Cool Stuff & Product Reviews

Too Cute Tote for Tots - Little Packrats Backpacks

Posted Fri, 02/19/2010 - 11:05 by Staff

This past week I was in passing time before catching my cab to the airport after a whirlwind trip to NYC. I stopped by an adorable childrens shop called Catfish Greetings on Mulberry Street in NoLita and found an adorable backpack for my daughter. I had never seen these backpacks before and fell in love with one emblazoned with a friendly green alien. The backpack is designed by a company called Little Packrats. The great thing about these backpacks is that they are sized small for toddlers and are square shaped to fit in cubbies at school. Wow, what a great idea!

Felt Toys for Rainy Day Fun

Posted Wed, 02/03/2010 - 12:24 by Staff

I've been searching for some felt play sets for my preschool age daughter. In particular an ABC set. She can now recite the alphabet, but cannot yet identify each letter. So I thought a set of sturdy felt letters, like these made in Germany by Parkhaus ($50 at Eli Phant) might be a good solution. Non plastic and soft, they can be attached to a felt board or simply laid out on a table.

Amazingly Realistic Baby Sculptures & Dolls by Camille Allen

Posted Mon, 01/25/2010 - 21:59 by Staff

Amazing. These are the most real-looking baby sculptures we have ever seen and we couldn't wait to share them with everyone. Finely crafted from clay or resin, these incredible "babies" are created by Camille Allen, from British Columbia, Canada. And, unbelieveably, she is just 28 years old with no children of her own just yet.

Camille works in a large, bright studio in an old building that was built in 1916, with the ocean out the window and the mountains in the background. It's filled with dolls, doll parts and dolls in progress. The tiny babies are crafted with baby wrinkles and even fingernails. These little treasures are very collectible and Camille limits each baby to a limited number, making them very collectible.

All babies range in price but the limited editions start at about $99 and go up from there. One of a kind babies are from $300 up to $4000. To see more of these incredible babies go to Camille's website.http://www.camilleallen.com

Tiny Toms for Kids Provide Shoes to Children in Need

Posted Mon, 01/18/2010 - 10:54 by Staff


TOMS Shoes is a shoemaker that gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair of shoes sold. New to TOMS Shoes is the children's Tiny TOMS line. It is a wonderful gift to provide a child in a third world country with a pair of shoes. Many children in developing countries are at risk of infection when they walk on contaminated soil to school. Providing shoes helps to lead children healthy active lives without risk of injuring their feet.

Appaman Puffy Coat

Posted Thu, 01/07/2010 - 19:26 by Staff


My husband and I searched high and low for a warm winter coat for our daughter. The selection in a mild California climate does not offer many options for warm winter coats except those meant for skiing and snowboarding from stores like REI and North Face. While shopping in downtown Mill Valley at the adorable kids shop, Mill Valley Baby and Kids Company we happened upon the last lonesome winter coat. It was purple! It was size 4T! After much coercing and bribery with a candy cane we got my daughter to try on the coat. It fit with room to grow, so we snatched it up and went happily on our way for some last minute Christmas shopping.

Invasion of the BristleBots Another Great Klutz Book

Posted Sun, 12/06/2009 - 18:41 by Staff

We love Robots and the latest Klutz invention we had a chance to play with, Invasion of the BristleBots, comes with two zippy mini-robots ... basically motorized toothbrush heads ... that zoom around like caffeinated cockroaches, spinning, skittering, and bouncing off walls. Little motors attach to the cute Bristlebot toothbrush heads and wow ... watch them go. This is fun for even the big boys in your house! It's a perfect gift for any boy on your list. Although it is suggested for ages 8 and up, I know of two 7 year olds that will love this.

In Invasion of the Bristlebots, the book offers ideas for robot games and activities: race robots against each other, use the punch-out walls to construct a bristlebot maze, stage a robot sumo-wrestling match. You can even customize your Bots with wire legs, feelers, and beady eyes, that are included with purchase of this great little book, which you could call a toy.

Good Citizenship Flash Cards

Posted Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:49 by Staff

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Swinxs- Get Your Kids Up and Moving with this New Game Console

Posted Mon, 11/23/2009 - 09:52 by kristin

Winter is knocking on the door, and as it approaches our kids are spending more time indoors. The days are are colder, it is is dark much sooner. I find it difficult to keep my kids as active as I do in the Spring and Summer months.

I am always looking for games, and activities to keep them moving and occupied. Well I recently tested a new game console called Swinxs which takes some traditional backyard games and new games and gives them an exciting and updated twist.

What a Beautiful White Wreath from Cardboard Safari

Posted Tue, 11/10/2009 - 10:34 by Staff

Cardboard Safari is a tiny little company located in Charlottesville,Virginia. Drawing inspiration from nature and through the use of sustainable materials, Chris and Luis strive to design fun and fascinating products for your enjoyment. They are constantly coming up with new designs that include new animal figures, home accents and fun gifts.

We love this beautiful White Wreath, which also comes in a nice brown shade for a more natural look and perfect for fall and Thanksgiving decorating. The white wreath will make any door or wall look outstanding during the Christmas, Hanukah and New Year's holiday. Wreath is laser-cut for precision fit and easy assembly using slotted construction. They can be decorated with paint, glitter or other craft materials. Each wreath is made from recycled cardboard, a non-toxic, environmentally friendly product and packaged flat for shipping with detailed instructions. $30.

Rainy Day Fun with Holiday Crafts

Posted Thu, 10/29/2009 - 08:07 by Staff

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