Theresa Duncan

Theresa Duncan
23 POSTS 9 COMMENTS
Theresa is a recovering fake adult and is now proudly a child who refuses to grow up. She spent a decade developing and facilitating enrichment programs for at-risk youth. Through this work, she saw firsthand the power of play in the growth of emotionally, physically and mentally healthy children. The pressure of pretending to be an adult finally became too much, so in 2014 she and her father Todd (also NOT a grown-up) opened Villa Villekulla Neighborhood Toy Store on Amelia Island. Her two children, Adrian and Francine, often exhibit more maturity than she does and are, therefore, the ones in charge both at home and at Villa Villekulla. When she isn’t playing with toys, learning about toys, or talking about toys, she enjoys dance parties and listening to live music with her husband.
easter egg decorating

Easter Egg Decorating With Things You Already Have At Home

Whether you are like me and simply don't remember to grab Easter egg dye, or you want to do something a little different with your eggs this holiday, here are a few cute ways...
baked goods

Giving the Gift of Baked Goods During COVID-19

It’s a long-standing tradition in my house that the last week before Christmas is spent making somewhere around a million shortbread cookies. My dad expects at least half a million for his Christmas present...
smoking

Healthy Is the New Cool

I grew up watching Claire Danes on My So-Called Life hiding in the school bathroom smoking cigarettes and gossiping with her friends. And she dated Jared Leto, so you can see where my 13-year-old...
Birthday Party Jacksonville

The Best Birthday Gifts for Kids of Every Age

They may happen every single year, but birthdays are still so exciting — especially for kids! Of course, birthday celebrations aren’t just about the gifts, but getting really awesome presents can make a great...
shop local online

Get Your Online Shopping Fix with These Local Retailers

I may be partial (full disclosure, I own a small local shop) but shopping in a real, locally owned store is so much fun! I love visiting a place that a real person has...
play

It’s Okay to Just Let Them Play

Over the past few months, I’ve seen so many moms doing adorable educational projects with their children, and I love them for it.  But that just isn’t me, even in the best of times....
american beach

‘You Know We Bad’: The Legacy of Florida’s African-American Beach

On any given summer Sunday, my friends and I bring our families to our favorite beach on Amelia Island, American Beach. Here, the beach is wide, the sand is soft, and the outgoing tide...
mentoring

Taking the Future into My Own Hands as a Mentor

Ten years ago, I agreed to do something I had no business doing. And because of that decision, I may have completely altered the trajectory of the life of a young woman. Oops.  A friend...
vegan

Life Lessons From My Vegan Kid

Just like most of the more formative moments from my parenting career, it all started as a joke. My awesomely quirky son, inspired by a conversation at his Catholic school about making sacrifices for...

How Old Is Too Old for Toys?

When kids are young, it’s easy to tell when they are too old for a toy. They stop playing with it and move on to something else or their bodies quite literally will no...
How to Cut the Toy Clutter this Holiday Season

How to Cut the Toy Clutter this Holiday Season

Full disclosure, I own a toy store... and I’m going to tell you to tame the toy monster that is taking over your home. Why? Because I know that toys are essential to a...