Just for Fun Archives - Page 14 of 17

Fun Food Friday: Trader …

March 28, 2014 By admin

Trader Joe’s sells so many yummy things but one item that wows everyone in my family is Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter spread. Originating from Belgium, Speculoos is a type of spiced shortbread cookie traditionally baked around Christimas time. The popular cookies have now found their way into an array of delicious spreads, cookie butters and ice cream flavorings (Belgium’s version of our Cookies and Cream).

Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter is delicious on toast, as a sandwich spread or just straight out of the jar. It doesn’t contain nuts so its lunchbox friendly and I love to use it as “skin” when I make funny face apples or as “sauce” when I make dessert pizza. Its so popular there actually a Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter page on Facebook. Who knew?

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Globetrotting Mommy Fun Food Friday: Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread offers up a taste of Belgium

So, here are your options, assuming you live near one of the many Trader Joe’s stores in the U.S. Looking for a store near you? Check out the new Trader Joe’s app.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Spread: the original flavor with a consistency of smooth peanut butter.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Crunchy Cookie Butter Spread: the same flavor as the original with crunchy cookies mixed in.

– Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl: this one mixes the original flavor with a smooth cocoa stripe for those craving a little chocolate with their cookies.

Which one is your favorite?

International Decor: The must …

March 24, 2014 By admin

Planning a safari themed nursery? Looking to add a little Indian themed design into your foyer? How cute is this Ellie Side Table from Serena & Lily. This table is just the piece of furniture that can grow from baby to teenager. I think it would look great in any globetrotting kid’s room or playroom or the den or the foyer or the bathroom…

Ellie Side Table from Serena & Lily

Spotlight on the Wild Wild …

March 20, 2014 By admin

Move over Mary Jane socks, the hot new fashion must have for baby girls is cowgirl boot tights from Bootzies.

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Spotlight on the Wild Wild West: Fashion must have accessory for Baby Girls

These one-of-a-kind tights feature white or pastel cotton legs and an adorable cowboy boot design available in multiple colors and patterns. They are available in sizes 0-6 months, 6-18 months which is exactly when those chubby baby legs are at their cutest and 2-4 years.

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Spotlight on the Wild Wild West: Fashion must have for Baby Girls

I think the red and brown would be the cutest with a little denim dress but the animal print styles are great for those fashion forward babes. They’re a nice compliment to the western-inspired fall fashions I’ve been seeing on the runways. They’re a great baby shower gift too.

Bon voyage…

Spotlight on NYC: Tours for …

March 19, 2014 By admin

New York City kids are exposed to a lot of amazing cultural experiences and its great how many of the top NYC museums cater to their tiniest visitors. If you’ve got a 4-year old, you’ve got to check out the Museum of Modern Art’s (MOMA) complimentary Tours for 4’s weekend family gallery talks.

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Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on NYC: Tours for 4s at MOMA

Tickets are distributed at 10 am on a first-come, first-served basis so arrive on time. Participants are given tokens to check coats in lockers which is a nice touch. We visited in February for the Breaking the Mold: Materials and Techniques gallery talk and our group had about 10 kids and their parents. Our tour guide Shannon reviewed the rules for visiting the museum and we were on our way. We stopped at a few exhibits and the kids were asked for their thoughts along the way as the guide explained about the artwork and artists like Isa Genzken. My daughter’s favorite part was the age appropriate art projects they got to do on the floor involving designs and textures. The tour lasts about an hour and then you are free to explore on your own. Be sure to check out the Moma Art Lab where you can play, read, experiment and create your own stop-animation movies.

Globetrotting Mommy: Spotlight on NYC: Tours for 4s at MOMA

Upcoming weekend themes for the Tours for 4s program include:

March – Shape Shifting

April – Faces and Figures: People and Portraits

May – From Furry to Feathered: Animals in Art

If your kids are older, check out the MOMA’s A Closer Look for Kids and Tours for Tweens programs.

If you’ll be visiting NYC with kids this spring or summer, these programs would be a nice addition to your itinerary. The MOMA is centrally located near a lot of family friendly attractions and kid-friendly stores including Central Park, Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwartz, LEGO Store, American Girl Store and the Eloise Shop at the Plaza.

Fun Food Friday: Celebrate …

March 14, 2014 By admin

Irish Coffee is one of Irelands most famous drinks and one of the best Irish Coffee spots in the US is San Francisco’s famed Buena Vista. According to the bar’s history, in the early 1950’s, the combined efforts of the former owner, a travel writer and the mayor of San Francisco, a dairy owner, resulted in the successful re-creation of the Irish original.

Irish Coffee, St. Patrick's Day, San Francisco, Buena Vista

Fun Food Friday: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with San Francisco’s Buena Vista Irish Coffee

(photo credit)

If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by. If not, why not recreate the famous recipe at home.

Irish Coffee

• Fill a glass with very hot water to preheat, then empty.

• Fill three-quarters of the glass with hot coffee and drop in 2 sugar cubes.

• Stir until sugar is dissolved.

• Add a jigger of Irish Whiskey (1.5 oz.)

• Top with a collar of 2 oz. whipped heavy cream by pouring it over the back of a spoon.

• Enjoy while piping hot

Have a great weekend!

Adventure Awaits: Paddington …

March 11, 2014 By admin

Do you remember Paddington Bear who was found in London’s Paddington Railway Station sitting on his suitcase? I always loved him and his adorable little blue coat and note “Please look after this bear. Thank you.” The talking teddy bear has been busy since I was a kid and his latest project is a worldwide collaboration with babyGap.

Globetrotting Mommy – Paddington Bear Collection at Baby Gap

Available for a very limited time, the collection (sizes 0-24-months) is available at all babyGap stores as well as a special pop-up shop on Paddington Station in London and two in-store Paddington branded boutiques in Gap’s New York and Tokyo flagship stores. The Paddington Bear spring collection features some adorable rainy day outfits, comfy clothes and red, white and blue classics. Here are some of my favorites.

Globetrotting Mommy – Paddington Bear Collection at Baby Gap

I think these would be adorable on any marmalade loving kids or teddy bears and would make great baby shower gifts. They’re selling the book too which is a great addition for any globetrotting baby’s library.

How do you say “Let it …

March 5, 2014 By admin

Does your daughter sing Frozen’s “Let it Go” hit all day long like mine???

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Globetrotting Mommy – How do you say “Let it Go” in 25 Languages?

Well, I showed her this video of Elsa singing her signature song “Let it Go” in 25 languages and it blew her mind. Check it out and sing along. You might even learn some new words along the way…laissez-le aller,låt det gå, laat het gaan, dejarlo ir…

Let It Go in 25 Languages on Disney Video

If the movie has inspired you to plan a trip to Norway, check out Adventures by Disney’s Norway Family Vacation.

Bon voyage…

Spotlight on New Orleans: …

March 3, 2014 By admin

Looking for a kid-friendly activity to celebrates Marti Gras at home? Fat Tuesday is tomorrow and while my daughter is too young to enjoy the debauchery of Marti Gras in New Orleans, she’s just the right age for making beaded necklaces out of candy! Here’s a tutorial to make your own New Orleans inspired candy necklace to get you in the celebratory mood.

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Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Grab some string or ribbon, scissors and edible treats with holes in the center to string and you’re good to go. Twizzlers, Life Savers, gummy circles, Cheerios and Fruit Loops are ideal for this project. Kids can design a pattern, create monotone creations or just pick and choose as they go. This is a great project for kids of all ages but younger kids might need some help with stringing.

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

Cut the string and tie a candy at one end with a knot. Add candy and cereal until you’ve perfected the design and length. Knot the ends and slip it over your heads.

Globetrotting Mommy – Spotlight on New Orleans: Marti Gras Inspired Candy Necklaces

This would be a fun birthday party activity especially if you color coordinated the candy to match your theme.

Traveling to Nola? Check out my favorite New Orleans restaurants for families.

Fun Food Friday: All Around …

February 28, 2014 By admin

My husband and daughter are carb lovers – pretzels, pasta and crackers are their favorite things. I try to keep it healthy so when I heard about baked Pasta Chips, I was intrigued.

Globetrotting Mommy – Fun Food Friday: All Around Italy with Pasta Chips

Inspired by a meal in Tuscany, oven baked Pasta Chips look like ravioli and are made from semolina flour and Italian herbs. Each of the five flavors is inspired by a pasta sauce and tied to a region or cuisine in Italy. Spicy Tomato Herb is meant to evoke Calabria, Mediterranean Sea Salt brings to mind Puglia and Marinara was inspired by Naples’ famed pizza region, while Garlic Olive Oil and Alfredo recreate some of Italy’s most popular dishes.

Globetrotting Mommy – Fun Food Friday: All Around Italy with Pasta Chips

We taste tested the Garlic and Oil, Alfredo and Marinara flavors. They’re light, thin and crunchy, definitely more cracker-like than chip and full of flavor. The Marinara had a distinctive pizza flavor, the Garlic Olive Oil was reminiscent of garlic bread and the Alfredo had just the right amount of cheesiness. We loved all three but I think the Alfredo was the first bag to disappear…

Globetrotting Mommy – Fun Food Friday: All Around Italy with Pasta Chips

If you’re planning an Italian themed pizza or pasta night, I think these would be fun to serve. With 60% less fat than regular potato chips, they’re a nice addition to the baked snacks I like to keep on hand.

Have a great weekend!

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive Pasta Chip samples for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Chinese Astrology: The Year of …

February 26, 2014 By admin

Hey baby, what’s your Chinese sign? If you’ve ever eaten in a Chinese restaurant, you know that the Chinese zodiac is based on your birth year with each year commemorating an animal and their attributes. The Chinese New Year has arrived and this is the Year of the Horse. According to Chinese astrology, those born during this year are quick-witted, chatty and popular!

I think it would be fun to incorporate some cute horse themed accessories into your baby’s nursery design. Here are my favorite picks:

A rocking horse is a nursery classic and this Playsam Rocking Horse in Red will add a nice dash of color. I love the sleek modern design.