Keep E-Posted!

This new eco-friendly, green-era is for procrastinators! Thanks to online stationery companies, you can wait till the last minute to choose your invitations, birth announcements and holiday cards, and sleep soundly at night for saving the rain forests. Oh, printing and mailing are so stone-age, anyway!

Nevertheless, it is impossible to keep it traditional, tasteful, chic and online all at the same time, right? You think nothing can replace the thick card stock, the embossed logo, the beautifully lined envelopes... Well, think again.  Go online and see for yourself the stunning designs and start contributing your share to carbon offset. Even though, I love decorating our mantel with our friends' and families' holiday cards, I hope we receive more cards in our inboxes this year.


Paperless Post 

Paperless Post has hundreds of fine stationery designs with envelopes, liners and logos. You need to buy e-stamps and e-coins to use towards your invitation design and emailing. First 25 stamps are free, then 20 stamps are $4.00. Coins are optional to use for customization. It is add free all the way. They also monitor RSVPs for you.








Pingg Design

Aside the usual birthday and holiday cards, Pingg has quite interesting categories like "Pet Adoption and Birthdays" and "Charity and Fundraiser". 
The basic "pingg" is free including emailing, addressbook and rsvp management. For an additional $10, pingg plus offers ad-free designs with e-envelopes. And if you insist rain forests will survive your desperate need for postal experience, Pingg also prints and sends your cards for you.





 



Nursery Notice

Nursery notice only provides designs for birth announcements. You can either upload a list of recipient emails or buy your Nursery Notice on CD to have a lasting copy. The basic Nursery Notice costs just $34 and the link will stay available online for one month.

Biona Organic Treats

Do you also feel guilty when you give your tot sweets, candies and chocolates? Just in time for Halloween, I saw these sweet treats by Biona Organics on ocado.com. It still is sugar, organic or not, but certainly cuts my guilt by half! Here are few of my tot's favorites: Pineapple Chews,  Jelly Bears and Fruit Lollies.

London Children’s Film Festival

London Children’s Film Festival presents exciting mix of films, animated features, workshops, events and hands-on film fun for kids. The Festival is mainly based at the Barbican Centre plus in 12 different locations throughout London.  All children must be accompanied to all events. Suitable for ages 3+, but check each film's and activity's recommended age range. 30 Oct - 7 Nov 2010  Barbican Centre  Silk Street London   EC2Y 8DS   Film dates and themes: sat 30 oct: be brave sun 31 oct : be scared tue 2 nov sat 6 nov: be musical sun 7 nov: be animated Ticket Office: 0845 120 7500 Buy Tickets

Finders keepers? Not anymore!

I personally love labelling. I labeled everything even before I had a child. It all started with one or two innocent stickers in the kitchen, in the name of being more organised, but I unleashed the labelzilla when I bought the label maker. Soon followed all our tot's toys, clothes and now that she started nursery, there is no end to it. The good thing is, I moved on from my black and white, Arial-font label maker to a whole new world of colorful designs and fun icons. It is a lengthy but exciting project to sit down with your little ones picking colors and icons for their stickers. Have fun! 

This Week's Sales

Two of my favorite online merino/cashmere stores have sales this week. Enjoy browsing and shopping.

At Cambridge Baby, 30% is off Stripy Knitted Hats in Pure Merino Wool this week. Use code Newsletter4* when checking out.

 And at Merino Kids UK, 20% is off all pink items during the month of October. I know it sounds a bit unfair to boys, but it is to support Breast Cancer Research.

Puky Balance Bike

This was love at first sight. I'm not sure if it was just the bright color or the size, but ever since our little girl laid eyes on this bike at one of her friend's house, she has not stopped talking about it. She was only 1.5 years old at the time but even then her feet could reach the floor, and she's not particularly tall for her age.

This is a real upgrade from the trike, which is a lot more difficult to navigate while pushing the pedals.  Puky is like the bike version of Mini Micro T-Bar Scooter, which is also a great investment by the way.

As far as built is concerned, these bikes are well made, sturdy and safe.  Well, they are made in Germany, like most of the good cars! My only curiosity is what they were thinking when they came up with the name. ;-)

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

This muffin is one of our fixed Sunday morning routines along with hazelnut french press coffee for us and babyccino for our tot. Don't be scared by the long ingredients list, it is actually very quick to make. Easy way to get oats into your tot's system, in fact you can increase the oat amount and/or add wheat germ and wheat bran as long as you keep the liquid vs. dry ingredients ratio the same. 

Show Your True Colors

 
1. Alex Sponge Painting Shapes (£6.11)  Get creative with these fun shapes.
2. Crayola 3 Washable Finger Paints (£4.39) The consistency of finger paints is what makes it favored. Liquid ones are easier to squeeze and more fun to use.  
3. Masterpiece Height Adjustable Easel (£75) The paper roller on top and height adjusting features make this easel a must-buy. 
4. Alex Non Spill Paint Cups (£5.99) As long as it is non-spill, I am game. 
5. Double tray (£3.95) Space saver double tray  
6.  Melissa and Doug medium brush set (£3.49) Plastic brushes are more durable than wood ones (sorry eco-moms, but the paint on wood brushes start peeling after a while)  
7.  Sponge Paint Rollers (£5.12)  Mix and match assorted designs of these rollers. 
8.  Galt Face painting sticks (£4.25) Don't expect your tot to paint Mona Lisa with these painting sticks but they will curb little Da Vinci enthusiasms.  
9.  Berol Handhugger Coloring Pens (£4.75) These are easier to hold with little hands in the correct triangular grip. 
10.  Lyra Ferby Triangular Pencils (£10.40) Easy grip and bright colors.  
11.  Crayola Fabric Markers (£3.79)  It is not just for paper any more. Your tots can wear what they design.  
12.  Melissa and Doug Jumbo Triangular Crayons (£4.99) Super durable, made of plastic, non-toxic triangular crayons. 

Umcka

The main active ingredient is Pelargonium sidoides, a South African Geranium.  The extracts of this miraculous medicinal plant is believed to shorten the duration and reduce the severity of colds and upper respiratory irritations. All the way homeopathic. Suitable for tots? 

Unfortunately, not in the UK. Boots has it under the brand name Kaloba but for some reason it is only for ages 6 and up. Here comes the good news: German version "Umckaloabo Losung" -unless otherwise told by your Arzt- is ok to give your tot over 1. (www.eu-versandapotheke.com ships to "Gross Britannien" but you'll need some basic German to navigate through the website). A little further away but at least in English, "Umcka by Nature's Way" (suitable for tots 2+) is available at www.drugstore.com, which ships across the pond.

First Luggage

Quite impressively, this company transports your suitcases from anywhere to anywhere in the world (think Amazons, Phi Phi Island, or your next skiing trip). No more booking minivans, waiting for hours at check-in or conveyor belt. All you need to do is get ready one or two days in advance and first luggage promises to deliver your luggage at your door step by the requested date. Since they are working with Fedex, you can even track your suitcases.  Now, that's a good start to a holiday with a tot or more.

Email info@firstluggage.com

in the UK 0800 0835503

outside UK +44(0)800 0835503

US toll-free number 1800 224 5781 

Christmas Pantomimes

I have learned something new yesterday; Pantomimes. Apparently, they are the most traditional British entertainment, during  Christmas, in fact, as much part of it as Santa and the tree. (Wow, how did I miss it?) This form of theatre/musical includes singing, dancing, cross-dressing (no worries, it is almost always based on traditional children's stories) and audience participation. Here is a list of few coming up this season, have your pick. I'm thinking Snow White...

Jack and the Beanstalk
27th November 2010 -  9th January 2011
Hackney Empire
291 Mare St
London E8 1EJ Ticket office (020) 8985 2424
Buy Tickets

Snow White Pantomime
13th December 2010 - 3rd January 2011
Shaw Theatre
100-110 Euston Road
London NW1 2AJ 
Ticket office: 0844 277 4321
Buy Tickets

Robin Hood
10th Dec 2010 - 9th Jan 2011
Rosemary Branch Theatre
2 Shepperton Road
London N1 3DT
Ticket office: 0844 277 4321
Buy Tickets

Disney on Ice- 100 years of Magic

I would have loved to take my tot to this one but it is right around Half Term and I think we will miss it.  65 of Disney characters from 18  stories on ice sounds too good to be true! This can be the perfect preview to Euro Disney for those who have not been yet as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and all the Disney Princesses celebrate 100 Years of Magic! Suitable for all ages.




20th - 31tst October 2010

Performance times:  N/A (Too many to write all here)
Running time: 90 minutes, along with a 15 minute intermission

The O2 Arena
Peninsula Square, Greenwich
London SE10 0DX

Ticket office: 0844 277 4321 
Buy Tickets

Peppa Pig Live

Oink Oink, it's Peppa Pig's birthday party! This fun and orginal show full of songs and oinks is brought to life with  puppets and puppeteers. Join Peppa and her family in this engaging and interactive party with lots of dancing, jumping and puzzles. A must see for Peppa Pig lovers. Suitable for all ages.

30 Nov 2010 - 2 Jan 2011 

Performance times: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 11am and 2:30pm, Saturdays at 11am, and Sundays at 12pm and 3:30pm

Running time: 90 minutes (includes one 10 min interval)

London Criterion Theatre
2 Jermyn St
London SW1Y 4XA

Ticket office 0844 847 1778

Buy Tickets 

Family Concerts at Cadogan Hall

City of London Sinfonia presents Crash, Bang, Wallop!

Explore a whole world of music! Listen to the jazzy The Creation of the World by Milhaud, and popular tunes from around the world performed by City of London Sinfonia and the Wycombe Steel Orchestra. Hands-on creative activities including the chance to make your own instrument to join in during the concert begin at 11am, with the concert at 12 noon. For children aged between five and 14. 

28 November, 2010
12 noon
Running time: 45 minutes

Ticket office: 020 7730 4500
Buy Tickets


Saturday Spectacular -Carnival of the Animals 
 
Southbank Sinfonia presents Saint-Saëns’s classic suite The Carnival of the Animals, plus other favourites featuring creatures great and small! Saturday Spectaculars are family concerts with a twist, designed to create an informal, fun and educational environment for children and families to enjoy classical music. The fun begins at 10.15am with exciting, themed craft activities followed by the chance to meet the players of Southbank Sinfonia.

19 February, 2011
11am
Running time: 45 minutes

Ticket office: 020 7730 4500
Buy Tickets

We're Going on a Bear Hunt Live on Stage!

Michael Rosen’s award-winning book "We’re Going On A Bear Hunt" is brought to the stage with plenty of action, vivid adventures and lively songs. The fearless adventurers go through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick oozy, squelchy mud on their bear hunt. Expect a few special surprises! Suitable for ages 3+.

30 November - 18 December 2010

Performance times: 10am and 12pm

Running time: 55 minutes

Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace
London SW1X 9DQ

Ticket office: 020 7730 4500

Buy Tickets

Snowman Stageshow

Raymond Briggs' The Snowman is an  enchanting stage show - a combination of storytelling, music, dance and magic- where a young boy's snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve. The two travel through the night meeting dancing penguins, reindeer and Father Christmas. Watch this spectacular adventure as the Snowman literally flies through the night sky above you. Performed by a live orchestra, this is the best Christmas treat for tots! Suitable for all ages.


1 December 2010 - 9 January 2011

Performance times: 11am, 2:30pm and 7pm
Running time:1 hr 50 mins (including one 20 min interval)

Peacock Theatre
Portugal Street
Off Kingsway London WC2A 2HT

Ticket office: 0844 412 4322
Buy Tickets

The Gruffalo

Children's musical show based on the story written by Julia Donaldson, based on that real-life creature, The Gruffalo.  The Gruffalo show features colourful, comical characters and is a fun and lively mix of song, dance and drama. Suitable for ages 3+.

24 November 2010 - 16 January 2011
at 11am everyday except Mondays and 24-26 December

Garrick Theatre London
Charing Cross Road
WC2H 0HH
020 7520 5690

Buy Tickets

FUNharmonics Family Concerts

Tots love music, especially if it is by a full orchestra in a live concert. The London Philharmonic Orchestra is kind enough to perform three Sundays a year for families, presented by Chris Jarvis of CBeebies. If you can manage to arrive before 11:30am (I know it is a challenge on a Sunday), your tot can in fact play an orchestral instrument, get face painted or join the human orchestra.

Upcoming dates:  
Sunday 17 October 2010 Book Tickets
Sunday 27 February 2011  Book Tickets
Sunday 15 May 2011 Book Tickets

Royal Festival Hall
Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX 

French Toasts for 2 Tots

This is by far our daughter's most favorite dish, hence deserves the honour of being the first recipe of the blog. If she refuses to have any one day,  I'd get worried. You can get creative by adding ground almond or any other nuts into the egg mixture. I also love it topped with almond or hazelnut butter (although it is harder to sell it to her).

Bar Boulud

Who says kids cannot dine trendy? In London, they can. A city, home to many child-friendly restaurants, top-rated, too. Richard Vines, the chief food critic for Bloomberg News, asked 30 of them and the answers are surprisingly pleasing.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a5Fv_yQbg8rE

We tested the most recent one, Bar Boulud, for ourselves. The low -yet still very comfortable- chairs and tables at the lounge area were enough to make this a memorable experience from the start. Like we were having lunch at the house of the seven dwarfs.

This place ticked all the boxes: The coloring papers and crayons, child-friendly menu, patient and smiley staff, space to park the pram and lots of other children around. Our little tot made a friend in an instant and had a fab time. The best part is, the food is really good, especially the burger.

In short, highly recommended.

Bar Boulud
at Mandarin Oriental
66 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7LA
020 7201 3899

You had me at "Hello"!

There are million and one Hello Kitty products out there, but these ones caught our attention most when looking for Back to School items.