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• Kitchenista: Because It's About the Chocolate

  Go ahead, you know you want brownies today. Not just any brownies. No, these have to be really rich, almost like fudge (none of this "cake-like" stuff, what is that anyway?). Made with real butter, of course. Made by you. Not from a box (trust me, it's TOTALLY worth it). And really, really chocolatey. Because today is all about the chocolate. I've been making these for years and have never heard one complaint. Yay, Joy of Cooking! Read More... Posted Feb 14 2008, 02:05 PM by Karen Murphy with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: chocolate, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, kitchenista, Joy of Cooking, Sharffen Berger, brownies

• Valentine's Gifts for Kids: Do You or Don't You?

  I ran across this list of kid-gift ideas for Valentine's Day just now and it occurred to me that maybe there's some controversy in giving gifts to kids on this holiday commemorating hearts and love and stuff. Is there? Me, I'm taking the slacker-mom route this year and giving boxes of candy hearts and, if they're lucky, a pack of Little Debbie's Valentine Snack Cakes (special request), but I've had my over-acheiving sugar-cookie/homemade-Valentine years as well.  But what do most people do? Is there a deep and profound sense of sharing [even more] love with a precious child in some small way, or have the toy and greeting card marketers taken over here? Read More... Posted Feb 11 2008, 03:22 PM by Karen Murphy with | with 10 comment(s) Filed under: parenting, kids, gifts, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, Valentine Day

• A Very Special Valentine's Day

  Nothing like waiting until the last minute to buy a gift. Valentine’s Day, and I’m spending my lunch hour doing a little shopping for the wife. The name of the venerable establishment – Dr. Love’s – should tell you all you need to know about the merchandise found on the shelves. (I just went in there to buy a card. Honest.) Now, despite the impression you may have of me based on the posts I’ve written for this site, I am a grown man, a mature – ok, mostly mature – adult. I have a kid, who is biologically mine, so I have had sex before. Nevertheless, I was a bit…uncomfortable at the thought of walking into Ye Olde Dildo ‘N Lube Shoppe in broad daylight. The place is a few blocks away from my office, on a very busy street, in a neighborhood frequented by people I know. And I’d left my trenchcoat, fedora, and mirrored sunglasses at home. Read More... Posted Feb 14 2007, 06:40 PM by JasonAvant with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: sex toys, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, unusual Valentine's Day gifts

• Last Minute Valentine: Send a Video Valentine with MotionBox

  Love someone? Haven't gotten your Valentine's Day act together yet? No worries! That's what we're here for. Tell someone you love them with a video Valentine from MotionBox. Simply choose a video from the MotionBox site or upload one of your own. Customize your card with heart-y themes and a sweet message. Then share your video Valentine's Day card with the one you love. Best of all, it's totally free! Too shy to say those three little words in person? Profess your love on video! Use your cell phone to record yourself shopping for the perfect gift. Send a cute video of your pets or kids as a valentine to the whole family. So round up the kids, make that video, and send it off to the grandparents. Like I'm 'bout to do. Posted Feb 14 2007, 10:02 AM by Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, video sharing, MotionBox

• Over-the-top Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Family

  This Valentine's Day, show your family you care...by spending lots and lots of money on stuff that's totally ridick. If you really loved your children you'd buy them a $120 bag of cookies for Valentine's Day. And not only that, you'd throw in a $3,000 roses rug for little Tiffany's bedroom. (It'll hide the cookie crumbs.) However, if you limit sweets (or you're buying for Janice Dickenson's kids) Amy Sedaris' fake cake ($100) will surely entice without making them fat. If you don't love your children quite that much you could offer up a $70 batch of seeds for their urban windowsill garden ("Look at the pretty weeds!") or a $110 bottle of Bulgari perfume for your little girl.  For boys, $40 on a bottle of Shrek 2 cologne is worth it to cover up their little-boy-Tonka-stank. And, not to be left out, a flaçon of Teletubbies fragrance ($30) will ensure that your infant's neck folds are always fresh, never cheesy. But let's not forget about you, dear parent!  Valentine's Day is tomorrow! Now is the time to disable your screensaver and leave your laptop open to this Kiki de Montparnasse bra which, apparently, has been made out of scrunchies ($150), or this Le Tigre color-block hoodie. (I'm sure this never sold for $78 at JC Penney back in the day.) Lastly, if you'd like to say it with flowers, you can't go wrong with a slender and spare bouquet consisting of three orchid sprigs ($500). Your family is worth it, don't you think? Posted Feb 13 2007, 03:03 PM by Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, kid's cologne

• Top 5 Unusual Valentine's Gifts: West Coast Style

  Valentine's Day has parents everywhere calling babysitters and making dinner reservations, but what what should one get the husband or wife who has it all, except sleep?  This year, stay away from the usual chocolate and flowers and make this a memorable holiday.  Parents these days, those selfish bastards, strive for individuality in gift-giving as much as anything else. Bellingham may be one of the best cities in which to conceive a child, but it isn't known as one of the country's most romantic hot spots.  Nevertheless, one of our local stores is loaded with unique Valentine's Day gifts even hip urbanites might enjoy: 1. Pacific Northwest Native American Art - Masks.  Great for playing "dress up" and also for decorating walls. Read More... Posted Feb 12 2007, 12:41 PM by Rachael Brownell (Redsy) with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, unusual Valentine's Day gifts

• Madallie Makes Traveling with Kids Easy

  It isn't often that I come across a truly unique kids' products site, but when I do, you're the first to know. Like now. Today's fabu du jour is Madallie, the children's online travel store. Madallie's motto is "turn your kids into happy, patient travelers with Madallie." (Wait, wha-? Really? Really.) The moms behind Madallie have tracked down the most creative toys, comfort dolls, activities, books, games, backpacks and more to keep your kids occupied, and (more importantly) keep you from losing your shiznit, whenever you're on the road. Even if it is only to soccer practice. What I like best about this site is that everything is all in one place.  You don't need to go to three different stores to get everything you need for traveling. If you have a trip coming up (and even if you don't—Valentine's Day is around the corner) you must check out Madallie.  You'll be glad you did.  And so will rows 26-34. Posted Feb 07 2007, 07:02 PM by Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: gift ideas, toys, websites, travelling with kids, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, madallie

• Valentines Day Gift Ideas: Enamel Pendants from Orange Peel Enamel

  Every time I wear one of my two Orange Peel pendants, I get massive compliments--they're eye-catching, unique, and fun. Jenny crafts each pendant to order and fires them in vitreous enamel, making them as durable as they are beautiful. Because they hang from a thin steel cable, they're totally kid-proof, making them a great necklace for a mama who's been avoiding dangly pretty things for fear of getting yanked by a grabby baby. Check out the sold items at this Etsy.com store as well--Jenny will gladly remake a past design and is even willing to customize the colors to your recipient's taste or make them in a different size than previously offered. She gets them made and shipped with breathtaking speed, and the packaging is stunning, making the process of opening the package as much fun as owning one of her lovely little works of art. Posted Feb 05 2007, 09:16 AM by Patti with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: gift ideas, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas, Orange Peel Enamel, jewelry

• Valentine's Day Gift Ideas: "Sweet Treats" from Mahar Dry Goods

  Do you know Mahar Dry Goods?  If not, you should. Owner Robert Mahar seeks out the most whimsical and wonderful artisan-crafted toys and gifts for kids of all ages.  For Valentine's Day, check out their selection of crafty "sweets" for your sweeties. Nilla Sammies are a tub-time tribute to the almighty ice cream sandwich. These special edition soapsicles are not only beautiful, they're deliciously scented like vanilla and chocolate. Roll one up in your little Valentine's bath towel as a sweet suprise. Use your imagination and feel the love! Read More... Posted Feb 04 2007, 08:02 AM by Stefania Pomponi Butler (CityMama) with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: gift ideas, Valentine's Day, Mahar Dry Goods, Valentine's Day Gift Ideas