Hotspots
"Framing" your Kids' Artwork
Published 11.16.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
I have long coveted the "frame wallpaper" that jumped onto the design scene a few years ago. However, I have been too much of a Nervous Nelly to commit to something so expensive and long-lasting.
Instead I invested in a framed cork board that color coordinates with the paint in my kitchen. That worked well until my son became prolific at all things art. One day I arrived home to find that he had double-sided-taped dozens of drawings to the foyer and dining room walls. Soon thereafter, I discovered that scotch tape removes wall paint. UGH.
That's when I discovered the miracle of sticky dots. But still, as much as I was cool with the concept of displaying my son's drawings throughout the apartment, it still made me all fidgety. My apartment looked like a classroom. There had to be a better way.
After many months years of google searching and failed testing, I found my solution. Behold, Frame Tape.
I created a gallery of my son's artwork, which was a big hit at our Halloween Party. I love that it fits around your drawing as kids use all different sized papers. Better yet, the tape doesn't take any wall paint along with it when removed. However, the borders of the artwork don't fare as well. So, use this frame tape with caution if the artwork is especially dear to your child.
I'm so pleased with this solution that it's actually given me confidence to use the "Frame Wallpaper." I will keep it small though. Confining the project to just a short hallway. Aren't these lovely?
This frame wallpaper is by Graham & Brown.
This wallpaper is entitled The Family and is by Lisa Bengtsson.
Veteran's Day: Ancestry.com Opening its Military Records
Published 11.11.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Last month I was invited by Ancestry.com to visit their offices and learn about their genealogy company.* Since I'm from Portugal, I didn't expect them to find anything about my side of the family (they eventually did by going through their experts network-- just waiting for it to arrive). But on my husband's side of the family, with just a few names and approximated birth years, they were able to discover some key pieces of my husband's grandfather's background from which I was able to track down what part of Eastern Europe he came. The answer was found on military record, a WWII draft card.
As an aside, I've become so enthralled with the piecing together my son's family tree that I even included it on my 40 before 40 list. Researching and uncovering your family's history is like playing a video game, but in this case you reach the next playing level by discovering genealogical information, and the work becomes more involved and fun.
So, I feel compelled to share that from today until Friday, Nov 13, Ancestry.com is making its entire U.S. Military Collection at www.ancestry.com/military available for free to the public as a way to honor the millions of American military heroes past and present. Within the collection, users will be able to search 100 million names in records spanning more than three centuries (!!!) of military service.
From my personal experience, I felt that the Census data and the military information were the most helpful as far in piecing together information about my husband's family, for now.
I will warn you that Ancestry.com is quite addictive (again much like video games), but at least you'll walk away with some tangible gift to yourself.
And, without further ado, thank you to all the men and women, past and present, who serve in our military forces.
__________________________________
** I participated in a blogger trip to visit Ancestry.com. They paid for my trip, accommodations, and provided me with products.
Kids' Knit Caps
Published 10.19.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)
Poof! All of a sudden it's really cold out there. That means 'tis the season for adorable children's knit caps. We've done some searching for you and here are some of our favorites.
Left column: Bat Girl Cap, Bat Boy Cap, and Animal Hat & Booties all at Oeuf.
Center: Coverall Hat by Ouef.
Right Column: Sock Monkey & Owl Caps by DeLux.
Clockwise from top left: Ava girl's knit cap by Malindi, Lemongrass Buckle Beanie at Two Seaside Babes, Newsboy Brim Cap Knit Hat at Deusprovidebit, Welcome Hat at Oeuf.
Big Apple Circus in NY Giveaway
Published 10.19.2009 | Permanent Link | TrackBacks (0)
Do you live in the NYC-area or plan on visiting during the holiday season? Need an excuse to visit?
Well, get a little closer because we have something you might be interested in....
The Big Apple Circus has given usone (1) package of 4 tickets (Family 4 Pack) for a show this season . These are Mezzanine seats (and, no seat is more than 50 feet away from the main stage).
The show runs in NYC from Oct 22, 2009 through Jan 18, 2010 and the winner will receive a voucher that will have some specific dates to choose from for their prize package. Whee!
The giveaway is now over.
To enter, just send an email to contact@alphamom.com with 'Big Apple Circus' in the subject title and you are entered to win (only US, sorry international folks and our regular contest rules apply-- see our policies). This contest is open until Monday, October 26, 2009 at 11:59:59pm EST. We will notify the winner by email. If we don't hear back within 48 hours, we will select another winner. Our winner will be selected randomly.
Blow Me Away with the Dyson Air Multiplier
Published 10.18.2009 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
James Dyson is one of those iconic figures who not only invents his own products but also serves as its spokesperson. There are few who can pull that off. The others may be passionate for their products and services, but it just doesn't resonate the same way.
In two short years from the introduction in the US, the colorful Dyson vacuum cleaner was already the top vacuum cleaner brand-- topping Hoover-- and a much coveted household staple. Look, there's even a toy version (that's how you know you're indispensable).
This week I had the pleasure of meeting James Dyson and interviewing him about his new invention... the Dyson Air Multiplier, which is a bladeless desktop fan.
What is important to know is that this desktop fan works very differently to conventional fans. It uses special technology to draw in air and amplify it 15 times, producing an uninterrupted stream of smooth air (meaning no unpleasant buffeting).
Most important to me is that is this baby is safe. There are no blades or grills. I don't know about you, but I've always had this fear of getting my fingers and hair caught. This is the only tabletop fan I would let near my (or any) young child.
Now, this fan doesn't come cheap ($299 for the smaller unit & $329 for the larger size) and it's not silence-free BUT it is very safe, easy to clean, easy to store, and uses much less electricity (not recycled air like an air conditioner).
According to Mr. Dyson, next up is a vacuuming robot (in development now for 12 years). I asked if he was going to name it Rosie, but his quizzical look clearly indicates that lucky for us this inventor spends his time in the workshop and not watching Jetson reruns on TV with his grandkids.
The fan is available now for pre-order on the Dyson Website.
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About this Column
The Hotspot originally started out as a monthly-or-so feature written by our favorite storytellers. Usually products or services were highlighted that tickled us. Over the past year delightful innovations and introductions in the maternity and parenting space have increased, and we feel we need a space to share our discoveries with you. Daily news stories on parenting also inspire us to communicate with you. As such, the Hotspot is now the Alpha Mom daily blog. Finally!
From time-to-time we will feature products that we like. Since there is no pay for play, we only feature products that excite us. However, we do want to know about new product and service introductions and innovations so feel free to drop us a note at contact@alphamom.com.
Disclaimer
This column is only for entertainment purposes. Any recommendations or information provided herein should not be used as a substitute for advice by a trained professional. For a full statement of our site policies, please click here.