Leaside charm for the little ones
[attach]3130[/attach]Christmas, as they say, is all about the kids. So this month I’m dedicating the column to holiday-ish shopping news in the Leaside ’hood that’s particularly suited to tots and moms.
Kiddie bling
Who says Santa can’t plant a little bling under the tree for little ones?
Moore Park resident Susan Henderson of [url=http://www.suetables.com]Suetables[/url] has just launched a line of kid’s sterling silver jewellery, just in time for the gift-giving season. Henderson has been designing and selling sterling silver baubles for women for six years now, but tells me she developed the kid’s collection as her clients, mostly moms, kept asking for charm-like pieces their kids could wear too.
Henderson had been going gangbusters with the new line at local holiday shows when we chat in late November, but if you don’t catch her at similar such events you can eyeball and buy the new series [url=http://www.suetables.com]online[/url]. Online orders can be turned around in about a week, I’m told, so it’s not too late if you’re looking for some sparkly gift ideas.
The collection mostly features bracelets and necklaces that can be customized with different charms like love letters, birthstones, and hearts ($10-$17 per charm) – Henderson can even personalize them by putting your wee one’s initials on them.
I love the idea behind the Charlie Charm Bracelet ($250 without charms) for kids 4-12 that has extra loop so it grows with your kid.
Prices for the kid’s line range from $19-$250.
www.suetables.com
Zen holiday
I’m a stress bunny all the time, but I bet many can relate to feeling particularly stressed during the rush-around holiday season.
So when I hear a new Mount Pleasant Road wellness boutique is offering a stress reduction seminar, I pause, take a moment to reflect, and consider buying myself a pre-Christmas present.
[url=http://www.zenbeginnings.com]Zen Beginnings[/url] opened the end of October and is the brainchild of Marina Zelenovic, nutritionist and childbirth educator.
The multi-disciplinary maternity and wellness centre offers various natural and holistic services for general health and wellness, fertility, pregnancy, hormonal balance and parenting.
The different thing about this wellness centre: aside from the wellness services, there are also regular seminars on the roster, led by the various experts on staff (from psychotherapists and naturopathic doctors to registered massage therapists and Pilates instructors), in addition to yoga classes for adults, moms, and even kids.
There’s even babysitting services for parents who are dropping in to take a class or have a consultation.
Zelenovic tells me she wants her facility to be known as a place of education and support – and it’s not just for moms and parents, but rather for anyone who’s starting a new phase in life by trying to live a healthier lifestyle.
I’m looking into yoga classes and that stress seminar … just as soon as I meet all my holiday deadlines.
697 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-480-9366 [url=http://www.zenbeginnings.com]www.zenbeginnings.com[/url]
[attach]3131[/attach]Coats off
Just in time for holiday shopping: [url=http://www.momstobeandmore.com]Moms to be … and More[/url] has literally put the final finishing touches on what is now its fourth expansion on Bayview Avenue. The expanded space has spilled over to the former home of Inquisitive Antiques next door, and now you have a whopping 12,000+ square feet to shop for anything baby- or mom-related, including educational toys and books, breastfeeding bras, strollers and gear, and, of course, much more.
As you put on your coat to go shopping this holiday season, take a quick rummage through your closet for a gently used winter coat for women, children or men. Moms to be is holding its first-ever annual coat drive running November 20 to December 15. You’ll receive a $5 off coupon for every clean coat you donate. The coupon can be redeemed in store until the end of January 2011.
Coats will be donated to Nellie’s, a local emergency hostel for women and children.
Owner Karen Judd says the coat drive is a perfect way to donate to a great cause during the holiday season, a time when we take a moment to remember that there are many less fortunate than ourselves out there.
I’d say coats off to that.
1642/1644 Bayview Ave., 416-488-9907/416-489-3838 [url=http://www.momstobeandmore.com]www.momstobeandmore.com[/url]
