Posts filed under 'toddler'
I am a SmartWool junkie — I have drawers jammed with these snuggly socks and I wear them religiously, whether working out, hanging out, going out or sleeping. (Yup, Queen of Cold Feet here, I wear socks to bed even in summer.) And, they’re gloriously itch-free. So, it’s no wonder that I’m smitten with the darling SmartWool booties and socks for babes. The booties come in pairs: Gift them to one tiny, or split them up as part of gifts for two (or twins!). And, the patterns and colors are simply fun. Might as well top it all off with a hat at mitt set to keep them extra warm and dry.
The company itself is also something for conscientious moms to love. Sustainable business practices are important and, well, the product is made from a renewable resource: wool. Ten percent of every Web site purchase goes toward the company’s SmartPrint Advocacy Fund, through which it gives to nonprofit orgs dedicated to stewardship of the environment, healthy lifestyles, youth and responsible outdoors activity. SmartWool’s Breast Cancer Fund donates two percent of sales of its “Pink Ribbon” socks to to nonprofit orgs advocating breast cancer prevention and cure. SmartWool employees also get paid for up to 40 hours annually of nonprofit volunteer time. How smart is all that?
— Mama Kate
November 3rd, 2008
We’ve found another kids cup to love: The Safe Sippy by Kid Basix.
Bret Plate, a father of two, was worried about the toxic components of plastics and how they may leach from his kids’ drinking cups and into their beverages. In search of a better alternative, he designedbeverage container of food-grade stainless steel, inside and out. All plastics used on the product are certified or tested free of BPA and pthalates (the company says it pays for independent lab tests to ensure the cups are free of these substances). The interior no-spill valve is made from silicone. Why are there no plastics on this cup, then? As the company says, nobody wants to sip on a steel straw.
The no-spill valve isn’t absolutely leakproof; the company admits that while the valve will prevent major spills, there still will be drips and dribbles when the cup is inverted. I haven’t found a perfectly hermetically sealed sippy cup, so I can live with a few drips. And I appreciate that this one’s easy to put together, and has saved us from those leaks caused by “assembly-mom error.” The removable outer sleeve adds a nice grip-factor for kids, especially if you choose not to use the sleek little handles, and also insulates cold drinks from their little mitts.
The Safe Sippy is easy to clean, and is dishwasher safe. We wash ours the fast, easy and green way: in the recommended solution of baking soda, vinegar and hot water, the same way we wash our other stainless steel containers.
And, well, the cup’s styling is just plain cool. It comes in three great color combinations: stainless steel and orange paired with bright blue, turquoise or hot pink. In fact, it’s so cool, my kids fight over the single Safe Sippy we have. Guess I should finally purge all those plastic cups and stock my shelves with these.
Mama Kate
August 18th, 2008
Finding the right nursing chair — ugh, it’s a cunundrum. With decidedly modern taste, I looked high and low to find the right chair. Never did for baby #1; instead, we rocked in a rickety, noisy, rattan number I’d bought right after college. No amount of pillows made it just right comfortwise. And, after my c-section, and then later when great with child #2, it was darn near impossible to get out of. Yeah, there are lots of gliders out there — and they are probably the most comfortable option — but I just could find anything that didn’t scream “traditional.”
If only I’d found Glam Glider (above) by Jennifer Delonge. With a 360-degree swivel and rocking capacity, too. The chair and ottoman come in hip colors (including celery, steele blue, apple green, as well as several more subdued selections). Frankly, I think they’ll fit with any decorating style. Check out the site’s other offerings. The retro-inspired furnishings, kid-size Grace table and stools are just plain fun.
I must tell, you though, that what we did find, right before #2 arrived, was the awesome Storytime Rocker (below, in mocha) and ottoman made by Lawson-Fenning for Nurseryworks. We love it’s solid square aspect and swoop of the wooden legs, and the fact that it’s double-wide — it fits mama/daddy and child, side by side for those long sessions with the Richard Scarry tomes and other faves — and customizable in terms of colors, materials and leg finishes. There’s also a Sleepy Time version, with a higher back that’s perfect for nursing moms, especially during those zombified wee hours of the morning when junior’s at his hungriest and mom’s at her most tired.
Hoping to outfit your nursery in a modernist way? You’ll swoon over some of Nurseryworks other offerings — from cribs and dressers, to bedding and accessories and even super-cool letterpress posters (above) made for for the company by Onethread. Makes me want to have baby #3 just to reoutfit the baby’s room (just kidding, Dear!).
Mama Kate
July 17th, 2008
With all of this wonderful warm weather, outdoor games are a must! Oompa Toys has some phenomenal wooden games (and various other items of phenomenal quality) for your toddlers that are sure to be a hit with them and the grown-ups! These games are something that can be passed down through multiple generations and always remain popular.
Check out this cute little croquet set! Fun, colorful, and will help kids learn hand-eye coordination while having a blast!
For those who have tiny people who want to play golf just like daddy or mommy, check out this adorable mini golf set.
I am especially fond of the Goblin Catch Ring Toss…Just the look of it makes me want to giggle and start tossing rings at the little guys!
Mama Jen
June 30th, 2008
Look at these amazingly cute, cute, CUTE bath capes! I absolutely love the idea…functional, imagination inspiring and fashionable!
These 100% terry cloth bath capes drape over your shivering little superhero and button in front so your little one can run around hands-free and warm!!! These would solve a big problem in our house—chattering teeth because our daughter’s towel—even though it has a hood— falls off, or is flailing wide open while she is destracted with some fun task her hands have gotten her into. A button would fix that in a heartbeat!
This Chicago based company that hand makes these capes, will emblazon a bath cape for your child and ship the item out two weeks or less from the time of order.
Mama Jen
June 11th, 2008
Kice Kice is a clothing boutique for kids with a big conscience. The gorgeous, artfully designed clothing is 100% certified organic and sweatshop free.
Kice Kice is created by twin sisters in Southern California who both have art backgrounds—it shows in their clean, modern, whimsical designs. The clothes all are comfortable which leaves lots of flexibility for play. I don’t know about how it goes in your house, but my daughter insists on “cozy clothes” which is her definition for soft cotton clothing with elastic…I agree!
Mama Jen
June 3rd, 2008
Like the rest of you parents out there, I think some of my kids’ artwork is super cool. Now I can have it with me constantly (around my neck or wrist, on my keychain) and show it off at will. All you have to do (dads, this means you) is upload a scan of your child’s artwork and, vóila, the gals at Mommy Tags will emblazon it on a 1-inch-wide circular tag made of recycled silver. Last step is to order a chain — silver or leather — and wait for the masterpiece to arrive. And, you get a professionally mounted rubber stamp of the artwork as well — great for making cards, Ts, etc.
Mommy Tags is very clear that YOU own the copyright to your child’s artwork; they will not use or distribute it.
Tags are $95. Chains start at $15.
And, dads, while your order probably won’t make it by Mom’s Day at this point, you at least can frame the original artwork and let Mommy know what’s on the way.
Mama Kate
April 27th, 2008
Recently, I was reading a forum where lots of moms were praising something called a “Balance Bike.” I had no idea what it was, so I HAD to look into it.
Balance bikes are an alternative to the use of training wheels for the beginner cyclist. The balance bikes supposedly allow your child to transition to a full-on bike more easily and quickly than if they had started out using training wheels. That’s because the hardest part—balance—will have been learned.
In my searching I came across an aptly named balance bike company called SKUUT. Scoot is what you can do on these things while your body learns to balance the bike. You can walk them, ride them, “skuut” them or glide them. Definitely something to check out.
Check out the Skuut website or call your local bike shop to see if they have balance bikes for you to look at. Very Interesting!
Mama Jen
March 31st, 2008
With Spring officially arriving this Thursday (wahooooo!) you may be getting that spring cleaning fever. I know I have been organizing here and there—only for it to be re-organized by my two year old, but I am making a little, more, OK, some headway! Buttoned Up is a company that helps “stretched and stressed out women” get themselves and their families organized. Personally, I think they are going to rescue our bulging file cabinet.
Buttoned up features about 30 great products or “kits” that will help you organize your tax documents, be prepared if you are in a vehicle collision, get your fitness goals in order, organize to-do lists diaper bags, moves and more…virtually all the important parts of our lives that would be so much easier if they were neatly “buttoned up!”
You can browse their selection of nifty kits that help you organize life’s important information at their website, or look through them in person at Target, where they are available in some locations.
The company was invented by a Alicia Rockmore (a mom) with her business partner Sarah Welch and her sisters, who know just how much you are juggling and found a way to help.
Fabulous idea that has major MomAppeal! Mama Jen
March 18th, 2008
A while back, the catalog for Twilite Moon came to my house and I have been looking at their website ever since.
They have the most amazing selection of stylish items for mom, dad and baby. The items tend to be quite modern, though they do have some traditional items as well. Look at this amazing dresser for a child’s room. There is also a funky low piece that could be great for storing toys. If you are looking for your child’s furniture to be art, these are the ticket… You can customize what the accent drawer color is too! Maybe these should be in your room…so chic!
And GASP!! Sexy Nursing Bras??? They found ‘em…How’d they do that??
They also have a selection of accessories for safety and many practical items as well, such as the Sleepsack which I used and loved for my daughter—keeps little babies warm and covered without the fear of having them sleeping with loose blankets. In our experience, loose blankets never stayed on a sleeping baby, AND I was afraid about the blankets covering her face…the Sleepsack solves both problems.
At Twilite Moon, they put together a wonderful section to help you find gifts for every kind of child and family.
Twilite moon is one of those baby boutiques that makes moms drool—-and that has MomAppeal!
Mama Jen
March 4th, 2008
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