shak-shuka

Bloggin' Best Halloween Ideas

Happy pre-Halloween! If you're anything like me, you may have forgotten that this fun holiday has creepy creeped up on us with a vengeance! What - Halloween's in a few days? No worries, we've got you covered. Well, I guess not us, but let's call it the "Bloggin' Best Halloween Ideas - so thank you to all of you lovely blogs out there doing the hard work for us!

DECORATIONS: I personally don't go that crazy, despite what our daughter would like. So, I'm going to be making some creepy crawly spider webs with this simple method: take cotton balls, stretch them out to look like cotton webs, and spray them like crazy with strong hold (steal it from your mother, like I would!) hairspray and add some fun spiders to keep it authentic. Besides this, we'll make this fun and adorably spooky Halloween Banner that Happy Thought has generously made available - for FREE! Get to printin' and you'll have a cute way to bring the Halloween-y-mood.

COSTUMES: luckily Lil'Miss Shuka is currently in the costume mood, so we have plenty to choose from this year. Phew! One less thing for me to think about (she's going with a ballerina theme - surprise surprise). Now the heat is being turned on myself and Papa Shuka, so we're scrambling for ideas. Luckily Papa Shuka is an architect, so he'll do something building related - I think he'll borrow a hardhat and go as Bob the Builder, or I personally would love to see him rock this building crown/hat. For me, well - I would be best suited as the Very Hungry Caterpillar, but my mind goes blank when I think about how to do that. So - our pals at Bambino Goodies to the rescue! As if they read my bulging belly brain, a nice set of Bat Wings from the ingenious My Poppet site is just the ticket for this very pregnant mama. I'm thinking all of that black will be very slimming, and I think I actually have an old spandex-y scarf so it's a real eco Halloween craft!

FOOD: so it looks like we'll be having a mini Halloween party this weekend with some of our favorite kiddos. The menu is a bit sketchy as we have to feed not only parents with a grown-up palette, but also kids that will want to run around and burn off some of that sugar. For the main dish for the grown-ups, I'm thinking this Cauldron Curry (with seitan) and some rice, and for the kids, some simple Cheese Calzones with bloody-red tomato sauce. I figure it's a safe bet and they'll love it! For dessert, you can't go wrong with Caramel Apples, and our other BFFs at Babyccino Kids have a recipe so simple, it *seems* almost foolproof (can't vouch for that yet, as I might end up being a fool when I make them!). If all else fails, we'll have gift bags of candy for the kids to get them through!

Ada Ada Necklaces Rock

My love for Ada Ada has been well documented - they make some of the most beautiful, and completely wearable (read: wash/dry magic! no dry cleaning/ironing needed!) clothes that both kids and adults love. Not to mention that the family behind the clothes is equally beautiful - a tour de force of a sisterly trio so amazing, you might just try and squeeze yourself next to them to see if you're passable as the fourth missing sister!

So this season they do NOT disappoint with their amazing galatic-inspired collection: think moon, stars, dust and everything done in tasteful colors that will mix and match with everything in the collection (not to mention the kids wardrobe already). What I love about Ada Ada is that they're also branching out in other directions as well - this season they included some fantastic tights, which both myself and my daughter love. But now....well, they've gone and done it again with these fantastic Rock Necklaces! I had actually seen a picture of one of the owner's sons wearing it, and as I was about to ask where they got it, they told me that they made them and that I was going to be able to share them with our customers! "YIPPEE" I believe were my exact words, and I think you'll agree. Handmade, poly/cotton loops with funky charms are just the thing that both boys and girls will love. My personal fave? How they look layered one on top of the other, super cool and incredibly lightweight and totally wearable (the Ada Ada trademark, I think). Maybe the Ada Ada sisters have started a kids accessories revolution!

Priti Pedi Solution

Even though I can't really see my toes, I still dream about pedicures. In New York, women get mani/pedis about every week, and I just love that tradition. Going there with your best girlfriends, laughing and giggling (mostly induced by the vibrating chairs) and enjoying a therapeutic foot soak while your toesies get the royal treatment. Here in the Netherlands they haven't quite caught up to this concept, and people who touch your feet have to be licensed to do so (lucky them!) and they wear surgical gloves during the whole pedicure, which makes for a very "interesting", and sometimes painful foot rub!

Needless to say, I've gotten used to doing my own nails. And yes, I am lucky enough to have access to the best and most eco-friendly nail products on the market: Priti NYC. Usually the smell of nail polish and remover makes me gag, but I have to say, Priti NYC products don't make me gag, in fact I LOVE the smell! Something between a fruity and baby-sweet smell, I just love that I'm not inhaling toxic fumes and it's safe enough for my daughter to use as well. It's been well documented that their Priti polish wears like iron (I wore it for 10 days straight with no chipping - which included a trip to Germany, Denmark and many trade shows!) and their polish remover is a unique formula based on soy and completely non-toxic. For the girls on the go, Priti just came out with a new set of Soy Polish Remover Wipes which I am in LOVE with! Easy peasy and no mess, it's great for getting off the kids nail polish that seems to change every week. And with Halloween just around the corner, I have to say the Glow in the Dark Princess Polish is flying off the shelves and these Soy Polish Remover Wipes are just the ticket once the holidays are over (but not the fun!).

Abeego Has Food Covered

Besides full-on nesting mode, I've gone into "Kitchen Armageddon Preparation" in case the little baby decides to show himself early. I seem to have this inate fear of being left without enough food, and for my family, that fear is even more deep. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard my daughter say the words "I'm hungry" without having food shoved immediately into her mouth. Ah, instant gratification!

Clearly I've been cooking up a storm to prepare for the baby's arrival and the days after when the LAST thing on my mind will be cooking (what will be on my mind? radio silence!). I have to admit - filling up the freezer is pretty impressive, but also daunting. I find that I'm running out of containers, and I really despise using plastic/cling wrap on top. Imagine my delight when I read that there is an eco-alternative to plastic wrap: Abeego reusable food storage. The Abeego that I've got my eyes on for "Operation Freezer Filler" are the "Flats" which work the same as plastic/cling wrap, but instead they are made from beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil infused into hemp fabric which makes it "mold" onto your choice of container. I personally love the eco idea of this, and the child in me thinks this sounds like the coolest thing I've ever heard of. So, my package of Abeego better hurry up and make it in time before the little man arrives!

Mama's Rockin' Boots

If you follow us on Twitter, you'll know that I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect slip-on boots that require absolutely no effort (ie - doesn't require bending over a big fat baby belly!) and are comfortable to boot (pun intended). Believe it or not, this challenge is much more difficult than I thought. Almost as tough as bending over a baby belly and lacing up boots that aren't that comfortable anyways...

I was delighted when I spotted in MAMA Magazine a pair of boots that were calling my name: Goliath "On Stage" boots. Ok, I could do without the name (I mean, when will I be "on stage"?!), but the look of them just made my feet melt. Easy, slip-on style (even has a little tab on the back to help us pull them on without too much effort) and believe it or not: arch support! I find this is a rarity, especially among boots. Being the obsessive-compulsive lady that I am, I Googled the company, found out where they sold them in my town, and ran out one hour later and tried them on. Little did I know they have a faux-sheepskin lining which is very Ugg-like and oh-so-comfortable! I nearly cried in relief when I put them on, and have worn them every single day since. Not sure about the eco-factor of the boots, but seeing as I will be wearing them non-stop and not buying any more boots, that's eco enough for this soon-to-be-double-mama!

 

Organic Bed(ding) Buy

Recently our little girl has progressed from a little kids bed to a real, honest-to-goodness twin sized bed that will probably fit her until she's 18 years old! It's startling the contrast between the cradle, the crib, and now...a bonafide big girl bed. 

Since we've made this transition, my nesting instinct has gone wild and I am on the hunt for bedding that will be stylish and eco-friendly not only for her new bed, but also ours (because we deserve a little pampering too, damnit!). I was lucky enough to have the newest edition of 101 WoonIdeeen in my mailbox, which is always chock-full of great ideas and sites to shop at. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw the RosenbergCph Bed Linen, which comes in a variety of super cool designs and of course, organic cotton. While you're at it, the rest of the RosenbergCph is worth a length visit, and I'm seriously coveting everything from the Rectangular Cushion to the Fauna Bag for my travel needs. I mean, a family can never have too much organic home decor or bags.....right?! 

(Ethical, Eco) Play with Franck & Fischer

If there is one thing that I have a soft spot for, it's cute and cuddly toys. If there's one thing that I have a hard spot (is that even a phrase? if not, I'm starting it now to demonstrate how upset something makes me!), it would be companies that make toys that seem, or claim to be "eco". I've noticed it more and more often, where companies proudly claim their products are "designed in Europe" but in reality as you turn the box, they're "made in China". Ouch! hard spot found!

That's why we are so proud to be retailers of the extended Franck & Fischer range. Not only are their products coo-worthy, but they're just as eco-friendly as they are adorable. Everything is thought of from their design (no dull grey/natural colored toys in sight!), their production (fair trade and ethically made by women in their own homes), and the materials (Oeko-tex and organic fabrics only). If I could do flips, I would. Major kudos and applauds to the Franck & Fischer designers for making products that soothe our children, are gentle to our environment, and spread the love for human kind (parents included). 

A few stars from the new range that we're sure you'll love as much as we do: 

Protect the kids when eating or doing wild arts+crafts with these smock-style aprons in navy or red

Organization is done in eco style with these organic storage boxes - available in two sizes

Who's the cutie in the mirror? Fred the Owl Mirror will show your baby who's the cutest of them all

No one wants to ride in a boring stroller, so pimp yours with Mikkel or Mesje Stroller Mobiles

Ready, set go - penguins in a row! This Gufo Family Pull Toy brings amusement to all who see them

 

DIY: Arts+Crafts Organization

It's been major re-decorating over here at Casa Shuka as we work to make this a home for 4 (dog included) to a home for 5. We're fortunate to have enough space, but with all the junk that gets accumulated from having a child (and a messy mother) it takes a bit of strategizing to get everything where it should be.

One of the biggest issues that we have in our home is that we have toys and books for the kids everywhere. We do have a playroom, but even that seems to look like a toy grenade went off and threw everything all over the place. Even sadder still, we have a nice arts and crafts "corner" that got so overloaded with stuff on the crafts table that there was no room to create! AH! Time for Mama the Ikea Hacker to move in....

Believe it or not, I took my inspiration for our crafts corner from Good Housekeeping (enter gasp here). I did a bit of moving around and made it work for us, and low and behold - a craft corner that is still tidy to this day! I have to say that when everything (markers, glue, etc) have their own specific space, it just beckons the kids to play, and even put things back. Humans do like organization! Besides the fact that I'm grinning that it's still clean and actually being used, the second best part is that it's a totally quick, affordable project that will give you and the kids instant gratification!

For our version, we used:

LACK Wall Shelf (110cm)

GRUNDTAL Kitchen Rail (80cm)

GRUNDTAL S-hooks

ASKER container (we got the big one, and as seen in the photo, you could easily buy 3)

BYGEL wire basket

 

Black Sheep(skins)+Cleaning Tips

This weekend we scored big time at a few second-hand shops and while doing some online shopping. One of my "oh goody!" finds was a rotan rocking chair that will be in our bedroom and used for nighttime feedings and of course, like all good women everywhere, to hold the clothes that I rip off in an attempt to find just the right outfit. I know you feel me!

The only minor issue with this rotan rocker is that it could use a bit of comfort. My newest method to make anything soft and comfy: sheepskins. Good for the kids, keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer - BAM! we have a winner folks. My favorite sheepskins of all time? The undeniably gorgeous Black Sheep (white light) Icelandic sheepskins. Totally natural and eco-friendly (no nasty chemicals to soften them), they are available in colors that you won't see anywhere else. And almost as good as the skins themselves, are the cleaning tips: I can verify that this weekend I washed ours according to their method and not only did it work wonders, it was kinda fun! Maybe I need to get out more, but nonetheless, I'm even more in love with my sheepskin, and now my rotan rocking chair!