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Interiors by Decorating Den

May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment

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decorating a girls roomA friend, Gina Rankin, recently partnered with Karla Thompson to open an Interiors by Decorating Den franchise here in Northwest Arkansas.  I think the concept is great — a furniture store that comes to you. 

I am a big believer in the value of interior designers, but also know that a designer’s hourly rate can take a big chunk out of your decorating budget.  Interiors by Decorating Den maximizes your budget by including the design services at no additional fee. 

Think about the benefits:

  • You do not have to drag your children from store to store on a quest to find the perfect piece of furniture at the best price.
  • An interior designer comes to your home and makes recommendations based upon the actual space rather than your description of it.
  • The designer handles all the details, from the order, to the delivery, to the set up.  how easy is that?

Gina and Karla offer items at various price points for every room in your house.  If you have an interior decorating project in your future, contact Interiors by Decorating Den — and tell Gina and Karla I sent you!

Karla Thompson and Gina Rankin

Gina Rankin & Karla Thompson
Interior Decorators/Owners
Phone: (479) 839-2180
Cell Phone: (479) 957-0483
karlaandgina@decoratingden.com

We are proud to have Interiors by Decorating Den as a sponsor of Life+Kids!

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Introducing babyGap Home

April 3, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Where were you 8 years ago, babyGap Home, when I was planning a nursery and buying baby gear?!?!

Click on the banner below to go to the new babyGap home website.  Then, forward this link to your friends who are expecting.


Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Have You Seen the New DwellStudio Line at Target?

February 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment

dwell-studio-1.jpgFurnishing a modern nursery is not always easy.  But, Target hopes to change that with the new DwellStudio for Target line.  It provides mix and match options in chic colors and playful prints that any modern mom will love.  

Each of the six collections offers a crib for around $289, a changing table for around $279, and a crib bedding set for around $79.  The line even includes cute details like wall decals, pillows and curtains. If you are looking to create an economical modern style nursery, DwellStudio for Target may be perfect for you.dwell-studio-3.jpg

Click here to go to Target’s Baby Category and browse the DwellStudio line.  You will probably want to go see the collection first hand at your local Target store.  But, if they are out of certain items you can always Shop at Target.com.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Bronzed Handprints and Footprints

January 16, 2008 | 1 Comment

patty-cakes bronzed handprint and footprintLook at these adorable bronzed handprints and footprints.  They have such a timeless, retro appeal. 

These keepsakes are made by Patty-Cakes, an Alabama company with a network of local consultants. 

You can see other Patty-Cakes products (including bronzed baby shoes) on the Patty-Cakes website.

Local mom Mindy Mock is a Patty-Cakes consultant.  So, if you are interested in having one of these made of your child’s prints, contact her at mindymock@yahoo.com or 479-521-1185. 

Or, if you are not in Northwest Arkansas, you can find a consultant in your area on this page of Patty-Cakes consultants.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Collective Wisdom is Wonderful!

January 7, 2008 | 4 Comments

I have received many great recommendations of kid related stores in Northwest Arkansas.  Here are the suggestions so far (in addition to the recommended stores in my initial post).  What else is missing?  I have boys, so I don’t know where to buy dance and gymnastics related gear.  Any suggestions? 

Keep the recommendations coming!!!

 Additional stores recommended by Life+Kids readers:

Clothing/Shoes

  • Twice But Nice (Rogers)
  • Packies Kid’s Closet (Rogers)
  • Cheap Thrills (Fayetteville)
  • Dollar Saver (Rogers)
  • 2 Little Monkeys (Rogers)
  • Ryans (Springdale)
  • 9 Months Later (Springdale)
  • Skate Station (Fayetteville)
  • Syndicate Boards and Apparel (Fayetteville)

Sporting Goods/Outdoor

  • Sports World (Rogers)
  • Play it Again Sports (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Southtown Sporting Goods (Fayetteville)
  • Pack Rat (Fayetteville)
  • McLellan’s Fly Shop (Fayetteville)

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

I Need Your Help!

January 6, 2008 | 5 Comments

I am working on the SHOPPING FOR KIDS category of the Life+Kids Guide to Kid Friendly NWA, and would love your input on stores that should be included in the directory. 

The criteria for inclusion is simple — would you recommend the store to a friend?  I plan to include stores of all price ranges, bargain and luxe, local and chain — and am especially looking for “hidden gems.”

Here is my initial brainstorm of stores (in no particular order).  Where do you shop?  Who have I missed?  What other kid related shopping categories should be added? 

Add your recommendations to the comments by clicking on the title of this post and adding your comment at the end of the post, or just email me at terri@lifepluskids.com:

Maternity

  • Cravings (Fayetteville)
  • Two Chic (Fayetteville)
  • Divine Nine (Rogers)
  • Once Upon a Child (Fayetteville)
  • From Mom to Me (Bentonville)
  • Motherhood Maternity (Fayetteville)
  • Target

Clothing/Shoes

  • Terra Tots (Fayetteville)
  • Once Upon a Child (Fayetteville)
  • From Mom to Me (Bentonville)
  • 3 Monkeys (Fayetteville)
  • By Request (Fayetteville)
  • Bella Jacks (Fayetteville)
  • A&C Posh Designs (online but locally owned)
  • Monday’s Child (Fayetteville)
  • Shoe Fly (Fayetteville)
  • Stride Rite (Rogers)
  • Ruby & Myrtle (online but locally owned)
  • Cotton Hill Designs (online but locally owned)
  • Zoe & Sprout (online but locally owned)
  • The Children’s Place (Fayetteville)
  • Gap Kids (Fayetteville)
  • Gymboree (Fayetteville)
  • Limited Too (Rogers)
  • Old Navy (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • TJ Maxx (Fayetteville)
  • Dilliards (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Kohls (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Shoe Carnival (Fayetteville)

Furniture/Decor

  • Babies and Beyond (Fayetteville)
  • Kids Furniture (Fayetteville)
  • The Baby’s Room (Rogers)
  • Kids Quarters (Rogers)
  • DDP Gallery (Fayetteville)
  • Interiors by Decorating Den (Fayetteville)

Sporting Goods/Outdoor

  • Fayetteville Bicycle Company (Fayetteville)
  • Highroller Cyclery (Fayetteville)
  • Lewis & Clark (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Jack Wills (Tontitown)
  • Best Sports (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Walmart
  • Target

Gifts/Books/Toys

  • Nightbird Books (Fayetteville) 
  • Barnes & Noble (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Dickson Street Book Exchange (Fayetteville)
  • Hastings Books and Music (Fayetteville)
  • Bellas (Springdale)
  • Copper Pig (Fayetteville)
  • Appledoodles (online but locally owned)
  • Melody’s Choices (Fayetteville, Rogers)
  • Tuesday Morning (Fayetteville)
  • Education Station (Springdale)
  • Dilly Dallys (Rogers)
  • Learning Oasis (Fayetteville)
  • Build a Bear Workshop (Rogers)
  • Ten Thousand Villages (Fayetteville)
  • Toys R Us
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Sams Club

Video Games/Videos/Music

  • Vintage Stock (Fayetteville) 
  • Hastings Books & Music (Fayetteville)
  • Walmart
  • Target
  • Sam’s Club
  • Best Buy
  • Circuit City
  • Blockbuster
  • Game Exchange

Help me make sure all the good stores in Northwest Arkansas are listed — email your recommendations to terri@lifepluskids.com or add them to the comments by clicking on the title of this post then adding your comment at the end of the post.

Thanks for your help!

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Terra Tots — Fayetteville’s New Eco Friendly Parenting Store

December 22, 2007 | 1 Comment

onsie1.jpgHave you been to Terra Tots yet?  It’s the new eco friendly parenting store in Fayetteville, and I love it.  Everything there is calming and soothing and warm and cozy.  Just the way a baby store should be. 

And, if you think that “eco friendly” means “not stylish,” think again.  Terra Tots has a great selection of baby gear, including cloth diapers, clothing, carriers, home products and eco friendly toys that even the most trendy of moms would love (click here to see a sampling of the products they carry).  

Be a little greener - shop at Terra Tots.

  • What:  Terra Tots Natural Parenting Store
  • Where:  21 West Mountain, Fayetteville AR (on the South side of the Fayetteville Square, next to Jamin Java, behind Tim’s Pizza)
  • Hours:  M-Th:  10am-6pm; Fri-Sat 12-9pm (through the holidays)

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Buying Safe Toys This Season and A Lead Testing Question

December 5, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Recently, a reader asked for suggestions on local toy makers or shops that might sell handmade toys in light of all the recent toy recalls.  Readers responded with the following suggestions:

Any others we missed?  One note, you should be careful about buying craft or heirloom type toys for young children to actually play with unless you know that the toy meets the current toy safety standards.

Also, Amy Brand at Once Upon a Child in Fayetteville turned me on to a great website maintained by the toy industry called ToyInfo.org.  That site contains tons of information on buying safe toys and links to specific recall information.  If you have any questions about recalls and toy safety information, Amy is a wealth of information.  She has to deal with this issue on a daily basis when deciding which used toys to purchase at Once Upon a Child.  They check all their toys against the recall list.

Finally, have any of you used a lead testing kit to test for lead in your home or toys?  Or, are you thinking about using one of the kits?  A local TV station is doing a story on the lead testing kits and toy safety generally and is looking for a local family to interview on the show.   If you’re interested, let me know at allsidesoflife@gmail.com. 

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Blog, Shopping 

Hip To Be Me

November 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Hip_to_be_me_2Some of you may know Suzanne Billings, the former Executive Director of Arts Live in Fayetteville.  She now lives in Little Rock and has opened an online store called Hip to be Me.

Suzanne has lots of fun products, including custom hand stamped sterling silver jewelry.  She describes it as an artistic, Necklaces1 contemporary take on engraving.  These necklaces stamped with children’s names would make great gifts for mothers or grandmothers.  In fact, my mom wears a similar one with the names of all her grandchildren on it, and she loves it.

You can find out more about these necklaces and the other products on the Hip to be Me website.

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Shopping 

Reader Question: Local Toy Makers

November 6, 2007 | 2 Comments

I just received this reader question, which is excellent in light of the recent toy recalls:

Do you know, or do your readers know, of any local toy makers?  Ones making the carved wood toys and such?  With all the toy recalls these days, I thought I’d start looking closer to home for quality gifts.

Any recommendations, readers?  Leave them in the comments or email me at allsidesoflife@gmail.com. 

Posted by Terri Chadick | Filed Under Shopping 

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