We don’t know about you, but every year, Mother’s Day seems to sneak up on us. Team Cute Potato is left scrambling to find a gift that is equal parts thoughtful and practical. This year, we are thanking the gift gods for guiding us towards the Giant Tub of Sparklyness—a simple jar made for capturing memories. Victoria Scanlan Stefankos, our …
Little Gardeners
This year, we decided to join our Community Garden. Mom and Dad Potato have plenty of gardening supplies handy, but CP #1 and #2 needed some of their own. While shopping, the team discovered these sturdy Schylling-brand garden tools at Play & Learn in Freeport, but you can find them at toy stores throughout Maine. We also found Boss-brand, cotton …
Children’s Room Resources in Maine
Last week, Cute Potato asked where you found your favorite kids’ room furniture and accessories. One reader recommended the Yarmouth Clam Festival and we couldn’t agree more. Maine fairs and festivals are a great way to connect with local artisans. Can’t wait for summer festivals to start? Try the Etsy Maine Team for wall art and fun decor for your …
Queen for a Day
CP#1 celebrated her birthday over the weekend, and we wanted to find her a special crown to mark the occasion. Lucky for us, we discovered the wonderfully talented Kirsten Hardy, who runs a home-based business in Bar Harbor called Annabel Fuzz. Kirsten whipped up a beautiful, felt crown in a day, and to CP#1’s delight, it arrived in a perfectly …
ABC’s of Maine
We’ve been thinking CP#1 and CP #2 might enjoy sharing a room, which means painting, buying new bunk beds and moving copious amounts of stuff around. The work is enough to make us feel tired just thinking about it.
Easter Keepsakes
At the Cute Potato house, the team likes to open boxes from the attic and rediscover the small Easter gifts we packed away the spring before. We found these tiny, paper cut-out gift bags at Wilbur’s in Freeport last year. Each came filled with chocolates, but now you can purchase them separately. Tinsel Bright in Gorham is our new favorite …
A Tisket, A Tasket
Looking for a special Easter basket? Team Cute Potato has done some scouting around for the big day, and we hope these ideas will provide inspiration: We love these little baskets from Byrne & Carlson Chocolatier in Kittery. They’re just the right size for baby, and they can be purchased ready made with a small chocolate bunny and solid chocolate …
These Boots are Made for Splashing
While window shopping in Damariscotta on Sunday, we discovered these irresistible Hatley rain boots at the Puffins Nest gift shop. CP #2 is outgrowing his green rubber boots, and on rainy days like this one, new Wellies seem like a good idea. Or maybe Mom Potato just needs an excuse to buy boots with aliens on them. Did we mention …
Happy Travels
Note: We were disappointed to learn Kids Travel Happy closed their storefront in January 2012. To find Mudpuppy products, like the maps we listed below, visit here. While visiting Bethel for the winter festival, we discovered Kids Travel Happy—a small shop that specializes in unplugged toys (a.k.a. toys that won’t make you want to pull your hair out). And with school …
Cooking to Beat the Cold
Happy New Year to our friends and readers—we’ve missed you. Like so many families, we’re trying to get back to our regular routine after a busy holiday, while mentally preparing for the long winter ahead. When it’s too chilly to play outside, one of our favorite housebound activities is to cook or bake something new. That’s why we love these …