ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com/media/feedlogo.gif ParentDish http://www.parentdish.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Cleaning Servicehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/04/oxo-mini-mop/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/04/oxo-mini-mop/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/04/oxo-mini-mop/#commentsFiled under: ,

Make it a clean sweep. Credit: OXO



If you serve as short-order cook for a baby or toddler, chances are you are mopping the floor (or SHOULD be mopping the floor) about three times a day.

If that level of cleanliness seems impossible, check out the new Mini-Mop from OXO.

A replaceable sponge does the dirty work (so you can toss it when it gets grimy), and a telescoping handle means you don't have to bend over. Even better, the wringing mechanism means no one has to touch the aforementioned grimy sponge. And when your janitorial duties are over, the handle retracts so you can stash it under the sink. Done and done.

Available for $18 at oxo.com.

Related: Method Spring Clean Kit

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]]>cleaningmini mopMiniMopoxoMeryl LevinFri, 04 Jun 2010 14:00:00 ESTMonsters, Inc.http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/03/monsters-inc/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/03/monsters-inc/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/03/monsters-inc/#commentsFiled under:

MonsterHoodies

Grrrreat looks. Credit: BustedTees


There comes a time in every mother's life when she looks at her child and thinks, how did you get to be such a little monster? Well, now they can dress the part with MonsterHoodies. We love the Whale Bite style, shown.

Available for $30 at bustedtees.com.

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]]>bustedteesmosterhoodiessweatshirtMeryl LevinThu, 03 Jun 2010 14:00:00 ESTGrab and Gohttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/02/areaware-kuma-tote/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/02/areaware-kuma-tote/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/02/areaware-kuma-tote/#commentsFiled under:

Areaware Kuma Tote

Pack it up, pack it in. Credit: Areaware


During the summer you and your family are always on the go -- to the park, to the beach, to the pool, to the playground.

And there are certain essentials that have to go with you: sunblock, hats, snacks, waters ... the list goes on.

So, a great tote is a definite summertime mommy must.

We love the graphic new Kuma line by Ross Menuez for Areaware, in five patterns, including Dot, shown.

Available for $50 at areaware.com.

Related: Plover Organic Crib Quilt

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]]>areawarekuma toteKumaToteMeryl LevinWed, 02 Jun 2010 14:00:00 ESTLet's Play Househttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/01/lets-play-house/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/01/lets-play-house/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/01/lets-play-house/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MoMA Modern Play House

This doll house is easy to renovate. Credit: Chronicle Books


You may not be living in the midcentury ranch house of your dreams, but your kid's dolls can. This genius portable dollhouse from the Museum of Modern Art is composed of six nesting boxes that become walls, and includes flooring, punch-out furniture, and vinyl clings of accessories like plants and lighting. The equally cool family of punch-out dolls is sold separately. See ya, Polly Pocket.

Available for $20 at momastore.org.

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]]>dollhousemodern play houseModernPlayHousemomaMeryl LevinTue, 01 Jun 2010 14:00:00 ESTWood You Be Minehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/31/bioessenze-wood-tiles/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/31/bioessenze-wood-tiles/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/31/bioessenze-wood-tiles/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bioessenze Porcelain Tiles

Ditch the carpet in favor of tough tile. Credit: Nemo Tile


No one can argue, wood floors look great.

But with kids running around, and dispersing food and finger paint everywhere they go, they can mean a costly investment and a lot of maintenance.

Which is why the new wood-look porcelain tiles from Nemo Tile are such a revelation. The resemblance is uncanny -- right down to the textured grain -- but they will stand up to anything your brood can throw at them. And we mean literally throw at them.

Available from $11.75 a square foot at nemotile.com.

Related: Jonathan Adler Junior collection

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]]>bioessenzenemo tileNemoTilewood floorsWoodFloorsMeryl LevinMon, 31 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTCool in the Cribhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/28/plover-organic-crib-quilt/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/28/plover-organic-crib-quilt/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/28/plover-organic-crib-quilt/#commentsFiled under: ,

Plover Organic crib quilt

Naturally lovely. Credit: Plover Organic

The ladies at Plover Organic have a way with bedding. More specifically, they have a way with making organic bedding that's anything but boring. Despite being totally serious about keeping their raw materials truly green and healthy, the colorful designs in their line are stylish, playful and beautiful. Check out their site to see the new spring line, it's our favorite yet.

Crib quilt available for $110 at ploverorganic.com.

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]]>crib beddingCribBeddingplover organicPloverOrganicMeryl LevinFri, 28 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTKing of the Junior Junglehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/27/jonathan-adler-junior/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/27/jonathan-adler-junior/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/27/jonathan-adler-junior/#commentsFiled under: ,

Jonathan Adler Lion Rug

Jonathan Adler Junior is fully of whimsy. Credit: Jonathan Adler


Jonathan Adler's much-anticipated kids collection has started rolling out in stores with adorable handmade rugs (like Lion, shown), cool graphic wallpapers, and chic miniature versions of his adult furniture designs, as well as plenty of cute accessories to feather junior's nest. Adler's "happy chic" motto translates seamlessly to the kids market, and the designs are sure to please discerning parents and kids alike. Get 'em while they're hot.

Rug available for $750 at jonathanadler.com.

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]]>jonathan adler juniorJonathanAdlerJuniorkid decorKidDecornursery decorNurseryDecorrugswallpaperMeryl LevinThu, 27 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTStars Brighthttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/26/eco-stars-crayons/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/26/eco-stars-crayons/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/26/eco-stars-crayons/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Reduce, reuse, re-crayon? Credit: Eco Stars

The National Crayon Recycle Program has kept 53,000 pounds of castoff crayons from ending up in landfills. Those stubs, collected from schools and kids across the country, are then turned into brand new crayons ready for use by budding artists. Many recycled crayons are conglomerates of multiple colors and yield funky rainbow swirls when applied to paper, but for the purist child who believes the sky should be blue and the grass should be green, Eco Stars are where its at.

Available for $8 for 20 crayons at organicfundough.com.

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]]>eco starsEcoStarsrecycled crayonsRecycledCrayonsMeryl LevinWed, 26 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTA Better Bumphttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/25/bump-it-up-book/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/25/bump-it-up-book/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/25/bump-it-up-book/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bump It Up Book

Bump up your pregnancy style. Credit: Ballantine Books



Every expectant mom, sometime in her first trimester, is faced with a moment when her clothes get a little tight. At that crossroads, many formerly stylish women will feel the urge to throw in the towel (i.e. wear sweatpants to work).

Wait -- don't give up! Style expert and fashion reporter Amy Tara Koch is here to help with her book "Bump it Up". Koch supplies a foolproof guide to each trimester, including tips, trick, and inspiring illustrations from industry stars (DVF, Kate Spade) and insiders (formerly pregnant editors of Vogue, W, and Glamour). Bye Bye fat pants, hello hot mama.

Available for $12 at amazon.com.

Related: Pregnancy: Week by Week

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]]>amy tara kochAmyTaraKochbump it upBumpItUpmaternity clothesMaternityClothespregnancy stylePregnancyStyleMeryl LevinTue, 25 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTPut a Fork In Ithttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/24/green-toys-utensils/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/24/green-toys-utensils/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/24/green-toys-utensils/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Green Toys utensils

If your food is organic, should your utensils be safe, too? Credit: Green Toys


It goes without saying that you want your tot using utensils made from healthy plastic: no BPA, no PVC, no phthalates.

But here's an opportunity to go one step further with a material that's as earth-friendly as it is kid-friendly.

The new forks and spoons from Green Toys are made entirely of recycled plastic milk jugs (much like the ones you plow through as junior indulges his 20-ounce-a-day habit).

Check out their plates, cups, and bowls as well.

Available for $6 for a set of four forks and four spoons at greentoys.com.

Related: Fluf Organic Lunch Bags

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]]>baby forksbaby spoonsBabyForksBabySpoonsbpa-freegreen toysGreenToysphthalatespvc-freerecycledMeryl LevinMon, 24 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTYou Have an Announcement to Makehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/21/cocodot-birth-announcement/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/21/cocodot-birth-announcement/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/21/cocodot-birth-announcement/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cocodot Birth Announcement

Hey, baby. Credit: Cocodot


More and more, birth announcements are going the way of phone books. Meaning, due to the internet, you don't really need them. Within five minutes of being born, new babies are introduced to friends and relatives all over the globe via blast e-mails, text messages, and Facebook updates.

If you harken for a more thoughtful intro, but don't necessarily want to spend the time and money on a traditional mailing, consider the e-announcements from Cocodot. They have a wide range of beautiful designs, many including a spot to upload a photo of your little darling, or you can get creative and design your own.
Available for $29 for unlimited cards (for one year) at cocodot.com.

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]]>birth announcementBirthAnnouncementcocodotMeryl LevinFri, 21 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTStorage Cubedhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/20/martha-stewart-storage/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/20/martha-stewart-storage/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/20/martha-stewart-storage/#commentsFiled under: ,

Martha Stewart Storage Unit

Credit: Martha Stewart Living


Kids come along with a whole lotta stuff, and finding systems for storing it all is an ongoing, and potentially expensive, challenge.

Happily, the maven of homekeeping, Martha Stewart, has introduced a line of budget-friendly products for the Home Depot, including storage and organization systems that are perfect for kids rooms and playrooms.

We love the 9 Cube Organizer, which, coupled with some of her fabric drawers, will hold everything from art supplies to extra socks.

Available for $50 at homedepot.com.

Related: Laminated Dry-Erase Labels from Any Random Jane

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]]>budget friendlyBudgetFriendlyhome depotHomeDepotmartha stewartMarthaStewartorganizingstorageMeryl LevinThu, 20 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTA Soft Touchhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/19/a-soft-touch/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/19/a-soft-touch/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/19/a-soft-touch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Cool clothes, happy kids. Credit: Soft Clothing

Getting dressed can be a challenge for kids with sensory sensitivity (a common symptom of Autism, Aspergers, and SPD).

But the new spring line from Soft Clothing is making it a little easier. Not only are the pieces tagless, flat-seamed, and made from brushed and bio-washed cotton, they are also totally cute and fashion-forward.

No more compromises, just cool comfort.

Available from $15 at softclothing.net.

Related: Fluf Organic Lunch Bags

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]]>aspergersautismsensory sensitivitySensorySensitivitysoft clothingSoftClothingMeryl LevinWed, 19 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTThat's a Wraphttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/18/koala-kuddles-muslin-wraps/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/18/koala-kuddles-muslin-wraps/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/18/koala-kuddles-muslin-wraps/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Koala Kuddles baby wraps

Sweat-free swaddling. Credit: Koala Kuddles



Come summer, swaddling a fussy baby can seem like a questionable move -- won't they swelter encased in all that blanket?

Not if you follow the age-old Australian tradition of using lightweight muslin wraps, which are far more breathable than traditional blankets, and can actually help keep baby cool while he's bundled up like a burrito.

This set of three makes a great shower or baby gift.

Available for $33 at koalakuddles.com.

Related: Lavanila's Healthy Baby collection

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]]>koala kuddlesKoalaKuddlesmuslin wrapMuslinWrapswaddlingMeryl LevinTue, 18 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTThe Kid Goes in the Picturehttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/17/rachel-hudgins-photography/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/17/rachel-hudgins-photography/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/17/rachel-hudgins-photography/#commentsFiled under: ,

Rachel Hudgins Photography

Picture this: a free photo shoot! Credit: Rachel Hudgins

Child photographer Rachel Hudgins is a former film producer, so it's not surprising that her photos have a cinematic quality that makes them both beautiful artworks and treasured keepsakes. Now, for the first time, she is selling a few of her dreamiest shots as limited edition prints through The Mini Social. And even better, through the end of May, you can enter to win a private photo shoot for your own child, free of charge (the value is $1,100!), and Rachel will come to you. Talk about star treatment.

Enter to win at theminisocial.com.

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]]>child photographyChildPhotographynursery decorNurseryDecorrachel hudginsRachelHudginsthe min socialTheMinSocialMeryl LevinMon, 17 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTNo More Brown Bagshttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/14/fluf-organic-lunch-bags/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/14/fluf-organic-lunch-bags/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/14/fluf-organic-lunch-bags/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fluf Design Lunch Bags

Ditch the boring brown bags. Credit: Fluf


The school year is almost over, and soon you'll get a break from packing school lunches -- just in time to start packing camp lunches. Unfortunately, we can't assemble sandwiches for you, but we can introduce you to the new lunch bags from Fluf. With organic cotton outside, a toxin-free removable vinyl liner inside, and adorable illustrations (even a few by artist Matthew Langille), we think they're pretty great. Right up there with sliced bread.

Available for $18 from fluf-design.com.

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]]>fluflunch bagsLunchBagsorganicreusableMeryl LevinFri, 14 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTRecall Remedyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/13/recalled-cough-syrup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/13/recalled-cough-syrup/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/13/recalled-cough-syrup/#commentsFiled under: ,

ZarBee's Cough Syrup

Credit: ZarBee's



After last week's recall, many moms aren't sure which children's medications are safe.

But if your little one has a cough, you can rely on the all-natural soothing benefits of ZarBee's, a honey-based cough syrup that's also loaded with vitamins and antioxidants to help them get better fast.

And to make things even easier on you, Zarbee's is running a recall exchange program: The Cough Syrup Bottle Swap. Just upload a photo or video of yourself with your recalled bottle, and they will e-mail you a code for a free bottle or Zarbee's. Sweet.

Full instructions available at zarbees.com.

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]]>all-natural medicineAll-naturalMedicinerecalled cough syrupRecalledCoughSyrupzarbeesMeryl LevinThu, 13 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTRight as Rainhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/12/brelli-umbrella/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/12/brelli-umbrella/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/12/brelli-umbrella/#commentsFiled under:

Brelli Umbrella

Swingin' in the rain. Credit: Brelli


Rain, rain, go away, come again ... after we've had a chance to decorate our Brelli. This year's spring showers may seem never-ending, but equip your kids with a sustainably-made and fully biodegradable umbrella, and you'll feel downright sunny. Add a set of paint markers and your mini Matisse can design cheerful drawings to keep the clouds at bay.

Available for $38 (markers available for $24) at rompstore.com.

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]]>brellikids umbrellaKidsUmbrellaMeryl LevinWed, 12 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTParty Paperhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/11/9spotmonk-imprintable-sets/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/11/9spotmonk-imprintable-sets/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/11/9spotmonk-imprintable-sets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

9spotmonk Imprintable Sets

Rad invites, reasonable prices. Credit: 9spotmonk


In search of sweet and special invitations for your tot's birthday party? Get the look of letterpress at a much lower price with the new imprintable sets from 9spotmonk. Sets feature eight invitations with cool letterpress graphics, and you fill in the text with your computer and any ink-jet printer. As an added bonus, you also get eight thank-you notes and eight gift tags that can be used as place cards or for personalizing goody bags. Choose from cute Cupcakes (shown), boyish Space Travels, or girly Dress Up.

Available for $38 at 9spotmonk.com.

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]]>9spotmonkbirthday invitationsBirthdayInvitationsimprintable invitesImprintableInvitesMeryl LevinTue, 11 May 2010 14:00:00 ESTHealthy Baby, Happy Babyhttp://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/10/lavanila-healthy-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/10/lavanila-healthy-baby/http://www.parentdish.com/2010/05/10/lavanila-healthy-baby/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lavanila Healthy Baby Collection

Be good to your baby. Credit: Lavanila Laboratories


All-natural fragrance and bath company Lavanila has just announced a new addition to their product family, and it's a real bundle of joy. The Healthy Baby collection consists of 100 percent natural, chemical-free, vitamin-enriched formulas made just for the tiniest bathers, and includes a hair and body wash, lotion, sunblock and diaper cream.

Available from $14 at sephora.com.

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]]>all natural skin careAllNaturalSkinCarebaby sunblockBabySunblockhealthy babyHealthyBabylavanilaMeryl LevinMon, 10 May 2010 14:00:00 EST