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.

mom and daughter

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.

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

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.

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Hello sweet June

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KAZMALEJE

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 

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.

 

Stacey’s Naturals

Stacey’s Naturals offers a variety of all natural quality products for your health, beauty and wellness.

 

Tree Hugging Soap

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. 

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

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.

 

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.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Got a business you’d like to see included? Email us at blm@tinybeans.com.

Featured photo: Sai De Silva on Unsplash

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Whether you’re a parent, a teacher or a hometown hero, receiving a gesture of gratitude is always an “awww” inspiring moment. Right now it’s even more important than ever to remember to give thanks to all those everyday heroes all around us like teachers, healthcare workers, emergency responders and frontline employees. Read on for nine simple but meaningful gestures for showing your appreciation.

1. Movie Magic

Pexels

With a smartphone always at the ready it’s easy to create a personal video to make someone's day. Capture the moment your little ones open up that present from the grandparents or have them record a thank you message for their teacher at the end of the school year. For next-level movie-making, try the app thankr to customize your video with fun templates for all different occasions.

Partner

2. How Sweet!

Global Munchkins

There is nothing quite like receiving a box of chocolates to make you feel thought of! merci Chocolates, Europe's famous gift-giving chocolate, is a heartfelt way to say "merci” to those who deserve it most. You can even personalize a box on their website using the merci cover creator, making this gift extra-special. Choose your design, add a personal message, upload your photo and print it off for a thoughtful way to say “thank you.”

3. Artistic Merit

Skitterphoto via Pixabay

Nothing says “one of a kind” quite like a child’s artwork. Gifting an original drawing, painting, or hand-printed treasure gets your child involved and excited about giving back. It's a great activity, too, so you can keep them busy and get their creativity flowing, all while doing good!

4. Tracing Thank You Cards

Ellen Richard

When busy mom Ellen Richard grew tired of writing thank you notes on behalf of her four kids, she had a brilliant idea. “I created a line of stationery that allows even the youngest kids to send out their own thank you notes,” she shares. Indeed, her Letter Learning designs have traceable messages that can also be customized. “No tears, no misspelled words, no stress.” Thank you, Ellen!

5. Home-Baked Goodness

Who loves fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies? Answer: everyone! So why not bake your thanks right into the recipe? Even better–make it unique by baking a classic with a twist: here are 13 chocolate chip cookie recipes you haven't tried yet!

6. Living Gratitude

outdoors, plants, gifts, mom
Yen Vu via Unsplash

Send flowers? Sure. But what about something unexpected, like a succulent! Perfect for that friend who has enough living things to keep alive, these little gems are sturdy and fool-proof. Bonus: the plants are sure to last well beyond the thank you card itself! 

7. Original Gift Cards

Shelley Hunter

It's always a good time to thank teachers, coaches, Veterans, and the service people who make our days. A gift card for a well-deserved treat like coffee drinks or donuts is a no-brainer. Even better–opt for a card from a local shop to support while saying thanks! If you want to put a personal spin on the usual gift card, try one of these ways to make your own holder by Gift Card Girlfriend at GiftCards.com.

8. Calendars, Notepads, and Puzzles, Oh My!

Jennifer Massoni Pardini

Thanks to memory-capturing companies like Shutterfly, Minted, and Artifact Uprising (and their frequent discounts or free gift promotions), there are opportunities throughout the year to make a little notepad, calendar, or other personalized tokens of appreciation—like a puzzle, ornament, placemat, tote bag, magnet, just about anything! You can stow these away for when a little more than saying “thank you” is needed. 

9. Write That Note

Owen and Aki via Flickr

As fun as it is to get creative, at the end of the day, a handwritten note does go far—both in terms of its appreciated recipient and instilling in our kids the practice and patience of expressing gratitude. A sentence or two from the heart speaks volumes. As one Red Tricycle Spoke Contributor recently wrote, “For me, receiving a thank you note really feels just like I am being given a gift; wrapped in paper and tied with a zip code and a stamp on top!” Fellow Spoke Contributor Vlasta Hillger also has some great tips for helping little ones tackle more than one note at a time.

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Target recently announced a brand-new tween-focused lifestyle brand—and it’s all for the girls!

More Than Magic is the big red bullseye retailer’s newest addition. The lifestyle brand features over 500 items for girls ages 8 through 12, including clothing, stationery, tech and beauty gear.

Jill Sando, senior vice president and general merchandise manager, Apparel and Accessories and Home for Target, said in a press statement, “I’ve been part of so many incredible brands we’ve introduced at Target, but More Than Magic might top my list for being the most fun to develop.”

Sando went on to add, “Bringing girls together from across the country to hear what they did—and did not—want and how Target can fill those needs, from the products we create to the experiences we offer, was really energizing for our team. The end result is a brand new collection filled with personality at wallet-friendly prices moms and dads can feel good about.”

Look for More Than Magic in stores and online at Target.com starting Jul. 13. Prices for this awesomely affordable line will range from $.99 to $29.99.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of Target

 

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Learning to crawl opens up a whole new world for your baby. But does that mean you need all new toys with special features to keep them happy? Nope! Some classic toys and a few clever tricks to engage your crawler are all it takes for hours of fun. Read on for our favorite classic toys for babies on the move. Best of all, you probably have some of these already, so playtime can start immediately.

photo: Roniloren via Flickr

Toy Cars, Trains, Planes and Buses
A toy with wheels is a hit with kids of all ages, but it’s especially fun for crawlers, who can give it a push and race right after it. You can also place it just out of their reach to give them a goal to crawl toward.

photo: Zaheer Mohiuddin via Flickr

Bouncy Balls
Pick any size ball, any color, even an old soccer ball, basketball or tennis ball you have laying around. Then watch your little mover try to get control of that rolling sphere. This simple toy also offers lots of ways for you to play together. Roll it toward your child, then away from them and see how they react. Bounce it along the floor or off the wall, or toss it into a basket. Chances are, your baby will try to follow its movements.

 

photo: eWonderWorld

Crawl Tunnel
A crawl tunnel, like this one from eWonderWorld, gives your baby a safe, exciting place to explore. It can stand alone as a fun, multi-sensory way to enjoy different colors, textures and sounds. Or, you can build a larger obstacle course with other toys and household items for your little one to navigate.

photo: Schylling

Jack-in-the-Box
The music and pop-up effect of a classic jack-in-the-box like this Jester In a Box by Schylling will motivate your crawler to move. Sit a few steps away from your child and turn the handle. When they hear the tune “Pop Goes the Weasel,” they’ll scoot on over for the surprise.

photo: The Stationery Studio

A Personalized Stool
It might seem early for a step stool, but a personalized puzzle stool like this one from The Stationery Studio will grow with your child. At this stage, they can crawl to it and pull themselves up, or push it around in front of them. And you can sit with them to help them complete the puzzle. Eventually, they’ll use the stool to step up to the sink to wash hands and brush teeth.

photo: Green Toys

Stacking Cups or Blocks
If you build it, they will come. That’s how stacking cups and blocks like the Green Toys Stacking Cups set work with crawlers. Pile them up and your kid will zoom across the room to knock down that teetering tower.

 

photo: Janod

Pull Toys
Similar to push toys and cars, pull toys encourage babies to observe what happens when they apply a force to an object — in the cutest way possible. This waddling duck family pull-along toy by Janod hits all the nostalgic notes with its colorful wooden design. As your child crawls around holding the string, the ducks will waddle and their feet will flap as they follow along.

 

photo: Skip Hop

Baby-Safe Mirror
That mirror your baby loved to gaze into during tummy time is just as exciting to them during the crawling phase. Find a shatterproof version that stands up on its own, like the sweet Silver Lining Cloud Activity Mirror by Skip Hop. Place it where your baby is playing so they can discover it again and again as they crawl around. Bonus points if you can teach baby to give themselves a kiss.

What are your favorite toys for babies on the move? Share them in the comments below.

— Whitney C. Harris

featured image: Philippe Put via Flickr

Catch a glimpse from dad’s perspective, peek into mom’s day to day life or see both! Whether it’s a couple in simpatico or a case of opposites attract, these parents have us so crazy in love with their Instagram adventures that we followed them twice— it’s like seeing two sides of a coin at once. Scroll down to see which pairs we love.

@martellusb and @siggib
Chicago bears tight-end Martellus Bennett and his wife Sigg are a powerhouse couple to follow, but it’s their little girl, Jett, who undoubtedly steals the spotlight on both their accounts. Her contagious smile has her parents (and us) smiling with every photo. Martellus is definitely spot-on with his bio: “My family is photogenic.” Follow the duo here @martellusb and @siggib.

@markadkinsroman and @richieromanhairstylist
With two dads who work as stylists for a living, it’s no wonder that, Tallulah, has never had a bad hair day. Pops Richie Roman is a rock star stylist who knows his way around curly hair, and his husband, Mark Adkins Roman, snips for the stars on Undercover Boss. Plus, we love how these two stylists take such contrasting photos. Check out their L.A. journey, hair and all, at @markadkinsroman and @richieromanhairstylist.

@hidinginhere and @foragehbrdshry
With Momma Shauna taking gorgeous photos and dad Stephen as master tinkerer (he made the house bed above), expect absolutely dapper photos of their sons that’ll having you hitting “like” in a heartbeat. This twosome make up Forage Haberdashery, a kids neckwear company, of adorable proportions and their Kinfolk-esque lifestyle in Pennsylvania is a dream to follow (@hidinginhere and @foragehbrdshry).

@bethanializaran and @salvatorebertucci
What will a momma do to make her little one smile? @bethanializaran‘s gorgeous photos of her adventures with her son only get better when you follow her other half @salvatorebertucci. His Instagram feed takes us to unique heights, showcasing scenic parts of the Bay Area in beautiful natural light.

@anastasiamika and @jimmymika
With crafts from @anastasiamika’s stationery and packaging studio to airplanes and coffee pictures from @jimmymika, Jimmy and Anastasia’s feeds are an inspiration for everything. Their accounts go together like coffee shop music on a work day. Follow this Portland couple for equal parts art, travel and cute (their plus one, Henry).

@amberfillerup and @davidavidavid
Barefoot Blonde is a mom whose Instagram channel (@amberfillerup) is like the stylish lookbook for hair, fitness, beauty and doses of cute. The only thing that could be more delightful is her husband’s feed @davidavidavid, which is filled with outdoorsy, travel-related adventures. Together, their Instagrams have us wishing for that New York life.

@concertman and @marymuses
For heartwarming pictures that make us smile, turn to this couple across the pond. Papa blogs about their loving family at findingmagnolia.com while mama writes a lifestyle blog filled with tips like making breakfast the day before for early risers. Also, let’s be frank: Rainy days or not, we’ve always wanted to move to London. Check them out at @concertman and @marymuses.

@faridaskitchen and @rorykjames
Husband @rorykjames is sure lucky that his wife’s, @faridaskitchen, colorful foodstagram is a reality! This healthy eating couple has two curly haired boys who bring large doses of cute. See the family travel about Houston through @rorykjames’ artistic feed, and get meal inspirations from @faridaskitchen.

@kahanak and @hoodratholidays

If you want a dose of beach life all year round, these Instagram accounts are a must follow. Surf-dad Kahana and seasoned family-traveling mom, Sarah, travel between San Diego and Hawaii, along with their sweet kiddos, who are masters of candid photos. Add @kahanak and @hoodratholidays and watch your feed brighten with stunning photos.

@rheannamonique and @coolhandkhalil
We first fell in love with cool momma @rheannamonique’s feed (tip from our Bay Area editor, Erin Feher) after seeing little Paloma’s foodie photos. Then dad-tographer Khalil (@coolhandkhalil) popped up on our feed as one to follow, and we discovered breathtaking city views alongside beautiful portraits of our favorite foodie. 

Have you shared your adventures with us? Tag #rockedtheweekend or #redtricycle for a chance to be featured on our Instagram @redtricycle.

— Christal Yuen

Oh Baby Designs

Duly Noted

Some things never fall out of fashion: basic black. A good book. And handwritten notes. That’s where Oh Baby Designs comes in. Owner and designer Carrie Jones creates both custom cards and ready-to-write stationery, all with a signature style that’s both playful and polished, so you can revive that old-school graciousness your mother taught you.

Looking for a birth announcement or party invite that’s totally you? Jones loves creating custom cards – ones that merge your personal panache with her great eye for fresh, flawless design. Jones, who founded Oh Baby Designs in 2001 following the birth of her first daughter, sets up shop with a broad selection of gorgeous papers to fit any style, not to mention lined and printed envelopes to complete the look. She can incorporate a photo of your choice into any design (hand-done holiday cards, anyone?), taking the personal touch up another notch. And get this: she hand-assembles her wares, making your perfect card that much more special.

We love her boxed notes and fill-in invites, too, available in several gift and paper goods retailers in Seattle and surrounding areas. “People always appreciate a handmade card,” Jones says. Duly noted.

Oh Baby Designs
oh-baby-designs.com


Lobird

Of course you want to announce the birth of a wee one with style, or send out memorable birthday party invites for a toddler, or just send a personal note with panache. And with chic, charming designs from Palo Alto-based illustrated stationery house Lobird, your everyday correspondence become artistic keepsakes.

Founder Laurie Rohrbach was nicknamed “Lobird” by her father as a child, and has used her loves of travel and art to create a series of watercolor paintings that adorn Lobird products.  Browse the designs on her website to find an image that sums up your personality, be it quirky or sophisticated. When selecting Lobird stationery for your little one, pick an image that reminds you of your child’s favorite book or animal, or an adventure (real or imagined) that they’ve been on. The whimsical pictures are printed on heavy, high-quality card stock, but prices are still reasonable.

Lobird’s gift tags add a touch of your kid’s personality to every gift they bring to a party. And what better way to instill a love of writing thank-you notes than to give your child personalized note cards? Pick a theme to carry through from invitations to note cards, or let them mix and match—they’re likely to fall in love with more than one design! And while paper correspondence might seem “old-school” to 21st-century kids, they’ll appreciate that Lobird plants a tree for every order placed online. We’ll bet you’ll both be singing a happy tune about Lobird!

Lobird
www.lobird.com