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06 Jun '14

Together Again

Posted by Annie Messing in Behind the Scenes, Happy Friday

Can it really have been a year since Kari and I (and our hoard of children) were together?! I am home in Portland, OR this month...and Kari and I have wasted no time in hanging out. We happily mix our wonderful friendship with Brimful business talk and tasks. Since I don't get the pleasure of being around our products, you can imagine how happy I've been "playing" and photographing our toy inventory.

It's a blessed thing to get along so well with one's business partner...and have six little children that love being around each other too. If you are a Portland area reader or will be visiting Portland with kids in tow, here are a few favorite places Kari and I like to take our families:

1) Powell's Books Store - As the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world, it's truly a treasure trove for book lovers young and old.

2) New Seasons - We love this local grocery store's fresh food buffet...it's perfect for lunch with kids.

3) Cannon Beach - While not always sunny and warm, this beach town has incredible ocean scenery, a cute downtown, and the best taffy shop.

4) Bi-Zi Farms - A great little farm stand with freshly picked berries that are washed and ready to buy.

5) Jameson Square - The tidal pool/fountain is gentle yet fun for school age kids and toddlers...and the water is treated, which of course every mother appreciates!

Hope wherever you are reading from, you have a wonderful summer weekend ahead of you!

xoxo,
Annie

 

P.S. The felt dress-up crowns that Sander and Mei-Mei are wearing in the photos above are available here.

29 May '14

Brimful Brand Enthusiast - Kelly Fondots

 

Brimful BE 3

 

Hello! My name is Kelly Fondots, I have a wonderful and supportive husband named Anthony, and together we are raising our three amazing children- Greysen (5), Sebastian (3), and Ivy Scout (8.5 months) in San Diego, CA. We believe in spontaneous trips, park picnics, and the importance of family meals together every Sunday.

I was born here in San Diego, CA and my children are fifth generation "locals." I had Grey at a young age, and I dove into motherhood with the idea that we both needed each other very strongly. I wanted to do what was best for the new tiny person person in my life, which for me, meant nursing, wooden/bpa-free toys (which in 2008 were not as popular as they are now), co-sleeping, and baby-led weaning, etc.

I felt a sense of peace with myself at the path I had chosen, and knew instantly that motherhood was what I was meant to do-- it was effortless and felt so natural. I have a fullness in my heart that is a bit overwhelming at times-- in the best way possible. Our family love is raw and true, blessed beyond measure. My confidence lies within my children, but has also grown as we all grow with each other. I wouldn't have it any other way!

 
Brimful BE 2

 

I was so excited when Kari and Annie asked me to be a Brimful brand enthusiast for their shop! I had ordered Ivy a few Christmas gifts last year and was so appreciative of their customer service, and equally as happy with their well-curated, eco-friendly shop. They are both stylish and whole people that I knew instantly that their shop wouldn't disappoint. 

Brimful BE 1

 

A few items I am loving from Brimful:

Cozy Mouse Teether - Ivy has used this teether since she was three months old and it’s still a constant favorite around here. Bonus is the rattle inside and softness!

Wooden Baby Maracas - We love music in this household and think these maracas would be a super added bonus to the three piece band we already have going on. 

Wooden Ring Stacker - All three kids are using this item. I love that it is all wood, and that Ivy can’t choke on the rings. Grey is teaching Seb how to count, and Seb is teaching Ivy how to sort. It’s great!

Juliette Rabbit - We love stuffies and you can never go wrong with organic fleece. 

Melamine spoons - These melamine spoons we are using are so cute and the colors are great.

Mama and Baby! - We love this book! The pages are baby-proof, meaning Ivy can “read” without a sibling worrying about her tearing the pages.

The Swing - This is also a current favorite, with such beautiful the illustrations...it's a second teether for Ivy :).

xx Kelly

 

 

 

23 May '14

Memorial Day Weekend Sale

Posted by Annie Messing in Sale
toy collage

If you subscribe to our monthly newsletter, then you already got a bit of a head start on Brimful's Memorial Day Weekend Sale! But, of course we don't want to leave the rest of you out...so here's the scoop:

This sale will be our biggest until Black Friday. If you have a gift you've been needing/wanting to buy for an upcoming summer baby shower or birthday party, now is the time to get it! There are three different discount codes that are valid now through Monday, May 26th. 
 
To take $10 off a $40 purchase - enter MEM10 at checkout.

To take $15 off a $50 purchase - enter MEM15 at checkout.

To take $20 off an $80 purchase - enter MEM20 at checkout.
 
Happy shopping...Kari and I wish you all a safe, beautiful, and restful weekend!

xoxo,
Annie

 

 

16 May '14

Fantastic Fish Friday

Posted by Kari Spikkeland in Recipes

 I really do love Meyer Lemons. 

With 3 fish-loving Norwegians in the house, we eat fish 1-2x a week and I'm always looking for tasty ways to serve it up. The Wall Street Journal featured a delicious looking recipe for Halibut with Meyer Lemon Mojo Verde this past week that didn't disappoint.  I substituted the Halibit with fresh Alaska cod for a simple week-night dish, serving it with roasted asparagus and our beloved coconut rice.

fish friday

My family will be celebrating the 17th of May tomorrow - Norway's Constitution Day. The celebration is extra special this year as we mark 200 years of independence. Gratulerer med dagen!!

xoxo,
Kari

 

08 May '14

Favorite Female Bloggers (who happen to be mothers too)

Posted by Annie Messing in Brimful Favorites
Favorite Female Bloggers

 

About seven years ago, I was feeling bored and needing a creative outlet...so I started a blog. It was a simple place - a spot to share photos and little life stories with friends and family. Blogs were really starting to be viable avenues of revenue for women then and I considered going that route, but ultimately decided not to monetize it or try to grow my audience. I think back now and realize it was the blog that gave me the first taste of "working" online. I found other blogs and bloggers to follow/befriend and it ultimately inspired the launch of Brimful!

Mother's Day is this Sunday. We keep it pretty low key here at my house. A card, some flowers...maybe a special sweet treat. There's nothing more special than the handmade paper crafts my children make me, don't you agree? Any positive attributes I have as a mother have largely been inspired by watching the women around me - both in real life and online. 

Today, I'd like to dedicate this post to six women* who REALLY inspire me - as a business woman, as a wife, and as a mother. All of these ladies are bloggers I've followed for various lengths of time....some since I started that little blog of mine seven years ago...and a few just since Brimful opened this past fall.

My time is very precious and I don't read many blogs, but I do take time almost every day to read the posts of these women...because they don't just write about products or take photos of pretty things. They are SMART! They are good MOTHERS and WIVES. They are KIND. And last, but not least, they INSPIRE others to live better.  *All photos used with permission.

Without further adieu, please meet my favorite female bloggers (starting at the top left and going clockwise):

LaTonya Staubs - Brooklyn, New York: Old, New and the Wee One Too

Courtney Adamo - London, England: Babyccino Kids

Joy Cho - Los Angeles, California: Oh Joy!

Gabrielle Blair - Oakland, California: Design Mom

Arianne Foulks - Seattle, Washington: Aeolidia

Karen Cheng - Perth, Australia: Karen Cheng's Fashion and Life

Happy Mother's Day!

xoxo,
Annie 

 


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