monday's five things: reasons you should check out marbles, the brain store

Last Monday, the Bug and I had the pleasure of checking out Marbles: The Brain Store during their advanced opening media day. The company officially opened it's first east coast store at The Mall in Columbia (Nordstrom wing, first floor) last Tuesday.

Not only did we have a chance to play with all of the cool brain-based learning games, we had a personal store tour with CEO Lindsay Gaskins.

Today's 5 things? Reasons you should check out Marbles!

1. It's unique collection of items that are entirely brain based! What is a brain store? (That's a great question!) It's a one-of-a-kind retail store with a smart collection of hand-picked, expert-tested, certifiably fun ways to a healthier brain for all ages. Their collection is selected based on current brain research and organized by 'brain-development' categories: critical thinking, memory, coordination, visual perception, word skills and age.

2. Say buh-bye to Mommy Brain. You know you're completely overstimulated on a daily basis. And that you have way to many things to remember. It's no wonder you forgot to send in that field trip slip or missed your last hair cut appointment. {{You didn't? Hmm. Maybe that's just me...}} Marbles has a great collection of brain building games for all ages. That means you too.

3. You won't find Baby Einstein here. CEO Lindsay Gaskins has a 16-month old at home, so we had a chance to chat baby and toddler games. Although the store merchandise is typically aimed at ages 4 to 100+, you will find some items for the tiniest of brains here. Those items are usually geared toward parent-child interaction, since that's the best way to develop your infant and toddler's brain. "We like games and items that are fun for kids AND their parents," said Lindsay. Check out Tobbles for your baby or toddler while you're there. Fantastic game to help build coordination, too.

4. There's a game for that. I couldn't believe the sheer amount of fun games in stock -- and most I had never seen before. My favorite for a young child? Pengaloo. It takes a simple "memory" flash card game to the third dimension. Literally.

5. It's a DO TOUCH kind of store. Trying to shop with a toddler can be tough. Trying to shop with a toddler in a museum kind of store (you know, the 'look don't touch ones') is just plain torture. The Brain Store is very much hands on. How can you buy a game if you don't have a chance to play it first? In fact, that's one of Bree's (the new store manager) favorite things about going to work. Having a chance to sit on the floor and play with kids. What other job lets you do that on a daily basis?

Just added Marbles to my Christmas shopping hit list... Go check it out!

Find Marbles: The Brain Store on Facebook and Twitter

things to love: blabla kids

The sock monkey goes contemporary -- and gorgeous! Don't you just love these adorable farm animals from blabla kids? Meet Claire the Cow, Albert the Donkey and Ulisse the Horsie. They're part of the Atlanta, Georgia company's fall 2011 collection. All of the whimsical blabla dolls are designed by Florence Wetterwald and knitted by Peruvian artists from natural fibers.

Perfect for play.

what do charm city moms REALLY want for mother's day?

We thought about asking our favorite boutiques for the 411 on hot items this mother's day, but asking some of Baltimore's favorite moms was so much more fun.

Hanah Cho
Baltimore Sun Reporter & Charm City Mom Blogger
Mom to adorable 16-month-old Jacob, Hanah is currently facing the same dilemma that many of us modern moms run into: the digital photo crunch. She has tons of images stored on her computer, but would love a bound photo album of Jacob from birth until now. Another treat high on her list? A spa day at About Faces or Red Door. "I’d love a spa day, where I could relax and get a mani-pedi," said Hanah. (You'll see a recurring theme in this feature - - seems like a LOT of "Charm"-ed moms are craving a day of R&R).

Kim Gross
Founder of Rileyroos
If this busy mompreneur could have anything for mother's day, it would be a family reunion. She'd love to have all of the moms in her immediate family (scattered around the US) together for a celebratory day of fun, laughter and relaxation. "A little pampering by our husbands and children would be a nice added touch!" said Kim. She's also dying to try one of the gourmet meal delivery services and isn't afraid to drop a hint. She sent husband Brian one of the deal-a-day-site offers for a local company, Lynn's Meals in Minutes. Kim might love to cook, but finds weeknight mealtime can be stressful and would much rather spend extra time with children Riley (7), Cait (6), and Patrick (3).

Jill Smokler
Domestic Satirist (aka funny mom blogger), Scary Mommy
What we love most about Jill is her honesty -- and we get a daily dose of it on her fabulous blog, Scary Mommy (if you haven't read it, it's more laughs than scary). When we asked her what she wanted for mother's day, she said "alone time." While she might adore her kids Lily (7), Ben (5) and Evan (3), she's craving a few heavenly hours of "me" time. Preferably at The Mt. Washington Spa. And during said spa time she will, of course, dream of world peace. She added at the end of her email interview that she really thinks of every day as mother's day. "I may get sick of them and need a break," said Jill. "But the kids make my life complete. I don't really need a day to acknowledge that."

Mary Alice Yeskey
Director of Marketing, Charm City Cakes
The Charm City Cakes maven (and Duff Goldman's right hand marketing gal) is celebrating her first mother's day this year. {{Congrats Mary Alice!}} Son Spencer is just 4 months and Mary Alice is hoping for a fairy godmother - - er, housekeeper. "When my son was born in December, I got so much help and support in the first few weeks home," said Mary Alice. "But it's a bit of a harsh reality check when all the food and assistance from friends and family starts dwindling off and you're faced with managing everything yourself. What I would love more than anything is a full weekend to do nothing but spend time with my family. I think a wonderful gift would be a gift certificate for cleaning service to could come in and really get my house spic and span, allowing me to just relax and enjoy myself." Mary Alice's choice of cleaning professionals? Stacey's Clean Sweep. This company is local and green - two things that are important to her! {{Us, too!}}

Candace Dold
Reporter, Fox 45 News
Another new mom! Candace will be celebrating her first mother's day with 9-month-old daughter Gianna (although we hear she was treated a bit by her husband and own mother last Mother's Day since she was anticipating Gianna's arrival). What's top on Candace's list? For Gianna to say "Mama" and repeat it -- all day long. "I only get ma on special occasions right now," said Candace. Other things she'd love? A scrapbook full of pictures that capture favorite memories of Gianna since birth, or a spa gift certificate to The Pearl Spa in Howard County.

Claudia Towles
Owner, aMuse Toys
Mom to 10-year-old Sebastian, Claudia is hoping for a little family time this mother's day. "The gift of our moments together and the ability to hold onto the spontaneous and sincere love children are so good at demonstrating" said Claudia. " I think I would want to remember this Mother's Day-- their childhood expressions filled with enthusiasm and sincerity. Time flies, the kids are getting older." By kids she means Sebastian, and her niece Alexandra, who's not her biological daughter but might as well be. She'd love a photo book of the kids, too, because nothing is more precious to her than a moment captured. Probably why she's frequently referred to as a Mamarrazi... Her fav Charm City photographers? The fab folks at Love Life Images, Inc.

See, we told you spa treatments were a hot commodity this year. But let's be honest - - when aren't they? If you really want to score big, give the mom in your life a certificate and 90 minutes on a random Tuesday. You'll be golden.

What are you hoping for?

things we {heart}: valentines from bitsy creations (+giveaway!)

Valentine's Day. Legit holiday or Hallmark-induced card and candy craze?

Graphic designer Joan Orchard thinks a little bit of both.

"Honestly, I definitely think Valentine's Day is a huge way for people to make money, but I've still always loved it," says Orchard, proprietor of graphic design firm BitsyCreations. "You certainly don't need an excuse to tell your family & special ones you love them, but I like the extra push!"

Come to find out, it just so happens that Valentine's Day is the anniversary of her engagement. {So how could she not love it?} A 3 AM pounding on her dorm room door Valentine's Day during her senior year of college turned out to be a tuxedo-clad future husband asking her to marry him.

Joan asked him if she could go brush her teeth.

Romantic whimsy-meets-realism permeates all of Joan's designs - - which is exactly why we love them! Her Valentine's Day collection spans toddler-friendly-print-and-color valentines, to custom printables, to traditional print-n-mail cards. Something for every budget and every stationery need.

Our favorite? The Kidlet Valentine pictured in this post. Tres adorable. Customized to look just like your adorable cutie. Joan can print and ship the cards to you, or can email you a high resolution PDF for you to print at will.

Joan is giving away a free custom printable Kidlet Valentine to a (cool) progeny reader. Yeah - we're taking the frantic drug store run for fold 'n tear 'n add a lollipop cards out your life. Your kids will have the most chic cards in class -- because instead of Mickey Mouse, the card will feature well - - your (cool) kid!

Joan will work with the winner to design the card, which will then be emailed as a high resolution file and you can print it as many times as you need.

Want to win the free custom design? All you have to do is fill out this quick form. Want another chance to win? "Like" us on facebook and leave a comment right here on this post. A third chance? Leave a comment letting us know how you're celebrating Heart Day this year.

You have until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 1st to enter!

(cool) tip: Love Joan's work? Our friends at Certifikid have a fabulous deal going on today through Sunday. Purchase a customized Kidlet Printable for $7, or have 15 custom Kidlet Valentines printed and shipped for $14! That's up to 50% off the regular price.

fab find: joyababy

We have a lot of new babies coming in to our life recently. Many friends and family members are expecting and I've been on the hunt for the perfect 'welcome to the world' gift for each one. I'm one of those people that enjoys buying 'off registry' and hunting for something I think the parents to be will simply {love}.

In the same boat? Let me introduce you to joyababy. Joya Mukerjee Logue is a Chicago-based eco-conscious designer with fashionable, on-the-go moms and babies in mind. The staples of her collection? A diaper clutch, luxe blanket and reversible travel bib. In the sometimes indulgent baby product market where some are trying to convince newbie parents that wipe warmers are critical, Joya has designed three beautiful, functional - - and necessary - - pieces of (cool) parenting gear. I'm a huge fan of the elephant detail.

It's not just Joya's designs that nabbed my attention - - but her business philosophy. Joyababy is a company dedicated to giving back. In her own words: “Every time I step foot onto the soil of India, I am reminded of the beauty and richness of the culture to which I am a part, and at the same time, the severe poverty that exists," writes Joya on the joyababy website. "It is because of this feeling and need, that joyababy will continue on a path of philanthropy."

Ironically, you can't buy her products from any retailer in our area but you can buy them online. {{We should remedy this}}

Plus, you have to love mom that can balance work, play and mommyhood with class. Check out Joya's office. Grown up with a sense of fun. Functional meets mompreneur. Gorgeous.

I think my office needs a facelift.

PS: If you like Joya's designs, you'll LOVE her blog.

Images courtesy of joyababy

(hot) dish: National Aquarium at Baltimore Memberships are $30 off TODAY ONLY!

We love a good deal - - and a good membership. Just found out that The National Aquarium is offering $30 off their annual membership. That means a family membership is just $129 for the year. That pays for itself in ONE VISIT for a family of four. To get the deal, you need to enter the secret code LORDS10 at checkout.

Why do you want an aquarium membership? They tell it better than we could! From the website:

Membership to the National Aquarium has fin-tastic perks, including: daily admission for one year at both the Baltimore and Washington, DC, locations; member discounts and special members-only events; magazine subscription; member advance tickets; special entrance for members; plus, your membership helps the Aquarium protect threatened marine wildlife.

Here's a list of benefits:

• Unlimited daily admission for one full year from the date of purchase at both the Baltimore and Washington, DC, locations.
• Priority entry for members only (Baltimore)
• Discounts at the Aquarium gift shops, restaurants, and onsite SharpShooter picture purchases
• A subscription to Watermarks magazine
• Discounts on programs and events
• Members-only events
• Dolphin show, when available (Baltimore)
• Ability to purchase advance tickets for friends or family (Baltimore)
• Memberships are fully or partially tax-deductible

So, um, what are you waiting for? Make your child's real life Nemo experience a reality!

Photo credit: Image from AquaViews.net

(cool) design: I've got these great photos...

Hi. My name is Heather. And I'm a photoholic.

First step is admitting it, right?

My husband brought a Nikon D40 SLR into our marriage two years ago. I use it exponentially more than he does at this point in our lives. I don't exactly know what I'm doing, but the camera seems to compensate for that.

The photos are gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as they'd be if I had a clue how to set my F-Stops. But beautiful nonetheless. Of course, it helps when you have a great subject -- like the Bug.

I've accumulated thousands of pictures. Some leave something to be desired. Others are simply magical. And those bits of magic are collecting dust on my iMac's hard drive. I'm guessing you probably have some of those favorite photos taking up space on your hard drive, too. Occupational hazard of parenting in the digital age.

So today's post is a collection of things you might want to consider doing with those fabulous photos. Wouldn't you rather have them proudly displayed on your wall or taking up real estate on your desk, anyway? (Let's face it. A photo of your adorable cutie would look a lot better than that stack of to-dos...).

Modern Bird Studios: Your Life In Art

This Washington DC-based company takes your photo and creates a hand-painted, one-of-a-kind original modern art piece. I had the privilege of seeing one of these gorgeous works of art on the wall of fellow-blogger Jill Smokler's (AKA ScaryMommy) house. Simply stunning. Pricing is based on the number of colors you'd like used and the size of the final product, and range from $165 to $665. Follow Modern Bird on Twitter to keep up with the crazy antics of the fabulous husband and wife team (Gregg and Megan) that run the studio, and to be notified of current giveaways. Check out the Modern Bird Blog to read about design inspirations and weekly interviews with bloggers.

Geezees Photo and Word Canvas Art

Have a favorite quote? Does your child have a favorite story, song or poem? Match it with one of your fab photos and send it to Stephanie at Geezees Custom Canvas Art to have a custom canvas created for you! Prices are based on size of the canvas, and range from $125 - $300. Be sure to head over to Stephanie's blog to see what she's currently working on or musing about!

Blow 'em Up

I {{heart}} Kodak for photo printing. I just request that iPhoto send my photos to print, my .me account is charged and they show up 7-10 days later. And waiting is worth it! There is such a difference in quality between photos I have sent out for printing and those I cybersend to my local Walgreens for printing. Regardless of the quality or where I send them, I inevitably end up with a stack of photos stuffed in a drawer. But I am inspired by this display idea from Janna Beecher's photoblog (which originally came from Domino Magazine)! Simple natural Ikea-like frames and 5X7 or 4X6 images displayed symmetrically makes a beautiful statement! Double bonus? If they are all lined up like this, no worries about having to painstakingly plot out your multi-photo wall display.

The Coffee Table Book

There are lots of options for creating a coffee table photobook. iPhoto has pre-designed layouts, Snapfish or Mixbook are other options. But did you know Charm City has it's very own photobook layout available through Jostens? Personalize the cityscapes with family photos and you have a charming, unique keepsake. Pricing depends on the number of pages in your book - - so be prepared to spend at least $35... More like $50 if you're me...

Nursery Wall Art

I admit it. I'm an Etsy addict. Isn't this Pear Tree Wall Art with photos just too adorable? Created by Karen Yi at Almost Sunday Designs, this little number would liven up any child's room! It's whimsicality sings. And at $38, this is a steal! (Anyone headed to visit a new baby? Perfect gift.)

Shadow Box

Now, I've seen lots of different ways shadow boxes have been used to preserve memories and keepsakes, but this glass pebble collage from le papier jolie is too (cool). Made of up 35 photos, this is sure to be conversation starter - - and memory catcher. $50 and 35 digital photos gets you one!

Family Tree

I found this photo family tree wall art on the Jack and Izzy blog -- although I believe it originally came from an Etsy site. I love the modern vibe and sleek look, with the black and white photos juxtaposed against the green of the tree. Wouldn't this look fabulous on your family room wall?

How are you displaying your fav photos? Would LOVE to hear your ideas!

Ten "Flash" Sale Websites Every Fiscally Savvy Parent Needs to Know

Feeling overwhelmed by flash sale websites lately? Me too. Seems like a new one pops up every day -- and I'm having trouble keeping track of all my 'memberships.' My email inbox explodes at noon with all the daily deals.

But the truth is you can score some fabulous deals through these sites, which offer significant discounts on a specific product for a short period of time (i.e. a day or week). $5 for $25 worth of food at your favorite restaurant? I'm in. 50% off a Bagda Mischley dress? Hmmm...really want to try that on first. At 50% off, it still might force me to take out a second mortgage. (Of course, I'm still going to look!) 75% savings on a museum ticket? Game on.

So what flash sale sites score home runs with my family? Check these out:

Groupon: Groupon negotiates huge discounts on popular local goods, services and cultural events in a cities all over the country. Then they offer the deals to subscribers in a free daily email. The deals are activated only when a minimum number of people agree to buy. So subscribers get a great deal and the business gets a ton of new customers. Win-win. I got fabulous deals on Boordy Vineyard wine tasting, bowling and American Visionary Art Museum tickets! I've found that the Baltimore-area deals are pretty darn spectacular through this site.

Plum District Daily Deal: This is a relatively new find for us. Although they don't have deals specifically for Baltimore, they do have deals for Washington, DC and the surrounding area - - and specifically cater to moms. A favorite offer? 53% off ticket prices for Spots Birthday Party at Adventure Theater.

Living Social: Like Groupon, Living Social offers up to 90% off at local restaurants, bars, spas, theatres and more. Unlike Groupon, a certain amount of members don't need to "buy" the deal. Simply purchase your deal and you'll receive a voucher via email the next day. Haven't purchased anything through here yet, but I keep an eye on it.

Zulily: This is a new online store offering daily sales events on top-quality apparel, gear and other goodies for moms, babies and kids. They carry some fabulous brands - - Tea, Moo Boo's, Mooncakes, and Mooshu Trainers. Members enjoy savings of up to 70% off retail prices, and sales events are only live for 72 hours.

Totsy: Totsy members have access to brand-specific sales, up to 70% off retail, just for moms and the kids, ages 0-7. Prenatal care products, baby gear, travel accessories, bedding and bath, children's clothing, toys, and educational materials — and that's just the start. Some recently or soon-to-be featured brands? Under the Nile, Baby Aspen, and Mustard Pie.

Gilt Groupe: The only way I could even think about affording designer fashion is through Gilt. Up to 70% off designer brands, this luxe-only site has both fabulous steals and seriously expensive covetables. They carry daily sales for women, men, home, children, travel and gifts. Expecting? They're kicking off a "Great Expectations" sale on September 13th at noon that features Belly Dance Maternity: BellaBand, NOM, Maternal America and more.

Woot!: A co-worker turned me on to woot, an online store and community that focuses on selling cool stuff cheap. And it is cool stuff - - Sunday's Woot was a 32" LCD HDTV for $299. Be sure to check out Kids Woot! and, for all you wine lovers out there, Wine Woot! Deals are available for 24 hours only, and start every night at midnight.

How about you? What's your go-to flash sale site?

Happy Grandparents Day!

Did you know today is Grandparents Day? No - - it's not a Hallmark holiday. 31 years ago, President Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation making September 12th the official day for US residents to celebrate their grandparents. So be sure to show your own grandparents the love - - and the grandparents of your ultra (cool) progeny.

Oops -- did you forget to go out and buy a card? No worries! Try one of these quick and easy ways to show you care:

• Virtual Play date: It's the upgraded telephone call! Have your little one videoconference with their grandparents using your home computer, a web cam and free skype software or gchat software. Both are quick and easy to download and install. Your kiddo can show off a painting or afternoon craft project, or "read" their grandparents a story. Skype even allows you to record the session (and who wouldn't want to do that??)
• Video Email: Using your webcam and video software you already have installed on your computer (we LOVE photobooth or iMovie on the mac!), record your munchkin telling their favorite grandma or grandpa story -- then 'share' the video via email.
  
• Cookies: If your lucky to live close enough to Nana or Papa, whip up a batch of Chocolate Chip or Oatmeal cookies, and wrap 'em up with a handmade tag created "with love" by your tyke.
• Purchase a Picture Subscription: You may have missed our post about Picwing, but we love this service. Each month, I upload 15 photos to an online album, and Picwing automatically prints and sends the images to all of Lila's great grandparents. So if you have some not-so-tech-savvy grandparents in your life, they'll love getting snail mail images each month! Purchase a subscription and then phone Grammy to let her in on the good news.
• One-of-a-Kind Artwork: Break out the crayons, paint or colored pencils and let your little one draw their grandparents. Then have them dictate a favorite memory to you as you type it on the computer. Print and attach to the back. Fold up the card and place it in the mail... but call to let them know it's coming! Extend the Grandparents' Day celebration all week!
  

(cool) fact: According to AARP, 4.5 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents

Mommy Mini-Escape: Champagne, Shopping and Sushi

Sorry guys, this post is just for the ladies. Or - - if you're looking to score pretty big - - read on and surprise your wife with an impromptu kid-free shopping excursion...
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Champagne. Shopping. Sushi. What more could you want for a mini-escape from mommy-life?

Oh. Wait. There are sixteen loads of laundry crowding the hallway, four dozen cookies to bake, a maze of weeds growing in the backyard, six billion emails glaring through my inbox...

Yes. If your mind is as schizo as mine right now, you need a break.

So join me and other Baltimore-area women in need of some 'girls' time' tomorrow night at Girls Night Out (GNO). The premier shopping event is sponsored by local favs Teresa B. Home and Gift, Wee Chic, Panache and Treasure House. It's from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Teresa B's on York Road.

When asked what GNO shoppers should expect, Julie from Teresa B's said "champagne and food upon arrival and a great, upscale shopping experience!" She mentioned that her girlfriend owns a liquor store and recommended a FABULOUS summer champagne that will be served... and that shoppers should save room for sweets and sushi.

Um, yum?

All of the participating stores will have gift basket giveaways (if ONLY we're as lucky as we were at the Baltimore Regional Toddler Fair!). Bridget Quinn Stickline from Wee Chic is giving away a Chic Newborn Start-Up Kit valued at $200. It will include a diaper bag, layette, toy and baby shoes. The lucky winner will be able to choose a basket created for a girl or boy. Check out some of the other sweet items Bridget will have on sale at the event:

Julie expects the "hot ticket" item of the night (at least from Teresa B's perspective!) will be their collection of Scout Bags. Monogramming will be offered on site - - for the bargain rate of $5, roughly half off the regular rate. No waiting for your personalized item! Need a hostess gift for that party you're headed to Saturday night? Mission accomplished.

All of these shops participating in GNO are independently owned by some fabulous women who regularly take part in local networking group. Julie likens it to a retail think tank. She added that Teresa B's does GNO events throughout the year - - and their next is on November 4th, just in time for a holiday preview. (Yes, I am marking my calendar right now...)

Don't think about it and rationalize why you need to do laundry instead. Grab a pre-made meal out of the freezer, hand the kids over to the hubs, and take an hour for yourself. The laundry will still be there on Friday. Any guilt you may feel thinking about your family eating mac 'n cheese on their own will dissipate into your cocktail and california roll...

(cool) tip: RSVP and let them know you're coming! The first 30 women to RSVP earn "girls bucks" to use during the event! Just send an email to teresabhomeandgift AT comcast.net.

Go PLAY at Shananigans

On a great tip from a friend, Lila and I headed to Shananigans Toy Shop at Wyndhurst Station yesterday. We had heard they had a fabulous train table - - and the rumors were true. Lila loved running the Brio trains up and down the tracks, lost in waves of brightly colored toys towering around her.

It is floor to ceiling toys, toys, toys.

And the staff couldn't be friendlier.

With Lila's first birthday just around the corner, I asked which toy was their best seller for the 12-month crowd. Both sales associates agreed that the iPlay Funtime Tractor was their favorite for new toddlers. It teaches animal sound associations, helps with dexterity, and is easily toted. They couldn't even find one on the shelf (they're that popular) and had to run back into the stock room and retrieve it.

According to the associate we worked with, their best selling toy brand for the under-5 crowd is Playmobil. One entire wall of the store is a matrix of carefully stacked figures and miniature play worlds. Personally, I love this toy because it inspires creativity. The menagerie of pieces provided by Playmobil need only your child's imagination to weave together their story. Need a piece they don't have on stock? They're happy to order it for you. Fav Playmobil series of the Shananigan's crew? The Nautical Expedition and the truly creative Wedding Line. We were told that not only is this line time-tested, parent-approved (they've been around since 1876), the company is constantly coming up with fun and imaginative products.

Remember the floor to ceiling toys, toys, toys? It's best to leave your stroller in the courtyard. I did see a parent of two tikes get a double stroller through the door (with staff assistance), but I'm not quite sure where she was able to maneuver it once through the door... And although is 100% kid-friendly, it might be best to keep one hand on your child because there is just SO MUCH to look at and see. (Especially if your inquisitive tike has innocent kleptomaniac habits like mine right now...)

The store frequently holds in-store events (in fact, there was a recent Play Mobil Fun Day and trunk show with Playmobil!). You can find out about them on their website. They're open 10 AM - 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. And they're open late ('til 8!) on Thursdays. Be sure to friend them on Facebook, too!

Thanks for a fun visit, Shananigan's! We'll be back soon! (And we'll also let you know how the iPlay Funtime Tractor fares on the Lila scale... we're sure it will be a huge hit!)

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Historic Ellicott City Does Double Duty

Many thanks to Heidi Weddle Pepin, our guest blogger today! Thanks for the thoughts!
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My husband, John, and I have ventured into Historic Ellicott City on a number of occasions lately - our five year wedding anniversary as well as for my birthday. Each time was a very different experience, one with my little pumpkin, a few other family members, and one with just the two of us. Each gave me a little insight as to what works and what you should think twice about if you decide to venture downtown.

Historic Ellicott City is filled with ups and downs, a seemingly mountainous climb up and down the streets, as well as endless sets of stairs leading into restaurants, creeping their way up to multiple floors, outdoor seating areas, and a vast array of places that are pretty much impossible to navigate by stroller unless you have multiple sets of hands. For instance, Cacao Lane has great outdoor seating, with a treehouse-like atmosphere set into the back of the restaurant complete with an outdoor bar. But tackling the 100 or so (a slight exaggeration) flights of stairs leaves one wondering why you didn’t just leave the stroller in the car. If you’re looking for a more unusual setting for a date for just the two of you, it’s a little pricey, but definitely different.

If you have the little one in tow, a better restaurant is La Palapa Grill, a Mexican restaurant with pretty decent food. There were several strollers parked at the tables and I didn’t feel out of place with my little pumpkin. There was no question in my mind when I walked in here that there would be a baby changer available, while Cacao Lane seems like they take themselves too seriously to offer that kind of amenity. Beware though, La Palapa definitely caters to the bar scene, so steer clear of that section if you’re having a family night.

Mumbles and Squeaks Toy Shoppe is a gem, carrying an array of educational toys for all ages, including organic, wooden, and classics, as long as you don’t mind navigating the crowded aisles and tightly packed spaces, including the stairwell to the second floor. Yet another example of a bad place to bring a stroller in Ellicott City, but a great place to stop and find a special something for your little one. (Somehow I managed to escape the shop without buying anything. My willpower must be great.) I haven’t taken my daughter into the store as of yet, but I have a feeling it’ll be a favorite once she sets foot across the threshold. The sheer amount of things they manage to cram into this store defies all imagination.

Another great shop is I Love Theatre. It’s an odd combination of theatre and sports memorabilia, but somehow perfect for my husband and I. While he perused the assortment of Red Sox items, I wandered through aisles of Les Mis posters, Drama Geek mugs, and, my personal favorite, Wizard of Oz items of every shape, size, and kind imaginable. If it’s got Judy Garland on it, I’m a sucker for it.

For our date night, we decided to use one of the Groupons that I had purchased and treat ourselves to a little more upscale dinner that we’re used to (unless takeout Chinese food somehow counts.) After a movie in Columbia, we dined at Portalli’s, a traditional Italian restaurant offering an assortment of courses, including appetizer, pasta, salad, and fish or meat. We decided to mix it up a little, splitting the Antipasta, which I have to say that I would definitely treat myself to again. The fresh ingredients made for a delicious starter. My husband went for the Caprese salad, which he raved over, and I tried the Seasonal gnocchi, which that night consisted of sausage and spinach with gnocchi. Tasty. Very tasty. My last course was a disappointment, as the monkfish didn’t have the flavor or consistency that I was looking for, but John said the sauce on his lamb shank was absolutely delicious. So, with mixed results, we decided that we might come back but stick to the top half of the menu and definitely go without our little pumpkin. The crowd in Portalli’s is a bit eclectic, with couples obviously ready for their prom night, families with older children, and an assortment of adult-centric groups.

All in all, Ellicott City can be the perfect choice for a date night or an outing with the family. I’ve only managed to delve into a small piece of it here and am looking forward to visiting the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, the Diamondback Tavern (which I’ve heard great things about), and bringing my daughter back to see their variety of free attractions and, of course, the toy shop!

Image courtesy of city-data.com.

wee're sure you'll love wee chic

Some stores you just love going back to time and again. Usually it's for the merchandise, sometimes it's for the atmosphere. Other times it's for the service. wee chic - a baby boutique is the baby boutique trifecta.

Located in Greenspring Station, this posh clothing, gift and adorable baby product mecca caters to all budgets and styles. While you won't find a $4 Carter's bodysuit here (after all, they're at Target!), you will find unique, quality stylish clothes for the under-size-8 crowd that won't put too huge a dent in your wallet. And if you're looking for a special occasion outfit and want to splurge a bit, this is a great place to start.... and end.

Yes, your average stroller will fit through the door and the aisles. Have a double stroller? Might want to leave that outside in the Greenspring Station courtyard...

My favorite clothing line that wee chic carries? The Tea Collection. Why? Maybe it's their tagline that I love ("for little citizens of the world") or maybe it's the gorgeous, creative patterns and quality, clothing. Either way, you should head over to the store and check it out. I just bought Lila a present for her birthday and picked up a sweet little summer dress for a friend's new baby, too! wee chic staffers beautifully wrapped the packages with paper and tulle, saving me time and tape.

Bridget Quinn Stickline, the boutique owner, has an incredibly knowledgeable and helpful staff - - as well as the social networking bug. She has great Facebook updates and is always keeping her friends up-to-date with local deals from fellow area store owners. Bridget seems to be committed to local. This past May, she launched a "Little Characters Search" in collaboration with Baltimore Magazine, The Baltimore Jewish Times and Laura Black Photography to find local children to feature in her fall marketing campaign. What a great idea! AND - she's going to be our first "parent in the know" interview on Friday! So stay tuned!

The just-turned-one-year-young wee chic frequently hosts special events and promotions. Become a fan of wee chic on Facebook and find out about special deals ahead of time. We'll try to update you on the (cool) progeny calendar, too!

Happy Birthday, wee chic! Wee're sure you'll have lots of great years left to come!

(cool) tip: wee chic frequently offers mini-session days with Laura of Laura Black Photography. You can schedule a mini-photo shoot for your child and get a free 81/2" X 11" print. We haven't done this yet, but are hoping to soon! Become a fan of wee chic on Facebook to find out about these great opportunities!


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