Summer Baby Giveaway!

Today's giveaway is from Shan and Toad, a charming childrenswear boutique in Jerusalem, Israel. I posted about Shan and Toad here when I had first heard about their launch, and they have since been featuring the most chic and fashion-forward childrens collections. They have enchanting baby clothes, unique and casual boyswear, beautiful dresses you won't see on every other girl, accessories, and just about everything for a full-on wardrobe from designers like Little Marc Jacobs, LA Made, Anne Valerie Hash, and Jo-Lu.

They are now holding a Freidafroo giveaway; 3 lucky readers will win a summer baby body suit from Bobo Choses ($36)! I'm totally eyeing that Ice Pop Body - could just see Hudi living in that this Summer; lazy Sunday picnics at the park, long days at the beach, or that Bicycle Body on early morning rides to the Farmers Market...!

For a chance to win please visit Shan and Toad and leave a comment on the Freidafroo Facebook page. A winner will be chosen at random on Monday.  Good Luck!!

* Winners are comment #6: Chaya Witkes, comment #11: Shira Emmer, and comment #19: Dovid Shayna Toledo! Congrats Ladies, thanks for playing everyone!! xx

Tasteful Textiles for Kids

I was recently struck by just how fresh the new Lulu Dk line of childrens textiles is! Designed for, and in collaboration with, Schumacher fabrics, the line is both bright and muted; bold and beautiful. These are a few that I'm currently coveting, but you can view the entire collection here.

Garlic: the Fine Motor Bulb

I don't know why this is the first time this dawned on me, but peeling garlic bulbs and removing the cloves is one of the best fine motor skills exercises ever!! Not to mention kids seem to love doing it, and it definitely reduces some of moms work in the kitchen... We now made this a ritual whenever we are in the kitchen whipping up fresh pesto; Freida is queen of the garlic. Try it!

Bon Fire Season

Teaching Freida about Lag BaOmer this year got her in a campfire tizzy! (Evidently there is a Yo Gabba Gabba episode about camping that had her connecting the bon-fire holiday with tents, s'mores, sleeping-bags, and even hotdogs!) I recently came upon this adorable campfire play set, and thought this would a perfect addition to our dramatic-play toy collection - not just for Lag BaOmer, but for summertime in general. Freida would just freak from this handmade felt playset from Hopewell Creek!

Since we didn't exactly have this around for Lag BaOmer this year, a friend of mine (thanks Rachey!!) had a genius idea for the kids at Babyccino, and Freida loved it as well: sponge painting with marshmallows (on sticks!).

Afterward I let her and her neighbor spend the afternoon marshmallow-stick painting Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's Cave (i.e. a cardboard box). Kept them busy for hours!!

Paperless Post

Yesterday, while working on a Babyccino birthday, I was deciding how to go about creating an online invitation, and discovered the very beautiful and enchanting world of Paperless Post. I landed there thanks to an invite I received via email a while ago (thanks Atara!!)  featuring the cutest, not-at-all cheesy firetruck! While I was never very keen on using Evite, the immense simplicity and practicality of a site like that was much too attractive to pass up - even though their awful invite designs make almost everyone nauseous. Well, there's now a cure - the folks over at Paperless Post have seriously delivered!!! A wonderfully designed website, a genius method of purchase, classy and tactful function - all wrapped up with a slew of insanely beautiful invitations!!

Not only is the art just breathtaking, but the variety of formats are a breath of fresh air! Check out the paper texture in these e-cards:

Plus, somehow they manage to make even the most basic party themes chic and gorgeous!! Robot party anyone? Red balloon? Aren't they just adorable??

I'm so looking forward to my next party!! :)