Reviews for Fashion Accessories
At some point during grade school and certainly by middle school, many girls become interested in body care and beauty products. But have you ever read the labels on the bottles of your typical body wash, moisturizing lotion, shampoo or conditioner? You’ve probably found that most of the ingredients are almost impossible to pronounce. In fact, some of them, like Paraben, Phthalate, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth, and Sulfate, can be downright dangerous! Two moms concerned about these health and safety issues developed Sparklehearts — a new line of beauty products that appeals to girls, and eases the minds of those who love them. Made in the U.S.A from 99.6% natural organic ingredients, such as, evening primrose, sweet almond protein, violet extract, rosemary, shea butter, green tea, sage, nettle extract and willow bark, Sparklehearts products are worry-free, and still do what they are intended to do. Hillary Orr and Darcy McMahon put a lot of time into the vibrant, playful packaging of the line, so that a girl (lets say, ages 7-14), would want to use them. And the positive message (”sparklehearts,” representing inner beauty), as well as the “back to basics” ingredients, make them a winning product and a perfect gift for girls. Oh, and they smell great, too! Currently the line includes: Bubbly Blooms Body Wash, Shine Shampoo, Rainbow Soft Conditioner, Sweet Hearts Sparkly Lotion and Peace Out No Knots Hair Detangler.
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Some preschool and elementary school kids are learning Spanish words and phrases as part of their curriculum. These Use Your Words™ Kids Shirts by Whimsical Walney are another tool to help teach kids Spanish one word at a time, while also being fun and fashionable. The shirts come in short-sleeve or long-sleeve, and are made of high quality extra soft interlock cotton. The collars on the girls’ shirts are narrow, and would be considered more of a dressy tee. Each shirt features a perfectly clear and pleasing to the eye illustration of the thing to be accompanied by its English or Spanish word. You can choose shirts from three categories, such as Fruits & Vegetables, Professions, and Whimsical. Our daughter loves her long-sleeve watermelon shirt, which is white, and features a big chunk of watermelon in the middle of it. Underneath the image, in a playful yet clear lower-case font, reads “la sandia” — or you can also have it say “watermelon.” Choose Firefighter, from the Professions category, and the shirt will feature a firefighter’s hat, with “soy bombero” beneath it. Or choose Bubbles, from the Whimsical category, and the shirt will feature a bubble wand with floating bubbles and “las burbujas” beneath it. We should note that some styles are also being offered in French as well. Choose from size 6 months to 4. Muy Bueno, Whimsical Walney!
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Do you find yourself constantly pulling your grandkid’s pants up? If so, there’s a belt that can help with the droops, while also promoting independence and boosting self-esteem. Myself Belts (for both girls and boys), enables young kids to fasten the belt themselves and keep their pants up — and make a fun fashion statement to boot! Once the belt is secured, young boys and girls will need only one hand to fasten and unfasten their Myself Belt, making trips to the potty a breeze. Myself Belt also works well for kids who are still in diapers, since parents, grandparents and caregivers don’t have to wrestle with traditional buckles during diaper changes. Here’s how this patented belt works: Secure the Myself Belt by snapping the end of it around the front belt loop on the child’s left, keeping the velcro facing out. Then slide the rest of the belt through the remaining loops. Then join the ends together and secure the belt using the velcro patches. All your grandchild will need to do is manipulate the velcro, which should be a snap… or a peel, since we’re dealing with velcro! Myself Belt’s signature product is intended for kids ages 2-8 (see size chart) and comes in many designs to suit the pickiest and most fashion-conscious boys and girls. Our daughter loves her pink corduroy belt, shown here. This small gift could make a big difference in a little kid’s wardrobe!
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Peg Loom -- Weaving for Beginners$20 at Amazon.com |
We love Harrisville Designs’ fiber arts kits that teach children how to use their hands to make something functional and beautiful. This Peg Loom kit for beginners (ages 5 and up) is just one of several weaving kits Harrisville sells, in addition to kits for making potholders, knitting, felt making, and more. It includes a child-size handheld hardwood loom with slanted pegs to hold yarn in place, as well as a plastic needle, cotton warp string, and enough yarn to complete a project. This weaving method is easy and satisfying for younger children to use — threading the needle over and under the warp string until they produce their own fabric. And, with a little help from you, they can transform that fabric into their own textile product! Peg Loom and other fiber arts projects help your grandchild to develop fine motor, basic math and concentration skills. And, as an added bonus, they have great intergenerational appeal — it’s easy to envision a grandparent or parent sitting with a child to guide them through a weaving project. While they go about their business of producing high quality knitting yarns and handweaving equipment for both children and adults (check out their website to see their full-size looms and other products), Harrisville Designs is helping to preserve the textile heritage of its town, Harrisville, New Hampshire, where yarn has been spun since 1794. In an age where so many children’s toy and product manufacturers struggle to design something new, it’s refreshing to promote a line of products that keeps an ancient art current, making it available to an appreciative new generation, as well as their parents and grandparents.
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First of all, we love the entrepreneurial success story behind this product. Louise Stall, the inventor of CARES — Kids Fly Safe airline safety harness, is a grandmother of 9 who was inspired to make airplane travel safer for her own grandchildren and for all young children. As she watched her own kids struggle to fly with her small grandchildren, Louise recognized a problem that most of us have encountered. Normal airline seat belts are not safe for toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s nearly impossible to lug a car seat onto the plane along with carry-ons and children themselves. Sketches and work to file for a patent eventually led to a partnership with AmSafe who also manufactures most of the airline seat belts found on today’s flights. After 4 years of developing and testing the prototypes for safety, the FAA certified the CARES system as the first and only alternative to car seats allowed on planes. The best thing about the CARES system, aside from peace of mind, is that it weighs just one pound. It’s packaged in a small nylon travel pouch with an instructional dvd and a safety card similar to the one found on airplanes. It can fit easily in a carry-on bag or can even be carried by your grandchild. When installed, the restraint system itself looks similar to a 5-point harness system used in an infant or toddler/convertible car seat. It should be noted that installation varies slightly depending on the type of airline seats and tray tables on the plane (and this is clearly diagrammed on the instructional safety card). On seats with a “non-recessed” tray table the CARES is installed under the tray table of the person behind you (allowing that person to use the tray table). Thus the CARES can be used throughout the entire flight. On seats where the with a “recessed” tray table, the CARES is installed over the tray table, thus it can only be used during taxi, takeoff and landing. Cares is designed for children age 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. Louise and her family-run business suggest that airlines should be required to carry and offer the CARES restraint to any child flying with them who fits that profile — and that sounds good to us. In the meantime, if you have grandchildren who fall in that range consider presenting them (and their parents!) with this gift of safety and convenience, invented and brought to market by a concerned and industrious grandparent — bravo!
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We love trying out products invented by parents who were inspired by their kids. In this case, it’s Little Capers — spawned from a mom whose toddler boy went through a typical superhero phase, set on wearing dish towel capes clipped to his shirt… anywhere. She had to do something! Many of us moms can relate, often feeling compelled to placate our young heroes with very un-original, un-stylish, and un-comfortable polyester costumes of superheroes who shall remain un-named. Alas, there is hope for our little heroes! Little Capers are 100% cotton, stylish T-shirts (with velcro-attached matching shiny capes) adorned with original positive hero-like images, such as a star, the earth, a peace sign or a thunderbolt. The shirts come in both short and long sleeves, and girl and boy colors and styles. Better yet, they’re made in Los Angeles, U.S.A. in a “non-sweatshop” facility. Choose from infant sizes (without capes), on up to size 8. My daughter loves her black with pink and sparkly silver star shirt, and I love that it’s stylish and can be worn with our without the pink sparkly cape. I also love that the message it sends is nonviolent and noncommercial — almost impossible these days. With this gift, you and your grandchild will both be heroes!
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Since Spring sprung, my friend has been raving about her new JJ Cole Bundle Me Lite infant car seat and stroller cover, so I decided to have a look (and a zip!) for myself. Well, it sure is handy — perfect for those times of year when frigid temps are only found in overly air conditioned buildings, or for those of you who are lucky enough to live in a civilized climate year-round. Most moms will tell you that the best thing about car seat covers is that they don’t need to struggle to put a jacket on their baby before they run out the door. But once the thaw begins and the winter covers become too warm, they have to resort to using light blankets instead, which get kicked off readily and need to be constantly adjusted. Similar to the original BundleMe (and other car seat and stroller covers) for cold weather, the BundleMe Lite attaches to your grandchild’s infant car seat (or stroller) with ease, using the car seat’s straps, but not interfering with its safety mechanisms. Your tiniest grandchild will be strapped in securely and surrounded by the BundleMe Lite. The BundleMe Lite’s inner fabric and nylon backing are new and improved, making it super comfortable in warmer temps. It’s like a windbreaker with a thin soft cotton inner lining. The outer layer is wind and water resistant but still light, so it’s great for cooler days or evenings, or a quick dash in a light drizzle. The BundleMe Lite is also helpful in the summertime to protect baby from sunburn (infants are typically too young for sunscreen), and to provide a cool, breathable layer between your grandchild’s backside and the car seat or stroller. And let’s not forget that the BundleMe Lite looks great! Shown here in graphite, the outer layer sports some nice designer stitching. The new mom in your life may not know she needs the BundleMe Lite, but once you present it to her, she’ll have a new “spring” in her step, and will be off to tell her friends about it!
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Deglingos are the most creatively designed plush stuffed animals on the market today. Whether you choose familiar creatures, like Nonos The Dog, Ronronos The Cat, Lapinos the Bunny or Milkos the Cow — or less traditional friends, like Molos The Lobster (see photo), Pikos The Hedgehog, Ratos The Rat, BigBos The Wolf, or Chikos The Hen — be prepared to adjust your thinking on what plush toys, or stuffed animals, are all about. Yes, Deglingos are perfect for cuddling, but they’re also conversation starters. These animals have personalities (sense of humor included), giving you and your grandchild a starting-off point for imaginary play. We could go on and on about the wide varieties of colors and quality fabrics used to create these unique designs and personalities, but you should see for yourself. Deglingos are sure to delight!
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You may have noticed that flip-flops have become the footwear of choice for many teenage girls and young women over the past few years — even in cooler months. These flip-flop socks are a great gift for your older granddaughter, allowing her to extend her flip-flop season, while ensuring her tootsies stay snug. The socks are made in Japan — the official home of this style of footwear, and come in neutral-colored patterns (green leaves or blue leaves), as well as cute frog or rabbit patterns. Of course, the cotton, nylon and polyester blend socks feature a separate section for your granddaughter’s big toe. They are 13″ long and should fit most teenage, college-age and mom-size feet. We should note that we’re not condoning flip-flop use in the snow, but we do understand the importance of fashion for teens. With these socks, your granddaughter will be a trend setter at school and beyond. And you’ll feel great about how practical they are!
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The mom & dad team who designed the new Burp Armor burp cloth take the “armor” part of their product’s name seriously. Burp Armor is the ultimate protection from everyday dribble. The product is shaped to rest securely on your shoulder and to cover body surfaces that are typically victimized. Furthermore, Burp Armor’s quality construction allows it to stay in place. It’s made with two layers of hemp/organic cotton fleece on top, plus a single layer of hemp/organic cotton corduroy that provides the unique non-slip undersurface. Burp Armor also has baby’s wellbeing and comfort in mind. The cloths are pre-washed in fragrance- and perfume-free soap and are incredibly soft — so much so that when they retire from active duty, they can easily become a favorite “lovey” for babies and toddlers. And of course, Burp Armor products are beautifully designed. Fashion-conscious parents will love the “natural” color main fabric combined with any one of several fun borders, such as “creamsicle stripe” and “candy stitch.” Finally, Burp Armor comes all wrapped up and delivered in a beautiful eco-friendly package. Burp Armor is a perfect baby gift — it’s new and hip, yet it’s also amazingly practical. What more could a new mom ask for?!
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