Other Favourites - Kidorable

Kidorable is a company that makes "adorable" kids items such as raincoats, boots, backpacks, bookends, towels and more. They focus on a variety of styles like ladybugs, dinosaurs, firemen, fairies, frogs, etc.

I often see their items up on the discount baby websites and I am extremely interested in their hooded towels. I would love to get H a fireman one and P a butterfly (both pictured above).

I love the bright colours they use and their themes would entice any child.

Take a quick look at their site to see if they have anything that would interest your little one at www.kidorable.com

Shipping to Canada is a flat rate of $15.00, and isn't that bad if you purchase a few items or go in with someone else.

Little Boy Favourites - TRUCKS

I was out for dinner last night with a few friends and one commented that I needed to put up more Little Boy Favourites, so I came home and thought about what Hs favourite toys were and what did I come up with? TRUCKS.
Trucks of any shape, make, colour and material.

So here are a few faves and some neat pluses for each brand that make them parent "friendly" as well!

Sprig Toys
www.sprigtoys.com
-battery-free
-eco-friendly (made from reclaimed plastic and recycled wood, no decorative paint and minimal packaging)
-paint-free
-kid-powered


Green Toys
www.greentoys.com
-use recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in creating the toys
-contain no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA
-designed without any external coatings, eliminating the fear of lead paint
-strive to minimize packaging and are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties


Wow! Toys
www.wowtoys.com
-use high grade materials that are very strong so the toys are durable and don’t break
-no small parts in the toys
-don’t use any toxic materials
-there are no used batteries to throw away either

Bruder Toys
-true to life
-model-sized to encourage children to imitate real life in the form of role plays
-everything - from the initial ideal to production and marketing - is done under one roof at BRUDER's principal offices in Fürth, Germany
-ROADMAX series is designed and has functions for small children

We have trucks from both Sprig and Green Toys, but have yet to try out the Wow! line but have heard great things about them! All but the Sprig line can be puchased from Chapters as well.

Other Favourites - Whimsical Creations

While creeping on Facebook this afternoon I came across a post that a friend, Katie, had written about this company Whimsical Creations. I followed her link and was pleasantly surprised by what I found!

The artist makes things like birth announcements, birthday invitations, save the date (wedding) cards, Christmas cards, and my favourite - personalized wall art. She does all of the creative work, saves it as a digital file and you download it and print it off yourself. How easy?

Today I ordered P one of her cute monogrammed wall art pieces. She custom makes it to your specifications, sends you a proof, you make changes or approve it and then she sends you the actual digital file that you can then print off yourself at a picture store (e.g., Costco, Blacks). For any of the cards, you just send her the pics you would like on them and it is the same process.

This is exactly what I have been looking for for Peyton's room and I am so excited to get the final product.

Two other reasons that I am excited about this company is that I love to support independent businesses and it is Canadian!

Check out her great work on etsy at www.etsy.com/shop/cmalinowski3 or on her webpage at www.whimsicalcreations.ca

She also has a facebook page: www.facebook.com/WhimsicalCreations#!/WhimsicalCreations.ca

Looks Good - Handmade Teddy Bears

Sara sent me some info on some neat teddy bears on etsy.com. She went to school with the artist and thought that this would be something neat for me to share with all of you.

These teddy bears are made by a girl named Jenny Smith. They are absolutely adorable and very unique. They are handmade and come straight from West Hollywood!

They are a bit pricey (range from $30 to $155), but if you are looking for that unique gift to get that special little one, this just may be what you are looking for.

Check out her shop at www.etsy.com/shop/jennysmith1.

Thanks Sara!

Favourite Tips - The Blankie

My kids are both obsessed with their blankies. H takes his EVERYWHERE and especially needs it when he is upset or tired and already P cannot fall asleep without hers (I know everyone, a blanket is a no-no).

Already I am worried about how I am going to send H to school without his blankie (even though it is 2 years away). I was talking about this attachment one day at work and a woman there had a great idea. Her son was super attached to his blankie too, so when it came time for him to go to school, she cut a small piece of it and put it in his pocket. Then when he needed it, he could put his hand in his pocket and feel it and know that it was with him.

LOVE it!!!! What a great tip!

I am definitely going to have to use this when H heads to school!

Looks Good - The Juppy

I saw this interesting contraption on one of the baby sites today that I thought I would share with all of you - The Juppy.

Basically, it is a baby walker for 6-9 month olds that you hold on to as they walk. This eliminates you hunching over holding their arms or hands to help them. It kind of reminds me of a grocery bag, where your child sits in the bag and you hold the handles.

Some features of the juppy is that they fold up easily so they can fit in a purse, are machine washable, come in blue, pink or black and for a bit more money you can even get yours personalized with your child's name. They sell on their website for $29.95 USD.

Not sure that I am 100% sold, but I thought I would throw the product out there for all of you to consider.

Check it out at www.thejuppy.com

Other Favourites - Socks

OK, so I hate to admit it, but I am going to post about kids' socks. Both of my kids have worn a variety of socks and I must say my favourite ones are made by Old Navy and Children's Place.

Now you are probably thinking I am going to write about some funky patterned or coloured socks, but actually, my favourites are the very plain store brand ones. Both are made from a cotton/spandex mix so they stretch and STAY ON! The have a long cuff that can either be pulled up or folded over and they both have their logos on the bottom as grippers. They are nothing great to look at or brag about but I absolutely love how they stay on! Both H and P have a basket full of funky socks, but I continuously find myself reverting back to these ones.

I was on both Old Navy and Children's Place websites today and their socks are actually on sale this week, just $1 at O.N. and $2.50 at C.P.

Run out and get a few pairs soon to keep your little one's tootsies warm this fall!

Little Girl Favourites - Baby Wisp

I have seen these a couple of times on my websites and thought that they looked really neat. They would be perfect for those little girls who really don't have a lot of hair. My P has quite a bit of hair in the back - but not much in the front. What do they call that? Party in the back, business in the front? :)

I am thinking I may give these hair clips a try!

From their website:
Try these no-slip, unmovable baby hair clips that are designed to stay exactly where you put them. They comb into baby wisps and hang on to a single hair by latching down tight without disturbing little heads! Latch clips are an exclusive Baby Wisp innovation that makes the perfect size, weight, and genius engineering for little heads. UNMOVABLE means they don't slip around nor fall off. Topped with a mini bow, you can't get cuter than this. They can Clip onto a single hair!

Check out all of their hair accessories at www.babywisp.com

Little Girl Favourites - Hair Accessories

OK, I love to accessorize!!! I thought I was bad with H and his hats and shoes, but now with a little a girl - I am crazy!

I love the little headbands, shoes, hats and hair clips that are out there for little girls.

Whenever possible I like to shop locally and support people in my community.

Here are a few of my favourite accessory stores around the Barrie area:

1. Charlotte Monkey Creations - This lady makes custom created bows, tutus, clippies and more. She also brings in a variety of other accessories from other suppliers. Just a few of the things that I have purchased from her are a winter monkey hat and pink skull shoes. Check out her facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/CharlotteMonkeyCreations?sk=info

2. Pretty Princess Parties and More - She makes tutu's, headpieces, does party planning and soo much more! So far from this woman I have purchased a few crochet headbands and korkers. Check out her facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Pretty-Princess-Parties-and-MORE/140580402669450?sk=info

3. Tutu Sweet - She makes custom tutus, personalized t shirts/onesies, tote bags, boys "tie" shirts, bow ties, and crochet headbands. From this company I have purchased some crochet headbands (do you see an addiction trend?) and I won an adorable tutu and headband set. Check out her facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150324776058097&set=a.10150324775688097.341087.509048096&type=1#!/TutuSweet1

Two other Canadian companies that make great accessories for girls and boys are:

Kula Klips - www.kulaklips.com
They make cute hair clips, hair bands, belts and more!

Bambino Boutique - www.etsy.com/shop/jonesy7788
They make cute crochet beanies and hats.
Bambino

Favourite Websites - Card Swap

Alyssa shares a new website that she has come across:

"I'm not sure if you've heard of this site (my cousin told me about it and I was reminded about it through a "Mom's Night In" event on facebook). On this site you can purchase gift cards at a discounted price. You can also sell unwanted gift cards but I have only purchased. I received my gift cards in the mail within a few days (they don't charge for shipping) and when I had a small problem with my email address (I made a type-o creating my account), customer service was incredibly helpful!

They have gift cards from clothing stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. It is a Canadian site so most of the gift cards are Canadian. Some cards have great deals, some don't have the greatest discount, but if you shop at these places anyways, the few dollars saved can really add up! I just bought a Boston Pizza $25 gift card and am getting a $10 gift card for free :)"

This sounds like a great site, Alyssa, thanks for sharing it with us!

I am on my way to check it out right now, www.cardswamp.ca ! :)