The summer holidays are creeping up on us… Finally! There are a few great travel games that are great to be aware off — to keep the kids entertained in the car, on the plane, the train… or to bring to the park and the beach!

The following games are great to bring along when you’re traveling:

•Djeco Bingo game: So fun and easy to play (great for even younger children)! It’s one of our all-time favourites.

•’Yatzee’ is great fun for all ages, and it only requires five dice, any sort of cup, and a piece of paper and a pen to keep the score. You can download a free score card here.

•Dobble: Such a clever and fun game. It comes in a little round tin, so it’s easy to carry around. (Our kids beat us all the time!)

•A stack of playing cards. Some great kid-friendly games to play with kids are ‘war‘, or ‘Go Fish’.

•Uno – A classic! Fun for all ages!

And these games are easy to play anywhere, and don’t require anything special to bring!

•Beach/park: Knuckle-bones. Can be played everywhere with just five little stones. Instructions here.

•Guess what? (One of the players thinks of an object / person / place and the other players try to guess what / who it is by asking questions which can only be answered with YES or NO.)

•Playing ‘I spy with my little eye’ — an old favourite, but always a success!

•Charades: only requires some pieces of paper and a pen (and some healthy imagination!). Fun!

•Think of as many names (or countries, or animals) starting with an A you can come up with, then try B, etc.

•Try to come up with as many words as possible that rhyme. Write them down, and try to make a story out of them!

•Rock-Paper-Scissors. As old as Methuselah, but always exciting!

Happy traveling!

from Babyccino Kids

Thanks to Esther, Courtney, Emilie and the fabulous team at Babyccino Kids for the wonderful post this week!!

Visit Babyccino Kids and you will discover a curated selection of children’s boutique webshops, organised into relevant categories and highlighted by key products, making it easy to find the perfect webshop for your shopping needs.

The Mini Social is proud to partner this year with Baby2Baby in our Earth Week initiative. 10% of our sale proceeds for the week will support their mission to provide essential baby items including clothing, gear, and diapers to families in need throughout Los Angeles. Their Board of Directors include celebrity moms, Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie and Julie Bowen.

Here is our interview with co-presidents Norah Weinstein and Kelly Patricof.

How did Baby2Baby get its start?

In 2006, a group of Los Angeles moms were looking for a place to recycle the things their kids had outgrown. They wanted to pass clothing and baby gear on to less fortunate families, but quickly realized there was no place specifically dedicated to recycling children’s items in their own community. Baby2Baby’s first drive began by reaching out to friends and family, who donated enough gear to fill three garages! Today we work with over 40 non-profit organizations including homeless and domestic violence shelters, Head Start programs and children’s hospitals, and pass essential children’s items on to over 50,000 families each year.

We love the fact that Baby2Baby helps families in need with essential items by redistributing items that other families no longer need. It’s such a perfect formula and gentle to the earth at the same time. Is that something you were conscious of at the beginning?  

Baby2Baby has grown tremendously in the past five years, but we still operate with the same mission that we did in 2006: to recycle the things our own children have outgrown by passing them on to less fortunate families. From the beginning, the fact that we could also help families reduce their carbon footprint was very important to us. Donations go directly to low-income and at-risk families rather than ending up in a landfill. It’s a green solution that benefits everyone involved!

What are the best baby items to “recycle”? And which items does Baby2Baby need most?

 The families we work with have a continuous need for strollers (especially double strollers and umbrella strollers), cribs, bassinets, and clothing. As every mom knows, there is also a constant need for new diapers. Families can get involved with Baby2Baby by donating gently used items, volunteering at our headquarters, or making a donation to support our work. For more details, please visit www.baby2baby.org.

Currently you serve the Los Angeles area only – any plans to expand?

We are asked this question all the time and encourage people to start organizations like Baby2Baby in their own cities. Right now, we have our work cut out for us in Los Angeles County, where the poverty rate has steadily increased for the past three years in a row. Beyond our local efforts, we have close relationships with similar organizations across the country and work closely to compare ideas about the best ways to serve families in our respective cities. One of our favorite organizations is Cradles To Crayons. Located in both Philadelphia and Boston, Cradles To Crayons recycles children’s items and has a mission similar to ours. In the spirit of collaboration, we’ve shared bulk donations from national corporations with Cradles To Crayons, in an effort to serve families nationwide.

We love the idea of getting kids involved in giving from an early age…how do you recommend teaching children about this concept?

 We each have two young children under age 6, and love involving them in Baby2Baby’s cycle of giving. One of the most important tenants of Baby2Baby is to teach kids, including our own, about giving back to their community. We have both hosted birthday parties and baby showers to benefit Baby2Baby where we ask our friends to bring donations of gently used toys or new packages of diapers. Monetary donations are also very helpful! Throughout the year we encourage our kids to donate toys back to Baby2Baby when they receive new toys on birthdays and holidays. They love to hand deliver the items to Baby2Baby and help sort with our volunteers. We are so proud because at a very young age they have started to grasp the idea of sharing and donating back to help children in need.

As moms of 4 kids between you, what are your “must-have” baby items? 

Baby2Baby board member Jessica Alba and Baby2Baby strategic advisor Christopher Gavigan started the Honest Company (www.honest.com), which delivers non-toxic, earth-friendly baby products directly to your door. We absolutely love everything they make! Kelly uses the healing balm for rashes and cuts. It also doubles as a lip balm and cuticle cream for mom! Norah uses the hand sanitizer for the kids, herself, and the whole Baby2Baby team when they’re on the go.

Kelly’s other must-have products include the Baby Bullet and Sophie La Giraffe. The Little Seed is her go-to store for new, eco-friendly items like recycled crayons and non-toxic nail polish. Norah loves the Miracle Blanket because it makes swaddling so easy! She also recommends The SleepEasy Solution (by Jennifer Waldburger and Jill Spivack) to get your little ones sleeping soundly.

Any tips for other working moms?

Our biggest tip is to find what works for your own family; don’t worry about or judge what other moms are doing. We know that every mom is struggling to make these wonderful but challenging years work for her family. We’ve found the support of our family and friends really helps as we strive to find balance. By supporting other moms and women, regardless of their approach to parenting or work/life balance, we create a sense of community that helps us juggle all the ups and downs of everyday family life.

To find out how you can get involved or for more information, please visit baby2baby.

This week we are excited to interview the talented duo behind THREETWENTYEIGHT! Threetwentyeight is collaboration between good friends, Rene (three) and Megan (twentyeight). It was created as a place to go for inspiration – to find all things great, regardless of how big or small. They post their finds online daily on all topics (home, women, men, kids, food) and they recently sat down and talked to us about their unique website and upcoming spring trends…enjoy!

TMS: Your blog is so inspiring. How did you come up with the idea? What is your background?

THREETWENTYEIGHT: First of all, thanks so much, we are having a lot of fun & it’s always nice to hear others are enjoying it as well! We met years back while working together at Tommy Hilfiger and always knew we wanted to start our own thing. So after agreeing upon a name, we decided we’d just get going and let things evolve. We did know that with all of the amazing blogs out there it’d be tough to differentiate ourselves, so we thought that being a bit more broad could be an interesting angle. That’s how the daily 3:28 [am and pm] posts started – we dedicate each day of the week to a different category.

TMS: You are posting great new finds every day – two times a day. How do you find so many great new brands?

THREETWENTYEIGHT: There’s so much inspiration around us, it’s actually one of the reasons we got started. Over the years, we’ve talked a lot about the originality that surrounds us in New York and the web has allowed us to draw some of that same energy from people around the world. We’re interested in learning people’s stories, hearing about what they’re doing, what they love, and the unique things they’re making. We wanted a way to share their backgrounds and products with our readers. And, on a bit more of a selfish note, threetwentyeight allows us to keep all of our favorite things organized and in one place. It’s our ongoing gift guide!

TMS: What are the biggest trends this spring for kids?

I think we both agree that kids shouldn’t dress too much like grown ups BUT the clog trend is really cute on little girls. Also, harem pants on kids are pretty hard to resist. Brands like Babylady, Nico Nico, Bobo Choses, Muku, Ada Ada, and Boy+Girl deliver such fun pieces that are just plain cool. But more than anything else, kids clothes should be comfortable, easy to wear and, most importantly, okay to get dirty. After all, that’s really what it’s all about, right?
TMS: What are some easy spring trends for busy moms?

THREETWENTYEIGHT: We see fashion as a form of expression, so while comfort is important, style and individuality shouldn’t be sacrificed. So, pieces that are easy to wear while running around but also allows you to be feel stylish and confident. Shoes are key..clogs (no. 6 of course being our favorite) are easy to slide in and out of, bucks can be worn with shorts or jeans, and Salt Water sandals are very versatile (and can get wet!). Also having a bold lipstick handy can really transform a whole look. It’s mostly about keeping it simple, figuring out what works best for you and not trying too hard.

TMS: Any tips for other working moms?

Megan: Seeing as I don’t have any children, I’ll let René handle this one!

René: Honestly I’m still trying to figure it out myself. I just try to make the most of my free time and really try to be in the moment when I am with my daughter. It’s definitely hard when you need to get a lot done, but I’m working on it.

Thanks Rene and Megan! Visit their blog at http://www.threetwentyeight.com for more information.

When I recently heard about Kiwi Crate, I thought it was such a genius idea. It’s a subscription based service so when you join, every month your kids receive a box of  projects that spark creativity and curiosity. All materials and inspiration included! Each crate is designed around fun themes (dinosaurs, gardening, colors) and filled with everything you need for hands-on projects. Geared for kids ages 3-7. It’s perfect for gifts and there is zero risk since you can cancel the subscription at any time.

Sign us up!

I can admit it. I am not a craft-y mom. I don’t know how to knit, sew and I don’t own a hot glue gun. Every year I let my kids pick out their Valentine’s Day cards at the store, we pay for them, they sign them, seal them and pass them out at school. But this year…I am turning over a new leaf. Why? For two reasons. The first is that both kids have artistic tendencies (clearly their fathers gene pool) and I knew they would enjoy making Valentine’s Day more of a art project.

The second reason is that I came across the website Made by Joel. Created by SAHD and artist Joel Henriques, Made by Joel encourages everyone, regardless of economic means, skill level or age (me!) to participate in the collective, creative process. Then I saw these super fun little valentine creatures and knew I had to make them with the kids. They were beyond easy to do and maybe with Joel’s help I might just become a craft-y mom yet! – Dominique

You can download these Valentine creatures and other fun printables here at Made by Joel.

At The Mini Social we love to support literacy in all forms so we are always excited to feature Out of Print tees. In support of their sale today, they also selected some of their favorite books for kids, young readers and adults, too! So remember these titles when you are next at the library or book store.

For Kids
Anything by Maurice Sendak, Shel Silverstein or Dr. Seuss
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by by Judith Viorst
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Lilly and the Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

For Young Readers
Holes by Louis Sachar
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Stuart Little by E.B. White
James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

For Adults
Blindness by Jose Saramago
Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Letham
Another Country by James Baldwin
A Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

For each shirt Out of Print sells, one book is donated to a community in need through their partner Books For Africa. To find out more about Out of Print, click here.

We are excited to have mother of two Zoe Schaeffer from the stylish blog Macaroon Original sharing her thoughts on dress up and imaginative play.

Out of nowhere my older daughter became enamored with the Wovenplay “Indian Princess” tiaras that I bought her (while she was still in the womb, mind you) that have been perched on an I Golfini Della Nonna panda bear’s head for the past few years. I seriously thought the headresses would serve as room décor until she pulled them out to wear while building with magna tiles or dancing to new tunes. Which means…I now have license to really go for it! Already purchased: a one-of-a-kind Birdskull headpiece from Thumbeline and a hand-made headband version from some chick in Germany. The floodgates have officially been opened. On top of these purchases came a “dress up wardrobe.” You know. An open closet meant for over-the-top tutus, Sarah’s Silks Mermaid get-ups, DIY capes, and (obviously,) head gear galore. I see few problems with this new set-up: I’m encouraging imaginative play, organizing the chaos, and satiating an editorial nostalgia, left behind from years having worked as assistants at Conde Nast.

Even at my daughter’s Pre-School, a little bohemian spot in LA where girls can’t wear dresses, skirts, or anything they can’t get down-and-dirty in, has a closet full of princess costumes and fairy dresses alike, because our Director (who has a PhD in Early Childhood Development,) believes in the power of dress up. A flouncy skirt in the sandbox is a no-no but a mermaid on the swing is completely kosher. I like it!

When my brother and I were growing up in a small Manhattan apartment, my ex-hippie parents would fill up trunks with seventies stuff  (think squash heels, hand knit hats and patchwork denim,) and that’s how we rolled. Whatever was in the trunk was what went on our bodies (no fairy princess here!) It wasn’t really about what we were trying to become, rather than imagining we could be someone else. And while my friend Joanna claims her daughter is “so done” with this stage at age five, I believe she never switched gears from princesses to ninja geishas (or whatever my friend Jewels claims her seven year old has moved on to.) So yes! The dress up never goes away, it just changes. Meaning, I still live for dressing up, myself. But these days it’s in my Dries and Marni splurges.

Zoe Schaeffer lives in LA with her two daughters, Gemma and Rafi. Be sure to check out her blog, Macaroon Original,  for tons of stylish tips and great finds. Images courtesy of Wovenplay and Birdskull – thank you!

We’ve enlisted expert photographer (and mom) Diane Vasil to give us some tips on capturing the perfect holiday photo. Read below and then grab your camera – a gorgeous and unique shot of the kids is just a few clicks away.

Taking holiday photos should be a fun activity for the whole family. There are a few things to consider when you are taking your photos.

First off, make sure everyone is comfortable and happy. If you choose to take your photos inside maybe grab a few props for the kids to play with so you can have more spontaneous pictures rather than posed ones, like sunglasses, balloons or bubbles, this helps the kids focus less on taking a picture and more on being themselves.

If you are going to use flash indoors and you have a flash that you can move, try pointing it up to the ceiling, this way you will get less shadows and a more even light. If you would like to use daylight, try using daylight that is diffused and not direct to give your photo a more dreamy feel. If your child is a bit older, one of my favorite things to do is to wrap my daughter in twinkle lights and take a picture of her or you could give them sparklers and have them wave them around, this always ends up beautiful!

If you choose to do your pictures outside, morning and afternoon light is the best or even in a shadow, you do not want direct sunlight as it gives harsh shadows and people tend to squint. Cloudy days are the best as the sky is like a big softbox so you get a nice even light. There is an old saying of “always keep the sun behind you” I disagree you can take beautiful pictures aiming directly into sunlight and you will be amazed at what you get. Again bring props outside with you so the kids are more natural, let them run around and be themselves and you will be so happy with what you get. You could use sidewalk chalk and have the children write “happy holidays” and have them laying down next to it, or draw a chimney and have them fake like they are going down it. Get creative and people will be really impressed with your photos.

Diane Vasil lives and works in New York City with her husband and her ever-inspiring daughter Audrey-Scarlett, 5 (pictured above). She has recently found a niche shooting children’s fashion, working for commercial and editorial clients such as: Kangol, Small, Earnshaws and Wovenplay to name a few. For more info, visit Diane Vasil Photography.

At The Mini Social, we are big fans of online magazine, Babykins. It’s a frequent source of inspiration for our own children and we also find really interesting new children’s brands for The Mini Social. We recently had a little chat with founder/editor, Priscila Barros…enjoy!

TMS: We love Babiekins magazine. How did you come up with the idea? What is your background?
BMAG: I think I’ve always been a creative person! I can remember when I was little you could either find me pulling up the wild flowers and arranging them in a bouquet, setting up tea parties under the big Brazilian pepper trees on my dads ranch or organizing the neighborhood “fashion show” with the rest of the girls in my kindergarten class. I have always liked to “style” or make a celebration or big deal about little things. Its fun! There was a time I thought I wanted to be a wedding or party planner! I ended up going to school to learn the ins and outs of a fashion designer but once I became a mom my focus went from me to them. Babiekins kinda give me the best of both worlds! I love kids and fashion and we always have so much fun on our editorial shoots! I really think this is what I was ment to do!

TMS: How do you source the brands featured in the editorial shoots? What are your favorite new brands?
BMAG: Since I have been a blogger for a while I am pretty familiar with all the kids brands out there. I am really big on comfort and so Im drawn to anyone that makes amazing clothes but still comfortable for my active little boys. I love Mini Rodini, Popupshop and I really like Finger in the Nose. Im also more into the quirky kids stuff rather than cutesie! I think its cause my kids and I always are laughing about something plus it fits their little personalities!
My stylist Heather has been amazing at sourcing some new brands which you will see in the next issue!

TMS: Any new trends for kids this fall?
Orange and florals (60′s prints), polka dots are HUGE, fun colorful leggings with patterns, fur accents, mix matched patterns and for hair the sleek look is back! No more of this messy hair business!

TMS: What is your favorite part about the job?
I love everything especially coming up with a concept with my team and actually finding the props and fashion and putting it together. One thing I really am loving at the moment is how my kids have reacted to Babiekins. Christian my oldest asked me for my business card the other day so I gave it to him and he started drawing on a paper. He came and handed me that paper when he was all done and when I opened it it read “I like Babiekins and wen I gro up I will work at Babiekins.” It’s cute to see how proud they are of it. Christian recently gave us a MEGA amazing photo shoot idea that we will be executing for either spring or summer. We are all really excited about it.

TMS: Any tips for other working moms?
Be organized, prioritize, make yourself a schedule, take time for yourself, and be thankful for all the blessings that come your way! These are the things I have to do and have learned!

More about Babiekins: Issue 7 of Babiekins will be out early november. In this issue we feature our cover model winner Arden as well as have the information on how to enter our second annual cover contest! We have some amazing editorials done by some of my favorites in the business, a really sweet winter themed party by Loralee Lewis who has planned parties for celebrities and even did a couple things for the Emmy awards, giveaways, cute illustrations and a great gift guide by the editors of Babiekins! Don’t delay – subscribe now!

I recently re-connected with Anni Daulter, a friend from high school who has been busy raising her family of four adorable kids as well as publishing successful organic cookbooks and an eco-friendly online magazine. Not only are all of the recipes in her new book “The Organic Family Cookbook” delicious and healthy but also super-simple to recreate. There are also tons of practical tips on how to teach kids about living green and respecting the earth. Whether it is growing a garden as a family or teaching the kids about recycling, it becomes clear that each small change in our daily routine can make a big impact in the world we live in.

With Halloween around the corner, don’t waste the pumpkin seeds and try this delicious recipe from Anni. Enjoy! – Dominique

Spicy Lime and Sesame Pumpkin Seeds

about 1 1/2 cups cleaned pumpkin seeds (from a large, fresh pumpkin)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 pinches cayenne pepper
juice of 1 lime

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, mix together cleaned pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cayenne pepper and lime juice.

Spread coated seeds on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until light brown and evenly toasted. Serve immediately or store in an airtight glass jar for up to two weeks.

Serves 5

Visit Bamboo Magazine for more about green living or check out Anni’s cookbook The Organic Family Cookbook on Amazon.com.