Finally, a way to contain the madness

Stuffed animals falling off shelves, superheroes poking you behind pillows, and LEGO bricks underfoot (ouch!). If your house is anything like ours, it’s total toy chaos. But rather than resign yourself to a house of disorder, we’ve rounded up the best, most clever toy storage ideas that all but guarantee to work organizational wonders for the toys and gear growing like gremlins. So whether your house is being overtaken by art supplies or a precarious stack of board games, we have a solution for you!

Best Toy Storage Solution for Stuffies

Problem: A hoard of stuffed animals is crowding your kid out of their bed.

Solution: Stuffed animals have a tendency to multiply faster than rabbits. Take advantage of an unused corner by storing toys in a hanging hammock. Now your little one will have a space on the bed to put their second, third, and fourth-best lovey.

To buy: LittleWoodPiece via Etsy, $43

Best Toy Storage Solution for Jumbled Messes

Problem: The toys are jumbled together in one bin and no one can find the item they want.

Solution: Snag storage containers with individual bins, like IKEA’s Trofast system, but take it to the next level by labeling each one so there’s no confusion as to where each toy goes when playtime is over—making it super easy to find the toy they really want when it’s time to play again. Snag a custom set of vinyl labels from Made by Sunni—they’re not only well-made, but the pictures also make it easy for pre-readers to know what goes where.

To buy: IKEA, $35 & up

Best Toy Storage Solution for LEGO

toy storage ideas
Swoop Bags

Problem: Too many LEGO sets, not enough time to sort them all.

Solution: We know that even the best laid-out LEGO storage system is no match for a kid who is asked to put their LEGO away. It's hard to keep bricks color-coded or grouped by type—eventually—everything winds up mixed all together. Make it easy on yourself (and your kids) by ordering a few Swoop Bags. These bags have a six-inch edge to help contain small pieces, come in small, medium, or large (they're big enough to play with those LEGO inside the bag), and you can choose between all sorts of fun colors. It's a storage and carryall solution (thanks to the handy pull-cord that doubles as a carrying strap) in one! 

To buy: Swoop Bags, $54 & up

Best Toy Storage Solution for the Recycler

toy storage ideas using a paper bag
Hello Wonderful

Problem: You don't want to buy yet another storage container. 

Solution: Make your own toy storage out of paper bags. We love this cute DIY storage bag from Hello Wonderful because it's easy to make, practically free and it makes a one-stop spot for loose toys. All you need is a few paper bags and paint.

Best Toy Storage Solution for Artists

toy storage solutions for art supplies
Amazon

Problem: Your Picasso-in-training can't find their favorite colored pencil when they need it.

Solution: Pencils and markers rolling all over the place? Set up an artist station with a lazy Susan carousel. This one comes with removable storage spots (art on the go!) that can also pull double duty as craft central: think puff balls, paint brushes, and paints. There's (finally) a home for every sharpened pencil, animal-shaped eraser, gel and glitter marker set, and more. 

To buy: Amazon, $30

Best Toy Storage Solution for (Outgrown) Stuffed Animals

toy storage ideas for stuffed animals
Amazon

Problem: Your kid has outgrown their loveys on display but isn't ready to donate them.

Solution: All those stuffed animals are turning into monster-sized dust bunnies and while your kid is old enough to not (really) need them, they're too young to want to get rid of them. To make everyone happy, fill this storage-cum-bean bag by Posh Creations for an extra cuddly (and dust-free) spot to sit.

To buy: Amazon, $24

Best Toy Storage Solutions for Board Games

 

Problem: Flimsy cardboard puzzle boxes lead to lost and mismatched pieces while stacks of board games stuffed in a cupboard end up never being used.

Solution: Enlist the help of mesh bags and a storage bin.  Not only will they be easily accessible, but the storage bin will up the design factor in your family room and free up closet space.

To buy: 24-count mesh bags on Amazon, $19, storage bins on Amazon, $38

Best Toy Storage Solution for Bunk Beds & Cramped Bed Space

a bed caddy is a good toy storage idea
Walmart

Problem: Bedtime buddies and books don’t have any place to go when it's time to sleep.

Solution: You know better than to suggest your little ones drop extra loveys and books onto the floor to make some space to sleep which is why this solution is what you both need—easy-to-access pockets to stuff those stuffies and books while making room for a full night's sleep (finger's crossed!). This genius storage solution is especially clutch when you have an awesome bunk bed or loft bed situation. 

To buy: Walmart, $11

Best Toy Storage Solution for Figurines

Problem: Barbie, Ken, and their friends are all looking for a place to crash.

Solution: Your kid will be able to locate Black Panther, Ironman, or Barbie and friends in no time thanks to this toy storage idea that uses an over-the-door shoe organizer. Best part? When you want to keep the toys out of sight, just shut the door.

To buy: Amazon, $26

Best Toy Storage Solution for Awkward Spaces

clever toy storage ideas for kid's room
Chris Loves Julia

Problem: Your home has an awkward nook, cranny, or closet and it's hampering any creative toy storage solutions.

Solution: Lean into the awkward spot and use it to your advantage. Build out the space and turn that sore spot into an extra special space with a built-in play house (that can also house those stacks of toys behind closed doors). 

For the indoor playhouse how-to: chrislovesjulia.com

Best Toy Storage Solution for Book Fanatics

Problem: Your kid’s reading obsession (while great) is bordering on book hoarding.

Solution: Take advantage of walls by installing an open-faced bookshelf so your little bibliophile will have access to all their favorites. If there are too many books in your collection, do a monthly rotation so they all get some love.

To buy: joykids.com, $250

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Keep the heart of the house running like a well-oiled machine

We’ve all put in enough time trying to figure out what’s for dinner, making lunches, and dishing out an unknown number of snacks to know that the kitchen is the heart of the house. Having a space that’s organized and enjoyable doesn’t have to be stuck in your social media feed; with a little help, it’s something you have IRL. We’ve gathered some of our favorite kitchen organization hacks that will keep you out of the disaster zone and help you transform the way you use the family’s favorite space.

Have a Dedicated Kitchen Tablet

Jeff Sheldon via Unsplash

Cut down on all the clutter that gathers in a kitchen by dedicating a tablet to the workspace. The family calendar, recipes, shopping lists, and bills are just a few of the things you can digitize to cut back on clutter with this kitchen organization hack. 

Clean Out the Fridge

cleaning out the refrigerator is a good kitchen organization hack
iStock

From where to store your milk to the best inserts to keep it all straight, check out The Kitchn's easy tricks to keeping your fridge clean.

Hang Kitchen Utensils

hang kitchen utensils for more storage space
iStock

Give larger kitchen items (or items without handles) the spot in the cupboard by hanging saute pans and cooking utensils on a wall rack. 

Related: 17 Storage Hacks Every Parent Needs

Organize Things Where You Can See Them

When organizing your pantry (or anything, really!), it’s a good idea to put things in clear containers or to set them up in a way where you can see what they are or how much you have left. That way, you can easily access them and know when to put them on the grocery list.

Use Air-Tight Sealing Jars

Pantries can get overrun quickly, especially when you can’t see what you have. If you put all of your pantry foods into clear jars, you’ll be able to see what you have. Make sure to use jars that have tops with a tight seal so that you don’t have any unwanted visitors!

Add a Lazy Susan to the Fridge

Another useful kitchen organization hack: for easy access to all of your favorite jams and condiments, try using a lazy Susan turntable in your fridge. The perfect swiveling action will give you constant access to all of your favorite sauces without having to take everything out of your fridge to get to them.

Related: 34 Time-Saving Food & Prep Hacks That Actually Work

Use Wine Racks and Plastic Bins to Organize Water Bottles and Kid Cups

When it comes to keeping all the moving parts of a sippy cup or a water bottle organized, the struggle is real. This kitchen organization hack uses wine racks, shelves, and plastic bins to give each one a home.

Use Labels in the Pantry

If you’re committed to having an organized pantry, it’s not enough to just put everything in boxes or containers. To create your dream pantry, what you really need are labels. Whether you use adhesive labels or notecards, labeling all of the containers will make it easier to store, stock, and find everything.

Properly Store your Cords

Dreaming in DIY

When it comes to kitchen organization, one of the most important things to have is counter space. And the biggest challenge is all those appliances and their cords. (and can be pretty dangerous for the little ones). But what if you didn’t have to worry about them? Try this awesome hack from Dreaming in DIY. All you need to do is attach Command hooks to your appliances, and you have instant cord storage.

Organize Your Pot Lids with a Towel Bar

This kitchen organization hack falls into the “why didn’t we think of that” category. By putting them on the cabinet door with a towel rack you’ll save room for the actual pots and pans.

Related: 10 IKEA Organizing Hacks Every Family Could Use

—with additional reporting by Taylor Clifton

 

 

 

 

What do moms really want on Mother’s Day? In addition to spending time with family, kicking up her feet and avoiding the kitchen is probably high on that list! Celebrate mom by giving her day off with these local restaurants that are offering dining, delivery and special take out options for Mother’s Day brunch. Support our local restaurants and mom at the same time!

San Francisco

Bluestem Restaurant & Market has introduced a new make-at-home mix version of their legendary Brown Butter Cornbread with Honey Butter providing a fun-activity for budding new chefs to make with Mom for brunch on her special day. 
$15 for mix online order or pick-up in market Tues-Sat 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
 
Amoura | San Francisco
Popular family-owned Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in South San Francisco will be open for Mother’s Day brunch to celebrate with mezze, kebabs and their entire a la carte menu. A number of Mother’s Day specials will also be on offer including: classic Eggs Benedict, Salmon & Prawns with Garlic Lemon Sauce or Grilled Lamb Chops.
 
International Smoke | San Francisco
Michael Mina & Ayesha Curry turn Mother’s Day into a weekend-long celebration, featuring two holiday specials alongside its a la carte dinner menu from May 6 – May 8. Specials include a Chicken & Waffle dish with crispy croquette, buttermilk waffle, pea tendrils and Sambal-maple syrup ($24) and an indulgent Maine Lobster Udon Carbonara with smoked pork belly, hen egg and parmesan ($42).

A mom and her two daughters enjoy afternoon tea at the St Francis Westin
Christine Lai

Mother's Day Tea at the Westin St. Francis | San Francisco

Both decadent and delectable, afternoon tea at the Westin St. Francis is an experience Mom won't forget any time soon! Artisan teas, sandwiches and scones are on the menu and she also takes home a beautiful bouquet of flowers. May 7 & 8, 12-2 p.m. 

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The Vault Garden | San Francisco

Enjoy seasonal appetizers, a choice of entrees, and delicious desserts for the table with options like Bay Shrimp Salad, Soft Scrambled Eggs & Caviar Company Trout Roe, Pineapple Cupcake, and, for the kids, a “Mini” Vault Burger.

555 California St

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Canela | San Francisco

Canela is offering moms the choice of being spoiled at home with offerings like its Savory Raclette Kit ($74) to delight mom throughout her special day and even a Mom's Night Off Dinner Meal kit ($195). Lunch and dinner are available for indoor and outdoor dining. Reservations can be made here.

2272 Market Street

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LA MAR | San Francisco

La Mar Cebichería Peruana is a tribute to one of the cornerstones of Peruvian cuisine, cebiche, and the environment created to enjoy it in, the cebichería. Mother’s Day buffet this year ($109 per person) includes shared plates of Bandeja La Mar and Bandeja Caliente; main courses such as Camarones Picantes: jumbo shrimp and squid ink spaghetti stewed in turmeric-aji Amarillo sauce. For dessert, there's Bandeja de Postres: dulce de leche, chocolate mousse with caramelized quinoa and a purple corn pudding. The kid's menu is $29 and includes a panko crusted chicken with fried potatoes and Peruvian Chocolate Cake stuffed with dulce de leche, and vanilla ice cream.

Or purchase a La Mar at Home kit to cook at home! For $249, you can spoil mom with Cebiche Clasico, Empanada de Pollo, and Asado de Tira (bone-in short ribs slowly cooked in purple corn juice, aji panca and pineapple juice, accompanied with quinoa polenta, sautéed cabbage in olive oil and fried garlic).

Pier 1 1/2, The Embarcadero

East Bay

Woman holds a chocolate brioche
Lydia Daniller

Pomella | Oakland
Pomella is creating special a la carte brunch dishes for Mother’s Day, including Babka French Toast, Beef Hash, Granola parfait, and zucchini pancakes. Babka & a Bouquet will also be available for preorder, featuring Mica’s homemade Chocolate Babka and festive bouquets from a local florist.

3770 Piedmont Ave., Unit B
Oakland, CA

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Alley & Vine | Alameda
For Mother’s Day brunch (11:00am-2:30pm) on Sunday, May 8th, Alley & vine will offer a three-course menu with multiple options including a special kids menu to satisfy all the young ones in tow. Look for celebratory standouts like Dungeness Crab Cake served with a caper remoulade and frisee salad and Manjari Chocolate Pot de Creme. You can find the Mother’s Day brunch menu here ($55 per person) and kids Mother’s Day menu here ($25 per child).

1332 Park Street, Suite D
Alameda, CA

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alaMar | Oakland, CA

Celebrate mom with a crab or lobster feed from alaMar, paired perfectly with complimentary roses and a mini bottle of champagne.

100 Grand Ave #111
Oakland, CA

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Sobre Mesa | Oakland
Indoor dining & outdoor dining 

Chef Nelson German is cooking up unique dishes for mom, including a Braised Game Bird (similar to the dish he prepared on the first episode Top Chef Season 18), a specialty cocktail, and Mother’s Day macarons.

1618 Franklin St.
Oakland, CA

South Bay/Peninsula

A waiter pours soup into a bowl
Christine Lai

iChina | Santa Clara
East meets West in this new opulent, Great Gatsby-like restaurant (be sure to check out the one-of-a-kind downstairs bathroom) and there are plenty of ways here to celebrate the special mom in your life! Moms can enjoy a time honored luxurious tea ceremony, relax in Juiba for a craft cocktail, take in a decadent prix fixe meal or, for the ultimate experience, be immersed in Silicon Valley's only virtual reality dining room where all the senses are indulged. A special lunch service offered only on Mother's Day by talented executive chef Eddie Lam includes iChina Sheng Jian Bao, Sizzled Hamachi Crudo, Dungeness Crab Benedict, Seared Dayboat Scallops, Taiwanese Braised Beef Short Rib Pappardelle, Wagyu steak and Eggs and more. 

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Aurum | Los Altos
Executive Chef Manish Tyagihas created a delicious four-course meal for Mother’s Day, which includes a Dahi Poor Mousse amuse bouche, Tandoori Duck Seekh Kebab, Fish Pollichathu, Roasted Lamb Loin, and Apple Jalebi Rabdi Parfait. The menu will be available at the restaurant for safe, onsite dining as well as for pickup and delivery. Moms dining at the restaurant will be welcomed with their choice of a mimosa or glass of bubbles. Reservations can be made here.

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 Celebrate mom over Wild Onion’s new brunch menu, featuring all of her favorite dishes like Fresh Berry Pancakes, Challah French Toast with Bailey Irish Creme Anglaise and Wild Onion’s Eggs Benedict.All of Chef Ray Garrow’s brunch entrees include a choice of Mimosas or Michelada - a treat not just for mom! 

A mother and daughter enjoy afternoon tea on the Napa Valley Wine Train
Christine Lai

Napa

Napa Valley Wine Train
Treat mom to a scenic train ride filled with all the delights of a traditional tea service but with a wine country twist. Savor fine sips, delicious bites and glorious vineyard views on this elegant experience. Check out our review here

Healdsburg

Spoonbar

h2hotel's signature restaurant is offering a special Mother's Day brunch menu complete with Dungeness crab benedict, wild Alaskan halibut, herb roasted scallops and more. Be sure to check out the whimsical water sculpture "Spoonfall" featuring 3,500 spoons! 

—Christine Lai & Kate Loweth

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When it comes to pantry organization, there are few hard and fast rules to follow, like group like items together, clean out expired products regularly and place the most often used items within reach. But if you want to really level up your pantry storage and make it the most efficient space ever, you’ve got to try these storage hacks. It may just become your favorite area in the house!

Pantry Storage Hack #1: Use Clear Containers

Experts unanimously agree—if there is one pantry storage hack you must do to make your life better (and not just for aesthetics), it's to take everything you can out of the box, put it into clear jars or containers, and label them. The choice of container is up to you, whether you prefer glass canisters for a more farm-style look or a more modern, minimalistic take, but the real reason to do institute this change? As gross as it sounds, this is the best way to avoid bug infestations—you can easily see if there's a problem in your flour, sugar, oats or pancake mix without contaminating your whole pantry.

Pro Tip: Look for wide-mouth jars so the goods are easy to get and ones with lids that have a seal.

Buy glass canisters here.

Buy OXO Pop-Up containers here.

Pantry Storage Hack #2: Use Lazy Susans

One of our favorite pantry organization hacks of all time is adding a lazy Susan (or two or three) to pantry shelves. Not only does this little spinner save space, but bottles also won't get lost in the back corner, and the handy handles make carrying it in and out of the pantry easy peasy.

Buy it here, $20.

 

Pantry Storage Hack #3: Install Colorful Wallpaper

Organizing pantry storage starts with pulling everything out, throwing out expired products, donating any non-perishables you know you aren't going to use and wiping down the shelves. But before you put everything back (in an organized manner, of course), why not add a cheerful wallpaper to the walls? What is typically a dark, uninviting space is now fun, bright and welcoming.

While this wallpaper is out of stock, we love these peel and stick options from Etsy.

Buy it here, $33 & up.

Pantry Storage Hack #4: Install Lighting

Sometimes, not even a bright colorful wallpaper can help a dark space. If that's the case, you can easily install lighting (no electrician required!) with motion-sensor, battery-operated LED lights that will brighten all those shadowy corners in less than ten minutes.

Buy it here, $55.

Pantry Storage Hack #5: Repurpose Magazine Holders

File this under "Brilliant." These wire magazine holders have been reimagined as produce containers! The wire frame allows sufficient airflow to keep veggies from rotting, and the depth of the magazine racks was designed to fit on shelves. 

Buy it here, $13.

Pantry Storage Hack #6: Contain Items in Baskets

For larger items that are hard to contain (we're looking at you, bags and bags of Pirate Booty), or items you don't need access to all that often (food processor parts), add a couple of baskets with handles to the shelves. These beauties also stack, so if your shelf height allows it, you can add a few on top of each other—just add labels, so you know what's inside without having to pull each of them down to sort through them.

Buy it here, $54 & up.

Pantry Storage Hack #7: Spice Space Saver

Got a thing for spice? We do too, which is why this clever spice rack is by far one of the best pantry organization hacks we've seen yet. Take advantage of the inside of your cabinet by installing narrow shelves and magnetic plates to keep all your flavors handy yet out of the way. Pro Tip: Make sure to install the racks so they don't run into the shelves on the inside cabinet.

Buy it here, $15.

Pantry Storage Hack #8: Canned Food Containment

pantry hacks
Amazon

Cans may stack easily, but there's nothing worse than trying to get to the bottom can by having to move all the other cans first. This 36-can organizer eliminates that problem and keeps the cans rolling from back to front as you use them. Group like items together, and you'll never get caught without black beans, corn or peas again. 

Buy it here, $33.

Pantry Storage Hack #9: Door Storage

pantry hack
Amazon

Another great use of unused cabinet door space? Acrylic storage bins that can hold awkward-shaped items you need to access regularly like aluminum foil and sandwich baggies.

Buy it here, $13.

feature image: iStock
—Andie Huber

RELATED STORIES:

For parents, fridge organization is a little like sleeping in on weekends—you dream about it, you attempt it once in a while, but it’s pretty hard to keep it up on the regular. The good news is that with a little bit of cleaning, a few storage bins and a few tricks to keep everything in rotation, refrigerator organization can be a reality. From stackable storage bins to giving the kids space all their own, we’ve got 11 organization tips to help you get the job done. Keep reading to see them all.

Start with a clean space and adjust your shelves.

iStock

Take out all the food, and clean your refrigerator. It’ll give you the chance to throw away things you don’t want, and you'll be able to visualize the space. Also, make sure your shelves are set up at the right levels to maximize your fridge space.

 

Use clear storage bins.

If you can’t see it, you might forget about it. Knowing what's in your fridge helps keeps things in proper rotation. Plus, with clear food storage containers, it's more likely you'll want to keep everything straightened up. This set of six can be used in the refrigerator or freezer!

Put the same type of food in the storage bins.

Make sure all your fruits, veggies, meats, cheeses, snacks and condiments are in the same place—it's a simple way to keep things organized.

Label everything.

Knowing where things go is an important part of fridge organization, and labels will help make this happen. Get a label maker or invest in a Cricut.

Buy plastic bottles for your sauces and condiments.

All your condiments will be the same size, which makes it easier to keep the side shelves of your refrigerator tidy. We like these bottles for their flip tops.

Put a Lazy Susan in the fridge.

You’ll be able to easily access food this way, instead of having to dig to the way back of the fridge. You can buy them just about anywhere, and we love this one that includes a non-slip mat.

Buy stackable storage bins and use drawer organizers for the veggie bin.

The Container Store

You’ll be able to take advantage of vertical space that doesn’t get used very often, as well as free up shelf space for smaller items. We like these stackable wine holders from The Container Store. You can also take your fridge organization one step further by creating separate spaces for different vegetables by installing these drawer organizers.

 

Create a snack section just for the kids. 

You can organize all day long, but when kids rummage through the fridge for food, you can bet everything will be in disarray in no time. Give kids a specific area for their own snacks, so they know where to go every time.

 

Create an “Eat Me First” bin.

Be sure to have this bin be right at the front of the fridge, so the items that need to be consumed will be visible to the whole family. You can download a sign to use by clicking here! 

 

 

—Gabby Cullen

 

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During the last year, Asian American-owned restaurants have had to weather both the pandemic and unfortunate discrimination. There are so many local eateries with hardworking small business owners serving up delicious food that showcases their culture, that deserve the community’s support. Here are ten Asian American-owned restaurants around the Bay Area, some of them newly opened, some of them hidden gems, all of which are worth a visit.

1. United Dumplings

Anita Chu

United Dumplings, a newly-opened restaurant in Bernal Heights, San Francisco, focuses on Beijing cuisine like dumplings and noodles, updated with global flavors. Owners Sandy Zheng and Julia Zhu grew up in Northern China and wanted to share their love of traditional Chinese dumplings, as well as some more creative fusion creations that reflect their life experiences. Don’t miss the traditional XLB (xiao long bao), pork potstickers, and spicy Sichaun wontons,  as well as the more unique dishes like the Mission cheese pot stickers, filled with chicken, corn, and mozzarella cheese, Korean BBQ dumplings, and wontons filled with mac and cheese for the kids.

525 Cortland Ave
SF, CA
Online: uniteddumplings.com

2. Socola Chocolatier

Socola Chocolatier

Socola means “chocolate” in Vietnamese, and Socola Chocolatier has been producing amazing handmade chocolates and confections under the helm of co-founder Wendy Lieu. She started out with just a few Vietnamese inspired flavors, but in the last year has really embraced celebrating her heritage through her chocolate. The Little Saigon Box features 12 beautifully decorated truffles in some iconic Vietnamese flavors like pho, sriracha, lychee, and even durian. They've also released Mother's Day collections on their website of their bestselling truffles - the perfect gift for Mom.

535 Folsom St.
SF, CA
Online: socolachocolates.com

3. Maison Danel

Maison Danel
Anita Chu

Maison Danel is owners Danel and David de Betelu’s dream come true of a French patisserie in the heart of San Francisco. Their beautiful, ornate space is both a bakery and a tea salon, serving up classic pastries like butter croissants and pain au chocolat, and traditional brasserie fare like quiche and cassoulet. Their signature tea service features a mouthwatering selection of tea sandwiches, mini pastries, and confections served with a pot of hot tea. There’s even a kiddie size version of the tea service served with hot chocolate, so take your kids out for an afternoon tea.

1030 Polk St
SF, CA
Online: maisondanel.com

4. Number5Kitchen

Number5Kitchen is the perfect homey yet elevated neighborhood restaurant in downtown San Carlos. Started by chef/owner Henry Eng, the constantly changing menu showcases local ingredients in dishes like wild nettle soup, Pacific petrale sole, and Dungeness crab pasta. They also offer some simple pasta dishes for kids like mac and cheese. In May, they have a pop up Saturday special, featuring a burger or sandwich (including grilled cheese for the kids), soup, and salad.

663 Laurel St.
San Carlos, CA
Online: number5kitchen.com

5. Lazy Susan

Lazy Susan is here to satisfy your Chinese takeout cravings with their menu of 25 classic Chinese American dishes. The difference, as owner Hanson Li, explains, is that they’ve been updated to make them healthier and perhaps even tastier. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, which is welcome news to Chinese food lover with food restrictions. You’ll recognize many or most of the items offered, from General Tso’s chicken and broccoli beef to chicken chow mein, all of them super friendly to little kids’ palates. They also offer an Impossible mapo tofu and their signature crispy chicken wings

208 Fell St
SF, CA
Online: lazysusanchinese.com

6. Saga Kitchen

Saga Kitchen is an Asian food hall that is bringing together food startups and the Asian community. Several budding restaurants decided to band together and work under one roof, including Sachi (sushi), Yue Club (dim sum), and Koharu (Japanese), along with a boba shop. Check for guest pop-ups like GoKiyoi Macarons. There are lots of kid friendly choices, including barbecued pork buns, potstickers, chicken karaage, and katsu sandwiches.

1707 Lincoln Ave.
Alameda, CA 
Online: sagakitchenscom.wordpress.com

7. Bake Sum

Bake Sum

Bake Sum bakery started as a pandemic project for pastry chef Joyce Tang and combines her classic French pastry training with Asian flavors like ube, Vietnamese coffee, and yuzu. Their signature item is their Bake Sum Box, a weekly collection of seasonal pastries often inspired by Tang’s childhood favorites. You can pre-order the box, along with individual pastries like cookies and breads on the website for pick up at several Bay Area locations every Friday and Saturday.

Pickup at several locations around the Bay Area

Online: bakesum.com

8. Tuna Kahuna

Anita Chu

This sleek and modern eatery in downtown Burlingame has some of the most beautiful and creative poke bowls around. Although you can create your bowls just like most poke shops, Tuna Kahuna prides themselves on their original creations, which use the freshest, high quality fish and toppings like cured egg yoiks, yuzu truffle sauce, and red pepper paste. They also offer a seasonal chef’s box – call to order.

1117 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA
Online: tunakahuna.co

9. Manila Bowl

Manila Bowl, located in the Market in the Twitter building in San Francisco, offers authentic Filipino cuisine takeout style, in easy to grab and go rice bowls. Owner Frances Tanchanco, whose mother runs a successful restaurant chain in the Philipines, presents classic dishes like sisig, adobo, and lechon over brown or jasmine rice with side salad for a complete meal in a bowl. You can customize with extra meat, an egg, or additional salad. It’s a simple way to get introduced to the best of Filipino cuisine.

1355 Market St.
SF, CA
Online: manilabowl.com

10. Lily

The just-opened Lily on Clement presents a more upscale, innovative take on Vietnamese food, like duck confit spring rolls, deluxe crab fried rice made with Wagyu beef and uni, and surf and turf garlic noodles. They also have some creative versions of banh mi, or Vietnamese sandwiches – don’t miss the turmeric fried fish sandwich and roast beef pho dip sandwiches. Their beautiful restaurant is open for dining, and also for takeout.

225 Clement St.
SF, CA
Online: lilyonclement.com

photos not by Anita Chu are provided by the respective businesses.

—Anita Chu

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Sarah Degrim

I am a wife and Mom of 2 boys, living in NYC trying to make it work. Not a minimalist but a realist. I run Stylish Spaces, a full service luxury home organizing company.

I love that I get to work with all types of people to really help them reclaim their homes. Families are my favorite to work with because I understand the struggle of everyday life as a Mom and think it’s important to help people’s home support their life so they can spend time doing the things they love with the people they love. I am also here to let everyone know there is no such thing as perfect but there is such thing as simple and easy when it comes to organizing.

1) Keep a designated donation bin in your house, so as you find things you are ready to let go of, you can easily toss it in the bin and donate that bin once a month. – Works great for parents, as children are always growing out of clothes and toys.

2) I hate to say it but tidy up your apartment every night before bed. You will be amazed at the difference just 10 – 15 minutes makes.

3) Please don’t roll your eyes but kids really do like organization. Empower your kids by getting them involved. Have them help you clean up. When you have designated spaces for toys and their belongings, they can help clean up and will know where to find the things they want.

4) File folding. Anyone who has worked with me knows…. I love file folding. It’s easy to see all your clothes, great use of space and easy to maintain ( even for kids! )


1

i Design Linus Turntable Kitchen Organizer

A modern update to a lazy susan.

$29

Perfect for your kitchen table, pantry, shelf, outdoor dining table, or countertop. Also great for your bathroom, office, cabinet, or vanity

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2

White Elfa Door & Wall Rack

Maximize and customize your space

$98.25

Perfect for on the back door of a closet to help build out more space. Attaching is easy and it's so nice to be able to customize these.

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3

Threshold Decorative Rope Basket

Kids can help put toys away with these.

$16

These clean modern baskets help keep the mess at bay with kids running around. Encourage habits like picking up their toys into these easy to carry baskets.

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4

The Container Store Chrome Metal Purse Hangers

Easily hand your bags on these

$9.99

The twisted design maximizes the bottom half of the S-hook's space, allowing your totes to hang perpendicular to the hook, rather than hidden along the side.

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5

Made by Design 3-Tier Metal Utility Cart

Great for remote learning for kids or baby essentials

$35

These carts work great for kids learning to baby products next to a changing table. Easy to put together and sturdy it's a organizational dream on wheels.

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6

iDesign Linus Adjustable Drawer Dividers

Never get your socks lost in a drawer agin.

$19.99

Drawer dividers are the ultimate organizational tool. Separate your drawers from socks to undies to different kids clothes. Maximize the space you have while keeping it organized.

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Daily
Today Is National Merry-Go-Round Day
Feeling dizzy?
1

Make merry in your own backyard with easy games you play in a circle.

2

You’ll be spinning after you click through our slideshow of the country’s coolest carousels.

3
Transform a lazy susan into an adorable bookshelf worthy of any indoor playground.

{ Today’s ideas brought to you by Carousel Horses }