My tip of the week: Chalkboard paint = a fresh start

Do you want to give your child's bedroom a bit of a makeover without spending $$$? Try chalkboard paint! Paint a door, a wall or just a board and not only give their space a new modern look but also a way to express themselves. It makes a great outlet when the kids start getting cabin fever during these cold winter months.  Take a look at these spaces for inspiration:

via Lalalovely

via Lalalovely

via The boo and the boy

via National Post

via Design Sponge

via Design for MiniKind!

You can purchase chalkboard paint at most home hardware stores. Benjamin Moore has chalkboard paints and a full how to use chalkboard paint article right here. Also, if you're interested they have a list of creative ideas for chalkboard paint uses here.

If you prefer not to commit to painting a wall or door check out Yolanda's post a while ago on chalkboard wall decals or you can always purchase kid size furniture with chalkboard surfaces:

Table with chalkboard surface via The Modern Shop

P'Kolino table with storage chalkboard lid and matching benches via Style Kid

P'Kolino toy box with chalkboard lid via Style Kid

Or just an actual chalkboard:

Freestanding chalkboard via Restoration Hardware

P'Kolino double sided chalkboard & white erase board easel via Style Kid

I have the P'Kolino products mentioned above (table, toy box & easel) and we use them all! All the chalkboard surfaces give each product dual if not triple purposes.  The extra storage in the table is a real plus and the easel being made specifically at a height for little ones make these all great finds. I recommend them all!

Hello Monday!: Winners for Christmas gift shopping!

A second visit to Winners this past week-end and I am...(drum roll please)...done my Christmas shopping (well, ok almost...I still need to pick up a few gift certificates and finish up some online photo gifts)! I'm not certain if it's because I went early this year but Winners has a fantastic selection of gifts! The majority of what I bought was for children which was perfect since they carry a huge assortment of Melissa & Doug products.

If you have not heard of Melissa & Doug it's a brand that makes great quality wood toys.  They're sold at Toys R Us as well as many online stores. See below for most of the Melissa & Doug items I saw this week-end.  They were for ages ranging between 1 & 4 years. I've posted the recommended minimum age recommended for each product below each picture.  At Winners, these gifts all ranged between $4.99 and $19.99, now that's a great deal! Most of the ones I bought were $7.99 & $9.99!

Cutting Food - Wooden Play Food (3+ years)

Dinosaur Stamp Set (4+ years)

Dinosaur Sun Catchers Kraft Kit (4+ years)

Bear Family Dress-Up Puzzle (3+ years)

See Inside Alphabet Peg Puzzle (3+ years)

Pound & Roll Tower (2+ years)

First Bead Maze (1+ year(s))

Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set (4+ years)

Best Friends Forever Magnetic Dress-Up Playset (3+ years)

Barnyard Animals Jumbo Knob Puzzle (1+ year(s))

Wooden ABC/123 blocks (2+ years)

Magnetic Chalkboard & Dry-Erase Board (3+ years)

Caterpillar Gears Toddler Toy (18+ months)

Pattern Blocks & Boards Classic Toy (3+ years)

Wooden Shape Sorting Clock (3+ years)

Alphabet Nesting & Stacking blocks (2+ years)

Wooden Dinosaur Magnets (2+years)

Decorate-Your-Own Door Hanger (4+ years)

Doorbell House (3+ years)

Maggie Leigh Magnetic Dress-Up Set (3+ years)

Rubber Duck (4+ years)

Farm Sound Blocks (2+ years)

Decorate Your Own Wooden Fashion Dolls (4+ years)

Under Water Floor Puzzle (3+ years)

Scoop & Stack Ice Cream Cone Playset (3+ years)

Fold & Go Mini Dollhouse (3+ years)

Rainbow Stacker Classic Toy (18+ months)

Sticker Collection (3+ years)

12" Tabletop Paper Roll (3+ years)

Stacking Train Toddler Toy (2+ years)

I also found a great $20 gift for my Secret Santa at work which I can't share just yet ;)...but it's definitely value for your money!

Last but not least, I found gorgeous Cynthia Rowley and Elie Tahari mirrored contemporary jewelry boxes for my teenage nieces. $14.99 for the small ones and $24.99 for the large ones.  I will add a charm bracelet in each and voila!

You gotta love it when a store makes it this easy on you (and your budget) to give the perfect gift every time!