Since 2007 we’ve only reviewed a handful of products and companies multiple times. Some meet multiple cool criteria; such is the case with Princess Linens. After checking out My First Scrubs I later purchased the Green Camo Doodlebag as a personalized birthday gift perfect for kids on the go. Most recently my daughter had an opportunity to sport Princess Linens Pink Stripe Crayon Apron, an inventive and personalizable place to store crayons for easy reach. Paired with an easel, it makes drawing time a breeze and less messy affair. Crayons stay (for the most part) in their place with this “big girl” apron.

I’m amazed at the variety of unique offerings from this site and had a hard time narrowing down a cool picks list to just a few items. For birthday gifts, personalized baby gifts and other “wow factor” ideas, here are a few favorites:

• Lunch Totes: Write a message on the chalkboard lid of these boys and girls totes.
• Chef Aprons & Hats: Choose from blue or red varieties for budding chefs.
• Crayon Keepers: My personal Princess Linens favorite.
• Personalized Bib/Burp Set: I’m a sucker for adorable, personalized gifts.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a personalized Pink Stripe Crayon Apron by commenting on this post.  Expires 8/4/11.

• Like Princess Linens on Twitter
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Read the contest rules and prize claim information as we announce winners on Prizey.net. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win.

Cool Tip: My daughter owns two Disney Princess & Me dolls (Sleeping Beauty and Tiana, pictured) with Ariel on her way for a birthday present later this month. Find out where to purchase Princess & Me dolls.

As a teacher, along with colleagues, I started a program for middle schoolers called GIRLS Night Out which, an overnight “lock in” filled with activities and educational sessions to empower girls to make good decision entering high school. And while the boys wanted to know “Where’s boys night?” we did feel a special responsibility encourage positive role models for these young women. I feel a special connection to companies who similarly aim to empower girls of all ages such as Girls LoveFrogs Too or Go! Go! Sport Girls who “send a positive message about a healthy lifestyle – physically, mentally and emotionally – through sports.”

A line of dolls for young girls which encourage sports like golf, soccer and track, in addition to dance, gymnastics and others, Go! Go! Sports Girls was created by a coach and mom, Jodi Norgaard, whose Girls on the Run program “encourages girls to make healthy choices in life through running.” Also a runner, I hope my own children take up the sport someday and think both Jodi’s coaching program and new venture are fabulous.

For under $20 The Girls make great stocking stuffers or birthday gifts that you can feel good about with a portion of proceeds going to charity such as Girls Inc. Purchase Go! Go! Sports Girl – Golfer Girl – Brooke (pictured) through our Amazon affiliate link.

Cool Tip: Learn how to help your child succeed at sports on their special parent section.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for additional giveaways and exclusive discounts.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Go Go Sports doll of your choice by becoming a fan of their Facebook page. If you do not Facebook visit their site and comment below with your thoughts. US Only. Expires 12/6/10. Follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and Facebook for extra entries. Be sure to leave a separate comment for each. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win and be sure to read the contest rules and prize claim information.

I’ve known them for years…my friend Debby, even my own sister Jena…but for some reason these Vera Bradley devotees never infiltrated my own closet. Then last Christmas Debby gave me the Vera Bradley Zip Around Wallet and said, “It’s the perfect wallet for moms.” Not sure exactly what she meant, I transferred everything into it and have never looked back. Sometimes it plays the role of a wallet residing in my purse, but other times when I’m heading out with both kids in tow it travels alones with the accompanying strap making hands unnecessary. Perfect for moms on the go. Fast forward to the present where the Vera train has undeniably picked up another passenger. Some of my favorite products include:

• Large Duffle in Baroque (pictured above) great for weekend getaways like my recent trip to PSU.
• Cooler in Baroque making a fashion statement in the otherwise fashionless faculty lounge.
• Side by Side Tote in Very Berry Paisley (below) which I use as a purse/diaper bag with side pockets perfect for sippy cups.

Later this week when our gift guide is released Vera Bradley will be featured as a gift for mom offering many gift ideas and categories such as mom and baby, school and office and even for the techie. With distinctive patterns grounded in two women’s desire to create more feminine looking luggage, more than 27 years later an idea in an airport has grown to the most recognizable quilted cotton luggage, handbags and accessories on the planet. While their handbags are well known, the Vera Bradley  line includes so much more that it’s nearly impossible to spotlight even a fraction of their cool offerings in one short review. Start with what’s new, visit the links above and enjoy sustaining your own Vera love affair or becoming a new fan like myself.

Cool Tip: Follow Vera Bradley on Twitter and Facebook for news and updates.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSSor email for additional giveaways and exclusive discounts.

In a few days our 2010 Holiday Gift guide will include our top picks from the Time to Play Holiday Showcase and favorite product spotlights from throughout the year. One standout, Oregon Scientific, included a table filled with electronic goodies and kids laptops, from Barbie to Batman. But since our daughter has been flying around the house since the release of the Great Fairy Rescue,  the Tinker Bell products caught my eye. With the opportunity to try out the TinkerBell Little Learner Laptop, I can verify it will be included in the 3+ section of our Gift Guide. A perfect size for travel with a handle making it super portable, surprisingly the strap and flower lock seems to be our daughter’s (age 4) favorite feature. The keyboard, arranged from A to Z to help with alphabet familiarity, along with an LCD screen, gives little learners a jumpstart on memory and counting including eight total games. A timely learning toy capitalizing on the current Tinker Bell craze, priced under $20, will also make our upcoming “Birthday Gifts Under $20″ gift guide due to it’s appeal to preschoolers and portability.

Cool Tip: Purchase  the TinkerBell Little Learner Laptop directly from Oregon Scientific.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or emailfor additional giveaways exclusive discounts and giveaways.

Like a big sister or trusted friend, the Real Tooth Fairies have the ability to become your daughter or son’s favorite new buddy. One visit to the website and it’s easy to see how integrated and magical the resource can be for your child. Once registered, a Real Tooth Fairy is matched to each user, each with a different personality such as Gwendolyn, the glamour and fashion fairy and scientist who creates her own make-up formulas. From there a variety of activities possible ranging from the ability to receive real letters from your tooth fairy for any accomplishment such as loosing a tooth to getting good grades. The Real Tooth Fairies message of kindness extends into your child’s real life as they earn ribbons for spreading kindness such as writing a thank you note or helping mom and dad with chores. Starter Kits, while not required to visit and interact with the Real Tooth Fairies, give parents everything needed to bring the fairytale friendship into the real world.

There are plenty of other activities as well such as creating a dream tree and a VIP membership where your girl (or boy) can customize their own Real Fairyland. Having spoken to the head of the Earth Ambassador to Queen Serona, the leader of Real Fairyland, it is clear the magic of this new virtual world is rooted in family tradition. The author of each Real Tooth Fairy book, daughter to the Earth Ambassador, is obviously a talented storyteller as the books bring the magic into your home in a tangible way. And while there is a lot of ground to cover with this unique world that gives your child the opportunity to spread kindness and interact with his or her Real Tooth Fairy, exploring the site and it’s resources is a worthwhile endeavor for all earthly children.

Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Real Tooth Fairy Prize pack by visiting the site and commenting back here with your thoughts.Expires 11/9/10. Prize Pack Includes:

• Twinkle Becomes A Real Tooth Fairy: Award Winning Book with Free charm! Plus Together Times Activity
• Magical World of the Real Tooth Fairies Award Winning Book! Plus Together Times Activity
• 1 Month Upgrade VIP Membership Online
• 5 Magic Letter Credits
• Kindness Kit Level 1-Ladybug: 6 Kindness Award Ribbons, Ladybug Charm, & Kindness Bracelet

Disclosure: Sample products were provided for review purposes through Team Mom; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or emailfor additional giveaways exclusive discounts and giveaways.

It’s no secret Cool Baby Kid partner Pink Bowtique is our source for boutique hair bows but they also have other girlie accessories too. We’re into headbands lately and wanted to share some of their selections. We clip the flowers to hard headbands and occasionally use the soft ones too. Even though these are geared for baby older girls can use them as well. Halloween Baby Headbands (Boo! pictured) and Holiday Baby Girl Headbands like adorable Candy Cane Kisses are some of our favorites plus Flower Baby Headbands for baby and toddler too.

Some other non-bow accessories worth noting are their tutus and matching tutus which are very reasonable priced as well as the cutest baby girl gifts you’ve ever seen! Need something more custom? Made to match allows you to choose ribbon, flower color and more. Also be sure to check out Pink Bowtique’s clearance section for flowers and bows on sale at incredibly low prices.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer and frequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for additional giveaways exclusive discounts and giveaways.

While I realize Halloween is still two months away, it’s my firm belief that holiday shopping can never start too early. Last year we attended the Time to Play Holiday Showcase and watched the Toy Guy share the hottest toys of the season.  Alternatively, a few weeks ago when I opened a box and pulled out  Squinkie Surprize! Inside Bubble Pack, my first thought was “this is going to be a hot holiday toy.”  Toy Guy take note…we’ve tons of toys, and Squinkies Surprize! Inside, manufactured by Blip Toys, are going to be the next big thing.

Squinkies are soft, squishy micro dolls that come in “bubble packs” or with playsets and bracelets.  There are collections of adorable Squikies such as babies, pets or ponies identifiable by number and searchable on their website by most wanted and most popular.  ”Surprize Inside” refers to the unique packaging of Squinkies in mini bubbles and the playshouses in which you place a coin to have a surprise Squinkie arrive at the door.  Choose from Gumball Surprize! Bake Shop, Gumball Surprize! Playhouse or Playset or Tea Time Surprize! Playset that each come with their own set of Squinkie dolls.

We personally tried our the Gumball Surprize! Playhouse  and our four year old never seems to tire of inserting the Squinkie coin (use pennies or dimes too) and turning the dial to find a Squinkie surprise at the door.  She is also a fan of the Princess Surprize! Bracelet…just attach the included Squinkie princess, slipper, castle or crown to the link which then attaches to the bracelet.  Each bracelet set (Birthday Surprize!, Fantasy Surprize! and Princess Surprize!) also comes with a ring as well.   Her favorite Squinkies at the moment seem to be the Under the Sea Surprize! mermaid and dolphin that came with a shell carrying case.  My holiday list includes the Royal Friends Surprize! crown case since princesses are all the range in our house.

So here’s a bold prediciton, Squinkies Suprize! Inside are going to be one of the hot toys for the holiday this year! So should you immediately jump into the car to line up at

Cool Giveaway: Enter for your chance to win the grand prize (pictured above) or one of five (5) runner-up prizes (pictured below) by visiting Squinkies site and commenting back here with the assigned number of your favorite character doll.  The Grand Prize includes one Squinkies Gumball Surprize! Playhouse, one Squinkies Share N Wear Jewelry Surprize, one Tea Time Surprize Playset  and one Squinkies Jewel Case Surprize!  Runner up prizes include one Squinkies Surprize Inside 16 Doll Bubble Pack.Expires 8/20/10.  US Residents Only.

Extra Entries: Become a Squinkie Surprize! Inside Facebook fan (tell them we sent you) and/or follow on Twitter or follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and/or Facebook and leave a seperate comment for each extra entry. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win and be sure to read the contest rules.

Disclosure: A sample product was provided for review purposes; all opinions are 100% ours. Read our full disclaimer andfrequently asked questions and be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for winner notification and exclusive discounts and giveaways.