August 19 2011

12 Ways to Help Your Child Build Self-Confidence

For most, school is back in session.  "Back-to-school" marks a new year for our little ones, with new challenges, new goals, new teachers and classmates, and for many, a passage into a new milestone.  This can be so exciting but also terrifying, for us and them.  A girlfriend sent me a link, 12 Ways to Help Your Child Build Self-Confidence, and I found to be a simple but powerful reminder of the things we know, but sometimes forget (especially in the madness that this time of year brings!)  I hope you find this little parents pep talk to be helpful and wish you a happy and smooth transition back to school!

June 21 2011

Puddle Jumpers

Last week a friend came over to swim with her four year old son. He was wearing a Puddle Jumper life jacket and my son (3) gave it a try.  I've never seen him so confident and calm in the water.  This thoughtfully designed life jacket puts children in the perfect position to learn to swim on their own and is Coast Guard approved.  Head up, arms forward, feet behind.  It combines mobility and stability and we had to run to Target that night to get one of our own!

May 18 2011

Amalia children’s fine jewlery

While visiting a girlfriend in Florida, I couldn't help but admire her two-year-old daughter's jewlery.  She wears the most adorable ladybug earrings, necklace, and matching bracelet.  It's 18k gold with enamel charms and I've been on a mission to find something just like it for my daughter.  I've been searching stores, boutiques, and department stores all over St. Louis and no dice.  I finally gave up and called my friend to get the name of the store where she bought her daughter's pieces.  They came from a store in Miami call Amalia, and lucky for us, they have an online store and ship all over the country.  Their adorable jewlery makes perfect special gifts for the little princess in your life.  I love the screw-back enamel stud earrings.  They prevent the earring post from poking the side of the neck.  The in-line charm bracelets are to die for and the chains with interchangeable charms are a perfect start to a collection.

May 03 2011

TOMS

I'm starting to gather summertime items for my children and the first thing they needed was new shoes.  We spend so much time outside and are constantly on the go so straps, buckles, and laces can quickly become a hassle.  One of my sisters turned me on to TOMS and they are my new favorite summertime kicks.  Soft sole, breathable canvas upper, no laces, straps or buckles, no socks required, and machine washable.  I'm in!  And as if that's not enough, for each pair purchased, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to children in need. 

February 05 2011

Flair Designery

Posted by Amanda

Two girlfriends, on two separate occasions have suggested I check out Flair Designery's birthday banners on Etsy.com.  And since my littlest little is turning one this month, it was high time I checked into these buzz worthy banners.  Oh my, they are so cute!! I ordered a Valentine's Day themed birthday banner for my daughter along with other custom party decorations.  Abby, the owner and designer of Flair Designery was a JOY to work with.  She got right on my project, knew exactly what I wanted with very little direction, and had "proofs" emailed within a couple hours for approval.  She took "the designs out of my head and put them on paper." (Those are Abby's words and I couldn't have said it better myself!)

I'm looking forward to using this adorable birthday banner year after year!! 

If you don't have an Etsy account, but would like to order, you can call 314.324.5369 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Flair Designery offers USPS priority shipping with tracking on all out-of-state orders.

 

January 11 2011

Mastermind

Mastermind, developed in 1970 by an Israeli Postmaster/Telecommuications expert, is a classic game of logic and deduction.  Intensely engaging and so much fun, Mastermind exercises simple and complex problem solving and is equally challenging for adults and children ages 6 and over.  My parents gave this game to my oldest son (age 8) and it has quickly become our favorite way to pass time, fireside, on cold winter days with hot cocoa in hand. 

December 26 2010

Little Ballerina

After seeing Black Swan and the Nutcracker this past week I can't help but to want my very own Tutu.  I realize I'm a little too old to play dress-up, but...after browsing Layla Grace  & Etsy's Sisters Enchanted collection of Tutus, I am reconsidering the age limit. Every girl should have one, even if you can only wear it when no one is looking.