23
Jun

Tea Collection: A Top Pick for Kid’s Clothing

Posted by · Leave a Comment

If pressed to choose a favorite children’s clothing collection from among those I’ve reviewed, global-inspired Tea Collection comes out on top. In 2002 three pima cotton sweaters became the start of a this San Francisco based children’s clothing company which is now offered in specialty and department stores across the U.S., Canada and Australia including Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue.  It’s creators travel the globe to bring inspiration from their travels to the designs and colors in girls, boys, baby and women’s clothing. Anything but ordinary, Tea Collection holds up extremely well; my daughter’s favorite dress is one I reviewed last summer. Now paired with leggings since it’s a bit short, the dress honestly looks as good as new.

When searching for a cool new pick to share, I discovered mix and match sets. Included with leggings and shorts, the Flor Del Mar Pocketdress, Seaside Tile Halter Dress and Palma Playdress became staples of her summer wardrobe. Comfortable, soft and stylish, she’s worn them with leggings during travel, over a bathing suit on the beach and out on the town with mom and dad.  Combining versatility with an unmatched worldly style, Tea also makes great gifts. As I write this post the sale selection summons me with El Gatito 6-Piece Set ($109.50) as a possible winner. Here are some other cool picks:

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

    Cool Tip: Like Tea Collection on Facebook to find out where they’re traveling and what’s new. Stay updated on sales and get shopping; you won’t be disappointed. Also be sure to subscribe to Cool Baby Kid CBK via RSSor email and follow us on Facebook and Twitter too.

     

    Filed Under: Adults Only, Baby Picks, Editor's Picks, Picks & Tips, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , ,
    19
    Jul

    Ice Box Bakery: All Natural Cookies {Giveaway}

    Posted by · 54 Comments

    Jen Bush, a San Francisco Culinary Academy graduate, was disappointed with the amount of  ”processed dough, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, palm shortening, and hydrogenated fats” in so many sweets on the market.  Whipping up a natural version of the good ol’ cookie, Ice Box Bakery uses “only premium, all-natural ingredients, including real creamery butter, pure cane sugar, and pure vanilla.” You can read more about their ingredients. With an affinity for sweet smelling cookies that give families an opportunity to measure, bake and share special treats with each other, she created Ice Box Bakery in 2007. They offer eight varieties of cookies including Deluxe Chocolate Chip, Tart Cherry Pie, Old Time Peanut Butter and even Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip among others.  Ice Box Bakery cookies can be purchased in finer grocery and natural food stores across the US.  Another reason we are fans of Ice Box Bakery is because of their dedication to give back to the community.  Supporting children’s charities is important to Cool Baby Kid so we’re always on the look out for other company who share our mission.  Visit the store locator above to see if Ice Box Bakery cookies are sold at a store near you; you won’t be disappointed.  We tried out the Chocolate Chip and Double Dutch Chocolate. Yum!

    Cool Giveaway: Enter to win your choice of Ice Box Bakery varieties by following them Facebook and/or Twitter and comment back on this post.  Don’t have either? Then check out the site and leave your thoughts back here to enter.  Also be sure to follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitter and/or Facebook and leave a seperate comment for each one. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. U.S. Only. Expires 8/2/10.

    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 winner notification and exclusive discounts and giveaways.

    Filed Under: Family Activities, Giveaways Galore · Tagged With: ,
    13
    Jul

    Family Movie Night: The Jensen Project This Friday

    Posted by · 13 Comments

    Every Monday night we get the bedtime routine completed early and have “Movie Monday” which has become a great family tradition to overcome the Monday morning blues.   Whether a part of family movie night or just a special event, gather your family this Friday for what looks to be an action-packed family film, The Jensen Project airing on NBC this Friday, July 16, 2010 at 8/7c.  And be sure to pick up a Jensen Package Bundle including pizza, popcorn, soda, chips and candy for just $10.

    About the Movie After a 16-year absence, Claire and Matt Thompson are reintroduced to The Jensen Project — a secret community of geniuses conducting advanced underground research to solve the world’s most difficult problems. The former scientists, accompanied by their tech-minded teenage son Brody, are thrust into a frantic pursuit to keep a potentially dangerous technology from falling into the wrong hands. As the family races against the clock to stop the group’s rogue faction, they discover an important truth. In this high-pressure, high-tech world, sometimes the smartest thing we can do is lean on each other.

    Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a The Jensen Project DVD/Soundtrack by watching a video clip and commenting back here about the clip.  Be sure to follow Cool Baby Kid on Twitterand/or Facebook and leave a seperate comment for each one. Check out even more entry possibilities if you’re really determined to win. U.S. Only. Expires 7/16/10.

    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 winner notification and exclusive discounts and giveaways.

    Filed Under: Family Activities · Tagged With:
    23
    Feb

    HIT Entertainment Video Roundup: New and Noteworthy

    Posted by · Leave a Comment

    Does your child love Thomas the Train? Does your child love the water? Well, this is the DVD for you. Join Thomas and friends on some great adventures through puddles, ponds, and even a little splashing game. This DVD has fantastic animation. HIT Entertainment really outdid themselves with the CGI Animation; it feels like you are in the movies. The characters are so realistic. My toddler loved that Thomas looked as though he was taking to him. He loved to meet the new engine, Charlie, and have a sloppy car race with Sir Topham Hat. The Splish, Splash, Splosh Thomas the Train DVD includes great music your children will enjoy, and of course, lessons that make parents proud. Included on this DVD is a game with the Crane and a counting game with Thomas, both educational and enjoyable for your children. The Splish, Splash, Splosh may be one of my favorites yet from the Thomas collection. It gives my son hours of fun, and I have to admit, I did enjoy watching these adventures myself. I recommend to parents who have toddlers and to anyone who know a child that loves Thomas the Train.

    If your child is a Bob the Builder fan, the Best of Bob the Builder is a must. This DVD has hours of adventures, never before seen stories, and bonus feature games. Your child will enjoy 10 of the best episodes of “Bob the Builder” over the past 10 years. Bob and all his friends, Roley, Scoop, Lofty and Muck, Dizzy, and more have loads of fun and learn some important lessons along the way. My favorite episode is when Dizzy goes camping. My son loved that one. I think this episode would be great to have your toddler watch or bring along for their first camping trip. If your child is a builder, then “The House that Lofty built” is the episode for them. My son started to take out his blocks and build his own house after that one. I would recommend this DVD to all the “Bob the Builder” fans for hours of enjoyment.
    Barney’s Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand is a hit with our travel DVD player. I love how this DVD includes Kelly and Chica from the Sprout network. My toddler really thinks of the comforts of home with these familiar characters. We always take it along for some smooth travel. All your favorites are rolled into one, Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina–which makes this DVD a success with both boys and girls. Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand has your child’s favorite characters going on adventures where they need to help others. With Barney and Baby Bop, your children will learn how important it is to clean up after themselves–LOVE IT!! They will learn about the importance of recycling with Kelly and Chica. They even learn more about correct ways to clean up as well as the importance of working together with Bob the Builder and Friends as they get ready for the Grand Opening–of what you ask–I won’t spoil the surprise. This DVD has more adventures with Thomas the Train, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina–all with lessons on how important helping others can be.

    Written by Debby, Cool Baby Kid contributor

    Cool Tip: Purchase Best of Bob the Builder, Thomas the Train Splish, Splash, Splosh and Barney’s Let’s Grow: Lend a Helping Hand on Amazon.com.

    Subscribe to Cool Baby Kid via RSS or email for exclusive discounts. Looking for even more baby equipment picks? We’ve got you covered…

    Filed Under: Baby Picks, Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Family Activities, Gift Guides, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
    15
    Dec

    Baby Genius: Educational Toys for Toddler Too *Top Picks*

    Posted by · Leave a Comment

    While buying for pre-schooler is a breeze, finding toys for the in-betweener isn’t always easy. Not quite baby, but unable to fully enjoy the mirad of 3+ toys out there, toddlers are in a league of their own. You asked, “What about educational toys for toddler?” Our answer is Baby Genius, best known music based educational products for babies and young children and now a brand new toy line sold exclusively at Walmart for this hard to find age group. Our top picks are:

    • Old McVinko’s Musical Farm ($25.00): Get jiggy with Vinko, watch chicken lay eggs and more with a musical version of the good old stand-by. Every kid loves a farm, and toddler is sure to carry this portable one with them wherever they go.
    • Musical Vacuum ($15.00): Help kids get over their fears by letting them vacuum alongside mom or dad with the Baby Genius musical vacuum which plays Mozart as it lights the way. If mom and dad’s cleaner were this much fun they would be fighting over the chore!
    • Baby Genius Pet Care Center ($18.00): I haven’t met a kid that doesn’t love a
      pets…including my own. The Baby Genius Pet Center has been perfect
      for my 3 and 5 year old, who have endlessly been asking for a pet.They love taking care of their new adorable puppy “Melody” and mom loves that it brings out the nurturing qualities in my kids (without any mess!)
    • Singing School Bus ($15.00): Join DJ, Vinko and the rest of the
      crew and sing along with the “Wheels on the Bus” song and get your kid
      excited about school! All the Baby Genius friends are great for
      little hands, and they take them anywhere. Pretend play is a bonus as
      they can board the characters on and off the bus. Little ones will
      love to sing, dance, and play with the singing school bus.

    Written by Cecelia & Lynn, Editor & Contributor

    Thank you Baby Genius for providing these cool toys for review. If you’re looking for other holiday gift ideas, try our multi-blog gift guide.





    Filed Under: Education Corner, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , , , ,
    04
    Dec

    Top Five LeapFrog Learning Toys: Infant to School-Aged Picks

    Posted by · 4 Comments

    Where to begin? With just three days we can hardly do justice to LeapFrog’s extensive selection of educationall toys and games, and choosing just a few is no easy task. We’ve been fans of LeapFrog learning toys long before Cool Baby Kid was born. To help narrow it down for discriminating parents with lots to shop for as the holidays hit and not a lot of time, here are our top ten aside from the Tag and Zippity reviewed earlier this week:

    1. My Pal Violet or Scout is a cuddly, customizable dog which easily connects to the computer to learn your child’s name, songs and more to interact, play games and sing with your child. Scout has become our son’s new best friend…isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Age: 6-36 months

    2. NEW! Chat & Count Cell Phone lets even the smallest member of your family get in on the action by calling their pal Scout. Pressing each number recalls over 15 activities as they sing songs and count objects. For a son obsessed with letters and numbers, it’s perfect.
    Age: 18 Months- 3 Years

    3. Baby Counting Pals hung on the kids’ infant seat and hung out in the car for fun and learning on the go for as long as I can remember. This is our pick for infants this holiday season as it teaches young ones how to count with cute critter friends.
    Age: 3 – 24 Months

    4.     Fridge Phonics Magnetic Alphabet Set was discovered in our family by the babysitter who claimed it to be “the toy all of the kids love most.” After purchasing one ourselves we can verify that “B…b says buh…every letter makes a sound…” is a constant chorus
    in our house and part of the reason our 19 month old can recite and recognize the alphabet.
    Age: 24 Months- 5 Years

    5. Scribble & Write, our most recent LeapFrog purchase, is perfect for travel. As with all LeapFrog products, learning is masked by fun as letter tracing is transformed into a game. Though intended as a Christmas gift, we couldn’t help breaking it out early to take “out to dinner.” If only it could teach the 19 month and 3 year old to share nicely too.
    Age: 3-5 Years

    Smart Tip: LeapFrog Learning path allows users to follow their child’s learning and skills over time by linking their toys to a free online account.



    Filed Under: Baby Picks, Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
    03
    Dec

    LeapFrog Week Continued: Zippity Review & Giveaway

    Posted by · Leave a Comment

    It’s a marriage made it heaven. Two absolute favorites in our house, LeapFrog and Disney, combine for what would be considered our #1 top toy pick of 2009 if it weren’t for the Tag Jr, also by LeapFrog. The Zippity Learning Game consists of a mat and “bopper” which connects to the TV for an interactive experience without comparison. The included games brings the Playhouse Disney characters–Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny–into your child’s world as they jump, bounce, march, twist and turn with their favorite characters. While parents can easily find educational toys and games, they’ll be hard pressed to find one that mimics Zippity’s ability to interact and get kids’ moving.

    In fact, I recently purchased the all new Disney’s Princess and the Frog Zippity Game as a stocking stuffer in anticipation of the movie. Disney Princess and Cars round out the currently selection of Zippity games, but with two levels for each selection, the original will keep kids happy…for now. My 3 year old daughter’s favorites are riding along with Rocket as she steers the spacecraft and dancing with Snow White (Princess game), but pounding in nails by jumping onto the mat with Handy Manny is most fun for me. That is…if I were to play the Zipptiy which of course I do not since the game is obviously for children.

    Bottom line: If you like educational games for kids which get them up and moving around in an interactive way with the TV which they inevitably love) and have a special place in your heart for all things Disney, the Zipptiy is your ticket.


    The Zippity by LeapFrog receives a *Top Pick* designation for being one of our favorite learning toys of all time!

    Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Zippity Learning Game by sharing this giveaway as many times in different ways as you’d like. Use “Tell a Friend” and “Kirtsy” buttons below and comment for each share.

    Extra Entries: Blog about the Cool Baby Kid’s Zippity giveaway with a link to both this post and www.leapfrog.com for three (3) extra entries and remember to leave three separate comments. Become a LeapFrog fan on Facebook and mention Cool Baby kid sent you you for two additional entries, leave a comment for both.

    Find out how to earn even more entries and read the contest rules and disclaimer including how to subscribe for winner notification. Ends 12/11/09. US Residents only.

    Looking for even more giveaways? We’ve got you covered…








    Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler · Tagged With: , , , , , ,
    02
    Dec

    Kicking Off LeapFrog Week with Tag & Tag Jr. {Giveaway}

    Posted by · Leave a Comment

    When putting together our top ten toys of the holiday season, our #1 pick, the Tag Jr. from LeapFrog, was an easy choice. As an educator and mother, who understands the importance of not only teaching children to read but to become lifelong readers, the Tag system is ideal. There are various reading teaching strategies, but our goal with young toddlers is to introduce words, books, and reading. Tag Jr. makes the process fun by its interaction with not just the words but pictures too. By pressing the Tag onto the pages of specially designed books, the words and pictures come alive and the reader is treated to explanations of everything from Sesame Street faces to over 24 activities and 130 audio responses in ABC Animal Orchestra. Each book explores a different preschool skill with titles such as “Pooh Loves To” and “Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What do You see?” While the Tag Jr. system is geared toward young preschoolers ages 2-4, the original Tag for ages 4-8 started the revolution as the #1 best selling reading system. Enter promotional info here.

    Because it seamlessly integrates education with fun, is portable and an overall favorite of our editor’s, the Tag Jr. earns a Cool Baby Kid *Top Pick* for the holiday season and beyond.

    Cool Giveaway: Enter to win a Tag Jr. by watching the Sesame Street Faces demonstration and commenting back here about the video.

    Extra Entries:Become a LeapFrog fan on Facebook and mention Cool Baby kid sent you for two additional entries, leave a comment for both. Find out how to earn even more entries and read the contest rules including how to subscribe for winner notification. Ends 12/11/09.

    Looking for even more giveaways? We’ve got you covered…




    Related Posts with Thumbnails
    Filed Under: Big Kids Corner, Education Corner, Giveaways Galore, Toddler & Preschooler, Top Picks · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
    « Older Posts