Streamer Surprise - Great Party Favor Idea

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On holidays, I like to surprise the kids with something fun when when they wake up! So this Halloween I knew I needed to find something small, cheap and fun! And NOT candy!!

I found these amazing Streamer Surprise Balls at a children's boutique in Tribeca called Bitz Kids. 

They were kind of expensive, at about $6.00 each, but I thought my kids would love them and have a blast opening them on Halloween morning! And I was right... the kids had so much fun opening layer by layer and finding three surprises inside!

Next year, I'll be making my own. And I really think its a great and clever idea for a party favor for a kids party. All you'll need to make your own:

  • 2 different colored party streamers. Party City  
  • 2 or 3 small toys and or candy to hide inside
  • Tape
  • Spray bottle of water (use VERY sparingly!)

Start with the best and biggest toy in the center, then tape a streamer end to it and start wrapping using the water very gently to form the streamers in the round shape. Then tape another color on and you can include small candy or trinkets in the surrounding wrapper. When you are completed just simply take the end and hide with fun stickers or simply leave it as is. The kids will love this fun and exciting treat! 

Leave any comments or questions below!

Chicest Travel Accessory... And it's FUNCTIONAL!!!

Headed out of town? Need help getting all your stuff and the kids stuff through the airport? Well... Try this amazing product we discovered for our summer vacation. 

We bought these amazing scooter bags for our summer trip to the DR. And the kids absolutely loved them. My daughter gets tired fast from all the walking and I knew I'd be pushing the baby in the stroller and not able to help her. So I found these cool carry-on's and they really did the trick!
 

They are scooters and carry-ons.  They are functional and super chic! Everyone will love them as you glide through the airport with smiling children! Instead of carrying ton's of extra baggage and crying children who can't walk any farther!

The only issue we had, was with the quality of the bag itself...  is not amazing. The zipper and bag are not made that well. The bag itself is not that big. About the size of a medium size backpack. 

Although, I think this product is amazing and I still recommend it. The best part about this is the fact that there is a scooter built in.

The scooter folds up and you can easy store them under the seat in front of you on a plane or in the overhead. The scooter is not like a regular scooter. It does't steer as well as a regular scooter and does have a bag on the front of it. So, be sure to have the kids practice at home so they don't get frustrated at the airport. 

Overall, I think the kids really enjoyed having the extra help getting them around. Plus, it does help with the baggage that you would carry. I know that even if I pack a lightweight bag for the kids, I still wind up carrying it!

Best Kids Hair Cut - DOWNTOWN

When you need a kid friendly hair salon that caters to your fussy little ones, look no further. This downtown chic children's hair salon and kids boutique will become your go-to. 

I took my older son all the time when he was little. He was very active and had a hard time sitting still for more than a second so needless to say I was worried when he needed a haircut. But no need to worry here. At Doodle Doo's there is an assortment of kids movies/shows to pick from at each hair cutting station. And if that isn't enough to occupy your little one for 10 minutes then there is someone to personally blow little bubbles or play a game with them to keep them still. Plus the chairs are fun to sit in and pretend to drive a taxi or firetruck! 

Although Brent is a very calm baby, I wanted him to follow in his brothers footsteps when he needed his first trim. Brent loved driving the taxi and watching the Wiggles while his baby curls were clipped and coiffed. And I only saw it fit that Brycen came along for a little trim himself. Brycen's favorite part these days are all the toys and gifts (I always stock up on the latest and greatest kids toys here for upcoming birthday parties and also on there VAST assortment of girls  bows of all sizes and colors). 

Check out my boys and their matching doo's!!

DOODLE DOO'S

11 CHRISTOPHER STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10014

(212) 627-DOOS (3667)

At Home Ear Piercing

When is the right time to pierce your daughter's ears? This is an individual choice. 

Some people think its better to do it when they are babies so they won't remember. Others think it's better to wait until they are much older.

Well for us it happened naturally. Brinkley got to the age when she wanted to get it done and kept asking, so one day I decided to do it. I called the local ear piercing salon which is in Soho and found out that every Friday they do house calls. It was Friday so she had an open appointment and she was at my house a few hours later. I got lucky so call in advance to book an appointment.

Clinical Ear Piercing was founded by Rachel Smith, a registered nurse. And she really did take amazing care of Brinkley. She was so calm and patient. It made this heart wrenching process so painless and serene. 

She used numbing gel on Brinkley and brought an assortment of earring choices. It was in the comfort of our own home which also helped with anxiety.  However, I've heard the salon in Soho is also very tranquil. 

Brinkley was the perfect patient thanks to Rachel!! 

Have any questions or concerns? Or know any other good ear piercing salons in downtown NYC? Let us know! Write to us in the comments section below. 

Downtown Scoops - Kids Edition

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If you live or have ever visited lower (lower) manhattan i.e. Tribeca, Battery Park and FiDi you would know that its PACKed with children. Thus the need for children clothing. There are a few key places you should know about when visiting the area or you may just live in the area and want to be a super efficient shopper like me. Here is what you need to know to get what you want:

TRIBECA

Kohs: This tiny boutique was recently bought by a new owner but its very similar to the past shop by the same name. There are very high end girls fashions here. There are also boys clothing but its very basic and the girls selection definitly outshines the boys section. If you are looking to spend a pretty penny you must visit this shop. 

I love going here with my daughter because she always picks the most outrageous of items. Like last years Stella Mccartney kids pink fur coat. Its adorable and over the top! And I know she'll wear again next year since we bought it big enough so I am ok with spending that dollar amount for it. 

They also sell very adorable novelty baby clothes. The only clothing I really get here for my baby boy are the kimono wrap onesies by Petite Bateau. The new owner ordered them in my sons size since she didn't have them in stock and they were avail for me the following day! Talk about great service. Again the girls baby section shines. The boys is adorable but is limited especially if you have a larger baby.. I think the sizes only ago up to 9-12 months. So its hard to shop for 12-18 months or 18-24 months (YES I know my baby is only 8 months but he's an adorable chubby little guy!!!)

Polarn: This is a definite go to if you are in Tribeca. The quality is amazing and I normally find SOMETHING that my kids wear as staples. The boys assortment is much better here. They have an entire section for baby/toddler/big boys and the same for the girls. The clothing is very versatile and comfortable and if you happen to be there when they have a sale you should stock up. Can'T beat the prices and sometimes I even buy for the next year if I really like something. 

The winter selection couldn't be better. They have rain/snow coats and shells. Thermal socks, insulated gloves, assortment of hats.. only catch is finding all that in the size you need. They do have online shopping and they also have a shop uptown that can ship directly to you. 

Bitz Kids: Here you will find FASHION! Its all so adorable and stylish. The boys section here definitely outshines the girls. The boys pants and tee shirts are the  best. I dressed my older son in these clothes for years and now I'm already starting to dress my baby boy in them. The quality though is not that great. You get fashion but you don't get quality. That's the toss up. The prices aren't that bad ($24 for baby pants) only catch is that you may have to buy a couple of the pants each season since the knees wear out very easily. At least  for active little ones!

Babesta: This location stocks more baby stroller type items and furniture but has the same downtown funky edge.  I think I bought 3 out of my 5 strollers here. They always have the newest trends and I luckily stopped by here when I was ab out 8 months pregnant and spotted the DOONA. Its a stroller and car seat in one. A MUST for city moms or any mom who loves convince and ease. (See below in Battery Park- same idea but also located on Warren street.)

BATTERY PARK

Babesta: In Brookfield Place (a new large shopping and eating destination in Battery Park) this adorable and cheeky shop lives on the second level next to every moms favorite DRY BAR. Babesta is a funky shop with edge. The pacifiers come with mini mustaches, the bottles are made to look like Starbucks to go and the shop would not be its cool self with out selling the tiniest pair of baby Doc Martin combat boots (ok, I bought these are they are ridiculous but I couldn't resist). Great for picking up a trendy item or two or for a really cool baby gift. The clothing selection is limited in all aspects but you may get lucky and score an adorable onesie featuring your favorite 80's concert logo on it.

FIDI: The financial district has a totally different feel. The shops are not boutiques and they have tons of crowds. 

First up!

Zara Kids: If you never heard of Zara you are seriously missing out. It has amazing fashion for a steal. And thats for woman but the kids selection is just downstairs and is pretty darn cute. You can tell that all the styles are just mini knock offs of the adult version but done so in a way that is hip and stylish for kids. The only catch is that some items might look a little trendy and not last past a season or so. Its very well priced and has shoes and accessories as well. The girls section is far better than the boys. At least in this location. There is a limited baby section too..

Gap kids: Gap is still one of my favorite kids clothing shops (I may be biased because I worked there for years before having kids and loved it) but the styles are just wearable and the quality is normally always amazing. The GAP store on Broadway offers adults (woman main level, mens downstairs) and the upstairs is all kids. They have girls, boys and baby. I think each area is well stocked and is standard for a gap kids shop. If you are in the area and want to pick up something you know you will use all the time for your kids then you should stop here and since is a NYC shop you may catch their fun pop up shops featuring things like snoopy and designs by Ellen DeGenerous.

Century 21: This is a huge shopping extravaganza! A must see when downtown. But wear your comfy (yet chic) shoes and get ready to deal with crowds (unless you go first thing in the morning). Here you can get a little of everything. But what it has in size it really lacks in fashion. Its not very trendy but there is really something for everyone of all ages, shapes and sizes. The assortment is abundant but the styles aren't the latest or greatest.  They used to have better name brands at a bargain but thats not really the case anymore since the store has been massively renovated which it desperately needed. You may still happen to find baby Petite Bateau at at discount and some other children's name brand but don't expect to see a lot of it.

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT EDITION FEATURING ALL THE NEW SHOPS IN THE OCULUS!

Back to School, Back to Reality. How to Save on School Fashions

Whats old is new again!

The long days of summer are behind us and we are up against the hectic reality of getting the kids ready for back to school. 

Picking out new backpacks and matching lunch boxes. Online shopping for the best deals on back to school fashions. Well... let me save you some time.. and MONEY!

We will all find ourselves buying the kids new clothes as the weather gets cooler. But who says you can't shop your own closets?! 

I just moved and found this out the hard way. Half (or MORE) of the clothes my kids own was never worn or SEEN. Its at the back of the closet or the bottom of the drawer. We are probably all guilty of this too; picking out the clean shirt at the top of the pile. Well, not anymore.

Find all those clothes and do a dress up party! See what fits the kids and what they've outgrown. Use all that unworn clothes to your advantage. And then find out what the kids "really" need. You'll wind up spending half (at least) on back to school clothes.