Um... I may have told a lie.

I said earlier that I was stumped for ideas for kids.  It wasn't a lie at the time, but it sure is now.

Babyccino featured this adorable book (left) on their site - My Very Own Fairy Tale Personalised Book. There are a few other options for personalised books and goodies on the website too...

The Kids Closet here in DC (on Connecticut Ave) are having a summer sale - 20% - 50% off, and if you're on their mailing list you can get an extra 10% off. 

Then there is this buy organic cheat sheet via Coochicoos - a guide to the dirtiest fruits and vegetables. A print it yourself cheat sheet to carry to the grocery store with you. It shows the "dirty dozen" the ten fruits and veg with the most pesticide residue (tested after they've been cleaned and peeled). If organic is important to you then you'll want to take a look.

Coochicoos also posted an interesting letter from pediatrician Dr Jay Gordon about the vaccine debate (here). Strangely it's the first neither pro neither against article I've read. Gives kudos to Jenny McCarthy where its due, and politely declines kudos to her methods where necessary (I especially liked this).  Well written and harshly critical of a recent PBS "documentary." If only there were more information from physicians such as Dr Gordon more often!

And finally - and probably my favourite blog post - came via Stroller Traffic. The post titled "Lesson of the Day" has a fantastic list of books that will help you teach, explain or just impress a point upon your toddler... The post id on all kinds of topics from curiosity to tantrums, chores and eating.

I think the list is going to be a to buy list of books for our house! 

I guess that will teach me to read a weeks worth of emails and blog posts before I say I'm clueless!

Well, that should about do it I think!

Images from:  I see me, Coochicoos, and Stroller Traffic

Earth Day...

One of my favourite newsletter emails is from Hermès.  They always send the most beautiful delightful drawings - sometimes about a product but usually its about an event, like the begining of spring or Earth Day.
 
I'm signed up simply because it makes me smile, and its a goal... one day one of their beautiful pieces could be mine, until then the emails are just enough.   Here's their Earth Day email image, hope it brightens your Earth Day too.

Discover your favorite shade of Green on Hermes.com 

Image from the Hermès email 22 April 2010.

 

Cupcake anyone?

Ever since Hello Cupcake did their  Bailey's Irish Dream Cupcake (left) for St Patricks Day, I've been dreaming of more Guinness Chocolate cake... 

I've just found Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Guinness Cake on The Kitchen's blog.The blog is great, and I often check in for a little look. Everything from beautiful kitchens to recipes tips and tricks and nifty things for the kitchen.



Dear Husband,
Could you please pick up some Guinness and some unsweetened coco on your way home?

Happy Cooking!

Xo Sam

(image from Hello Cupcake's facebook page)

Too excited for words!

I am just to excited for words so I'm just going to post this from Babyology.com.au:


"British Designer Cath Kidston comes to Australia

One of the things I miss about living in the UK is the weather! Just joking, it’s actually the opportunity to easily get my hands on these beautiful retro homeware products.Well no longer, because the wonderful people at Lark in Daylesford are the first in Australia to stock a wide assortment of Cath Kidston’s coveted creations.

The Cath Kidston story started with the designer opening a small shop in London in 1993 selling vintage inspired fabrics and wallpapers. Now her name is an international, iconic, lifestyle brand..." (You can read the rest on the babyology blog)

Ever since I found the beautiful catalog in a friends house in London, I've been in love. And now, when I'm almost ready to go home, Cath will be there. Almost. I'll still have to order things online, but I wont have to pay the £30 international delivery fee from the UK.

I followed the links in the Bablology blog to the Lark store and blog. I love it so much I'm considering a little holiday to Dalesford, Victoria when we get home! Seriously though - the store and the blog are awesome, check it out!

xo Sam
(Picture from Babyology.com.au)

Rainy Day?

Another rainy day in Washington... Not to worry we have lots and lots to do!

First up is orgainising photos for books and sharing from our wonderful holiday/vacation to Santa Fe, the Grand Canyon and the many other places we were lucky enough to see along the way! We took a few too many, so it is going to take a while to sort through!

While I was away last week my copy of "Making Things: The Handbook of Creative Discovery" (recommended by the blog Made By Joel as a great place for hints and tips on making things) arrived so we have a book full of things to make and do. I must begin to save up some items for a craft box. Incidentally, Made By Joel's post on the 2 April featured an adorable little paper city complete with templates to download and print, so you can make your own paper city.

And another purchase, as recommended by my sister in-law - Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld arrived. So I think we'll be making brownies with spinach today! Or maybe I'll be hiding cauliflower in some Mac and Cheese for dinner... I am thinking I might start cooking my way through the book Julie & Julia style.

I picked up my books very cheaply on A1 Books. The total including postage for both was around $14.

Yesterday I saw the most adorable fish condo on Mamista and am seriously considering getting little O a little fish - especially as my husband was not so keen on the frogs I came across last month. The Condo is available from Unica Home which is a site full of cool homewares if you feel like a little e-window shopping.

The soy crayons I wrote about sometime ago are now available at The Pajama Squid - as are the paints and modeling clay.  So once the weather clears up, I'm heading to the store in Takoma Park to get some modeling clay!

Take care & stay dry,

xo Sam

Easter Sales...

So there are a few sales that landed in my inbox today here are three of them...

Firstly free shipping at Bambini Pronto for Easter orders... I've linked to the email there so you can read all the details and small print.
and
BabyGap are having a sale on sleepwear - 2 for $35. They might be just a little bit cute!
and one more for the Aussies,
Paperartzi have 10% off storewide (applies to VIPs only so sign up! Coupon Code is VIP SALE)

Happy shopping ;)

S
PS.  I didn't need to go to Gap for the Stella McCartney stuff... husband walked past window and HE couldn't resist! Hurry up summer I have one cute little girl with very cute outfits to wear!

Stella McCartney at BabyGap

I should preface this post with a little confession... I went a little crazy buying Miss O a suitable summer wardrobe this weekend. It's not like she doesn't need some good quality pieces that will (hopefully) carry her through two summers this year. But I did go a little bit crazy.

So the adorable Stella McCartney for BabyGap collection was unveiled on the Gap website today...Pictured right from Gap.com

And I promptly entered everything I liked into the shopping cart (pictured below)
Husband approved items. Yes...
Husband approved the $470 value of the cart. No.

I'll have to edit the cart and decide what Miss O would really look cute in I guess!

My eyes are bigger than the budget I guess...

Happy Shopping!

Match & Munch Sandwich Cutters - Set of 4 Puzzle Shapes

Simply had to post these... featured on Stroller Traffic today, I think I have to have them...

From The Spoon Sisters - these puzzle shaped sandwich cutters make triangles look dull. They're just $16.95 for all four cutters.
Yes please!

PS.... They have animal shaped cutters too...

Sites, Stuff and finds…

Here's what I wrote for the Embassy...

I'm back! Thought I'd split my monthly rambles into two sections - grown ups and kids, that way you can read what interests you and skip through what isn’t relevant for you. After all, the world of nappys, toys and kid craft is only interesting for a few!

For grownups
So my new favourite daily, is the Daily Grommet. What’s a grommet you ask? Well, It's a wonderful product still waiting in the wings, just ripe for discovery.  It has great utility, or style, or invention. Or, very often it has all three.  It comes from a designer, or inventor, or artist, or manufacturer who is clearly passionate about what they create. Someone who loves to share their creations and talk to people about why they do what they do.  It comes from a company that treats its customers well.  Finally, like any intelligent or beautiful product, it has a great story, ready to be told. Here’s an ultraviolet toothbrush sanitiser - trust me spare yourself from reading the scary germ facts! (There’s a kid’s product section too - check out the Frog eco aquarium!)

If you love designer bags, shoes and jewels there is an auction site for you Ooh I Love.  An example - and $800 Louis Vuitton bag went for $5.36, and yes the decimal is in the right place. Five dollars and thirty six cents.

And finally, Easter brunch anyone - Check out the list of Restaurants with Easter specials on  OpenTable.com.  I know I'd be at CoCo Sala for their, "Multi-course Chocolate & Champagne Easter Sunday Brunch 11am-4pm includes a mimosa for adults & chocolate surprise for kids from Co Co. Bunny! $50/adult and $30/child under 12". Yum. Yum. Yum.

For kids
If you’re looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon No Time for Flash Cards have a great range of crafts, games and puzzles. You can sort by theme, by age and even by sensory activities, imaginary play cooking and a host of other things. A great resource for the stuck-at-home-with-the-kids-again-Mum!

I found these great travel chalk mats better than pencils/crayons/markers for trips away. Just wipe clean and you’re ready for the next masterpiece. Best of all they’re on sale at Emmy&Ally.

For those with infants there is a new product on the market called the “Buggy Bubble”.  It’s a bit of an engineering marvel, but keeps out 98% of the harmful UVA and UVB rays whilst providing baby with proper ventilation.

And for Easter - we heart books have a cute selection of coco free Easter goodies.  Nothing like supporting Aussie Mums right? If there’s not enough time for shipping I suggest checking Amazon.com… And for accessorising that Easter party dress, here are some very sweet bunny brooches on Etsy.

I wonder...

I wonder how much convincing it would take for me to talk M into frogs for little O?

Check out this cool low (almost no) maintenance frog kit... Only $30, It comes with everything you need - including two frogs! - the water needs to be changed twice a year and the frogs only need to be fed twice a week! How fantastic... If I could only find someone who'd take the frogs when we leave in 8 months...

There is a video on the daily grommet website where you can see the tank in action and buy it on the spot if you want to. You can also buy direct from the Wild Creations.