Tag: toddlers

Bargain bin: Lands’ End kid’s rain hat

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We’ve seen rain almost every day in June where we are, but we can only hide inside for so long!   We like to pull on our rainboots, grab our umbrellas and splash in the puddles when the skies don’t look so ominous. In a search for bolstering our rain gear, I ran across this great deal at Lands’ End.

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For days when the umbrella just isn’t enough, this print rain hat for kids at only $6.99 would be a great addition to the rain gear stash. Right now, it looks like all the prints are still available, but at that price, I’d totally get a couple in different sizes to grow with us.  My only complaint?  I wish there were more boy-ish prints, although the gender-neutral and girly prints, like this white fruit print, are too cute to pass up.

Sweet Shoes: cute and cool

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

If you’re into cute, yet edgy cool for the kid, I’d suggest checking out Sweet Shoes. Ok, so, nevermind that I just scored a pair of $5 lookalike slip on vans for the boy from H&M (seriously, check out their sale going on right now!), I love the look of Sweet Shoes. I spotted Sweet Shoes not too long ago while on the hunt for a pair of casual shoes. I love that all the little boy shoes all seem to be versatile for coordinating for day-to-day and playwear.
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The wave design in navy are perfect to pair with shorts, yet can be worn well with jeans in the cooler weather, too. Add the convenience of Velcro to a super cool design, Sweet Shoes are on our shoe-shopping list! What can I say, I love cool shoes!

YoBaby, yo baby, yo!

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

A favorite among moms, Stonyfield Farm’s YoBaby organic yogurts, is celebrating 10 years and is changing things up a bit.  Stonyfield Farms is adding Zinc and Vitamin D to YoBaby, the organic and all natural yogurt.   Zinc and Vitamin D are associated with boosting immunity and promoting the development of strong bones and teeth.

Not only is YoBaby getting even healthier, but it’s also sprucing up the packaging a bit.

“You’ll also notice our new packaging reflects this ‘new’ YoBaby,” says Stonyfield Farm President and CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg. “Not only are the new graphics and baby images fun and eye-catching, the materials we’ve used on the top of the pack save more than 17,000 pounds of waste a year.”

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I think the new packaging looks sharp and even more appealing to the eco-conscious consumer.

But oh, Stonyfield Farms’ good news doesn’t stop there. Stonyfield Farms will soon roll out YoBaby Meals, which is described as a 3-in-1 combination of protein-packed yogurt + fruit + veggie purée in one cup. They’ll come in Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato.  This new addition to their line is said to hit select shelves on July 1.

Stonyfield Farms yogurts has been a longtime favorite in our home not only for the delicious yogurt, but also because we appreciate their environmental practices and social responsibility and the fact that they’ve been pioneers in the whole green movement.  (By the way, Hirsberg’s well-received book, Stirring it Up has been on my to-read list for quite some time.)

Oh, and don’t you just love how the yogurt lids talk to you? Speaking of talking to you, has anyone checked out Food Inc. yet? Stonyfield has been promoting the documentary that examines our food system on their yogurt lids. Be sure to check out Stonyfield Farm’s site to check out a trailer for Food Inc. AND to get a few coupons!

Wellness Wednesday: Yummi Bears giveaway

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

I’m bumping this post because I just added some pretty pictures and that they’ll be two winners! see below

yboboxbottleAs this blog continues to grow with leaps and bounds, I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you—my awesome readers, especially my frequent commenters.  All of you rock. And guess what, I’m not the only one who notices your frequent visits and comments on The Next Kid Thing, but so are many of the companies that I’ve been featuring.

I’m sure many of you remember the post from a few weeks ago about the Organic Yummi Bears vitamins by Hero Nutritionals. In case you don’t, let me refresh your memory:

Hero Nutritionals has recently added Yummi Bears Organics to their Yummi Bears Gummy Vitamins product line. The organic option is GMO-Free, as well as allergen, gluten and casein free.  The Yummi Bears Organics are manufactured with natural flavors and colors, too.  The organic product line is gelatin free and vegetarian approved, so parents, rest assured, there are no harmful pesticides, no insecticides, no growth hormones and no antibiotics added to the gummy vitamins.

Well, because today is Wellness Wednesday, I thought I’d announce another great giveaway!  Hero Nutritionals is generously offering a gift basket to one lucky Next Kid Thing reader.  Check out the goodies:

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  • Yummi Bears – Multi Vitamin+ Minerals
  • Yummi Bears – Wholefood (fruits & veggies)
  • Yummi Bears – Omega Fish Free
  • Slice of Life – Multi Vitamin + Lycopene Antioxidant
  • Slice of Life – Energy + B12
  • Slice of Life – Omega 3-6-9 Fish Free
  • With Yummi Bears Organics samples (which aren’t available until August)
  • Plus their mascot Oliver Bear

Seriously, what a great giveaway!

Want to win the giftbasket from Hero Nutritionals?

Visit Yummi Bears and tell me what product you’d like to try for your family.

For additional entries:

1. Tweet about this giveaway

2.  Share this post on any social networking site

3. Sign up to receive my updates via email.

4. Become a fan of NKT on Facebook

5. Tell me the name of the recently launched line of natural gummy vitamins for adults.

6.  Comment on another NKT post and get 2 more entries!

—>**New***Second winner!
Want to win 3 months worth of Yummi Bears?
Tell me your childhood vitamin memories. It can be funny, quirky, crazy…whatever! I’ll pick the second winner at random from the memory entries.

Want to know mine? Uh, when I didn’t like the flavor of my Flintsone Vitamin, I’d stash the uneaten vitamin behind the encyclopedias. (Sorry ’bout that, Mom!)

Please comment for each additional entry and good luck! This contest ends on June 24, 2009.

Want a chance to win a Spa Finder Giftcard or Hero Nutritionals goodies, among other things?  Be sure to sign up for their Sunshine Drawing!

And a big thanks to Hero Nutritionals!
************This contest is closed*************

<br /> The numbers generated by this widget come from RANDOM.ORG’s true random number generator.<br />

Stella McCartney goes ga ga for Gap

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Fashionista mamas, take note:  famed designer, Stella McCartney, will design a collection for GapKids and babyGap. The line is expected to launch in late 2009, and will be carried in select GapKids and babyGap stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as online.

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A few years ago, McCartney designed a highly coveted line for H&M that literally flew off the shelves. The affordability factor for McCartney’s designs that the H&M venture provided was, perhaps, one of the biggest selling points for that line.  McCartney, a mom herself, said “I believe that kids clothing should be more accessibly priced, which is particularly important at the moment given the current climate.” I have no doubt this collection is going to be just as popular as the H&M collaboration, and I can’t wait to see what she conjures up!

Flippin’ sweet

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

We have a blue rhinoceros hanging in our bathroom—a cute, blue rhinoceros to be exact.

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FlipperWe were recently sent a Flipper Toothbrush Holder to try out, and it’s been a fun accessory for our toothbrush-loving tot.

Our guy enjoys brushing his teeth so much, but he doesn’t get the importance of keeping the toothbrush sanitized in the bathroom or that you can’t clean the windowsill with it, either. In fact, he conveniently hides his brush in his toybox, or better yet, under the couch after he’s finished. (yuck!)

The Flipper has helped to remedy this problem. The animal-themed toothbrush holder wards off nasty bacteria, while the handy suction cups on the back provide an easy-to-find placement on our bathroom mirror. So, what was once a problem, the Flipper now makes for a fun addition to the little dude’s toothbrushing experience–no more playing “let’s find the kid’s toothbrush in the toybox” anymore.

Also, since we travel frequently to visit family back in Virginia, the Flipper is compact enough as a toothbrush cover, too. I’m all about multi-purposing gadgets!

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The functional toothbrush holder works well with standard kiddie brushes, but we just so happen to use the Hasbro Toothtunes at the moment. Because that toothbrush is a little bulkier, the Flipper doesn’t close all the way, but it still holds well on the bathroom mirror! It’s fun, functional and a great addition to our toothbrushing routine.

I bet kids of all ages and their parents would enjoy the functionality and fun of the Flipper Toothbrush holder.

Flipper offers various animal designs, as well as several other functional products. The Flipper can be bought at stores such as Urban Outfitters, Babies ‘R’ Us, Target and Amazon.

Update:  want a Flipper for yourself or your kiddo?  please use the code “next kid thing” for a 10% discount on their site!

Soft Spot for Real World Wonders

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Real World Wonders has launched a line of plush toys that also educate about wildlife conservation. There are currently 16 different Real World Wonders plush toys that are inspired by real animals from the Amazon, Galapagos Islands, North America, Arctic and Antarctic regions. Each character in these “gangs” comes with fun facts about the species and their habitats.

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I’ll always have a soft spot for stuffed animals, especially now that the little guy is becoming more cognizant of the many different types of animals. There are so many great plush toys out on the market, but Real World Wonders has a new take on things. My favorite has to be Ruby RedRed-Footed Booby. Say that 10 times!

Rocking the ruffle

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Ruffles are a spring trend that’s overlapping into summer.  Nothing says girly quite like ruffles; it’s no wonder ruffles are everywhere lately.   And since summer is all about being fun and whimsical, these ruffle dresses from Baby Eggi certainly rocks this girly trend.

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Looking for a little more edge?  How about this butterfly dress featuring artwork by famed tatoo artist Mark Maloney and for the dudes, this Tee-Rex. (heh, get it? Tee-Rex!)

If you’re in the NYC area, starting tomorrow, Baby Eggi will be having a sample sale.

Baby Eggi sample sale
June 9-12
boys & girls 12 mos – 4T
Tues – Thurs 10:00am – 7:00pm / Fri. 8:00am – 5:00pm
141 West 36th Street – Suite. 1804 NYC
Prices:  $3- $15

*A big thanks to Brett for forwarding me the Baby Eggi email and reminding me of the awesomeness that is Baby Eggi.

Happy 90th Birthday, Richard Scarry!

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

June 5th marks what would have been the 90th birthday of beloved children’s author and illustrator, Richard Scarry. Scarry made continues to make an impact on generations of children by creating more than 300 books that have sold over 200 million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages.

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Today, in celebration of Richard Scarry’s birthday, Sterling Publishing Co. is holding a one-day contest. Just for today, they’re giving away 90 Richard Scarry books in honor of his 90th birthday. But the celebration doesn’t end there: for 90 days in June, July and August everyone is encouraged to celebrate Richard Scarry’s life and work by having “A Very Scarry Summer.” Check out their site for more giveaways and some downloadable Richard Scarry fun.

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This is one of those times that makes me nostalgic for my books from my childhood that were thrown away or sold at yard sales. I treasured several of Richard Scarry’s books, but especially The Great Big Schoolbook. I’d flip through the giant, oversized pages over and over, studying each illustration, hoping to discover a new character or detail I might have missed earlier.

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“I’m not interested in creating a book that is read once and then placed on the shelf and forgotten,” Richard Scarry once said. “I am very happy when people write that they have worn out my books, or that they are held together by Scotch tape. I consider that the ultimate compliment.”

Mr. Scarry, I am one of “those” readers. And clearly, I’m not alone.

Oh, and how fun is this?  Richard Scarry illustrations set to one of my favorite songs ever!