Adventure, baby!

Month: August 2013

Brunch Survival Guide: Rockaway Beach Day Trip

Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Being from the land of beaches, I’ve found myself desperately missing white sand and blue waves – yet I feel trapped at home because of the timing of Cheese’s naps. Today, however, we decided to throw caution (and naps!) to the wind and catch the A train to Rockaway for a day at the beach.

Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Getting there by train was a lot easier than I’d expected. We caught the A to Broad Channel, then switched to the S (Shuttle) to 90th St. The whole trip took 50 minutes from our apartment in Brooklyn. After getting off the train, it was a 10 minute walk to the beach.

The Rockaways were hit extremely hard during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. You can still see the extensive damage as you walk to the beach – the houses with ground floor construction still being done, the buildings missing shingles on their walls, parts of the boardwalk still being rebuilt. The beach has undergone a massive reconstruction since the hurricane and it is pretty amazing that the beaches were able to reopen again this summer.  The boardwalk is still in the process of being re-constructed, and sections of the beach are closed off, but don’t let that stop you. There are still 14 miles of white beach for you and your kids to enjoy.

The beach in Rockaway is particularly kid-friendly. The water is calm and shallow at the shoreline, and several newly-reopened playgrounds line the boardwalk.

Rockaway Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com
Rockaway Taco
First stop is breakfast, after surviving the train trip intact. Everyone we asked recommended Rockaway Tacos, a tiny little taco stand tucked away on 96th street. Breakfast is served 9am-10:45am, then the regular menu from 11am onwards. You won’t be the only taco-seeker, so be prepared for a long wait. Their side garden features benches to sit on in the shade, and cool murals to point out to the older kids. Grab a coffee or smoothie from the coffee and juice stand, Veggie Island, next door, then come back for your tacos. Tacos start from $3.50 each. Go for the fried fish taco – it’s a lightly fried piece of white fish, topped with cabbage and crema in true Mexican style. They also do a nice Elote (corn on the cob smothered in mayo and spices, $3.50).

Rockaways Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rockaways Taco: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rockaway Taco
95-19 Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Rockaway Beach, NY
Phone: (347) 213-7466)
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-8pm, Thur-Sun 9am-8pm

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Veggie Island
Next door to the famous tacos sits the aforementioned Veggie Island – home of great coffee, smoothies and snacks like the peach muffin ($3) I sampled. You can also grab some brightly-colored fresh fruit and veggies. I also picked up a Strawberry and Banana Smoothie ($6). It was more like a slushie than a smoothie (blended with ice rather than yoghurt or milk), which was great for the hot day.

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Veggie Island: kid-friendly cafes, Rockaways Day Trip Guide, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Indoor seating is limited to bar stools, so take your smoothie and coffee to go.

Veggie Island
95-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd (on 95th St.)
Far Rockaway, NY 11693
Phone:(347) 277-2268
Prices: $$

Rippers: Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rippers
Rippers is currently the only concession stand open on the boardwalk. You’ll find breakfast burritos, hamburgers and fries – good, solid beach food. They also have a large, shaded seating area and phone charging station, and are located next to the brand new bathrooms installed on the boardwalk.

Ripper': Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Rippers
Rockaway Boardwalk
Beach 86th Street
Far Rockaway, NY 11693

Roberta's concession stand, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Roberta’s
Walking along the street to get Cheese to nap in the stroller, I spotted this sign (above), which made my heart jump. Yes, it was the pizzeria I never venture to because I hate, hate waiting.

Roberta's concession stand, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

The Roberta’s pop-up stand features a wood-fire oven on wheels (genius!), delivering some seriously tasty pies. Each pizza is a single serve, with a basic Margarita costing $6. The pizza took over half an hour to arrive (at least that was better than waiting in line for a seat at a restaurant), but it was absolutely worth it (and better than waiting for over an hour on a line alone). Crispy base, with a soft crusty edge, the perfect savoury tomato sauce and daubs of mozzarella cheese on top. O.M.G. My only regret was not ordering two as Cheese ate a big chunk of mine.

Roberta's pizza, Rockaways Day Trip Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

There are a few tables and benches near Roberta’s, but no shade. One option is to take it to the nearby toddler playground to eat on a bench there while your kids run in the sprinklers.

Roberta’s
Beach 69th Street
Rockaway Beach, NY 11693
Prices $$
Hours: Fri 12:30pm-6:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am-6:30pm

What you need to know before you go

  • Swimming is permitted only when life guards are on duty, which is from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, daily from 10-6 p.m.
  • Avoid areas with red flags or “beach closed” signs. Temporary “islands” have been built at sections where the boardwalk is still damaged.
  • If you need chairs & umbrellas, there are stores at 116 Beach Street (near the subway) that sell them relatively inexpensively (there are no places to rent them).
  • LABOR DAY UPDATE: The stretch from Beach 110th Street to Beach 130th Street, and Beach 88th Street to Beach 93rd Street, will be closed over the long weekend for dredging.

Getting there

  • Take the A train to Far Rockaway, change at Broad Channel to the S train to 90th st. Travel time from Manhattan is about an hour and 15 minutes.
  • Rockabus has weekend buses from Brooklyn and the Lower East Side.
  • A weekend ferry runs between Pier 11 on Wall Street and Jacob Riis Park.

Eloise’s 2nd Birthday Party

Since Missy Eloise is such a lover of climbing and running, we decided to throw an easy party at a playground close to us. For the theme I decided on a pink and green safari, since she loves jungle animals so much. Photos by the awesomely talented Kristy May Photography.

Eloise had such a blast at her party! All her friends came and jumped around in the sprinklers, then stuffed their faces with cupcakes by Georgetown.

Invitations, sign, banners and thank you cards all from Eclectic Note Cards.

Fondant safari animals from the Cupcake Stylist.

Balloons, gift bags, plates, cutlery, table cloth from Party City.

Happy birthday darling girl! We’re so glad you enjoyed your second birthday. We love you, crazy little lady!

Brunch Survival Guide: Governors Island Day Trip

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Desperate to get away from the cement landscape that is Manhattan? Us too, especially on days when the heat radiates from the ground up. One of our favourite easy escapes is an afternoon trip to Governors Island. The 172-acre island is just off the southern tip of Manhattan, near Brooklyn. Governors Island was used as a military base for almost two centuries, before 150 acres were sold to the people of New York in 2003. (The remaining 22 acres of the Island was declared the Governors Island National Monument that is overseen by the National Park Service.)

Each year, Governors Island opens every Memorial Day weekend through to the end of September, and is chock full of fun events all summer long. With a young toddler, our choices are a bit limited —so this year the best bets for us were the FIGMENT interactive installations (including the treehouse pictured, above) and a mini-golf course (open summer-long, at the Parade Grounds) the Fête Paradiso and Compost Outpost. Older kids will love the Children’s Museum of the Arts Free Art Island Outpost Program, which is open all season from 11am to 3pm, at Nolan Park. Kids can enjoy hands-on workshops including painting, sound design, sculpture, animation and podcasting.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

As well as enjoying the seasonal events offered, it’s also really nice to simply take a walk around the island. I love this walkway  (above) through the middle of the park, with the towering trees on both sides, and the empty buildings that once housed military personal (which can sometimes make you feel like you’re in a ghost town).  On a quiet day, it’s an eerie vibe. You can walk or bike (BYO bike or hire one when you get there) around the entire island, to take in an amazing view of the Statue of Liberty and southern tip of Manhattan.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

The hot event to visit this summer has been Fête Paradiso, a traveling festival of vintage carnival rides and carousels, making its American debut. The collection includes attractions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as carousels, flying swings and a pipe organ. Not only is it cool seeing rare, museum-quality items in a setting as beautiful as the island, you can also ride most of the vintage attractions. Insider tip: The rides are a bit on the pricey side, particularly if you’re going with a toddler. If you’re riding with your kid, it will cost you each a ticket, even if you’re just holding your kid while they’re riding the carousel. The best value is a buying in bulk.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

There are a lot of rides, mostly suited to adults and older kids due to lack of modern safety features. The best rides for small kids are the carousels.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

A carousel with cars was the favourite among the junior set (vroom vroom!). The only problem? No seat belts to strap the kids in, so the merry-go-round presents a couple of challenges — a moving platform, plus a moving toddler ON the platform who wants to buzz from car to car to car. TOO MANY CHOICES FOR TODDLER BRAINS!

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

This miniature VW van was dubbed “the party bus” by the parents watching the chaos unfold, as all the kids scrambled to squeeze inside and take the wheel at once.

Governor's Island Survival Guide via brunchwithmybaby.com

For a change of pace, calm everyone down at Earth Matter’s Compost Outpost (open all season, 10am-5pm, South Battery). Kids can get up close to chickens, goats, rabbits and worms, all of whom spend their days eating compost, care of Governor’s Island visitors. Older kids can learn about compost first-hand, by taking part in the daily composting.

Eating On The Island
When it comes to food, you have a few expensive choices. Fête Paradiso features an eatery inside a pavilion designed in 1900 for bumper cars. Food is available in a tent, catered by French eatery Le Gamin. You’ll be able to try some traditional bistro fare like Steak Frites ($15), Croque Monsieur ($8) Salade Nicoise ($8) and sweet crepes with Nutella, lemon sugar or jam ($5). Kid-friendly options include hamburgers ($8) and Rotisserie Chicken ($10). Adults can enjoy spirits and wine from the Languedoc region of France. There is also the King Island Food Court, featuring a variety of vendors and cuisines, and picnic tables at which to sit. For a really relaxing day, bring a packed picnic and blanket.

Tips to Know Before You Go:

  • There’s no drinkable water on the island (so no drinking fountains). You can buy water from island vendors and vending machines, but we’d advise bringing plenty of your own. Water bottles can be re-filled in the Governors Island Ferry Waiting Room at the Battery Maritime Building.
  • The only indoor bathrooms are located on the upper and lower level of Building 110, adjacent to the ferry landing. There are plenty of port-a-loos placed around the island if you can’t hold on to find these bathrooms.

Governors Island
Open every Sat, Sun and holiday Monday from 10am-7pm through to September 29. To get there, catch the East River ferry from Manhattan (from Wall St/Pier 11 ($4) or the free ferry from the Battery Maritime Building) or the free Brooklyn ferry from Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6. Check out the ferry schedules before you go, and be prepared for a long line if you’re heading across from Brooklyn.

aden + anais musy mate bamboo koala

Just a quick post on the super cute aden + anais musy mate Cheese recently received as a gift from our awesome friends at aden + anais. I’m totally in love with it as well, hence the post. It’s made with bamboo muslin, like the swaddles, and the colour is just beautiful – it’s called “azure”, and it’s basically a vibrant turquoise. The koala is soft and cuddly, the perfect toy to put in the crib with a baby over six months of age (no eyes or noses that can be a choking hazard, yay!).

aden + anais Musy Mate via akissgoodnight.co

If you want one of your own, there’re a bit difficult to find. You can currently find the koala in maxi size here.

The koala was a gift, all opinions on this blog are my own. 

Popbar: Kid-Friendly Desserts, West Village, New York

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

One super hot day wandering through the West Village, my family and I stumbled into Popbar in a heat-induced daze. Desperate for something cool, I ordered my first hand-crafted gelato on a stick (mango!) and there it was: A delicious, cooling treat that took me right back to the summers of childhood, riding my bicycle around the neighbourhood and getting sticky hands from eating popsicles.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

Popbar produces small batches of their pops (only 26 are made at a time), using natural and fresh ingredients. “The strawberries taste like strawberries, the snozberries taste like snozeberries!”.

Order your custom-made treat at the counter. First, choose your base flavor: PopGelato, PopSorbetto or YogurtPop. Then, either eat it as-is, or have it dipped in dark, milk or white chocolate. The last step is toppings – you can choose from a variety extras like crushed nuts, sprinkles and waffle cone to have your pop dipped in for the finishing touch.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

The inside seating is limited to bar stools at the counter, so we usually sit on the bench outside, or walk across the street to the park and sit next to the fountain.

PopBar: kid-friendly desserts, West Village, via brunchwithmybaby.com

My favourite flavor is peach with milk chocolate and crushed waffle cone. Alec’s is strawberry with dark chocolate. A custom pop isn’t cheap. A basic pop starts at $4.50. Add 50c for dipping in chocolate and 50c for additional toppings. It’s worth it though – every bite is a taste of sweet, decadent heaven.

Last bite: A fast, sweet, customizable treat that will please the pickiest snackers in every family.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Popbar
5 Carmine St,
New York, NY
Phone: (212) 255 4874
Prices: $$
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm Sat-Sun 12pm-1am

You Know You’re A Brooklyn Baby When …

Your Saltwater sandals match your mama’s.

The neighbourhood playground equipment teaches how to hail a cab.

You wear a swimsuit and take sand toys to the sprinklers instead of the beach.

The first piano you played was weighted down with cement blocks, and situated under a stone archway.

You end playdates with a slice of wood-fired pizza.

Your stroller is an SUV (hello Bugaboo and Uppababy!).

Your playground has Manhattan as a backdrop.

Your summer treat is ice cream – made with milk and eggs from local cows and chickens, churned the previous day.

You think horses live on a carousel.

All your friends live within walking distance.

You have a jaunty hat collection.

Your first milkshake was at Brooklyn Farmacy (right after a Jitterbugs show).

You’ve been riding the subway like pro since you were four weeks old. (Choo choo!!)

Everything you own is in miniature to fit in a small Brooklyn apartment (like your kitchen and piano).

Your first dance class was at the Mark Morris Dance Center where you mingled with off-duty company members.

Your stuffed toys are handmade by local artists.

You have an item in your wardrobe identifying you as, indeed, a Brooklyn baby.

In Which The Very Tricksy Cheese Turns 2

Today was Missy Eloise’s second birthday. We started the day reminiscing about the day she was born – what we were doing that morning, how labour had started the night before. It then dawned on me that I’ve completely forgotten the majority of that day. I have highlights that burst into my brain when I think back (not appropriate for this blog post however), but when I think back on the day really hard, I can’t remember much about the c-section, after the operation, and the following 5 days when I was in hospital. In my head, it seems like it was only a day. Where did those memories go? Is it PTSD?

Me: “Alec, I only remember that I vomited on the anaesthetist during the cesarean.”

Alec: “It’s probably good that you don’t remember the arc of blood that spurted over the screen and hit you in the face.”

!!!!!!!

I digress.

Alec and I often joke that Eloise knows it’s a special day and does her best to … I wouldn’t say ruin it, but she certainly doesn’t make it easy to relax and celebrate anything. For her own birthday, she didn’t nap. Instead she stood in her crib shrieking like a banshee for about two hours. While I was desperately trying to prepare for her party that afternoon, Alec took her out in the stroller to try for a stroller nap. After half an hour of wailing, he was blessed with a half hour nap. Not exactly a win.

So with a pretty manic and irritable toddler, we kicked off the party celebrations with Eloise’s dearest little friends. Her buddies, thankfully, were all in fabulous moods. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by our loving friends – both big and small. Eloise’s mood was turned around by all her little friends too – she definitely enjoyed her party and playing with her friends. I loved watching her agilely climb play equipment and throw herself down slides, and then splash in the sprinklers with all her buddies. The sweetest moment was seeing most of the kids all jumping in the puddles together, dancing and running and laughing. Pure toddler bliss. Beautiful.

Age age two, Eloise is showing a lot of signs of the person she is growing into. Physically she is so fast and agile, it’s astounding. Considering her gene pool of sprinters and sportsmen, it’s not very surprising. We will be putting her in some sporting environments over winter, like soccer, to see if she enjoys it.

She’s also really smart. Her problem solving skills have suddenly exploded. She can count items up to four, sings songs (she loves “Wheels on the Bus” and “1,2,3,4”), loves puzzles and books.

Verbally, Eloise is pretty entertaining. While her vocabulary is huge (I’d say she knows over a hundred words, minimum), she only says the first syllable of most words. Sometimes we need a translator. She can name a huge amount of objects and animals, including the sound they make. She really enjoys doing things like standing inside the fridge doors and naming everything in the fridge, pointing to the things she doesn’t know the name of. She often asks what something is, or where someone or something is.

What I’ve enjoyed the most during this past year is the development of Eloise’s personality. She’s fun and funny, and just enjoys life so much. She loves exploring everything in her world, from pebbles to flowers and the rain. She gives us spontaneous hugs and kisses when she’s happy, and oh, don’t we know it, when she’s not (NO SHOOESSSSSS!)! She loves “cooking” in her kitchen (“chop chop!), “pat pat”-ing dogs (and naming their body parts – watch out for the eyes!), and kicking a soccer ball. She adores her friends, even if she doesn’t quite understand how to play with them yet, and she’s showing empathy – wanting to know why someone is “sad” (read: baby crying hysterically).

Our little lady is a non-stop ball of energy. Go, go, go from she wakes till she crashes asleep. So many things to explore and learn about. So many dogs to pat, pictures to draw, ladders to climb. Her enthusiasm is amazing (and exhausting to follow!).

Happy second birthday to our darling girl. We love you, we love you, we love you, you crazy, impossible, adorable kid.

 

No. 7 Sub: Kid-Friendly Cafes, DUMBO, New York

No. 7 Sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

With toddler Cheese now refusing to sit in restaurants, we’re doing a lot of “grab and go” lunches to keep everyone happy. One of our favourite things to do on weekends is to walk on down to DUMBO and spend an afternoon chasing Cheese around the playgrounds, taking a spin on Jane’s Carousel, and eating — usually at the same time as running …

Sandwich experts No. 7 Sub opened up over Memorial Day in the Smokestack Building on Water Street. The location is perfect — directly in between the Pier 1 toddler playground and ferry terminal, and Jane’s Carousel and the Pier 1 pirate playground. It’s also a great option for Sundays when you attempt to go to Smorgasburg and are scared off by the massive queues.

No. 7 sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

Behind the Smokestack Building is extra seating — yes, in the shade! If you can actually take advantage of seating, it’s the perfect place to take a break and enjoy your sandwich.

No. 7 sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

I chose one of the staple sandwiches, the Broccoli Classic (Lychee Muchim, Ricotta Salata, Pine Nuts, Mayo). At $9 it’s a pricey sandwich, but it’s also big and filling. The combination of broccoli, ricotta and nuts is delicious. I wasn’t a big fan of the lychee muchim (pickled lychees). They had a bit too much of a kick of chilli for my taste. Next time I would probably order a build-your-own sub, which is perfect for picky eaters like me.

No. 7 Sub: kid-friendly cafes, DUMBO, New York - via brunchwithmybaby.com

Sandwiches made from scratch, so be prepared to wait 10-15 mins for your creation. If you have an energetic toddler like we do, take your sandwich to one of the nearby playgrounds to enjoy it while your kid runs around.

Last bite: A great grab-and-go option for lunch (and now breakfast!) in DUMBO. Freshly-made sandwiches are a delicious option when you want good food, fast. Cafe seating is available if you have time to sit with your family. 

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

No. 7 Sub
11 Water St,
Brooklyn, NY
Prices: $$
Hours: Daily, 11am-8pm

Get directions.

No. 7 Sub on Urbanspoon

aden + anais skin care and laundry care review & GIVEAWAY

We’ve been huge fans of aden + anais since we each first laid our hands on our aden +anais muslin swaddles when our babies were born. Many swaddles later, we were delighted to hear that the same brand that is synonymous with high-quality products for babies and toddlers had also released their mum + bub skin care and laundry care ranges. Both product ranges are free of all the nasty things you don’t want touching your baby’s (and your own!) skin (like phthalates, petrochemicals, and lots of other icky stuff).

We took each of the new products from the laundry and skin care ranges for a spin and here are our findings (giveaway at the end!):

mum + bub skin care

aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comsoothing ointment
Christine: I nearly jumped with joy when I saw that “pawpaw” was the focal element of this range. Pawpaw is an ingredient used in many of the skin care that I grew up with and loved in Australia. It’s renowned for its soothing, cleansing and protective qualities for skin. A little goes a long way with this ointment—I’ve been using the tub for three months and have barely made a dent in it. I love using it as a lip balm, but I also use it to treat minor cuts, insect bites, and even wind-burn. On Cheese, I use it as a diaper ointment, or if she has minor grazes, and also as a lip balm! (She likes to copy her mama.) Available in two sizes (3oz tube, $15.95; 6oz tub, $28.95).


aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comhair + body wash 

Christine: I love using this hair and body wash on Cheese. A small squirt in the hand covers her completely, foams up well, and gets her squeaky clean. She smells fresh (must be the inclusion of Australian Sandalwood in the ingredients) and her skin feels silky afterwards. The wash is moisturising, tear-free, and can be used to wash and condition hair as well. Comes in one size, (12 oz bottle, $15.95.)

 


aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comultra-gentle lotion

Alexis: I was sold on the smell of the lotion alone, but when I used it on Little J after his bath I found that it was also rich without being sticky. It absorbed right into his skin. Little J has sensitive skin and is prone to eczema but he has done really well with this lotion — his skin is soft with no rough patches. Plus, it is cheaper than some other comparable “natural” high-end lotions that I have used on him. I also like that it was formulated with a dermatologist. (12 oz pump dispenser, $15.95.)

laundry care

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comdetergent
Alexis: The Laundress New York (a brand known for their gentle yet effective, eco-friendly, and toxin-free products) and aden + anais came together to develop this deliciously smelling and naturally derived line of laundry products. The result is nothing short of heavenly. I’ve always lusted after The Laundress products but have never had the heart to fork over half a paycheck for them. But ever since I had a baby, I’ve been paying extra attention to the ingredients in my products and how they affect my son’s skin (and yeah, paying extra dough for it as well). I love the way his clothes and mine smell. It is absolutely intoxicating, plus I know that we are not wearing any extra chemicals along with our summer wardrobes. I use a smaller amount than the label recommends for a regular load in my washer, and it still does the job. Eau de aden + anais! (33.3 oz bottle, $22.95.)

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.com

aden+anais fabric softener GIVEAWAY via brunchwithmybaby.comfabric softener
Christine: aden + anais recommend using the fabric softener with the detergent in every wash. I’ve been using it as directed and our clothes are definitely soft and smell amazing. The fabric softener is naturally-derived and free of petroleum, dyes, SLS and tallow. (16 fl. oz bottle, $16.95.)

 

 

aden + anais laundry care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.com

chlorine-free bleach 
Christine: I’ve been using this bleach in conjunction with the detergent and fabric softener, and I’ve definitely noticed that our white towels look crisper and whiter. The dirty marks from ice-cream-covered toddler hands have come right out. Nothing short of a miracle.
(16 fl oz bottle, $15.)

 

 

GIVEAWAY!

aden + anais mum + bub skin care range review and GIVEAWAY - via brunchwithmybaby.comWe love both ranges so much that we have arranged for one lucky reader to win an entire set of the mum + bub skin care and laundry care ranges, plus one signature “Monster Mash” burpy bib set. Total prize value is $145.70.

Competition closes midnight, Tuesday August 27, 2013.

Entry open to US mailing addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Emack and Bolio's: Kid-Friendly Ice Creamery, UES, New York

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I’ve been known to walk a long way for ice cream. Such as this day, when I walked from the west side of Central Park, at 95th street, to 1st avenue and 82nd street just to check out Emack and Bolio’s and satisfy my ice cream craving. (Tip: I actually advise doing this as then your ice cream is totally guilt-free.) Emack and Bolios, UES ice creamery, via brunchwithmybaby.com
This ice cream chain out of Boston specialises in wacky flavors, and are the originators of the “flavored cone” (think waffle cone covered in Fruit Loops, Fruit Pebbles or Oreos). I’m a huge fan of ice cream with big chunks of goodies in it, which is why, after reading a review describing them as similar to my long-time love Ben & Jerry’s, I badly wanted to check them out.

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The flavors (they boast 100 per year) are indeed wacky. Flavors on the menu include “Caramel Moose Prints” (I’m guessing caramel … and moose?) and “Cosmic Crunch” (vanilla with caramel, choc chips, nuts, toffee, cookies pieces).

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The staff were super friendly and happy to hand out as many samples as I wanted to try. I sampled “Purple Cow” (black raspberry with white and dark choc chips). It was delicious, but I was in the mood for something a bit more chocolatey, so I settled on “Serious Chocolate Addiction” (chocolate with chocolate chips and fudge chunks — single scoop, $4.25). I was told that these are two of their most popular flavors, and I can certainly see why. The chocolate ice cream had lots of big chunks of other chocolate goodies, swirled in a rich, delicious ice cream base.

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We sat on stools and people-watched while we enjoyed our ice creams. Note: there are only bar stools at the window to sit on. No chairs and tables indoors. You can, however, sit outside on the bench with your stroller parked in front of you.

Last bite: A fun place to stop for some seriously funky ice cream. Delicious treats for adults and kids alike.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Emack and Bolio’s
1564 1st Ave
New York, NY 10028
Phone: (212) 734-0105
Prices $
Hours: Sun-Thur 12pm-10pm Sun 12pm-11pm