Here’s a great resource for LACityMoms. Jen’s list is an e-mail newsletter that quite simply is a very handy no nonsense list of events and offers from businesses in the greater Los Angeles area. Jen is a mother of (gulp) five boys, who started a list of resources years ago for a few friends and the list now is delivered to over 7,000 members. Jen’s List offers discounted services, announces classes, events and more.  LACityMom.com covers a lot of ground in the city, but we rarely spend much time exploring the surrounding areas.  I love reading Jen’s list to see what else is happening in this great metropolis. Jen also has a very comprehensive nanny/housekeeper leads mailing list too. In this economy where people are downsizing/and reevaluating their childcare needs it is great to have a mom based resource to find care givers.  Check out Jen’s List. You are bound to find out some great new family offerings  in and around Los Angeles.

www.jenlevinson.com

I spoke to my friends at Alexandria House today and the exciting news is that they are breaking ground on their teen center this week, earlier than expected. But that means that as of this week, they are NOT accepting clothes, and toys, only diapers and toiletries. So I will update the info on my recent post,  below. (They need their former thrift store storage space for construction.)  In a few months they will welcome those donations again. In the meantime,  Baby 2 Baby will happily accept clothes & Toys for kids 0-5, and if you have clothes and items appropriate for kids over 5, One Voice,  in Santa Monica, works directly with some Head Start families in need, and would gladly accept your gently used things for kids of any age. 

One Voice 

1228 15^th Street #C

Santa Monica, CA

90404

310 458 9961

http://www.onevoice-la.org

drop off during regular business hours, and if you have a bulkier or heavy item, please call and they will arrange to pick it up,

 

It is time for a big Spring Cleaning. As much as I try to contain the clutter in my house, we accumulate so much throughout the year. Our closets are a disaster filled with way too many clothes. The toy bins are a mishmash containing toys that the kids rarely play with anymore.  I don’t love doing it , sorting and cleaning overwhelms me, especially because I am sentimental about things and hold on to more than I should. But I love having done a big purge. I make piles of too small clothes, outgrown toys and books. Some go to friends with smaller kids and some go to charity. It is simpler to have less, and I find when we do a big cleaning, the kids can really see and use what they do enjoy. I also find that the kids get in the spirit of giving when you explain that there are kids in the city just their age or younger who have very little, and would love to have some of their outgrown things.

So many families are in need in LA right now, so here are two tips about where to give your gently used items. With both these organizations you can be sure that your gently used items will benefit people who really need them.

Baby 2 Baby.org was started by three old friends who, as their kids were growing up looked at their collection of gently used items and wanted them to go to good use. They accept gently used baby clothes, toys and books for children under 5.  Because of the whole baby gift phenomenon, I found I had many items that my kids never even got a chance to wear because they grew so fast! If you have a little one and an abundance of items you can drop them off at Baby2Baby anytime. They also have a number of volunteer opportunities to become involved in. 

www.baby2baby.org

baby2baby Drop-Off Locations And Hours

Baby2Baby
accepts donations at the following place and times:

Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
5522 West Pico Blvd. (east of Fairfax @ Sierra Bonita. Parking and entrance in rear lot via Sierra Bonita)
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Tel: 323-933-BABY (2229)
info@baby2baby.org

I also love Alexandria House as another terrific place to give gently used items for men, women and kids. Alaxandria House is a temporary shelter that houses women and children in transition. Usually, they need clothes and toys for all ages. Currently there are seventeen kids living at the house. The women and children in the house have free access to all the donations. At the moment they need diapers, toiletries, and food for their pantry. Also they  too, are always looking for volunteers.

****UPDATE Alexandria house currently is accepting diapers and toiletries and food for their pantry. (The thrift store which ordinarily accepts all family items and clothes, is closed temporarily to make room for the building of their teen center.)

Location: Alexandria House 436 S. Alexandria Ave.

Contact Alexandria House info@alexandriahouse.org Tel: (213) 381-2649 Fax: (213) 382-4517

Purge, clean out and give away. Involve your kids. You’ll feel better and some folks in need will too.

Dear LACityMoms and Dads,

Go City Kids – LA, has just nominated LACityMom.com (tips from the carpool lane) as the “Best Local Blog” for their annual Parents’ Picks Awards! Nominees are selected based on reader reviews so if you have a minute to post a quick and lovely rating/review I would so appreciate it. Of course I know it’s an honor just to be nominated…(but let’s win and have a big party to celebrate!) 

Thanks so much for reading, and if you have a tip for me, or know of a great LA kid or family friendly spot, drop me a note at: lee@LACityMom.com 

                                 

CLICK ON THIS LINK AND IT WILL SEND YOU TO THE PLACE TO VOTE:

http://origin.gocitykids.parentsconnect.com/attraction/Blog-LACityMom-Los-Angeles-CA-90012-US

One of my all time favorite kids’ stores in LA is Hanna Anderson. You probably receive the catalogue in the mail of the adorable stripped dresses and leggings and organic cotton long johns. You may not know that there is in fact a store in LA! It is not particularly conveniently located for most LACityMoms, as it is nestled in the Topanga Canyon Mall, then again maybe  you live in Topanga. But I will say the clothes are so cute and colorful that you and your kids will love them. Plus Hanna Anderson clothes last forever. This is probably why starting next week they are holding a special event, called “hanna-me -downs.” If you bring your gently used Hanna Anderson clothes into the store from April 13-26^th, they will give you 20% off your purchase that day. The United Way will help them distribute the clothes to kids in need. What a terrific way to do good by donating quality clothes to those in need, while recycling, saving money, and sprucing up your own kids Spring & Summer wardrobe.

This offer is valid in stores only, not the outlets, and the hand me downs accepted only apply to gently worn clothes not their undies, (which are terrific and soft) or socks and shoes.

Hanna Anderson LA

6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #1094

Map

818-992-7226

Store Hours

Monday – Friday 10 am – 9 pm

Saturday 10:30 am – 9 pm

Sunday 11 am – 6 pm

The store is located in the Westfield Mall near a beautiful kids play area which features a lovely Merry Go Round. LACityMom says -even with a car load of kids: definitely worth the drive to Topanga

This may not be the year for the family trip to Paris, Alas, most LACityMoms I know are feeling the economic crunch. So instead of traveling with the kids, how about a monthly outing to a different ethnic cuisine to expand your kids’ culinary horizons?

I know a little place in Los Feliz where you can have a croissant and a coffee as delicious as the ones on the Left Bank. My family loves Café Los Feliz. It is a tiny little restaurant on Hillhurst where the staff is friendly and the French pastries are out of this world. We sometimes go for breakfast on the weekends, or just stop in for an after school treat. I have also ordered cakes and pastries from them for baby showers and birthday parties. The mini berry tarts are delicious and so pretty. They are open daily, and if you arrive before nine, the croissants are usually still warm.

Cafe Los Feliz

2118 Hillhurst Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(323) 664-7111 

I have often lamented the lack of toy stores on the East side of Los Angeles. I have also been known to drive to the west side to Jenny Bec’s on Montana to stock up on kids’ birthday gifts. But Landis Labyrinth (which is right next to and affiliated with Landis General Store) is celebrating its grand opening on March 28^th on Larchmont Boulevard. The celebration will include a clown, live music, puppet shows, and refreshments The store is adorable, and has a wide range of toys, games, and puzzles. Plus they have a number of small trinkets, which are always good to have on hand for long trips or for bribes (although I am sure you would never bribe your kids with a toy in order for them to behave.)

I find it useful to keep a few gender neutral birthday gifts on hand so I am not scrambling to look for a kids’ gift at the last minute when events come up. Landis, although a small space, carries a huge range of building toys, dolls, craft kits, art supplies, party favors and some raincoats. Raincoats are actually quite hard to find in Los Angeles, and they have a very sweet assortment in their back area.

Larchmont Village is one of my favorite pockets to stroll in Los Angeles. But lately, like many retail dominated neighborhood centers, I have noticed a lot of “For Lease” signs. I fear that those empty spaces will be filled up with huge chain stores, taking away all the charm that the street has always inherently possessed. This is all the more reason to applaud the Landis folks, and support their efforts in opening a great old-fashioned neighborhood toy store in trying times. Stop by, pick up a few toys,  and laugh with the clown.

Landis Labyrinth

140 North Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

323 465 7998

 

When my daughter was born, My Very Own Name Book was one of my favorite baby gifts that we received. This is a customized alphabet book which you order with your child’s or a friend’s child’s name written into the book. (As I mentioned they make great gifts.) The illustrations are very sweet and the story incorporates all the letters in your child’s name, finally spelling their entire name out at the end of the story. It was so exciting to see my newborn daughter’s name in print, as it really felt like the book was made just for her. Pottery Barn Kids now carries the book. It takes several weeks to deliver from the time your order it, but is worth the wait.

Now that my daughter can read on her own, she still delights in this book and the way that the animals in the forest discover and spell out each letter of her very own name. Books always make terrific gifts, but this personalized children’s book really adds a thoughtful touch making it a very meaningful present. 

It sells for $39.00. 

www.potterybarnkids.com/srch/index.cfm?words=very+own+name&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=search

 

 

 

It isn’t often enough that I come across a company that is making a great product and also has a strong sense of global responsibility. Tom’s Shoes has both. Tom’s shoes are made of sturdy colorful canvas, and remind me of the Espadrilles of my youth. They come in a great range of colors and patterns, are lightweight and perfect for LA. They sell adult shoes as well as shoes for babies and kids.  These are so easy to wear as they are flat and comfortable and although they are casual and great with jeans, you can also wear them with a sundress or skirt.

Here’s the best part, for every pair you buy, Tom’s will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need. So far they have given over 10,000 shoes away in Argentina, and 50,000 in South Africa.

The GIVE photo below was taken from a display they had at Whole Foods in Pasadena.

Tom’s shoes very reasonably priced ranging from $40 -$6o dollars a pair. You can order on line at www.Tomsshoes.com, or some of my favorite LA stores are carrying them: Sparrow, Whole Foods, Diane Merrick Entertaining Elephants, Una Mae’s, and Fred Segal Fun.

 

Imagine it’s late at night and you can’t sleep, not because you aren’t tired, you have small children, you’re exhausted! But you just can’t wind down. You’re worried, about your job, your kids’ education, the economy. You want to escape, but you’re up to date on Grey’s Anatomy. So you start surfing the Internet, the Mini Boden summer applique t-shirts: (www.bodenusa.com/en-us/Girls-Tops-and-T-shirts/Long-Sleeved-Tops/31305/Girls-Crochet-Applique-T-shirt.html) the hilarious video that your friend e-mailed  you about technology (www.theonion.com/content/video/sony_releases_new_stupid_piece_of ) You Zillow your house and then the house you fantasize about buying in Rhode Island, and Maine, where you will live simply and it won’t matter that your 401 k has evaporated, because you will learn to sew and bake your own bread. (www.zillow.com) Maybe you don’t do this, maybe it’s just me. But after all of the above, I find what I really am searching for is not an escape but a little inspiration.

Then I click on www.Pablog.com.  Pablog.com is a blog written by a local LA Dad and Mom about their five year old son Pablo’s journey with Wilm’s Tumor, the fifth most common pediatric cancer (kidney tumor) in children. Pablo is doing well, thankfully, but it is an ongoing struggle. This blog is very well written, funny and sad, moving and real. Plus it is all is happening here in our great city, a few miles away as brave Pablo and his family checks in and out of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for chemo treatments. Reading it, I am not only humbled, but a bit angry with myself for my worries, which all pale in comparison to theirs, as well as touched by a feeling of connectedness. I turn off my computer. I send Pablo’s family warm thoughts. I check on my healthy kids cozy in their beds, count my blessings, and go to sleep. What do you do when you can’t sleep?

You can make a contribution to the Pablove Foundation, benefiting Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, get some cool bracelets for your family to wear and/or buy a rockin’ CD produced by Pablo’s Dad, a music producer, to help the foundation.

www.pablove.org/donate.html

Urban Outfitters and Filter Magazine have teamed up to curate the fifth installment of the Give.Listen.Help compilation series. A large percentage of the proceeds ($13.88 of every $14.99!) from the sale of each disc will be donated to the PABLOVE Foundation, a group formed by Jeff Castelaz, LA-based cofounder of Dangerbird Records, to help the Children’s Hosital of Los Angeles (where Jeff’s son is undergoing treatment for a rare form of cancer). This exclusive 2-disc mix features 1 disc packed with unreleased and remixed versions of songs from an impressive list of artists including the Radiohead and Of Montreal, as well as an entire disc of Dangerbird Records artists, including Silversun Pickups and The Dears. Give, Listen and Help! 
Exclusive to Urban Outfitters.