ML Interest Tag: cloth-diapers

16 Reasons To Be Thankful You’re a Portland Parent

by Kelley Gardiner

Family is at the top of the list of things we are thankful for. And closely following that is the fact that we live in this incredible city. Even though there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 101 reasons to be thankful that we’re Portland parents, here are our top 16. Feel free to add yours to the list in our Comments below.

photo: Laurelhurst Park by Scott T. via Yelp

1. Portland Parks
We have miles and miles of beautiful natural beauty and a wide range of outdoor activities – all within the city limits, including roller skating along Tom McCall Waterfront Park, hiking and biking miles of forest at Forest Park, skateboarding at Pier Park and playtime on the inner city volcano, aka Mt. Tabor.

photo: Seven Virtues Coffee by Betty F. via Yelp

2. Coffee Shops with Kids’ Areas
Many of us busy parents are thankful for coffee. Portland has plenty of delectable coffee shops, and some of them even have kids’ play areas to give us a few minutes of peaceful with our sweet, sweet caffeine. Here’s a link to our favorite coffee shops with kids’ areas around town.

photo: HUB play area by Dayana J. via Yelp

3. Kid-friendly brew pubs
We love breweries with play areas for kids, like Hopworks Urban Brewery and Laurelwood Brewing Company. It’s the best of both worlds when you can order a kid-friendly meal, along with great adult food, then sip a brew while the kids play and you wait for food. These folks get us. They really get us.

photo: McMenamins Kennedy School movie theater via Yelp

4. Mommy Matinees at Kennedy School
Ah, those McMenamin brothers and their genius ideas. You can take your baby to the movies without worrying about your little angel waking up from their nap and yowling at the top of his lungs. You can even order beer and have food delivered to your seat.

photo: Cotton Babies by Lily M. via Yelp

5. Cotton Babies
If you’ve ever tried to figure out cloth diapers, surely you’ve given up and thrown your hands over your head at least once, exasperated at all the options. Portland parents have experts just across the river in Vancouver, who will gently guide you in choosing the best pocket diapers, all-in-ones and brands that suit your family. (Whew.)

 photo: Sauvie Island berry picking by Katrina Br*?#*!@nd via flickr

6. Sauvie Island
This rural getaway to farm country is close enough for a morning excursion, and families love going berry picking, checking out fall activities at the pumpkin patches, bird-watching, and exploring the beaches. (Just steer clear of the nude beach unless you’re up for a bracing lesson in anatomy.)

photo: Slappy Cakes by Claire and Amy A. via Yelp

7. Brunch Options
We love our brunch in this town and there’s a hot spot in just about every neighborhood. One of the gems in southeast, is Slappy Cakes, where everyone, including kids can get involved cooking their cakes right at the table. Squeeze shapes from batter bottles and add your own items, like chocolate chips or blueberries, without any of the grocery shopping or cleanup. The younger set is a lot less likely to get fidgety and fussy when they’re participating in making their own meals. Another one is Helser’s on Alberta with their uber kid-friendly atmosphere and giant, fluffy German pancakes – breakfast is served all day.

photo: Farmers Market by Matt Kowel via flickr

8. Farmers Markets
We have bountiful farmers’ markets in nearly every neighborhood, and they offer so much more than just-picked, seasonal produce. They also have oodles of fresh-baked breads, sweet jams, creamy chocolate and more from local artisans, as well as live music and cooking demonstrations.

photo: Green Bean Books by Jennifer G. via Yelp

9. Independent bookstores
What better way to spend a gray and drizzly afternoon than surrounded by dozens of enticing books? Many of these bookstores, like Green Bean Books, create community hubs for their neighborhoods by featuring cool craft and story times for tots.

photo: Multnomah County Central Library by Padraic via flickr

10. Libraries
All of the libraries around town play host to story times, crafts and cultural events for all ages, every week, all over the city – all for free!

photo: Oregon Coast by Loren Kerns via flickr

11. Day trips to the beach
Packing light and heading off for a carefree day at the beach is a simple and attainable joy for most Portlanders. Head west for about 2 hours, park it and you’re set for a relaxed day filled with crashing waves, sea breezes, shell-collecting and sand-digging.

photo: Mt. Hood Territory via flickr

12. Day trips to Mt. Hood
Usually, it’s pretty safe to assume that when it’s raining in Portland, it’s snowing on Mt. Hood. Head east for about an hour and a half to do a little – or a lot – of sledding in Government Camp. Don’t forget to stop at Joe’s Donut Shop in Sandy for coffee and treats on the way.

photo: Columbia Gorge by Chris Murphy via flickr

13. Columbia Gorge
The Gorge is filled with spectacular waterfalls only about 30 miles away. Multnomah Falls is the biggest and most popular, of course, but there are plenty more waterfalls and hikes in the area. Stop at Tad’s Chicken ‘n Dumplins on the way home for gigantic dumplings to warm your little ones up after a drizzly hike.

photo: Sunday Parkways by Sam Beebe via flickr

14. Sunday Parkways
Portland is a great place to ride bikes with your kids. No time is better than over the summer at Sunday Parkways. These monthly events, in a different section of town each time, close off 7-8 miles of roads to car traffic to let mountain bikes, trailers, tall bikes, Xtracycles, unicycles and cargo bikes through.

photo: Oaks Amusement Park by Mark S. via Yelp

15. Oaks Amusement Park
So much good old-fashioned fun, you won’t know where to start! This park’s been around since 1905 and offers up kiddie rides, thrill rides and mini golf in the summer, and roller skating year-round.

photo: Jamison Square Fountain by Sam Beebe via flickr

16. Other Portland parents
With baby groups, mompreneurs, thoughtful guidance at the playground and volunteers to make cool events happen, we’re thankful to have each other.

What are you thankful for as a Portland parent? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

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Bargain Babes: 5 Consignment Shops Worth Visiting

by Phebe Wahl

Until you had kids you didn’t really know that they actually grow like weeds. Your little seedlings can sprout up overnight making it hard to keep up with everything from soccer shoes to tutus. Buying and selling secondhand is a smart way to save money while they grow. Here’s the deal on five consignment shops ITP, and what they buy and sell.

Tater Tots
The bargains: Tucked away off 17th Street near Atlantic Station, Tater Tots boasts 4,800 square feet of kids’ loot. Flanking the entrance are dozens of strollers, bikes and outdoor toys. Once inside, you’ll find circular racks of brand-name clothes sized 0-10 (with a few 12 and 14s) and a nice selection of shoes. Delving further into the storehouse, you’ll find three more rooms dedicated to baby gear (swings, car seats, high chairs, etc.); toys, books and videos; and upscale cribs, bedding and heirloom clothing. This place pretty much has it all, sans maternity clothes. But be forewarned: with the overwhelming amount of toys they boast, if you bring your kids along to shop, you may have a hard time getting them to leave!

What you’ll score: Toys by the truckload and traditional togs

How to consign: Drop-ins are welcome, however it is recommended you call first to ask if they are taking new items, and what season for clothing. The consignor receives 50 percent of the tag price, less tax.

433 Bishop Street NW
Phone: 404-817-9393
Hours: Tue – Fri 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Rhubarb & Custard
The bargains: Conveniently located in Buckhead near East Andrews Drive, Rhubarb & Custard offers kids clothing sized 0-14, accessories and shoes; maternity clothing; as well as a sprinkling of gear, toys/books and decor. In an effort to please all price points, their clothing ranges from “new-with-tags Target brand to Janie and Jack to Burberry and smocked,” says owner Louise Boyce-Nyberg. The store also offers a selection of new, locally-designed gift items such as bows, art and puzzles.

What you’ll score: Loads of Lilly (Pulitzer) and smocked stuff

How to consign: Please call for an appointment. Their motto is “cute and clean” when it comes to clothing, and items should be less than three years old. Consignors receive 40 percent of the selling price. Gear and furniture are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

3265 Roswell Road NE
Phone: 404-474-9860
Hours: Mon – Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am – 5pm

Sweet Repeats
The bargains: This 30-year-old Buckhead establishment specializes in children’s and maternity clothing and shoes. A few strollers can be found scattered throughout the store, amongst the sprawling racks of clothing, sized 0-16 for girls and 0-20 for boys. Monogramming is also offered onsite; choose from bibs and bloomers or bring in your own items.

What you’ll score: Sweet southern smocked stuff and a boatload of bows

How to consign: Please call for an appointment. Spring/summer items are accepted from January through June while fall/winter items are from July through December. Items must be freshly laundered, in bags or boxes (no hangers), and under two years old. Forty percent of the selling price will be paid to the consignor.

800 Miami Circle
Phone: 404-261-7519
Hours: Mon – Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Baby Love
The bargains: Brace yourself, this place is much more than a consignment shop. Grant Park mom and owner Lauren Hise opened the consignment and gift boutique in order to give local parents a one-stop resource for all things child-related. In addition to consigned clothing, toys and gear and maternity clothing, the space houses a 700-square-foot studio with classes, camps and special event rental. A large variety of retail items are offered (they have a great selection of carriers and slings) and even a registry.

What you’ll score: Toys and gear galore plus good-condition gear like cloth diapers

How to consign: Summer clothing is accepted January through June and winter clothing July through December. Appointments are necessary for clothing and shoes, however gear and toys can be dropped off. The consignor receives 40 percent of the sale price, and in some cases toys will be bought outright at 30 percent cash. Note: Baby Love accepts clothing sized 0-5 while their sister store, Boomerang (located in the same shopping complex), takes clothing sized 6 up to women’s.

465 Boulevard Ave. SE, Ste. #101
Phone: 404-590-1380
Hours: Tues – Sat 11am – 6pm, Sun 2pm – 6pm

Jack and Jill
The bargains: In 2000, Lisa Doesburg, a former chef seeking to have her second child, bought this Avondale Estates business. Baby gear, furniture, toys and maternity clothes can be found throughout the shop in addition to a more casual stock of kids clothes sized 0-16.

What you’ll score: Books, DVDs and furniture as well as clothes

How to consign: Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 4:30pm, drop-ins are welcome. Appointments must be made on Saturdays. Items must be in a box, bin or basket. Outright cash or store-credit offers are made at the end of the appointment. They accept spring/summer clothing from February through June, and fall/winter clothing from August through December.

88 North Avondale Road
Phone: 404-508-0611
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30am – 5:30pm, Thursdays until 7:00pm

Where do you swap out your stuff? Tell us below!

–Anna Cate Little and Phebe Wahl

Photo courtesy of Tater Tots via Facebook, Rhubarb and Custard via Facebook, Sweet Repeats via Facebook, Baby Love and Jack and Jill Cosignment via Facebook

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Inside the Totally Awesome Nappy Shoppe with Sharni Vaughan

by writerredtri

There’s a to love about Nappy Shoppe, the premier local source of natural, eco-friendly parenting products in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. In addition to offering a wide variety of classes and special in-store events, this unique community hotspot specializes in cloth diapers, baby carries, nursing supplies, teething needs, and more. Is it any wonder that Nappy Shoppe was your Totally Awesome pick for best baby and maternity shop and best mom-run business?

Nappy Shoppe owner recently took the time to chat with us about what makes her store awesome, how she balances business with parenthood, and more. Read on:
Red Tricycle: Congratulations on being voted “Most Awesome” by your community! What do you think your customers value most about your business?

Sharni Vaughan: Our customers love our in depth customer service. When someone walks in the door we will spend the time with them showing them the products they are interested in, answering their questions, letting them try out the carriers that we sell and more. They love the classes that we hold and they love the sense of community that we offer in store.

RT: What inspired you to start your business?

SV: I saw a need for a product, which was a cloth diaper insert, that no one else seemed to offer. And I was inspired to take my business from online only, to a brick and mortar when I saw there was a real need in the Dallas Fort Worth area for a place to see cloth diapers, baby carriers etc. in person. To get answers face to face.

RT: Any advice for new business owners just getting started?

SV: Be prepared to put in the hours.  Many people start a website thinking that if they build it they will come. This is simply not the case. A successful small business requires time put into it, and not simply a basic 40 hour week. Be prepared to put in more hours than the average employee. Be passionate about what you do, customers sense it when you love what you do.

RT: Can you give us one tip for balancing entrepreneurship with parenthood?

SV: Set aside time that is family time, and keep it only that. I learned the hard way that it is important to NOT work at certain times and devote those times to your family. For me when I leave the store and come home of an evening, I am done with working on store things. I don’t do bookwork, or website work at home. I do it all at my store. And my day off is Sunday, and I spend that time totally devoted to my family.

RT: What is your proudest moment as a business owner or parent?

SV: As a business owner, the month of August 2013 was a great time. We were acknowledged by the Dallas Area Breastfeeding Alliance for our support of breastfeeding mothers. We had our 5th birthday celebrations and had an overwhelming amount of regular customers turn up to the events to support us, and then we capped off the month by winning not one but two Red Tricycle awards.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?

SV: Yes! RT readers can receive a free Credible Cravings Nutrition Bar with a purchase of $25 or more.

Intrigued by Nappy Shoppe? Follow this totally awesome business on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram!

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