Entries Tagged 'Shopping' ↓
July 15th, 2008 — Block Party, Community Event, Dancing, Dining Out, Festival, Fun, Mom Info, Shopping
This year will be the year to top all years before! the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce has outdone themselves, yet again, in organizing an amazing event for everyone in the SF Bay Area! On Saturday July 19th and Sunday July 20th, Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park will be transformed into one of the most delightful, family friendly summer events the Bay Area has to offer, The 22nd Connoisseurs’ Marketplace!
Let me walk you though the essentials. Santa Cruz Avenue will be closed off from University Ave to El Camino. Ample parking is located in the lots along Oak Grove Ave and Menlo Avenue, both run parallel to Santa Cruz. For the locals, and those so inclined, I say, “Pack up the kids, wagons, bikes, trikes, and head on down!” There will be bike parking areas on the inner corners of Santa Cruz Avenue, throughout the fair. The event does ask that all pets are left at home.
The main music stage will be at Fremont Park, on the corner of Santa Cruz and University. On Saturday July 19th from 5:30 to 8 PM, enjoy an after-hours free concert by Double Funk Crunch. There is plenty of room to picnic and dance! The first food area is also located in this area on Santa Cruz. Walking east the first new item added is the Burt’s Bee “Hive” on the south side of University Drive and Santa Cruz. The Kids’ Fun Zone if located on the northern corner of University and Santa Cruz.
As you meander down the fair, there are artists or all varieties, beverages, and smaller music venues. The food selection is varied and delicious! From Gyros and hawaiian BBQ, to Pupusas and Gumbo, this Marketplace will have it all! At the north corner of Chestnut and Santa Cruz is the Gillette Fusion Tent. They will be having free traditional barber shaves, (among other interesting activities), which are recommended before the BBQ.
The Connoisseurs’ Marketplace and Santa Cruz Avenue come to and end with yet another large food area and a new addition called “Organic Alley“. The Alley, promoting organic and sustainable farming and produce, is located on Johnson Alley and Santa Cruz. You might think of it as the alley you park in when you run the kids to Cold Stone Creamery.
The Connoisseur’s Marketplace runs from 10 AM until 6 PM, both Saturday and Sunday. So, brake out the walking shoes and sunscreen! Saddle up the kids! And come down to Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park for a fun filled family friendly event!
See you there!
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July 13th, 2008 — Cafe Press Store, Fun, Gifts, Michelle Rocks!, Mom Info, Obama T-shirts, Shopping, Store
Michelle Rocks! Obama ‘08 t-shirts for the whole family, hoodies, dog shirts and more are all now available at http://www.cafepress.com/menlomamma.
Happy Shopping!
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July 11th, 2008 — Block Party, Community Event, Dining Out, Festival, Fun, Mom Info, Shopping
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This Saturday and Sunday, head to my favorite city south of Menlo Park, yet before you hit Santa Barbara, Los Altos, CA. Along the beautiful, tree lined streets of its town, The Los Altos Village Association is presenting their annual Los Altos Art and Wine Festival.
The event begins Saturday July, 12th at 10 AM and runs until 6PM. Saturday night from 6-8PM, there will be a free concert by The Heartbeats on the Main Stage. So bring the kids and your dancing shoes.
Both State and Main Streets will be closed off for the activities. This year there will be a wide variety of artisans selling their work, music, delicious food, micro brews, and wine tasting featuring local vintners. And debuting this year will be an all new Kidzone! So, there is something for everyone!
The event planner does ask that people do not bring their pets. Which is a no brainer, as we all know dog’s feet burn on hot cement. Pads are not shoes.;)
Have a great time at this fabulous event on our magnificent peninsula!!
Cheers!
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July 8th, 2008 — Cafe Press Store, Fun, Mom Info, Obama T-shirts, Politics, Shopping, Store
Come visit my store on CafePress!
I just love the Obamas! Intelligent, confident, thoughtful, what is not to like?! Second to that, I love fun t-shirts for the littles that make me laugh. The “Michelle Rocks” is actually serious though, because, well, she does!
These are to be worn proudly to summer camp, swim lessons, Tahoe vacations, and every Menlo Park event all summer long! Happy Shopping!
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June 24th, 2008 — Block Party, Community Event, Dining Out, Fun, Mom Info, Shopping, Toy Stores, eco-friendly
Grab the kids and head downtown! The Menlo Park Block Party begins this Wednesday June 25th. From 6-9:30 PM, walk around downtown, listen to music, eat great food, and celebrate our exceptional community of Menlo Park.
Adding even more action to downtown, The Summer Concert Series premiere event coincides with the Block Party. From 6:30 - 7:30 PM come to Fremont Park on the corner of Santa Cruz and University Avenue in Menlo Park to listen to Fred McCarty. Tables at the park can be reserved by calling 650.330.2208. People are encouraged to bring picnic blankets, chairs, dinner, and fully enjoy the event. Kudos to Menlo Park Community Events for providing such a wonderful treasure! Wear your dancing shoes, big kids and little kids alike!
My personal recommendation is to hit the children’s play area set up on Santa Cruz Avenue first. Cheeky Monkey will be donating a jumpy house for the event. Once some energy has been expended, you can stroll the Avenue chatting with friends and enjoying the event. Stay downtown for dinner. Many locally owned and operated restaurants such as Bistro Vida will be open with extended outdoor seating, music, delicious French food. A simply delightful atmosphere to dine and socialize when you are block partied out. Ask nicely and they will make your little ones a yummy grilled cheese with pommes frites that is scrumptious.
E-mail your friends, make some phone calls, load up the wagons, jump on your bikes, and spend a wonderful summer evening out in your downtown! See you there!
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June 12th, 2008 — Mom Info, Shopping, bath products, eco-friendly
Sooo not “green“, but it is the only sunscreen that does not invariably lead to tears in a child’s eyes. Banana Boat Baby Tear Free is now at Coscto in Redwood City, CA. They currently selling bundles of 2 eight oz. spray cans and 1 one oz. cream tube of their 50 SPF made with AvoTriplex, a photostable UVA technology. So, stock up for the summer!
If you are battling the eco-mom dilemma, I would like to share my experience. Whole Foods Market has some great, high SPF, baby and child formulated , organic sunscreens. These will inevitably ruin your day at the pool or the lake. For the sake of time, I will skip the hour long list of everything you, as the star mom you are, do to prepare everyone for your fabulous day of fun in the sun. Enough said, here’s how your day will play out with your pasty, organic SPF 70:
1. Lube up for the day.
2. Child hits the water.
3. Water hits the eyes of said child.
4. Child cries from the burning sensation of the sunscreen in his/her eyes, which leads to the immediate wiping the eyes, further saturating them with burning sunscreen.
5. Mom drops everything and spends the next 30 minutes trying to clear the sunscreen out of child’s eyes. (I have witnessed everything from direct express breast milk to lake water.)
The best part of this great scenario where you have come to the rescue, calmed your child, cleared the sunscreen and tears away, is that it will be nighttime before you notice the sunburn they got from not having adequate coverage for the rest of their day.
So my vote is, if you go into water, suck up the green thing, and go for the Banana Boat Baby Tear Free. Recycle the can, wash them down with organic, paraben-free soap when they are done, but protect their skin and eyes from burning. And have a much happier day at play. Happy tear free summer!
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June 10th, 2008 — Mom Info, Shopping, bath products, eco-friendly
For those us us who have jumped on the Method bandwagon, you will love the new line of Method Baby! Conveniently located at a variety of stores including Target, the Method Baby products are about half the price of California Baby products. Although not organic, the products are 99% natural and paraben free. The bubble bath does not produce massive bubbles, but does smell delicious and is packaged in a playful character container. The Squeaky Green Hair and Body Wash is equally pleasing. Further, the hair and body wash adds more function to the design of its container. The top is made to be used as a cup for rinsing, pure genius! Both will look aesthetically pleasing in any bathroom. Bravo Method! Great design and thoughtful products!!
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June 7th, 2008 — Car Wash, Gifts, Mom Info, Shopping
View Larger MapI had 45 minutes to get my car washed and be back at school in time for pick-up. As I had just finished the necessary purchasing of a replacement small pet in the Redwood City area, I chose Auto Pride Car Wash at 909 Woodside Road. I was really giving them a test. With tree sap on the outside and an enormous school of whole grain goldfish on the floor of the inside, they would have their work cut out for them.
Choosing Auto Pride in RWC turned out to be the right decision in more than one regard. The staff was thoughtful and proficient. Even waiting for the car was actually quite comfortable. They have a shaded terrace area with small tables, umbrellas, and a wall you can sit on and text, read, have an iced tea, or whatever. Sign up for their VIP card program. You get a plastic card which gives you various deals like eventually one free, a dollar off if you return within one week, and 10% off detailing.
The real gems that I found here were the items for sale in their shop. If you are looking for small gifts, like a frame, baby, or hostess gift, you can find it here. Their selection of baby gifts is exceptionally fun! High top sock booties for newborns, a variety of piggy banks, books, and jewelry boxes usually found in high end boutique stores are just a few of their delightful items. I bought these functional and entertaining clipboard activity packs from DK publishing. For $6.99 a piece, they have something like 200 stickers, 8 stencils, a poster, and stackable crayons. All items come bundled in a little cardboard briefcase, perfect for travel or trips to grandma’s house. FYI, they have a great variety of made in America gift wrapping paper by Gift Wrap. Everything from sneakers to skull and crossbones, every occasion, they have it.
Ladies, don’t be skeptical. I bought 4 gifts while waiting in line for two minutes, cards and wrapping included! All the while, my car was being hand waxed to a perfect, glorious shine! With ten minutes to spare, I left with a meticulously clean car, four gift buying trips off my “mommy-to-do” list, and a set of 40’s graphic cocktail napkins for moi that read, ” because chocolate can’t get you pregnant.” Happy shopping and enjoy that clean car while it lasts!
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