PerryWinkles Kids Blog

Last weekend, my family and I set out on a bike ride on a lovely sunny Summer morning in Toronto. We ended up at the Evergreen Brick Works, at the site of the old Don Valley Brickworks Factory in the Bayview extension in Toronto. It was a most pleasant surprise - a truly urban oasis right in our city. This ‘thriving environmentally-based community centre that engages visitors in diverse experiences connected to nature’ is sure to appeal to a wide array of Torontonians looking for unique, interesting and stimulating things to do without going too far. The location of the old Brickworks factory, which first opened in 1889, has been preserved and refurbished and is now a great destination for families with children. Entry to the site is free.
We enjoyed great food at the Farmer’s Market (one of my favourites were delicious Surkl organic empanadas) and great hikes through the area. My two young daughters were fascinated by the wild flowers, turtles and fish that they saw pretty much in their own backyard. The site offers lots of great nature walks and events throughout the year that include chef’s workshops, a farmer’s market every Saturday, and the ‘Farm to Folk Festival’, among many others. What’s better is that this great spot right in Toronto is still in its development stage, with lots more great things to come - The Discovery Centre, Demonstration Gardens, Native Plant Nursery, among other great projects.

My family and I will definitely be coming back!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids - fine smocked girls’ dresses

We are thrilled to announce our Fall & Winter Dress Collection for little girls and baby girls, just in time for back to school and all their special occasion during the colder months. We have found gorgeous viyellas, heavy cotton, veloure and baby corduroy and have decorated them with stunning and unique smocking patterns, to keep your little princess cozy, comfortable and stylish during the Fall and Winter seasons. As always, practicality is was a key consideration and all our new designs are machine-washable, to keep up with today’s mom’s busy schedules.

Our new collection of little girls’ dresses include beautiful hand-smocked designs, like the Jane style in pink viyella. As well, your little princess will dazzle in her first day of school in one of our new blue or red corduroy jumpers and viyella shirts. We have other new additions to our collection, like brand new styles of cotton cardigans and nylon tights.

PerryWinkles Kids - fine smocked girls’ dresses

It’s almost the end of August, which means by now I’ve had about 8 weekend trips with my kids and husband up to cottage country. A big challenge for me is always what to pack for the 2-hour car ride. My four-year old daughter, from the minute she sits in the car, needs a snack. She’s not a snacker otherwise, but once she sits in the car for the ride up to cottage country, her brain sends her ’snack signals’….and there is not much I can do to change her mind. Here are my favourite on-the-road snacks for kids (which work well with grown-ups too):

1. Popcorn: Just pop some the night before your road trip and put it in the different containers for each kid. Not only is it a healthy snack for growing children, but it keeps the little ones occupied for a good amount of time.

2. Cut-up pieces of fruit: Our favourites are peaches (specially now that they are in season!) and apples. I stay away from the berries since they tend to create a mess in the car (I say this from experience).

3. A special treat for those moments when nothing will stop them from asking ‘are we there yet’ again: My favourites are lollipops since they can keep kids occupied for a little while. I bring these out only when I really need them, but it’s always nice to have that ‘extra special’ treat.

4. Rice cakes: My little girls like the mini cheese flavour rice cakes. They are a lot healthier than cheesies, but the kids still feel like they are getting a bit of a treat.

Happy Trails!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids

PerryWinkles Kids has been nominated to be Canada’s top Mom Entrepreneur and we need your votes to help us win.

SavvyMom Media has put PerryWinkles Kids’ name into the ring to win The SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award, a reader’s choice contest designed to find Canada’s top Mom Entrepreneur. The winner will be announced in the fall, and will be rewarded with a $17,000 prize that was designed to help take that business into the next level.

PerryWinkles Kids, a Canadian-based children’s wear company, designs and manufactures fine children’s clothing, specializing in stylish, practical and comfortable girls’ smocked dresses from newborn to size 6T. Our daughters and grand-daughters are the inspiration for all of our hand-smocked dresses’ designs. Practicality to fit today’s moms’ busy schedules is a priority - all of our little girls’ dresses are made of 100% pima cotton and are machine-washable.

Go to the following link and make sure to cast your vote for us!
http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=286
Thanks!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids

As I spend my Summer with my 2- and 4-year old daughters in Toronto, I’ve come to realize how many great outings there are for kids in the city. We’ve spent endless afternoons playing with the hose in our backyard and going to the local parks, but for those days that we need a little more adventure, my 5 favourite spots are:

1. Riverdale Farm. A great (and free!) destination for little kids and located in the heart of Toronto within historic Cabbagetown. Riverdale farm was the site of Toronto’s first zoo. You can tour the Farm’s scenic 7.5 acres along pathways through wooded areas, around ponds, and into butterfly-herb-flower-vegetable gardens. Cows, horses, donkey, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, and farm cats may be seen along the way in the barns and outdoor paddocks. There is a great picnic area just outside the farm’s doors that everyone is welcome to use. During the Summer, the farm hosts a Farmer’s Market every Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm.

2. Toronto Zoo. One of my family’s (year round) outings. This a gorgeous zoo, with all the usual attractions with over 5,000 animals, and is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley, with over 10km of walking trails. During Summer months, make sure to visit the Kids’ Zoo, a great interactive area for little kids, and the Splash Island (although this gets quite busy on warm days). The Season’s pass offers a great value if you plan on going at least twice during the year.

3. Centreville Amusement Park on Toronto’s Centre Island. Nestled in over 600 acres of parkland just across the harbour from the city, it offers over 30 rides and attractions for little kids - from antique carousel rides to pony rides to motor boats…and my little girl’s favourite, the mini train that circles around the amusement park. And just the ferry ride over to the island is a great experience on its own for most toddlers and little ones. There is no admission fee for Centreville, but all-day ride passes are available for the attractions.

4. The Toronto Beaches. This is another one of our favourites. We like to spend a few hours on the beach, playing on the sand and relaxing by the water. Once my little girls get bored, we stroll up to the playground at Kew Gardens (in my opinion, one of the best playgrounds I’ve seen in the city) or grab some lunch at Lick’s on Queen Street. Bring lots of beach toys and snacks and just relax on the beach; weekdays are your best bet to avoid the crowds.

5. And on a rainy day….the ROM. I like to visit the ROM during colder months, but on a rainy day in the Summer, this is a great destination for little kids. Once again, the Membership offers a great value if you plan on going more than twice during the year and you won’t feel guilty spending just an hour or two if that’s all your little ones can handle. My 4-year old daughter just loves the new dinosaur exhibit, while my 2-year old can’t get enough of the CIBC Discovery Gallery with lots of interactive activities for kids. Make sure to visit the new cafeteria as well, with great options for little ones (and yummy food for grown-ups!).

Enjoy the warm months while they’re here!

Maria

PerryWinkles Kids

Now you can find PerryWinkles Kids’ line of high-quality stylish girls’ hand-smocked dresses at Magic Windows’ New York City and Charlotte stores. Created in 1983, Magic Windows New York has become a fixture in Manhattan’s Upper East Side and an important destination for fine children’s clothing. Meanwhile, Magic Windows Charlotte is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. These gorgeous stores have a great selection of classic children’s clothing from newborn to preteen, and now offers PerryWinkles Kids’ collection of hand-smocked dresses. Our Fall/Winter collection includes unique designs in viyella and corduroy jumpers for little girls. Visit Magic Windows New York at 1186 Madison Avenue and Magic Windows of Charlotte at 6800-H Philips Place Court.

Now in its 46th year, the Muskoka Arts & Crafts’ Summer Show is Muskoka’s oldest and largest outdoor art show. Set in a beautiful park, the Summer Show features 200 creative artists from across Canada including fashions for adults and children, leather and silver accessories, woodworking, stained glass, pottery and much more!

PerryWinkles Kids brings you fine children’s fashions this Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 20th.  Visit us in Booth #157 to see our collection of smocked dresses for little girls and cotton cardigans.

When?   Friday, July 18, 2008, 10am-7pm
Saturday, July 19, 2008, 10am-5pm
Sunday, July 20, 2008, 10am-5pm
Where? Annie Williams Memorial Park.  Located at the corner of Santa’s Village Road & Wellington Street in Bracebridge, Ontario.
How much? Admission by Donation
Free Parking

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Girls’ Smocked Dresses

New York and babies aren’t exactly a match made in heaven but having a baby shouldn’t stop you from going to New York City, as you’ll discover a new side of this fantastic city. 

My first concern when heading there last week with my 10-month-old was transportation.  You would be insane to rent a car in a city that is dominated by aggressive drivers and yellow cabs.  Taking the bus proved a little unwieldy, as you are expected to fold up your stroller to get on the bus, but to my surprise cabs were a lot more laid back about taking babies than I had expected.  Although we ended up walking most of the time, it was a relief to know we had a viable option if needed.

The highlight of this last trip were not the fantastic dining experiences or wandering aimlessly from shop to gallery through the Village but, rather, the playgrounds in Central Park.  I had never noticed this before but there are play grounds every few meters in Central Park.  In fact, there are 21 playgrounds in this one park!  Also, on the Sound end, right by 5th Ave. is a Children’s Zoo.  I just love wandering aimlessly through this park and seeing where I end up after each turn.  I’m still amazed that a place can be so serene and be stuck in the middle of Uptown Manhattan.  The perfect escape from the crowds and the shopping when traveling with a baby.

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing

Up to now, 9 months after lugging my diaper bag everywhere I go, I have been pretty happy with my Skip Hop diaper bag, a gift from a friend at my baby shower.  It’s handy and fashionable, durable and spacious enough to hold everything I need for the day.  I was very disappointed last week when one of the strap clips cracked.  As you know, a diaper bag that you can’t carry over your shoulder or snap onto your stroller is, simply, useless! 

To my great relief Skip Hop customer support was immediately responsive to my issue; I was told that the store where the bag was purchased would replace it.  Sure enough, the store asked no questions nor needed to see a receipt to replace the damaged  bag with a new one.  Even better - I lucked out with the new model that now has me raving about Skip Hop’s product development.  Basically, they have addressed all the little annoyances that the old model had.

The new model of the Duo Deluxe has magnetic closures, which means no sweaters caught on the velcro; the lining is now a contrasting colour, which makes it easier to find things inside a black bag; the strap now has a shoulder pad; and, my favourite new feature, the new clips mean you don’t have to switch straps when you go from hanging it on your stroller to putting it on your shoulder.  I love the new model!  So, deep down, I’m glad I got a defective bag the first time!

I’m convinced that good customer support is what sets great companies apart.  And I’m definitely checking in frequently with Skip Hop for new models, since they seem to be so in touch with their end users!

PerryWinkles Kids - Fine Children’s Clothing