What are the best, safest insect repellents?
by Karen on 6/01/11 | 8 Comment(s)
Remember the good ol’ days of your childhood summers? Bare feet, tube tops, Dr. Scholls and no mosquito bites? (So maybe I totally dated myself, but I do have a point…). Back then, our parents sprayed us with that awful smelling insect spray that was chock a block full of DEET. So, what’s wrong with [...]
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 [...]
Affordable Art Collecting for families
by Karen on 5/04/11 | 0 Comment(s)
Someone told me years ago how one family started their art collection. Each person in the family started an individual “art fund” and as they would visit galleries, they would keep an eye out for affordable art they could buy. Because it was especially hard for the kids to save up enough to buy a [...]
Toy of the Year Awards go to….
by Karen 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 [...]
Pumping: when, how and why
by Karen on 4/13/11 | 0 Comment(s)
I remember when my sister first pulled out her backpack-style breastpump, strapped on her bustier and the pump cups and turned the machine on- all while she was giving me some sisterly advice. To her, it was like nothing was going on…to me, it was like: Woah! what are all those tubes and how is [...]
Two CSAs have spots available
by Karen on 4/12/11 | 4 Comment(s)
When I first moved to Brooklyn, I was initiated into a whole new world of food coops, Greenmarkets and CSAs. Though the Park Slope Food Coop intimidated the heck out of me (and still does) and though the Greenmarkets have become a weekend ritual for us, I haven’t ventured out into the land of CSAs. [...]
Finally- a multivitamin with fish oil- all in one
by Karen on 2/27/11 | 11 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 [...]
A painting cooperative that you can get behind: Color Me
by Karen on 1/12/11 | 0 Comment(s)
You’ve heard of a preschool cooperative, a babysitting cooperative and now there’s something different….. a painting cooperative. No, it’s not one you can join for help in getting your apartment painted. It’s one you hire. Color Me! is an interior painting cooperative owned by and made up of women. Each member owns a bit of [...]
Get ready: clothing swap coming up
by Karen on 1/11/11 | 3 Comment(s)
Get out your gently used toys, clothes, shoes and books for ArtCetera’s first “Swap” for baby and kids items. Why swap? For a neat freak like me, it means less stuff stuffed under beds and in closets, for a green nut like my friend, it means you aren’t wasting but recycling and for all of [...]
Mommy Poppins debuts deals with a meaningful twist
by Karen on 1/07/11 | 0 Comment(s)
Mommy Poppins is a site I reference on this blog just about every week for her roundup of unique places and fun activities to do with kids in NYC. She has a great knack of pulling like-minded activities together and making you want to do them all! This week Mommy Poppins debuts a new group [...]
Top of the Shop: Papel in Cobble Hill
by Tuey on 12/21/10 | 1 Comment(s)
This is the eighth installment of our feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. Amazing [...]
Game on! A new club that just might become your next “hangout”
by Karen 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 Karen 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 [...]
Shop local: Brooklyn Holiday Markets and Craft Fairs
by Jill on 12/08/10 | 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 [...]
Need breast pumps, bottles and nursing supplies?
by Karen on 12/06/10 | 1 Comment(s)
This question frequently comes up: Where can I rent a breast pump? There are a few places to choose from. Some stores will even deliver the pump to you, which can be a real blessing. Worldwide Surgical delivers for free but it does have a $15 pickup fee unless you return it yourself. Yummy Mummy, [...]
Top of the Shop: The Green Onion in Cobble Hill
by Tuey on 12/06/10 | 0 Comment(s)
This is the seventh installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. [...]
Be prepared to blow your budget: book fairs
by Karen 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) [...]
The Nutcracker comes to BAM for a world premiere by American Ballet Theatre
by Karen on 11/23/10 | 1 Comment(s)
Brooklynites don’t have to cross the bridge to see that traditional holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” anymore. The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) is bringing their magical rendition to Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) from December 22nd through January 2. This ABT world premiere of the story of Clara and her dreamlike journey has everyone excited and [...]
Hannukkah Gift Guide
by Karen on 11/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)
New online stores, like the new online discount sites, seem to be popping up every day. A lot of them are repeats of the same, but I like Growsup.com that just launched last week. It offers you a customized filter so you can shop by age, gender or whichever child you have saved in their [...]
Hardest person on your shopping list? Have a perfect solution!
by Karen on 11/22/10 | 0 Comment(s)
On your holiday list, who is the hardest person to buy for? I’m going to guess it’s one of these: A) father B) brother-in-law C) tween or D) work colleague. Anyone else I’m missing? I found the perfect gift for both A, B, C and D on my list. The personalized cookie. It was my [...]
A swanky photo shoot (and we’re going!)
by Karen on 11/15/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Looking for a family photograph for a holiday card? Our Spotted! photographer and all-around fabulous portrait photographer, Justine Cooper, is doing a photo shoot at the elegant new Toren building for a one day photo event. Since we are hosting our Expo for New and Expectant Parents there this March, we are excited that Justine [...]
Reader favorites: 38 iphone applications for your kids
by Karen 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). [...]
$15 haircuts, sex talk and gingerbread houses!
by Karen on 11/03/10 | 0 Comment(s)
Still Hip, a resale boutique selling maternity, kids’ clothes and toys in Clinton Hill, is having so many cool activities in the next two months..I thought I better get them all in a post. I think you all are going to really dig them, like the Sex During and After Pregnancy free talk with Babeland, [...]
Top of the Shop: Mini Max Toys and Cuts
by Tuey on 10/25/10 | 0 Comment(s)
This is the sixth installment of our new feature called “Top of the Shop”. It’s a biweekly look at a shop in Brooklyn and its 2 top selling items and then our favorite 2 top items. I hope that you see some new shops to visit or old shops that you might have forgotten about. [...]
