Accio, teddy bear! Build-A-Bear, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, announced a magical collection that includes a Harry Potter bear and Wizarding World-inspired clothing and accessories. Launching exclusively online on Sept. 2, and available in stores later this fall, this is the first time that Harry Potter plush is being offered by Build-A-Bear Workshop.
“We are thrilled to be bringing the magic of the Wizarding World to Build-A-Bear Workshop,” said Jennifer Kretchmar, Chief Digital & Merchandising Officer. “Harry Potter fans are sure to be spell-bound by the Harry Potter bear, house robes and Hogwarts uniforms, and bear-sized wands – and more magical clothing and accessories to come. This enchanting collection is perfect for all ages!”
Embark on adventures with your very own Harry Potter-inspired bear, complete with golden paws, the official Harry Potter logo, and Hogwarts crest. Dress your bear in its Hogwarts house with themed robes featuring the house colors and crests of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. Complete the look with a matching house scarf.
Your furry friend will look just like a Hogwarts student in Hogwarts uniform pants or skirt with a golden Hogwarts logo. Accessorize the look with a woven sweater and striped tie in house colors.
Complete your furry friend’s Wizarding World look with a wand. Available in black or brown, a plush wand wrist accessory attaches to your furry friend’s paw.
Barbie has teamed up with Star Wars on its latest collaboration paying homage to Star Wars, by putting a high-fashion twist on iconic characters. Last year, Mattel introduced a line of Star Wars x Barbie dolls inspired by Princess Leia, Darth Vader and R2-D2. This year, they have unveiled additional dolls inspired by Chewbacca, C-3PO, Rey and Stormtrooper characters.
The Star Wars Stormtrooper x Barbie takes design inspiration from their legendary look to capture their plastoid armor in a runway-ready silhouette.
Star Wars Stormtrooper x Barbie is striking in head-to-toe white over a black bodysuit with a shiny patent-leather look. A platinum bob, dark glasses, cuffs, a utility belt and boots with a knee protector plate detail complete the battle armor-inspired look.
The Star Wars C-3PO x Barbie® doll takes design inspiration from C-3PO’s legendary look to capture his golden armor in a runway-ready silhouette.
Star Wars C-3PO x Barbie shines in a head-to-toe liquid gold look with accents of sheer organza and golden sequins. Polished details include a golden collar, bangles , C-3PO-inspired glasses and a brilliant cincture echoing the droid’s primary power coupler outlet.
The Star Wars Chewbacca x Barbie takes design inspiration from Chewie’s legendary look, bringing a glamorous edge to signature costume elements.
Star Wars Chewbacca x Barbie wears a lavish faux fur coat over a strapless dress with a fur skirt and bodice of vinyl and sheer organza.
Chic details include a furry headband and knee-high boots, as well as cuff bracelets and a handbag inspired by Chewbacca’s signature bandolier and satchel.
Some years you want to go out and find—and maybe even cut—your own Christmas Tree. And some years, you just want your Christmas Tree to be delivered to your door. (That’s OK!) So we’ve rounded up the best Christmas tree delivery services in NYC to help lighten your load this season. Whether you need a tree delivered and where in New York City or to New Jersey, Westchester and Long Island, these companies can make it happen. Read on to “phone it in” (or point and click) this Christmas season so you can focus on the stuff that really matters!
This downtown spot has been serving NYC for more than 30 years. Delivering for free to Manhattan and Brooklyn, SoHo trees offers Fraser Firs (trees start at $1`29.95 for a five-foot tree) and Canadian Balsam Firs (starting at $109.95 for the same size). SoHo Trees specializes in really big trees and wreaths, and will also professionally decorate your tree if you need them to. If you have a change of heart and want to visit them, they have seven locations throughout Manhattan. Online orders include delivery, tree stand and installation.
Started by public school teacher Harold DeLucia in 2012, NYC Trees has delivered thousands of Christmas Trees to homes in NYC and beyond, and sources trees from area farms. New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester. It’s a full-service shop, not only delivering Christmas trees, but also decorating and putting on the lights if you want. (They’ll also come take it away for a fee.) Trees are Fraser Firs, and prices start at $119 for a four-footer. (You can get a 16-foot tree for $1,429 if you want, too.) Trees come with stand, skirt and installation, and you can get one as quickly as the next day. Delivery is free in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and additional fee applies for Staten Island, New Jersey and Westchester.
Despite the name, Christmas Tree Brooklyn will delivery a tree to you anywhere in New York City. Siblings Dan and Morgan Sevigny are Maine native now based in Brooklyn, and have been running the business since 2011 are Brooklyn-based sibling entrepreneurs who you might say were born to sell Christmas trees. They stock premium Fraser Firs, and will also provide handmade wreaths, lights, decorating services and tree removal. A four-to-five foot tree is $80, and a 10-foot tree is $120. There is an additional charge for setup ($49) and stand ($20); delivery to anywhere in NYC is free! They will also come get the tree at the end of the season if you want.
Tyler’s trees also offers skirt, stand and installation with their trees, and will add the lights and ornaments too if you want. (They also do tree disposal, too.) Trees four to five feet are $129, and anything over 10-feet gets the Elite Services https://www.tylerstrees.com/pages/elite treatment, making sure your big tree will fit into your place and is installed without incident. They also offers lights, wreaths and garland to make your holiday even easier and festive. Delivery is free in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, and additional fee applies for Staten Island, New Jersey and Westchester. If you want to pay a premium of $75, you can even get a tree the same day in Manhattan!
This Sheepshead Bay tree provider has been in business for more than a decade and delivers to Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan (although they will deliver elsewhere for an additonal fee.) A.A. offers Fraser Firs from Tenessee and North Carolina, and on site also stocks Canadian Balsam, Noble Fir and Douglas Fir trees, as well as wreaths and other decorative items. They also sell three-to-four-foot “Charlie Brown Trees”, named for the short and sort of sad trees in the famous Peanut’s cartoon, which cost $40. A five-foot Fraser Fir costs $60, while a 10-foot one is $250. Delivery to Brooklyn is $15, it’s $20 to Manhattan and Queens.
It’s back to school time, even for the royals! Princess Charlotte joined big brother Prince George at Thomas’s Battersea first day on Thursday.
The princess, who will go by Charlotte Cambridge during her school days, was greeted by the head of the lower school Helen Haslem. Like many kiddos who are starting their first day at a new school, four-year-old Charlotte was escorted by her parents. Of course, in Charlotte’s case, her parents are highly-watched members of the British royalty.
Dad and mum, otherwise known as Prince William and Kate Middleton, walked hand-in-hand with their children as royal watchers and plenty of photographers looked on.
At the drop-off Prince William was overheard, saying to Haslem, “First day—very excited,” in reference to Charlotte’s feelings. Middleton politely asked the head of school, “How are you? Did you have a nice summer?”
Along with the pics the paparazzi caught of the royals first day of school, Kensington Palace recently released official photographs of Princess Charlotte and Prince George. The brother and sister duo posed sweetly in their school uniforms—a navy skirt and cardigan for Charlotte and a matching navy sweater and short combo for George!
A day of school can sure takes it toll on a kiddo and when five-year-old Lucie had her first day back, the photos show just how tough a time she had!
Even though the little girl looked perfectly put together in a sweet before-school photo, the end of the day version tells a very different story.
According to the Metro UK, Lucie’s mom Jillian admits the little girl actually came out of school in worse shape than the picture shows, “She had her skirt round her ankles almost and a bow at the back of her hair.”
Even though Lucie clearly had a heck of a day at school, when her mom asked what she did all day, the five-year-old replied, “Oh, nothing much.” Now that sounds familiar!
All is fair in schools and clothes—at least in one Virginia town. The Roanoke County School Board recently voted for a dress code that treats boys and girls the same., and we applaud the unanimous vote!
School dress codes are notorious for treating boys and girls differently when it comes to standards. Instead of focusing on what all students wear, codes often address “girls’ clothing,” such as visible bra straps, tank tops/spaghetti straps or skirt length.
Chairman of the Roanoke County School Board, Don Butzer, told TODAY, “The old dress codes we had and that many schools have today single out girls for bra straps and undergarments and many things girls wear.” Butzer went on to add, “The new policy is probably the most progressive in Virginia. Our goal was to make it as simple as possible.”
But it wasn’t the school or the school board that initiated the dress code changes. Parent Jeannie Keen had the idea after her daughter, Olivia, was “dress-coded” for wearing track shorts the school through were too short. Keen told TODAY, “Within the first two weeks of sixth grade, Olivia and many other girls were dress-coded for wearing athletic shorts.”
Keen added, “I took a photo of what she had on that day and sent it to my school board rep in order to begin a dialogue. I also used a gender-neutral dress code model from Portland, Oregon as an example of how it can be done.” And the new dress code was born!
The sun is shining, the temps are rising, and your adorable bump is growing. That means it’s time to take inventory of your closet and make sure it’s stocked with pieces that help you look and feel cool all summer long. Here are 10 warm-weather maternity pieces that’ll keep expectant mamas happy until labor day!
Get a jump(suit) on summer with this gorgeous one-piece by HATCH. It's as stylish as it is comfortable and makes getting dressed in the morning a breeze. Special details like the side seam pockets, cropped wide legs with slits at the ankle and adjustable knotted straps will make this a wardrobe staple throughout your pregnancy and beyond. We love it in flamenco red, but it's also available in a neutral dune and basic black.
This laid-back, basic tank from Nom Maternity is undeniably flattering, and the longer length and black-and-white stripes makes it a perfect match with your favorite leggings or jeans. The super soft jersey fabric will keep you comfortable and cool on those long summer days.
Made with the needs of expectant mamas in mind, this tulip-print maxi dress from A Pea in the Pod checks all of our boxes for the perfect summer essential: easy, breezy and oh so stylish. It also comes in black, blue-and-white stripes, and a different floral pattern.
Between scheduling doctor's appointments, researching car seats and keeping up with your normal day-to-day responsibilities, the last thing you want to worry about is putting an outfit together. That's why this ribbed tank dress from Storq is heaven sent. It's flattering, comfortable and can take you from day to night with ease. Also comes in gray.
Whether you're gathering with friends after work or off to brunch with your family on the weekends, you'll feel comfortable and stylish in this floral v-neck dress from H&M. Dress it up with heels or wear it with sandals for a more casual look.
For the days when floating is the only thing you feel like doing, reach for this flattering navy one-piece bathing suit. The classic style has built-in side boning for support and offers a breezy nautical look that's perfect for relaxing at the pool. It has a back clasp closure and ties behind the neck.
The talented designers at Mama Muse are the ones to thank for these cool, everyday maternity lounge pants. Made from a fluid, stretch-poly blend, these tapered-leg pants are printed with a flattering, pretty floral motif. Soft, smocked elastic cinches the ruffled waist and cuffs. Pair with a neutral top and sandals and you're out the door in no time.
This forever-relevant knit pencil skirt is built for office hangs, plane rides, dinners out, you name it. The high waistband covers your bump while the mid-calf length makes it easy to wear all summer.
Say hello to your favorite summer shorts! These H&M shorts in a woven viscose and linen blend with wide smocking at the waist and side pockets are the perfect short for everything from a day at the beach to running errands in town to hanging out in the backyard. The fabric is easy and breathable and just what you're looking for on those balmy summer days.
Its feminine fit, darling print and silky fabric are just a few of the things we love about this flattering top from HATCH. Pair with their boyfriend jean or beach pant and you're ready for all the summer fun that's lined up.
A tight budget doesn’t have to mean drab nursery decor. With a few inexpensive supplies and some DIY ingenuity, you can turn the most important room in the house into a stylish haven full of fun and functional design twists. If you’re looking for a new nursery idea or a way to save money without sacrificing style, read on for easy nursery ideas on a budget.
Capture your child's teeny handprint and footprint in clay and then add photos for a special keepsake you and your child will love to look at through the years. With WavHello's First Impressions memory frame kit ($19.99), you can easily capture this magical time in your child's life and create a beautiful piece of artwork for the nursery.
Dress up white walls with fun and funky outlet covers. This quick and easy makeover turns your plain switch plates into creative pieces of art. All you need is decorative paper and Mod Podge. Visit The 36th Avenue for all the details.
Laverne and Shirley-style monograms never go out of style. That's why this easy DIY is the perfect way to add a splash of color to your baby's nursery. They're completely customizable and can be made with less than five items. Stop by Love Maegan for the simple tutorial.
Newborn Wardrobe Shelf
Tabitha Blue
Put adorable newborn outfits on display when they're not being worn. It's a smart way to make the most out of your space and get use out of those tiny outfits. And, since this stylish decor was made for less than $20, you'll have extra bucks in the bank to spend on...more cute clothes, of course! Head over to the fabulous Fresh Mommy for the tutorial.
Baby Card Nursery Art
Veronica Blushing
The outpouring of love you feel when you're pregnant is something you wish you could bottle up, save and share with your new baby. Thanks to the blogger mom behind Veronika's Blushing, there's a way to turn the cute cards you received at your baby shower into inexpensive wall art for the nursery.
Fabric Storage Bin
Stitched by Crystal
Parenting mystery #2874, how does such a small infant possibly accumulate so much stuff? It's a question that stumps every new parent. Check out this tutorial on Make it & Love it from Stitched by Carol on how to make your own stylish fabric storage basket.
Here's a creative and inexpensive way to share your love of music with your wee babe while jazzing up the nursery. Featured here on Project Nursery is Ella Fitzgerald's rendition of "Lullaby of Birdland" framed with a pink mat. It's such a cool way to add personality to your new favorite room.
DIY Keepsake Shadow Box
Little Umbrella
This project is the perfect way to commemorate your baby's birth or first year and makes for beautiful artwork for the nursery. Rather than keep those special keepsakes and photos packed away, out of sight, this project lets you put them on display. Visit Little Umbrella to get all the sweet details on this easy do-it-yourself project.
DIY Crib Skirt
Make It & Love It
Full disclosure: This one requires a sewing machine. But if you're good with sewing, this basic crib skirt is the perfect way to add color and detail to your baby's nursery. Customize the color and print to meet the rest of the room's decor and see how a simple crib skirt can instantly bring a room together. Head over to Make It & Love it for the full tutorial.
Dollhouse Top Shelf
The DIY Village
Got a bookcase you want to pretty up? This IKEA hack takes crafting to the next level. Start with an IKEA Billy bookcase (or something similar) and end with a beautifully colored and decorated dollhouse. We thought that might get your attention! Visit The DIY Village for the full tutorial on a dollhouse your little one will enjoy for years to come.
It's amazing how much time our sweet babies spend staring up at the ceiling. We think this clay chandelier mobile from the super talented crew at Design Mom is a genius way to add color and whimsy to your nursery without breaking the piggy bank.
Here's an art project that’s easier than A-B-C. All it takes is rearranging letters (handmade or store-bought), a little spray paint for finesse, and a homemade tissue tassel garland. Mount a frame around your creation to add more modern-art flair. Oh So Lovely shows you how.
Give grandma’s old dresser a new look with a fresh coat of paint in fresh, modern colors using Still Being Molly's tutorial. She also re-did her childhood bookshelf with the same stunning green ombré results here.
Protect your tiny chomper’s mouth (and their crib) with this beautiful fabric railing. Even if you're not a sewing expert, August Joy Studios promises an easy tutorial! All it takes is a bit of cloth, a few moments of measuring and a lot of patience. Plus, it’s much easier to match the crib railing to your room when you’re the one making it.
A small apartment is no excuse for limiting your library. Reading nooks can fit anywhere, including corners! Stuff With A Story used plywood to build their space. Make sure to support your shelf with a thin trim or brackets from IKEA.
Turn your child's fuzzy friends into decorations by giving them wire-planter homes along the wall. Vary the size of the wire planters if you like, and secure them with nails or tack putty. For this and more visual aids on using thrifted goods for a European-inspired nursery, visit Bleubird Vintage.
One of my missions in life is to lower the bar. Granted, most of my bar-lowering escapades are unintentional, but sharing them with the world is intentional. And fun. If slightly humbling. But that’s the point!
THE SETUP
I’m currently at a pretty humble point in my life. I mean, makeup is a crap shoot, my hair is at an awkward length, and I’m at my very heaviest. All superficial things, and I am NOT complaining. My life is rich and meaningful and I am very well loved. But I’m not at the top of my game appearance-wise. My body isn’t as fun to dress as it used to be. And I LOVE clothes. So. My mom tells me that there is a great sale at Dillard’s. 65% off racks! And she has this super cute, swingy, intricately detailed top on she’d just gotten there.
I have some time to kill in town, so I decide to check it out. I arrive at our adorably small one-story Dillard’s and pop into the department at which I always peer longingly as I dutifully march with my daughters straight to the junior department. Not the old lady department. You know, the chic-if-fully-adult ladies section. I eye some cute, discounted things and start filling my arms. I’d almost forgotten how fun this is! I’m scouring a rack of tops, clicking through hangers, and eagerly looking for my size.
Suddenly, I see that the top Mom was wearing is on the same rack. Same brand. Same style. Now, my mom has always been a sharp and current dresser, but that doesn’t change the fact that she is seventy. Has it suddenly happened? Am I shopping fashion that is appealing to the over 60 set? I’m not ready for that. I cover my grays (everyfour weeks even; it’s a real commitment). I’m not ready for the sassy silver look. And I’m not ready to dress like my mom. I’d already been informed when school shopping earlier in the year that the things I suggested my girls try on weren’t their style. “That would be cute for you, Mom, but not for me.” Well, ok. I can accept that I’m not dressing like a 14 year old girl. I’m even relieved. But I thought I was shopping the category between teenager appropriate and fully mature.
THE DRESS
I hang a hard right (maybe I’d wandered too far left) and grab a super cute ivory and black dress with some embroidery and a deep v-neck that I know my mom would never try (can you blame me? I’m trying to recover here!). I head to the fitting rooms and do the usual. I cycle through a big stack of shirts one at a time and find a cute striped v-neck front-tie top that is flattering and a steal. Finished with the tops, I throw the dress on over my cami and jeans. I’ll take that stuff off if I think the dress is a strong maybe. Just a quick look before really putting in the work.
So, I slip it on over my head, wrestle with the under layer that wants to stay wedged up between the dress and my shoulders (what is it with these built in slips? Complicates things!), get everything in place and take a look. The dress is adorable but a little unflattering mostly because it is way too small. Well, shoot. I had been hopeful. That’s ok. I’ll just pull it off, buy the cute top, and call it a modestly successful shop. But I really wanted that dress to work. One more try in the mirror. You know, that futile attempt at shifting things around to make something that just isn’t right look better? This is a trap, and I don’t fall for it. Not right. Too tight. Reject! I need a size up if anything. I bunch up the skirt in both hands and do that arm cross dress-taking-off move we’re all familiar with, but I can’t quite shimmy it over my shoulders. Ok. This is nothing new. I have the world’s broadest shoulders.
Take a deep breath, exhale, and try again. Nope. Won’t budge. Um, I’m stuck. I look in the mirror and feel the pre-panic rising up my chest to my face. No, Joanne. Stay calm. Think! This fabric is so stiff. Maybe there’s a zipper. Yes!!! There is a little side under-arm zipper I hadn’t noticed. Sweet relief! I’m so ready to get out of this thing. I slide the zipper down and repeat the dress removal maneuver. Still can’t get it over my shoulders. Right then, the sweet clerk comes to check on me. “Doing OK?” Gulp! I need to buy some time. I pull the dress back into place and open the door. “Do you have this dress in an extra-large?” I ask her. She scurries off to check, and I resume the squirming, tugging, and wriggling. I try combining the cross-armed move with the little hops (you know the ones). That move combo works even with sweaty, skin tight sports bras. But no. I still can’t get this dress off!
My heart rate and temperature start to rise, but I’m not giving in to panic. No matter what I do short of ripping the seams or dislocating my shoulder, I can NOT get this dress off. The clerk returns, knocks, and says that she doesn’t think the dress is made in an XL. Well, there’s some good news. The largest size they make is too small. And I’m trapped in it. There’s only one thing left to do. I open the door, stick my head out, and say real quiet “Can you come in here? I need help. I’m stuck in this dress.” And God love that woman, she joins me in the 9-square foot room without a word and shuts the door behind herself. Reinforcements! Did I mention that I am not the only customer in the fitting room? I have a neighbor in the very next stall. I can see her feet. I can just picture her giving herself a wide eyed look in the mirror, thinking “Better her than me!” and then listening real hard to see what happens next.
One thing is comforting me at this point. At least I have clothes on under the darn dress, so when we finally get it off, I won’t be subjecting this nice lady to that awkwardness. She gathers up the free fabric in her hands for what seems like forever. As she starts lifting, I raise my arms above my head like a cooperative toddler. I feel a tiny sliding sensation. We are moving in the right direction! Wait. Why is she stopping? And why is it so hot in here? Can she smell my fear? She tells me that she can’t lift her arms any higher because she has an injured shoulder. Well, I don’t want to further injure the poor lady, so I squat a little and then more, hands still above my head. Can you picture me, arms and dress up over my head now in a deep, deep squat, with a stranger tugging upward to the point of shoulder failure? I could die. Finally, that poor dress is free of me. Thank goodness!!!
THE AFTERMATH
I’m not sure what happened next. My memory is foggy. I own the cute top, so I know I left the fitting room, purchased said top from my liberator, and somehow found my car. I don’t think I made any crazy attempts at saving face, but I can’t be sure. I think we probably both just tried to act like it hadn’t happened. Can you imagine? I do remember considering asking her how often that happens. I decided I couldn’t face hearing that I was her first, so I refrained.
Sitting in my car, my mood is equal parts amusement, shock, and mortification. At least I didn’t damage the dress. My next stop is to pick up Bailey and a friend from gymnastics. I end up telling them the story, and we all three howl with laughter as we fly down the interstate in the dark. It’s funnier once you’re free. By the time we arrive home, I feel only amusement. I decide to look online to see if I can find an XL. I really did like that dress! I check Dillards.com. Nope. Hmm. It’s such a good price. Oh what the heck. I order the large online. I pay shipping. I know! That dress is now hanging in the front of my closet. It isn’t mocking me. I’m going to win. I have a new goal. Mark my words, I will wear that dress.
And that is how you lower and raise the bar all in one story! To benefit from more of my bar-lowering escapades, check out the links in my profile to read articles about why I’m glad I got toilet paper stuck to my pants, how I injured myself shopping, or an observation regarding my rear-end made at full voice by my toddler in a public restroom.
What embarrassing stories do you have? Let’s chat and laugh at ourselves!
I am a family physician turned stay at home mom and blogger. I am developing a women's loungewear line, Shelfies, that will revolutionize what we wear in the {no-bra-zone} with soft fabrics, supportive but cozy shelf and just-enough-coverage cups.
Your fave brand just launched a new line—and it’s all under $30! This awesome Crewcuts by J.Crew kids collection on Amazon, a.k.a. LOOK—for “League of Outstanding Kids”—is here and we’ve got some of the best spring fashions for your kiddo.
Scroll on for our favorite picks from the collection, all under $30!
Girls' Ruffle Hem Tank Dress
This sweet style is perfect for a spring day or a summer-time picnic. The 100 percent cotton dress sells on Amazon for $18.
Boys' Long Sleeve Gingham Shirt
Whether your kiddo is dressing up for an Easter meal or just wants to look extra-dapper, this pick is perfect for the pint-sized set ($20).
Boys' Zip Front Hoodie
With plenty of cute colors and patterns, this hoodie ($25) will keep your tot warm on a chilly spring day—in a completely stylish way.
Girls' Knit Shorts
The patterned heart pick is an ideal option for those warm summer days. And bonus, these sell for $15!
Boys' Long Sleeve Layer Tee
If you're looking for a mid-weather shirt ($16) that will keep your kiddo warm, without making them sweat, this layered style is it.
Girls' Sequin Skirt
Add some sparkle to your kiddo's wardrobe with this sweet, shiny selection ($22).
Girls' Cozy Leggings
Your little fashionista can keep warm on a chilly spring night in these cute patterned leggings ($18).
Girls' Critter Hoodie
Kid or critter? This hoodie ($26) adds a playful style to your child's spring wardrobe.
