• Bathing Walnuts Archive

    I admit that I’m not much of a  personal shopper, but when it comes to kids’ clothes, I can’t resist. This time of year, our mailbox has been stuffed with catalogs ranging from Growing Up Garnet Hill , to crewcuts. I love every minute of paging through the glossy spreads and perusing the frilly frocks, sweet sundresses and tons of stylish warm weather items. Maybe all these clothes remind me of my own teen years, as I lay sprawled across my canopy bed with magazines like Sassy, Seventeen and YM checking out all the back-to-school possibilities. Or maybe it’s because checking out kid stuff is so much more satisfying than all those women’s swimsuit catalogs that quickly find their way into the recycling bin (thanks, [&hellip

    Read More...

    Eight-plus years into the parenting game, and I still feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. Whenever I think I’ve finally figured things out with my 8- and 4-year-old, WHAM!–they go and pull a fast one on me. The younger one lovvvves Double Noodle soup? I stock up at the store…only to have her tell me she “no longer likes the noodles ’cause they’re too long.” The older one showing signs of being more independent? Suddenly she can’t go 15 minutes by herself without wandering into the kitchen to “find out what you’re doing.” (Laundry, kid. It’s just not that exciting.) I know I should feel like a pro after this many years on the job, but I continue to live and learn…and take [&hellip

    Read More...

    My grandmother used to say, “Christmas is for kids,” but let’s face it: If it weren’t for all of Santa’s little helpers (yup, this means you), what kind of holiday would it be? You spend the entire month of December shopping, cooking, decorating and wrapping…and probably neglecting yourself in the process. But this year, it’s time to change all that and give yourself the gift of some TLC. Sure, you may not be able to swing an overnight visit to a spa, but that doesn’t mean you can’t replicate that experience at home. Our latest favorite indulgence? Goat Milk Stuff, an extensive line of lotions, soaps, bath bombs and other tub treats all made from raw goat milk. Before you go thinking that can’t possibly [&hellip

    Read More...

    What mom couldn’t use a little “om” in her day-to-day? This morning at the library, I witnessed a mom desperately trying to quiet her babbling toddler while perusing the stacks. Despite her efforts, she was not successful and judging by her tone, her mounting frustration was entirely palpable. I know when I experience those stressed-out-mom moments, a little treat for the senses provides some welcome relief. It’s why the new skincare line from Baby Mantra caught our attention. Made from all-natural, organic ingredients like lavender, coconut and shea butter, these products are designed for those most sensitive skin, and are also a favorite of moms in need of a little TLC for themselves. Our favorite is the 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash that contains a [&hellip

    Read More...

    When you’ve got kids, even bath time is grounds for equality. My girls fight over who gets to use the yellow cup to pour over their soaped-up animal friends, which color sponge they’ll use to bathe themselves…and the list goes on. Sometimes, I think I need to buy two of everything, including their own bars of soap! Maybe that’s the beauty behind Wee Believers’ Noah’s Ark Foam Tub Toys. True to the biblical story, there’s two of every sea animal in this menagerie of bath buddies, which lend themselves to plenty of creative adventures in the tub. That means no quibbling over who gets the sea turtle, no arguing over whether or not a dolphin will be the hit of the water show this time. [&hellip

    Read More...

    All it took was one beautiful, unseasonably warm weekend to make me realize that summer is not far off. A short visit to our local beach reminded me that I’ll soon be loading up my beach bag with sand toys, sunscreen and towels. While I don’t mind toting stuff that’s worth their weight, I am often dissatisfied with our choice in beach towels. Because they never seem to be the right size to dry off adequately or to completely stretch out on the sand, I wind up chiding myself for forgetting to replace them after the previous summer. Well, just in time for the upcoming season of surf, sand and all things water, Zoocchini has introduced hooded towels that are so generously sized, you might [&hellip

    Read More...

    We’ve seen our fair share of bath toys over the past 7 years. From waterproof books and foam letters, to squirters and squeaky animals, my girls have had no shortage of tubtime amusement. But when you take a classic construction toy and adapt it for the bath, you know you’ve found yourselves a keeper. We recently got our hands on a set of BathBlocks Ball Run Set, and my 7-year-old was treated to a water-friendly version of Marble Run that she couldn’t get enough of. This 21-piece set contains tons of lightweight construction materials that not only float, but can stick to the walls when moistened. The colorful blocks came in a variety of shapes and sizes that she could assemble any which way she [&hellip

    Read More...

    Bathtime boring? Not in our house. Who could get tired of splashing around in a sea of bubbles, all the while getting squeaky? While it may already be my kids’ favorite time of day, it never hurts to kick things up a notch with some new tub time friends. Skip Hop Moby & Friends Bath Squirters are an ideal companions for any soaped-up kid. Six colorful sea creatures are just begging to take a dive and fill up with bath water, so kids can squeeze and squirt them over and over. We love that they’re easy to grasp, especially when you have slippery fingers. And when it’s time to drain the tub, make a game of it by dropping them into the Sort & Spin [&hellip

    Read More...

    Right about now, I’m feeling like the holidays are catching up to me. I’m all shopped out, have more wrapping ahead of me and still need to go out and pick up last-minute essentials like extra tape and batteries. Speaking of which, I could use a little recharging myself…can you relate? If the holidays have left you a bit frazzled and you realize you still need to make it to New Year’s without losing your spirit, it’s time to indulge yourself. No, I don’t mean to spring for that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all season. I’m talking about something to invigorate your senses and start your day off right. Maclaren’s beginning collection is exactly what this weary mom desires. It’s a new [&hellip

    Read More...

    Since my last birthday (I’m not revealing my age, so don’t even try to guess!), I’ve been noticing my body ain’t what it used to be. I get a winded a little faster when I break out into spontaneous dance moves. My back develops a bit of a crick after playing endless games of merry-go-round with my 3-year-old. Yes, I’m getting older and I’m slowly learning that time is not always on my side. So when bathtime rolls around, I fear that once I am down on my hands and knees, scrubbing away my girls’ daily grime, I may not be able to get back up. While I’m only half-joking, maybe you know the feeling? That’s why something like the Moby Bath Kneeler is most [&hellip

    Read More...