Real Parties: Curious George 1st Birthday

Birthday Boy ready to party!

Curious George was an obvious choice for KJ's parents when deciding a theme for their soon-to-be one year old.  The party was enjoyed by all, especially the birthday boy.

Are you curious too? Read & see more after the jump!

Go Ahead...Let Them Use Glass!

Have we banned all tupperware? Nope!
Can you find our kids eating off of plastic plates? Yes!
But on occasion, lets pull out the good stuff!

Now we can let them eat from real plates with ease.  Give your little ones a boost by supplying them with Duralex's Glass Toddler Dishware found on Mighty Nest (a one-stop shop for learning how to make your nest healthy and then buying the supplies to do so).

The French have been trusting their bebes with Duralex's dishware since 1946!  Not only are they free of lead and BPA, they are also 2.5x stronger than glass!

Now, don't you think it's time for Junior to pitch in by clearing his plate?

Love This: Custom Baby Quilt

Boston Baby Quilt, by Haptic Lab

When left to choose between flowery pastels and football graphics choosing baby bedding can be underwhelming for parents who like a modern house, not Mickey Mouse.

 Don't fret, Beacon Street Baby has the answer - Haptic Lab.  Not only are the designs crisp, linear and colorful - but yes, they are maps!

Beacon Street Baby loves the Boston Baby Quilt (pictured above), but many other cities and regions are available.  And it gets better - Haptic Labs will customize the quilts with your little one's name, birth date and even mark 3 personalized locations on the map.

How great is that - Love This!

Real Parties: Little Peanut Baby Shower

Friends and family gathered to wish Alexandra and Andy the very best with their first baby.  The peanut theme was a no-brainer, Alex had long referred to her little girl as her "little peanut".  From invitations to party favors the peanut theme was tastefully intertwined throughout the garden party.  A wonderful turn out and perfect weather made this a baby shower to remember.

Little Peanut Baby Shower Custom Invitations by Sassyrae Expressions

Garden Party Bar, featuring Sour Cherry Lemonade (both virgin & spiked available)

Beautiful & delicious cake by Konditor Meister of Quincy, MA

Homemade Peanut Brittle favors, offered in adorable packaging from The Party Fairy

Centerpieces of fresh Hydrangeas in vintage teapots mixed with whole peanuts in glass jars

Little Peanut Baby Shower photography by Nneka Anadu

 

Love This: Non-Candy Easter Basket Filler

We at Beacon Street Baby are proponents of filling your little one's Easter baskets with items other than candy.  Not only will the items last longer, but come on, no child needs three pounds of sugar to celebrate the resurrection! 

A perfect example of non-candy Easter basket fillers is this adorable eco-friendly wood and felt bunny & duck kit by Topozoo.  The pieces are big and sturdy, the design is clean and bright.  It is like a puzzle for kids to assemble, and once they are put together your kids have these wonderful toys. 

So walk right past the aisles of green plastic 'grass' and skip those chocolate eggs filled with yolk-flavored corn syrup -- this is a basket filler that will put a smile on the faces of both your kids and their dentists!

Love This: Ride the Pony!

Offi Classic Baltic Rocking Horse

Some originals need a remix!

Perfect example - this modern take on the classic rocking horse. 

Clean lines, a safe seat, yet still adorable with the classic pony head.  Its a perfect addition to any nursery.

The rocking horse by Offi can be purchased here!

Return of the Rag Dolls

We are delighted by the beautiful and unique rag dolls from French toy maker Moulin Roty.
 
The dolls are handmade and decorated with unique traits including button eyes, embroidered mouths, and some even have the loveliest little freckled faces.   Dressed to the nines with their unmistakably ruffled hair, these dolls are the perfect addition to any tea party.  Collect them all!


Available for purchase in the US at My Sweet Muffin.

Love This: Snugglies by LuckyBoySunday

We love this collection of unique pillows and snuggle toys made by Copenhagen based company, LuckyBoySunday.

LuckyBoySunday products are hand knit by women in Bolivia.  The company partners with Bolivian women, uses local 100% baby alpaca wool and has created long term jobs at fair wages.  To view their entire product line and read more about the company, visit their website at http://www.luckyboysunday.dk/.

To buy LuckBoySunday products in the US, check out http://www.thumbeline.com.

We Heart Sequoias!

We are loving these one of a kind Sequoia Tree Pillows by Hi Tree! at Craftsbury Kids.  Each tree is handmade and will make a wonderful addition to any room.  They'll be a wonderful way to teach your little ones about the important role trees play in our lives! 

I Spy With My Little Eye...Jupiter!

Add some color to those playroom walls and teach your little ones all about those twinkling lights in the sky with Wallie's Solar System wall decal -these peel & stick pieces can be moved all around to create endless hours of learning and play!

Crystal Ships Bring Sweet Dreams

We admit that these may be a bit extravagant for a nursery, but we love them anyway!  Pottery Barn Kids has a collection of chandeliers that are sweet and whimsical.  Take a peek at the entire collection!

To Do List: Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, commemorates the Mexican victory in the Battle of Puebla of 1862.  Cinco de Mayo is not a major holiday in Mexico, yet it has taken on a life of its own here in the US.  Its a great opportunity to bring some fun and culture into your family's day!

Breakfast:  Chilaquiles.  Chilaquiles are a delicious traditional breakfast served throughout Mexico.  They are easy to make, and make good use of some leftovers you may already have in your kitchen.  To make the meal complete, serve along side scrambled eggs and a fruit salad.

Storytime:  Grandma's Chocolate, by Mara Price.  This wonderful story introduces a young girl into a whole new world when she asks her Grandma to play princess.  The story will educate your children on Aztec and Mayan cultures, and offers a much welcomed twist on the typical "princess" definition.

Playdate: Make & Break Pinatas:  We all are familiar with pinatas, and no doubt have seen them hanging in every major big box party store around town.  But in reality, pinatas are not difficult to make, and are a fun creative project for your family.  If you don't have the time (and/or the patience) to make a paper maiche pinata, then try this super easy alternative that uses a paper bag and the base.

Dinnertime:  Fish Tacos & Corn on the Cob.  Save some tortillas from the chilaquiles you made in the morning, and use them in this easy healthy recipe for Fish Tacos.  The perfect Cinco de Mayo side dish is a delicious Mexican style corn on the cob.  Such a tasty meal - you'll wish every day was the 5th of May! 

Late-Nightcap:  Georgia Peach Margarita.  Once los ninos are asleep, let the real fiesta begin!  Try this delicious Patron and Peach Schnapps margarita - que rico!

Throw a Fiesta!

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and we can't wait to treat our friends to a garden party decorated with these festive oilcloth pennants by Modern June.  Check out her shop for bright patterns and add a pop of color to your life!

Love this: Bringing Imagination to Life!

Some companies are so great, we want to just shout our praises from the rooftops.  Child's Own Studio is just that kind of company.   Submit your child's drawing and they will literally bring it to life.  The final products are amazing: 

What joy this would bring to your little one.  Take that art work off the fridge, send it in, and soon your kids will be able to play with their imaginary friends in real life.

Update your FLOR!

Today is the grand opening of FLOR in Boston! 

Get those creative juices flowing and add a pop of color to your nursery with their modular carpet tiles!

Thursday, April 26, 2012
6:00 - 8:00PM
236 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116

Heirlooms in the Nursery!

We're loving these Custom Silhouette Pillows by Craftsbury Kids -they make a unique and thoughtful gift.  You simply submit a picture of your choice, select the background colors, design, the color of the silhouette, and fonts (if you choose to add a name). Voilà: a family heirloom and a gift that will never be forgotten!

Glide-A-Bye Baby!

We're loving the simple and elegant design of this Vola Glider by Monte.  The husband and wife team, Ralph and Michelle Montemurro, offer modern designs for your nursery in a range of bright colors and styles.  Monte Design Group is also committed to sustainability -so - not only will you have luxurious comfort in your little one's room -you can also feel good about lessening your impact on the environment!

Love This: Modern Dollhouses by Brinca Dada

Times have changed.  No more clunky dollhouses with hodgepodge wallpaper!  New York based Brinca Dada has taken "toyhouse" designs to a new level.

Brinca Dada has created a new generation of dollhouses that are of such gorgeous design, even adults wont be able to resist. These modernist dollhouses wont be relegated to your little one's rooms, you'll want them out front and center.

Dylan House, by Brinca Dada

Bennett House, Brinca Dada

Now, those toys cant come home to an empty house... Not to worry, they even have furniture collections complete with miniature modular bookcases and platform beds. 

Maison Furniture, by Brinca Dada

Go ahead, transform that toyhouse into a bonafide dream home!

Too Good Not to Share: Free Number Set Printables

Number Prints by The Handmade Home

Forget about one fish, two fish.  How about 1 birdcage, 2 vintage cars and 3 Airstreams? Sure, but only if you follow it with 4 pinwheels, 5 teapots and 6 spring chickadees! 

Head over to The Handmade Home where fresh colorful ideas abound, and download your free set of number prints.  These cheery prints are great not only for decor on your wall, but also could be laminated and used as flash cards for your little ones.

We Love You From Here to the Moon!

We're loving these sweet, simple prints by Hop Skip Jump Paper - whether your loved ones live across the street, state, country or on the other side of the world, these bright designs will keep them close. The fine print features local neighborhoods, but you can have it customized with some of your favorite places.   Hop Skip Jump Paper also offers sweet designs for the nursery and children's bathrooms (think: "little monkeys wash their hands").