Annapolitan Mom

Naptown Nannies Event

Good morning!! Our friends over at Naptown Nannies are hosting a great event about intuitive eating habits this week. The guest speaker is Jaqueline Stern, registered dietician. She was just named the area's best nutritionist by What's Up Magazine and she's going to speak and answer questions about what you need to know for you & your kids. Between the country's current obesity epidemic and trying to balance convenience with healthy choices for our kids, this is a seminar we can all learn a bit from!

Wine and light apps will be served. 

Thursday, February 28th from 7-9pm at 5 Park Place in Annapolis, Park Place Residence Party Room. 

For more information, check out Naptown Nannies facebook page.

ErgoBaby does it again!

My Ergo is an absolute necessity. So simple for a quick run into the store or for travel. I use mine almost daily. And I love it. But then I saw this. If I had $200 sitting around, I just might be tempted to splurge on this gorgeous winter-white, fur-lined ErgoBaby complete with adorable muff for mom's chilly hands! 

 

Winter Edition ErgoBaby Carrier

 

I know, I know. White gets dirty. But this is so pretty I'll bet we could keep it clean, right ladies? The (faux) fur is so luxe, and I'll bet it keeps that sweet baby super warm. If you need more convincing, the fur liner comes out so you can use it for spring & summer as well. This is definitely going on my dream list of baby gear!

Punk's Backyard Grill Closed

I'm so sad to hear the news that Punk's Backyard Grill at Annapolis Mall has shut its doors for good. It was a fun restaurant with good, clean food & all-natural beverages. I think the restaurant was plagued by an unfortunate location (no entrance to the mall) and kind of got forgotten about. Unfortunately, us families are losing a really family-friendly spot to brinig your kids. Punk's, we will miss you!

Upcoming Events at Greenberries

I know it's sometimes a trek to go out to Columbia, but they really have some great stuff out there. I often check out the Hobby Lobby, and a trip isn't complete without lunch at Chicken Out - one of my favorite fast casual places. Greenberries Consignment, Columbia's eco-chic haven for kids and moms, has a ton of great events coming up in January. Make a day of it and venture down Rt. 32 for an awesome experience.

Babywearing Class: Saturday, January 12 at 4 pm (Or come in any Saturday 12-5 pm for personal assistance!)

Overwhelmed by all the different baby carriers?  Is your baby miserable in those you've tried?  Join Amy Takemoto, an original leader of Slings in the City in NYC, to learn how to safely and correctly use the four different types of baby carriers: ring slings, Mei Tais, buckle carriers, and woven/stretchy wraps. At the end of class, there will be time to try on and troubleshoot carriers. 10% off carriers for attendees!  Figure out what is best for you and your baby and begin enjoying the closeness and ease of babywearing. Monthly. FREE

Working & Breastfeeding: Wednesday, January 16 from 7-9 pm

Ann Faust is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant who is experienced in setting up breastfeeding centers and training workforces about breastfeeding.  Ann will discuss with you all things related to working and breastfeeding.  Some of the common areas covered include:  + how and when to pump  +  milk supply + how to handle expressed breastmilk + what the laws say about working and breastfeeding + your individual work situations.  Please join us to learn how to make this transition much smoother!  $35 per participant for this 2-hour class.

Cloth Diapering 101: Sunday, January 20 at 5 pm or stop in any Saturday!
In this very popular workshop, you will learn about pockets and AIOs, hybrids, and prefolds, wetbags and sprayers. Laundering and the basics are covered in detail. Now fully stocked with bumGenius and FuzziBunz pockets, Flips, Woollybottoms, Bummis, Thirsties, Green Mountain prefolds, Snappis, training pants, plus PlanetWise and Sarah's fabulous wetbags, Rockin' Green, CJs, cloth wipes, and a large selection of consigned diapers! 10% off diapers and related supplies - this evening plus 2 additional diapering purchases! Please register in advance. Register in advance via email or phone. FREE

To see their FULL calendar of new parents support classes including FREE MYO Baby Food and YOGA classes, click here or check them out on facebook.

Workshops held at:
greenberries children's and maternity consignment boutique & toy shop
good for kids. good for you. good for earth.
Snowden Center
6925 Oakland Mills Road, Suite S
Columbia, MD 21045

Call to register: 410.290.6253

Wee-Sale Registration Open

While we're on the topic of consignments, Wee-Sale just opened their registration for the Spring Anne Arundel County sale in Annapolis. Consignors earn 55% of their sales - up to 65% if you volunteer to work a shift or two! - which is more than most consignment shops. You can also control your own pricing, and at the end of the sale choose to get your unsold items back or donate them to charity.

The sale will be held March 14-17, 2013 at the Moyer Recreation Center in Annapolis. Check their website for more details.

Kids Consignment Stores around Annapolis

Who isn't a fan of a bargain? And with the way kids outgrow clothes, consignment stores are a great way to find adorable outfits for seriously low prices. Here are some of my favorites. If I missed any good ones, email me & I'll update this post. 

Savvy Consignment: 545 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park

Located near Garry's Grill, Savvy has been open for a few years with such success they've opened up a sister shop for home decor just a few storefronts away. Specializing in high-end items, Savvy regularly carries Lilly Pulitzer, Ralph Lauren, Janie & Jack, Vera Bradley, and Kate Spade. They stock ladies, children, tween, and maternity clothing and accessories.

Red Balloon: 8220 Richie Hwy., Pasadena

This little shop is packed to the gills with baby and childrens clothes & gear. Look for it on the southbound side of Richie Hwy between Jumpers Hole Rd. and East-West Blvd. There are great buys to be had here, especially for expectant & new moms looking to pick up a few extra basics. Their Facebook page publicizes sales regularly. 

 

Wee-Sale: Varied Locations

Wee-Sale is the mother of all consignment sales! Check out their website for dates, times, and locations for their sales in Annapolis, Prince George's County, and the Eastern Shore. Their merchandise ranges from baby carriers to designer clothes to play kitchens  - and everything in between! I never miss Wee-Sale, but it's worth it to get there early and plan to stay a while. I have waited anywhere from a half hour to well over an hour in the checkout line. Handy tip: if you have cash, you can often check out at an express lane. 

Return to Oz Consignments: 2011 West Street, Annapolis

They've been around forever, and for good reason! Enter the converted house and you will find room after room of bargains. Their kid and maternity sections are extensive, but make sure to take your time combing through the racks. They have made the best of their space and that keeps it a little crowded. Isn't that part of the fun? 

Honeysuckle Consignment: 1584 Richie Hwy., Arnold

After I wrote this post, I got several responses recommending this upscale boutique! Honeysuckle carries womens and childrens clothing and furniture/home decor items. They update their facebook page frequently with sales and new items. Read their blog for some cool style tips.

 

Greenberries Consigment: 6925 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia

This one's a little out of the way for us Annapolitans, but definitely worth a trip. Not only does Greenberries have childrens and maternity clothes, they also have new items and a large play area for kids to enjoy while moms shop. It's unique because of their focus on green and organic living. Check out their website for frequent events and classes about nursing, baby-wearing, cloth diapering and more!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for 2012

Aren't stocking stuffers tough? You hate to be that person that gives out unusable trinkets that clutter up the house until mid-March (um, October?). Our family does huge Christmas stockings, and we've got tons of people to 'stuff' for. So I am always on the lookout for great ideas in small packages - hopefully with the same small impact on my wallet. 

Hope I'm not spoiling the surprise for some family members who might be reading this. Oops. 

Stocking Stuffers

• Origins Peace of Mind: A big dose of sensory therapy in a teeny tiny bottle. Stress relief on the go!
• Travel kits: Raid the dollar/drug/big box store bins of those little travel-sized versions of products. Pick a shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, razor, shave cream, shower gel, toothpaste, facial wipes and hand sanitizer - one of each times however many people you need stocking stuffers for. Bonus points if you cram them all into a reusable quart-size bag like these from Neiman Marcus. 
• A shot glass and a couple of those adorable little mini bottles of liquor. Is there anything cuter than a mini-Crown Royal? 
• Philosophy lip glosses: Each one is a yummy little treat - with no calories! Any girl likes to see this in her stocking.
• Calendars: You can find these in a lot of dollar aisles (Target has great ones!), and I try to tailor the calendar subject to each family member. But I am particularly fond of the Chick-fil-a Calendar.  For $5, you not only get the calendar, you get a coupon card with all kinds of free stuff throughout the year! From a chicken sandwich in January to chicken strips in December, they will be thanking you all year.
• Starbucks gift cards. I don't think I need to elaborate on this. Even $5 is a welcome sight in my stocking!
• Rollerball purfumes: Sephora has a great selection of them, and they are a less expensive way of gifting a glam product. Plus, they are super easy to carry around in your purse, without the worry of leaking or breaking.
• Metal water bottles: Very reasonably priced and come in tons of colors. I like these, though they aren't as durable as their pricier cousin, the Klean Kanteen. For regular use they should be fine.

For kids, I find stocking stuffers to be ridiculously easy. Target dollar aisle anyone? Personally, I like giving crafty type things (crayons, play-doh, colored pencils) and little toys that can keep them occupied while the presents are handed out. I tend to find that the opening of the presents can be even more fun than what's inside, so I like to individually wrap small gifts rather than just toss them in a stocking.

What are your favorite stocking stuffers to give? Or get?