Category Archives: Fun

Kids Couture for the Holidays…Dress for Less!

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“Borrow Baby Couture”

Another way to beat the consumer mentality of the Holiday Season is to visit

Borrow Baby Couture.

Borrowing and paying only a small percentage of the actual dress cost is much better than buying a Holiday dress that may be worn only once or twice by your child or grandchild.

For this weeks theme of “Christmas crazy consumerism” or “Holiday crazy consumerism”  Borrow Baby Couture ranks high on my list of ways to lessen my own consumer crazies. It allows me to shop at home with confidence that my granddaughter will have a lovely dress for the upcoming season of holiday events.

Here is my recent post about the Borrow Baby Couture services.

……………………………….

That’s right the holidays are fast approaching and this question begs to be answered,

“What should my baby or little girl wear?”

I have just the suggestion, one which will help dress your child or grandchild stylishly for a fraction of the price.

It is borrowing from Borrow Baby Couture!

Baby Graziella

 As featured on the Today Show, Borrow Baby is savvy shopping for your little ones,  especially when it comes to special outfits for special occasions.

Chloe

Just look at what is available for a small percentage of the cost and there is no worry about cleaning afterwards.

Fendi

 

Your choices are just a click away!

You can put your worries away as well, when you select from Borrow Baby Couture for your little girls special holiday dress or dresses!

 Grandparent alert: You can gift this service to your grandchildren for special occasions …what a wonderful way to celebrate!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have received the Borrow Baby Couture services as a gift for writing about my experience.

Are You a Crazed Christmas Consumer?

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It’s Christmas Time Again!

 

But then the Christmas commercials started. Not in December, not in late November, but back in October or maybe even September. And that is when the chorus began. It didn’t matter what type of plastic crap was being advertised, they wanted it, they needed it, it was the best thing ever.

via Quelling crazed consumerism | PhD in Parenting Blog.

In keeping with my consumerism theme this week, I am posting a link to one of my favorite bloggers and writers, Annie Urban.

She makes an excellent effort to “quell” consumerism in her home with her own children. This, mind you, is no easy task and it is certainly made easier if you have all the family together in support…especially the grandparents, aunts and uncles and all who dote on your kids.

Since the birth of my granddaughter 4 years ago, I have been exposed to many children’s products. At first, they all seemed wonderful especially since many of them did not exist when my own girls were little.

So, it was easy for me to become a somewhat “crazy” consumer of baby, toddler and preschool stuff. Thank goodness for my daughter, the mother of my granddaughter because she knew exactly what was a worthwhile purchase and what was merely an accessory that would be used once if that and then find its way to our basement…never to be seen again.

The holidays are no different…there are so many toys and items that are advertised as necessities not just to children but to their parents and grandparents as well. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a child say, “but I really have to have this, that is what it says on television”.

I find shopping for toys and other children’s stuff fun, especially at holiday time but I will try and defer to my daughter’s gift list and check with her before I go overboard on any “unnecessary” purchases.

This will not only help me stay away from the holiday frenzy but it will also keep the gifts more meaningful and useful. Sometimes, we opt for items that are not available at the Mall…like lessons…these are usually the best kind of gifts especially for now.

What do you do as parents and grandparents when it comes to holiday gift giving to your kids and grandkids?

How do you choose what is a good and useful gift without becoming a crazy consumer at this time of year?

I would be interested to hear different ways to deal with the holidays and gift giving when it comes to the children in your lives. Some of it could even be useful when it comes to birthdays and other gift giving occasions.

Happy Shopping!

“Happy Holidays”…

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“From Our House to Your House!”

Okay…after watching the “madness” of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday and not really partaking in it to any degree…I am thinking about how to shop this season without breaking the bank and without letting my adrenalin kick in too much when I enter a store with the holiday hum playing in my head.

Over the years I have found that Christmas Shopping has become more about consumerism than about giving. I like to buy gifts for my family and friends that I would like to receive myself and I do enjoy giving. So do not get me wrong when I suggest something really drastic this holiday.

I read this blog post from Leo after “Black Friday”. “Zen Habits” is a blog that I follow pretty regularly. If nothing else Leo keeps me thinking about trying to keep life simple and meaningful. Now I realize that Leo makes his living from this philosophy but I find his approach soothing when life gets chaotic around me.

These days between Thanksgiving and Christmas can and often do get very hectic. I find that I have to plan any trips to the mall very carefully so that I can actually enjoy the Holiday spirit rather than get into the frustration mode of trying to find an item and then find a way to pay for it.

I am not a DIY person but I admit to baking cookies and cakes for Holiday gifts and including gift cards along with them.

Who does not like homemade sweets and gift cards?

My problem with gift cards is making the right choice so they do not expire or get lost before getting used.

How do you handle holiday buying and giving…what tips do you have for making it a happy hassle?

And if you are wondering about my “friend” Leo’s approach and his challenge…here it is…a bit dramatic but mostly meaningful!

And so today I extend a challenge to all of you, and the world: Buy Nothing Until 2013.

Yes, I’m taking Buy Nothing Day and extending it through the end of the year.

Why the hell would you want to do this challenge?

Do it as a protest against consumerism and corporate influences on our lives. Do it as a tool for contentment, for simplicity. Do it to reclaim the holidays as a time of connection and love, not of buying and debt. Do it just to see if you can.

And yes, you can still do it if you’ve already done some Black Friday shopping. We’ll forgive our past sins and start afresh. 🙂

via » Challenge: Buy Nothing Until 2013 :zenhabits.

Celebrate…Four Seasons Chicago Staycation!

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Happy Anniversary Champagne Toast – Four Seasons Chicago!

My husband and I have been married for 35 years.

Over those years, we have celebrated many memorable occasions together with our family at The Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.

Birthdays, Mother’s Days, Christmas and even St.Patrick’s Day are some of many family holidays and events made more memorable by the wonderful staff at the The Four Seasons.

For our anniversary we agreed, it had to be something special and our 4 year old granddaughter needed to be with us. We also wanted a “stay-cation” in Chicago because we love to spend time enjoying the City that is so near and dear to us.

So it was natural for us to choose to stay at The Four Seasons …something for us and something for our granddaughter.

Jeff, “Welcome Home” Four Seasons Chicago

“Welcome home!”, Jeff said as he greeted us on our arrival.

It was so perfect that Jeff would meet us at the door. We have been met by him many times over the years. Even when we come to Chicago for the day, we stop to say hi to Jeff and ask about his family.

At check-in, we were greeted warmly and our granddaughter was treated to a small gift from the “toy chest” conveniently located at the front desk.

She was ecstatic!

We then made our way to our room in the sky…with a beautiful view of Oak Street Beach and Lake Michigan. Truly, one of my favorite corners of the city.

It is this view that is so spectacular when it is lit up at night and even more beautiful at sunrise!

 

“Room with a View”

After relaxing and enjoying lunch in our room…we were ready for “pizza making” with our granddaughter…so off we went to the Four Seasons kitchen…

Pizza Making with Chef Matt”

Thrilled is the word to describe our granddaughter when she met Chef Matt and the staff of the Four Seasons kitchen… donning apron and hat she went to work creating gourmet pizzas which were to be our appetizers at dinner later in the day.

“Afternoon Milk and Cookies”

After the “hard” work of pizza making she was treated to a delightfully refreshing chocolate milk shake which she made with the help of her “Papa” and fresh cookies which were waiting for her in our room…

“Happy Anniversary Grandma and Papa” from Four Seasons Chicago

My husband and I were greeted with chocolate covered strawberries and champagne from the Hotel staff along with some beautiful flowers from friends!

After our snacks, we headed out to the 900 Shops on Michigan Avenue.

Conveniently, the hotel directly accesses one of the premier shopping areas in the country. Our first stop was Galt Toys…a favorite for unique children’s items…a definite “don’t miss” on my trips to Chicago.

Then it was time for an early dinner at Allium. This was our first time dining there. For appetizers we enjoyed our granddaughter’s pizza….they were delicious as was the rest of our dinner.

The “Pappardelle & Chicken Thighs” was my entree choice, my husband feasted on the “Wisconsin Walleye”…just superb!

Pizza Appetizer compliments of our Granddaughter

A surprise Anniversary dessert arrived to  complete our delicious dining experience!

A beautiful Anniversary dessert!

Hello …Ice Cream Man!

Then it was time to retire to our room ….where our granddaughter was surprised by a visit from the Ice Cream Man.

After a bedtime sundae…it was good night to all of us!

 

Early morning quiet time on the window seat!

Sunday sunrise did not disappoint!

Our little one was enjoying a relaxing moment on the window seat while we enjoyed an early breakfast in our room.

At quick trip to LEGO Water Tower Chicago!

These days a trip to Chicago is never complete without a visit to LEGO in Water Tower Place!

A quiet lunch before heading home!

After Water Tower Place we sat down for a quiet lunch at Allium before leaving to return home.

Since we were also running a little late…our server, noticing we were concerned, arranged for us to have a later check-out so we could relax a little bit longer and enjoy our meal.

After lunch it was time to leave…

Good bye and Thank you…Four Seasons Chicago!

Our weekend was wonderful…The Four Seasons made our stay so memorable. We left with smiles and stories to tell … this being one of them!

Disclosure:

I was not compensated for this review. We were given a special rate on our accommodations. All opinions, as always, are my own.

What to Wear for the Holidays???

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That’s right the holidays are fast approaching and this question begs to be answered,

“What should my baby or little girl wear?”

I have just the suggestion, one which will help dress your child or grandchild stylishly for a fraction of the price.

It is borrowing from Borrow Baby Couture!

Baby Graziella

 As featured on the Today Show, Borrow Baby is savvy shopping for your little ones,  especially when it comes to special outfits for special occasions.

Chloe

Just look at what is available for a small percentage of the cost and there is no worry about cleaning afterwards.

Fendi

 

Your choices are just a click away!

You can put your worries away as well, when you select from Borrow Baby Couture for your little girls special holiday dress or dresses!

 

 

 

 

Grandparent alert: You can gift this service to your grandchildren for special occasions …what a wonderful way to celebrate!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I have received the Borrow Baby Couture services as a gift for writing about my experience.

Dilemma: “Halloween and Kids with Food Allergies”

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As Halloween excitement heightens so can the anxiety of a parent whose child has a food allergy.

Kids with food allergies can feel left out when it comes to parties and activities such as Trick or Treating. With some simple preparation, parents can ease their own anxiety as well as the anxiety of their kids. Who would not want to lessen their child’s anxiety?

Years ago, when my own children were small…we were concerned about candy containing  pins and razor blades. My husband missed our daughter’s first Halloween because he was ex-raying candy at the local hospital, making sure it had no foreign objects in it.

Now it is a combined worry…tainted candy and candy containing food allergens. For contemporary parents, life has become complicated beyond the lives of their own parents.

Here are a few tips for a safe Halloween for children with food allergies.

Teach your child about allergies and Halloween

Chances are very good, you have already talked to your child about his/her food allergy. It may be a good idea to reinforce this information before Halloween and talk about the plan in place to keep them safe from a reaction to any candy. It might be good to tell them, all kids’ candy should be inspected before eating…it is not just because they have allergies that makes inspection necessary. This could help them feel that they are not being singled out because of their allergies.

Sort candy and treats at home

Set up a special place to sort all candy…one by one inspect it carefully for ingredients.

Have emergency medications handy

Have your meds handy while Trick or Treating,  just in case…better to be safe than sorry.

“Switch Witch“

You might want to adopt the “Switch Witch” in your home. Children pick out a few pieces of candy and leave the rest out overnight for the “Switch Witch,”  who will take it and leave them a present. This gets rid of all unwanted candy and usually makes kids happy to see it go.

 

 

 

 

 

Dawdling…

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Last week, I treated myself to a morning in Glen Ellyn…a small Chicago suburb.

It was a beautiful Fall day and after a doctor’s appointment I took myself on a tour of downtown Glen Ellyn.

One of the treasures that I found was M and em’s, fun, fresh and fab, a store where you can shop for babies, children, and yourself. I had so much fun in this store!

There were special baby items, great shower gifts or just a little grandma gift for baby. Since we were planning a short trip with our granddaughter, I was on the lookout for some little “tchotchkes” for the plane flight. I could not have chosen a more appropriate place for my search. I was even tempted to buy a little something for myself but exercised restraint which I admit was not easy.

Baby gifts…

These are just too cute and too convenient for little ones still in diapers…Right?

Baby’s Halloween Mustache…

Not for everyone …but still cute!

Trick or Treat…

and for your favorite little “princess”…

Eco-friendly lunch boxes…love these!

Lunch anyone?…great eco-friendly lunch boxes for school!

Crayon roll…my favorite…

and my favorite the crayon roll, which holds crayons in separate pockets and rolls them up for easy access when traveling…keeps them from rolling away…yay! Holds a medium size box of crayons…comes with the crayons too.

M and em’s was a great find for me…I then headed to The Bookstore for some children’s books and the new J.K. Rowling book “Casual Vacancy” for me.

Conveniently, next to the bookstore was the String Theory Yarn Company, where I purchased some yarn and a pattern to amuse me on the plane when and if I had any time.

Then I walked back to my car…stashed my bags and joined an older woman at her table outside at Starbucks where I enjoyed a tea and snack.

We talked for over an hour. She was just charming and so interesting. She had grown up in the area on a farm…she shared a time that was all but foreign to me. Recently, she had returned “home” after living in Palm Springs, CA for over 35 years. She now, wanted to be near her family, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some how I knew what she meant…wanting to be close to family.

What a great day it was…all unplanned and extemporaneous!

I was not compensated in anyway for this review…all opinions are my own. 

 

“Borrow Baby Couture”

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Borrow Baby Couture | Rent Baby, Toddler, Kids, and Children Clothing..

 

Did you ever wish for a special dress for a special little one in your life….but you just did not want to make an extravagant purchase that might only be worn once or twice?

Well, now there is Borrow Baby Couture, where you can choose exactly what you want for that occasion where a beautiful dress is just the thing.

There are many designers from which to choose and Borrow Baby Couture has just added more to their inventory.

With the holiday season coming up, this could be just what you might consider rather than purchasing a dress that gets worn only once.

You can shop at home, and your dress will be delivered in a beautiful box like the one pictured below. You can even choose from new or slightly worn to save some money. Either way, I think you will be very happy when your couture dress arrives…ready to wear.

Borrow Baby Couture

 

Fendi Little Girl Couture

Here is the turquoise Fendi dress that I picked out for an occasion with our little one. She felt special and I was kvelling.

Fendi Turquoise Blue Dress

It was perfect in size and color. For a warm summer day, I could not have asked for a finer lightweight cotton…it actually reminded me of imported fabrics that I used to buy many years ago in New York when I enjoyed sewing.

It looked simple and elegant for a day in the city.

I would encourage moms to check out Borrow Baby Couture for that occasion that you need a beautiful dress to make your little girl feel special.

Grandparents do something different … gift this to your grandchild … it is unique…

Borrow Baby Couture.

I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own. I freely experienced the Borrow Baby Couture service for my review.

Win a Back to School Gift from Hallmark!

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There is nothing like little surprises and my grandchild loves them as much as I do.

Hallmark Cards has just the cutest items to surprise your child during lunchtime.

Many years ago, when my own girls were young, I was working and left home before my girls got up for school. I tried very hard to somehow connect with them prior to their leaving   for school or while they were in school.

I always left them breakfast and for lunch I would use a cookie cutter to shape their sandwiches into “heart” shapes. Every now and then I would leave a handwritten note.

Then, when they both went to “sleep away” camp I had to depend on “snail” mail to deliver, cards, letters and packages. It was fun choosing from companies that specialized in camp baskets designed for kids away from home, who were not allowed to have candy and food items in their cabin….not easy!

As school reopens….I find myself along with my daughter trying to make lunch not only healthy, but interesting and fun. It is an opportunity to share a moment during the day to say something special to a sweet little girl starting out in the world.

Here are some of the fun “Back to School” Hallmark items that I found to help make my grandchild’s lunch a memorable moment of her day at school.

Enter the contest below if you would like to win these items in a Back-to-School Gift Pack from Hallmark!

 

Win It!

I get to give one Back-to-School Gift Pack to one of you! To enter, tweet the following and leave me a comment letting me know you did:

Tweet “@LoretteLavine I want to win the @Hallmark Back to School Gift pack.

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Follow ParentingintheLoop on Facebook
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Leave one comment per task letting me know you did, or already do.

Sweepstakes run from today, September 7 until  Saturday Night September 9th

I was not compensated for this post. I was given product for review and giveaway. All opinions are my own.

There is no winner for this gift pack from Hallmark as there were no comments or tweets related to this post.