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24 Nov '15

Brimful's 2015 Christmas Gift Guides

Posted by Annie Messing in Gift Guides

For this year's Brimful three gift guides, I've chosen just six gifts per list. Children really don't need a lot of gifts to make Christmas feel special. A few well thought out, open-ended toys, books, and games will provide hours of fun. I've found that fewer gifts also minimizes the post-Christmas blues!

Divided into three different age groups, here are my top holiday gift picks for Babies, Preschoolers, and School-Age children (ages 5-10). Many of these gifts are ones I've given to my own four children (ages 1, 3, 7, and 9). For more gift ideas, you can visit the three Christmas Gift Guides for Babies, Preschoolers, and School Age children on Pinterest. There are already over 35 gifts per board - and I'll be adding more throughout the holiday season. Enjoy.

 

Baby Gift Guide

1) Sapling Baby Zip Romper 2) My First Book of Animals 3) SleepyWakey Elephanado
4) Wooden Cage Rattle 5) ABC Picture Blocks 6) Dotted Teether Blankie


School Age Gift Guide

1) Lil Mib Voice Recorder 2) Kitpas Wet Erase Crayons 3) Wooden USA Puzzle
4) Schleich Horse Show Set 5) MicroMaxi Scooter 6) Kapla Colored Blocks

 

 

06 Nov '15

Easy, Bright Melamine Tableware for Kids

Posted by Annie Messing
1. Brimful Bowl & Spoon Set 2. Sarah and Abraham Personalized Plate
3. Love Mae Bamboo Tray 4. Ingela Arrenhuis Bowl 
5. Petit Jour Paris Manners Plate 6. Maileg Bunny Plate
Melamine plates and bowls are a simple practical way to make mealtime fun! They are easy to clean, keep looking great even after years of use, and make a great conversation starter when your children have little guests over! With so many options available, I've narrowed it all down to six great choices. Whether you're looking for something personalized, animal-themed, or just downright cute, I think you'll find it all here! Remember to never use melamine in the microwave, and hand-washing is always best to preserve the quality of the plate's design/pattern.

 

14 Oct '15

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Orange Cookies

Posted by Annie Messing in Recipes

 

Chocolate and Wheat - two of the most wonderfully intertwined ingredients in baking, are not my friends. One gives me headaches and the other makes my stomach hurt. Boo!

It's been this way for many years now though, and what I've learned is it's really not that big of a deal. A good gluten-free flour and white chocolate make very worthy substitutes for regular wheat and chocolate!

One Sunday earlier this fall, I gave my husband the task of baking a batch of cookies with the children while I was away. Upon my return, he handed me one of the gluten-free white chocolate cookies he had made - and golly - IT WAS SO GOOD. With the added punch of orange peel in them, your mouth kinda does a little happy dance with each bite!

We've been making them almost every week since that first batch - and haven't tired of them yet. If you are looking for an easy cookie to take to a school function, a fall playdate, or just to snack on - try these. You can thank me later (wink). Recipe adapted from Guittard.

 

 

Gluten-Free White Chocolate Orange Cookies

2 1/2 cups gluten free flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
2 cups white chocolate chips
 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light. Then beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth.

Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir in orange zest and chips.

Drop rounded teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheets and bake for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown around edges.

Cool completely on wire rack. Makes approx. 2 dozen cookies and they'll be gone before you know it. Enjoy!

 

21 Sep '15

Shop Up NYC - Brimful's first pop-up event!

Posted by Annie Messing in Behind the Scenes

When the ladies from Babyccino Kids hosted their first Shop Up in London in December 2013, I sent my sister (who was living there at the time) to check it out - and of course she reported that it was a raving success!

Kari and I had just launched Brimful a few months before that, but we already had "do a pop-up event" as a goal for the future. So when the invitation came earlier this year to join the Shop Up in Brooklyn, we were ready to sign up.

Despite part of our inventory getting delayed in transit from the west coast (oops!), the entire event was everything we hoped it would be. Kari and I have spent so much time choosing products for Brimful, so to see people's eyes light up upon seeing our booth was deeply affirming. Beyond just the special opportunity of seeing our customers in real life for the first time, we also really enjoyed swapping stories with them about motherhood. And it goes without saying that the children who came by our booth (some more than once) were lovely indeed. Kari and I wished our children could have been there too!

I'm so thankful to Courtney, Esther, and Emilie for giving us the platform in which to meet so many wonderful people in Brooklyn - we will definitely be back again next year!

Photos by Nicki Sebastian for Babyccino Kids. More photos here

 

01 Sep '15

Playing Together

Posted by Kari Spikkeland

When I was a new mother with Sydney I was intent on spending every hour with her or close to her. I could spend hours cooing and singing to her during those first months. I fully intended to be the perfect mother, as we all do. Toddler years and beyond now I understand that mothering isn't about being perfect but adjusting to life and staying humble, and that giving attentiveness, kindness, and boundaries, to our children is our job.

The toys we gather at Brimful aren't necessarily intended for independent play. Children love to be with, bond with, and learn from loved ones. Play is like the glue that sticks all that being, bonding, and learning together.

As we start off a fresh new school year, I encourage you to make the time to sit down and "just be" with your little ones. Look them in the eyes, watch their little faces light up, and play!

 

 


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