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, this is your reminder to put it on your list of “to dos”. Brooklyn Heights Blog posted a video that Brooklyn Independent Television made about the Exchange, relaying its history and showing all the lovely handmade items they sell. They sell everything from handmade childrens’ clothes, [...]
Recall: The Princess and The Frog Necklaces
by Nicole on 1/31/10 | 3 Comment(s)
Cute movie, sickening necklaces. Truly sickening. 55,000 necklaces, made by FAF inc, have been recalled since they contain high levels of cadmium. Cadmium is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. The necklaces were sold at Walmart for $5 and were manufactured in China (who would have guessed?!) Consumers should [...]
Putamayo Christmas CD
by Nicole on 12/21/09 | 0 Comment(s)
If you celebrate Christmas, you usually have a small collection of Christmas music. My parents favored Neil Diamond, Manhattan Transfer and Whitney Houston. (Yes, a collective EWWW! is permitted here!) I couldn’t wait until I got older and could build my own little stash of Christmas music. But, honestly, I have never, ever bought one. [...]
Toy Swaps
by Nicole on 12/07/09 | 0 Comment(s)
Question: Have you ever wanted to get rid of your old toys (without contributing to landfills) and get new ones (without paying money)? If you are like most parents, your answer is “YES!” Answer: Go to or start a Toy Swap! Mommy Poppins and I had two Toy Swaps this weekend to help parents exchange [...]