Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Join us on Facebook!

Wanna be the first to know about our cool, crazy sales, rockin' kids concerts, the arrival of your favorite line or the newest design from the Psychobaby Custom Shop? Have a question or comment? Or do you simply want to be entertained by our awesome Psychobaby crew and our Fans? Join us on Facebook! Come see what the  coolest and craziest moms and dads have to say!
-Marlo

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Gift ideas for that are better late than never!

Oh my goodness, your second cousins son slipped your mind completely in the midst of your holiday chaos! No worries we'll take the heat. In honor of us busy moms who just couldn't remember it all this season, we are offering 10% off those last minute oops gifts. Just enter OOPS10 in at checkout and we'll have your last minute gift wrapped and on it's way to your last, but not forgotten Psychobaby. For some cool and easy ideas, visit our Holiday Gift Guide or Psychobaby's Custom Shop. Offer extended through midnight, 12/27, CST.

Sweet gifts fit for your princess

Let's face it, as cool as we think we are, sometimes all a girl really wants is pink! We see little ones as young as two poo, poo anything other than this yummy color. While it is important not to gender stereo type, my sons favorite color to wear until he was seven was pink, there are plenty of other opportunities for life lessons! Give the joy of pink (or the occasional purple) for your princess' next gift! We have put together some of the most royal princess gifts together to make your shopping easy and fun! For an extra dose of charm, don't miss our new, custom princess tutu, custom princess hoodie or custom princess tee.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Happy Holidays from the Psychobaby Crew!

Wow! What a fun holiday season we have had! Psychobaby has the bestest customers in the world! Thanks for adding to our joy and, hopefully, letting us fill your season with cool, crazy kids' stuff. We hope your holidays are filled with peace, love and extra egg nog!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Cool Baby and Toddler Hats for your Psychobaby

We won't be seeing 70 degrees in many parts of the country for quite a while, womp, womp! Psychobaby has the best selection of hats to keep your baby and kids noggin toasty in style. So whether you need to replace the hat that's gone over the side of the stroller or add an extra one to jazz up the winter blues, we've got you covered!
Rainbow Hat, Smile Pom Pom Hat, Skull Heart Hat, Skull Pilot Hat  and Burger Hat all from Okutani, and Bandit Hat from Me in Mind. View all of our latest cool, crazy baby hats and toddlers hats.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Last Minute Gifts (Fast & Handmade!)

This is one of the most genius ideas that I can take zero credit for. Michelle, one of our cool, crazy customers, sent along this great gift idea. Michelle used it for a new baby gift but I adopted the idea for my nieces and nephews. They are teenagers and all they really want for Christmas is cold hard cash or gift cards! I hate handing them a piece of plastic. It doesn't feel very festive. On my tree, I added cool gift cards from Starbucks to a Visa card and...cold hard cash, tied up "Michelle style". I gave it some charm by stringing foot long licorice, lip glosses and mini presents surrounding the bottom. It is soooo cute! The best thing about this idea is that it's a one stop shop at your local drug store.
Thanks for sharing Michelle! We get some of our best ideas from our awesome customers like you!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

A little something to brighten your day


This is a tune that takes me back to when I was a little girl. I remember begging my mom to sing it one more time over and over again!  Even with my terrible voice, this sweet song has become a favorite of my boys as well. Now that winter sky's are, in fact, getting gray, I thought these gift ideas just might brighten someone's day!
Who knew that everyone from Elmo to Johnny Cash shared the same love for such a simple song!
What is the song that brings you back to your childhood? Do you sing it to your kiddo?

Psychobaby Custom Shop's New Hoodies and Tees!

Our design elves have been working hard thinking up the coolest styles of tees and hoodies for your Psychobaby. Whether you have a sweet little princess or a future rockster on your hands, the Psychobaby Custom Shop has something for every cool, crazy kid!

Monday, December 13, 2010

12 Days, 12 Doors! Unlock your savings with Door 6.

Today's door will warm you up like a cozy cup of hot cocoa! Can you say 20% Psychobaby's entire site? That's right! I said 20%! Just in time for our nationwide deep freeze. So get in your jammies, check your list to see who has been naughty and nice and wrap them up some cool, crazy kids' stuff. Our elves have made it extra easy with our Holiday Gift Guide and don't forget to breeze by our Custom Shop to put your own unique stamp on a Psychobaby design.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

12 Days, 12 Doors! Unlock your savings with Door 5!

Today's Deal? 20% off all of our fuzziest Monsties! Come on in, we promise there is nothing scary about these cuties! View all Monster Gifts.
Visit or 12 Days of Deals everyday from December 8th - December 19th and unlock your surprise deal!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Up To 50% off at Psychobaby Brick and Mortar!

Mention this post at our brick and mortar store through 12/17 to receive all four of the cool, crazy offers above!  To locate Psychobaby and our hours of operation, go here--->

12 Days, 12 Doors! Unlock Your Savings with Door 4


Today's deal? How about 20% off our favorite gifts that just might inspire your Psychobaby to get cookin'!
Hurry, today's door will close at 11 am CST tomorrow morning and a new door with a new cool, crazy offer will be inside!
Visit or 12 Days of Deals everyday from December 8th - December 19th and unlock your surprise deal!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Find the hottest gifts for your aspiring "tot chef"!

Many families would agree that the best memories are made in the kitchen. Psychobaby has the yummiest selection of cooking gifts for babies and toddlers that are educational, creative and best of all...FUN! Give the gift of yum with Psychobaby's top picks of the season.


Today's deal? How about a tongue twister? Here it goes...30 of our favorite items, under $30 for 30% off!
Visit or 12 Days of Deals everyday from December 8th - December 19th and unlock your surprise deal!

20% Off This Week's Founders' Favorites!

Because You Said So, the Alex I Can Cook toy will join the picks of the week and be 20% off starting now! Head over to the site to view/shop all the picks, and stay tuned for the next cool, crazy vote and make your voice heard!  

View All Picks Now

Thursday, December 9, 2010

12 Days, 12 Doors! Unlock Your Savings With Door 2

Today's deal? 25% off Melissa and Doug Toys! This kid and mom favorite toy company, is on the list of many 2010 Gift Guides this season. No surprise to us at Psychobaby! Moms love the high-quality and price point and kids love the colorful, and creative designs. Hurry, today's door will close at 11 am CST tomorrow morning and a new door with a new cool, crazy offer will be inside!
Visit or 12 Days of Deals everyday from December 8th - December 19th and unlock your surprise deal!
 Melissa & Doug: Delexe Pirate Ship Play Set, $69.99, Vehicles and Traffic Signs, $19.99

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Can You Tell Me How To Get Some Great Gifts?


The crew at Sesame Street has been making kids happy and teaching them a thing or two longer than I've been alive (ahem)! Stop over and see the great friends that are visiting us, waiting to delight your Psychobaby.
We have the coolest selection of Sesame Street gifts this side of, well, Sesame Street! Check out our cool retro tees, classic puppets and lots more!

12 Days, 12 Doors! Unlock Your Savings With Door 1

Today's deal? 20% off Psychobaby's Custom Shop! Sweet!! Get going on your creation, the door will close at 11 am CST tomorrow morning and a new door with a new cool, crazy offer will be inside!
Visit or 12 Days of Deals everyday from December 8th - December 19th and unlock your surprise deal!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Boogers show and Crusty B.'s Top Punk "Picks"


It's no secret we love the Boogers. Nope, not the ones that come out of your nose, but the Chicago band that resonates with old and young punks alike! The Boogers write about kids things care about like "I'm So Glad I've Got Teeth." They blend their punk rock and child development background into fast paced and high-energy songs that make even the most jaded-about-"kids"- music- 8-year-old mosh around with joy. And they are the only kids band we know with a rec from the Ramones tour manager, Monte A. Melnick, who said, "There will be no stoppin' the kids from hoppin' after listening to this music."

We are totally psyched to announce that the Boogers have a new album! "Let's Go!" their follow-up to "the Road to Rock" has just been released to kudos from kiddies and Daily Candy, who named it one of the Best Albums of 2010! So, "Let's Go!" listen to it one more time - with songs like "Otto's Orange Day, " " Pop Goes the Weasel" and "Alright" you'll actually be psyched if this one gets left on repeat! And "Let's Go!" to the Boogers CD release show at Subterranean this coming Saturday, where we'll be ready to rock with tees for the first 50 in attendance! But right now, "Let's Go!" with Crusty B. (also known as Paul) who stopped by to give us his Top 5 "Adult" punk rock songs for kids! So, oi! if your kids have been inspired by the Boogers, here are a few more tunes to add to their rep:

Top 5 Punk Songs for Kids

1) "Rockaway Beach" - Ramones
2) "PMA (Positive Mental Attitude)" - Bad Brains
3) "I Like Short Songs" - Dead Kennedys
4) "Telepath Boy" - Zeke
5) "My Many Smells" - Dead Milkmen


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Warm Your Belly with Beef Stew for this Sunday's Dinner!

With my family's busy schedules during the week, Sunday meals are sacred in our house. Sunday, for us, is about unplugging from the outside world and plugging into each other. It does not always work out perfectly. Often there is begging for TV, video games or a play date. I remember doing the same thing to my grandmother, who is the inspiration for this precious day of the week, . Last Sunday I felt completely bored with my standby meals and went back to my childhood memory of my grandmothers' beef stew. Unfortunately, I did not have the recipe, but knew she was a huge fan of the great Jacques Pepin. After a little searching, I found this recipe on Food and Wine's website. I modified the recipe and language a bit but tried to keep the integrity of this great meal intact. My family loved it and I had fun paying tribute to my grandmother and a chef that she greatly admired. I hope you try it and enjoy!


INGREDIENTS
2 Pounds of stew meat
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1 cup finely chopped onion
1tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon flour
1 bottle of red wine (yes, I said a whole bottle!)
2 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme
15 pearl onions (blanched in boiling water for 3 minutes)
15 cremini mushrooms (I used white but cremini would have been even better!)
15 baby carrots
5-ounce piece of pancetta (a slice about an inch thick)
1/4 cup water


1. Preheat the oven to 350*. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a cast-iron pot. Arrange the meat in one layer in the pot, and season with salt and pepper. Cook on top of the stove over high heat for about 8 minutes, browning the meat on all sides.
TIP for browning meat: Make sure the meat is nice and dry before adding to the pan and DO NOT overcrowd the meat. It takes a bit of patience to make sure all the sides are nice and brown but well worth it in a few hours!

2. Add onion and garlic and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes remembering to stir occasionally. Add 1 tablespoon of flour mixing well so the flour does not burn or get lumpy. Pour in that glorious bottle of red wine taking a sip if needed. Add 2 bay leaves, a sprig of fresh thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Give it a stir, cover and put it in the oven.

3. This recipe calls for 1 1/2 hours of cooking time. I recommend checking after an hour and fifteen minutes. My stew was beautiful and yummy but could have used a few minutes less in the oven. 

4. Bring Pancetta and 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for about 30 minutes; drain. Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch slices and cut slices into 1-inch-wide lardons. What is a lardon? I had to look it up! Lardon is a small strip or cube of pork fat (usually subcutaneous fat) used in a wide variety of cuisines to flavor savory foods and salads. In French cuisine, lardons are also used for larding, by threading them with a needle into meats that are to be braised or roasted. Lardons are not normally smoked and they are made from pork that has been cured with salt. -Wikipedia


5. Combine the onions, mushrooms, carrots and pancetta in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 cup of water and a good dash each of sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes; at this point there should be practically no water left (this was true for me). Uncover and cook over high heat, sauteing the veggies until nicely browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. 
 Ahh, bingo! This is what my grandmother was always talking about! "Tasting the veggies". I have always combined my veggies into my stews at the beginning. It's true, if you do this later, you CAN really taste everything individually!  

I did the last step a little differently than recommended. After I cooked my veggies, I stirred all of them into the yummy stew instead of stirring them in with each serving. I have four boys in my house and there is little time for proper serving of meals! I put this in a pretty soup terrine and to the table it went! I served it over some mashed potatoes, a simple salad an watched my hard work disappear in roughly ten minutes. True happiness for me.
Posted by Marlo

Friday, December 3, 2010

Great Gifts for girls and boys (naughty or nice)

The holidays are approaching faster than I can dig out my parka! If you are like me, you still have a load of work to do and your list keeps growing instead of shrinking! Thankfully the Psychobaby elves are here to save the day for all of the hip little kiddos on your list. From the hottest toys of the season, Custom hoodies and tees from our Psychobaby Custom Shop and the best selection of Rock and Roll favorites, Psychobaby will make it look like you have been shopping for months. Phew! Now break out the eggnog!

20% Off This Week's Founders' Favorites!

 
Because You Said So, Rock Rebel's New Tattoo Diaper Bag will join the picks of the week and be 20% off starting now! Head over to the site to view/shop all the picks, and stay tuned for the next cool, crazy vote and make your voice heard!  

View All Picks Now

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

NORAD Santa Tracking Begins Today!

The ad that started it all

When has a wrong phone number led to a 55-year tradition? As far as we know, only once, but the misprint in the Sears Santa ad above sent a child trying to call Santa to an emergency line at the Continental Air Defense Command answered by Colonel Harry Shoup. Being the surprised yet super-gracious phone answerer he was, Mr. Shoup 'tracked' Santa for the young caller, and a tradition was born!

Colonel Shoup who answered the call of Santa.


CONAD transferred tracking duties to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in 1958, according to noradsanta.org. From its humble beginnings via phone about finding Santa on the radar, kids now have multiple ways to track that jolly old elf (who is of course, using social media to get the word out!). The thing that hasn't changed throughout the 55-year program is the happiness experienced by the volunteer adults who assist children in their quest for Santa (and also answer all letters regarding disbelief in the Man in the Red Suit), and the joy Santa brings the kids who are on the lookout for his sleigh.

Tracking 2009

2010 brings you numerous ways to track Santa. Friend Norad on facebook, follow @norad on twitter, or find him on google earth. Norad's site also has cool games for the kids- today we played snowman tic-tac-toe. (We lost.) In the midst of all this modern fun, remember you can always go old school on Christmas Eve- you can email the Santa tracker at noradtrackssanta@gmail.com or call (877.HI.NORAD) like the very first child did in 1955!

images courtesy noradsanta.org and cnet.com

Happy, Happy Hanukkah!


May love and light fill your home and heart at Hanukkah. ~Author Unknown

posted by Kristina.
image courtesy of the Hamilton Twins Blog.