Star Wars Lightsaber Chopsticks!

If you son (or daughter) is a Star Wars fan like our boys, they would love these chopsticks! They're made in Japan.

They'll probably end up playing with them at the dinner table...probably not a good idea, you think?

They're coming out in November...should we sell them??? Hmmm....

A Mom's Battle for Her Life

I recently heard about Jennifer Yim through an article written by Audrey magazine, an Asian American Women's Lifestyle Magazine. Jennifer, who is 27 years old , was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, called gastro intestinal and ovarian cancer with Krukenberg tumors, Stage 4. Apparently, this form of cancer is most common among women of Korean and Japanese descent. She fights a difficult battle against a diagnosis which doctors consider terminal. Her family is praying for a miracle and have not given up hope. They are in the process of setting up a dream foundation for Jennifer so that she can fulfill her desires to travel and spend time with her 5 year old daughter, Summer. If you would like to learn more about Jennifer, you can visit her blog at savejenn.wordpress.com. Her sister, Jane, is currently taking donations via her paypal account under her email, jyim80@hotmail.com, please specify your donation is for "Jennifer's wish." Photo is of Jennifer and her beautiful daughter Summer.

Kwon Sang Woo Baby pics!

Kwon Sang Woo has been one of my favorite Korean actors since Stairway to Heaven. W Magazine recently featured beautiful pictures of his new family, wife Son Tae-Young and Baby Luke. Here are a few. What a gorgeous family!

Become a Little Seouls Facebook Fan and get 10% off!

On the right side of the blog, there's a section where you can become a Facebook Fan of Little Seouls. Once you become a fan, email us at info@littleseouls.com to get your code! That's it! The Fan page is all about our latest items, our favorite things, discounts, questions you may have, reviews, product request, etc. It's more interactive and more up to date than our blog. Join now!

New! Personalized Doljabi Poster Board

After much requests, we now have a Doljabi Board for boy and girl! Can customize with child's name and picture.

The poster board is usually placed at the front sign in table for guests to "guess" which item the child will pick during the Doljabi.

Price is $24.99 which includes the cutouts for the cups/containers. The size is 12"x18" and will come rolled up in a poster mailer. We recommend getting a frame to put this in. Makes a great keepsake!

Book Highlight: My Talking Dictionary

This dictionary is a great tool to help your child and (yourself) learn commonly used Korean words. The words are written in English, Hangul and English transliterations. The best part is that it comes with a CD Rom so that you can find out how to pronounce the words and listen to them as often as you like! Categories include human body parts, clothes, family, house, fruit, vegetables , animals and so on.

A great first step to start teaching your child Korean! We are excited to add this new book to our selection of Korean learning books.

Fun Dol Photo Idea

Ok, I came across these pictures and had a good laugh. Here's another dol idea that is popular in Korea...superimposing your baby's face on a movie poster! Not sure if this will catch on in the US but it sure is funny.

How to Make Rice Cake for Chuseok

Maangchi, who is well-known for her Korean cooking blogsite, posted this cooking video last year on how to make songpyeon. Songpyeon is a popular rice cake that is eaten during the Chuseok, Korean thanksgiving holiday. We thought we post this for those of you who want to make this!

Songpyeon from Maangchi on Vimeo.

Chuseok Celebrations

Korean Thanksgiving Day, Chuseok, which is a national Korean holiday that celebrates good harvest, will be celebrated this year on October 3rd. Celebrations have already started here. Look below:

The LA Korean Festival (Koreatown, CA)
Sept. 17-20
Seoul International Park
www.lakoreanfestival.com

The 7th Annual Korus Festival (Annadale, VA)
September 18-20
KMART Front Lot
www.dynamic-korea.com

The Koreatown Northgate Culture Fest (Oakland, CA)
September 19
Telegraph between 24th & 27th Streets
www.koreatownnorthgate.org/events.html

New Jersey Chusok Festival (Leonia, NJ)
Sept. 18-20
www.kanj.org

Korean Full Moon Harvest Festival (San Francisco, CA)
September 25
1362 Post Street, San Francisco, CA
www.koreannet.org

Korean Harvest and Folk Festival (Queens, New York City)
September 26-27
City Field Stadium

Houston Korean Festival (Houston, TX)
October 3, 2009
www.koreanfestivalhouston.com

Korean Quarterly 5K Chuseok Run/Walk (Minnesota)
October 4
www.koreanquarterly.org/5K.html

Garden Grove Annual Korean Festival (Garden Grove, CA)
October 9 - 11
Korean Festival Foundation (714) 539-3002

Ta-ri Chusok Celebration (Harrisburg, PA)
Oct. 10
www.ta-ri.org/Chusok.htm


If you know of any others, please email us at info@littleseouls.com so we can add them here. Thanks!

Photos of Katherine Heigl's Baby Released

What a gorgeous family! Naleigh is so beautiful! Congrats to Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley. More information and photos can be found in their animal rescue foundation website, www.jasonheiglfoundation.org.

(Photo Source: AP Photo/Cheyenne Ellis, PMK-HBH)

What is the difference between the Parklon and LG Prime Play Mat?

If you're in the market for a play mat, you've probably heard of LG Prime but you're probably wondering what's Parklon? Parklon is the company that manufactures both mats. LG Prime is more expensive because of their brand. The mats are otherwise the same. So if you are looking to save some money, we recommend Parklon. They are exactly the same quality.

So what's so special about these mats?

1. The mats feel so good on your feet!
2. Waterproof. No worries of drinks spilling or crumbs going in between those other puzzle mats.
3. Come in vibrant colors and characters.
4. High quality Eco-friendly PVC material. The chemicals used in this PVC is all natural and are tested and proven to be free of any toxic materials including: Pb, Ba, Cd, Hg, Cr.
5. Do you live in an apartment of condo? Great for soundproofing!
6. Excellent thermal insulation. Will keep your kids feet warm during winter months!
7. No sharp edges! Safe for kids!

Check them out here! We've recently lowered the prices and offer free UPS Ground shipping!

What is a Dojang 도장?

A “dojang” 도장 (aka Korean Seal) is an official signature stamp made of wood or stone . It is Korea's way of signing their names on official documents. If someone were to steal your dojang, it's equivalent to someone stealing your identity.

The dojang must be officially registered to be considered legal. Those that are not can make great souvenirs. Here are some cute ones made just for kids!

Designer knock off looks for kids!

Koreans are so fashionable...even their kids look like little hipsters. Check out these cute pics of kids in the latest trends!

Korean Cultural Service In NY

I know there' s a lot of New Yorkers out there. Here's a great resource for you. Its the Korean Cultural Service which is similar to the Korean Cultural Center of Los Angeles. They host and sponsor various Korean cultural events and classes. I noticed that there will be a Kimchi workshop coming up on September 17. You can actually learn how to make kimchi and take it home with you. How fun!

Here's the link to the center. http://www.koreanculture.org/

Actress Katherine Heigl to adopt Korean baby!

Photo by: John Shearer / WireImage

There have been rumors for almost a year that Katherine Heigl was adopting from Korea but until just recently they were just that, rumors. Apparently her rep confirmed it yesterday that she and Josh Kelley were adopting a little girl from Korea. Katherine also has a sister who was adopted from Korea.

Another one of my kid's favorite dish...

Miso soup! I know this isn't Korean food but it's milder than dwen jahng chigae and good for you. This is my kids favorite soup. They love the seaweed and tofu in it. I add rice to the soup to make it more of a meal. Great for babies starting solids....just make sure you cut up the wakame seaweed into small pieces. Most asian markets sell it already cut up so less work for you!

I found this video on how to make it.

Japanese:
How To Make Miso Soup

Looking to meet other Korean-American Moms in your area?

When I moved away from my area and didn't know a single soul, I created a Korean Moms Group on MeetUp...or maybe you just adopted a Korean baby and looking for other parents in your area that adopted? Try looking on Meetup.com or create your own group!

Happy Labor Day!

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day! Make sure you stop by and look at our CLOTHING SALE!

Clearance Sale! All Clothing 20% off!

We're getting rid of our clothing department so if you've been thinking of getting some Korean PJs, now is the time! Get them before they're gone for good. Everything is 20% off! Sizes and stock limited.

Kim and Rice

I know most of the Korean moms here already know this but for those that don't, if you're ever looking for something to feed your kids, kim and rice is the ultimate Korean kids meal. Kim is dried seaweed. (Make sure you get the Korean brand and that it says "seasoned").

Every Korean kid grows up on this stuff. It's perfect because it's nutritious and quick. All you need is rice which most households have already. Best thing of all is that the kids love it!

The great thing about this is that it doesn't need to be refrigerated and has a decent self life. Plus it's cheap.

You can always add some chicken or beef to it for protein and it becomes instant kimbap.

Prize for October Baby of the Month is...

Your choice of Korean Long Johns (aka Neh Bok). Pick size and style! 100% cotton and so soft! Made in Korea.

Trend Alert! Girl's Hair Accessories from Korea!

These are very popular in Korea and we have them for sale for a limited time! What a cute and unique way to style your little girl's hair! Available in 1 and 2 ponytails. Artificial braids attached.

September Baby of the Month Winner!

Corinne (Age 2)

Congrats to the parents! We will be shipping out your Mini Hangul Foam Mat!

We had the largest number of entries this month! Please continue to send in your child's picture for our October's Baby of the Month! Just email it to contest@littleseouls.com. Please include child's name and age and permission to use the picture. We will announce our next prize soon!