Showing posts with label Love This. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love This. Show all posts

Friday, April 22, 2016

Storytime: Books for all the Tiny Dancers



If your little ones cant keep their feet still once the music starts, try adding these books to your storytime rotation.

Miss Tutu's Star, by Leslea Newman.
Little Selena loves to dance.  When enrolled in Miss Tutu's School of Dance she learns new choreography and prepares for an upcoming recital.  The book provides great messages related to working towards goals and overcoming fears.  This book is really quite funny and the illustrations are sure to put a smile on your little ones' faces! 






How Can You Dance, by Rick Walton
This is a great book of rhymes and dance inspiration.  It is full of colorful and creative drawings, and the author encourages children to create their own dance steps while moving like trees, foxes, frogs and more.  Get ready to dance like a kangaroo - hop hop hop!






My Name is Not Alexander, by Jennifer Fosberry
Through conversations with his father, a young boy lets his imagination run wild as he takes on the personas of his greatest heros - including Fred Astaire.  " I am FRED... the greatest, smoothest dancer there ever was!".  The concept, colors and content are all top notch.  And while its far away, keep it in mind as a great Fathers Day book selection.



Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
This sweet book needs no words! Through interactive storytelling, Flora and her new friend learn about friendship and dance loved by tiny dances from coast to coast! Your little ones will love mimicking the graceful moves of this duo.








Sunday, April 17, 2016

Love This: Upcycle with Box Play

Box Play stickers in action!
How many times have you put that same old dinged up toy in front of your kids understanding why they dont want to play with it again?  But at the same time, you look around any given room in your home, and you know there is no need for more toys.

While waiting out time to reintroduce the same toys anew, try these great stickers from Box Play.  Apply to the trash you find in your home, and presto-change-o, a new toy appears!  Such a great idea and such a practical way to teach kids about reusing and re-purposing.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Love This: the Working Mom

Our hats go off to Ms. Licia Ronzulli, member of the European Union Parliament, who over the years has taken "working mom" to a whole new level. 


How wonderful to watch her family grow before our eyes!

Not all members of the Parliament take advantage of the EU Parliament's family friendly rules, but these pictures put a smile on our face an hopefully inspire a new generation of female leaders.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Love This: Kickstarter Projects for Kids

 

Kickstarter is a website that helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality. 

There are some really cool projects focused on children / mothers / families on Kickstarter.  Here are some current highlights:

 
ScrubBugs:
 
Invented by a Mom to help keep her kids healthier throughout the year, Scrub Bugs are creating an entirely new category of healthy hygiene for kids.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hands are the #1 carriers of sickness causing germs.  Despite this, kids don't actually wash their hands well enough to remove all the germs.  Scrub Bugs to the rescue!!!  Scrub Bugs make hand washing both more effective and more fun. They are the new critical component to every kid's hygiene routine.
Such an awesome idea.  I cringe sometimes when I watch my kids 'wash' their hands. If I'm not there over their shoulder there is a good chance they are breezing their hands through the water and moving on - disgusting.  A scrub bug is something I think they would totally use, just as that superman toothbrush gets my son to actually brush his teeth!


Penny Powers:
 
PENNY POWERS is the superpowered alter ego of fourth grader Penelope Powski. No one knows Penelope's secret except for her superpowered sidekick, and cat, Pepper. Together, these two heroes protect their school and their neighborhood from the forces of evil as PENNY POWERS and HYPER-CAT!
We love a girl super hero -- even more so one whose sidekick is her cat!  Awesome drawings and a funny storyline, something we can imagine kids really enjoying.
 

 
We have created soft and huggable dolls to team up with your children to be a force for good. Each doll comes with a bag of heart tokens that are given away as an act of kindness. Plus, for each doll purchased a doll will be donated to a child less fortunate.
Not only are the dolls really cute, we love the idea of inspiring your children to commit acts of kindness while giving back to those in need.  The back story of the founders is heartwarming and inspiring.  Best of luck to Kind Doll!

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Inspired to fund one of these projects?  For as little as $5.00 you can take part in KickStarting a dream.  Let us know about your favorite Kickstarter projects!


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Love This: Chore Charts (Free Downloads!)


A ongoing challenge in many households is getting your kids to do their chores.

We want to raise responsible & capable adults - and we have to start somewhere.  Whats the end goal?  Well ideally by the time they go to college they will know how to do their own laundry.

A good way to get started on implementing a chore system is with a chore chart.  Ruth over at Living Well Spending Less has an excellent series of printable charts & lists to implement chores in your household.

We love her printable popsicle stick chores.  Print them out, glue them onto popsicle sticks and the kids can draw a stick to determine what chore(s) they are assigned for the day.

Can their first chore can be to make the chore sticks? Sounds like a great way start!

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

4 Momma Approved Boxed Wines




Yes - we said it - BOXED WINES!

Now, dont let your mind go back to your mom's box of Franzia that occupied that middle drawer of your white fridge growing up each summer.  Boxed wines have changed!

This trend has been growing strong for a couple years now - so remove the mental stigma.  Next time you're looking to try something new - pass on by the bottles and take a look at the boxes.  You will be surprised at the great variety and quality of wines.

Save Waste:  One of the great benefits of boxed wines is that it stays fresh for much, much longer then its bottled counterparts.  Now you can have a glass or two, or whatever (ahem) without having to toss the rest the next day.   And on the flip side - when you have an impromptu mommy playdate, you dont have to worry about running out... usually (ahem ahem).

Save Time: Boxed wine is an inevitable time saver - most boxes contain the equivalent of 4 bottles.  Now, if this doesnt save you from at least one or 2 trips to the package store I would like to see your current wine cellar!

Save Money:  Even the higher quality wines that are now available in boxes are more reasonably priced than if you had bought the equivalent number of bottles.

After many, many, (ahem) many diligent taste tests - here are our selections for the 4 Mommy Approved Boxed Wines:


From The Tank, Vin Rouge:  This organic wine is a great choice, you may even recognize it from several restaurants throughout Boston.  As described by their importer, it is from "a wine cooperative of local growers in the south of France comes this high quality, powerful blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan grapes. Delicious from beginning to end, it has dark cherry notes that make it particularly tasty with meat hot off the grill."  We also recommend the white wine version - equally delicious.



  
Le Vin de L'Uncle Charles:  Uncles Charlie is a man after our own heart.  This is a very easy to drink wine, and this fitting description "Uncle Charlie  likes his wine light, with a nice balance of earth and fruit.  Not to mention low in alcohol so it goes down easy in the hot afternoon sun on the terrace."  Delightful!





  

Bota Box Shiraz:  Bota Box wines can be found in almost ever liquor store in New England.  Its not the best on the market, but it is reliable and really well priced.  As described by Bota Box, their Shiraz is a "juicy red wine―rich with ripe blackberry flavors―packs a punch. Though pleasantly supple, it is robust enough to cut through the spiciness of Mexican and Cajun dishes."

  

Bandit, Pinot Grigio:  Now technically it isnt a box - so dont confuse Bandit wine for your Coconut Water!  Packaged in a little green Tetrapak, Bandit Pinot Grigio is described by Wine Enthusiast as "totally dry, and the lime and grapefruit flavors are balanced with ultra-crisp acidity. Great with grilled veggies, sole with a squeeze of lemon, and Asian fare."




So have we convinced you to give the box a try? Is your fridge already stocked?  Share with us your finds & recommendations!

Sunday, March 27, 2016

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?

Saturday, March 26, 2016

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!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

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!

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Love This: Father's Day DIY

Most Dads dont ask for too much on Father's Day, right?  No brunch, no breakfast in bed, no flowers... but most Dad's appreciate a little DIY, and all Dads will love a handmade gift on Father's Day.

Here is an excellent idea for a great Father's Day present - homemade handkerchiefs.  Check out the details at Paper Stitch!
Once you've finished your handmade handkerchiefs, head over to All for the Boys for this free printable to be personalized by your little ones!




Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Too Good Not to Share: I'm Your Fan!


How about we spend these rainy days preparing for the sun!

Those hot, humid, sticky Boston summer days are just around the corner.  So lets use these gloomy days for some fun indoor crafts.

Check out these fun & free printable fans offered by Mr. Printable. They are easy to assemble, and your kids will be enjoying the final products within minutes.   Make them now, so come August when your little guys need to cool off in the Tot Lot, you'll be prepared!


Friday, June 1, 2012

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.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

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! 

Monday, April 30, 2012

Fun Inspiration: Rubber Ducky, You're the One

What would you do if you could?

Why not take a GIGANTIC inflatable rubber ducky and float it down a river...

Well, artist Florentin Hofman has done just that! 


Beacon Street Baby would love to see this guy floating down the Charles!


Sunday, April 29, 2012

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.




Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Bicycle Mama!

It's gorgeous outside...go ahead, take your little ones on a picnic!

While you're at it, save yourself some time by using Poketo's Swedish Bicycle Basket  - it easily comes off of your bicycle and turns into a shopping basket.  You can put your little one in their bike seat, put a cozy blanket in the basket, travel to the store, let your bebe help pick out food for the picnic, use the basket to carry your shopping goodies, head straight to the park and use the basket to carry your food and blanket to the perfect spot.  Sounds like a great afternoon to us!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Springtime in Paris!

We just adore the bright creations of Famille Summerbelle -they offer a range of products that we can't get enough of for the home.  The next time you have a birthday party to go to -brighten up the package with this cheerful Un Dimanche à Paris Ribbon Tape.  You could also run a strip over a blank card to sweeten up some bland card stock.  Check out their tea towels, cushions, original paper cut designs, wallpaper and their family trees! 


Saturday, April 7, 2012

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!