Staying at home for months on end means we’re all online, and shopping online, a lot more. Our New York City Editor Mimi O’Connor feels us. Brooklyn mom to an energetic eight-year-old (who had a #quarantinebirthday in June) we asked Mimi for her top 12 products that have gotten her through the pandemic, the summer and beyond. Read on to hear more from Mimi.
Like many spots in the country, things went sideways pretty quickly here in New York. Almost literally, in March, one minute we were debating attending a birthday party at a local movie theater, the next we were locked down, celebrating by watching E.T. “together” via Zoom. (It was actually pretty fun.) My initial pandemic parenting strategy (read: fantasy) was pretty ambitious, with weekly themes explored from a 360-degree perspective; i.e. “France”, with virtual visits to the Louvre, making crepes, building a LEGO Eiffel Tower, etc. In the end, my daughter had a short-lived love affair with Duolingo and I bought some flash cards. And while the subsequent months featured more screaming than s’il vous plaît we still have had our share victories, fun, and yeah, a lot of Minecraft. Here’s what’s helped us get through the spring, summer and likely beyond..
Mead Composition Books
Even though my immersive learning program didn’t work out, we still made use of these fun Mead composition books, which we labeled for each of my daughter’s subjects during remote learning.
When it was time to “Chalk the Walk”, I realized our chalk inventory was next to nil. We invested in this giant collection of chalk from Crayola, which has shades well beyond the basic.
My 70s childhood inspired this, one of my first pandemic buys, which enlists the help of the sun’s rays to make solar art prints. (Copyright 1975 from UC Berkeley, baby!)
Sapadilla Rosemary + Peppermint Biodegradeable Liquid Hand Soap
I’ve been trying to concentrate on little luxuries to stay sane in these times, and a nice hand soap to go with all of that hand washing seemed fair. This one is plant-based and biodegradable and the rosemary mint scent is refreshing but not overpowering.
Did I mention the Minecraft? (Or the watching of videos of people playing Minecraft…?) Some headphones became a must for the child as gaming, and remote learning kicked into high gear. These are comfortable, have good sound, and a removable mic.
I am a big proponent of tiny lights, both indoors and out. We have a small outdoor space and these lights are the bomb, making it a bit more magical and cozy. Not quite fairy lights, they’re a bit larger and a string is 200 bulbs, 72 feet-long, with eight different “modes” like flashing, etc. (I use “steady.”) Pick a sunny spot for the charging panel, string your lights and enjoy as they turn on every night at dusk.
Like many (most?) families who could, we bought an inflatable pool to weather summer in the city. It’s not like NYC’s free Olympic size-pools, but it gets the job done.
It turns out that our small front yard also happens to be the exact length of a slip and slide. Ours served as the focal point of a socially-distanced June birthday party and was a huge hit. (P.S. Literally our least expensive birthday ever!)
Out of all the presents my daughter received for her birthday, this relatively inexpensive set of slow rise squishies (they "bounce back" at a slower rate than others) might have brought the most joy. And while this is not representative of her general state, she even used them for an informal mediation class during breathing exercises, which she dubbed, "squishie breathing."
MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope with Tripod & Finder Scope
Another birthday present, this was inspired by recent stargazing activity, and bought with the hope of using it when we head upstate for a bit later in the summer. (We use the free app SkyView Lite for help finding constellations in the city.) It's a nice combo of not too complicated, but with enough features to be a level up from basic.
Our daughter attends a Percy Jackson-inspired camp, for which kids make their own (safe) swords and shields out of cardboard and duct tape, and she in fact enrolled in an online camp for that very purpose this summer. Having a full arsenal of colors on hand is great for personalization, and our duct tape stash has come in handy for reenforcing forts, etc.
Like many families, we’ve been exploring online classes to engage our kid during this time. Our daughter has taken the Outschool class "Girl Power! Graphic Novels written by Women about Strong Girls” with Dr. Danielle Rhodes and has really enjoyed it. (We’ve already signed up for the second session, and Rhodes has now added a third installment.) The class meets once a week to discuss graphic novels from female authors with strong girl protagonists, some familiar, some less so.
Get a few of our favorites here, here and here, $7.44-$9.11
The Babysitter's Club
Netflix
Yes, it's a television show (i.e. screen time), but this Netflix adaptation of the popular YA series (now also in graphic novel form) is charming, smart and features a fun and diverse cast. It also doesn't shy away from complicated or nuanced situations, such as friend politics, divorce, health issues, etc. Recommend!
Katy Perry has given birth to a baby girl named Daisy Dove Bloom. The singer and partner Orlando Bloom confirmed the birth on Instagram on Thursday. Both shared a post by charity Unicef, of which the couple are ambassadors, confirming the arrival of their daughter along with a black and white photograph of the cuple holding their child’s hand. Perry’s nail has a sweet Daisy painted on it in honor of her new daughter.
The post was captioned, “Welcome to the world, Daisy Dove Bloom! We are honoured to introduce Goodwill Ambassadors @KatyPerry and @OrlandoBloom’s new bundle of joy,”
“‘We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter,’ Katy and Orlando told us.”
The post continued with a message from the couple, “But we know we’re the lucky ones and not everyone can have a birthing experience as peaceful as ours was. Communities around the world are still experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers and every eleven seconds a pregnant woman or newborn dies, mostly from preventable causes. Since COVID-19 many more newborn lives are at risk because of the increased lack of access to water, soap, vaccines and medicines that prevent diseases. As parents to a newborn, this breaks our hearts, as we empathize with struggling parents now more than ever. As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, we know UNICEF is there, on the ground, doing whatever it takes to make sure every expecting mother has access to a trained health worker and access to quality healthcare. In celebration of the heart we know our daughter already has, we have set up a donation page to celebrate DDB’s arrival. By supporting them, you are supporting a safe start to life and reimagining a healthier world for every child. We hope your ♥️ can bloom with generosity.”⠀
Do you ever worry that your kids aren’t spending enough time washing their hands or doing a thorough enough job? Especially now, it is important that everyone gets their hands clean.
Color Clean Soap was created by Michael Raymond, during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders after he noticed his children struggling to thoroughly wash their hands.
This patent-pending, one-of-a-kind formula, Color Clean Hand Soap is designed to ensure children and adults fully wash their hands by visibly highlighting unwashed areas. The visual soap is non-staining and scrubs off easily. A delayed, color-fading technology alerts users when they have washed their hands for an adequate amount of time.
Using premium quality, organic ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, essential oils and shea butter, Color Clean Hand Soap is free from sulfates or other harmful chemicals. The color technology is non-toxic and uses FDA food grade colorants to ensure maximum safety.
With three varieties to choose from, Blue Citrus, Green Grapefruit and Ruby Red, children and adults can pick their favorite variety to keep their hands clean.
If you hate wearing masks, there are face shields on the market that can offer protection comparable to, if not better than, a face mask. Rebel Shields was inspired by 8-year-old Summer Soleil and invented by a nurse. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity.
Once “stay at home” orders hit, Soleil wanted to start a company with her idea to solve a current problem. After Soleil’s father became ill with COVID-19, her entire family needed to quarantine on separate floors. They searched for face shields instead of masks to wear around the house since they would need to be wearing them 24/7. A nurse treating COVID-19 patients designed the Rebel Shield visor with Soliel’s input, in the hopes adoption of face shields would help save more lives.
According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, “In a simulation study, face shields were shown to reduce immediate viral exposure by 96% when worn by a simulated health care worker within 18 inches of a cough.” Additionally, there is greater protection all around because the shield does not touch the face. The shields are reusable and clean easily with soap and water.
The visor is attached to a steel hinge, so the wearer can flip up the visor when not in use. The graphic is made of perforated film for clear one-way visibility and a padded headband makes the visor comfortable enough to wear all day.
*Editor’s Note: According to the CDC, children under age 2, or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance should not use a cloth face covering.
One of the easiest ways to support the Black community directly is by supporting Black-owned businesses. Many have already been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Here are 10 Orlando-based businesses that offer products for both kids and families.
Pretty Peacock Paperie
Pretty Peacock Paperie is a lighthearted and fun stationery company located in Central Florida.
All Naked Bar Soap Co. soaps are lovingly hand blended, cured, and cut in small batches. Each one is designed using a palette of earth sourced ingredients such as herbs, petals, grains, leaves, minerals, and clay – scented with the finest essential oils for a therapeutic aromatic experience. All soaps are free of any chemicals, preservatives, and synthetics.
Eola Pets is Downtown Orlando’s preferred choice for trusted dog walkers in the community. They are licensed, bonded and insured, and available 365 days a year. They offer dog walking, pet sitting, and bathing services.
Re-Runz Records is owned by Ed Smith who is also the owner/operator of Southern Soul Blues Radio. He has been collecting music in the form of CD’s, Vinyl and concert videos seriously since 1974.
One of the easiest ways to support the Black community directly is by supporting Black-owned businesses. Many have already been affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Here are 10 Miami-based businesses that offer products for both kids and families.
Black Girl Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen for Kids is an everyday SPF 50 moisturizing sunscreen lotion for face and body. Especially created for people of color using natural ingredients including carrot seed oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, avocado and shea butter. Oxybenzone and Paraben free, it leaves no white residue.
Buena Vista Candle Co. is an aromatherapeutic scent studio based in the heart of Miami, Florida founded by Jeannine Escobar. As a trained aromatherapist, she explores the healing properties of essential oils and experiments with time-honored techniques for unique scent invention for modern times.
Cards by Carter is a home-based company down in Miami, Florida. Designer and owner Amelia Carter started Cards by Carter in 2008 on the success of an idea back in her mom’s shed house; it was just a hobby. In February of 2015 Cards by Carter became even more official.
KAZMALEJE creates lifestyle amplifying tools and accessories that empower women, men and kids to pamper and groom themselves with love, care and style.
Vintage 1804 by Roe Michel is a Miami-based shop that sells empowerment tees. Roe Michel is a Haitian American Photographer and Designer. He has a passion for empowering youth through education.
Tree Hugging Soap combines the natural practices of the old ways. They use only the basics; combining herbs and moisturizers naturally occurring in nature.
YayDay Paper Co.offers digital stationery, crafting projects and planners products that you can print at home. It is a membership site where members pay an affordable monthly fee for access to monthly curated collections of stationery, crafting projects, planner products and more delivered straight to their YayDay account.
COOL CREATIVE is a design studio that uses design to build brands that matter. The COOL Creative Capsule Collection is an elevated streetwear line that elevates culture by honoring tradition with their original artwork.
A post shared by SHOP COOL® (@shopcoolcreative) on
ETA Luxe by Erica Appleby
ETA Luxe by Erica Appleby is committed to inspiring inner beauty in every customer since its inception. Using innovation, texture and functionality to create timeless pieces, ETA Luxe inspires women to walk, create and live in their true power.
Wondering how you can help the local economy and help keep your favorite spots in business? Make a purchase now that can be used at a future date by buying a gift card or membership! The following businesses offer online purchase options for gift cards or memberships. And some, such as the Oakland A’s tickets, you can get a full refund if the event is canceled.
Click through our ever-growing list below to find out where to share some local love.
The one thing most moms really want this Mother’s Day? Just. One. Day. Off. The one thing most grandmas really, really want? Time with the grandkids. Unfortunately, neither of those is an option for most families these days. So instead, we’ve done our best to bring you gifts that are both useful and unique. From a watercolor kit to a frame-worthy puzzle, here are seven Mother’s Day gifts that support LA’s small business community, while making mom feel extra special.
Now's the perfect time for moms to take up a new hobby, courtesy of Makers Mess (which offers kids parties, camps and more during non-Covid times). In addition to the Watercolor Kit, pictured, there's also a Macrame Kit, Embroidery Kit and Mini Weaving Kit—just to name a few. With the Watercolor Kit, you can also get $10 off Makers Mess pre-recorded watercolor workshop.
Speaking of new hobbies, propagating plants, anyone? (Plants that propagate grow roots from their cuttings in water.) This 10 in. birch log from Valley Village's Greenwood has seven glass tubes for your clippings. Check out the shop's Instagram stories for more plants and gifts available for pick up or delivery.
Discovered on Unique Markets virtual Mother's Day Marketplace, LA-based Inner Piece's grown-up puzzles are the soothing escape what we all need right now. Once completed, this 500-piece puzzle is its own 18x18 work of art.
SHOP NOW:Inner Piece Puzzle, $30 (use discount code UNIQUE for 15 percent off); free shipping on orders over $50
Another Unique Markets find, these sweet shortbread cookies are handmade and packaged in LA. Each treat, 16 in total, is individually hand-wrapped and they come in a gorgeous floral box.
Score the bloom of all blooms Rose Lane Farms, an heirloom rose-cutting farm hidden in North Hollywood. Send a DM via Instagram to arrange for a pick-up order.
Take Mom to France, by way of Los Angeles, with the Saint-Martin candle by LA-based candlemaker Mar Mar. The scent is warm and woodsy, but still subtly crisp, like a night in Paris. Like all of Mar Mar's candles, this one is poured by Light for Life, an organization that creates jobs for adults with disabilities.
Get same-day delivery via Postmates on all the trinkets, baubles, books and more from gift shop Yolk. Perfect for mom during this time of nonstop hand washing: subtly scented soap and hand cream from Compagnie de Provence.
Show the mother in your life how much you care, and support her favorite local business at the same time! This Mother’s Day, take your pick from our carefully-selected list of offerings from the best of Portland’s talented artists, makers, coffee roasters, and chocolate makers. Read on to learn more!
Flowers are the ultimate Mother’s Day gift, and this small Sellwood shop is offering curbside pickup and delivery on their carefully-crafted arrangements. Browse the online shop for bunches of roses and tulips, and add on a box of French macarons or Moonstruck chocolate for the ultimate gift. $55 and up.
If flowers aren’t her thing, treat Mom to an assortment of 10 bars of Woodblock Chocolate! The floral packaging is as beautiful as the bars are delicious. $40
Does the mother in your life have a green thumb? Treat her to this gift box from With Love from PDX, which includes a smock available in two colors, three packages of seeds, and a garden journal from a local printing press. Or take your pick from a variety of other box sets featuring Portland-made items. Note that products only ship on Fridays, so plan ahead! $75
The Unrepentant Rose soap from fave local soap-maker Camamu is just about the prettiest soap you can buy. Take it up a notch by adding Jasmine Vetiver and Chocolicious soaps in a lovely gift box. As affordable as they are gentle, Camamu soaps are safe for the whole family. Stock up and bring your order to $40, and Camamu will pay it forward by giving you a free bar of soap to share with someone in need. Free domestic shipping. $22
A ¾ sleeve wrap dress is almost universally flattering, and this locally-made version is divine, in a soft modal knit. Altar prides itself on high-quality handmade apparel and also stocks a mean apothecary. Check out the Apothecary Discovery Box, $100, for another great Mother’s Day option. Place your order by May 2 to receive it in time for Mother’s Day. Free shipping! $120
Give mom a symbol of classic beauty with this lightweight necklace, featuring a bronze satellite orbiting a sterling sliver moon. Pair it with matching earrings, or browse the catalog for something else you think the mama in your life will love. Beloved local artist Allie B.’s jewelry combines classic elegance with modern lines, and proves that statement pieces don’t have to be intimidating. $45
As part of their #makeitbrighter campaign, Bridge Nine Candle Co. will donate $5 from every Resilience candle order to the COVID-19 relief efforts of the Oregon Food Bank. With notes of fresh cut grass, teak wood, ferns and tuberose, this candle’s uplifting fragrance and bright flame will remind moms of their own resilience. Or check out some of the amazing gift sets they’ve put together for Mother’s Day, each 25% off. Free shipping for orders over $75. To get your items in time for Mother’s Day, place your order by May 5. You can even include a note at checkout and Bridge Nine will tuck a handwritten note in with your gift! $22
Help the mother in your life get ready for warm weather with this pretty (and pretty local) dress. The Phoebe dress is the store’s most popular style. Support Union Rose, a woman-owned apparel shop featuring apparel handmade by Portland artisans. With standard and plus sizes, free shipping, and 20% off orders over $100, you really can’t go wrong. $144.
Got an outdoorsy mama? Brighten her morning with a beautiful handmade mug in a cheerful palette. Wolf Ceramics is continuing to donate 10% of every purchase to different organizations supporting those whose livelihoods have been affected by COVID-19. These handmade mugs are ready to ship, and available for pickup at the studio. For shipping, orders are packaged every Thursday and shipped on Fridays, so plan ahead to have your mug in hand for Mother’s Day. $56
Caffeine is a mom’s best friend, and Heart Coffee roasts some of the most delicious beans in Portland. Sign Mom up for a weekly, biweekly, or monthly shipment of locally-roasted coffee. Yum! $16-$37
Photo of Apothecary Discovery Box courtesy of Altar
Other ideas
Visit Portland Made for a host of other ideas to help you bring Mom some joy while contributing to the survival of our amazing local artists and retailers. Consider a gift certificate to your favorite shops. Check Float for a comprehensive list of local businesses in need of support, with direct links to GoFundMe and gift card order pages. The promise of a future sauna session at Loyly, or a haircut at Vacation Club might be just the thing to perk her up and show her you care.
Reminding your kids to wash their hands or cough into their sleeve can be an endless battle. Turn your backs for a minute and they are wiping their nose with their hand or coughing in someone’s face. A preschool teacher has turned to Twitter, offering a tutorial you can share with your little ones and anyone else who may need an extra reminder during cold and flu season.
Laurie Goff writes, “Want to know how to cough? This is how I teach my preschool students. Hope it helps.”
In the video, which has garnered over one million views on Twitter, Goff explains that when you cough into your hands, “you have germs all over your hands and anything you touch will get your germs on it.” When that happens, you need to immediately wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds. As an alternative, she introduces us to the term “cough pocket.”
Goff demonstrates coughing and sneezing into her bent elbow. “You need to use your cough pocket,” she explains. “It’s simple, easy to use, it’s on your body, it’s free, it’s always with you.”