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Gift Guide: Hip Wall Décor for Kids

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:04 -0800

Growing up I was always interested in decorating, but I had a fleeting sense of style that changed as frequently as my taste in food. My parents let me choose my décor, which I loved. But in retrospect, I wish they would have given me more guidance; I often regretted my decorating choices when I came across something better. In light of all of this, I thought I'd round up some of what I consider hip wall décor for kids. From decals to shelves to wallpaper, I've selected some playful pieces that are also stylish and bound to please any kid you know.

DwellStudio Traffic Wall Art in Multi - $84.00	Zinc Letters - $49.00
dVider - Kids 18 Wall Sticker - $30.00	Skateboard Shelf - $39.00
Graham & Brown - Frames Wallpaper - $40.00	Mini Dot Mirrors - $19.00
Avalisa Letters Collection Lower Case Z Stretched Wall Art - $59.00	Third Drawer Down - decals by third drawer down - $12.00
Hybrid-Home Limited Edition Large Print Visible Robot - $200.00	Wallter - Fish Wall Application - $88.00
Chelsea Round Mirror - $149.00	Hybrid-Home Limited Edition Print Heart Breakout - Pink - $40.00
DwellStudio Gio Snail Wall Art in Aqua - $80.00	The Great Grid - $129.00
DwellStudio Dots Wall Art in Lemon - $84.00	Wallter Teardrops wall applications - $42.00
Wallter Butterfly Mobile in Blue - $70.00	dVider - Kids 13 Wall Sticker - $30.00
Galvanized Metal "COOL" Sign - $69.00	Skate Deck Wall Art - $189.00

Have You Ever Cooked With Kids?

YumSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:50:14 -0700

If you woke up this morning consumed with the dread that it's Monday, cheer up. It's not any old start to the week. Today is Family Day, and millions of Americans will be preparing and sitting down to dinner with their children. The occasion got me thinking that I need to spend more time with little ones in the kitchen - I rarely do so. What about you? How often do you invite kids into your kitchen?

Seinfelds Prevail Over Sneaky Chef in Lawsuit

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:00:42 -0700

She may have a famous comedian for a husband, but that's not the only reason Jessica Seinfeld is laughing all the way to the bank. Yesterday, a federal judge tossed out another author's claims that Seinfeld had copied from her cookbook. Seinfeld made a name for herself with Deceptively Delicious, a cookbook that encourages tricking kids into eating healthier food.

Six months before Seinfeld's tome was published, Missy Chase Lapine, author of kiddie tome The Sneaky Chef, warned Seinfeld not to print Deceptively Delicious, citing content similarities. When the book hit the press, Lapine sued the Seinfelds on counts of defamation and plagiarism.The judge ruled that the works are distinct, and that Jessica's book has a "completely different feel." She did leave open claims of defamation against the defendant's husband, Jerry Seinfeld, who made fun of Lapine on Letterman.

While Jerry Seinfeld probably shouldn't cracked a public joke about Lapine, I believe the right decision was made - but maybe that's just because I'm partial to the Seinfelds. Do you think justice was served?

Cute Alert: 10-Year-Old Is Obsessed With Vacuum Cleaners

TresSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Man, I love eccentric kids. And 10-year-old Gregory Evans of Illinois fits that description perfectly. The kid has been fascinated with vacuum cleaners since he was 3!

Gregory loves vacuum cleaners so much his idea of the perfect vacation is to go to the Hoover Museum, and he can tell what make, model, and year a vacuum cleaner is just by listening to it. (I also love that his parents indulge his eccentricity - his father seems totally delighted that his son has such a gender non-normative interest in this homely house-cleaning implement!)

This little dude better be careful when he grows up or he's gonna be snatched up by some lazy woman who never wants to clean. "Oh, hey Gregory," I can hear her say now, "the carpet really needs to be cleaned in the living room, and it's been so long since I've heard the hum of a 1939 Hoover Super Duster. Please be a dear and start one up!" He'd probably be out of that room before she could even finish her sentence.

Go, Gregory!

Ask a High School Principal: I'm Not Sure About Kids

TresSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Conventional Wisdom is a different kind of advice column. Your questions will be answered by people from all walks of life rather than by advice experts. This week, a high school principal offers his advice to a woman hesitant about motherhood. If you want to throw your hat into the ring, you can submit questions here.

This week's question:

I don't know if I want to have any kids. My boyfriend does. He'd like to start a family by the time he's thirty (in about five years). I know I don't want any children at this time. I guess I've always thought I'd have kids eventually. Sometimes I like the idea, but what if the desire for motherhood never really kicks in? I can't have a baby and think, "Oh wait, I don't really want this anymore." I don't want to resent my child, or my husband. How am I supposed to commit totally to a relationship when I don't know if we have the same goals for the future? Should I be worried about this now?

Signed, Confused About Kids

To see the high school principal's answer, read more.

Dear Confused About Kids,

During my 30 years in education I have watched the lives of young people unfold in unique and unexpected ways. While much time has passed since high school, your early twenties are still a formative stage of your life and career. You should feel good about what you are struggling with, for it is a sign of maturity and emotional depth. However, before you jump in and tackle the idea of having children with your boyfriend, you might want to take on a broader discussion of where you are in your relationship.

There are many issues to ponder, so I suggest you do a little homework. And as is true with school, there are fun ways to learn. To further understand each others' intimate thoughts, you could play a game over dinner asking each other questions like, "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?" If either of you are from a large family, chat about how things might have been different if you or he were an only child. You could also ask each other to describe the ideal vacation. If he says it is a two week camping trip in the mountains and you are a sun and sand kind of girl, you better start talking. A little game like this could lead to a deeper discussion about the future and help you both decide if you are meant to live your lives together.

You certainly don’t have to come to a decision now about children, but if you harbor strong feelings on the subject you owe it to your boyfriend to express how you feel; you must come to some understanding before moving forward with your relationship. Good luck!

Signed, A High School Principal

Let's Dish: What Foods Remind You of Being a Kid?

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:30:46 -0700

Last weekend, for the first time in a long time, I made the trek out to the Chinese supermarket to buy some Asian ingredients. While in my favorite aisle - the snack aisle, of course - I spotted these Butter Coconut Cookies. I hadn't seen them in years, but immediately I had memories of being in my hometown's Asian grocery store, circa 1985, making the weekly shopping rounds with my mother. Right then, I knew I had to buy them! What foods make you nostalgic for your childhood?

Little Girl Gone Wild - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:30:35 -0700

Darla isn't in school yet, but she's already in training for Spring Break. UPDATE: Though the video has been removed, here's the gist: Her mother - who clearly has a sharp, if somewhat twisted, wit - has trained the toddler to lift up her shirt when mom says "Spring Break." I think it's pretty funny, because it seems unlikely that any mother this edgy could actually raise a future Girl Gone Wild. What do you think?

Warren Buffett Wants Kids in His Secret Millionaire's Club

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:30:46 -0700

Some investment managers bid millions of dollars to have lunch with Warren Buffett, but kids will soon be able to benefit from his expertise for free through a new series of webisodes. The Secret Millionaire's Club is an animated series that features Buffett in cartoon form giving guidance on money matters to a group of kids. Don't expect lectures from the Oracle of Omaha; the interactive story lines are developed to keep kids' attention and inspire them to form healthy habits at a young age.

Buffett spoke with CNBC about the project, and while he's not the one writing the scripts, he believes in the importance of financial education and is lending his voice for free. He said:

If we can get through to some young people, say it's better to be ahead of the game than behind, watch out for credit cards, most important message is the best investment you can make is in yourself. Teach them if something is too good to be true it probably is. So if they learn those things the easy way through these stories early on it may save them learning the hard way later on.

To see a video of The Secret Millionaire's Club, read more.

What Did You Do With the Money From Your Summer Jobs?

SavvySugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:30:45 -0700

Earning a little allowance is nothing compared to the money you make from your first Summer job, no matter how terrible it was. Most of my paychecks went to filling up my gas tank, frozen yogurt, and the big purchase of a laptop I saved up for during the Summer before my freshman year of college.

Where did your cash go - did you spend it on gas, snacks, and new bikinis, or did you save up for something more?

Make Eating Fruit Fun With a Taste Test

partysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:15:49 -0700

The other day I got a call from a family friend. "Would you be interested in a peach taste test?" she asked. My answer was an enthusiastic yes! She purchased four types of stone fruit from the farmers market and thought it would be entertaining to taste them all. While she's researching what kind of peach to plant in her garden, I thought the taste test would be a great way to get my dad excited about eating fruit! Normally when I offer him a slice of peach, he politely declines, but when I told him it was a taste test, he was eager to try all four fruits. Conducting a taste test is also a great way to encourage kids to eat more fruit and vegetables. With the farmers markets over flowing with in-season produce, it's an opportune time to purchase several varieties of one item and taste the differences. Here's what we did:

Use all your senses. Before you slice open the peach (or whatever fruit), touch and smell it.
Cut the peaches in half and look at the flesh. Compare and contrast the colors of each fruit.
Slice into pieces and taste. Note how the flavors of one can affect the taste of another. For example, the white nectarine, when paired with the other peaches, tasted horribly bitter. Later, when I went back and took another taste of it, not after eating the others, it tasted sweet and juicy.

Have you ever performed a taste test? What are your tips for getting nonfruit eaters to consume more fresh produce?

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