v3 issue 47: Red White and Ka-Blue

This issue is packed with Mom Tips and pictures of our very own Tot Trends Weekly readers cute kids. Which one is your favorite?


Cover by Shalla Melton










1 Nursery Rhyme Tease brings on the red in a fun literature loving t-shirt. With or without the memorable storybook which inspired this jumpin' on the bed tee, we love this concept. What a great way to introduce a love for reading to your child.

2 A great way to start off the summer! Celebrate independence and treat yourself to a Jet Setter bag by Melissa Beth Designs...in lipstick red, of course, for the Fourth of July. Pack all the necessities for the big holiday weekend in this huge bag drenched in rugged red nylon on the outside and silky sweet polka-dots on the inside.

3 Little toes sizzle in these designer booties from Baby Bella Maya. Available in sizes 0-6 & 6-12 months for an amazing price of ten buckaroos. All booties are fashioned in a Mary Jane style with a secure Velcro attachment. Great patterns to choose from, but these crimson red beauties pop onto the top of our list for the summer season.

4 Got pants that keep slip-sliding away? Baby Beltz has something to help-cool little designer belts for infants and tots! Take to the high seas with this red, white, and blue reversible belt with a nautical theme and tighten things up with either a Velcro closure, a military buckle, or d-rings...you pick at check-out.

5 What summer can go without a little crab? At least this one comes on a shirt... no whining, no grumpiness, and definitely no pinching. Hop on over to the learning tees to catch a little crab that comes with a fact tag to teach you some fun facts about this crustacean creature!

6 When it comes to hair accessories for babies and young girls, chances are you can find something to love at Funny Girl Designs. Adorably adorned or plain & simple clips, barrettes, headbands, and their gorgeous goodies can be purchased at fabulously low prices. If you insist we pick a favorite, we'll go with the cute reminder of our good luck summer friend-the ladybug.

7 MamaOm is the place to find organic tees, beachwear, and accessories for hipster Moms & their tiny tots. This hot little number is just one of the fabulous bikinis from the swimwear collection. Ruffles, ties, and colorful embroidery make this berry blossom suit the pick of the crop for your 2T-6T sized shortcake.

This weeks mom tips:
Cleaning Tip: Urine on a Mattress - It's important to keep in mind that actually cleaning the urine stain is important. Since bacteria are found in urine, leaving a stain untreated for an extended period can result in the growth of fungus and mold in the mattress.
Tips & Tricks to Remove Urine from Mattress-
Vinegar: Pour a moderate amount of vinegar on the soiled area, and absorb excess liquid with a large towel or wet vacuum. This will lift the smell and bacteria not the stain.
Shampoo: Liquid Laundry Detergent with a small amount of water will help to remove the new stain but not an old stain.
Steam Cleaning: Whenever possible, consider using a hot steam cleaner on mattresses with urine stains. Used with a cleansing agent, steam cleaning is usually quite effective at removing the physical stain, eliminating the smell of urine, and killing bacteria that may otherwise grow and spread.
Green Tip: Unplug appliances such as coffeemakers and cell phone chargers when not in use. Many electric appliances continue to consume a small number of watt-hours of power even when switched to off.
Time Saving Tip: Skip ironing and get wrinkles out of a shirt or pair of trousers by putting them in the dryer for 15 minutes with a damp hand towel.
Financial Tip: Movies can be expensive. Rather than viewing each release during its main run, try and wait until the show comes out in the "dollar movies" or on video. With a bit of patience, you can realize family savings of around $20 per video as compared to a family trip to the theater. Save the theater for the really much anticipated films.

Your Cute Kids
We asked our readers to submit pictures of their cutie pies, and these were our favorites. We want to see your adorable tots! Share your funny photos with us. (Please be sure to send web sized files) contact@tottrendsweekly.com

v 3 issue 46: Your Little Gardener

This weeks issue is full of fun garden themed items. We also have tips on organic gardening as well as an organic bug spay recipe, so roll up your sleeves put on some old cloths and get ready to explore, learn and educate with your child.

Cover by Kara May










1 Top-knot organic hats, with a stamp of approval by mixed baby greens, grow along with the heads they cover. Speaking of heads, each hat comes with a package of lettuce seeds to grow in your very own garden. We truly love the fruitful colors of these beanies and we love the price too.

2 Veggie Onesies for the "sweet pea", "perfect peach", or the "apple of your eye" are the pick of the crop at Nubius Organics. All 3 delectably adorable onesies come tucked inside one organic cotton produce bag perfect for toting this year's harvest. A snazzy gift for the baby of a gardening enthusiast.

3 Green to Grow bottles are made of PES plastic, which means no phthalates and no bisphenol-A. No ifs, ands, or buts about it...these bottles are safe for heating and safe for drinking. Start your baby off green and they are sure to grow into strong, healthy and earth-friendly little buggers.

4 You will never find a collection of rain/garden boots quite like this. Dll raingear has hundreds of rain boots from matching Mommy and Me boots to matching rain gear- umbrella, coat and boots. Let your child pick out there own style. Starting at size 6 Toddler and up to adult sizes (mens too). Dll Raingear has everything you need to make Puddle jumping fun.

5 The baby gardener is chock full of artist originals, some vintage pieces, and nostalgic design. A great place for babies & tots to pick up some cute reminders of the good old days. Our favorite has just hatched - this sweet birdie bib comes packaged in it's very own bird nest. How cool is that!?!

6 Step over to Lou Lou's Corner and grab yourself an eggling-hatch a plant. Just tap the top of the ceramic egg to reveal the soil and seed pack inside. A drink of water is all you'll need to keep this hatchling growing for up to 5 months in it's shell. Super great craft for those little ones who need a neat, sweet, and speedy project.

7 Now babies (who aren't big enough for solids!) can eat their veggies too. Those fabulous Peruvian artisans who work with the girls at Purl have knitted up some cute and cuddly veggie rattles for your infant's shaking and tasting pleasure. Get a set of five-while they last-for only $28.00.

8 Add a little of nature's harvest to the dinner table by keeping your bean sprout clean and tidy with a bib from Orange Peel Baby. Eight fruits and veggies to pick from at only $8.- each.

This weeks mom tips:
Cleaning Tip: Use white vinegar to get rid of odor- a bowlful of white vinegar left out in any offensive smelling area will eventually absorb a whole lot of that odor. Also great at getting get rid of burnt popcorn odor in the microwave. Leave an open bowl of vinegar in the microwave with the door open and Voila, the odor will disappear.
Green Tip: Save Water- A dripping faucet wastes up to 20 gallons a day, while a running toilet squanders up to 200 gallons a day. A low-flow shower-head generally will pay for itself in energy saved within four months.
Time Saving Tip: When you see a great toy on sale, buy several and sock them away for your child to give to friends at birthday parties throughout the year.
Financial Tip: Dump Expensive Funds-Many people are smart enough to own no-load mutual funds, but many still throw away money by not paying attention to the annual expense ratio. That's something every fund charges you, but it's easy to miss because it doesn't show up on your statements as a line-item fee. Instead it's subtracted from your fund's performance behind the scenes. The return you see on your statement is after the expense ratio has been deducted from the fund's gross return. The average expense ratio for managed stock funds is 1.5 percent. Smart market watchers tell us we'll be lucky if stocks' long-term gains average 8 percent a year. So if your fund has a gross return of 8 percent and it shaves off 1.5 percent for expenses, you're left with just a 6.5 percent return. Fees have swallowed up more than 18 percent of your funds' return! That's why it's smart to buy index funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs). With annual expense ratios of just 0.2 percent or less, you're going to hold on to a lot more of your returns.


Organic Gardening with your children
Organic gardening is a completely natural way to garden. It doesn't involve nasty chemicals or weed killing sprays. Nature takes care of itself, it has a way of dealing with the typical pests without human intervention. Garden crops can produce just as well without the use of fertilizers. Try companion planting, basil helps deter many pests that affect tomatoes and peppers.
Get rid of the garden pests, safely yet effectively with
Pepper Soap:
Blend four jalapeno peppers and three or four cloves of garlic in a blender or food processor with four cups of water. Place this mixture in another container, and stir in one teaspoon of vegetable oil soap. Let this homemade insecticide set for about twenty-four hours, and strain it through cheesecloth or a wire mesh strainer before pouring it into a sprayer and spraying it on bug-ridden garden plants. Be sure and spray the undersides of foliage, and reapply this homemade insecticide after it rains.
Children are natural gardeners. They're curious, like to learn by doing, and love to play in the dirt. So roll up your sleeves put on some old cloths and get ready to explore, learn and educate together.
While gardening, a child can experience the satisfaction that comes from caring for something over time and observe the cycle of life firsthand.
Children as young as two years old are capable of helping with gardening tasks such as digging and watering. Whereas, older child can plan, plant and take care of their own garden area.
Kids like easy, fast and reliability. Here are a few suggestions:
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are an easy flower for kids to grow. They don't require much attention. They just require full sun and protection from high winds. They will need lots of water especially early on.
Lettuce
A quick and reliable crop to give the child fast results, and also a good way to interest kids in salads. Lettuce likes part shade; keep soil moist especially during the first two weeks.
Snow peas
A quick-growing early crop, and fun for kids to eat right off the vine. Peas prefer cooler, partially shaded locations in the garden.
Cherry tomatoes
Plant in full sun and use seedlings rather than planting from seed. Put in a 2' stake alongside each seedling; they need to be tied loosely to stakes as they get taller. Cherry tomatoes can also be grown in containers.
A few tips:
-Garden for short periods of time; changing activities frequently keeps kids engaged.
-Plant vegetables your child likes to eat.
If your child's first experience with gardening is fun and successful, they are likely to develop a green thumb that will stay with them for life.
* Is it worth buying fruits and vegetables that are organic? Check out the list of produce that's heaviest in pesticides here..... www.foodnews.org

v 3 issue 45: Problem Solvers

From baby massage to keys for preventing power struggles, this issue is packed with tips and tricks for problem solving with your child.


Cover byJessica Runyan









1 8 ounces of prevention in one jar! Nipple Nurture Cleansing Pads from Bella B are certainly one of our favorite problem solvers. Before and after cleansing helps prevent, or heal, cracks and soreness. 80 pads of all natural cleaning for only $9.99.

2 Through the gentle touch of massage, bond with your baby for a lifetime of love and security. A 2008 Lamaze International Recommended Resource, the BabyBabyOhBaby DVD teaches Moms & Dads the techniques of infant massage with simple & clear instructions, while providing realistic expectations about your baby's response. A great introduction for new masseuses.

3 Pocket bibs are great for keeping messy self-feeders neat, but the clean-up is no treat. Until, of course, the Snap-Pocket Bib came along. Now you can have your clean baby and easy clean-up too! Great prints available for girls and boys.

4 Stuffed animal meets pacifier and a Wubbanub is born. These beauties are great for babies and parents alike. Click on "about us" for the silly story of how these cuddly pacifier helper/holders came about and how they have been saving parents from sleepless nights ever since.

5 Solana Swaddle Wraps provide the benefits of swaddling to your baby in 100% lightweight cotton. Prevent overheating and increase the comfort and security of your infant with wraps big enough to fit the job. With the key word being "taut", the site includes clear instructions so you can swaddle like the nurses in the hospital.

6 "Little kids sit like big kids" with Kaboost the portable chair booster. This fantastic invention quickly snaps on to 4-legged chairs, creating an instant big boy (or big girl) seat. Kaboost stabilizes the chair and goes wherever you go! Comes in 4 great colors and is a great deal at only $37.95.

7 It takes just 30 minutes to sanitize bottles, pacifiers, toys...with the Germ Guardian Nursery Sanitizer. By using dry heat to kill 99.9% of germs, this cootie killer won't fade or shrink fabrics, and it doesn't melt rubber or plastic either. Keeps the toys and the kids safe!


Problem Solving with your young child

All parents want their children to be easy-going and fun loving, especially when in public. However when a child’s emotions spin out of control a parent can be faced with a big dilemma. Do I take her home? Shall I give her consequences or take away her favorite toy? I’m sure these thoughts have crossed your mind. It’s best to take challenging moments with your child as a time to bond. No need for a power struggle to ensue. Young children don’t have the ability to express the myriad of emotions that they feel and often act out as a way to communicate.

Below are some quick and easy tips on how to handle heated moments with your toddler while taking the opportunity to bond and get to know him/her better.

You are in the market and your child throws the dreaded tantrum, or you are at a play date and your child is being pushy and bossy. If your intervention is done through kindness, then your corrective measure is probably fine in public.

Tips to help guide your child in public when emotions are running high:

If you find yourself, angry, embarrassed and impatient, take your child aside out of the public view to discuss the situation and how to correct it.

Disciplining children in public can humiliate, embarrass and anger your child even more. Plus with an audience, she knows how vulnerable you both are.

Exerting too much control over your child and the situation will only bring on more defiance.

Take your child aside and softly explain what you see.

Ask how you can help fix things. If your child is under three years old, then she probably won’t be able to come up with something appropriate - offer empathy, encouragement and a plan.

If you child is over three years old, she may be able to help with a plan. Always speak matter of factly and let her know you are willing to help.

Acknowledge her feelings, and set up a plan so everyone’s needs are considered.

Remember, the more control based parenting you practice, the more resistant and difficult your child will be.

Read your child’s cues and use this moment to remind yourself to take preventive measures to lessen the chances of this happening in the future.

Here’s a formula to remember:

Address Child’s feelings first
State expected behavior
Explain how you will help
Reminder that prevention is key

Copyright 2008
Kimberley Clayton Blaine, MA, MFT is the mother of two boys and a licensed Child and Family therapist in Los Angeles, California. She is the creator and founder of an online parenting show called, www.TheGoToMom.TV

Showcase: Announcements Galore

Announcements Galore features a wide variety of photo announcements for every occasion! They specialize in the art of taking your personal photos and details and turning them into high quality announcements and keepsakes! Birth, adoption, moving, engagement and wedding announcements, as well as holiday cards and graduation and party invitations are just a few of the products offered by Announcements Galore.

In addition, they specialize in custom 8x10 photo collages and uniquely designed photo magnets. A UPrint option even allows you to print your own announcements. Each item purchased from Announcements Galoreis completely customizable, so, you can order their products for absolutely any occasion! Colors, fonts, text, photo placement, anything at all can be personalized. Also, one-of-a-kind designs can be created for no additional cost.

Wait, there's more! Announcements Galore is currently hosting their annual June Dollar Days special! All 4x6 photo cards are currently only $1 each. No coupon code is needed! Having a baby in August? Planning a party later this fall? Want to get a jump start on your holiday cards? Place your order now and take advantage of the best prices of the year. Personalize them now, or, Announcements Galore can send you an e-mail reminder as your event approaches. It doesn't get any better than that!

Tot Trends Weekly readers can save an additional 10% on any order throughout the summer Announcements Galore can be reached any time at customerservice@announcementsgalore.com

v 3 issue 44: All Around The World

All Around The World

Fun items from around the world as well as an easy ways to teach a second language.

Cover by Timothi Jane Graham








1 Definitely a site to be visited! With books like "The Tear Thief" and "My Daddy is a Pretzel", Barefoot Books has an eye for choosing children's literature with quality art, heartfelt stories, and purposeful messages. This is where you will find "The Whole World" book and sing-along CD that made it to the "O-list"...special not only because of its message & green tips, but also because 10% of proceeds go to global conservation.

2 A great find from Zid Zid is the Explore the World Wall Panel. Like its counterpart from below (the cape and mask set!), it is made in Morocco and available at Design Public. Little ones beware, this may put the travel bug in your ear.

3 Boogaloo dolls are the newest creation from bla bla kids. Colorful and cheery, these seriously silly dolls are hand-knitted by Peruvian artisans with great pride. Each one is as fabulous as its quirky name!

4 With the help of Boca the hand puppet, learning Spanish becomes playtime fun. The Boca Beth Set is chock full o' goodies to get kids moving, dancing, and playing their way to the benefits of speaking a second language. Don't forget to sign up for the free e-newsletters to enhance the learning and the fun!

5 Straight from Germany, this seesaw from TAU is swell. Waterproof birch veneer cutouts are packed and shipped in the sheet of wood they were cut from. Just pop the pieces together and watch a seesaw come to life through assembly. Spunkysprout.com.

6 Organic pride and cotton are tucked into a shirt of exceeding quality here at Little Marmara. Whether you pick the camel, the stork, or the lion, feel safe knowing you are buying a shirt which reflects fair trade and respectful creation.

7 Is it a bird? a lion? an elephant? No, it's a Zid Zid Kid Mask and Cape Set. Choose from an animal print on one side or the super star on the other...these reversible masks and capes do double duty for extra playtime fun.

Cleaning Tip:Found magic marker on the couch? Try Hair spray to remove magic marker from surfaces.
Green Tip:Wash clothes in cold water…Using cold water saves a significant amount of energy. Clothes last longer and colors stay brighter. Line drying clothes saves even more energy.
Organizing Tip:This sounds very simple, but not many moms hang up their keys…lost time by searching for keys (not to mention the frustration!) could be spent playing with your kids or organizing the junk drawer. Find a stylish hook to hang near the door and save the last minute frantic run around.
Time Saving Tip:Plan your meals in advance! By planning your meals for the week you will save time and money at the grocery store. Not to mention the stress of coming up with a meal on the spot. Also save time by avoiding the grocery store during peak shopping times (11a-1p and 5-7p). You may want to even consider grocery delivery, it’s not as expensive as you think when you consider gas expense.

The Gift of Language Learning For the Families of Today
We are all fairly savvy to the fact that we live in an increasingly global society in which our neighbor is from Ecuador, our colleague is from France and the person who teaches our child is from Sweden! We realize as adults how difficult it is to learn a new language after our youth, but we keep reading that it is the perfect time for our own children to begin the language learning!
Time & Newsweek ran feature articles years ago about the window of opportunity for second language learning being between birth and ten years old. Experts agree that while a child is learning one word for an item, it is just as easy for his young brain to learn a second word for the same item.
Several studies out of York University show that children who receive instruction in two languages score twice as high on language tests than their monolingual peers. These studies also prove that these bilingual children read sooner and demonstrate advanced problem solving capabilities. (Dr. Ellen Bialystok, 2001)
Finding a fun and easy way to bring the language learning into your daily routine is often the challenge. Once-a-week classes just aren’t enough. The key is to find multimedia products that use a bilingual format for introducing the language to children ages birth – ten that encourage interaction. Find CDs for the many car moments you share and DVDs that incorporate your children’s various learning styles.
Experts agree that the two languages should be presented in a bilingual format for young children who are still acquiring skills in their native language. Meaning the new language should be presented in a seamless bilingual format alongside the child’s native language. This allows for better retention, higher self esteem and fun for the entire family as they learn together!
This year give the gift of a second language journey that is easy and fun for you and your children. Sing, dance and play together as you enjoy learning each new word on the path to becoming bilingual. Prepare your child for successful travel through our very global society and for what is sure to be a very diverse future.
About the Author: Beth Butler is the founder of the Boca Beth Program – a fun bilingual product line that makes it easy to introduce Spanish to young children. Gather your family around your computer, and sample the Boca Beth bilingual music and movies for free at bocabeth.com Call toll free 877.825.2622 or order online today!

v 3 issue 43: Summer Shopping Guide

Summer Shopping Guide

Our Summer Shopping guide is here and it is loaded with exclusive discount codes for our readers. Who says you can't have it all? It's Time to Shop 'Till You Drop.


Cover by Jennifer Anderson


























1 At Cocotier Kids you will find Appaman, Tea Collection, Mimi & Maggie and Daily Tea. Cocotier children's boutique has the latest trends and fashion for baby, girls and boys age: 0-6 years. Shop their children's boutique and check out the fun, funky and unique children's clothes your kids will love!

2 Rock'n Sprouts specializes in hip, edgy designer children’s clothing, cool accessories and rockin’ baby gifts for your kids. They carry stylish designer clothing with a decided urban- punk twist, for boys and girls, infant to angst ridden. You'll find baby gifts and accessories as well as this alternative store for kids.

3 We love See Kai Run for their amazing quality, comfort and style. See Kai Run shoes are handcrafted from butter-soft sheepskin leather and have a flexible rubber sole along with padded collars for comfort. Shop SeeKaiRun.com for styles and to find a retailer. See Kai Run will be matching all sales in June with a donation to Soles4Souls. Soles4Souls is an international charity dedicated to providing footwear to disadvantaged people around the world.

4 At Tiny Prints you will find unique photo birth announcements, baby shower invitations, birthday Invitations and other fine stationery. Find festive and thoughtful ways to convey special occasons to family, friends and loved ones with their large selection. Tiny Prints finds great joy in helping our customers discover the perfect card that will leave a lasting impression.


Click here to shop our Summer Shopping Guide