Argington Babylon Toddler High Chair

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are considered to be one of the original 7 wonders of the world. It's small wonder that a children's furniture design company would find it (and other wonders) inspirational.

The Argington Wonders Collection is inspired by the world's wonders because the company loves to instill a love of learning and sense of wonder in every child.

Designers Jenny Argie and Andrew Thornton employ sustainable design and manufacturing to ensure that the world will remain a wonderful place for their family and yours.

POSH Boutique is pleased to be the Pearl District's exclusive retailer of Argington products.

Good things to know about the Babylon Toddler High Chair

• Available in 5 finishes: Birch, White, Walnut, Red Maple, Cherry

• Adjustable seating heights range from countertop/bistro table to coffee table height (ages 12 months to adult)

• Can support up to 200 lbs

• Cushions are available in: Brown, orange, and blue

• Infant tray kit available (ages 6 months to 24 months)

• 3-point safety strap

Shop online or visit us at our newly expanded location.

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
503.478.7674

Central Portland Families

If you live in the Pearl District and have children, you've likely heard of River District Families, a local advocacy group. Due to the overwhelming response of families within the central city, this group has expanded its reach to include all central Portland neighborhoods. They have changed their name to Central Portland Families to reflect their change in scope.

More on Central Portland Families from Neighborhood Notes...

We had an exciting realization last week about our shared efforts to build community and respond to the concerns that were discussed at the family conversations in mid-November.

Since mid November, families have pulled together to create the ZCC NW Indoor Play Space and Family First Sunday, where we meet and play together. We’ve been blogging and sending weekly emails to connect through virtual community. We engaged a political process (too late, unfortunately) regarding city-funded family infrastructure and learned some hard lessons. But that hasn’t stopped us from developing a voice to advocate for fulfillment of the River District Plan. And through our census we’ve connected to more than 45 children, and the number grows weekly.

As we connected to other families in the central city, they told us that they, too, would benefit from a community center, more childcare and a school in downtown. They live in condos and apartments as well, and don’t have space for their kids to play indoors. They, too, are lonely and don’t feel that they have a voice. While they share many of our concerns, they don’t feel included in ‘River District Families’.

These families encouraged us to lift our gaze out of the neighborhood and take a more expansive view. They helped us realize how important it is for families throughout Central Portland to come together to benefit all families who live, work and play in the central city.

Read the full article at Neighborhood Notes

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

There's nothing quite like snuggling deep down into the covers on a cold winter day. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

One thing that is critical to achieving this state of bed-induced euphoria is great bedding. Everyone loves a comfortable bed with crisp, clean and beautiful linens. Kids are no different!

Dwell home accessories are inspired by the linear forms of modern architecture and vintage textiles, making it a natural choice for modern interiors. The Gio Lemon Bed Set makes a strong visual statement, but is playful enough ignite your child's imagination. Best of all, the 100% combed 320 thread Egyptian cotton creates a soft, warm sleeping environment.

Parents can take comfort knowing that Dwell prints utilize low-impact fiber-reactive dyes. The dyes contain no heavy metals or other known toxic substances, they are AZO and Formaldahyde-free, and they meet all of the criteria for eco -friendly pigments.

Twin Set Includes: 1 twin duvet cover and 1 pillowcase in the clover pattern; 1 twin fitted sheet, 1 twin flat sheet and 1 pillowcase. Shop online or visit us at 809 NW 11th Avenue to see our entire selection of children's bedding.

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-7674

Indoor Parks are the Answer to Rainy Days

Being cooped up on a rainy day isn't great for kids... or parents. If you're looking for a rain-proof way to burn energy that doesn't involve getting wet, consider one of Portland's many indoor playgrounds. Whaaat? You haven't heard of these slices of parental paradise? If you read NW Kids, you'd have the car packed up already. So consider these tips on NW Kids and indoor playgrounds two scoops to get your day started right.

Portland Parks and Recreation offers many drop-in play parks throughout the Portland area. These usually occur in the gym, where climbing structures, riding toys and bikes, balls, and other games are available.

Dishman Community Center
77 NE Knott ( few blocks west of MLK); 503-823-3186
Tues, Thurs, Fri: 10am - noon
$1 per child

East Portland Community Center
740 SE 106th (three - four blocks from Mall 205); 503-823-3450
Mon, Weds, Fri: 10am - noon
$1 per child (trampoline onsite)

Fulton Park Community Center
68 SW Miles St. (Off Barbur Blvd.); 503-823-3180
Mon, Wed: 9am - 11am
$1 per child

Hillside Community Center
653 NW Culpepper Terrace (off Cornell); 503-823-4101
Fri: 9am - 11am
$1 per child

Montavilla Community Center
8219 NE Glisan; 503-823-4101
Thurs, Fri: 10:30am - noon
$.50 per child (trampoline onsite)

Read the complete list of indoor parks at NW Kids.

Feeding Gear by Boon

It's no joke. Boon brings a lot to the table with its collection of innovative feeding gear. The collection is simple, innovative and definitely stylish.

Snack Ball, $9
Kids and parents will love this fun, sphere-shaped snack container. The rigid form protects snacks from crushing, making the Snack Ball great for travel. Two halves unscrew for easy cleaning and the lid snaps in place to keep snacks inside. 12+ months. shop now






Fluid No Spill Cup, $8
This streamlined no-spill toddler cup has an ergonomic, two-handed grip that is perfect for small hands. The angled spout requires less head tipping, making it more comfortable to use. 9+ months. Two-piece design. Dishwasher safe. Shop now







Groovy Plate, $15
Engaging kids at mealtime can be a challenge. What better way to keep their interest than to give them their own special plate? Groovy offers a fun way to serve meals in a customizable configuration. This interlocking plate and bowl set includes a toddler-sized plate with two separate compartments plus two small bowls that attach to the edge of the plate in a variety of positions. The small bowls are perfect for dipping or serving small portions. 18+ months. Scratch-resistant, dishwasher-safe materials. Slip-resistant base. Shop now


The Squirt Spoon, $10
The Squirt baby food dispensing spoon allows for convenient feeding, one bite at a time. The easy-to-fill bulb holds up to 3 ounces of baby food and attaches firmly to the spoon end. Simply squeeze the bulb to dispense just the right amount of food. Squirt comes with a protective cover to seal food in and keep the spoon clean between feedings. By combining the spoon and food container into one product, Squirt makes one-handed feeding a snap. 6+ months. Great for parents on-the-go! Shop now



Catch Bowl, $9
The Catch Bowl is the perfect way to help first-time eaters control little spills. The built-in food catcher extends toward the child, funneling runaway food back into the bowl. Made from an easy-to-clean and soft material, the food catcher flexes when bumped. To help avoid bigger spills, a suction cup bottom keeps the Catch Bowl firmly in place. Shop now





Benders Adaptable Utensils, $8
When first-time eaters start using utensils, their motor skills are not fully developed. Benders adaptable utensils were designed to help make the transition to regular utensils a little easier. Parents can position the adjustable end to the perfect angle to accommodate the child's grip. As motor skills develop, adjust little by little, until straightened. Shop now

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-7674

POSH Boutique Woman now online

Attention hot mamas! One of the Pearl's best kept shopping secrets is the great selection of affordable and stylish women's clothing at POSH Boutique. That's right. Dresses, tops, jeans and accessories for women. Many shoppers are surprised to learn that we're as much about the babes as the babies!

We've enjoyed looking good as single women, wives, expectant mothers and even now as busy moms with jam-packed schedules. At POSH, we firmly believe that you should be your sexy best whatever your stage of life. We offer simple modern styles from designers such as Hem, Rebecca Beeson and Marlow. The look is effortless, but chic.

Shop online or visit us at our new expanded location.

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
503.478.7674

Pearl Court Activity Center

Looking for a rainy day space where your child can burn off a little steam? Pearl Court Activity Center (PCAC)--where running, jumping and playing reigns--is the perfect getaway spot for families, playgroups or events (like birthday parties!). Located at NW 14th and Pettygrove, PCAC is a short walk or streetcar ride from the Pearl District.

According to the PCAC website, it is "a versatile athletic and multi use space that offers quality basketball, volleyball, badminton as well as other open court activities such as dodge ball or indoor soccer."

Every Monday through winter, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Zimmerman Community Center and PCAC will
host a special play time for River District Families. Here are some reminders about the event, and how you can help make it successful.

• Kids will come with a caregiver, rather than being dropped off
• There's no staff, so we'll all pitch in to lead games and make it fun
• This will be a cooperative, self sustaining model with caregivers taking leadership roles
• Donations will be accepted, with suggested amounts to be determined

Hope to see you there!

Pearl Court Activity Center
1425 NW 16th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
503.939.8226

Portland is the Best for Babies

According to Fit Pregnancy Magazine, Portland is the country's best city in which to have a baby. They determined results based on doctors, hospitals, doulas, breastfeeding success rates and much more. Check out Portland's report card to see why we were picked as the number one city!

Bookmark it | NW Kids

We're big fans of NW Kids. If you haven't visited their website or read their newsletter (you can download it on their website), then you are missing out on a crucial resource for local families.

One thing we really enjoy is finding things to do on the extensive event calendar. If you're looking for something fun to do, you'll definitely find it here! Here are some of our favorite suggestions from NW Kids on what to do during the gray days of winter:

Winter Outings
January is the darkest month - the holidays have past and spring is but a thought, with the buds waiting until next month to pop up. The challenge many of us face in these dark, dreary days is getting out when the kids are "sorta" sick, meaning they are on the mend but still susceptible to germs and lacking in energy. This eliminates many of our go-to standbys ( indoor parks, Children's Museum, etc.) We came up with three outings for such days:

Visit the Gravitram at OMSI. The gravitram is a great fusion of art + science. OMSI has housed the metal ball and track sculpture since 1973 and it remains a big draw: easily spend half an hour just watching the balls go up, up, up, then down down down - especially inspirational if you have a marble run at home. Enter OMSI near the Planetarium - you don't need to pay admission to visit the halls.

Ride the Tram. We wrote about this a few months ago, and found that the ride holds up even in foggy or overcast conditions. It's even more exciting when you go right into the clouds! You can make this a quick up and down or spend a few minutes wandering the halls of OHSU and Doernbecher. The view from skybridge equals that of the tram itself.

Check out a matinee. We were able to catch Bee Movie, which is still playing at a few theaters, as is Mister Magorium's Magic Emporium. As long as it is appropriate for the kids, at $5 for two kids and one adult, any flick is great after being shut in for a few days.

Kids & Art | Tanner Springs Park Art Wall

When you visit Tanner Springs Park in the Pearl, be sure to take a close look at the art wall on the east side of the park. It was designed by Herbert Dreitzeitl and installed in 2005.

The wall is constructed of 360 weathered steel railroad ties used in this region. The rails were donated by The Portland Terminal Railroad Company. You can actually read the fabrication date and place of origin on many of the rails used in the art wall. The oldest rail dates back to 1898!

99 pieces of blue glass are randomly placed throughout the art wall. The glass was made by Bullseye Glass Company right here in Portland. If you look closely at the glass, you'll notice that many are hand-painted with an animal or insect that would have lived in the area centuries ago. Cool, huh?

Groovy Baby...

Don't even deny it. Bouncing around on these balls in the 1970s was on your top ten list, if not your favorite thing to do.

Go retro and pick up a bright and bouncy Space Hopper for your child at POSH Boutique. Priced at $40, this toy has a whole lotta bounce for the ounce. The Space Hopper can be inflated to various sizes and can hold up to 220 lbs.

Whether you're bouncing across Jamison Square or racing down your driveway, the Space Hopper is the perfect addition to any child's toy collection.

The Space Hopper is available in blue, pink, green and red and is suitable for ages 6+. Shop online or pick one up at our new location at 809 NW 11th Avenue.

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-7674

Welcome Cool Moon Ice Cream

Our new next-door neighbor has us screaming... for ice cream!

We'd like to welcome Cool Moon Ice Cream to the ever-growing, family-friendly Pearl District. The shop features homemade ice cream in a wonderful array of traditional and not-so-traditional flavors. We really like Cool Moon Vanilla in a sundae with hot fudge, whipped cream, cherry and hazelnut sprinkles. Mmmmmmmm!

Cool Moon makes all natural ice cream from Oregon ingredients. All products are made by hand right in the store. So, what are the flavors? Here's the scoop from Cool Moon...

"A mix of the best of the old-time favorites, and some new and fun flavors. When berries, cherries, peaches and other fruits are ripe, they are definitely going to find their way into our ice cream freezer. Some of the traditional favorites we will be sure to carry are a variety of chocolates, vanillas and coffees, plus butter pecan, banana, chocolate chip, mint chip, caramel swirl, vanilla fudge swirl, and cherry vanilla. Unusual flavors could include avocado, candied ginger, Black cherry with chocolate and pine nuts, Campari grapefruit sorbet, and many others. Possibilities are only limited by imagination! Share yours with us, we might just make it."

Be sure to include a stop at Cool Moon Ice Cream the next time you visit us at POSH Boutique. Tell them that POSH sent you!

Cool Moon Ice Cream
1105 NW Johnson
Portland, OR 97209
503.224.2021
Open daily, 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

River District Families Invited to Meet with Commissioner Sten's Office

River District Families have been invited to meet with Commissioner Sten's Chief of Staff. This is an opportunity to educate an elected official on our needs, and to develop a sense of urgency around retaining families in the River District and building family amenities like a community center, daycare and a school.

Dramatic changes are being proposed for the River District Urban Renewal Area, including expanding it to include David Douglas, and building a David Douglas community center and school using URA funds.

We've been doing our best to keep track of the implications of those changes as they affect families. To better understand the implications, we've talked with staff from Commissioner Sten's office, the Portland Development Commission, and the City of Portland's Planning Department to try to determine what the timeline is for the family amenities that were part of the 1998 URA plan, such as a community center, childcare and a school.

We've told them that, for a lot of us, it felt like a punch in the gut to see big headlines about building a community center and school in the David Douglas area by expanding the River District URA, with no urgency around existing families in the current URA boundaries. We've also provided information on the number of kids who we know currently live in the neighborhood, the 'churn' of families leaving the neighborhood because they can't find what they need, and the loneliness that many of you expressed during the family conversations.

Read the rest of this post at Neighborhood Notes.

P'kolino Klick Desk Set

If you're short on space, but high on style, you'll appreciate the ingenuity of the P'kolino Klick Desk Set ($198.95). The playfully smart desk chair and desk fit together like a puzzle, so storage is a snap... er, klick.

Your budding Bronte' or Matisse will find ample space for papers, books and projects on the P'kolino desktop. When not in use, projects and supplies can be easily stowed away in the storage space beneath the desk chair. The durable bent plywood construction and vinyl padded seat make clean-up easy peasy.

Shop online or visit our new location at 809 NW 11th Avenue.

POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-7674

New at POSH Boutique | Time Out Timers

Arrrrrr... matey! As the captain of the ship, there are times when we'd all like to make our kids walk the plank, but like most land-lovers, we give them a time out instead.

These adorable time out timers liberate parents from watching the clock and gives them a few moments to recuperate during time out. The timer moves its head and plays a "samba" tune when time out is over.

A good laugh or a chuckle is a great way to end a time out and these little devices will get your whole crew started on the right note.

Timers are available in pink, blue or "pirate" styles.


POSH Boutique
809 NW 11th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 478-7674

Kids & Art | Contact II

If you visit Jamison Square, you can't miss the vibrant red-orange steel sculpture that sits on the east side of the park. What you may not know is that it was created by prominent artist Alexander Liberman in 1972. Liberman has pieces in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on the upper east side of Manhattan as well as many other well-known museums and galleries. It's pretty impressive to have one of his sculptures in our neighborhood park!

The sculpture is named Contact II and before it came to rest in Jamison Square it was exhibited at the Chesterfield Sculpture Fair in St. Louis, The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C and at Hammarskijold Plaza in New York City. Contact II was donated to the Regional Art and Culture Council in 2002 by Ed Cauduro.

Socks that rock!

We all know it's the details that count, right? That's exactly why Trumpette socks are such a hit with parents around the country.   Parents love the extensive color palette, unique styles and the non-skid bottoms. Trumpette socks are sized for both babies and toddlers to keep tiny toes warm and cozy and keep busy feet from slip slidin' away!

Not to sound like your mother, but "PICK UP YOUR SOCKS" online or at our new location at 809 NW 11th Avenue.  The boxed sets of 6 make really great gifts.

Family Discovery Sundays at Museum of Contemporary Craft

What is Family Discovery Sunday?

An interactive afternoon at the Museum for the whole family! Every last Sunday of the month drop by The Lab any time between 1 and 4 pm to enjoy hands-on, intergenerational art-making activities led by a local artist. Free and open to all ages. Materials Provided.

Upcoming Family Discovery Sundays

January 27
Sunday
1–4 pm
Bead-Dazzled
Join the Portland Bead Society for a creative exploration. Using beads, we’ll explore techniques that will amaze and delight.

February 24
Sunday
1–4 pm
Ready, Set, Design
What happens when you combine paperclips, rulers, fiber and color? The jewelry in the current exhibit, Touching Warms the Art, will inspire participants to create wearable art using the very simplest of materials.

Museum of Contemporary Craft
724 Northwest Davis
Portland, Oregon 97209

Pals Project

We all know and love Linus Van Pelt, the young, but insecure intellectual of Peanuts fame. Linus' claim to fame is his attachment to his trusty blue blanket.

Like Linus, all children have possessions that they cherish: a well-worn teddy bear with a missing eye, a thread-bare blanket or even a favorite book with tattered pages.

POSH Boutique's newly launched Pals Project celebrates the objects of children's affection. On January 12 & 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Mike Long of Baby Feet Foto will capture the sweet, yet serious attachment that children have to their security objects on film. These photos will then be featured in a month-long exhibit at both POSH Boutique and Sip & Kranz, during which you'll have the opportunity to purchase prints. This project will also kick off the international MODEL SEARCH for the next face of POSH Baby, which will continue through March 2008.


Participating children should be at least one year in age. Space is limited to 40 children. If you'd like for your child to be part of the Pals Project, make your appointment by calling us at 503.478.7674 or by visiting our new location at 809 NW 11th Avenue.

Pals Project at POSH Boutique
January 12 & 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
809 NW 11th Avenue
by appointment only

Rockabye Baby | Lullabies that Rock!

If recording artists such as Bjork, Metallica, Nirvana or even the Beatles made music for kids... what would it sound like? Now you can find out with the help of Rockabye Baby!

Rockabye Baby! transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies, sending your little one to a slumberland of sweet dreams. Delicate instruments such as the glockenspiel, vibraphone, mellotron, harp and bells create a soothing atmosphere of sound. These charming recordings are sophisticated enough for everyone to enjoy, yet gentle enough for your little angel. This is cherub rock for a new generation. - Rockabye Baby!

Rock your little one to sleep to the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Radiohead or the Rolling Stones. Shop Online or drop by POSH Boutique to see the collection.

It's REAL(ly) SIMPLE...

The editors at Real Simple Magazine have chosen the top 20 home goods in their January 2008 issue and the Netto Collection Moderne Changer made the list!

We love the Moderne Changer's sleek style, handy side drawer for changing essentials, quality sustainable construction and its incredible capacity to grow with your child. It was obviously a really simple choice for the magazine editors as well...

"This ash and white lacquer chest puts a stylish spin on the phrase "bringing up baby." Once your child outgrows diapers, remove the changing station top and use the cabinet till his prom and beyond."
-Real Simple Magazine

POSH Boutique is proud to be Oregon's exclusive retailer of the Netto Collection. We love its streamlined style, incredible functionality and the company's commitment to the environment. Netto Collection uses only sustainably harvested wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. All of its omposite materials meet the stringent European "E1" toxicity standards. Their finishes are non-toxic and non-VOC emitting. Netto Collection is safety certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA).

Shop online or visit our Pearl District store.

Invite | Family First Sundays

Here's another great opportunity for River District Families to mix and mingle: Family First Sundays. Here's the excerpt from Neighborhood Notes:

Join other River District Families on Sunday, January 6th at 3 pm for Family First Sunday, a chance to meet other families with children living, working and playing in the River District.

The January theme is Bubbles and Bouncing Balls.

An Oregonian photographer will join us to take photos of river district kids. The photos will accompany an InPortland article about, among other things, family housing and amenities in the neighborhood. I had a detailed conversation with the photo editor, and families will be able to opt out having their photos published.

Kids are invited to come accompanied by parents, grandparents and special people. Each child should also bring:
1) bubble makers, bubble blowers, and bubble goo
2) a ball to play with (one that can possibly get wet)

We'll meet rain or shine so make sure to dress for the weather.
Questions? Contact the River District Families team.

Hope to see you there!

Mark your calendars to join us for the First Sunday of every month.

Family First Sunday
1st Sunday of every month
3:00
Jamison Park
Rain or Shine

Invite | PDC meeting with River District Families

Mark your calendars for this important event. From Neighborhood Notes...

Portland Development Commission's Steven Shain has invited River District Families to discuss what the city can do to help and support families in the neighborhood. The date is Monday, January 7th at either 12:00 or 1:00.

This is a significant opportunity to help PDC understand that families do live here, and to advocate for the needs of families who live, work and play in the River District.

A group of us will be meeting to develop talking points based on the priorities that came up during the family conversations in November, and informal conversations since then.

What can you do to help?

1) Let us know if you'd like to join the meeting with PDC, and whether 12:00 or 1:00 would be better for your schedule.

2) Join us in developing the talking points for the meeting, even if you can't be at the meeting.

3) Help us document the number of families that live here. We're currently connected to over 30 kids and counting. Email us to add your family.

riverdistrictfamily@gmail.com