Monday, February 11, 2013

Life with Kids Series: Winter Minestrone (a soup your kids might actually eat... mine did!)


I love soup... my kids not so much. But this past weekend, my husband made a soup that was a surprise hit.

Winter Minestrone 

Adapted from our go-to cookbook - The Daily Soup – my boys enjoyed 2 bowls each!! It’s so rare to see them both enjoying the same meal and I’ve certainly never witnessed (even though it's customary in Chinese culture) either of them picking up their bowl to polish something off.






Here's a link to the recipe. We were missing several of the ingredients, but it was a snow day (I think we got about 30cm!), so rather than venture out we improvised. You should note that we didn’t have fresh basil, scallions or pesto, thyme was substituted with oregano, and pasta with white kidney beans. 

Tip: Rather than peeling and cutting the squash (the skin is so hard i find the task impossible to do), I prefer to cut in half, scoop out the seeds, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and bake for a little over an hour. Once done, scoop out and add to soup. 

We are still eating leftovers. Yum. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Life with Kids Series: Crayon Creatures


Next up in our Life with Kids series is this amazing company that's been all over Pinterest lately. Barcelona based Crayon Creatures, takes your child's work of art and turns it into an actual work of art! It's no wonder the city that produced Gaudi would also have an artist that really appreciates the weird wonderfulness that is a child's drawing.


Each piece is digitally modeled by an artist who turns a 2D drawing into a 3D sculpture. The new model is printed with a 3D printer in full color sandstone material to produce a priceless keepsake for you and your child.


The great news is, they ship internationally! Prices are $120 USD + $20 shipping.


Can't wait to get one for Avnee!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Life With Kids Series: Easy Bake Tandoori Chicken



Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken
Oven Baked Tandoori Chicken
The first of our "Life with Kids" series is a delicious recipe. Tandoori chicken is a staple in our house because it's super easy. The great thing about this recipe is the marinade itself, you can't really go wrong in your measurements because the yogurt dilutes everything. In fact, I eyeball everything (except the lemon juice which must be measured) and it always tastes great.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Life with Kids: New Blog Series

When I launched OM home in 2005, I knew nothing about business. I fancied myself an artist who made pretty designs. But with my experiences and education, at least I had a basis from which to work. Not true with parenting. There was absolutely nothing NOTHING that prepared me for motherhood!

I’m still relatively new to this whole mom thing and I’m not going to lie, life with two kids under 3 and a newly re-launched business can be downright appalling at times.  A few people think I’m crazy but most wonder how I manage.  I’m pretty sure this series will prove it’s a little bit of crazy and a whole lot of (barely) managing. Honestly? I try to take it one day at a time, but sometimes I cheat.

Avnee and Rohan

I’m guilty of not answering right away when my daughter calls me from upstairs. Sometimes I forget to brush her teeth. I’ll hand my son over to my husband when he comes home at night with an, “oops, I think he just pooped.” I take naps in my car so I can have some peace. I put off toilet training my daughter because I found it icky (she is trained now). I use my iPhone way more than I should when I’m with my kids. If I need to choose between washing my hair and sleeping five more minutes, I’ll sleep for 10 more minutes and let my son cry a little. PS, I’m amazed at how long I can go without washing my hair. Sometimes, when my daughter says, “I don’t WANT to” I’ll roll my eyes so far back into my head, I have to bang it a few times to get my eyeballs back in place. I bribe her with cookies.

But I also use my remote control starter to let the car run so my daughter can “drive” the car. I either “run” alongside the car, ahead or behind the car (depending on how fast or slow she’s driving) or I sit in her car seat and she drives us to the grocery store. I regularly turn off the lights in the house, turn on the music, strobe the flashlight, crack a couple of glo-sticks, and have dance offs with my daughter and my husband. I pretend I’m on “Whose line is it anyway?” when I sing made up songs to my son in different musical genres. His favorite is Bollywood, mine is Rock Opera. My voice gets rough from hours spent talking to my kids as "Rocco the Pig", a hand puppet and honorary member of our family. I spend an hour setting up a project for my daughter where I know she’ll only spend 10 minutes playing. More often than not, I’ll say “one more time” but really mean “five more times.” I bribe her with cookies.

Either way, I’ll blog about it here and include fun projects, great recipes, cool new gadgets, cool decor, DIY projects or other random musings and misadventures from our lives. Maybe I can look back on this crazy time one day and laugh or maybe you can find a good laugh today. I'll invite my partner, Toni, and other working moms I admire to chime in with their experiences from time to time.

In the meantime, thanks so much for reading!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Hello, cuteness!

                                                                     ©2012 Leanne Pedersen Photographers

I was so excited to get these photos in my inbox. Taken by Vancouver-based photographer Leanne Pedersen, it's so lovely seeing her daughter Astrid wearing OM baby. You can see more babes in our PJs right here, or shop here

Thanks so much Leanne for sharing these photos! 


Friday, December 21, 2012

Handmade kantha quilts in Chatelaine Magazine

We are so thrilled OM home's kantha quilts are featured in the January issue of Chatelaine! 



One of a kind, each blanket is unique. OM home has partnered with the Baljit and Bahené collective in Tilijala, Kolkata to recreate the traditional kantha quilt. 
Our quilts are made with layers of new sari fabric that softens and becomes more rippled and comfortable after each wash.  

If you look closely, you’ll see the collective’s initials are embroidered on each quilt.

OM home's partnership with Baljit and Bahené was formed in collaboration with longtime family friend, Shamita Das Dasgupta, a prominent leader combating violence against women of South Asian descent. Dasgupta works with the collective, provides necessary supplies, and pays them directly for their work.


Baljit and her collective are currently in production. If you are interested in twin, full/queen, or king size quilts please email us at orders[at]omhome[dot]com, and we will advise when larger sizes are available.

Kantha baby quilts are currently available at www.omhome.com.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Pajamarama! Buy 2 get 3rd Free!

Do you still have kids on your holiday shopping list? OM home's popular 2pc PJ is on sale! 2 days only.

Buy 2 and get the 3rd Free! Free shipping. 
Code: BUY2GET3  Shop here.



*Sale ends December 13 at midnight PST.