List of Indie Craft Shows

Holiday Heap
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1
Where: St. John's of Baltimore United Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul St.
Admission: Free
Information: charmcitycraftmafia.com

Creative Alliance Merry Mart
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave.
Admission: Free
Information: 410-276-1651 or creativealliance.org

Out of Hand craft show
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 2
Where: Knights of Columbus hall, 201 Homeland Ave.
Admission: Free
Information: 410-592-9158

Squidfire D.I.Y. Holiday Art Mart
When: noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 9
Where: Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave.
Admission: Free
Information: 410-327-3300 or squidfire.com

There's also an article in the sun about these craft shows:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bal-to.craft24nov24,0,1084386.story

(thanks to Liz for compiling this list!)

Holiday Fair at the Waldorf School

Holiday Fun for the whole family.
Vendors. Arts & crafts.
Marionette show.
Children's shopping room.
Children's crafts & activities.
Cafés.
Live musical performances.
Expanded Spring Garden...and much more.

Saturday Dec. 1, 2007, 10AM to 4PM
Entrance: Children under 12 free, $3 per adult.
Snow date Saturday December 8, 2007
Location: WSB School, 4801 Tamarind Road 21209

WSB is located off of Route 83 exit 9B (Coldspring Ave.- West).
After merging onto Coldspring, go to the 2nd light and turn right
onto Tamarind Rd. The main school will be on your right about 1/2
mile up the road.

I attended this last year as a vendor and it was such a great family event, that I wanted to be able to bring my children just for fun this year.

Cutting to the Chase on Eliminating Plastics

Many parents these days are trying to eliminate plastics from their child's environment, especially from what they eat and drink with. I'll admit, I am slow on this trend, because of the convenience factor. Finding the right kind of sippy and the cash to throw down for $10-$15 a cup (x the number of kids you have!), and it's quite easy to minimize the importance of of a Bisphenol A (BPA) free sippy cup! However, one quick glance at the plastics fact sheet at the site Life Without Plastic and you'll be converted rather quickly. I truly can not imagine a life with out plastic, but, it is in the baby steps that we can make the world a safer place for our kids. Life Without Plastic is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, this company is based in Canada, so shipping to the US can be rather costly, but, you can also get some ideas from the site and do some local shopping to find some of these items.

Huckle Berry Baby: No Ordinary Blankey

Finding handmade items made with Amy Butler fabrics is an easy task. But, finding something that is truly unique is a little more of a challenge. This blanket from etsy seller Huckle Berry Baby is nothing short of stunning! It is a beautiful quilt on the front and the back is pink chenille. This blanket will be adored for generations.

Yo Gabba Gabba!!

I think we all know how rotten TV viewing can be for our kids, but there's no denying it's a rather affordable babysitter when the laptop or kitchen demands your attention and your toddler does too. I started to worry about our youngest because she was never interested in TV for more than a couple seconds. Autism? ADD? Bad eyesight?

Turns out it was none of the above. She just has very discerning taste, and the only "baby show" she's into is Yo Gabba Gabba! I've never seen her pay attention to any show before or after. We tried to get her into Classical Baby, but she's more Daft Punk than JS Bach.

This new live action/animated show debuted on Nick Jr. this summer and is due to pop up on Noggin in the new year. The best synopsis I can give is it's Barney with an indie sensibility. It's Sesame Street set in an 80's video game. It's a breakdancing version of the Teletubbies. It's like a Sid and Marty Kroft show for the mash-up generation.

The first scene in every episode is MC Lance Rock strutting out on a plain white backdrop with a
boombox. The graphics are all pixelfonts. The episodes are all themed and the crux of the message isn't much different than the saccharin songs of that purple dinosaur("Share","Be Nice To Animals", etc.)

Regular guests include Biz Markie, Mark Mothersbaugh, The Aquabats, and Parker Jacobs. Single-episode guests have run from Tony Hawk to Nikki Flores. Music has been provided by a slew of indie bands (Mark Kozelek, the Salteens, Low, etc.) and the "Remixes" at the end of the show have come from bands like Broken Spindles and Digital Unicorn.

So if you're one of those types that never lets the kids watch TV, turn on Yo Gabba Gabba! for yourself.. and if you can get past the cheese you'll be doing the robot in no time.

Mommy Codes from the Mommy Insider

When shopping online you might come across various coupon codes, or be looking for one when you are about to make a purchase. The Mommy Insider blog brings all the coupon codes together with Mommy Codes. I like how there may be multiple codes listed so if one doesn't work you can try another.

Do you know of any particularly great sales or discounts? Leave a comment or write baltimoremama@gmail.com

Happy Shopping!

Sweet Dreams

Stash this one away for the holidays! It's the Nightmare Snatcher Journal from the company Spiderbite. These aborable, furry monsters are journals in disguise. They have a lovely poem on the first page to reassure the child, and the rest are blank pages for your little dreamer to write their thoughts, dreams, and even nightmares. Does the child need to be able to read and write to enjoy this? I don't think so. My four old loves to write in notebooks and journals, and this in an activity she often does in bed as she drifts off to sleep. You can purchase these on Etsy
for $20.oo.

Returns for Sale: Baby Gear Cheap

It's no secret that I am a bargain shopper. I think it's fun to go check out the Scratch and Dent on Broadway "just to see" what they happen to have in the mix that day. It's chaotic, but, I always manage to find some cool toys, strollers and car seats. I do love to share the news of a good deal, since I can't bring them all home myself. And now, it looks like I have found the equivalent of an online Scratch and Dent called Returns for Sale.








Returns for Sale sells closeouts, open box items, and returns. So, if you can live with a little flaw (they have a grading system for the products and price accordingly), you can get a pretty good deal on some normally hefty priced tagged gear. I am not making any guarantees, but, merely suggesting you check it out if you are in a bargain hunting mood. I only wish I would stumble upon a Mountain Buggy while out at the Scratch and Dent!

Dining with Kids in the City

Every week we are going to feature a restaurant or two where you can get a lovely, nutritious meal and bring your children along. If you have any suggestions, leave a comment here or email baltimoremama@gmail.com

Read on for a sneak peak of what's to come, with Liz's review of a Highlandtown favorite!

DiPasquale's Italian Market

Depending on where you grew up in Baltimore, you'll have associations to a specific Italian deli. If you patronize Trinacria, then that's where you'll keep going. If your family grew up with Mastellone's, that's where you go. Even if you have to drive across town. Even if the DiPasquale's now own it. It's a very interesting phenomenon. There are some good delis in town - don't get me wrong. But depending on who you talk to... the allegiance can be... impassioned.

So for those of you in SE Baltimore, Di Pasquale's is a no-brainer. It's close, it's the neighborhood deli, even if it is a gourmet deli: great eats and brick oven pizza. For those of you not from the area - it's worth a stop. in my not-so-humble opinion.

It's family-friendly. Not in the Chuck-E-Cheese vein, but in the we're-Italian-and-family-is-everything way. It's a family-run business, and after school hours or on weekends, you might see one of the kids stocking shelves, working behind the deli counter, working the register, or you might see their youngest playing at a table with one of his sisters. I remember eating there once (before i had my son) when one of the kids brought me a book and asked me to read it to her while i ate lunch. i loved it.

My husband and son have a standing Saturday date for a brick oven pizza at Di Pasquale's. The pizza they usually order is now on the menu as the "Costantino" - my son's name in Italian. It was a way for me to get more iron (probably, the perception of more iron) into his diet - the addition of spinach and chicken to the typico tomato and cheese pizza made me feel better when i couldn't otherwise get him to eat the rusty stuff. Yes, i know that calcium inhibits the absorption of iron, but a change of pace and not having to think about one meal a week is a real treat for me, and at least worth a shot. They used to order and hang out, but since my kid's reached toddlerhood and he derives great entertainment from hiding behind the counter and disrobing, they call ahead so that the pizza's ready when they get there.

Don't forget when you order a cappuccino to ask for some steamed milk for the kid - mine likes his in an espresso cup and calls it his coffee.

Di Pasquale's Italian Marketplace
3700 Gough Street in the heart of Highlandtown
Phone: 410.276.6787
FAX: 410.276.0161

Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm

Perfect party Favors and More

Over the summer I was searching for party favors for my daughter's birthday party that would be useful and not more plastic clutter for the parents to cart home. I was even tempted to do candy, just because it's edible and will not linger on forever. Luckily, I found Robinostites on Etsy. Her basket of colorful soaps, all different numbers would make a good gift on it's own. But, separated for each individual guest corresponding with their age is a not only useful, but, an affordable and completely adorable party favor. I quickly email Robin to see if she would be able to whip up the numbers I needed for our guests because time was of the essence. She was and the package arrived just in time.

Check out her shop (where is she is definitely getting ready for Halloween with more then her fun soaps) and receive a 10% refund on your order when you enter the word "fall" in the comments section when checking out.

While you're there, check out this bear, it would make a perfect stocking stuffer!

We Have A Winner!

Congratulations, Linsey Knerl! This lucky mama won the first Baltimore Mama give-away, a Blush Topless Undershirt! Enjoy!
Our next contest starts on Monday, so stay tuned!

Weber's Cider Mill Farm

There are plenty of other farms you could visit in rural Maryland for apple picking, pumpkins, hayrides, etc. However, if you're a city dwelling family and don't have the time or energy for a longer road trip, visit Weber's Farm, which is just barely outside the beltway in the direction of northeast Baltimore. This "farm" is oddly enough located in what appears to be a suburban subdivision. You might think you're going the wrong way, the first time you head there, but lo and behold, you will run into the pumpkins before you've barely had time to scratch your head. There are lots of things to do at Weber's Farm in the fall. For more information, visit the Weber's Farm web site.

Halloween at Whole Foods Mt. Washington

Kids Trick or Treat Event
Tuesday, October 23rd
4:00–7:00 p.m. Free
Whole Foods Market, Mt. Washington
1330 Smith Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21209
410.532.6700

Dress the kids up in their favorite costumes and bring them to the store for Trick or Treating in various departments. Baltimore Museum of Industry staff will provide stickers, glitter and markers for kids to decorate pumpkins in the Café. Kids can have their faces painted too. Also visit Miss Maia at her Healthy Trick or Treat Demo Table for good ideas for this holiday.

Singalongs

If you’re a new mom who never spent much time with other Baltimore Mamas and children prior to the birth of your own, or if you are new to the area, you may be wondering who the hell your new friends are going to be, where in blazes they are hiding out, and what in the world you might do with your little charge, as you learn to be-in-the-world-alongside-others-with-babies, to borrow an expression from those fun-loving existential phenomenologists.

Unless you’re already very connected with what would otherwise be the alien species known as families, the first six months can be painfully isolating and lonely as you adjust to life with an infant, or life in a new city. I sometimes felt like the last person on earth to learn about the “it” things to do with a baby/toddler in Baltimore. When my son was about six months old, I remember someone saying in disbelief, “you’ve NEVER been to the Red Canoe?” I don’t remember the last time I felt so un-hip.

And I’ll never forget the first time I took my son to a singalong. It was like the heavens opened when I saw this beautiful, sleeved-out chanteuse with dreadlocks on the guitar leading more than a dozen children and parents in song at the most charming coffeehouse in northeast Baltimore (thank you Alina Lightchaser and the Red Canoe!). After dredging myself up from post-partum depression, I couldn’t have asked for a better ray of hope.

So, if you are ready to take on the somewhat daunting task of leaving the house with an infant, you might be amazed to discover that there is life after birth, indeed. Check out these singalongs, for starters, whenever you can:

Singalongs

Mondays
10:30am, Red Canoe Children’s Bookstore and Café (Lauraville)

Wednesdays
10:30am, Red Canoe Children’s Bookstore and Café (Lauraville)

ZooBOOO! at the Maryland Zoo

Date(s):	Saturday, October 20, 2007 Sunday, October 21, 2007 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Description:	The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore will hold its popular annual Halloween celebration!
Details:	ZooBOOO! features free trick-or-treating and candy for kids. There’ll also be a costume contest, a Creepy Crawly Haunted Barn, a Magical Hay Maze, a Haunted Hay Ride, and a Candyland game and craft area. Kids can get a scary hairdo, have their faces painted, or get a spooktacular tattoo. Guests also will enjoy live entertainment all day long, plus meet magicians and cartoon characters. Adults can take part in the fun by entering a pie eating contest. And, many of the Zoo’s animals will receive special pumpkin treats of their own. ZooBOOO! runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on all four days. The event is free for Zoo members and free with paid general Zoo admission, although some activities do require an additional fee. Zoo admission is $15 for adults ages 12-64; $12 for seniors ages 65 and older; $10 for children ages 2-11; children under 2 are free. Parking is free. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is located in Druid Hill Park

For more information, please visit http://www.marylandzoo.org/index.aspx

Blush Topless Undershirts by: Guest Blogger Candice

I know it sounds kind of kinky and you wonder who would wear these things, but let me tell you, everyone should. If you are anything like me and you pull your shirts, sweaters, tanks etc down every day then this is the item for you.

Blush Topless Undershirts are these long tube top looking things that actually are trapezoid shaped. You pull it on over you pants and under any shirt. What does it do? It gives you the layered look without having to wear another shirt underneath. It ends right under your bra and covers your back side pretty well.

I got these about 3 weeks ago and the amount of things I’ve worn it under is absolutely amazing. One of my favorites is the brown floral. I wear it under a ¾ length brown v-neck sweater and it is perfect for work. I never pull my sweater down in the back and the floral makes me look super pretty and put together.

Here’s the super bonus to these items: it flattens my mommy tummy. I mean who can complain about that?

They are also perfect for maternity. They work with everything when your pregnant and you don’t want your belly to show. I have to say that it’s an item I could’ve used when I was pregnant with my boys.

Don’t know what size to get? Stick with your normal sizing. They fit true-to-size and they have spandex for extra stretch. Oh and my last piece of advice, buy more then one you’ll find yourself wanting to wear them with everything.

This post was written by Candice, and LA Mom of 2

Baltimore Mama is giving away one Blush Topless Undershirt, size Medium in Teal. Just send an email to baltimoremama@gmail.com to enter. Winner will be chosen at random and posted here on the blog Friday @ 10 am EST. Good Luck!

Something Unique for Mom

Face it, after the kids come along you are going to have limited time to shop for clothes. Picking something off the sale rack at Old Navy, or grabbing something off the rack at Target when you're there picking up diapers is not your ideal, but, you have to replace those holey yoga pants NOW. You do want to look cute, but, as you're chasing toddlers all day you need to comfortable and your clothes need to be easy to wash. Wildewear could be your solution. Wildewear is an Etsy seller that has eco-friendly threads that are as unique as you are, but, still completely wearable. These stylish threads look so comfortable, and at an affordable price tag, too.

Etsy: Handcrafted with Style

If there was ever a place online that has just what you're looking for, it's Etsy. It's like eBay in that it's a complete mish mash of products, but, with all handmade items. And it's not your grandmother's country craft fair items, either. You can find everything from fancy jewels, to baby bibs, to art for your walls, to furniture, to t-shirts. The prices alone will bring you back because these items are coming straight from the designer. I have been delighted with every purchase I have made on Etsy, and most every purchase has come with a special touch, wrapping, freebie, etc. The sellers really go the extra mile.

We are truly hooked on Etsy!

Here at BM, we'll frequently feature Etsy designers that have caught our eye.

The ERGO Baby Carrier

A baby carrier is a staple in the world of baby gear must-haves, but, with all the Baby Bjorns you see out on the streets, you wonder when people will catch on to all the wonderful baby wearing options there are these days. One of the top runners is the ERGO Baby Carrier.
I call the ERGO Baby Carrier the "more sophisticated Baby Bjorn", simply because it does so much more then the average carrier. Retailing at $92.00, you can use this as a front carrier, with a newborn (you must buy an addtional insert for $25.00), on the hip, or back. The carrier comes in a variety of gender neutral color schemes that papa will be happy to wear, too. And did I mention comfortable? The weight limit is 40 pounds. One of my favorite uses for my ERGO is for grocery shopping. I put my youngest child on my back and my preschooler in the cart and GO! When other carriers claim to make the parent hands free, this one truly does the trick!
You can have it all (and take it with you!) because there is a backpack that is designed to go over your carrier for $35.00.
Your local Baltimore ERGO baby carrier vendor is Bediboo.