Babesta blog

Day 2: Valentine's Day window

It's time to take a peek at our progress today on the Valentine's day window! We've got lots of new things to love, courtesy of our customers, followers, fans, friends & family! Very excited to see this taking shape. . . 

And some close ups .  . . .

My mom's smile, Sam, Nutella (who doesn't), books, snowflakes on my tongue . .  .

Tristian & Ty, Hello Kitty & Tacos, Justin Timberlake!

More progress to come!

Our Valentines Window, Real-Time, at Babesta

We were hard at work on a Valentine's window that we could get everyone's involvement in. We thought it would be fun to ask people what they love, both in-store and online and day by day, build our window with the help of any and all game participants - children and adults alike.

What we used:

Tools used to make the fringe curtain:

Blade (box cutter)

Scissors

5 packs of Metallic tissue (3 sheets per pack)

Painters' tape

Cut the metallic tissue, like so...

Of course you need hearts and markers as well!

Valentine's Window: Day 1

Stay tuned for a new pics added tomorrow & more things to love!

Paper Pom Pom DIY Craft

Saw these from A Beautiful Living blog, via Mini Piccolini. Gorgeous! I'm inspired! Maybe we'll make some for our Valentine's window! Click here for a tutorial. 

Natural History Mystery

I am a huge fan of the AMNH in New York. I can always count on the museum with its butterfly exhibits, gargantuan dinosaurs, animals and minerals to entertain an afternoon away. But they've upped the ante lately, hosting clue-collecting mysteries on museum floors for families with kids 10 and up. They call it a puzzle meets a walking tour meets theater. It definitely looks like a blast! $40 each, until December 31. Find out more here. 

I Hope to Graduate from Khan Academy

Everywhere I've been over the past couple weeks, someone's mentioned Khan Academy. Just today I took a looksee to understand what the fuss was all about. First I watched Salman Khan's TED talk, and then dabbled on the site and listened to a couple lessons - why we have seasons and Singapore Math. Gotta say, I'm sort of obsessed. The former hedge fund-er and one of Fortunes' 40 under 40 is affable, informative and engaging -- and definitely is on to something great. There are all different lessons, some that I might turn my girls on to and some that will be for me - refreshers in art,finance, raising capital, and even insight into current events. Check his TED talk below, or browse the site here.

 

Rainy Day DIY- Homemade Spa & Beauty Treatments

Who said a spa day had to cost hundreds? Try out these easy at home recipes that will take you from drab to chic in no time. We know your little ones don't leave much time for pampering, so this is a sure fire easy peasy way around it that we spotted on Country Woman via  tasteofhome.com. -IW

Avocado Facial mask

Avocados make a moisturizing mask that's nourishing for dry or sun-exposed skin.

1 avocado, peeled and seeded
2 tsp. sweet almond oil or virgin olive oil

1. Mash avocado and add oil.
2. Apply mixture to face and leave on 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with towel.

Salt Glow

Salt scrubs are among my favorite home spa treatments. This one leaves your skin soft and glowing.

1/4 cup coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt)
2 Tbsp. virgin olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. lemon juice

1. Mix salt and oil.
2. Add lemon juice.
3. Massage into skin while you shower.
4. Rinse, pat dry and apply a natural moisturizer.

Gentle Oatmeal Mask

This is a good face mask for oily skin. The recipe makes enough for one treatment and should be applied as soon as it's mixed.

1 Tbsp. honey (runny)
1 egg yolk
4 Tbsp. fine oatmeal

1. Mix honey and egg yolk together in a small bowl.
2. Slowly stir in enough oatmeal to make a soft paste.
3. Smooth mask across face and neck and keep on for 15 minutes.
4. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry with towel.

Eye Brighteners

• Place a slice of cucumber over each eye. Lie back and relax for 15 minutes while cucumber tones and soothes skin around the eyes.
• Take two tea bags and make tea. Gently squeeze out the brewed tea bag and let cool. Place one slightly damp bag over each eye. Chamomile is good for tired eyes, while Indian tea (such as Darjeeling), an astringent, will firm the skin.

For Further information visit http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Mother-s-Day-Recipes/Homemade-Spa-Recipes

*SpaIndex.com Tip:  You've heard the adage "Never cook with wine you wouldn't drink."  This holds equally true for home spa remedies.  Never use ingredients for your home spa treatments that you wouldn't want to eat.  Your skin, the largest organ on your body, breathes and is porous. It will absorb the properties of the ingredients you are using.  Don't "clean out the fridge or pantry" to create your home skincare remedies.  Use fresh, high quality ingredients for the best results, and do not store the treatment longer than the shelf life of the most perishable ingredient.

For further information visit http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HomeSpa.htm

Rainy Day DIY: Heidi Kenney's "Every Day’s a Holiday: Year-Round Crafting with Kids"

There are more snow days coming, so get ready to bust out the arts and crafts.  With Heidi Kenney’s new craft book, Every Day’s a Holiday: Year-Round Crafting with Kids, as guidance you and your tot will be creating up a storm in no time. The book will be available at Babesta on January 29th, and Kenney will be on site to personally sign your copy. And 25 lucky kids will do their first craft (a "yummy" necklace or keychain) with Kenney herself. For more information or to sign up for the craft, call 646 290 5508 or email xtremeplaydate@babesta.com. –IW

 

The Cake Hero is Definitely My Kind of Savior

Holy Yum, Batman! The Cake Hero is a sweet, sweet savior! Check out these confections- from Ugly Doll cupcakes to Yo Gabba Cakes. Check out the Cake Hero!

Off the Wall - Fun Wallpapers by Isak and Aimee Wilder

I am tempted to eschew our plain painted walls for wallpaper in our playroom and small bathroom. There are so many great designs - contemporary and cheerful. My perennial favorite wallpaper designer is Aimee Wilder (her pigeons are city cool and her boomboxes and robots are amazing!), and I just discovered (through designspongeonline) Isak's Harvest print which I just love. The color and graphic design will definitely give rise to a happy place.

Aimee Wilder's prints

Wilder's Robot print

Isak's Harvest print

Google's Doodle4Google "Wish for the World" Logo Contest

Doodle 4 Google is a pretty cool contest going on that I read about on Boing Boing!. Kids all around the US doodle new logos for Google, one of which will be chosen and featured for a day on Google's home page.  Voting is on til May 18. The theme: "What I wish for the world!" 

Current entries range from themes of peace, unity and green.  Pictured below: entry A Brighter Earth by Emma Hawkins; Nanotechnology in Space by Henry Jordan Shield;  Save The Animals by Jackie Tian and Gavin's Google Respect and Renwal by Gavin Riatt Hughes.