Toadally Charming

Wanted to take a minute to introduce you all to a new boutique out of Israel. Shana and Toad is a chic and charming childrens boutique for boys, girls, and babes, and carries a slew of fashion-forward favorites from all across the spectrum. To be honest, I have never ordered from them before as they are relatively new on the market (and I've only just discovered them!), but I figure that in instances when I'm tempted to purchase from European sights (like Little Fashion Gallery etc.) I might as well buy from Shan and Toad and support an Israeli-owned small business. Shana and Toad features a wonderful lineup of some of the most fabulous childrens labels, including Bobo Choses (my favorite!), Little Marc, TALC, Maan, La Petite Luce, No Sugar Added, and many more!! They have beautiful collections for both boys and girls - definitely worth taking a minute to check out their collections!

Also, their winter collection all on sale now and you can grab some serious steals!! Remember this chunky-knit umbrella sweater?? Snag it today for $35!

And this insanely adorable Bunny Ears Sweatshirt from TALC!

Book of the Week: Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah

This little family has instituted a new activity as part of our weekly routine: on Tuesday evenings before dinner, the 3 of us take a walk at dusk to the Los Angeles Fairfax Branch Public Library to take out 2 books for the week. We started the first week we moved here. Well, to be quite honest, Manasseh started the tradition. As I was cooking dinner one Tuesday, he said he is taking Freida out for a walk (mind you, she was in flour-covered leggings and fuzzy bear houseslippers) - and came home 45 minutes lady with a bright faced little girl carrying her very own library card! Her excitement over the whole event (application form, her name - in bold, black letters - on the card, and the 2 new books she excitedly shared at the dinner table) was insanely adorable! Since then we've been taking these lovely walks each Tuesday once dinner is in the oven, and it's quickly become one of my favorite times of the week. This week we've been reading a charmingly illustrated Chanukah title: Maccabee! The Story of Hanukkah.

I thought the author and illustrator did a lovely job at conveying the actual message of the Chanukah miracle in it's time.

It's humorous and heartwarming, and definitely depicts the images I would have liked to relate to Freida...

I won't lie, her favorite parts are the quirky illustrations :)

Check it out if you're looking for a new Chanukah book - we've really been enjoying it!!

They Might Be Giants

Been browsing all week for some new tunes to utilize in the Babyccino classes during playtime, and while looking for some hip and mellow baby-age music I happened upon a band so incredibly perfect for young children! Two-time Grammy winners, They  Might Be Giants, have got an awesome science album for kids on the market - they seriously rock!! Check out one of their earth-conscious tracks, Meet the Elements:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy0m7jnyv6U]

Enjoy some new mini-van-worthy tunes during carpool this month!! :)

Butter: Free of the Dirty Three

Once you discover Butter, it will become a cosmetic staple - taking up permanent digs in your bathroom credenza. I bought my first bottle when I wanted to paint Freida's nails for the first time, and I've been hooked ever since. As an asthmatic I've come to appreciate when things are really "free" and "clear" (laundry detergents, air fresheners, carpet cleaning etc.), I just never thought I'd actually find a good quality nail laquer that could live up to the tagline of being "free"; painting my nails always involved holding my breathe for extended periods of time! :)

Butter London is free of the "dirty 3": Formaldehyde, Toluene, and DBP (plus free of all parabens)! And toxic-free nail color may not be a novelty to you; the quality of these varnishes are surely something to write home about - I'd take a bottle of this polish over a Chanel nail laquer any day!!

Great for giving even the littlest of divas manis and pedis - sans all that chemical guilt (I previously blogged about Hopscotch Kids toxin-free polish for little fingers and toes). And even more importantly, for mamas-to-be (DBP has been controversially linked to birth defects in animal testing) who should be steering clear of all hazardous chemicals for at least 9 months, and may not necessarily think of a weekly manicure as hazardous. Or may think there's no alternative... here you have it ladies!

Also, for those of you living in the Los Angeles area, a friend of mine (thanks Dini!!) recently tipped me off about a new toxin-free, baby-friendly wax and nail spa on Santa Monica blvd! Plush Beauty Bar  was created with moms in mind, featuring a children's play area, stroller parking, low-fume products and services, comfy armchairs for nursing in, bathrooms with changing tables, staff to help out on baby-watch, and fast services for those short attention spans! I never brought Freida with me to salons and spas when she was a baby, and I'm sure my girly glamour suffered as a result.  I seriously can't wait to check this place out - so glad to know about this before baby #2 arrives and steals my beauty routine! :)

Babyccino!

We've landed! Calling all babymamas of the greater Los Angeles area: join us on Mondays for a morning of baby-style rock 'n roll, super sensory explorations, and physical interactive activities and play. Meet and chat with other modern mamas, share a parenting tip or two over a steamy cappuccino, and relish in watching your little tykes explore and discover the world around them.

Come and check out what's about to go down at our free/trial session this Monday, November 21 at Shaarei Tefila - 7269 Beverly blvd! Come for the kids; stay for the fun!!

Feel free to contact me with questions or for more information: babyccino@shaareitefila.org