Baby

There is nothing as precious to a mom as beautiful portraits of her children. Whether your cutie is an infant or a teenager, they grow up and change so fast that catching one moment in time is a priceless treasure. A professional portrait captures not only their delicious faces, but their personalities as well. 

I found out about Lori Nelson's paintings from her sister, Jodi Call, a Brooklyn mom blogger who writes about raising her three boys on the hilarious and heartfelt Pistols and Popcorn. I was immediately smitten with Lori's kids' portraits and wanted one for our family.

What I love about Lori's work is that she delivers gorgeous likenesses of her subjects in whimsical settings. Her one-of-a-kind portraits include local architectural details, nature and fantasy elements, and fun tidbits about the kids she's painting. When Lori contacted me to offer portraits of my children so I could review her work and offer a giveaway, I was obviously thrilled. But it was also great to work with her and learn about her process.

Read on to find out more about Lori Nelson's children's portraits and how you could win one of your kids.

Funky new play spaces always seem to be opening in NYC, but It Takes a Village really stands out from the rest. At first glance, it looks fairly ordinary: A bright playroom chock-full of toys for preschoolers and tots, with a backyard. However, what sets it apart from other play spaces isn't its facility but its membership structure.

Unlike many commercial play spaces that charge pricey monthly or annual fees, It Takes a Village is a nonprofit organization where its members collectively pay its expenses, including rent, and are directly involved in its upkeep, helping to clean and stock necessary supplies. Consequently, the spot feels really homey and casual, like a living room away from home. And since It Takes a Village is located on the cusp of Prospect Heights and Crown Heights, it brings families from different areas together. A visit here feels like a big community playdate.