Monday, March 8, 2010

Fabubands are FAB-U-LOUS!


Let's face it, no matter how cute a headband may be, they hurt. UNLESS, of course, you are sporting one of these ridiculously cute and really, really comfy Fabubands. Take it from me as a girl who probably needs a headband intervention, these Fabubands are everything that you want them to be. Made for your little stylistas, but sophisticated enough for "grown ups" to wear. They go with everything. These super cute headbands come from TutimNYC's ever growing line of practical, fun, and useful products that make Mom's lives easier and kids lives cuter.

• Position as headband or across forehead for stylish look.
• Trendy designs. One-of-a-kind appliques range from hearts & stars to
art deco & 1920's inspired patterns.
• Comfortable fit for girls (ages 3 and up) as well as women .
• Soft elastic comes in a variety of colors.
• Handmade in the USA.

www.ittybittiesboutique.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Getting Crafty with my craftbox.


Here's a little known secret of about me. I have a craft box filled with good, all be it largely unfulfilled,  intentions.  Approximately, seven overly ambitious projects lay within it, in various stages of crumbled disarray.  But, not tonight. Tonight,  I focus.  Read the directions carefully.  Read twice, cut once.

With my husband out of town and my son asleep, this was going to be the night that my crafts emerge from the  box a finished project.  I sit down with my plan to create a tutu for my friend's baby-to-be.  I know that I not only lack any legitimate sewing skills, but I also lack a sewing machine.  So I chose a simple no-sew method.  Armed with nothing more than a 5-minute video on Youtube,  I begin the process and quickly realize I should have, at the very least, watched the video twice.  I could have.  I just had already fully committed to the mountain of pink tulle surrounding me and was, at this point, determined to just figure this thing out.

On paper (or on Youtube) this seemed like a no brainer.  Scissors, tulle, elastic, needle & thread, and of course a bottle of wine to help me "focus". Check, check, check, check, AND check.  I vaguely remember the woman on the video knotting the tulle around the elastic and so I knot. And knot and knot and knot until I somehow I created a really super cute tutu.  How cute you ask?  Check out my son (yes my son, you use the model you got) modeling it!

For the record, this really was a fairly easy process and it was actually fun.   AND I must say even though I used about 25 yards of tulle (I think because I didn't pay attention to the directions) this entire process took a couple of hours.  But for those hours I was in the Tutu Zone. Knotting, fluffing, creating.  It was awesome and I will do it agian for any one who wants one!

Monday, March 1, 2010

An All-Too-Easy Peanutbutter Cookie Recipe


My husband has what some may call an unhealthy relationship with peanut butter, but because I love him I decided to sacrifice my waistline and my skinny jeans to bake him some cookies.  This recipe is so simple, so easy, so quick, and oh so yummy!  This recipe is actually a little too easy.  I found myself making these cookies anytime I was hungry.  I memorized the recipe after the first try.  Note to self: STOP memorizing cookie recipes!
Ingredients
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar or you can substitute with the following:
  • (1/4 c white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 c brown sugar) I just went straight up 1 cup o sugar!
  • 1 egg

Directions

  1. In a bowl add the peanut butter
  2. then add the sugars
  3. last add the egg
  4. Mix altogether
  5. shape into balls about 1 - 2 inches in size
  6. place on cookie sheet about an inch to an inch and a half apart
  7. put in oven and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes, checking as all ovens vary in their temperatures
  8. Cookies will be soft when removed from oven that is okay, when they cool they will firm up to a nice soft cookie.
 I actually started mixing things up and put each ball of delicious peanut buttery goodness in a muffin tin and added a Hershey kiss because as we all know, chocolate and peanut butter is the world's greatest flavor combo and should be enjoyed by all.

What's your secret to these cookies?

Holy Cow! It's Rolly Cow!

 
Ok, it's really Wheely Cow by Prince Lionheart, but in our house we exclaim ROLLY COW!  Our little man absolutely loves this awesome riding toy.  Our downstairs neighbors may not love it so much, but nothing is cuter than seeing him zip back and forth on his cow. 
Prince Lionheart makes these fun walker, riding, everything toys in four different styles.  You can get a mouse, ladybug, bumble bee, or cow in small or large sizes. (see product info below)
It's a toy your kids will love and it won't look ridiculous in your living room. For all the urban dwellers out there with limited space or parents who just are sick of the primary colored plastic gear, this is a cute option for the savvy tot to help with your child's motor skills development.  Watch your cowboy or cowgirl go from a wobbly pre-walker to a professional rider. 

• Best Australian Toy” ITSA Quality Toy Awards 2000,2001,2003,2005,2006
• Gold Awards: Right Start Best Toy(UK) 2005, Baby and Toddler(UK) 2005
• Silver Tokyo Gift Fair 2006, Highly Commended Mother& Baby(UK)2005
• Totally new concept to encourage gross motor skills while having heaps of fun.
• Bright, soft, friendly, unisex design.... an instant attraction to little girls and boys alike.
• Two sizes:  Small 15" L x 9" W x 8 ¾ " H (seat) for 1.5 yrs + & Large 18 ½ " x 11" x 10 ½ " for 3yrs +
• Tough PU covering, resistant to the inevitable “little accidents”, easy to clean.
• Padded with a 1” layer of soft sponge.
• Entirely non-toxic and contains no PVC.
• Weighs only Small: 4lb, Large: 5lb
• Constructed with only the highest quality components.
• Design Patented and Trademark Registered.
• Multidirectional castors, no more getting stuck against obstacles.
• Children love the easy, unlimited mobility.
• Researched and developed in child care centres (designed for “industrial” kid use.)
• Certified tested to ASTM 963, CE EN71, JP ST05, AS/NZ ISO 8124.
• Intended for use on smooth floors, ideal for indoors, runs quietly.
• Recommended rider weight 50lb.• Stainless steel spring mounted “feelers”, which wobble much to the delight of children, have an internal cord to prevent pull out.
• Plywood base made from renewable plantation timber.