Colorado photographer, Mandy Penn wanted to put a smile on everyone’s face during the pandemic. Penn, who is a huge Friends fan, wanted to incorporate her favorite show into one of her photo shoots. She put out a casting call and the rest is pure magic.
The idea first came to her when her friend was pregnant with twin girls. Penn said, “Since I was just starting to do newborns I ran the idea of a Friends themed photo shoot for her girls past her.” Once she got her friend on board Penn ran with the idea, searching for props and a couch. When all she could find was a $200 couch she called up her good friend who offered to make the couch for her from scratch. Next, she needed to find the props, from a foosball table to a lobster to a turkey hat. She even included a smelly cat. Penn didn’t leave out one detail.
Chandler
Monica
Ross
Rachel
Joey
Phoebe
Penn waited until her friend delivered her twins and scheduled the shoot for when the babies were 11 days old. Penn put out a model call for three boys and one girl between the ages of 5 to 14 days old. Soon, she had the gang assembled.
According to Penn, the babies did great with the shoot. Could they be any cuter?
A newborn shadow box is a beautiful way to display baby treasures like the hospital ID bracelet, birth announcement, going-home outfit, and first teeny hat. A baby shadow box is quick to DIY (just three steps!) and makes a special addition to your nursery. You’ll never forget the details of the amazing day you met your babe.
First, decide what to display. You could include a sonogram, baby's first photo, hospital ID bracelet, hospital hat, first socks or booties, baby's going-home outfit, the first pacifier, birth announcement, tiny footprints, crib shoes, or a piece of a beloved swaddling blanket. We love what Alli from Taking Care of Monkey Business included in hers (see above).
Head to your favorite craft store (or open Amazon) to pick up items for your keepsake shadow box. First, you'll need the shadow box itself. We like the Studio Decor 4-Way Adjustable Shadow Box because it's flexible in depth so it can accommodate larger items like crib shoes or lovies. It's also sized well for this project at 12 inches square.
And finally, you'll need something to hold your keepsakes in place inside the shadow box. Try a few pretty pearlized pins or mini clothespins so you don't have to cover your keepsakes in glue. Visit the Or So She Says blog to see how Aimee put her shadow boxes together.
Make sure to capture all the giggles—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
They’re your go-to for stamps, and but when’s the last time you bought birthday presents for your children from the United States Postal Service? Turns out, not only can you buy shipping supplies and stamps online, the USPS has an extensive online shop full of toy trucks, cool t-shirts, toddler costumes, and more. We scoured through the site to bring you our top favorites here.
Editor’s note: At the time of publication all items were in stock. We’ll try to keep this post updated with items that are still available but they go quick!
USPS Post Office Tent
The USPS partnered with Kid Trax for this awesome play tent. Now your mini mail carriers can act out in real style!
Even if you’re not one of those people that allow Christmas to start the day after Halloween, you might have to admit that this year it’s been creeping in– with recommendations to shop early, you might be compiling a list already! If your holiday gift list is looking slim so far, we’ve rounded up the best recommendations from local Portland stores for the whole family– Dad, Mom, Big Kid, and Baby. Read on for some great ideas from great local places to check out!
Get your plant dad a stunning Staghorn Fern Plaque to grace his wall-- these large antler-like fronds are like a piece of living taxidermy: a dramatic statement for any man cave or living room! Local plant gurus Pistils Nursery have been in business for 20 years, sharing the gift of green and gently encouraging those with blacker thumbs. Their flagship store on Mississippi, along with a new location in Slabtown showcase everything from rare and unusual plants to the coveted swiss cheese monsteras, along with chic planters, pots, and accessories. If Dad is still growing his plant passion, try a ZZ Plant (otherwise known as Zamioculcas amiifolia). One of the most low maintenance houseplants around, this is a great "set it and forget it" plant -- at least for a few weeks at a time.
Tucked into Old Town/Chinatown, Laundry is like a candy store for the sports-loving Dad in your life. Full of thoughtfully curated vintage merch (like jerseys, caps and tees) from a wide variety of sports and sports brand, you can cross a few things off your list here in no time. For the Blazers fan, find Damian Lillard and Andre Miller jerseys, or go further afield with a bright orange Netherlands soccer jersey, among hundreds of others. And they have kids sizes, too!
Laundry 140 NW 4th Ave Portland, OR Online: laundrypdx.com
Maybe you have absolutely zero idea what Dad wants-- that's totally normal. Hop over to Boys Fort, where you'll find dozens of options for the Dad who has everything. Formerly downtown, they've moved their store into Urbanite on SE Grand Ave but kept it packed full of goodies, like leather wallets, unique decor, stylish Portland maps, books, hot sauce, and even an Albert Einstein pint glass, all geared toward the modern Dad. If you're still at a loss, ask them to help-- you'll walk away with an expertly curated set of gifts in no time.
Inside Urbanite 1005 SE Grand Ave Portland, OR Online: boysfort.com
Gifts for Moms
New Planner from Little Otsu
Courtesy of Little Otsu
For the Mom brimming with ideas, plans, schedules, or creative brainstorming, head to Little Otsu to get her all decked out. You'll find beautiful paper goods and from all over the world that will make her home office pop and inspire! Get her set for 2022 with this vibrant planner from England, or brighten up her desk with a colorful Italian stapler.
Mom can jot down all her ideas in a myriad of journals, with fountain pens, colored pencils, highlighters, and more. Don't miss the sweet collection of books and zines, including great options for kids.
A vibrant store melding color, vintage, adults, kids, European style and American fun into one warm experience, the Yo! Store is ready to knock a few things off your list. Founded in 2016, they've been sourcing quality goods from small independent makers worldwide for years, culminating in a store that's like having your best friend say "here, try this."
You'll find clothes (quilted jackets! stylish sweatpants! polka dot sweaters!), jewelry, bags, and colorful socks for mom, but don't stop there. Stuff her stocking with nail polish and candles before moving on to the kids sections, where adorable clothes, books, and toys await.
The Yo! Store 935 NW 19TH Ave. Portland, OR Online: yoportland.com/
Get mom a warming blend of tea with chai spices, complete with foraged Doug fir tips at this home brewed apothecary. You'll also find hand crafted brooms, candles, artwork, and journals alongside the house line, full of rose-scented face serums, mineral makeup, herbal tinctures, and bitters.
Roots and Crowns Apothecary 1812 NW 24th Ave. Portland, OR Online: rootsandcrowns.com
Gifts for Kids
Cheeseburger Pillow from Black Wagon
Courtesy of Black Wagon
This Mississippi Street store is chock full of fun, for kids ages 0-14 (and up)! Even the most teen of pre-teens won't be able to resist this soft cheeseburger floor pillow-- they're designed for all ages, tough enough for interactive play yet cozy enough for catching up on their favorite shows, games, and creative activities.
Or test their skills on Christmas Day with a wooden pinball set, along with a huge variety of puzzles, games, and musical instruments next to a whole wall of adorable clothes.
Black Wagon Kids 3964 N Mississippi Ave. Portland, OR Online: blackwagon.com
This adorable store has found a new home inside Cargo, an import shop that's been in business for over 20 years (and is worth checking out in it's own right!). With a background in animation, owner Amy has expertly curated the small space so that everywhere you look there's something bright, colorful, amusing, and whimsical. Bright journals, kids books, vintage toys, ceramics, and even those rubber finger monsters mingle together in a fun and inspiring space. Your only problem will be which things to bring home with you, and which leaves to come back for later!
Being a kid is hard work sometimes, and Spielwerk gets that. That's why they stock their store with all the best tools of childhood: toys, games, puzzles, and more that helps kids think creatively, solve problems, and goof around. Find your child's new favorite friend here with a wooden gnome home, or a whimsical fairy doll. And stay tuned-- they're working on launching their own line here in Portland!
The folks at Green Bean Books are the best kind, ready to offer you their favorite new book along with a secret smile. Full of kids books of all kinds, head here to start Baby off right with a set of adorable board books.
Their top picks this year are:
What's in the Box? written by Isabel Otter illustrated by Joaquin Camp. An interactive lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel book with a plethora of boxes to open with silly things inside. Perfect for baby's gift opening practice during the holidays.
Dog's First Baby by Natalie Nelson. A new baby's impact from a dog's perspective: very sweet and charming. Don't worry, a cat one is scheduled to be released in March too!
Where Is Everyone? by Tom Schamp. An interactive lift-the-flap with goofy animal characters doing ridiculous things to discover.
The newest people in the world deserve the best things-- get the baby in your life this adorable Woodland Activity Blanket from Grasshopper, full of sensory bumps and crackling paper. Located on Alberta St, this store serves up a wide range of goodies for the little ones in your life, from babies and up! Useful items along with thoughtful design combine to offer goods that even adults will want to play with, like these sweet Babyoshka nesting dolls. You'll also find books, clothes, art, puzzles, games, baby essentials, and so much more!
“Welcome to our home—what’s left of it.” National Lampoon fans need to add this set to their Christmas décor! The Griswold Holiday House looks just like the original in the beloved movie with plenty of flashing lights to spread cheer.
Grab this house on Amazon for $160 and get it in time to decorate. LED lights illuminate using an AC adaptor and the lights can be steady or changed to blinking. It’s hand-crafted and hand-painted so it will last for years to come. With 713 five star reviews, the house is obviously a hit!
You’ll want to buy the accompanying figurines to complete the scene. “Fire it Up Dad” depicts Clark in his iconic holiday pose. “Cousin Eddie” is clad in his familiar bathrobe and fur hat. And the “Griswold Family Tree” is so big it droops over the station wagon, root system still attached.
Department 56 makes these pieces and has plenty of other festive sets to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a Hogwarts Hall or a North Pole village, your living space is about to get a fun upgrade!
Calling all Wizards and Muggles! If you’re looking for a magical getaway, we have the spot for you. Head to the Blue Ridge Mountains and claim this castle, decked out with all the details a true fan will appreciate.
The Wizards Hollow is one of five treehouses that make up the “Treehouses of Serenity” outside of Asheville, NC. The owners have made it their own version of Hogwarts and it’s almost 600 square feet of enchantment. Consult the sorting hat to claim your house flag, discover the invisible cloak, or simply collapse into one of two queen beds with perfect Potter décor.
You’ll also find a spiral staircase leading to a loft with an additional bed—look on the steps for some extra fun details. Even the bathroom gets in on the fun with some special surprises. Don’t forget to look for the owls around the house!
Outside, the castle boasts a sprawling deck and firepit, perfect for lounging while you sip on Butterbeer. You’ll be treated to mountain views and you’re only 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, assuming you ever want to leave.
This Airbnb is rightfully quite popular and it’s booked up until May 2021. The good news is that on November 1 at 8 am ET, you can hop on to reserve your spot for the first available month. At $364 per night, it’s well worth a special getaway!
Santa hats, stuffies, Christmas decor, and visits from big red himself!
Everybody looks forward to Christmas card photos with cute babies. You don’t need to be a seasoned photographer or Pinterest pro to take them; you just need one great photo idea. And we have nine ideas for your baby’s first Christmas card that’ll put them front and center in that holiday photo.
Snowbaby
iStock
A white swaddling blanket or long t-shirt, a colorful scarf, and a hat are all it takes to turn your baby into a wintery snowman, I mean, snow baby. Pose a stuffed snowman alongside for an added touch and everyone who sees the photos will want to give your child warm hugs.
Plan a pre-holiday visit from Santa to get some memorable photos for your baby's first Christmas card. A beloved grandparent, friend, or even dad can play the role of the big guy to create moments they'll both treasure.
A Favorite Stuffed Animal
iStock
A favorite stuffie is a great way to keep your child from howling their way through holiday card photos. Baby will love on their stuffie like they always do, leading to adorable photos. Re-create the photo with the same stuffed animal every year to show how much your child has grown.
Baby Santa
iStock
Sometimes the simplest setup turns into the most incredible photos. A Santa hat is all you need to convey the Christmas spirit and capture some snaps of your child touching it, holding it, pulling it off, or falling asleep with it on.
Santa’s Legs as a Backdrop
If your baby is still learning to sit, leaning back against Santa’s legs will help you get the shot. This photo idea from Precious Moments Photography gives you a fun new way to incorporate Santa as a backdrop. Black boots, white fuzzy fabric, and red fabric positioned to look like pants are all you need for the Santa stand-in. Bonus: That person can also help keep your little one entertained and looking picture-perfect during the shoot.
Baby in a Gift Box
iStock
What better way to convey that babies are a gift? To create your gift box, cut off the flaps on one side and cover the box with holiday wrapping paper. Add a big bow—to both the box and your baby—and pop your little one inside. Babies and toddlers usually enjoy being in boxes, so the smiles and cute expressions should come naturally. If they don't, add small toys that stay out of sight.
Take advantage of the beach for your child's holiday card debut. Take a cue from Danielle May Photography and build a sandman that will give friends and family warm fuzzies this winter.
An assortment of colorful ornaments in deep jewel tones, classic red and green, or gold and white helps you re-create this card idea from Shanna Simpson Photography. Mix in glittery, matte, and traditional balls for extra dimension, and let your beautiful baby shine in the center.
With white holiday lights, leg warmers, and a fluffy mat, you can re-create this cozy holiday photo from Red Lotus Photography for your baby's first Christmas card. Vary the shot by swapping the leg warmers for other cute holiday gear.
with additional reporting by Eva Ingvarson Cerise
Make sure to capture all the memories—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.
If you’re looking for costume ideas more unique than what you’ll find at Target or on Amazon, may we suggest Etsy? Not only will you get a quality kids’ Halloween costume, but you can find everything from Halloween costumes for 9-year-olds to dinosaur costumes and even some of the most popular Halloween costumes of the year. We’ve searched the Etsy Halloween Shop and found 13 adorable costumes for kids, scroll down to see them all.
Thinking about doing a Little Red Riding Hood theme this year? This beautiful grey wolf costume can be bought as an entire outfit or you can go with the furry hood and tail and add matching pajamas or pants and a shirt yourself.
You know that they're the ones feeding your Starbucks addiction so why not have your little one decked out as your favorite beverage this Halloween. Bonus: the onesie can be worn even after Halloween.
Not only are there several different colors to choose from, but you can have this costume customized as well. Maybe your tot is going at Chef Louie from The Little Mermaid, or maybe your grade school kid worships the Food Network. Either way, this is a fun costume idea that will get play well after Halloween is over. Sizes range from 2T - 14Y.
The Mistress of All Evil would approve of this Halloween costume for kids. You can start with the cape and add on other things like the horns and dress for an added cost. Sizes range from 2T - 12Y.
This sweet sweatshirt comes in black or white, and sizes range from baby to adult, which makes it easy to create a Game of Thrones, Mother of Dragons costume. Plus, it’s super comfy, so little ones won’t be pulling or complaining about itchy sequins or polyester. Sizes range from 1T to adult.
A gorgeous version of a classic kids’ Halloween costume, you’ll get the bodice, tulle skirt and hat. We can see this being a popular addition to your kids’ dress-up bin! Sizes range from newborn to 9Y.
Who doesn’t love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang? This simple shirt needs only to be paired with pants and a little curl drawn on the forehead, and is especially cute on a bald baby. Throw in a Snoopy costume, and you’re ready to go. Sizes range from newborn to 6T.
Salute the health care workers who have been on the front line of the pandemic with a set of scrubs. You can have it customized, and there are several colors to choose from. Sizes range from 2T - 16Y.
One of literature's most beloved protagonists comes to life with the adorable Madeline costume. You can opt to buy the dress only, or buy the dress and hat as a combo.
Here in California, we are back in a semi-lock down. It’s not quite as intense as it was back in the spring, but our parks are closing and the overall message is STAY HOME! Now, don’t get me wrong…I’m 100% on board with this plan. Our ICU’s beds are filling fast and I want as many people to stay safe and healthy and I will do everything I can to ensure not just my family, but our entire country stays safe. This is truly a “We’re All in This Together” moment—thank you “High School Musical.”
But, that doesn’t change the fact that I am sad—sad about plans that won’t come to fruition, sad for plans I hadn’t yet had time to make, sad that I really can’t change anything about our current Groundhog Day situation.
I had a really great idea to do a bunch of outdoor socially distanced experiences for Chanukah this year. No gifts, just quality family time at the Oakland Zoo Glowfari and other really awesome outdoor exhibits! Well, that’s canceled. We also were hoping to go camping over the holiday break. (Yes, we live in California where you can camp in December). We love camping and we love going on outdoor adventures and under the current restrictions, that is not allowed (except in our back yard).
Back in the spring, I felt like every day I would wake up with a new thought about something that I won’t be able to do or that I can’t make happen for my family and it caused this constant low-level melancholy. So, this time around, I am trying something new. I am going to actively say goodbye to future planning and expectations. Yes, folks, I am going to journal!!!! Let me be clear, I am not a journal-er. It is not in my DNA to open a beautifully bound notebook and write out all of my thoughts. All the power in the world to those of you who do that daily. My hat goes off to you…but, it hasn’t been, until now, for me.
So, I think I am going to take a page from my kids. I will be drawing, doodling, painting my plans, and drawing my expectations in stick figures and cartoons with the sophisticated medium of crayons and magic markers. But, every day, instead of waking up to low-level melancholy, I am going to make a little piece of art that represents something I would like to be able to do, but can’t. I will use the time while I am creating to say goodbye and let go of looking ahead. By letting go of expectations, I’m hoping to remind myself of the beauty of right now and living in the moment. Anyone want to join me on the “goodbye and let go” journal project? Find me on insta @creativparenting for more information. This is a grand experiment. I would love to know if it works…for you and for me!
Nina Meehan is CEO and Founder Bay Area Children's Theatre and the host of the Creative Parenting Podcast. An internationally recognized expert in youth development through the arts, Nina nurtures innovation by fostering creative thinking. She is mom to Toby (13), Robby (10) and Meadow (5).
September is Curiosity Month with Curious George. And clearly, you have three good reasons to get in on the fun and celebrate! In honor of Curious George creator H.A. Rey’s birthday, a whole month is dedicated to encouraging children to be curious—just like the beloved (and quite mischievous!) little monkey.
We have a hunch your little ones are already pretty skilled at exploring, creating and using their imaginations. (That old-box-turned-robot residing in the living room is seriously impressive). But as any parent knows, new activities—that you don’t have to Google!—come in handy and are sure to delight. Download this free Curiosity Month Party Kit to host a gathering in your backyard, school, or library. Included in the kit are invitations, place cards, fun drawing pages, cutout masks, and more to spur creativity. These activities are great for keeping little hands busy, while they learn and discover new things.
Be sure to bring out some of your family’s favorite Curious George books for storytime. Curious George: Curious About Fall is a perfect pick for this time of year.
Good news, mom or dad: you can be the honorary “Man With the Yellow Hat” as you keep tabs on your own adorable, lovable “monkey.”
