10 Years in The Land of Nod

May 24, 2013

On Saturday, May 4th, we celebrated our 10th anniversary at our newly renovated Chicago location. Customers were greeted outside with Nod 10^thAnniversary balloons designed by artist Michelle Romo. They could also indulge in the ever so popular Sweet Mandy B’s cupcakes, get a temporary tattoo by Tattly Designs, or get their face painted by artists commissioned from our friends at Aden + Anais. A looming stage also hosted a variety of outdoor entertainment throughout the day. Musician Justin Roberts played some tunes.

The Emerald City Theatre performed The Cat in The Hat. The Old Town School of Folk Music’s very own Maria McCullough taught a ¡Hola! Wiggleworms music class. And magician Sean Masterson amazed the crowd. Inside, customers were super excited to see the new renovations. Kids were treated to some crafting from Sweet Paul Magazine’s kids’ edition and Make a Mask from Mudpuppy let kids design their own mask. Local apparel retailer Psycho Baby sold exclusive Land of Nod t-shirts and Smilebooth set up a photo booth for the customers, complete with fun products from the store to pose with. Checkout this Smilebooth video montage:

Smilebooth Land of Nod Bday Bash from Smilebooth Chicago on Vimeo.

Here's to another 10 amazing years in Chicago!

Little Rainbow Party

May 23, 2013

Post by Lyndsay Sung of Coco Cake Land

I was inspired by this beautiful wooden rainbow stacking toy to create a simple rainbow party! Nope, no buckets of crazy colored buttercream or tie-dye cupcake insides or layers of coloured cake here! Just some lovely vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream, dressed to impress in every-colour-of-the-rainbow cupcake liners and fashioned with colourful flags.

Children’s parties needn’t always be jacked to the nines! All you need is a selection (even three different colours!) of cupcake liners, a few rolls of Japanese washi tape and the cutest inspiration: your baby’s own toys.

You can even use those coloured cupcake liners to make a very cute and very easy festive garland, as I wrote about here – the striped liners with the white centers work great because they look like stripey little starbursts. Simply open cupcake liners flat, and use clear tape to adhere them to a few feet of string!

And yes… you can have a cupcake! Two, even!

Thank you to Land of Nod for sending me the rainbow stacking toy and alphabet letters!

Post by Lyndsay Sung of Coco Cake Land

Family Business Wall

May 22, 2013

The "Family Business Wall" was born out of a had-it-up-to-here moment with clutter on the kitchen counter, family calendars being unavailable at a glance, and sounds of "I'm bored!" from the kiddos while I'm fixing dinner.

We had a smallish wall in our kitchen near the pantry with very little on it. (Just a dry erase calendar that hadn't been updated in half a year. For shame.) I thought it might be cool to add some texture and interest to the otherwise black and white kitchen by installing a sort of "message board" on that wall, with things that could serve the whole family.

I carefully selected things that would solve each of our issues: a calendar for us to write all over, clipboards for rotating photos and prints, a magazine pocket to hold mail and important papers, pretty artwork to make it lovely, and fun chalkboard and magnetic activities for the kids so they could be with me in the kitchen (yet out of the way!) while I'm cooking. I even added a tray at the bottom to hold chalk and erasers and a magnetic face game. I had a plan!

// 1. circle magnet boards // 2. clipboards // 3. magnetic face game // 4. calendar // 5. alphabet soup wall art // 6. magnetic magazine pocket // 7. wall bin // 8. circle chalkboard decals // 9. owl in flight wall art //

Then came time to draft out the plan. Mmmm… I love a fresh sheet of graph paper! I worked out dimensions, drew all the different items to scale and cut them out so I could rearrange them on my little paper wall until I figured out the perfect set up for our space.

Next, it was time to stain the wood (I used those rough fencing boards at Lowe's that are $1.65/ea and mimic the look of pallet wood without all the trouble of harvesting it). I got a lot of questions about staining when I shared my wood wall tutorial, so I thought I'd include a little video this time around to demonstrate just how not-intimidating it actually is.

I had two cans of stain that were both nearly empty (walnut and black, I believe), so I just married them to get a dark-but-not-too-dark brown. Using an old t-shirt and light swipes (just keep your hand moving – that's the key!), the staining step went super quickly and it was time to let the stain dry and the wood acclimate to the indoor temp before I put it up on the wall. I'm not going to assume everyone has the same size space as me, so sharing dimensions and such is silly. But I will tell you that if you're not butting your wood up against another wall, installing a temporary straight edge board as a guide (I used a spare piece of baseboard we had in our garage) will yield a nice, straight line in the end. Also a level. Don't you dare tackle this project without a level nearby.

Once I knocked out the wall installation (in case you're wondering, I used a nail gun and tried to stick to the studs), it was time for the fun part: hanging all the goodies! I wanted one of my magnetic circles to also act as a chalkboard, so I applied a (slightly larger) chalkboard decal directly on the metal circle and trimmed the edges with the sharp edge of a pair of scissors.

I was super excited to hang our Alphabet Soup canvas on the wall, though I've been tempted to move it around the house so I can enjoy it in different rooms as well. (Up close it's crazy cool!)

artworkcloseup

I managed to finish the project in a day, so you can imagine Oliver's delight to get off the bus and discover what Mom had been cooking up in the kitchen while he was at school.

hesafan

The magnetic face game was an awesome icing on the cake for the kids. They love getting silly with eyes and hair, or using the chalkboard to draw bodies on their people.

xoxo, Raechel

Raechel Myers blogs at Finding My Feet. When she's not elbow deep in her next DIY project, you'll likely find her helping her 6-year-old with his Kindergarten homework or playing babies with her 3-year-old daughter. She lives with her husband in Franklin, TN where they can only hope to train their kiddos to love the Lord and take their dishes to the kitchen sink.

Gift Ideas for Little Kids & Big Kids

May 21, 2013

Once out of toddlerhood, kids start to understand the world better and ask more critical questions. Sometimes the questions are so deep and layered that I’m shocked that they are coming out of such a young child. The wheels in my daughter’s brain never stop turning, and coming up with answers to her detailed questions certainly keeps me on my toes. When she is not trying to unravel all the mysteries of the world, she is just like every other 6 year old, spending hours upon hours playing with her toys. These are some of her favorites.

1. Bowling Lanes: Family fun for everyone. Great indoor or outdoor activity and there is no threat of damage with the soft construction.

2. Letters Entertain You: Develops fine motor skills by matching shapes.

3. Rainbow Markers: There’s nothing like a brand new, fresh set of markers, no matter how old you are.

4. Teepee: Everyone loves a fort!

5. Off Broadway Puppet Theater: Storytelling, for both adults and kids. Provides an escape from a media-soaked environment, and provides family bonding and imagination.

6. Easel: Art promotes early forms of communication and social and emotional skills. Providing a child with their own special art space provides a sense of ownership of the process of their art. From beginning to end, the art is truly theirs!

7. Slipper Chair and Beanbag: A place of their very own. Even moms and dads can fit on the 40” beanbag.

8. Strum and Get It: Teaching a child to play an instrument helps memory retention skills, enhances coordination, and teaches persistence.

9. Agnes: So delicate and special.

By Jayne Mangione

Jayne has a lot of experience with children as a former elementary school teacher and a mom of two kids. In her job as a customer service specialist at Nod, she offers advice to customers on our wide array of products, 90% of which she and her family already own. A Chicago native, she’s mastered multiple seasons, often in one week, while being able to cite 90’s pop culture and musical references at the drop of a hat. Speaking of hats, ask her about the time she looked like Blossom.

Things to Make – Easy Tissue Paper Suncatchers

May 20, 2013

Our windows needed something pretty to brighten up these winter afternoons, so I cut tissue paper into squares and then had the girls attach them to contact paper. We used a second sheet of contact paper to keep everything in place and hung our creations in the window. Easy.

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Rethink Pink

May 17, 2013

Oddly, I didn’t like pink growing up but I’m embracing it as an adult. This month I have bright fuchsia hair that is rapidly fading to a soft pink. I’ve realized pink doesn’t have to be just girly and feminine; it can be strong, nurturing and passionate.

This classic combo is so easy to achieve through our bedding collections and accessories.

1. Antique Chic Bedding $99–$129 Royal Canopy Bed $1,399–$1,599
2. New School Crib Bedding Hop To It $29–$79
3. Extended Stay Bedding Pink $99–$129
4. Giant Sequin Bow $19.95

Seems like an unlikely combination, but it’s a great way to offset pink for a bright room.

1. Fade to Pink Bedding Collection $159-$189
2. Pinky Ball $1.95
3. Padded Lily Rug $299–$699

A wonderful alternative to your basic pink, this peachy pink gives a warm glow.

1. Sleep Patterns Bedding $69–$89
2. Mosaic Paisley Crib Bedding $29–$49
3. Pull Up a Pouf Crocheted $69
4. Bon Voyage Suitcase SALE $15.95 reg. $19.95/set of 3

Probably my favorite of all the pinks due to its vibrancy in hue. Don’t be afraid to use this variation in large or small doses like sheets.

1. Fine Prints Crib Bedding Pink Hearts $24–$79
2. Pixel Paisley Bedding $159–$189 As You Wish Upholstered Bed, Seeing Spots Noir $899–$1,099
3. Neon Pink Sheet Set $59–$99
4. Little Slipper Chair $299
5. Checkmate Table Base $59 Light Years Table Shade Hot Pink $19.95
6. Bands of Gold Sham $29

Remember, you can start small with accents and curtains. Although, you might be confident and ready for pink bedding, walls and rugs! Embrace pink.

By: Julia DeNamur

Growing up Julia loved color so much she gave her crayons different genders and specific positions in the box based on who they got along with. Fast forward to adulthood, and Julia had the opportunity to work for a paint company where she honed her eye for color, and sometimes even got to name colors things like Dandelion Scream and Wild Child. Today Julia works at Nod as a Graphic Designer, and channels her love of color into her constantly changing hair & nail colors, as well as colorful designs for Nod's website.

Little Cloud

May 16, 2013

This was another story book-based art experience that Avery had when she was a toddler. We read Eric Carle's Little Cloud together, which is a charming and of course beautifully illustrated and collaged story about Little Cloud and his shape-changing adventures. Avery glued cotton balls onto paper to resemble clouds. Other creative ideas for pairing art with Little Cloud can be found here.

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine

You can see her work and read about her two young children's first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.

Toddler Gifts

May 15, 2013

Once your baby transforms into a toddler, the game really changes! I know my kids were absolutely fascinated by the world around them, and I had to work overtime to keep up with all of their questions. I always found it helpful to have talking points to help explain why things were the way they were, and we often had long conversations that stemmed from our wide variety of toys. These are some of the toys that helped my kids develop their ever-growing vocabularies and helped to broaden their horizons.

Toddler Gifts:

1. Big Box of Colorful Blocks: Absolutely Gorgeous. Hand crafted heirloom piece that your grandkid’s grandkids will use.

2. Curious George In The Box: SURPRISE! Great for cause and effect and activating prior knowledge.

3. Crocodile Rocker: Great for developing large motor skills as kids climb up on it and as they demonstrate mastery of balance while they rock back and forth.

4. Nod Blocks: A CLASSIC! Stimulates children’s minds and offers a variety of developmental activities, from learning the alphabet to understanding the spatial relationships between objects.

5. Nod Chair: Story Time, Rest Time, Play Time! Everyone loves a (personalized) space of their own.

6. Rainbow Stacker: Great for early problem solving development. As the puzzle is built, any piece placed out of order disrupts the triangular shape of the toy, and prompts redirection. On the other hand, this toy also promotes abstract art when the circles are placed however the child pleases.

7. Gummy Bear Nightlight: Eases fear of the dark, plus kids can invite it into bed and have a sleepover with it.

8. Personalized Growth Charts: Personalization makes it extra special; this is a gift that literally grows with your child.

9. Abacus: Letters + numbers + counting = early literacy skills. Provides consistent repetition, making it perfect for aspiring mathematicians and grammarians alike.

By Jayne Mangione

Children’s Daily Checklists

May 14, 2013

Post by Christina Williams of justcallmechris.blogspot.com

I’m mortified to admit this. I don’t even know when it happened. But my children are spoiled. Not in the Veruca Salt I-Want-It-Now type of way. But in the I-Can’t-Do-Anything-For-Myself kind of way. I first realized we had a problem when tripping over abandoned shoes and backpacks became a daily occurrence for me. The problem escalated further when even the simplest of tasks were handed over to me:

“Hey Mom, can you get me a drink of water?”
“I can’t get dressed. Can you do it for me?”
“But I like it when you brush my teeth.”

Every time I ask anything of the kids, one quickly responds with “I can’t” (Translation: I don’t want to); while the other stands like a statue, unmoving, staring at me like I’m an alien directly from the planet Zebulon.

Time to put on your shoes. I can’t. // Bewildered stare
Put on your seatbelt. I can’t. // Bewildered stare
Take your dishes to the sink, please. I can’t. // Bewildered stare

I’m the cause of the whole problem. It’s embarrassing to admit, but it’s the truth. Oftentimes, it’s easier (and quicker) to do things for my kids than to coax and plead and listen to their never-ending chorus of complaints. Clearly the path of least resistance is getting us nowhere fast. So it’s time for some changes.

I’m mentally prepared for the imminent eye-rolling, whining and protesting as I unveil and enforce our new plan. But it’s high time I teach my children to be self-reliant. They’ll thank me for this someday. And even if they don’t, I’ll know I did my best. And that’s worth something in my book.

My plan: Simple, realistic, non-negotiable chores and expectations. No rewards. We all live here; we all get to help. And I promise to stop doing things for my children that I know they can do for themselves. Easy, right?

To make things a bit more exciting and motivating, I’ve made some visuals. Everyone gets their own daily dry-erase checklist. Even the grownups. (Who doesn’t love a good checklist, anyway?) That way everyone can see we’re all helping out. And I’ve got “chore sticks” for some additional weekend fun.

Wish me luck as I stand my ground and teach my kids some good life-lessons. I’ll let you know how it goes.

***

Due to the overwhelming response I got when I first unveiled these checklists, I’m happy to say I just added a customized printable version to my Etsy Shop.

Post by Christina Williams of justcallmechris.blogspot.com

The Story Behind Our May Catalog Cover

May 13, 2013

When we first laid our eyes on this photo from writer/photographer Kelle Hampton, we knew we had to use it for our catalog cover. And, after hearing the story behind the photo in Kelle’s own words, we knew we had to share it with you.

“It was a moment that took me by surprise—not that I hadn’t anticipated tearing up when my eldest daughter met her new brother, but I guess I hadn’t prepared for exactly what that scene would look like—a completely breathtaking display of love. For all the preparation I had given her those last months of my pregnancy—holding up my hands to show how he’d be “about this big,” describing how babies cried, demonstrating with dolls how newborns needed to be held with their heads safely supported—I couldn’t have expected the instant and natural way my little girl mothered her baby brother the moment he was placed in her arms. From my hospital bed I watched as my daughter protectively embraced my new son, slowly and silently bringing her nose to his until they touched. And they stayed like that for a good minute while I wiped tears from my cheeks and reached for my camera. Here she just met him and yet suddenly, he belonged to her. I knew then I need not stress over how we’d all adjust to a new baby or what we’d have to do to ensure everyone felt loved. We’d figure it out.

Instantly, instinctively, he fit into the spaces of our lives that were waiting for him. Where there is family, there is love.” – Kelle Hampton

Kelle Hampton is the photographer and writer behind Enjoying the Small Things, the award-winning blog where she weaves together photography and words to share with fellow life enthusiasts. She currently resides in Naples, Florida with her family.

New Baby Visit

May 12, 2013

Post by Michelle, Nod’s Executive Director
At Nod, we believe your home should be a celebration of family. We’ll be featuring our Managing Director, Michelle, at home celebrating her own family with recipes, crafts and décor created by our friend Sweet Paul.

I love babies, especially brand new babies. They are so soft and small and always smell so sweet. And there is nothing I love more than a newborn cry – it’s so sweet, especially when not heard at 3 am. So how exciting that Emily and I were lucky enough to be invited, recently, to meet a dear friend’s new baby. Having been a new mom 4 times, I have a keen insight into the responsibility of this visit; here are the requirements in my opinion:

Be as helpful as the new mom will allow – if she’s willing you should literally do her laundry, dishes, and let her take a shower while you watch the baby.
Offer to bring dinner and wine – in no way expect to be fed and or waited on.
Hold baby – mom needs a break.
Bring a reheat able meal, Emily and I brought a quiche for dinner the next night.
Bring mom a thoughtful gift and also big brother or sister, if applicable.
Of course bring a lovely gift for baby.
And under no circumstance, regardless of your relationship, should you overstay your welcome.

Luckily for me, I had my partner in crime – Emily to help me in preparing for this visit. This is the kind of thing we love to do together. We shopped, we baked, we wrapped and embellished the gifts and then of course we got dressed. The dressing is always a bit of a fashion show with the two of us – each trying on several outfits and accessories before deciding. It’s all such fun and we had a lovely visit and hopefully gave my friend a little break and some much appreciated company during our visit.

Aside from being the Managing Director of The Land of Nod, mother to four kids (yes, FOUR!) and a gourmet cook, Michelle is a retail junky. She’s painted her dining room countless times and changes rugs like most people change their bedsheets. When she’s not living and breathing retail, she’s weaving amazing works of art with her sister for Bourbon+Gin Weaving.

Land of Nod Basement Makeover

May 10, 2013

Post by Darcy of No Monsters in My Bed

(All “after” photos courtesy of Land of Nod and the wonderful Melanie Acevedo)

As many of you may (or may not) know, I also post at Land of Nod’s blog, Honest to Nod (tons of amazing stuff over there, check it out if you have a chance). They have always been a wonderful company to work with (lots of giveaways around Christmas time) and I feel so lucky to be part of their internet team. And then everything became even better. A few months ago, LON contacted me asking if I had any interest in improving a room in our house. Um, well, YES!!! But where to start? (we haven’t lived in our current home for two years yet and several of the rooms need some love.) I came up with a list of suggestions including a basement makeover, which looked so blah that I had no idea where to even begin. To which, LON replied, “well, would you like our help designing it?”. And then everything became better than better.

They quickly put me in touch with a LON designer – Sarah – who asked to see my pinterest files, in order to work within my style. So we collaborated (with Sarah doing most of the work) and within a few weeks, she had taken my boring, dull basement and divided it into “zones” – a study space with desks, an art corner, and a dress up wall. All while working around our desire for our tv (and couch) for family movies and wii. And did I mention her idea for a corkboard wall? Brilliant. Sarah’s design plan was beyond helpful. And while she suggested several LON products, she also included accessories from other sources (click here to see the board). I thought this was a special service for me, but was surprised to learn – and want to make sure everyone knows – that LON offers this for most customers (depending on designer availability), so if you have a design dilemma or question, just ask. And then better became amazing.

After Sarah finished her design plan for the basement makeover, my husband and I talked about what we liked and what we didn’t (our main changes related to color). And then things started moving pretty fast. Another wonderful LON designer helped us finalize everything (click here to see the final design plan). We assembled new furniture and unloaded poofs (LOVE their poofs), and within a few weeks, a team of designers and a professional photographer arrived to help us put everything together and to photograph the family for the catalog (our brief brush with fame). The basement turned out even better than I could have hoped. The girls each have a leaning sloane desk, where they work on homework and keep their most treasured possessions. T basically lives in the dress up corner. And the art area has become a favorite playdate spot. But best of all, the basement still remains a space where we can gather as a family – watching movies, reading books, and “arting.” I never thought such a relatively small space could meet so many needs, so thank you LON, thank you!! We couldn’t have hoped for more.

Amazing transformation. It also serves as our “tv room”, but I’ve learned that catalogs really really don’t like to show photos of TVs. The dress up corner is one of my favorite parts, the kids come up with the most interesting combinations. At first, I insisted the room was way too small for a coffee table, but I was wrong. We ended up LOVING the adjustable table with paper roll (the kids color on it constantly). Plus, I like that we have the option of converting it to a desk for T in the future.

Art table = awesomeness. Especially with the paper roll right next to it. Our basement also has a corner “nook” (I don’t have before pictures), where we set up a puppet show, using LON’s new “What’s That Stand For Stand“, which may be one of their best products ever. FINALLY, as a parent you don’t have to choose between the market stand and the puppet show and the post office, now there’s an all-in-one version. I love it (and so do the kids).

Post by Darcy of No Monsters in My Bed

Looking for even more playroom inspiration? Check out our Playroom Board on Pinterest.

Old Family Photo Wrapping Paper

May 9, 2013

At Nod, we believe your home should be a celebration of family. We'll be featuring our Managing Director, Michelle, at home celebrating her own family with recipes, crafts and décor created by our friend Sweet Paul.

I just love making my own wrapping paper. I think it adds a little extra special something to any gift! You can use old family photos to make the ultimate customized paper that will surely bring a smile to the faces of new parents at the same time that it pays homage to family and tradition!

You need:

old photos

printer or a visit to the copy shop

1.Take your photos to a copy center and place them in in the order you want them on the copier bed. 2.Scan or copy and print. 3.Wrap presents and get ready for your loved ones to enjoy!

TIP:

If you have an all-in-one printer-scanner you can do this easily at home!

By Paul Lowe:

When it comes to making simple crafts or elegant meals, Paul Lowe is the man to call. His blog, Sweet Paul has now spun into a successful magazine, providing tons of useful design tips.

Things to Make – Yarn Wrapped Sticks

May 8, 2013

This is possibly the easiest craft project I've ever posted (and I've posted LOTS of easy projects). Basically, look around the neighborhood for "good sticks" (not too frail, not too large), which is a fun way to occupy the kids during the "witching hours." Then use a glue stick to attach the yarn to the stick. I bought different colors of yarn, so that each stick would contain multiple hues. Originally, I placed the sticks in a vase. But when Land of Nod came to makeover the basement, they decided to attach them to the ceiling. Pretty, huh? For an extra special effect, add garland, like this one from Paper Source (Paper Source no longer appears to sell the garland pictured above).

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

Leek, Pesto, and Ricotta Pie

May 7, 2013

At Nod, we believe your home should be a celebration of family. We’ll be featuring our Managing Director, Michelle, at home celebrating her own family with recipes, crafts and décor created by our friend Sweet Paul.

Let’s make a pact, okay? We shall not gift “old food” to NEW parents! Stodgy and heavy old-fashioned casseroles are the last thing tired and hungry new parents want. Why not treat new moms and dads to this easy yet sophisticated leek, spinach and ricotta pie? It’s a make-ahead gem that after 45 minutes in the oven will nourish and comfort even the most frazzled nerves!

Chunky pesto

Makes about 1 cup

2 1/2 cups fresh basil
1/4 pine nuts, toasted
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Place basil, pine nuts and garlic on cutting board. Use a mezzaluna or a large knife, finely chop the ingredients. Place in a bowl, add parmesan and oil. Mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with plastic wrap. Can be refrigerated up to 2 days.

Use the pesto to make the pie:

Serves 6 to 8

1 large leek, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons butter
2 large eggs
2 large egg whites
4 tablespoons cream
1 cup ricotta
3 tablespoons pesto
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
coarse salt and freshly grounded pepper
8 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
cooking spray

1.Preheat oven to 375F. 2.Saute leeks in butter until soft. 3.In a medium bowl, combine, eggs, egg whites, cream, ricotta, pesto, parmesan and parsley. 4.Season with salt and pepper. 5.Lightly coat a 9 inch pie pan with cooking spray. 6.Unroll phyllo, remove one sheet, placing in prepared pan. 7.Coat lightly with cooking spray. 8.Repeat with 7 more sheets of phyllo, spraying between each layer. 9.Trim edges with scissor. 10. Spoon filling and leeks into the pan. 11. Bake until golden brown and set, about 45-50 minutes. 12. Cool before serving.

By Paul Lowe:

When it comes to making simple crafts or elegant meals, Paul Lowe is the man to call. His blog, Sweet Paul has now spun into a successful magazine, providing tons of useful design tips.

Need more tasty recipes and delicious bites? Check out our Let’s Eat Pinterest Board.

Top Baby Gift Picks

May 6, 2013

Post by Jayne Mangione

Is there any happier sight than that of a new baby? The ooohs, aaahs and gurgles make the transition to parenthood all worth it! I’ve brought home two babies in my tenure as a parent, and while much of those first weeks is a warm, fuzzy blur, I cherish those memories. My family and friends showered me with gifts during these times. Many were fabulously helpful as I navigated the waters of motherhood. Seriously, I could STILL sing the praises of these swaddle blankets from the mountaintops, and my “baby” is 3 now! Here are some of my favorite baby gifts and new-parent lifesavers!

Robes and Slippers: Great for bath time. Also great for water play or at the pool!

Swaddle Blankets: Large size makes “escapes” from swaddles harder. This item is truly multi-purpose and can be used as a stroller cover, sun shade, grass blanket, nursing cover, burp cloth, napkin, and swaddle blanket. The breathable fabric keeps baby comfortable.

Baby Rattles: Great for little hands to grasp.

Mobiles: Easy to repurpose as décor or play pieces, great avenue for parents to introduce animal noises to baby.

Sophie: Great for molars. Can really chew to soothe sore gums. Awesome texture, too.

Personalized Wall Art: Sentimental value is priceless.

Winkel: Multi-purpose: rolling, catching, shaking, teething

Tower of Babble Blocks: Great talking point for parents and kids, helps to develop early literacy and vocabulary development.

Impressions Handprint: They’re never this size again.

Puzzles: Fine motor skills. Colors. Shapes. Matching.

Land of Nod CD: Children’s music helps to strengthen a range of auditory skills. Clapping to rhythm helps brain development.

Easy Catch Knit Ball: For your future Hall of Famer!

Post by Jayne Mangione. Jayne has a lot of experience with children as a former elementary school teacher and a mom of two kids. In her job as a customer service specialist at Nod, she offers advice to customers on our wide array of products, 90% of which she and her family already own. A Chicago native, she’s mastered multiple seasons, often in one week, while being able to cite 90’s pop culture and musical references at the drop of a hat. Speaking of hats, ask her about the time she looked like Blossom.

Preschool Graduation Goodies

May 3, 2013

After racking my brain for ideas and coming up completely blank, it hit me that a fruit roll-up is easily transformed into a sweet, little diploma when removed from its package and tied up with black, satin ribbon. Truly what could be more fitting for a preschooler’s diploma than one of their favorite chewy treats?

To polish it off we’ve got a freebie printable sign and coordinating striped tray liner for you to download — plus we created a sign for both Preschool and Kindergarten graduation parties.

Reposted with permission by Aimée Lowry & Bettijo B. Hirschi from PagingSupermom.com

Holy-Customer Service Batgirl!

May 2, 2013

…as written by Land of Nod customer for life Jennifer.

Several months ago, a new (the Ellipse) bed appeared on a home decor blog. While the majority of comments debated the longevity of mid-century-modern decor, I chimed in to briefly mention I had some problems with some of the furniture I had purchase from Nod.

Shortly thereafter, I spied a response to my post from Nod’s Michelle Kohanzo, she included her email and asked that I contact her with more information about my Nod products. I wrote to her and sent pictures of the pieces in my son’s room that had not held up as well as I had hoped.

Michelle wrote back (quickly), earnestly offering to rectify the situation. She offered to either replace the pieces or exchange them for something else.

WHAT? Who does this? This furniture is four years old. I had to wrap my head around this offer. While the issues I had (air pockets in the finish and a warping bookcase) could not be blamed on the pre-schooler abuse, never did occur to me that 4 year old furniture would be replaced. The offer was so generous, I came close to declining, lest I appear to be taking advantage of the Land of Nod.

I sought the advice of my husband and friends whose sentiments echoed my own. “What amazing customer service!!!” “What’s the website? “Holy smokes!” “What are you going to do?”

In the end, I decided to exchange the dresser for the new Ellipse 6 drawer dresser and replace the Oak Park bookcase (which, Michelle assured me, was being manufactured by a new company).

One of the leads in Nod’s shipping team contacted me with in a day of this being decided. On the PHONE! She gathered my information, and warned me that the new Ellipse dresser would not be shipping to customers for two months. 4-5 weeks later, she phoned again to talk about delivery options. From there I worked with her team, who were very accommodating, via email.

The Oak Park bookcase remains exactly what we wanted when we bought it: A nice height and top, which allow us to use the very top shelf for decorative items. It’s solid and sturdy so that our son won’t topple it, lots of space between shelves so that taller books fit with their spines facing out, closed in the back so that dust doesn’t collect on the other side.

The Ellipse dresser is simply stunning. When the delivery men unwrapped it, my mind instantly started making calculations as to where I could put it in my room instead. Why should a four year-old boy have the most gorgeous piece of furniture in the house!?!

While I’m thrilled with (and still a bit amazed by) this stunning furniture, I am far more in awe of Land of Nod’s customer service. In my ~30 years of being a devoted shopper, I have never witnessed such dedication to making a customer happy.

Thank you!

Nod Evangelist from Carlsbad Jennifer

Six Mile Granola

This granola is the perfect recipe to kick-start your sring routine. It’s nutrient packed to start a busy day off right for every member of your family. It’s the perfect combination of salty and sweet. It’s a cinch to whip up… so let’s get started!

Melt butter in a saucepan. Add sugar and stir until melted. Blend in honey, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and water.

Add dry ingredients: oats, wheat germ, bran, cashews, almonds and coconut.

Stir, then place on two rimmed baking sheets.

Bake until golden brown (about 1 ½ hours) stirring every 15 minutes or so.

Let cool on sheets then add dried fruits if desired. Store in an airtight container.

The granola will keep for at least three weeks, but it never lasts nearly that long in our house. We go through about one batch per week!

Serve with Chobani and some fresh berries, in a bowl with milk, sprinkled on ice cream or on its own for a kid-friendly snack.

Six Mile Granola

*adapted from Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

½ cup brown sugar (or substitute with maple syrup – extra delish!)

½ cup honey or brown rice syrup

1 ½ tsp. coarse salt

½ tsp. cinnamon

1 cup water

4 ½ cups rolled oats (not quick oats)

½ cup wheat germ

½ cup bran

1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup raw almonds (you can substitute any raw nuts)

½ cup either flax seed meal or chia seeds

1 cup dried cherries, golden raisins, crystallized ginger, etc. if desired.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 250.

Melt butter in saucepan and stir in sugar until melted.

Stir in honey, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and water until combined.

Stir in oats, wheat germ, bran, cashews, almonds and unsweetened coconut.

Spread mixture on two rimmed baking sheets.

Bake for about 1½ hours, until golden brown, stirring every 15 minutes.

Let cool on sheets then add dried fruit if desired.

Post by Jen Wise: Mom Colored Glasses

Need more tasty recipes and delicious bites? Check out our Let’s Eat Pinterest Board.

Little Blue and Little Yellow

May 1, 2013

A while back, a friend of ours gave Avery a copy of Leo Lionni's Little Blue and Little Yellow. One day, I pulled out some Arches paper that I had stashed away from a bookbinding class I took in college and Avery got to do some watercolor based on Little Blue and Little Yellow. We read the book and then Avery painted with the colors blue and yellow, mixing them and overlapping them on paper.

We used Glob paints (our first time using them). Glob's natural paints are made from fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers and spices, such as blueberry and lemon verbena. The paints come in powder form and I like that you can make different consistencies based on how much water you add. Avery loves painting and I can't wait for our next storybook-based art experience!

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine

You can see her work and read about her two young children's first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.