Last month, two independent stores I admired very much announced they are closing their doors. These were talented, passionate retailers with an abundance of experience and good karma. This was a hard reality check for me. Retail is a tough...
I got a Zoku Quick Pop Maker from my sister and brother-in-law this past holiday season, and now that the weather’s warm I’m having waaaay too much fun with it. If you’ve never seen the Zoku, basically it’s this little...
When I think of Memorial Day, I think of grills, sunny days, and burgers. I also remember all the fun I had running around with my friends in the grass as a child. Whether or not you’re a parent, kids...
My parents love Easter, and when I was a kid, they made the holiday extra-special with plenty of fun holiday traditions. The first tradition was the egg decoration process: my dad, my sister, and I would sit outside on the...
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve got a special treat for you: a traditional take on Irish Soda Bread. Frequently, Irish Soda Bread that’s available in America contains raisins, orange zest, or other sources of sweetness. While very, very...
We always provide free gift wrapping at Magic Beans. However, some wrapping is inevitably in your future this holiday season. So, here are a few tips for your wrapping ease and pleasure. 1. Use a nice strong paper. It will...
There’s nothing like seeing a huge present with your name on it underneath the Christmas tree. Big boxes, wrapped in festive paper, topped with a red bows, can be the highlight of Christmas morning. But, who says bigger is better?...
For almost a year now, I’ve had a bit of an obsession. Can I trust you with my secret? OK, I love Sticky Mosaics by Orb Factory. There, I said it. As a writer for Magic Beans, I get to...
