Packin Smart: aka my middle name

So I stalked these little suckers on babysteals.com. They come up like once a week to every two weeks. You can get 2 for 12.99 but it turns into $24 with shipping. Anyway. They are perfect for packing random little snack. I take it to the beach, in the car you name it. I am a huge fan. Easy to clean and pack. When you get them you are actually surprised by how small they are..but then you use them and you realize they are the perfect size for packing a meal for your little one. I think you should buy this but sign up for babysteal.com and wait for it to pop up...they do sell out right away. http://www.packinsmart.com/Home.html

Worth the time: Zuliliy.com

I have to thank my friend Ali for introducing me to this one. The site is pretty girl heavy but I did just place an order for some cool boys t-shirts and a maternity top all at 70% off. Worth seeing in your inbox everyday.

The Girls

Now I sold out of these little ladies and they can be a bit time consuming so I have not made them in a while but they are still fun to look at. All vintage material and notions. I pretty much only make them by request and for special little peanuts that already have everything!

Henry's Ball Pit

I am very handy and I mean very handy...one of those "oh I can just make that myself types." And when I got laid off at 6 months pregnant that became very dangerous. Fortunately I have a wise husband that knows the more I am into a big project the more content I am. Which lead me to making Henry a groovy little ball pit all his own. Now I know you can fill a blow up pool with plastic balls but that just was not going to cut it for my first born and a mother with a lot of time on her hands.
Supplies: fabric, foam pool noodles, balls, sewing machine

The first thing I did was head to IKEA because I needed sturdy lt. wt. canvas in fun patterns (no kiddies patterns we were going straight up Stockholm). Then I decided I wanted the pit to be 4 foam pool noodles high and made my pattern for the walls. Basically I made long giant sleeves for the noodles to fit into. It takes two pool noodles per row to make it work.












Once you get all the noodles scooted in there and I have to warn you to make a pattern that gives you a little wiggle room. If you are not a good pattern maker you can still do this but just ask me so you can avoid the pit falls. After you get all your noodle layers in there you get to complete the circle. I brought all the ends together and then put a strip of fabric over the seam just to keep it clean (I totally hot glue gunned that part). After that I attached the bottom. The bottom is two layers of fabric with batting in the middle. I wanted it to be soft for Henry. I also ran a running stitch to keep the batting in place. The bottom I hand sewed on which is mindless and did not take long at all. For the balls I ordered a rainbow pack and a clear pack. I really only needed one pack of 100 balls but it was fun to have it over flowing. Now that Henry is 1 he hops in and out of it all day and I don't have to worry about his dive bombing into it because everything is soft and can't be harmed by his barbaric ways. The cool thing is it looks like it is even going to make to baby number two...famous last words!

Product Review: What works and what sucks: The Toddler Years a work in progress

If you scroll down you will see I did a little product review for what work from Henry while he was an infant. Now it is time to upgrade and fast forward to what is working and what feel flat as Henry turns 1.

Because pinching your finger once is not enough. I looked at a bunch of these read all the weird reviews and finally decided to order the LID LOCK from www.onestepahead.com. They even did a discount because I bought three. It is friendly, relaxed and social.







Philly InMovement. www.PhillyInMovement.com. Henry is active...and when I say that I am being kind. So we tested out a Philly InMovement Open Gym Session. The place is clean, super friendly and Henry went to town, made a few friends and passed out in the car. And I am sure Philly Kids Gym is nice but I would not know b/c I can't get anyone there to pick up the phone or call back when I leave a message. The one time I tried to go the teacher called out sick. Philly InMovement gets my vote!


I am going to go slightly off topic with this one. You know what works during the toddler years? A stop into Affordable Skin Care in Fishtown for a facial and such: www.affordableskincaresalon.com. I am a No Libs mom now (formerly of Rittenhouse) and this is the best guilt free place in the area. I have been to Rescue Spa in Rittenhouse and sat and waited many an appointment and then you get slapped with a crazy bill. Screw that. With Affordable Skin Care go when you want, go when you need it. No waiting, the service is great. Mary is the owner and the Aesthetician. She even accept XIPWIRE so you can pay for your service with your phone.(xipwire.com)



We hit the beach every weekend and even though my son got my fair skin, it is almost August and he hasn't had an inch of sunburn yet. I could chalk it up to being an on top of it all mom but for this one I am going to give some of the credit to the pategonia kid's rash guard my husband purchased. Normally when a patagonia package arrives I cringe to think of the cost but this is one item that I will be purchasing for baby #2. It is currently out of stock but I would put this on the list for next year.



I love Thursday because it is almost Friday but in the summer I love it because of the Kid Concert Series at Liberty Walk in NoLibs. This is sponsored by Homeslice Pizza and the Little Candy Shop. Around 6:00 you see everyone stroll or wobble up to see who the band is going to be. For the next 45 minutes the kids (all ages) take over the block and rock out to songs about dogs, frog and whatever else the band is playing. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 which given the smile on your little one is more than fair.




So I stalked these little suckers on babysteals.com. They come up like once a week to every two weeks. You can get 2 for 12.99 but it turns into $24 with shipping. Anyway. They are perfect for packing random little snack. I take it to the beach, in the car you name it. I am a huge fan. Easy to clean and pack. When you get them you are actually surprised by how small they are..but then you use them and you realize they are the perfect size for packing a meal for your little one. I think you should buy this but sign up for babysteal.com and wait for it to pop up...they do sell out right away. http://www.packinsmart.com/Home.html