Being Savvy: Activities, things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in New Orleans, LA

Essential Summer Music

by Kelly Leahy

This summer, for the second year in a row, my daughters and I are spending quite a bit of time on the road. I've barely touched last year's playlists which already include my eldest's ecclectic tastes in music. What we have is a mishmash of New Orleans favorites, kid performers and random pop and rock songs. Nevertheless, this playlist says "summer vacation" to me whenever I give it a listen. ... Read more >

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Shopping Bloomin' Deals Thrift Shop keeps my kids dressed

by Kelly Leahy

Everyone well knows that kids practically grown out of clothes overnight. Then there are the outfits that end up covered in ketchup or, God forbid, blueberries and sit at the bottom of the hamper for a couple of weeks. A friend turned me on to Bloomin' Deals Thrift Shop. Bloomin' Deals is operated by the Junior League of New Orleans. The proceeds go to pay for the shop staff as well as their pet ... Read more >

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This weekend's best pick: Streetcar party!

by Kelly Leahy

There is only one thing going on this weekend as far as I'm concerned. It's not the Three Stooges showing at St. Patrick Park nor is it Reggae on the River. The only thing worth doing this weekend is hiking down (or up) to South Carrollton to celebrate the RETURN OF THE STREETCAR!Technically the streetcars completed those final few blocks a couple of days ago but the neighborhood and the city is ... Read more >

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Guest blogger: 10 tips for bringing your preschoolers to the Emergency Department

by Kelly Leahy

A trip to the Emergency Room can be a frightening experience for both preschooler and parent alike. This is why I asked Samantha Leahy to come up with a few tips that can help ease some of the fears prompted by a hospital setting. Samantha has an MA in Applied Developmental Psychology and currently works in a Pediatric Emergency Department in Northern Virginia. After working for almost three ... Read more >

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Tips for good portraits of your preschooler

by Kelly Leahy

Whether it's picture day at preschool or you've just hired a professional to do your family portrait. Here are a few tips that will help picture taking with your preschooler less painful.Pay attention to the time. By now you know what times of the day are best for your child(ren). Keep this in mind when booking studio time with a photographer. Don't try to change a nap time just to work around ... Read more >

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Time for a portrait? Call Darby Photography

by Kelly Leahy

When I was looking for a wedding photographer in New Orleans, I scoured the internet and took recommendations from anyone who would give them. It was the advice of a close friend that led me to Darby Photography. The extras that cost me hundreds more with other packages came standard in the contracted price which I found to be incredibly reasonable (or as reasonable as any part of the wedding ... Read more >

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Getting to know my city: 5 great ways to introduce a preschooler to local history or landmarks

by Kelly Leahy

New Orleans bubbles over with history so it was hard to narrow it down to just five landmarks to feature in today's post. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments. Streetcar. The St. Charles Streetcar is one of the nation's few mobile landmarks. As of this week, the streetcar runs the entire route now that repairs to the storm damaged electrical lines are complete. Kids of any age enjoy ... Read more >

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Worn Again: For your Fashionista

by Kelly Leahy

If you have a budding fashion designer on your hands, this Friday's Worn Again fashion show might be just the ticket. Local contestants sign up and are given a random bag of thrift store finds. The clothing is then recycled into wearable pieces that walk the runway of the Republic. Touted as a night of "recycled creativity," this Worn Again presentation is sure to open up discussions with your ... Read more >

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NOLA date nights for weary parents

by Kelly Leahy

When I first thought about ideas for this post, the prevailing thought in my head was: "Date night? Do people actually go out when they have small children? Furthermore, do they go out with their spouse?"My husband and I don't do this much at all but it's something that we mean to make time for ... kinda like I "mean" to one day clean behind the refrigerator. Seriously, we have had a couple ... Read more >

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Great spots for playdates and to meet new pals

by Kelly Leahy

Being Savvy has been focusing on friends over the past couple of days. Yesterday featured a great post about how to be a good friend and what books you may want to pick up for your preschooler that talk about friendships. Carrying on with that theme. I'd like to talk about a few places that are fabulous for playdates. When my eldest was about six months old, we started walking to the Farmers ... Read more >

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