Great ideas often are born from chaos, or in Grace Welch's case - from a single chaotic diaper change. In the space of time it took her to locate her supplies and wrangle a squirrelly baby, her professional background, the influence of her entrepreneurial parents and her desire to go back to work on her own terms came together and the world was gifted with the first circular changing pad. And what a gift it is.
Continue reading "Full Circle: Patemm Pads and a Mother of Invention" »
Since the beginning of sandals season, my "girly" daughter has been asking for her first pedicure. But because of the harsh solvents and chemicals found in nail polish, I've felt reluctant to indulge her. As her birthday rolled around, I was delighted to come across Piggy Paint, a line of nail polishes for kids made of non-toxic ingredients that are "as pure as mud."
Piggy Paint is an odorless, water-based formulation that dries into a natural resin film. It comes in 14 colors from light pink to sparkly fuschia, classic red, as well as more unusual (and boy-friendly) shades of green, orange, yellow, blue, silver and black. The birthday girl's favorite was Forever Fancy, a sparkly bright pink. Girls Rule! was more purple-y and a hit with some of her pals.
Continue reading "Piggy Paint - A Treat For Your Little Diva " »
Is it too early to be thinking about school? My little munchkin will be off to kindergarten this fall, and she asks about it every other day. In her excitement to eat lunch at school, she's already tested out her PlanetBox - a surprisingly fun and "stylish" stainless-steel lunch tray.
PlanetBox couldn't have landed at a better time, as I've been trying to purge plastic from our kitchen due to concerns about BPA and other potentially harmful chemical effects. In addition to being a safe and eco-friendly part of a no-waste lunch, the 'Box has some other nice things going for it.
First, the inside reminds me of a TV dinner tray. (I wonder, do TV dinners even exist anymore?) Since my kids tend to get all bent out of shape when one kind of food touches another food, they like having five separate compartments - and only one latch to open. Extra sidecar containers are great for snacks and can also handle messier foods, such as yogurt, melon chunks, and applesauce.
I love the theatre. To watch others capture a character and bring such depth and emotion to the room that one becomes completely immersed in another world is a gift unlike any other. As such, I feel the absence of the theatre experience in my life acutely, and so when I saw that the Berkeley Playhouse was presenting Peter Pan: The Musical, I jumped at the chance. At last, here was a production I could take the kids to and perhaps feel a little magic myself. I was not left disappointed.
From the small yet creatively functional stage to the enthusiastic and well-cast actors, the entire show is a delight. Compensating for a tight space, the atmosphere transitions from nursery to Neverland with ease, and then back again- though you wish it to stay Neverland forever.
Continue reading "Berkeley Playhouse's "Peter Pan: The Musical" Takes Flight at the Ashby Stage" »
The Four Seasons Silicon Valley (in East Palo Alto) is quickly becoming a hot spot for events in the Bay Area. Easy to access off 101 at University Avenue, the Quattro restaurant and rooftop pool bar have become popular destinations, so it should come as no surprise that philanthropic events are moving into the Four Seasons now as well. This weekend, Gala for Giving is hosting a Fabulous Fashion Fete, featuring clothing, jewelry, accessories and home products.
2009 is a big year for the San Francisco Zoo: It's their 80th birthday and the stork has made two deliveries - baby giraffe Niklas and baby gorilla Hasani. To celebrate and to kick-off the upcoming ZooFest for Kids annual fundraiser on June 5th, animal-lovin' fashionistas showed up at Juicy Couture last Tuesday evening in downtown San Francisco.
It was no foolin' on April 1st for San Francisco designer Lisa Alexander as she previewed fall fashions for her children's clothing line, Spike and Annie. Held at the Pacific Heights home of Lindsay Bolton, the preview event highlighted pieces such as a corduroy mini-shift dress with bow detail and a linen shirt with embroidery.
Spike and Annie launched in summer 2008 and quickly became a big hit with celebrity parents like Sarah Jessica Parker and Halle Berry. Using all natural eco-friendly fabrics, Lisa Alexander is dedicated to ethically conscious methods to create her line.
The April 1st event was a who's who of local notables, including Dede Wilsley and Joy Bianchi. A percentage of the evening's sales went to Pets Unlimited.
(Pictured above: Claudia Ross, Lisa Alexander, Joy Bianchi. Photo credit: Drew Altizer)
Now that my order has been securely placed, I feel that it is safe to let you know about the treasures that I just discovered on Peek Aren't You Curious.
One of my favorite holiday activities is to volunteer for The San Francisco SPCA Holiday Windows at Macy's. At least one Sunday during the season you will find me in front of Macy's Union Square informing passersby about the adorable cats and dogs playing and lounging in their festive window scenes.
As an official volunteer, I stand in front of Macy's, usually sporting a red SPCA jacket or apron, and talk to people about the cats and dogs in the windows available for adoption. Holding a SPCA donation box, I announce to onlookers the names and ages of the available pets as well as the number of animals that have been adopted from the windows this holiday season. People (especially kids) share with me stories about their own pets while generously stuffing the donation box. Volunteers inside the store check on the animals periodically, but I also keep an eye on the little ones to make sure all is well. I report anything amiss to the SPCA staff inside the store.
At the end of my two hour shift, I feel like I have done a little something good for homeless pets. Volunteers are needed now through January 1st. Make it a family affair! Sign up online at www.sfspca.org.
Don't miss your chance to get your hands on some Bay Area designer's kid's designs. You can shop locally and save money - a perfect combo in this economy. Your child can be a "recessionista fashionista." Designs that are normally found in high end boutiques, will be available this Sunday at the Bunny and Bee studio in San Francisco.
I often miss out on the many great sample sales, as they tend to be in San Francisco. However, a bit of S.F. style will be coming to Palo Alto this Thursday. San Francisco based designers Glug, and Dagmar Daley will be joining Peninsula childrens designer Wati for a sample sale. Laurie of Lobrid papers will also be there showcasing her vintage inspired personalized stationary. This sale gives suburbanites like myself a chance to dress their kids like hip urban youngsters. I do not have to trek to the boutiques in the city, I can find parking and get some great deals as well. A percentage of sales will benefit Second Harvest of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
Here are the details you have been waiting for :
Sample Sale, Thursday Nov. 13th, from 9-3
100 Island Drive (home of Kelli Glazier) Palo Alto
I plan to get there early, as supplies may be limited. I guess I can not ask you all not to purchase the items I may want in my kids' sizes !
San Francisco based Tea Collection will be holding their yearly sample sale next week. Tea's unique designs have a huge following. I suggest that you get to the sale early, drink your coffee and pack a power bar. You will be competing with serious Tea fans to get your hands on their designs at crazy low prices. The sale takes place at their offices, on 1 Arkansas St, Studio B in San Francisco. Here are the details :
Friday November 14th, 1-6
Saturday November 15th, 9-12, and then 1-3 for CLEARANCE sale
Monday November 17t, 10-5, with ten percent being donated to your school.
*There is a ten dollar entrance fee, a donation to one of the many charities Tea supports, The Global Fund For Children. In fact, if you shop online between Nov. 10- 12, fifteen percent of sales will be donated to the Global Fund For Children. Sign up for updates on the Tea Collection website.
I am helping to provide 2, 500 school children in Haiti with shoes to wear to school. You can too, or perhaps providing children with dental care in Columbia, or protecting 625 acres of endangered coral reef is your thing. If you are a sports fan, you may want to send 2, 500 soccer balls to Kenya. Thanks to Palo Alto based, Tonic Generation you can be a consumer and be a catalyst for change. As a shopper, I always welcome the chance to feel good about spending money! At this time, the only products available on the site are T-shirts designed by Luella Bartley. These one of a kind designs are t's that you can wear out, not just to the gym. The designs are modern, and the material is a bamboo and cotton mix, and very soft to the touch. I applaud Tonic for their efforts in giving consumers a better way to consume.
What happens when a shopaholic is on vacation and can't shop? They go online!
That's exactly what I have been doing. I would really like to be wandering the streets of Hayes Valley, enjoying my cup of Blue Bottle coffee, maybe stopping for lunch at Bar Jules... but, no, I am on vacation. Stuck out by the beach. I can buy an array of lighthouse motif items, or perhaps some Lily Pulitzer. However, that is just not my style. I have never been able to pull of that pink and green "WASP" look. So what does this Bay Area shopper do, other than dream about home, I take advantage of internet shopping. (My husband is just thrilled about this rainy day activity.) It is never to early to think about back to school shopping for my kids. This is also the time of year that many online boutiques are having sales.
One of my favorite online boutiques is Oliebollen. Though not based in the Bay Area, the company carries many Bay Area designers, and is similar to shops that I frequent. The owner, Margaret Schankler, a former stay at home mom in Michigan, has assembled a wonderful selection of clothing, toys and gifts for children. You can find Bay Area favorites like, Dagmar Daley, and Tea Collection.. In addition to have a unique selection, Oliebollen does something that we value in the Bay Area. They have Olie Aid, and give a percentage of net profits to charities every year. This corporate campaign supports a variety of worthy children's causes. I always love to shop for a cause, Oliebollen makes that possible.
I have had my fill of nautical themed clothing, and am looking forward to returning to the Bay Area. Not only for the style, but I could use some sunshine. Vacation is great, but there is truly no place like home, especially when home is the S.F. Bay Area.
If you missed the Glug sample sale in Marin and San Francisco, you have one last chance to score some Glug designs at wholesale prices. My kids love the shirts! Glug is available at select boutiques throughout the Bay Area, and designed here in the Bay Area. Here are the details :
Glug Sale, Friday June 27, 10- 1
2005 Park Blvd.,Palo Alto
Happy Shopping!
See "the pages of Sunset magazine come to life" this weekend at the Sunset Celebration Weekend. View the latest in garden and home design at the Sunset headquarters in Menlo Park. In addition to the many design and cooking exhibits, there is a new feature this year: the Eco Lounge. Hear Local and national experts, join in for a yoga stretch. The Eco Lounge will also feature a fashion show by Eco Citizen on both Saturday and Sunday at 12:30.
Sunset Headquarters are located at 80 Willow Road in Menlo Park. Tickets are twelve dollars, and free for children twelve and under. (Kids love it too!) The celebration runs June 7-8, from 10am to 5pm.
Calling all hip parents: One of my favorite S.F. designed kids' lines is having a sample sale this Wednesday. Glug, the brain child of a husband and wife team is a fresh, modern line. The designs appeal to both kids and parents. My "fashionista" eight year-old daughter will wear the shirts as well my six year-old son. I am waiting for Glug to design tees in my size.
So mark your calendars for this Wednesday May 28th. All designs at wholesale prices. The sample sale will be at 608 Elizabeth Street in S.F. from 4-8. Call 415-550-8545 for more information.
With a mission to serve the "little citizens of the world," San Francisco based Tea Collection, will be donating twenty percent of sales between May 19- 21st to The Global Fund For Children. (This extra effort is to support those affected by recent events in China and Myanmar.) The Spring and summer collections celebrate the beauty of West Africa. Tea is also donating fifty percent of their "little citizens" tee to Global Fund For Children on a continuing basis. Tea is available online, as well as locally at Neiman Marcus, Pippen Hill in Alameda, and The Kids Company in San Carlos.
The Palo Alto Art Center was filled with excited students (like my daughter, Darrow) and their families last night for the artists reception of the the fifth annual Cultural Kaleidoscope show. The show is a collaborative effort by teachers in the Palo Alto and East Palo Alto schools.
Teachers must apply and follow guidelines in order to participate. Student art is then selected to appear in the annual event. It is quite an honor for the kids to see their work in a real museum. The show is curated beautifully, and showcases the many talents of local kid-artists. The show runs until June 1st.
The Palo Alto art center is located on 1313 Newell Street in Palo Alto. Not only can you view great art, there is a gift shop with unique creations- perfect end of year teacher gifts.
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