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!

Cover by Kimberly Hill.

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!