LilSugar

Mommy's Lil Helper: Fürnis Aprons

babysugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:00:24 -0700

It's hard to look glamorous when you're up to your eyeballs in cookie dough and dinner fixin's, but I sure like to try my best - especially when entertaining guests. Since aprons have made a comeback in mommy kitchen wear, it only seems logical that wee ones would be suited up next.

Deck your tot out in the darling handwoven cotton Fürnis aprons ($15). The cheery colors and understated embellishments give them just enough charm to suit any wee one's desire. And besides, the chocolate smears and strawberry jeers will accent the smocks just fine. Thank heaven for machine washable items!

Colorful Way For Kids to Stash Crayons

LilSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:01:18 -0700

My daughter could do art for hours. She's just got one problem when it comes to keeping all her crayons on the table - a 21-month-old pair of sticky fingers attached to her lil brother. My son swipes whatever he can get his hands on as he loves the ensuing chase even more than making his own creation. We've tried boxes and bins, Zip-loc baggies, and tins and nothing has worked that well. So when I stumbled on this genius find, I knew I found the solution. The Crayon Apron ($20) by Kennedy Grace ties around a budding artist's waist and comes stocked with 24 coloring sticks.

Tools to Get Kids Cookin' in the Kitchen

babysugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:00:10 -0700

Got a picky eater? Instead of tricking babe into eating healthy meals, try engaging him in the cooking process. Youngsters love to help and when they see their finished product on a platter, they'll be tempted to try their creation. Before too long, mama may have a mini Wolfgang Puck on her hands who prepares five course meals for the entire family.

Start with some kid friendly tongs and spatulas. They get children in the mood for some cuisine fun. Have them stir up batters or pat down wet lettuce. A personalized apron will give extra incentive to keep things cooking!

Jardin des Fleurs Kids’ Apron - $39.00	Dino Sandwich Cutter - $9.95
Apple and Pumpkin Pocket Pie Molds - $9.95	Butterfly Spatula - $12.00
Heart Sandwich Cutter - $9.95	Twist And Press Cookie Cutters, Set of 2 - $39.90
Chesapeake Picnic Table - $149.00	Ladybug Spatula - $12.00
Martha Stewart Collection Tea Cake Pan, 30 Cups - $31.99

Which Television Mom Do You Relate to Most?

babysugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:50 -0700

If spandex, high heels, and major hairspray are part of a mother's daily wardrobe, she may relate best to Peg Bundy from Married With Children. Women who like to wear the same outfit day after day may liken themselves to Marge Simpson while apron wearing, apple pie baking subservient mamas might align themselves with Kitty Foreman from That '70s Show though she is known to voice her opinion on occasion. One of the more realistic portrayals of family life comes with Everybody Loves Raymond as Debra and Ray Barone are often caught canoodling and arguing in the same episode. Her bouts with the in-laws make for hilarious and relate-able fodder, too. Choose from the list below and tell us which boob tube mom you relate to most and tell us why in comments.

Source, Source, Source, Source, Source, and Source

The Next Food Network Star Keeps a Kid-Friendly Kitchen

LilSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:00:35 -0700

There are barely enough hours in the day for moms to get everything done so some cut corners in the kitchen. But, now that The Next Food Network Star, Melissa d'Arabian, a stay-at-home mother, will be cooking up quick, budget friendly recipes to inspire fellow busy women, we may see more parents tying on aprons. The 40-year-old Texas mama explained that her show, which will air next Sunday, focuses on feeding four people a meal for $10 or less. The competition's self-proclaimed dark horse who had no professional culinary experience, used tidbits about cooking for her daughters (like serving raw brussels sprouts so they have the crunch of an apple) to wow the judges in an unconventional way. Prior to winning, Melissa explained why she wanted to be The Next Food Network Star. She said:

I have four kids (aged four and under), but I think the fact that I'm not "supermom" makes me accessible. I want parents across America to breathe a sigh of relief when they see me on TV and to say to themselves, "if she can do it, then so can I."

K Is For Keen on Kettles

babysugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:00:08 -0700

When a lady is expecting a baby, she often trades her mocha latte in for a hot cup of decaffeinated tea. Then the baby makes its debut, but mommy doesn't have to give up her affection for the kettle. She can still sip on the brewed herbs and rock her newborn in the comfort of a tea themed nursery. In lieu of books, line a row of teapots on a shelf. Polish up antique and family silver cups and place them around the room for a bit of sparkle and shine. Sass up the pots and cups with a teapot lamp, a fancy chandelier, a pearl adorned box, frilly aprons, strings of pearls or a framed pair of gloves. Splurge on a tiered sweet stand that can hold the babe's keepsakes instead of petit fours. But if mama sneaks one in, we won't tell! L is up next on our alphabet nursery series! Love, letters, lions, oh my!

Abigail Aprons - $30.00	Leapfrog tag™ activity storybook: "miss spider's tea party" - $13.99
Flora Green and Pink Chandelier - $318.00	Poodle Party - $39.00
KidKraft Garden Party Collection Canvas Art Set of Four - $56.99	Personalized Dot Bowl & Cup Set - $64.00
Reed & Barton Corp. Reed & Barton Baby Beads Single-Handled Cup - $48.99	Wallcandy RoCoco Decals - $36.00
Blik Classic Must Haves Wall Decals - $55.00	Cupcake on Canvas - $52.00
Carton Vase - $6.95	Straw Eyelet-Trim Hats for Baby - $10.50
Uli - pillows by uli - $107.00	Eco-Friendly Tea Set - $25.00
Roost Branch Teapot - $58.00	Guidecraft Tea Party Extra Chairs - $78.99
White Ceramic Teapots - $12.99	Edo Red Teapot (1.4-qt.) by Arzberg - $106.95
Kidkraft® Teakettle - $24.99	Doodlebugz Crayola Crayon Apron Solid Pink - $19.99
Ralph Lauren Long Pearl Necklace - $58.00	Guidecraft Tea Party Rocking Chair - $109.99
Boho Holiday Teapot (46-oz.) by Rosanna - $39.95	Creative Designs Cushy Cafe Tea Party Set - $14.99
Flora Teapot - $6.95	Creative Designs Disney Princess Snow White Tea Set - $15.99

Coocoose Swaddle Keeps Mama Dry Before Wrapping Baby

LilSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:00:20 -0700

Baby might be in the tub, but inevitably mama gets wet! Bath time with a splish splashing tot can turn the bathroom into a site for full blown waterworks.

The Coocoose apron towel ($60) soaks up some of the wetness as it is worn as an apron by the bath-giver during tub time and then serves as a warm wrap once the child gets out of the tub. Made from 100 percent turkish cotton, the super-soft towel features a hood on one corner to ensure that the wet one is covered head-to-toe en route to his changing table.

Bringing Sexy Back: Snack on Aphrodisiacs

babysugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:00:54 -0700

Mamas looking to spice up their sex life may just need to heat things up in the kitchen. Certain foods known to increase a person's sex drive can play a part in parents trying to get back in the swingin' groove. Try serving up one of these tasty treats to a loved one with nothing but an apron on.

We may not all like the asparagus aftermath, but it's known to get things going.
Seductively slurp down some oysters for a chance at lust.
Who knew radishes were known to get the blood pumping in the right places?
Nibble on truffles for romantic appeal.

To see the rest of my tricks, read more.

Mustard activates the sweat glands and gets everyone hot and bothered.
Mommies who crave cheese can snack well knowing it can help one fall in love.
Sip (don't gulp) some spirits to loosen inhibitions. Don't drink too much or it may lead to a snooze fest.

Pretty soon, papa will be thinking his baby mama is the pop tart du jour.
Source

Baby's Wardrobe Items Defined

LilSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Babe arrives with a whole new set of lingo. At a couple's shower I attended recently, a few men in the room laughed and pondered the difference between terms like layette, onesie, and sleeper. In case you, too, are curious or confused, we've taken the time to define the infant basics.

Layette: A layette is simply a newborn’s first collection of clothing. While many stores will tell you how many layette items you need, the quantity should be determined by the frequency with which you will do the laundry.
Bunting: A bunting is a one-piece snowsuit for infants designed to keep them warm throughout the Winter months. Buntings usually have a hood and hand and foot covers to ensure that the baby is bundled up tight.
Burp Cloths: Usually placed over the shoulder or the thigh, burp cloths are used to protect an adult’s clothing from the spit-up that can accompany a postfeeding burp. Many people use traditional cloth diapers as burp cloths due to their highly absorbent nature.
Footies: Also known as stretchies, footies are extended onesies with distinct places for the feet. Footies tend to have snaps all the way up one of the legs in order to facilitate diaper changes.
Onesie: A onesie is a short-sleeved t-shirt that attaches at the crotch with either snaps or Velcro. The closure provides easy access for diaper changes.
Receiving Blankets: Sometimes called a swaddling blanket, receiving blankets are the thin cotton blankets babies are wrapped in to help them sleep.
Side-snap tees: Also known as kimono tops, these shirts are typically worn during a newborn’s first two weeks in order to prevent friction between the shirt and the umbilical cord. Once the umbilical cord falls off, most parents switch to onesies.
Sleepers: Sleepers are often apron-like garments made from blanket or fleece material that are used to keep babies warm at night. Given that blankets are not supposed to be placed in cribs, sleepers ensure that a baby is warm enough.

Source

Delilicious: Playful Chef

LilSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 05:00:39 -0700

Inviting kids to help in the kitchen is one thing, but giving them an apron of their own is another.

There's no better way for a child to feel the culinary excitement pulse through their veins than with one of these adorable aprons from Playful Chef ($40).

To learn about the kit, read more.

The kit grants lil cooks independence with their own tool belt apron, 10 kid-sized cooking tools, five illustrated recipes, color coded measuring spoons that match the cards and a backpack to store all the supplies.

The vinyl carry-all makes transporting the goodies over to grandma's for a baking lesson easy on a tot.