v 6 issue 3: Back to Preschool

This issue is full of products for your little one who is headed off to preschool and beyond.


Cover by Julie Cruz










1 Apple Tees from EM Tanner Designs are here. Choose from a red delicious apple on a navy tee or a good 'ole granny smith on red. All apples are personalized with a letter and name. Get creative and start ordering today for the first day of school. Enter code: TOTTRENDS for 20% off.

2 Say goodbye to the guilt of disposable sandwich baggies. The Reuseit Sandwich bag is perfect for take along snacks and has a super easy to clean liner. Made in the USA, bags available in 5 colors. The more you buy the more you save. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off reuseit lunch bags only.

3 The new trunk shows will be starting soon, but the previews from Sweet Funky Vintage are sneaking up over the next few weeks. If the new additions are anything like this Rachel dress then we are sure to love what we see! The rosy dot print is part of the Retr0-Rewind Collection and is printed in limited editions, so grab what you like before it's gone. Enter code: ttw20 for 20% off.

4 A new season of Havoc Denim is upon us and the new designs are spectacular! They've taken a denim jumper and pumped it into a fashion must-have. Simply pair this thick strapped denim dress with leggings and a long-sleeved undershirt of your choice for endless outfit options during the fall & winter months. But don't stop there! With a little creative style this outfit can stick around when the warmer months come back.

5 These adorable little backpacks are a great “first” backpack for preschoolers. Designed by Four Peas with peace graphic that is the work of illustrator Todd Parr. These packs are lightweight for comfort and can be personalized for an additional $10. Available at The Red Balloon Co.

6 Does the bigger bang come from the front or back of this tee? Hard to tell. A futuristic spin on a classic tie-dye sets the stage for the big kisser of the Rolling Stones. Two toned raglan and a contrast stitch add panache to the super cool tee for boys. Made by Kaos and found @ Lil Swanky in sizes 2T-10. Enter code: ttw20 for 20% off.

7 Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kits gleefully prepare 3-5 year olds for the experience of preschool. All four available kits are stocked with hands-on activities. No workbooks! Just plenty of games & toys -along with a colorful guidebook- to get kids motivated and excited for a successful year. Choose from: Following Directions & ABCs and Simple Shapes, Getting Our Hands Ready, or Snip, Glue and Grow. Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off.

8 A flexible outsole joins forces with the rugged glam of shimmery leather and mesh uppers. Glitzy Pets by Stride Rite offer an easy slip-on style with a hook-and-loop strap for a snug fit. Young children will marvel at the shimmer while acquainting themselves with the joy of independent shoe application...helping parents to get out the door a little bit quicker this fall! Buy One Get One 50% Exp. 8/29/10.


This weeks mom tips
Packing your little one’s lunch box for school can be easy and fun!

A healthy lunch has the nutrients and energy children need to grow, learn and play. It usually provides 1/2 to 1/3 of the nutrients and calories children need each day. Parents should aim to hit four to five food groups in your child’s lunch, but don’t fret…it’s easier than you think!

Tips to make lunches healthier include making sandwiches with whole wheat bread, not wheat bread, know the difference between a fruit juice and fruit drink, and make lunches visually appealing (remember you aren’t there to make your child actually eat their lunch). Whole wheat bread has the entire wheat kernel and its naturally occurring nutrients while wheat break contains mostly enriched white flour. Fruit Juice is made only from juice from fruit and contains natural vitamins and nutrients. Fruit drinks are made of mainly sugar and water. Mix it up: color, texture, flavors and shapes. Keep serving sizes small, too. A fun way to get your child to eat the sandwich you prepare is to use large cookie cutters! Cut out their favorite dinosaur shape or a beautiful butterfly…cookie cutters can be found at Target, cooking stores or even dollar stores. Also, think about a small something added to their lunch box that will make them smile…maybe a sticker or a picture of something they love!

Examples of lunches that include five food groups are:

1/2 turkey & cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
baby carrot sticks
100% orange juice box
peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread
banana slices
celery sticks
milk

Remember that as long as you are offering your child healthy food choices every day there is no need to be worried about one particular meal or day. By sitting with your child at regular meal and snack times and being a positive role model for healthy eating they will eventually catch on.


Make the First Day of School Memorable
As the first day of school approaches, many parents are concerned with making sure their kids have everything they need. This includes things such as school supplies, a new backpack, lunch box and new clothes. It is like parents have a mental checklist when preparing for the first day of school. Having a checklist is a great way to make sure everything gets done and kids go to school prepared, however, many parents don’t think about how to make the first day of school memorable for their kids. For most parents, once the lunches are made and the backpacks are packed, the preparation stops, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

Kids love to feel special and the first day of school is the perfect day to do this! One way parents can do this is by fixing their children’s favorite breakfast before they get out of bed on the big day. Things like waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage and toast are usually big hits. Plus, a big nutritious breakfast gives kids the energy they need to get through the exciting day ahead.

Parents can also do small things like putting a short note in their lunch box or backpack to be discovered later at school. It may seem silly, but it can be very comforting for a child to open his lunch box on the first day of school and find a note from mom or dad saying, “I love you” or “I’m thinking about you today.” Sometimes older kids will dismiss the note and later tell their parents it was a silly thing to do, but later on down the road when the children are grown, it’s usually the simple things like this that they remember the most.

One last idea to make the first day of school memorable is to have a celebratory “party” that night. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, maybe a nice dinner with your child’s favorite dessert followed by a movie with ice cream. The point is to find a way to celebrate the end of the first day of school in a fun and memorable way. It’s important to make children feel loved and important and there are many ways for parents to do just that on the first day of school! Sometimes, you just have to think outside the box.

v 6 issue 2: Just for Me

This week we review products that are personalized for your little ones. Products include clothing, room decor and more. Great gifts!


Cover by Keri Walters










1 Stocked with photo albums, insert pages, and accessories, aimeej.com has all the products needed for "remembering made easy". The Kids Album/Scrapbook is covered with a sturdy, handmade construction paper and bound with a corduroy spine. Each album comes with 10 page protectors and white paper to get you started. Can be personalized by adding your child's name, picture, and/or scrapbook kits. Enter code: ttrends for 10% off purchases.

2 Creative Carpet Design lets you design a rug the way YOU want it. Whether you are having trouble finding just the right rug to match decor or need a little inspiration, this is the place to go for a special area rug. Many photos are available on site to get your creative juices flowing. Take a peek! You'll like what you see. Enter code: KTW15 for 15% off purchases.

3 Letter Learning is a teacher created card company using pre-made words to make it easy for children to write independently. Plenty of blank space to personalize to their hearts content. Choose from ala cart cards or purchase a variety gift pack for all occasions. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off purchases.

4 Cute as a bug indeed! Define Me Clothing Company carries adorable graphic tees for both boys and girls. One of our favorites, Cute as a Bug, places a name below the legs of a cute plaid critter. Choose from raglan tees, ringer tees, onesies, or organic. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off purchases.

5 Designed for everyday use, Baby's First Spoon is a 5" stainless steel baby spoon from the design studio of Cristina Ashley. Like other Cristina Ashley designs, the spoon can be hand-stamped with a name or special word. A heavy-duty stature, contemporary shape, and a hand-stamped label may tempt Moms to use the spoon in places you don't want to lose the spoon, but the quality and craftsmanship may make Moms second-guess the decision...this one is too special to lose.

6 Love these labels! Top notch quality and design goes into all the items for sale @ Emily Press Labels. They have stickers and iron-on patches to label anything that needs to be labeled. It's all built to withstand the dishwasher, laundry cycle, microwave, and toddlers. Every label looks great, and kids will love the trendy designs. Enter code: TTW10 for 10% off thru 8/22/10.

7 Children's artwork can be transformed into magnetic refrigerator masterpieces through the help of RuvaCards. This splendid company takes 1, 2, 3...even 4 works of art, shrinks them, places them onto a total of 24 magnets, and stores them into a labeled vintage tin. RuvaCards certainly delivers many great ideas for sharing the joy of children's artwork with family and friends. Enter code: TTW20 for 20% off purchases.

8 Baby Fabulous individually stitches the letters of baby's name onto a cocoa chenille backdrop, frames it with an aqua satin ribbon, then backs and borders the chenille fabric with the aqua and cocoa striped cotton used in the letters. The end product is a cuddly, long-lasting piece of art children will cherish for years to come. Available in two sizes: large (36" x 48" ) or stroller sized (24" x 36"). Enter code: TTW810 for 20% off purchases.


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




Outdoor DIY Projects for Mom
Unfinished Outdoor Projects? DIY Mom to the Rescue!

From planting shrubs to reseeding the lawn, there's plenty that can be done. Don't bother calling a professional - if you do the research and have the experience, you'll have no trouble with these projects.

Planting Shrubbery and Trees
Greenery can make a big difference in the look of your home, and one way to make a big change is by adding new shrubs and small trees. You don't have to be an expert to do it, either. Just get the right tools and do a little research on the plants you're using. Remember that some species are considered invasive, and may need to be avoided if they could spread to other areas, and that in some climates, you'll want to avoid shrubs that require a lot of water.

Ask before you buy to find out the appropriate care for your greenery. Most large plants will be planted in the fall or winter to reduce transplant shock. You may need to get a little help to move bigger shrubs and trees without damage, too.

Seeding the Lawn
If your yard has some unpleasant bare patches or is being overtaken by undesirable plants, it might be time to re-seed. This extremely simple task takes only a little while. You'll need some grass seed appropriate for your lawn, lighting conditions, and local climate. Cut the grass shorter than you usually do, rake to thin the existing turf, then aerate the soil so it's not as compacted. Compost and fertilizer can also be used to improve the soil. Apply the seed, rake loosely, and be sure to apply some compost or peat topdressing. Water frequently, but lightly.