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The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

December 21, 2017

I love to cook, but I am not a baker. I just don’t have the patience. So you won’t find me mixing up cakes, pies, or other delicious pastries. But, I LOVE chocolate chip cookies. So when I saw that The Washington Post declared that their search for the best chocolate chip recipe was over, I knew we’d have to whip up a batch for the holidays.

I added a few of my own twists and still ended up with super fluffy pillows of chocolate goodness. The brown butter adds something really special and I just love the balance between dark chocolate and flaky sea salt. If you’re looking to contribute something sweet this holiday season, look no further!

p.s. how cute are Nod’s Milk and Cookies Flannel sheets + matching throw pillows!? As if these cookies aren’t good enough to make you dream about them already…

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

makes about 24 cookies (slightly adapted from The Washington Post’s adaptation of Joy the Baker’s recipe)

Ingredients

  • 16 tablespoons (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon molasses
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

  1. Melt half the butter in a medium skillet over medium heat, swirling it in the pan occasionally. Let it foam and froth as it cooks, and start to crackle and pop. Once the crackling stops, keep a close eye on the melted butter, continuing to swirl the pan often. The butter will start to smell nutty, and brown bits will form in the bottom.
  2. Once the bits are amber brown (2 1/2 – 3 minutes or so after the sizzling stops), remove the butter from the heat and immediately pour it into a small bowl, bits and all. Let it cool for 20 minutes.
  3. Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.
  4. Combine the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter and the brown sugar in a bowl. Using a handheld electric mixer (more fun for kids to use than a stand mixer!); beat on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture is very smooth. Reduce the speed to medium-low; beat in the vanilla extract and molasses until well incorporated.
  5. Pour the cooled brown butter into the bowl, along with the granulated sugar. Beat for 2 minutes (medium-low), until smooth; the mixture will lighten in color and become fluffy.
  6. Reduce the speed to low; add the egg and egg yolk, beating for 1 minute, then stop to scrape down the bowl. Add the flour, kosher salt and baking soda; beat on low speed just until everything is incorporated. Use a spatula and fold in the chocolate chips and finish incorporating all of the dry flour bit into the dough.
  7. Scoop the dough 2-tablespoon-size balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between the balls. Use a light, two-fingered pinch to sprinkle each portion of dough with flaky sea salt.
  8. Bake (upper and lower racks) for 15 minutes until golden brown, rotating the baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through. Let the cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool.

POST BY REBECCA OF NOT-SO-SAHM

Rebecca is a mom to two young kiddos and, in her spare time (ha!), likes to pretend she’s a back-up dancer, craft cocktails, and run long distances. Author of Banish Boredom and Content Creator (and Herder of Cats) at Not-So-SAHM 

Homemade Toaster Pastry Recipe

December 18, 2017

Even though I love healthy options, especially for little ones, I also enjoy giving my kiddos little treats every now and then. And if ever there was a time for treats, December is it! One thing that my little ones have seen both at friend’s houses and down the grocery store aisles that have piqued their interest: boxed toaster pastries. So I made a simple, homemade (or at least semi-homemade) version. The kids loved them, as did my hubby and I, and I also loved that I knew exactly what was in them.

Read below for the full homemade toaster pastry recipe and instructions and enjoy this fun little treat with your own family! And as a bonus, this recipe is super simple, so it is an easy one that you and your kids can make together.

Ingredients

Yields 6-8 pastries, depending on their size

  • 2 pre-made refrigerated pie crusts
  • 1/2 cup fruit jam of choice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 egg plus a little water for an egg-wash
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 tbsp heavy cream or half and half
  • Sprinkles
  • Food coloring

Homemade Toaster Pastry Recipe

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set off to the side.
  2. In a small bowl mix together jam and cornstarch until well-combined. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, crack an egg then mix with a little water and whisk (this is for your egg-wash). Also set this aside.
  4. Next, flour your workspace and lay pie crusts down. Roll dough out a little more; thinning it a bit. You want your crust to be pretty thin, but still thick/sturdy enough to be able to cut out, picked up and transferred.
  5. Using either a pizza cutter or cookie cutter, start to cut your tops and bottoms. Cut an even number so that each top will have a bottom. I made 16 circles total (enough for 8 pop-tarts), however exact number will depend on the size of the shape(s) you cut. You can easily cut rectangles with a pizza cutter if you want a more traditional looking toaster pastry.
  6. Spoon a small amount of jam mixture into the center of each of your bottom shapes only. Ensure that you have enough mixture to fill the inside but be sure not to overdo it.
  7. Next, brush each top with a bit of your egg-wash around the outside/bottom of the shape, and lay on top (egg-wash side down) of the bottom/ jam pieces. Use your fingers to lightly seal the tops and bottoms together. Set any remaining egg wash aside.
  8. Then, using a fork, crimp the edges all the way around to fully seal (see picture above). Repeat until you have all of your finished pastries sealed.
  9. Carefully move them to your prepared baking sheet and bake 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown.
  10. Then, remove from oven and brush a little of the remaining egg wash onto each top/edges of your pastries.
  11. Put the tray back in the oven, and bake for an additional minute or so.
  12. Remove from oven and allow to cool 1-2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool further.
  13. While cooling, combine powdered sugar and heavy cream (or half and half) and mix until you have a smooth icing/glaze. If desired, divide into small bowls and create different colors using your food colorings.
  14. Spoon icing on top of each semi-cooled pastry then immediately sprinkle with sprinkles. Let icing full dry before serving.

Homemade Toaster Pastry Recipe

Serve and enjoy! Yum! Yum! (easy too!) These are perfect for Christmas time (use some festive colors and sprinkles!) or anytime you just want to serve up a yummy, fun treat – healthier and with considerably fewer ingredients than the store-bought varieties!

Homemade Toaster Pastry Recipe

POST BY LUNCHES + LITTLES

Lunches + Littles focuses on quick, healthy and fun meal options for little ones while sharing practical tips & tricks on how to make meals enjoyable, all the while keeping things simple. A lover of colorful plates and an advocate for getting kids in the kitchen, Lunches + Littles is also a great resource for parents of picky eaters, parents looking for healthy family and toddler recipes and those mamas (dads too!) who are short on time. A mantra of sorts: Making meals fun doesn’t have to be hard! With 3 little ones (3 and under) it can’t be! Follow @lunchesandlittles for all of the above… And more!

Tween Rainbow Bedroom

December 14, 2017

When tackling a new room design, it can be tough to decide on a color scheme. Choosing just one or two specific colors for the entire space can feel limiting. Our solution? Use all the colors for the ultimate tween rainbow bedroom!

Decorating with a rainbow palette alleviates the stress of sticking to a confined color combination and brightens up any space. Choose from our Organic Rainbow bedding, curtains, and throw pillow for a perfect starting point for your décor expedition.

In the tween rainbow bedroom design above, we paired a few rainbow-themed pieces with our Azure Jenny Lind bed and Campaign nightstand. Complete the look with our Paris Balloon banner and Geometric Gold Lamp and voila!

Enjoy!

Post by The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards, and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

Need more inspiration? Check out all of our Design Services blog posts.

Christmas Nursery Decorations

December 12, 2017

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and you know what that means: it’s time to bring out the holiday decorations! Holiday décor doesn’t have to be confined to just the family room; you can easily spread cheer throughout the whole home! See how we added some Christmas nursery decorations below for a festive and cozy feel.

For example, in this nursery design, we utilized shelving to add a few holiday-themed decorative pieces. Our cozy flannel bedding adds an extra layer of warmth that is perfect for the cooler winter months and the S’more the Merrier Campfire Set brings a whimsical finishing touch perfect for a winter-themed room design.

Enjoy!

Post by The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards, and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

Need more inspiration? Check out all of our Design Services blog posts.

Galaxy Holiday Ice Cream

December 8, 2017

It’s time to add another holiday tradition to the mix! Using only 4 ingredients, Kelsey Nixon has an easy-to-make ice cream that’s sure to impress. Have fun with a variety of colors and don’t forget the sparkly sprinkles, this galaxy holiday ice cream is going to be out of this world!

Holiday Ice Cream

Galaxy Holiday Ice Cream Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
  • Gel food coloring (red & green for Christmas or blue & white for Hanukah)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat the whipping cream with a mixer until soft peaks form.
  2. Add the vanilla extract and sweetened condensed milk and mix until combined.
  3. Separate mixture into bowls (one bowl for each color) and add food coloring of choice. Tip: Use gel food coloring for the most vibrant colors!
  4. Transfer colors to a freezer safe container (I used a 9-inch cake pan) and freeze for 4-6 hours.
  5. Serve!

Holiday Ice Cream

Galaxy Holiday Ice Cream

Enjoy your galaxy holiday ice cream!

POST BY KELSEY NIXON

Kelsey is an Emmy-nominated TV personality, author, wife, mom, and cooking show host. Her show, Kelsey’s Essentials on Cooking Channel, centers around a tip, technique or tool that shows the home cook how to navigate the kitchen. You can also catch Kelsey dishing about her experiences as a new mom on Family Food and First Time Mom. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Tip: Gel food coloring tends to result in the most vibrant colors!Transfer colors to a freezer safe container (I used a 9-inch cake pan) and freeze for 4-6 hours.

Green Gender Neutral Nursery

December 7, 2017

Now that the sun is gone and winter is here, it’s time to make your home as warm and cozy as possible! The Olive Hampshire collection is the perfect go-to for these cooler months; it’s bold but not too bright, and goes great with pops of warm fall colors. Not to mention, this green gender neutral nursery is so welcoming!

I added the Genevieve Gorder storage bins along with our Festival Garland and some wall decor to complement the neutral tones throughout the space. The geometric detailing of the Fringe Rug adds some fun pattern without overwhelming the space, and the sheepskin brings a little texture to the room. Not only are the pieces stylish for your nursery, they’re also great for transitioning to a big kid room, playroom, or even your living room!

Enjoy!

Post by KJ from The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards, and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN.

 

Toy Storage Tips

December 5, 2017

It is an unavoidable truth that sharing a home with kiddos means sharing space with a seemingly endless collection of toys, games, and books of various shapes and sizes. The real challenge is finding a way to sufficiently store away the clutter, and to do so with a sense of style.

Having tackled this conundrum many times over, we have narrowed down a few of our favorite go-to pieces for organizing the madness. From wall-mounted shelving for displaying knickknacks to enclosed storage benches and bookshelves for hiding away bigger toys and games, check out the toy storage tips below for some inspiration for helping you corral the chaos.

Happy Styling!

Post by Stephanie of The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN

Girl’s Shared Bedroom

November 30, 2017

Sharing a room has both its perks and its downsides for your kiddos. One of the biggest challenges can be finding décor that gives each child a unique look while maintaining a cohesive style.

This room demonstrates how by sticking with a defined color palette of navy and pink, you can mix and match the bedding and décor to give a girl’s shared bedroom individual style in a complimentary design.

Post by Danielle, Home Stylist from The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN.

Hanukkah Dreidel Craft

November 29, 2017

The Jewish Festival of Lights is right around the corner! Each year our family celebrates Hanukkah in a variety of ways, but one of the activities the kids look forward to most is playing dreidel. And we love to get ready for the holiday by decorating our own!

Sometimes our Hanukkah dreidel craft decorations are more elaborate, but this year we decided to keep it simple and sparkly. The kids went through our art supplies and pulled out all the blue markers they could find (blue and silver/white are the traditional colors of Hanukkah) and then combed through our stash of sequins to find any blue sparkles they could. Given that the holiday is all about light, we thought a dose of sequins was fitting!

I always buy two types of wooden dreidels for crafting — a set that’s already marked with Hebrew letters and a plain set too. Cam got right to work and, no surprise, focused heavily on adding sequins.

We set up a kids Hanukkah table every year in our home (you can see one of our past tables with Nod’s fabulous whale menorah here and download our free Hanukkah banner through the link on our blog here) and I plan to put our new dreidels out alongside this Dreidel Hanukkah Garland, a few circle garlands, The Bright Side Canvas Banner, and the kids’ new Lite Brite (which I also might nostalgically steal).

Happy Hanukkah everyone!

p.s. the rules of playing dreidel can vary, but you can find a good basic set here.

POST BY REBECCA OF NOT-SO-SAHM

Rebecca is a mom to two young kiddos and, in her spare time (ha!), likes to pretend she’s a back-up dancer, craft cocktails, and run long distances. Author of Banish Boredom and Content Creator (and Herder of Cats) at Not-So-SAHM 

Where to Use a Pouf in a Nursery

November 28, 2017

A floor pouf is probably one of the most versatile furniture pieces you could add to your home. It works well as extra seating around a play table or as an ottoman for a sofa or glider. It can also work well in a reading nook as a spot for your kiddo to sit and read their favorite book.

Below you’ll find an inspiration board for where to use a pouf in your nursery that will grow with your family and bring a pop of color to your home!

Happy Styling!

Post by Stephanie of The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN

 

Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids

November 22, 2017

Isn’t this the most glorious time of year?  Autumn seems to bring out the kid in all of us!  Here are five fall crafts and activities for kids that we’ve enjoyed through the years:

Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids

1.  HAND TURKEYS!  Trace child’s hand on construction paper.  Cut out hand tracing and add craft feathers, googly eye and an upside down heart (for the waddle)!  If you want your turkey to stand just add clothespins for legs.  These make fun place settings and grandparent gifts.

Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids

2.  TURKEY ROLL GAME!  This is a quick and easy game that kids of all ages will love!  Gather candy and make a roll sheet as seen above.  The first player to complete making their turkey wins!!  The best thing about this game is there is no cleanup— just eat and go!  Candy supplies needed: cookie or peppermint patty for the body, M and M’s or Skittles for feathers, licorice for legs and candy eyes.

Fall Crafts and Activities for Kids

3.  LEARNING with LEAVES!  Put all those leaves in your backyard to use!  You can use this for number or letter recognition and practice.  I added numbers to our paper tree and then my daughter counted out loud and added a painted leaf to each number.  Older kids could do spelling and math!

4.  RECYCLED TURKEY CRAFT!  Search for your recycle bin for recycled jars, tins and bottles to make this little turkey.  Add printed paper, craft feathers, construction paper cut-outs, and googly eyes dress her up.  Good ol’ glue stick, double-sided tape or school glue works perfectly.  Make an entire turkey family – with personality!!

5.  NATURE ART! Autumn offers so many treasures this time of year—  perfect for an fall centered free art!!  For this invitation to create simply collect leaves, sticks, rocks, etc. and invite your child to dip, trace, paint and create.  A wonderful sensory and artistic experience for kiddos of any age!

HAPPY FALL!

POST BY KATHERINE MARIE.

YOU CAN FIND MORE OF HER MESSY, CREATIVE AND FUN PROJECTS ON INSTAGRAM AT KATHERINEMARIES 

Creative & Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

November 21, 2017

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

Thanksgiving week is here! Whether you’re hosting family, attending a gathering, or planning for a play date, I have a super creative & easy Thanksgiving dessert that is perfectly festive!

These Rice Krispies Turkey Legs are easy, fun and your kids can even help you make them! Seriously, they are perfect for little hands! Or, get a few smiles from the adults by bringing them to a family or work gathering this week! – Now everyone can have a leg! Read below for the full recipe/ instructions for this fun and easy Thanksgiving dessert!

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

Ingredients:

Yields approximately 12 turkey legs

  • 6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal or Cocoa Krispies Cereal
    • I thought it would be fun to do a combination of both white and dark “meat” so used 3 cups of Rice Krispies and 3 cups Cocoa Krispies
  • 1 bag of mini marshmallows (10 oz)
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 bag of Wilton Candy Melts: White
  • 6 pretzel rods
  • Parchment paper

Easy Thanksgiving Dessert

Directions:

  1. Cut pretzel rods in half and set aside.
  2. Line a tray or your work surface with a large sheet of parchment paper.
  3. Then, melt your candy melts per package instructions in a thin/ tall cup (to dip pretzel rods in).
  4. Once melted and ready to use, dip the ends only of each pretzel half into the melted chocolate. Let any excess drip off and then press two mini marshmallows onto the tip of the pretzel, to resemble a bone (as seen in photos).
  5. Lay the pretzels with marshmallows attached on your parchment paper. Repeat with remaining (11) pretzel halves and then wait approximately 5-7 minutes until chocolate is completely hardened/ dry.
  6. Then, dip the pretzel halves back into the chocolate, one at a time, 2 inches or so inches up on the pretzel rod. Then lay back on parchment paper. Again, repeating with all pretzels.
  7. While covered pretzels are drying, melt the rest of your marshmallows and butter in a large bowl for approximately 1 minute, until smooth and well-combined.
  8. Slowly add in your Rice Krispies Cereal and mix until well-combined.
  9. Next, spray a little cooking spray on your hands to keep cereal mixture from sticking to your hands, and grab a ball of the mix forming it in your hands and then stick it onto a pretzel stick. Continue to shape it around the pretzel rod until it resembles a turkey leg. Place on parchment paper to set for at least 10 minutes.
  10. Repeat with all remaining turkey legs and then serve up, or store in a sealed container or resealable bag.

Easy Thanksgiving DessertEasy Thanksgiving Dessert

Pair these fun treats with festive, handmade headbands (all you need is some construction paper, scissors, and glue), and have a fun play date or day with your own little ones that will be sure to get them in the Thanksgiving spirit! These Rice Krispies Turkey Legs are also a unique party addition or even a fun (and edible!) table display. Enjoy, give thanks, and Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Easy Thanksgiving DessertPOST BY LUNCHES + LITTLES

Lunches + Littles focuses on quick, healthy and fun meal options for little ones while sharing practical tips & tricks on how to make meals enjoyable, all the while keeping things simple. A lover of colorful plates and an advocate for getting kids in the kitchen, Lunches + Littles is also a great resource for parents of picky eaters, parents looking for healthy family and toddler recipes and those mamas (dads too!) who are short on time. A mantra of sorts: Making meals fun doesn’t have to be hard! With 3 little ones (3 and under) it can’t be! Follow @lunchesandlittles for all of the above… And more!

 

Kids Christmas Sloppy Joe Recipe

November 17, 2017

With Thanksgiving next week, Christmas may still seem far off. But, it’s only a couple short weeks away! The holidays are always packed with many things, and we can often get so busy that when it comes time to host a Christmas gathering, kid’s party, or even just a play date – we get so overwhelmed and feel short on ideas.

I saw these cute mini Rudolph sloppy joes a couple of years ago on television and immediately knew I had to make them myself one day. So last year, when our oldest two kiddos had a little Christmas themed play date, I gave them a go and they were an instant hit – with both the kids and adults!

They are easy, cute, and I love how versatile they are. You can make these using any sandwich filling, but we have always made them using ground turkey or beef for a fun take on sloppy joes. Anything mini is always a little more fun and with a few extra minutes you can make up a whole tray of these festive reindeers for your next gathering; big or small! Scroll down for the full recipe and instructions.

Sloppy Joe Recipe:

This recipe made approximately 24 mini sandwiches

  • 2 lbs ground turkey or lean ground beef
  • 1 green pepper; diced (for me this yielded about 3/4 cup diced pepper)
  • Half of 1 medium-sized onion; diced (for me this yielded about 1/3 cup diced onion)
  • 1 cup ketchup (we make our own, and the recipe can be found here: homemade ketchup recipe
  • 1 and 1/2 tbsp brown sugar (more or less as desired)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup water
  • slider buns, or rolls (we used Kings Hawaiian’s original rolls)

Reindeer Supplies: mini pretzels twists, edible/ candy eyes (available at most grocery stores and craft-type stores), grape tomatoes, and toothpicks.

Recipe/Instructions:

  1. Dice pepper and onion. Set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown ground turkey or beef for a couple minutes, then add the green pepper and onion and stir it all up.
  3. Once brown and cooked through, drain and then return to heat/ skillet.
  4. Add in ketchup, brown sugar, garlic powder, and water. Stir until well incorporated.
  5. Cover skillet and turn heat to low. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes or so, until all saucy and yummy.
  6. Pile sloppy joe meat on sliced (halved) buns or rolls.
  7. For reindeer extras:
    • Nose: Slice grape tomatoes in half, attaching a toothpick to the inside of the tomato half and sliding it into the top of the bun, as shown in images.
    • Eyes: Attach candy eyes with a drop of honey, peanut butter, etc.; just something sticky you have on hand.
    • Antlers: Break pretzel twists into halved pieces to resemble antlers. Stick one end of each pretzel into the top of the bun, as shown in images.

Now serve & enjoy! If you have leftover meat, it can be stored in the refridgerator for up to 3 days.

Some fun suggestions for sides to serve alongside these sandwiches: cut up/ baby carrots (AKA reindeer food) and celery trees (as shown in the image above) – just cut up celery sticks and top with yellow pepper “stars” (cut using a mini cookie cutter).

Impress guests young and old with this quick and festive Christmas food idea. Simple, yummy and FUN! Also, be sure to shop The Land of Nod for all your Holiday party décor and other home goods; in addition to the paper plates, cups and napkins shown here. The Land of Nod has some of the cutest stockings, ornaments, garlands and more; perfect for sprucing up any space in your home for the Holidays season!

POST BY LUNCHES + LITTLES

Lunches + Littles focuses on quick, healthy and fun meal options for little ones while sharing practical tips & tricks on how to make meals enjoyable, all the while keeping things simple. A lover of colorful plates and an advocate for getting kids in the kitchen, Lunches + Littles is also a great resource for parents of picky eaters, parents looking for healthy family and toddler recipes and those mamas (dads too!) who are short on time. A mantra of sorts: Making meals fun doesn’t have to be hard! With 3 little ones (3 and under) it can’t be! Follow @lunchesandlittles for all of the above… And more!

Fun Kids Thanksgiving Table

November 16, 2017

Growing up, the kid’s table at Thanksgiving often meant we were resigned to sit with younger siblings, friends, and neighbors at a table separate from our parents. Don’t get me wrong, I have fond memories of race-drinking “kids wine” and skipping the turkey for all the sides we wanted. But I thought I’d try to make our kids table this year more of an activity table and have the kids do the actual dining with us.

First I covered a smaller dining table with kraft paper and set out oil pastels. I drew “the KIDS table” on the cover to invite the kiddos over and let them know it was cool to color on the table. I always like to set out some kind of special snack for the kids to have while we finish cooking Thanksgiving dinner. A few slices of pumpkin loaf and sparkling cranberry juice did the trick.

In addition to the oil pastels, I set out the Shrinking Trinkets kit — the kids LOVE to color these and I figure I can pop them in the oven to shrink once the turkey comes out. If you are at our home for Thanksgiving dinner, chances are you’re leaving with some new baubles.

But I actually chose Nod’s Tattoo Lounge for Charity and Random Acts of Flowers kits as the main craft focus because I LOVE the idea of fun crafts that help keep the act of giving back in mind. The kits are both super clever! The flower kit walks kids through making paper flowers to give away to people.

The Tattoo Lounge offers a complete set-up for kids to tat people up and collect donations for charity. Our kids decided to collect money for the Humane Rescue Alliance where we found our sweet pup Penny Lane. There are over 125 tattoos in the kit, so neighbors be warned, our kids are coming for you on Thanksgiving!

Having lots of kids to dine with you this year? Think about setting up a fun kids Thanksgiving table that helps the kids give back too!

POST BY REBECCA OF NOT-SO-SAHM

Rebecca is a mom to two young kiddos and, in her spare time (ha!), likes to pretend she’s a back-up dancer, craft cocktails, and run long distances. Author of Banish Boredom and Content Creator (and Herder of Cats) at Not-So-SAHM 

Bright Girl’s Bedroom

November 15, 2017

Transitioning your kiddo from her nursery into a big-girl space can be a tricky adjustment. You don’t want the space to feel too grown up right away, but you do want to shed that nursery vibe so your kiddo feels like this change is special and exciting. We’ve pulled together a mood board perfect for a bright girl’s bedroom that will easily transition through childhood and beyond!

The foundation of the room comes from a bed in our Jenny Lind furniture collection. The Jenny Lind style is all at once whimsical and yet sophisticated. It’s a classic design with its own unique personality, and it’s the perfect piece for any kiddo of any age, which is what makes it a great choice for transitioning your baby girl out of her crib and into her first big-kid bed.

The Jenny Lind collection comes in five different finish options, which makes choosing the color that fits with your design vision a snap. Personally, I love the grey finish because it’s subtle enough to work with a variety of complementary color combinations. Check out the design inspiration below for creating a big-girl space using the grey Jenny Lind bed.

Happy Styling!

Post by Stephanie of The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN

Advent Calendar Activities for Kids

November 13, 2017

This Christmas season I’m all about starting new traditions, and this year we’re doing something a little different with our fun stocking Advent Calendar from Land of Nod. Instead of more candy and toys, we’re creating experiences as a family. Small, practical gestures that even the kiddos can partake in and the hope is, of course, to recognize that not all gifts have to cost money. Giving back and helping others, as well as the family memories of doing so, is greater than gold.

Advent Calendar Activities for Kids

We put together over 25 fun advent calendar activities for kids and created easy printables for you that will perfectly fit into any advent calendar you choose. The twins helped me decorate our playroom tree and hang a stocking for each day’s activity. Whether it is taking a walk to see Christmas lights, or sending a letter of support to a soldier, all are small acts of joy that you can most definitely do together as a family.

Advent Calendar Activities for Kids

You can download the printable below to stuff in your own advent calendar and spread the giving onward!

Download printable cards here: Page 1, 2, 3, and 4

Advent Calendar Activities for Kids

Advent Calendar Activities for Kids

Merry Christmas!

Post by Doreen Corrigan

Doreen Corrigan is the voice behind her lifestyle blog devoted to celebrating the “Art of Living.” Doreen believes even the ordinary can be made extraordinary and is passionate about Entertaining, Home Decor, and Fashion. Doreen and her husband Jim, are the proud parents of 4 year old twins. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Woodland Animal Nursery Decor

November 8, 2017

Discover a woodsy wonderland (indoors) with our assortment or woodland decor, toys and more. From grizzly bears to the neighborhood raccoon, we’ve got your woodland animal nursery decor covered.

Create an outdoorsy vibe and spruce up your walls with some delightful woodland friends. Adorn the bed with a playful crowd of printed foxes and…add in a couple more foxes, like a hand-tufted rug based on classic artwork from the iconic wildlife artist Charley Harper and a cozy fox Nod chair.

Don’t forget some owls to keep a watchful eye, and, voila! You’ve got yourself a beautiful woodland animal nursery!

Check out all of our Woodland Decor

Kids Holiday Flannel Sheets Inspiration

November 7, 2017

How to Decorate Your Kid’s Room for the Holidays

Bedrooms are often overlooked when it comes time to decorate your home for the holidays— but with just a few touches, you can turn your kid’s room into a cozy, festive space for them to enjoy during the winter months.

For this shared bedroom, the Great White North and Snow Day Flannel Sheets make the beds extra warm and comfy. If you want to take it up a notch and really get in the holiday spirit, try hanging a few stockings, garland or an advent calendar around the room.

Post from Danielle of The Land of Nod’s Design Services Team. Our Design Services team offers free one-on-one design advice, mood boards and space planning. You have a room to decorate? They’d love to hear from you.

VISIT THE LAND OF NOD’S DESIGN SERVICES PAGE
TO GET STARTED TODAY ON YOUR FREE DESIGN

Best Gifts for Kids this Christmas & Holidays

November 2, 2017

The holidays are coming, along with a Yule-tidal wave of holiday chores, shopping and more. Luckily for you, Santa’s not the only one with a bag of goodies. Our holiday collection is filled to the brim with gifts that’ll create lifelong memories and decorations that’ll create lasting traditions. So you can have a holiday that leaves you wanting more (while simultaneously wondering how you survived).

The best gifts for kids don’t require batteries. Our pretend play collection is no exception, which means it’s ready to keep up with anything and everything kids can imagine.

Check out our full assortment  of
Best Gifts for Kids at
www.landofnod.com

Vegan, Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Brownies Recipe

October 31, 2017

These little vegan, dairy-free & gluten-free mummies are chocolatey, delicious, and super allergen-friendly! If you still have time to make something up for Halloween night, make these little guys. And, if it’s too late for this year, don’t worry: just save this recipe. It’s mom-tested, kid-approved and could be adapted for other holidays as well (think, frosted and topped with Christmas sprinkles, etc.). No tricks here; just a fun, delicious dessert that is vegan, dairy, and gluten-free! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Vegan, Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free Brownies Recipe

BROWNIE INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup + 2 tbsp dairy-free milk (I used Ripple Original Milk Drink)
  • 1/2 cup + 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup gluten-free flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
  • 1 cup cacao or cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (could also use coconut sugar here)
  • 1/3 cup unrefined sugar
  • 1 tsp xanthan gum
  • 2 tbsp non-GMO cornstarch (loosely packed)
  • A handful of dairy-free mini chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life Foods brand)

ICING INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup Plain Cream Cheeze Style Spread from Daiya
  • 1 tbsp agave nectar (or raw honey)
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar; more or less depending on personal preference (I used Wholesome brand)
  • You will also need candy eyes

DIRECTIONS

  1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 pan. Set aside.
  2. Combine milk, oil and vanilla extract in a medium-sized bowl. Mix well, then set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all remaining brownie Mix until well-combined.
  4. Pour wet ingredients (medium bowl) into your dry ingredients (large bowl) and mix until well-combined.
  5. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth/shake pan until batter lays evenly.
  6. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips scattered on top of batter. I like to push some into the batter and leave others exposed. Yum!
  7. Bake approximately 15 minutes (please note: these may look a little undercooked. This is normal) then remove the pan from oven.
  8. Cover and refrigerate. This brownie recipe works best when the brownies are left to firm up in the refrigerator for a couple hours or overnight if easier.
  9. Once firm, cut your brownies into rectangles then set aside.
  10. Prepare the icing by combining all icing ingredients in a small bowl then transfer the icing into a small resealable bag and snip the end so that your bag resembles a piping bag.
  11. Next, take brownies and decorate them by piping icing in lines across the top of each one. Push in a couple of candy eyes and voila! Mummy-yummy treats that are allergen friendly and still super tasty!

POST BY LUNCHES + LITTLES

Lunches + Littles focuses on quick, healthy and fun meal options for little ones while sharing practical tips & tricks on how to make meals enjoyable, all the while keeping things simple. A lover of colorful plates and an advocate for getting kids in the kitchen, Lunches + Littles is also a great resource for parents of picky eaters, parents looking for healthy family and toddler recipes and those mamas (dads too!) who are short on time. A mantra of sorts: Making meals fun doesn’t have to be hard! With 3 little ones (3 and under) it can’t be! Follow @lunchesandlittles for all of the above… And more!