Christmas is just around the corner and this issue is full of all the personalized touches you will need to celebrate. We have found our favorite Christmas cards, dresses, and gifts. Make sure you order early to ensure Christmas delivery!
Her Christmas Best 1- Urban Baba’s fantastic Drop Waist Dress and Sash proves that you don’t have to drop much to get something absolutely beautiful! For only $52, this dress is sweet and practical: it sits low on the waist, has a gentle elastic gathering at the arms and hips, and can have a formal look with the Velveteen Sash or a casual look without it. Made of 100% cotton and Velveteen trim, your little angel can look Holiday pretty while being 100% comfortable. Available in sizes 12 months-6 years, and in three wonderful colors (Juniper, Spice, Candy) at JackandGrace.com.
2- If you need exquisite, you need Smitherman & Barnwell’s 100% silk dresses! Their Vietti Dress in Ruby Red Silk features a gorgeous silk diamond print, mother-of-pearl buttons down the back for closure, and a front tab with tiny cream colored buttons. We also love their Anuska Dress in Cream Silk, which is as rich looking as the name sounds. Available in sizes 2T-4T (or 5T and 6T by special order), at ItsARagDollsLife.com, priced at $170 and $130 respectively. We’re convinced that the best things come in small Smitherman & Barnwell boxes!
3- Let your little star shine in Luna Luna Copenhagen’s Twinkle Holiday Dress! A sweet silk skirt embroidered with ribbon flowers and beads, and a soft pink cotton bodice edged with a picot stitch, add up to pure sweet perfection. Add some twinkle to your Holiday for only $90 at ItsARagDollsLife.com.
4- Garland is grand when it’s Baby Nay. The Holiday Garland Overlay Dress is simple- a gathered empire waist, soft velvet trim, 100% cotton, sweet garland pattern- and that’s what makes it divine (of course the modest price tag of $46 helps). Adored for the same simplicity and spirited pattern, the Holiday Garland Kimono Set is a baby must have (and can have at only $42 for the wrap top and ruffled leggings). Find Baby Nay for your cute little girl at Cute Little Me.
sweet holiday gifts Feel Good Frames has us feeling great, and doing good! Fabulously fun ornament designs like ‘Fat Green Dots,’ can’t help but make you feel great, and making a purchase that benefits the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Center has you doing good. All ornaments hold a 3 X 3 photo of your favorite little someone, and can either say “Christmas 2006” or be personalized with up to 12 characters. Visit FeelGoodFrames.com to learn what the Holidays are really all about!
Your little dear will have a cute little rear when you shop MyGoodnessDuds.com’s Christmas Baby Line! These fantastically soft 100% organic cotton baby duds are great all year long, but the Christmas line is one of our favorites. A long sleeved tee features a baby reindeer and the words “Mommy & Daddy’s Little Dear” on the belly, while the baby bottoms feature a baby deer and the words “my little rear” on the bum. We suggest you order now, because if reindeer are flying this year, it’s right off the shelf at MyGoodnessDuds.com!
Christmas Treats This year make your Christmas Cookies while you shuffle around the kitchen listening to the beautiful Nutcracker Ballet Music CD. Sharon O'Connor has cooked up this fantastic gift set with her cooking tips for making the best Holiday cookies. Her Christmas cookie guide includes practical cook's tips for easy baking and hosting suggestions for a cookie swap. Recipe cards include Chocolate Stars, Southern Pecan Squares, Gingerbread People, Honey Cookies, Madeleines, Lemon Bars and more. Be sure to check out her entire Music Cooks series where you can find Home with Baby; a wonderful gift for any new mom.
Christmas Accessories What can be better than Robeez? Robeez red-nosed Reindeers! Too cute stitched smiles, big brown antlers, and red trimmed ankle bands pop on a soft cream background. Of course these limited edition Reindeer Robeez aren’t at all limited in their benefits: they still have expert recommended soft soles and skid resistant suede bottoms, are machine washable, and are easy to slip on and keep on. This Holiday Season, Robeez Reindeers have us shouting out with glee, and for only $32 at Robeez.com, you can join us! We love keeping you up on the latest styles, but we have a weakness for preppy classics, like a j crew bow tie! Traditional navy silk with a green tree pattern will turn any little ragamuffin into a perfect little prepster. Less than $20 at jcrew.com’s crewcuts.
Christmas tidings mom will love We found two fabulous ornaments from Timree, Inc…we just hope they find their way to your tree (or your mom’s, brother’s, best friend’s…you get the idea)! Like all of Timree’s fantastic products, the ‘Letter Ornament’ is beautifully hand painted, and can be personalized by including a special message on the “letter,” and on the back of the ornament. You can give personalized perfection for only $18…so get creative and get ordering! Perhaps our favorite Holiday décor item, the ‘Letter To Santa Plate’ is an adorable 10” plate that keeps a treasured ‘letter to santa’ safe for years to come. Perfect for holding Santa’s cookies and milk! Get this personalized keepsake at Timree.com.
Make this Christmas the most special family gathering this year with the Christmas Box of Questions by The Box Girls. Exchange ideas, dialogue, and bond with your family and friends like never before! Available for Thanksgiving, Hanukkuh, and Shabbat. We think this is the perfect addition to your family Christmas traditions and a great way to learn a little more about those you love the most.
Christmas Bump If you’ve got a Santa-sized belly this Holiday Season, celebrate with two fabulous tees: the “jingle bump vee” tee from bump (baby under manufacturing process-love it!), or the “Jingle Belly” (fabulously fun!) from Preggers N Proud. Soft and bright, and a little bit sassy, you can’t help but smile when you wear the jingle bump vee! Because it’s made of extra soft 100% combed cotton and has a fine rib and side vents, this tee (we mean vee) fits perfectly no matter how big your bump is. A red background with lime lettering puts a fresh twist on traditional Holiday colors, and a simple statement ‘jingle bump (baby under manufacturing process)’ keeps things festive! Find yours at BumpBaby.com!
We’re singing the praises of Preggers N Proud and their Jingle Belly Tee! A bright red long-sleeved tee with white glittered snowflakes (only a pregnant woman can rock the glittered snowflakes! Too cute!) features the lyrics: “Jingle Belly, Jingle Belly, Baby on the Way!” See how a little play on words can make for a lot of Holiday fun, and check out the Jingle Belly Tee at PreggersNProud.com!
Season's Greetings We’re sweet on Mango Ink, and happy that they have taken on the Holidays with their fantastic and fresh designs. Every card arrives beautifully crafted, perfectly packaged and ready to send. If you can’t quite find the ‘perfect’ card, no worries, Mango Ink does free design modifications. If you have something specific in mind, Mango Ink does custom designs. Let Mango Ink add a little cheer and merriment to your holidays at MangoInk.com!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
v 2 issue 21: Celebrity Style
Wonder what products the celebrities actually love and use? Our current issue features the products celebrities use day in and day out, not just the products that companies send their way.
Celebrity Kids Style 1. If you’re ‘into everything’ celebrity, then get your hands on the little show offs super-soft and super clever tees. With sayings like ‘into everything, ‘warning…I’m 2,’ and ‘republican in training’ its not a wonder these tops are a hit with the most fashion forward celebs like Gwenyth Paltrow (organic baby) and Gwen Stefani. (l.a. baby)!
2. Rocco, son of Madonna, rocked a Fooey tee for VH1’s “The Fabulous Life of Celebrity Kids.” Kate Hudson loves Fooey for son Ryder. Sharon Stone styles sons Laird and Roan in Fooey. So, we think that its fair to say that Fooey is (1) fabulous, (2) fashion forward, (3) celeb approved. See if Fooey meets your approval at Fooeyusa.com.
3. Get ready to rock with Inky Dink tees! Kelly Ripa, Reese Witherspoon and Angelina Jolie are just a few celebs who love Inky Dink’s sassy sayings and egdy rock inspired graphics. Pick up your ‘Rock + Roll Heiress,’ ‘Human Cannonball’ or ‘Dad’ Tattoo tee at hip boutiques like Kitson, Atrium, LMNOP, or online at inkydinktees.com.
4. Seal made a fantastic choice when he turned to Robeez to ‘shoe the children (including his own!), with no shoes on their feet’. Made of soft (yet durable and washable) leather, Robeez provide doctor recommended flexibility, and TTW recommended style. Adorable Robeez also shoe the children of Denise Richards, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Ming-Na and Mira Sorvino…and the list goes on...and on...
5. Why the long wait for Suri Cruise pictures? We think TomKat was waiting for the perfect outfit- a fabulous bonpoint dress with baby sweet smocking. Suri’s dress won’t be available in Bonpoint’s US boutiques (NY, Boston, Beverly Hills, Palm Beach) until Spring, but this hasn’t stopped celebs like Angelina Jolie, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani from scooping up other Bonpoint creations. Offering refined European style with a modern twist, Bonpoint has Hollywood in love.
cashmere blanket
Celeb moms like Reese Witherspoon, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Garner, and Liv Tyler are softies for Kinder-Cashmere’s magnificently soft, 100% cashmere blankets! Each Kinder-Cashmere blanket is offered in single or double ply cashmere, uses two bright complimentary colors of cashmere and is finished with a baby-sweet appliqué. Wrap your little one in celebrity style with Kinder-Cashmere blankets!
celebrity loved birth announcements
Not all celebrities think the front page of Us Magazine makes for a tasteful Baby Announcement…but many of them find Tiny Prints’ announcements absolutely yummy! Adam Sandler, Maria Shriver, Gwen Stefani, and Debra Messing are just a few of the celebrities that have turned to Tiny Prints’ unique, simple and modern designs. Let your little one arrive in style…celeb worthy style…with Tiny Prints!
celebrity baby gear A kiss from the likes of Courtney Cox, Liv Tyler, Matt Damon, Gwenyth Paltrow and Thandie Newton have turned this Bugaboo Frog into the Prince of Strollers. Of course the Frog does pretty well on its own merits: at only 20 pounds it offers oversized air-filled tires for tough terrain, 3 positions including fully reclined, suspension to keep baby sleeping through the bumps, detachable bassinet, carseat attachments…well you get the picture!
We could just hug Angelina (Jolie, of course) for introducing the world to the perfectly practical and gorgeously stylish HipHugger. Her favorite model, the Palmer, is fabulously urban: ink-black, slimming, stylish, quilted and double stitched for reinforced strength and comfort. We heard that the Palmer is back in stock, so get yours if you want to keep up with the Jolies!
celebrity mama style Sarah Jessica Parker, Cate Blanchett and Maggie Gyllenhaal are like three peas in a pod when it comes to maternity style: they all thank A Pea in the Pod for fantastic maternity fashion. And with brands like Yanuk, Citizens of Humanity, Bella Dahl, Diane von Furstenberg and Juicy Couture, we’re pretty sure that this is the short list of celeb devotees. Let A Pea in the Pod be your maternity fashion godsend!
celebrity beauty "When only the best will do," celebs like Denise Richards, Gwenyth Paltrow, Britney Spears and Sharon Stone turn to the luxe baby beauty line of Noodle & Boo. We think you should too! Noodle & Boo products are fabulously luxe: they are superbly gentle, packaged gorgeously, and 20% of profits go to childrens charities. Treat your little ones like the celebrities that they are…treat them to Noodle & Boo!
Cooler days are here and it's time to think about keeping your little ones warm. We have filled this issue with beautiful coats and adorable knit caps. Check out our current issue, Getting Warm.
dressing for the cold 1. Niege has us singing, ‘We love Paris in the fall! ’ Part of the Fall 2006 Collection, the gorgeous Marisa Coat is a wool blend tweed, with rich plum hues. Oversized buttons and a sweet peter pan collar add the sophistication and style Neige is adored for, while a 100% soft cotton lining provides the comfort your little girl deserves. Neige is available at fine retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys...keep your eye on their collections and we think you’ll be loving ‘Paris ev’ry moment of the year!
2. The Eden’s Bouquet Chateau Garden Jacket will have your daughter thinking she is in paradise! Designed with stunning aqua velvet, lined with delicious dupioni silk, and trimmed with a fantastic faux fur collar, the coat is unimaginably lux! A lapel adorned with a crushed velvet rose and shells adds a touch of youthful innocence. For $160 at belugababy, you can buy a piece that we think is priceless!
3. L is for Lux, Little Boys, and the Love we have for Lucy Sykes Baby’s Hooded Coat. The brown tartan fabric is wonderfully classic, and looks beautiful dressed up or dressed down. The fur lining adds a modern touch and will keep your little guy toasty warm on long fall walks. Available in sizes 9 months to 8 years, this is a coat your little one can truly grow-up in. For $250, Lucy Sykes Baby will have your little man looking like a million bucks!
4. Home Spun Goods spun up a little Kimono Jacket so good (and so soft!) that you’ll want it in every adorable color. Made of super-soft corduroy and lined with a super-soft fleece, this is a cozy jacket that your little one will want to wear everyday. Of course, with pearl snaps, a choice of cuts (regular or A-Line), several bright colors and optional details (dragonfly, mushroom, flower), the kimono jacket makes everyday extraordinary.
5. Good things come in small packages, especially Patagonia packages! Keep baby warm in mini versions of Patagonia’s legendary outerwear. For colder climates, the Infant Reversible Puffball Bunting provides serious insulation. Reversibility, a snag and water-resistant shell, and hand covers provide serious functionality. And of course, great Patagonia colors provide serious style. We’re serious when we say all of this is only $88 at Patagonia.com.
adorable knits We can't help but break into giggles when we see the 'giggle' hat by la Folie Knits. This gorgeous hat is a stunner! Our urgency for you to shop la Folie Knits is no laughing matter; we simply love their fun style and innovative ideas. Check out their collection of scarves, sweaters and blankets at laFolieKnits.com!
cuddled up and warm Ladies, if you aren’t a fan of swaddling yet, you should be! Sleep deprivation is the number one stressor for new mothers leading to an irritable and unhappy mama. These three companies take swaddling to the next level –fashionable and functional. The Snug & Tug by Go Mama Go Designs is a flawless, wiggle-free swaddle wrap that is breathable and beautiful. We love their adorable packaging…perfect for a shower gift (needs no wrapping)! Created for selfless, hardworking mamas; the ladies at Go Mama Go want you to be a happy well-rested mom. The Snug & Tug was designed to provide a longer and sounder night’s sleep for your newborn baby, ultimately leading to a more restful and happy you! Swaddle baby in warmth and style with the fantastic Baby Lily Bonkie. An adorable cotton flower print is lined with light yellow chenille for 100% washable softness. With just three simple steps, and a Velcro closure, swanky swaddling has never been so easy! Give your swaddling style a makeover for just $48 at Forest and Zoe.
2 Virtues calls its Swaddleaze "the original two-in-one swaddler and sleepsack," and we call it the answer to better sleep for baby and you! Designed to create warmth without worry; this wearable blanket is made of plush fabrics and allows you to use as just a sleepsack or for extra cold nights wrap baby up in the attached swaddler. Since Swaddleaze is a wearable blanket, so there's no worry about blankets falling off, twisting, or bunching up around baby.
warm gift sets For a warm winter’s nap, we love New’s nighty-night gift set. Designed to fit baby perfectly, safely, and comfortably in their first 3 to 4 months, New’s gift set is perfect for the new little baby in your world. The cotton tagless sleep gown has fold-over cuffs, simple snaps, elastic bottom, and the celery and brown colors are fabulous. The sleepbag is made of the softest microfleece, and we love the reverse zipper for nighttime diaper changes. All for $34 at www.newforbaby.com...We knew you’d love New!
Looking for a gift set that will wow the receiver? This cashmere duo from Coco Lane is simply stunning and pure luxury for a special little girl. Made of 100% top-grade luxurious cashmere; the duo includes a beautiful poncho and generously sized blanket. Come take a stroll down Coco Lane and save 20% on this gorgeous set.
stay warm outside The Luxe Carrier Cover from Brooks Pond is fabulous- once you try it, you won’t want to walk anywhere without it! Warming pockets for your hands, integrated hood and collar, and compatibility with infant carseats and strollers make this Carrier Cover incredibly functional. Fabric choices- like eggplant suede with faux Persian lambswool (our favorite!), faux denim, faux mink, and faux pony- make this Carrier Cover incredibly stylish. Available at Brooks Pond for $95-$145. Don’t walk away from this issue without looking at cc3 design’s Walk With Me Baby Carrier Cover. For use with any baby carrier, the Walk With Me Blanket adds cozy warmth and baby-sweet style to all of your winter outings. Warm and soft fleece will keep your baby’s arms and legs out of the cold, while a hood keeps inward facing babies nestled close and a matching hat keeps outward facing babies warm. Choose from a charcoal or cream-colored blanket, and from olive, blue or pink trim. Walk away with a steal…$75 at cc3designs.com!
playing in the snow We discovered the secret to surviving inclement weather and active kids: The Igloo Play Center. This giant inflatable playhouse is made of durable (yes, active kid durable) PVC and cold resistant materials, and will keep your little ones busy on snow days! The Igloo Play center is perfect for up to 4 children, ages 3-6. Buy big fun for the small price of $79.95 at Highlights.com.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
v 2 issue 19: Gifts Galore
Holiday Shopping Season is upon us and we have put together our favorite toys for each age range. Our hope is that you enjoy playing these games and toys with your children just as much as they do!
learning fun for your toddler If you’re dog-tired of holding your toddler down while you dress him (or her!), then you need the Dress ‘n’ Learn Puppy from Lillian Vernon! Thanks to the bright design of Dress ‘n’ Learn Puppy, your toddler will learn to love all the basics of getting dressed: buckling, buttoning, snapping, tying, and zipping. The Dress ‘n’ Learn puppy is perfectly soft (poly-velour), with sweet embroidered features, and is available in primary colors or pastel. Snap one up for your toddler…just $14.98 at Lillian Vernon.
bird's eye view We’ve got the bird’s eye view on fabulous gifts, and we think that the Lana Organics Parrot Music Box is hard to outshine. Eco-friendly (made of 100% organic cotton), kid-friendly (wonderfully, huggably soft), and sleep-friendly (playing a soft lullaby), this sweet Parrot Music Box is really three gifts in one. Available at Bright October for $64.95, we have a feeling it will be flying off the shelves!
editor's pick: pastel toys We love these toys by Pastel Toys and think they should be on every new baby’s Christmas wish list. Not only are they beautiful pieces that make a wonderful addition to the nursery’s décor or baby’s favorite toys; but these toys also have a wonderful story behind them. Made by adults with special needs at the village of Kishorit in Israel; each piece is handmade the old-fashioned way, with the resident craftspeople sanding the cut forms to its smooth kid-friendly finish and painting the toys with non-toxic milk-based paint. Each toy receives individual attention and is subject to rigorous quality control. These fanciful, quality toys are built to last, promising hours of fun now and for generations. Their construction helps the residents of Kishorit become self-sustaining by teaching them marketable skills, enhancing their self-esteem, and supporting the development of their village.
When you buy a toy from Pastel Toys, you help Pastel Toys help them. Each box contains the story of how Pastel Toys are created so the receiver will appreciate the craftsmanship of this gift as well.
tub toy fun Boon’s Bath Goods make bath time great! A bright and funky collection of 15 bath appliqués, 3 balls and 2 mini-scrubbies are sure to keep baby happy in the bath. Sure to keep mom and dad happy all the time is the fact that Bath Goods don’t absorb water and repel mold and mildew. (Plus they look fabulous!) And because 10% of all Boon purchases go to children’s charities, Bath Goods are really two greats!
the house of her dreams
Zebra Hall says ‘Furnished Classic Doll House’ and we say ‘and so much more!’ Absolutely charming, this wooden doll house comes complete with: three stories of realistically furnished rooms; working doors and shutters; and high quality furnishings and accessories made of wood, cloth and felt. Don’t worry that it comes ‘packed flat for adult assembly’- you’re building the home of your little one’s dreams! And for only $275.00 at Zebra Hall!
stroller style for her Thanks to Pottery Barn Kids, stroller style isn’t just for celebrities anymore…its for all style-savvy make-believe mommies! Whether your little ‘mommy’ prefers to push the posh pram, or zoom about with the zooper, they will love their new strollers. The Pram Stroller: Leave it to Pottery Barn to make preppy and proper absolutely perfect! We love the Pram’s adjustable handle, large rubber wheels, rain hood (yes, it really works!) and the fact that it folds flat so your little mommy can take it everywhere. Available in a classic blue plaid, and designed for dolls up to 19 inches long, the Pram is $69…though we think it’s priceless! The Mini Zooper Stroller: If your little one is more Gwen than Gwenyth, she’ll probably love the Mini Zooper. Durable, sturdy and just plain stylish, the Mini Zooper fits any doll up to 18 inches. Pottery Barn offers the Mini Zooper, for $49.00… we say super!
1- Urban Baba’s fantastic Drop Waist Dress and Sash proves that you don’t have to drop much to get something absolutely beautiful! For only $52, this dress is sweet and practical: it sits low on the waist, has a gentle elastic gathering at the arms and hips, and can have a formal look with the Velveteen Sash or a casual look without it. Made of 100% cotton and Velveteen trim, your little angel can look Holiday pretty while being 100% comfortable. Available in sizes 12 months-6 years, and in three wonderful colors (Juniper, Spice, Candy) at JackandGrace.com.
2- If you need exquisite, you need Smitherman & Barnwell’s 100% silk dresses! Their Vietti Dress in Ruby Red Silk features a gorgeous silk diamond print, mother-of-pearl buttons down the back for closure, and a front tab with tiny cream colored buttons. We also love their Anuska Dress in Cream Silk, which is as rich looking as the name sounds. Available in sizes 2T-4T (or 5T and 6T by special order), at ItsARagDollsLife.com, priced at $170 and $130 respectively. We’re convinced that the best things come in small Smitherman & Barnwell boxes!
3- Let your little star shine in Luna Luna Copenhagen’s Twinkle Holiday Dress! A sweet silk skirt embroidered with ribbon flowers and beads, and a soft pink cotton bodice edged with a picot stitch, add up to pure sweet perfection. Add some twinkle to your Holiday for only $90 at ItsARagDollsLife.com.
4- Garland is grand when it’s Baby Nay. The Holiday Garland Overlay Dress is simple- a gathered empire waist, soft velvet trim, 100% cotton, sweet garland pattern- and that’s what makes it divine (of course the modest price tag of $46 helps). Adored for the same simplicity and spirited pattern, the Holiday Garland Kimono Set is a baby must have (and can have at only $42 for the wrap top and ruffled leggings). Find Baby Nay for your cute little girl at Cute Little Me.
Feel Good Frames has us feeling great, and doing good! Fabulously fun ornament designs like ‘Fat Green Dots,’ can’t help but make you feel great, and making a purchase that benefits the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Center has you doing good. All ornaments hold a 3 X 3 photo of your favorite little someone, and can either say “Christmas 2006” or be personalized with up to 12 characters. Visit FeelGoodFrames.com to learn what the Holidays are really all about!
This year make your Christmas Cookies while you shuffle around the kitchen listening to the beautiful Nutcracker Ballet Music CD. Sharon O'Connor has cooked up this fantastic gift set with her cooking tips for making the best Holiday cookies. Her Christmas cookie guide includes practical cook's tips for easy baking and hosting suggestions for a cookie swap. Recipe cards include Chocolate Stars, Southern Pecan Squares, Gingerbread People, Honey Cookies, Madeleines, Lemon Bars and more. Be sure to check out her entire Music Cooks series where you can find Home with Baby; a wonderful gift for any new mom.
We found two fabulous ornaments from Timree, Inc…we just hope they find their way to your tree (or your mom’s, brother’s, best friend’s…you get the idea)! 
Make this Christmas the most special family gathering this year with the Christmas Box of Questions by The Box Girls. Exchange ideas, dialogue, and bond with your family and friends like never before! Available for Thanksgiving, Hanukkuh, and Shabbat. We think this is the perfect addition to your family Christmas traditions and a great way to learn a little more about those you love the most.
If you’ve got a Santa-sized belly this Holiday Season, celebrate with two fabulous tees: the “jingle bump vee” tee from bump (baby under manufacturing process-love it!), or the “Jingle Belly” (fabulously fun!) from Preggers N Proud.
