From Solo Para Ti:  Peel & Stick Chalkboards + Mamapicks Giveaway!

What kept us busy this past weekend?  These amazing peel+stick chalkboards by Wallies from Solo Para Ti! You can peel and stick and reposition at any time.  The package even comes with chalk.  We created a beautiful design on our playroom wall AND one on an old side-table.  For only $20, this makes for a great gift for any age.   Plain rectangle styles available too!

Solo Para Ti is a great home store in Richmond Hill owned by Allison who always has the greatest finds at competitive prices.  If you need a special gift for any occasion and a convenient shopping experience, book an appointment to see her showroom which  is open 7-days a week.  While you browse,  your kids can colour or watch TV on site.  Gift cards are available and gift wrapping is complimentary!

The website is but a small sample of what Solo Para Ti has to offer.  Forget the hustle and bustle of the malls and make Solo Para Ti your go-to for all your gifting needs.  Mamapicks readers receive 15% off any regular priced item until August 5th!

…and now for the GIVEAWAY!  Two lucky reader can win a $25 gift certificate for Solo Para Ti.  Visit the website and drop me a line telling me which of  Solo Para Ti’s products you would put on your wish-list.  The first to write win   Winners must be  Mamapicks subscribers.

Saturday Painting Workshops for Kids

It’s Saturday morning and rain is in the forecast (probably).  Imagine an hour strolling in the Art Gallery of Ontario or enjoying a crepe & chocolate coffee at the Art Square Cafe…while your kids are immersed in a fun painting workshop.  Geared for ages 5-12, the Art Square Cafe (which is located right in front of the gallery) holds one-hour workshops for kids.  $15 per child and materials are included!  Every week, a new theme is explored and your kids get to learn a little bit of art history while trying a new technique.  You can check out the themes and register here.

Hand-Crafted Wooden Crayon Holder

I am a sucker for toys made of wood and for anything hand-made.  In my quest for great wooden toys, I found this amazing and functional little pine whale that holds 24 crayons.  Hand-made by an an artist from Santa Barbara who has been making wooden crayon holders since he was 12!  There are quite  a few adorable crayon holders to choose from and the Crayola Crayons are included.  Only $15 for the whale!  Check out the store at Santa Barbara Crafts.

30% off @ GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic

The moment we’ve all been waiting for.  30% off at GAP, Old Navy & Banana Republic with this coupon. Four days only, starting this Thursday, July 30th.  Click here for a true and tested excuse for getting out of work that day and bring a stroller (minus kid) for easy piling and shopping.

Indoor Playground Directory

This is a great website with a comprehensive directory of indoor playgrounds in the GTA.  Useful for the winter months ahead…and for this awkward summer.  Thank you to Shira’s dad for sending the link my way   You can help the directory grow by providing names of places that aren’t yet on the list and you can also add a rating.  User friendly with an on-hand map…this is a one-stop shop for deciding where to go for indoor fun!

Battery Operated Nasal Aspirator

I know this looks  like a torture device…but really, this gentle gadget was one of the most useful things I bought when my daughter was an infant.  Her nose always seemed to be full and when it came to feeding and breathing, it was very difficult for her to do both at the same time.  With the push of a button, all that snot was sucked out.  Other nasal aspirators require coordination and often don’t do the job.  You can work this aspirator with with one hand while keeping your squirming baby still with the other.  A little loud for my taste, but it gets the job done instantly and your baby can breathe again.  I found this great product by BebeSounds at Walmart!

The Nanny Toolbox Giveaway!

A new nanny arrives to help take care of the things you value most…your home and your family.  Every family has a zillion routines and preferences that are not easy to communicate.  Conveying all of this information to your new nanny can be a very overwhelming and time-consuming task.  Lisa is a mom who learned from her own experience  and created The Nanny Toolbox to help parents and new caregivers.

The Nanny Toolbox is a digital family manual filled with schedules and forms that are designed for you to fill out with ease.  From meal plans and feeding instructions to laundry and play date information, Lisa has thought of every possible detail.  I think The Nanny Toolbox is BRILLIANT and have personally used it when our new nanny arrived.  It helped me to stay organized, save time and alleviate a lot of anxiety!

Mamapicks readers have a chance to win a copy of  The Nanny Toolbox! It’s easy – be one of the first 3 readers to e-mail me the answer to this question:  What handy poster is included with the Nanny Toolbox?  Find the information on the website and write to me at info@mamapicks.com.  Winners TBA July, 24th.

This Weekend: Family Fun @ The Shops

Have I talked about the Shops At Donmills enough yet?  This weekend (July 25th + 26th), the Town Square transforms into a play zone with a bouncing castle and obstacle course.  The wonderful water fountain has turned into a great splash area for kids and it’s so much fun!  Bring towels and a change of clothes.  Last weekend, I took deep breaths at Anthropologie while my husband watched The Boy splash around  (on a chair in the shade, mind you).  A win-win!  Family fun takes place 12pm-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The Shops At Donmills has great family bathrooms located right next to the water fountain and Guest Services will happily warm up a baby bottle for you or provide an emergency diapering kit for $2.

…and, come out on Saturday night for a movie on the lawn @ The Town Square.  The Princess Bride is a great family movie to enjoy together.  Bring blankets and lawn chairs.  The movie begins at dusk.  How fun!

Book Slings

I love this idea!  A fabric bookshelf  that hangs on curtain rods making books visible and inviting.  This artsy mom of a 3-year-old was inspired but the amount of time it took her daughter to choose a book from a regular bookshelf.   It’s important for kids to see the front covers of books and decorating a room this way conveys a very positive message about reading.  Different fabrics available and can be personalized with your child’s initial.  Check out Penny Carnival’s Shop.

This Weekend: Pedestrian Sunday @ Kensington Market

On the last Sunday of every month, the Kensington Market area says good-bye to cars + traffic and hello to community and fun.  Global action begins as this neighbourhood reclaims their streets.  Come and enjoy local performers, musicians and artists.   A little bit of pedestrianism in our beloved city is always a good idea.  There is something so Europe about it!  The streets are yours from 12pm-7pm on Sunday, July 26th.

Craft Ideas

I have often used this website called www.kidscraftweekly.com where you can subscribe to get weekly craft ideas.  The projects are great and don’t require a trip to Michaels.  Crafts are such a great way to keep the kids busy doing something constructive and fun.  True quality time!

Mabel’s Labels Coupon Code

Mabel’s Labels is one of my favourite products.  If you know a birthday child who is about to go to camp/daycare/school, a label package makes for a great gift!  I love that orders are dispatched withing 24 hours and that TagMates stick to clothing tags and don’t require any ironing!  Enjoy 10% off your label order by using coupon code: strol10