The Daily Stroll

D.I.Y Kitchen Set

When I was little my father gave me a Swiss Miss cardboard house. It was the BEST. I am not sure how he got it. Maybe someone gave it to him or he mailed away to Swiss Miss Cocoa. I will have to investigate further. I also don't know what happened to the house but I miss it. It was simple, inexpensive and so cool.

A friend emailed me that she was getting this cardboard kitchen set kit for her kids for the holidays and I had to spread the word. A very cool designer put together a 14 page guide on how to assemble a cardboard kitchen. It is sturdy, the doors open and it is super modern for your pad. They even have a modern way to get you the instructions. After you pay you can get them emailed in a pdf or you can go old school and have them sent snail mail. The kit is only $7.00!!

designer:: forty-two roads

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Where Did I Put That Crayon?

Where or where did I put that crayon? Oh! here it is!!

How great is this? From Room Service Home this crayon apron has 24 sewn in slots for her favorite colors. Right where she needs them ready for creating. The crayons are even included which is such a bonus. Makes a great holiday gift!

I want to make ones like this for moms. There could be slots for bottles, pacifiers, cell phone, remote control, diapers + wipes, MY BRAIN! Where or where did I put my blackberry?

Keep your eye out for more here from Room Service Home. There are plenty of goodies where this one came from not to mention a huge warehouse sale.

Room Service Home

Classic Toys May Be Best

 

With all of the recent recall hoopla I have really been thinking that classic toys from days of yore may be best. Wooden toys from Scandinavian countries, flash cards, good old board games. They have got to be more healthy than tank engines soaked in lead and such. Not that my kids lick their toys or anything but you just never know. Plus there are better looking things to display in your playroom than blue and red tank engines, and you know me- it's all about style.

I may be living in the dark but apparently there is a very popular girl (doll) named Blythe. She is a classic. Born in 1972 she has quite the history and fan base. She also has designers who make clothes  and accessories just for her! The actual dolls can be hard to come by and some of the originals are quite pricey on ebay. The clothing, accessories, giant googly eyes- all very addicting. Look out American Dolls- I would rather start a Blythe collection.

As I think about what to get Ruby(3) for the upcoming holidays and how I will be looking at classic and simple toys going forward in the interest of keeping our home lead and kidstoyslacedwithchemicalcrap free, toys and dolls like Blythe and the cute handmade clothes that go with appeal to me now more than ever. Because what I really need in my crunched schedule is to take a ziploc bag up to Ruby's room and go through her Dora/Diego collection she got for her birthday and mail them all back for the recall. Thanks Fisher-Price. Thanks a lot.

Find out more about Blythe:: this is blythe

disclaimer:: I cannot tell you whether or not Blythe is lead free (this will take further investigation) but I am working on it. If you know or if you have a history with Blythe or collect her- comment below!

Mix It Up

You have heard of a TurDuckEn right? Popular feast of a Turkey stuffed with a chicken which is stuffed with a duck? How about a BunPandaPhunt?

That is a Bunny body with an elephant trunk and panda tail. I just made that up. How did I come up with that you ask? With our new Plaja Pets! Plaja pets has revolutionized the toy chest with their mix and match stuffed animals. Want to get your kid 30 new stuffed animals but you just can't fathom finding a spot for all of them in the playroom? Well, get them 3 plaja pets and let the kids get creative. Before they know it they will come up with 30 different new animal combinations- and that my mama friends is a bargain!

Plaja Pets are really soft. They are durable too(especially when having their heads and tails removed at the whim of your toddler). Ages 4+ Each PlajaPet is handmade and constructed of super-soft, superior quality plush fabric. They measure approximately 8" (20cm) in height, width and length. Each PlajaPet is individually checked for quality and safety.

Daily Stroll readers buy one set (either lights or brights) and get the other for FREE. That is a $52.99 value! Expires 10.31.07. Enter: DAILYSTROLL in the comments section during the paypal checkout.

designer:: Plaja Pets

Play Silks

Play Silks bring me back to elementary school, rainy days, and the coolest teachers. I remember having them to throw around and be all creative and carefree! I was reminded of these good times when I heard about what a shop called EllieBelly was doing for Breast Cancer Awareness this month. For each playsilk sold they are donating $1 to Susan G. Komen Foundation!

Get your play silks at www.elliebelly.com I like this set where you select your own colors for just $36!

 

T.M.X ELMO

It's here! Today we got the T.M.X ELMO 10th anniversary edition of Tickle Me Elmo from the people at Fisher-Price's PR firm. Ruby was on the floor laughing along with the extremely ticklish Sesame Street favorite within minutes. She loves him and loves to impersonate him although she kept calling him 'cookie monster' which is my fault, she should totally watch more television so that she can get it straight!

A Fisher-Price classic, revamped for the new millenium and it can be yours for $40.00.

Click here for more info

From our Peeps at Fisher-Price:

“T.M.X.” Elmo will tickle America’s funny bone with three interactive tickle spots on his chin, tummy or toe.  When kids tickle Elmo once on any of the tickle spots, he starts to laugh and slap his leg twice, then falls down into a sitting position and rocks himself back up to standing while laughing.  When they tickle him a second time, he repeats the pattern even more, then sits down again and falls backwards onto his back and starts kicking his feet while laughing even harder. He then stands back up and asks to be tickled again.  And on the third tickle he absolutely lets loose going through the first two patterns and then rolling over onto his tummy where he starts hitting the floor with his hand in gales of laughter, then rolling onto his back, standing up again, and ending with a deep sigh. Requires 6 "AA" batteries.

Say Hello To My Little Friend

Every child needs a little friend- have you seen the Amijuku's by PetuniaPetunia?

Checkout www.petuniapetunia.com they are so cute! If you live in NYC you can get them at Takashimaya.