I Love You, California: Children's Fairyland



I love Children's Fairyland. It is hands down one of my favorite places to take Rosie on my day off. Enough that we've been there pretty much every other week for the past two months! If you have a toddler that's walking or older I highly recommend it for a (few!) visits.


We bought a membership off Living Social for $50. The admission is $8 for all adults and children over the age of one, so if you live in the area I think plunking down the cash for a membership is the way to go. Parking is usually $2 if you can't find a free spot on the street. This isn't the cheapest Bay Area adventure, but I do feel it's got bang for your buck.



In the five or six times we've been to the park we still haven't seen the whole thing. It's dense, but the exhibits of different fairytales are divided up so well it never feels like you're in the same area over and over again. There is literally something to discover every time! Rosie loves toddling along the little road and bridges, and I love that she can walk the entire time with ease. 

The exhibits themselves are just so precious, and our membership came with a "magic key" that you can also buy separately to unlock a story box explaining each fairytale. The kids love the keys and turning them to hear songs and stories. This place is truly brilliant.

The little houses are all kid sized, Rosie loves exploring them. They have a sweet little train that takes you for a ride around the park, a pirate ship to climb, whales to climb into, boats to climb over, a huge music tunnel for kids to run through, animals to look at. It is delightful at every turn.



We were at the park at closing time the other day, and they have the cutest little puppet show that they put on in the theater for the kids (after the close! Generous!) Rosie ate her little snack and watched the show, for a few minutes until she became distracted. But the other kids were really enjoying it.



I should mention most of these exhibits have been around for 40 years, this place is a true Oakland tradition. It's not old and dated though, more charmingly vintage. If you haven't been, please go. It's a favorite spot and I hope to continue bringing Rosie here for years and years to come!

HAPPY FOR HUE: EMERALD GREEN

It's Pantone Color of the Year and it's everywhere, and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it.  Emerald green is just so good.  Between the emerald art deco jewelry out there (I have a piece a lot like this handed down from my great grandmother), deep green silks, sweet green and black wedges, or the palm springs revival palm trees on every ironic shirt...I'm living in Emerald City heaven.  Filling in for Natalie this week, here are MY favorites.  Enjoy!



1. Madewell Cabana Dress // 2. Anthropologie Mimbres Chime Pendant Necklace // 3. Juicy Couture Forrest Wedge Sandals from Shopbop // 4. John Bucklin Original Painting "Green Swells" from Serena & Lily // 5. Joie Alexsa Intarsia Sweater from Shopbop

If I could buy just one, it would be the palm tree sweater.  No, the Juicy wedges.  Wait, the John Bucklin painting.  Ahhhhh, I want it all!  Spill the beans, what are you jonesin' for?

Good Day Sunshine!

It's HERE!  The unofficial start of summer, and it couldn't come a day sooner.  I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine, maybe eating some BBQ and taking a moment to remember those who have died in the service of our country this Memorial Day.  I come from a long line of military service men and women, and although my family has been fortunate to return home from wars near and far - many do not.  I think about that on days like today.

To celebrate the beautiful weather we've been having and excitement about sunny days ahead, these are a few of my favorite toddler summer essentials.  If you need ideas about where to go with your toddler this summer, stay tuned for more I Love California adventures, the first few here.

1. Tea Collection dresses (this one the Cave Rock Mini Dress.)  They are the perfect summer dress, easy and comfy to wear, durable (they wash SO well!), and so so so cute.  Rosie has a few and they are a favorite for both of us.  $15 dress sale ends today!

2. Salt Water Sandals (this one The Original from Nordstrom.com.)  My daughter is an explorer, and these sandals stand up to a lot of abuse (including LOTS of water at the water table!)  They have a really sturdy sole, and from the first time she wore them they were soft and needed no "breaking in."

3. Shorts from Target (these ones Circo Striped Shorts.)  Four dollars - they have lots on sale for that price!  So cheap, so cute, and so comfy.  Check, check and check.

4. Great Sunscreen (this one Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple.)  Rosie has my skin, very fair and burns easily.  I try not to be obsessive, but the girl needs serious sunblock and I hate that so many are basically toxic sludge.  This one is rated very well by the Environmental Working Group (have you used their website to look up Consumer Products?  Am I exposing my inner crazy?), and it's SPF 50.  I use it for myself too and it's not so thick and gloopy (like some zinc based sunscreens) that I look like I'm wearing pancake batter on my face.  Boom, covered.

5. Sporty Swimsuits (this one Old Navy Striped Cross-Back Swimsuit.)  I love this stripey number, with great coverage.  And at $11 the price is right!

6. Crazy Girly Flowery Awesome Bikinis (this one Janie and Jack Blossom Bikini.) Ok, ok, I am a sucker for toddler swimwear!  Rosie has several swimsuits, in every size up to 3T.  I have a problem!  They are just precious, don't you think?

7. Skinny Jeans (these ones Genuine Kids from OshKosh Denim Jean from Target.)  Rosie's Auntie Jenna bought her some amazing Circo Jeggings for Christmas and I've been OBSESSED with skinny jeans for her ever since.  They are just so adorable!  They don't sell the Circo ones anymore, I looked forever for extra pairs.  But these ones by OshKosh are perfection (Old Navy sells some great ones too, with great prints), with those tiny flowers embroidered on the waistband.  Yes, please.  I'll take one for me and one for her.

Oh and number 8. on the list?  PIGTAILS!  Oh lord, it's awesome now that Rosie's hair is long enough for pigtails (not that she's sitting still for it!)



Enjoy the sunshine, friends!
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