It isn’t Thanksgiving without some turkey! While we all enjoy a lovely, juicy bird at the dinner table, Baskin Robbins wants to mix things up.
The Turkey Cake has returned for all your imposter tricks. Made with the ice cream of your choice then topped with two sugar cone legs and a caramel praline topping glaze, this cake will give your actual turkey a run for its money.
If you’re looking for a more manageable dessert with no carving required, you’ll want to grab a cone of Baskin Robbins’ newest flavor, Snickerdoodle Chai. This seasonal flavor is made of a combination of snickerdoodle dough chunks, vanilla chai flavored ice cream and a cinnamon swirl.
Both treats will be offered at Baskin-Robbins locations throughout the month of November, while supplies last. Want a sweet deal? Baskin-Robbins is offering $5 off any cake purchase of $35 or more through November 25 and a free kids scoop starting on Thanksgiving Day through November 30with a purchase of $15 or more.
“Remember when we (insert awesome experience)?” Families make the best memories… but they tend to get a little foggy as the years go by. Kids can capture the good times and help your family relive great adventures and special holiday moments together. (It’s priceless to see them from a child’s perspective!). Here’s how:
1. Interview Your Crew
There’s nothing better than hearing about special moments and discovering new stories. Your child can come up with questions to ask grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins and film their interviews on their Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch. Featuring dual cameras to film videos and snap pics, they can store up to 3,000 640 x 480 pixels photos or 30 minutes of 320 x 240 pixels video. It’s easy to transfer content right to a computer to save and share.
2. Be the Family Filmmaker
Whether they want to turn interviews into a family documentary, capture the best times from a vacation or make a silly skit with their sibling, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch can make it happen.
3. Do a DIY Photo Album
Aside from saving one-of-a-kind videos, kids can use their Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch to customize photos with decorative stickers and borders. Transfer to a computer and print them out to make an album of their favorite people, celebrations, holidays and good times.
4. Make a Memory Jar
Who doesn’t love reflecting back on good times? Simply fill a mason jar with photos of your family’s favorite memories—playing boardwalk games on a vacation, doing a puzzle with grandma on Christmas, building a fort in the backyard… the list is endless. Anyone in the family can add to the jar whenever the mood strikes. Pull out the photos whenever you’d like to reminisce and feel thankful. Kids can customize the jars by decorating with stickers, paint, ribbon, colorful tape and gems. Jars can also be filled with memorabilia like sand and shells from a beach, or tickets and trinkets from a trip exploring a new city.
5. Get Crafty
Kids can draw, paint or make a collage of family members or special experiences. You’ll love looking back at how they depict life’s little details at that moment in time—daddy’s glasses, mommy reading a book, big sis kicking a soccer ball. As every parent knows, the days are long, but the years are short. Beautiful art projects that capture those days mean a lot as your children grow!
There’s nothing like back-to-school shopping to get everyone excited about fall and getting back to class. This is what you’ll find at local NYC boutiques for back-to-school gear, clothes and more, for kids just starting school or those too cool for it. (i.e, your seven-year-old, etc.) Read on to send your kid to school in style!
Annie’s Blue Ribbon General Store
STATE
An “everything but the kitchen sink” independent shop, Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store has many great backpacks at various price points (including State Bags, shown here, that have a compelling “Give Back” model). Plus, lunch boxes such as Yumboxes that make it really easy to pack lunch thanks to little compartments, as well as lots of Stainless Steel options too. To pack along with lunch, Blue Ribbon sells lunch box notes and to write thoughtful and fun messages for your kid. They also have several teaching games and tools, such as multiplication flashcards, sight word cards, games for learning about money, math, reading, and maps too!
This year, CAMP has so many fun and unique products that would make any kid excited to hit the books again. With four shops between Manhattan and Brooklyn, it’s your one-stop back-to-school shop for play, media and merchandise that’s enriching and, of course, fun. Popular items include Ooly Left-Right Ergonomic Crayons, colorful EPIC everyday backpacks, corkboards, unicorn erasers, and CAMP's own signature duffle bag.
Popular items for kids returning to school this year at Smoochie Baby include CarlijnQ Backpacks—an all-organic brand from the Netherlands—Old Soles Champsters high-tops, the Rowdy Sprout Frank Zappa tee, My Little Cozmo Dakota Sherpa Jacket and Fairwell sweats.
110 Berry St. Williamsburg 718-384-3340 Online: smoochiebaby.com
Your local independent bookstore is also often a great place for distinctive writing materials. Book Culture, which has four locations sells pencils, pens and groovy notebooks, as well as stylish ways to tote them around, like pencil cases, backpacks and more.
26-09 Jackson Ave. Long Island City 718-440-3120 Online: bookculture.com
536 W. 112th St. Morningside Heights 2915 Broadway Morningside Heights
Not many second-hand kids' clothes shops remain, but Jane's Exchange, the largest and oldest children's and maternity Store in NYC, recently opened its second storefront in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Fashion-wise, new this season are fall corduroy pants, overalls, and overall pinafores. High-quality basics from Mini Boden, Hanna Andersen, Primary, Milo, Rock Your Kid are all the rage in shades of softer greys, browns, muted colors and animal prints. Plus, sneakers from Jordans to Vans are attracting kids of all ages.
Another option for scoring some gently-used (or even new!) kids' clothes is the new online kid's consignment shop Consignment4kids.com. The virtual secondhand shop was Started by an NYC mom (and Tinybeans contributor!) who wanted to give hardly-worn pieces another chance to shine, while also providing fellow parents some bargains, and the possibility of earning a few bucks. Consignment4kids.com is stocked with clothes and accessories for boys and girls from infant to age eight. Brands you'll find in the store include Jacadi, Pink Chicken and Polo Ralph Lauren, and items are priced to move! Pickup and dropoff can be arranged for a small fee, or you can mail in items. If your merch doesn't sell after 90 days Consignment4kids will donate the items for you to organizations like Room to Grow and Goodwill.
Recently featured in Humans of New York, Grandma’s Place is your one-stop-shop for toys, games, and books—it’s a real neighborhood gem in Harlem. Many books and toys they sell have an ethnic focus, such as the books Tea Cakes for Tosh, Sulwe, Curls, and the coloring book Princess Planet. Outdoor, musical, and Melissa & Doug toys are also available.
Parachute Brooklyn offers gently used modern and vintage clothing for kids ages 0-10. The boutique also carries a selection of new accessories as well as small-batch, one-of-a-kind pieces from local designers with a focus on upcycled materials. Big hits this fall include Parkland backpacks, socks from Happy Socks and Little Stocking Co., hair accessories from Chunks and Wunderkin Co., Umbrellas from Hipster Kid, and quilted jackets from SAJ. The shop’s selection of second-hand jackets and sweaters are among the top sellers this season.
It’s fashion-forward in this downtown NYC shop. Babesta’s newest collection of Rowdy Sprout T-shirts are in, and they're essential for making a style statement this fall. Tagless and made in LA, there's a Rowdy Sprout t-shirt for every music fan, big and little.
56 Warren St. Tribeca 646-290-5508 Online: babesta.com
A DUMBO destination for families with kids for, Two Kids and a Dog sells a mix of baby, kid and tween goods. Here’s where you’ll find a ton of toys, kids' clothing, shoes, scooters, birthday gifts and more—i.e., a well-curated inventory of a little bit of everything. Pick up your child’s high-quality essentials here, such as colorful water bottles from Eco vessel and Swell, backpacks from Herschel and Parkland, and lunch boxes from Yumbox and Omielife.
This one-of-a-kind gift shop carries everything from New York-themed mugs and baby gear, to swirly pastel chalk and Grow-Your-Own-Unicorn toy eggs. Staffers say all things organizing are hot for back-to-school, such as the Julie Mollo clutches shown here, whimsical “To-do” pads, feelings trackers, and general self-care goods.
617 Flatbush Ave. (between Fenimore Street and Rutland Road) Prospect Lefferts Gardens 718-928-7484 Online: awesomebrooklyn.com
Now that the summer is officially fading (sad, we know), it’s time to step up our fall decor game—what better decor style to channel than fan-favorite farmhouse chic? We took a deep dive into Amazon’s webiverse and found some pretty amazing deals and steals (a gorgeous pillow below is just $11!). So if you’re like us and want to spruce up your home with some autumn spirit (with a healthy bent towards white-washed items and natural fibers), check out the below and snag this fall decor that can be on your farm-inspired doorstep in two-days flat.
Ticking (the durable blue and white stripe fabric traditionally found on mattresses and bedding) gets a modern update with a faux leather accent. Available in five colors, this 18" x 18" pillow is such a steal you can outfit an entire bench or sofa with these decorative cushions.
Quite possibly our favorite find on Amazon, these versatile faux potted plants come in a handy tray and work as a centerpiece (as shown above) for when you have guests over, or you can break up the set and use them to decorate around the house (and use the tray for collecting letters or wayward keys), or keep them together and put them in the windowsill—adding a touch of greenery to your life without the commitment of keeping something else alive.
Collections are a farmhouse decor staple. Whether you want to add to a current collection or use these as your starter set, these multi-purpose ceramics can be filled with flowers from the yard or elegantly styled on a bookshelf.
This mix of white pumpkins and gourds will match any style of fall decor. Made from high-quality dense foam, the gourd and pumpkin set comes in an off-white color that can be kept as-is or be painted if you're super crafty! Can you ever have enough pumpkins come autumn? We think not.
Rustic decor is at home during the fall season, and this galvanized metal milk jug is the perfect place to add some faux florals. Dried lavender, cotton buds, sprigs of eucalyptus or strands of berries would bring the perfect festive vibe.
This is currently on sale at Amazon, for $15 when you apply the coupon!
Nothing is more low maintenance than faux florals and these dried-cotton stems add the perfect amount of rustic and fall-inspired look while being neutral enough to match any style.
Purchase 15 bolls (8 stems) for $10 right now on Amazon.
This wood sign hits all the farmhouse elements we love—a bit of rustic ribbon, some black and white buffalo check, a touch of fans eucalyptus that results in a warm welcome for family and friends.
Soften up your fall look with some comfy and themed throw pillows. Whether you like buffalo check, solids or cute printed designs like this Happy Harvest farmhouse version, there are tons of pillow options to check out.
Nothing says a change of seasons like a new wreath added to the front door. This grapevine and faux pip berry wreath can be personalized with your choice of ribbon and your choice of scent!
The return of fall means relaxing on the couch with a cozy blanket and a good book. This gray and cream plaid throw blanket is neutral enough to match almost any decor style while still giving off that warm feel.
This durable, non-slip doormat made of coconut coir fibers is warm and welcoming for anyone that shows up at your door—and helps keep dust and dirt at bay.
The day after Labor Day, as I swaddled Uncle Sam in bubble wrap and folded the red-white and blue buntings from the porch posts, stuffing them into the blue bin along with the patriotic wreath from the front door, I began to dread Christmas. I am in the blank period, one of the rare months of the year when my mantles are bare with no holiday decorations popping with color against white and cream walls.
Only January and September really, is when my house feels void of celebration, more so perhaps now, as my sons’ boxes and bins fill his room where once there was a train table. He is ready to go back to college after the longest Spring Break ever. Last year he came home in March and never left. For a time, that was literal. Our family of four never stepped beyond the white fence that separates the rose bushes from the sidewalk and there, in the front yard, we played corn hole nightly, waving at neighbors who crossed to the other side of the street in their masks, less the potential COVID-filled spittle from our cheerful hellos drift on the spring breeze through their K-95s. Weeks drifted into months and I couldn’t believe we were still holed up in the house when I took out the box of patriotic holiday decorations in May of 2020, then put it back in September, still waving at masked neighbors from 30 feet away. I bought a Halloween-themed facemask. Then I got a Christmas one of pinecones dotted with glitter.
Ours has long been a Christmas house. I have a dozen bins of decorations that I’ve treasured for decades. We’ve hosted an annual Christmas Eve party for as many as 80 people over the years. More recently it has been more like 30-40, as friends have moved to new cities or on to new traditions within their clans. But last year it was just us four. I decorated as usual, trying to bring some semblance of magic to the 28 walls that enclosed us for 9 months, a gestation period that gave birth to nothing but fear in my mind, and, perhaps an ulcer housed somewhere near my womb. And there we all sat on the couch, eating cookies, listening to Christmas music and watching Rudolph. It was lovely in a way. It was just about us, and the love for my most treasured people in the world. It was easier, less stressful, at least if you didn’t think about overflowing ICUs or the coming election. But it was also lonely. Hosting has long inspired me: a reason to cook, to shop, to wrap, to sprinkle my pixie dust on every surface. An excuse not to dust those garland-covered shelves and nooks of books. But as I boxed up those 12 bins of Santas and stockings and lighted branches of plastic pine and holly, I felt so unseen. Suddenly the three other people who were always underfoot weren’t. My efforts to create magic must indeed be magical to them because they are rarely around when what goes up comes down.
Last week, as I put away my blatant patriotism, wondering all the while if I even feel patriotic in this era of acerbic division, I am dreading finding my glittery pinecone facemask atop the boxes of gold and red ornaments. I dread wearing it to the grocery store along with my festive “Merry and Bright” sweater, knowing we may not have our party this year either. My sister and her family have moved to Montana. My husband’s siblings have refused to get vaccinated. Perhaps we’ll never have the party again now that our friends and family have learned that they can make alternate plans.
My son moves out next week. He’s taking with him the surfboards and guitars, the lamp and the desk chair along with the collages of photos of his friends that color his room like a ceaseless celebration. The boxes and bins of his life will be stored in another place as I say goodbye not just to him, but to his things.
Surely his homecomings for Thanksgiving and Christmas will inspire me to decorate. Surely the boxes of pumpkins and leaves and pinecone strands entwined with ribbon still have a place in my nest without birds? Please tell me I am not too old and tired to keep making magic. Please tell me that one of the losses from this pandemic is not the loss of my holiday spirit. Tell me that the love expressed through all our traditions and the memories of a childhood of celebrations are so expansive they can’t fit into any box.
Suzanne Weerts is a producer, writer and storyteller who (pre-pandemic) shared tales from her life on stages across Southern California. Lately she's been indulging in way too much wine and chocolate while trying to change the world in conversations with friends on Zoom.
Are pickles your favorite? Now Disneyland has a menu item you can’t miss! As if a trip to the theme park wasn’t a treat in itself, you can take a break from the attractions and nab a hot dog stuffed in a pickle with a panko crust.
You read that right! The Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs Cart in the Downtown Disney District has panko-crusted hot dogs neatly stuffed inside a whole pickle. While this might sound sort of odd, it’s all your fave flavors rolled into one.
photo: Disney Parks Blog
Not only does Disneyland have this kind of crazy corn dog delight, you can get the panko-covered dream with a side of peanut butter. For those of you who haven’t tried the super-secret taste sensation of peanut butter and pickles—it’s a flavor profile you need to know. Forget about PB and J, PB and P (that’s for pickles) is a tasty treat you’ll crave.
Just in case a panko-crusted fried pickle covered hot dog with a sweet and salty side of peanut butter isn’t your idea of fab foodie fun, check out the Disney Parks Blog for more taste sensations coming to Disneyland this month.
We’re obsessed! Bonbons are the perfect Valentine’s Day gift or treat for any day of the week. These chocolate treats are made with lots of love by women-owned company, Wild Ophelia and sold at Sam’s Club.
This exclusive, limited edition assortment of 20 heart-shaped, all natural chocolate bonbons that comes in four sweet flavors: Fresh Strawberry, Cherry Cordial, Sea Salt Caramel and Toasted Coconut.
The bonbons are packaged in the signature Wild Ophelia gift box with a red ribbon that’s so beautiful they don’t need any wrapping.
Grab some sweets for your sweetheart. The Valentine’s Day collection at Dylan’s Candy Bar has officially launched. These adorable confections will make expressing your love deliciously easy.
Valentine Sprinkle Pop
Dylan's Candy Bar
Make a big impression with an oversized, heart-shaped cherry lollipop! It's an Insta-worthy addition to any Valentine's Day gift.
This exclusive tackle box is the perfect mix of creamy and crunchy bites for any chocolate lover. A special ribbon and a Valentine's Day hang tag make this tackle box ready to gift.
These frosty favorites will get you in the holiday spirit. Baskin-Robbins has unwrapped a lineup of festive cakes and ice cream flavors that are sure to make the season happy and bright. Bring a gift to the table with the newly launched Rosette Christmas Tree Cake, topped with a decorative Christmas Tree made with swirls of sweet icing and colorful sprinkles.
Baskin-Robbins is also bringing back holiday-themed ice cream flavors to be enjoyed in cakes, scoops, shakes and more all season long:
December’s Flavor of the Month, Winter White Chocolate. Swirled with a rich cherry ribbon and bursting with bits of sweet cherry dipped in a chocolate flavored coating with a white chocolate-flavored ice cream, this scoop is sure to be on everyone’s wish list.
Guests can dig into holiday decadence with the seasonal return of Baskin-Robbins’ classic Peppermint, loaded with peppermint pieces in a pink peppermint ice cream. This seasonal flavor also makes the perfect shake!
Eggnog flavored ice cream with hints of rum and nutmeg and Butterscotch Crunch with butterscotch pieces and a toffee-flavor ribbon, are available in pre-packed quarts to-go.
“We’re excited to share a taste of the season with our collection of customizable holiday cakes and festive ice cream flavors,” said Shannon Blakely, Vice President of Marketing, Baskin-Robbins U.S. and Canada. “We also invite our guests to order a treat for themselves or send a surprise to a loved one through our delivery partners DoorDash and Uber Eats – or with an e-gift card ordered through our app.”
Along with the Rosette Christmas Tree Cake, guests can also celebrate the holidays with returning favorites like the Reindeer Cake, featuring an adorable reindeer with chocolate snout, antlers and holly garnish, the Snowman Cake, bundled up for the season in festive holiday icing or the Winter Wonderland Cake, decorated in beautiful icy blues, a white chocolate-drizzled edge, and topped with sparkling glitter. Plus, Baskin-Robbins’ new Modern Wreath Cake and Winter Forest Cake, which both feature iconic holiday designs that are sure to make the season merry. Each cake can be customized to include guests’ favorite ice cream and cake flavors.
Cake orders can be placed online at BaskinRobbins.com, through the Baskin-Robbins mobile app or by visiting or calling your local Baskin-Robbins restaurant. Gift cards are also available for purchase.
For those looking for a sweet post-holiday treat, guests who spend $10 or more on Baskin-Robbins through Uber Eats between Dec. 28, 2020 and Jan. 3, 2021 will receive a $0 delivery fee with no promo code necessary.
It’s December and your mailbox is overflowing with sparkly season’s greetings. Instead of letting all those cards pile up and create a festive avalanche on your kitchen counter, why not put them on display? From options for mamas who know their way around a staple gun to a glittery, retro choice that requires nothing more than leaving yourself in the hands of an Etsy master, we’ve rounded up 11 creative ways to do just that. Scroll down to see them all.
Looking for a way to deck your halls with paper greetings brimming over with holiday cheer? Oh Joy's clever card hangers can be whipped up with items that you already have lying around the house. Gather up a few wire hangers and yarn in your favorite hues, and start making a set. Find all the details you need here.
Create a Card Tree
Kate Loweth
This is a super easy idea that gets your cards on display as they come in. Nail a ribbon into the wall and add on a DIY star at the top. As your cards arrive, staple them to each other and to the ribbon so that you are forming a Christmas tree shape.
This festive pin board from Sugar and Cloth for Minted can be re-used to display Christmas cards year after year. With a little foam board, a roll of cork, and elbow grease, you and your littles can make your own. Spray a seasonal layer of glittery paint on it, or leave the cork as is and let your cards pop against a light brown background. Head over the hills and through the woods to Julep for step-by-step directions.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by too much holiday cheer—parties, caroling fests, and cookie baking, oh my—try this simple addition to your holiday decor. An antique book, dreamed up by Amy Duncan of Studio Four Corners Design, with pages folded down just so makes for an easy and elegant way to display seasons greetings. Bonus: if you pick up a book at your local thrift shop, you’ll have money left over to spring for the extra-large candy cane your kiddo’s been eyeing.
Clean-lined magnetic picture rails can show off holiday cards in December and your favorite family snaps into the new year. This project, dreamed up by You Are My Fave for Minted, requires a little more work than some of the other options, but it’s worth it if it becomes a permanent part of your décor. Pick up some festive magnets, like this trio of Santas, for an extra-seasonal touch of ho ho ho!
Long, dark winter nights dragging you down? Brighten things up inside your house with a twinkly card display your kids are sure to love. Small picture hooks, strands of lights in classic white or your fave colors of the season, and mini-clips perfect for card hanging come together to create winter-time magic. Fairy Lights & Fun spells out the how-to for you.
Glue-gunned out? Never fear: here comes Etsy to the rescue! This festive, glittery hanger from Etsy seller Lauren Lash Designs is packed with retro flair and ready to put up on any door in your home that's begging for a little holiday cheer. Snap one up, and spend your time sipping eggnog and taking your kiddos on a drive to ooh and ahh over awesome neighborhood light displays. Order one from Lauren Lash Designs via Etsy here.
The holiday-perfect wreath and chicken wire combo from the crafty mamas at Lolly Jane make for a big, bold holiday statement. Fair warning: this is a big project to take on, so you might want to set the kids up with their annual viewing of How The Grinch Stole Christmas while you work. Hit your local hardware store for wood, flat corner braces, and sawtooth hangers, and hammer away.
Washi tape never looked so good! This display has a serious wow factor and isn't all that hard to do. Supplies are minimal, and kiddos will have a blast helping decorate the "wall tree." Plus, think of all that space you just saved! Get all the tree trimming details at Thyme is Honey.
If you want to display your Christmas cards in a super tidy display, check out these farmhouse boxes on Etsy. You can personalize yours for the color and greeting you like and it will be ready to display all your cards without taking over your house.