Entries in reviews (2)

Monday
Nov232009

My Picks for Holiday Gifts for Girls

Having been blessed with two little girls, it was only fitting that I share my top picks for holiday girl gifts. Find everything from unique, affordable ideas to perfect splurge presents for the princesses in your life. In addition to these, think about creating a yearly tradition where you get each child a special vintage book or a matching pair of family pajamas, whatever you decide, these traditions will help create a sense of history and solidify the family memories you are creating. Happy Holidays! Enjoy! 

NEWBORN

Under $25.00

Sophie the Giraffe

Sophie is the perfect toy for the newborn baby. Mamas everywhere are talking about how attracted and enthralled their little ones are with this giraffes charismatic face. They love to stare and babble with their new friend and it makes a great teether too!

Ultimate Splurge

 K's Kids Ryan Activity Center

Let your newborn be enthralled with this beautiful zebra which has tons of toys and accessories that will grow with your little one. From just hanging out on their play mat to a great companion while they're on tummy time to a fantastic ride on toy, this gift will last for years and years!

6-12 MONTHS

Under $25.00Madame Alexander Baby Doll

Don't think that your baby is too young for their first doll, especially this one! I was shocked when my 9 month old A got her first doll and absolutely adored it. She would take it everywhere with her! And this Madame Alexander doll is just perfect for little ones. It is soft and snuggly with an adorable face they will just fall in love with. This one is hard to find, so don't wait too long to snatch one up!

Ultimate Splurge 

Activity CubeThis activity cube is the best we have found and no playroom is complete without these reliable toys. Not only does it give you several activities from which to choose from and learn, this cube has storage bins and wheels making it easy to move. The top can even be flipped for additional storage, a huge bonus!

1-2 YEARS

Under $25.00

Rainbow Bead Abacus

Small tots will love sliding the colorful beads over and side to side. Watch how they use their little fingers to grab one or a few. Not only will these toys help fine tune their motor skills, but as they grow older, the abacus can be used to teach colors, counting and eventually more complex math skills.

Ultimate Splurge 

Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse DomeHours of stimulating play and a perfect hide-away! Activities on both the inside and outside encourage physical and cognitive development through rewarding, imaginative play. It includes ball play, shape sorting, posting and peek-a-boo games in bright colors with fun light and sounds.

3-4 YEARS

Under $25.00

 

Minnie Mouse Cash Register

What a fantastic value! This toy will get hours and hours of use as they mimic one of your favorite activities/chores - shopping! They will be fascinated with the buttons, accessories and moving parts. T

Ultimate Splurge

Wooden Doll House

So beautiful, so classic, she'll treasure this wood dollhouse forever. Heirloom-quality craftsmanship with everything included!. Loaded with darling touches that inspire imaginative play: a garage, patio, gardening tools, even a vacuum and ironing board. We are buying our own little girl her first dollhouse and I have spent months finding the perfect one at the best value. This one cannot be beat!

Sustainable Bamboo Sunshine Doll House

I couldn't help but include this masterpiece, although it is a bit of a splurge! It is the first of it's kind, sustainable dollhouse offering children eco-friendly materials combined with contemporary designs and modern technology. The Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse from Hape International is a step above the rest with its working solar panels and an add-on greenhouse in which children can really grow small plants herbs or wheatgrass. 
Let your tot fascinate themselves with role play with all their is to offer!

5-6 YEARS

Under $25.00

Rose Tin Tea Set & Carry Case

Little girls love playing tea party. Look at this fabulous set we found. The details are extraordinary and the price is just right! It will look like a vintage set from decades ago, ready to become a cherished heirloom!

Ultimate Splurge

Princess Play TentWhat a magnificent addition to any girls room or play area. This gorgeous tent will transform any space and open little girls imaginations as they create world's of their own.
 

7-9 YEARS

Under $25.00

Paper Recycling Studio

This fun and educational toy will teach girls how to recycle and create their own paper. They will be amazed at the beautiful stationary they can create by adding in their own decorative objects and embedding different materials.

Ultimate Splurge

Doorway Circus Puppet Theater

Another fantastic toy so kids can express their creativity and personality. This wonderful theater will inspire them to imagine and recreate stories and plays in their own unique way.

10-12 YEARS

Under $25.00

Fairy Sadie Jewelry Box

A delicate fairy print adds a sweet touch to this jewelry box. Perfect for storing kids' most treasured items, the box is lined with velvet and has an interior mirror and a ballerina that spins to Beethoven's Fur Elise

Ultimate Splurge

Ultimate Pottery Wheel

Let your little one discover their inner potter! This wonderful toy will engage their artistic side while learning the physics of making pottery. The perfect tool to capture their attention and imagination! 

13-15 YEARS

Under $25.00

Crushed Glitter Belt

No matter their style, this belt will make any girl happy and give a sparkle to her day. From spunky punk rocker to preppy vintage diva, the glitter belt will accessorize and finish any look!

Ultimate Splurge

Ribbon-tied Long Pearl Necklace

An instant heirloom, this a necklace she'll wear forever. And she'll never forget opening the delicate box it came in. Freshwater pearls are tied with a beautiful grey grosgrain ribbon. 

 

Monday
Aug242009

A's First Movie, Ponyo

So it was the last week of summer break and I was starting to run out of activities for us to do, especially since the Miami summer heat was in full force and the killer mosquitos had only died down slightly. A movie sounded like the perfect plan. A and I hadn’t been to one since she was four or five months old when I used to roll her in to a Tuesday matinee so I could have some “me” time and she would snooze happily in her stroller. Looking back, I’m sorry I didn’t do that more often! A few movies had come and gone that I thought I should try to venture out with her to but when I saw the trailer for “Ponyo”, I knew we had hit the jackpot.

She adores watching Nemo on DVD so what could be better than a cute goldfish/mermaid tale with no real villain?! On top of that baby C was being generously taken by my father-in-law and his mate for the weekend so we could head off to Disney (more on that soon) so I had A all to myself the afternoon before our big trip. I was hoping she would enjoy the activity since her reaction would only foretell what was to happen later that weekend.

Without ruining the movie, the main plot revolves around a cute goldfish/mermaid that wants to become a girl. The Little Mermaid was based on the same Hans Christian Anderson fable but what is great about Ponyo and what makes it perfect for toddlers is the innocence of the characters, their unique personailities and strengths, the scaled down scariness factor and most importantly the vivid animation that almost feels like you are watching a watercolor come to life. Japanese Hayao Miyazaki's, the acclaimed writer and director, is a true genius and if you haven’t seen any of his work like me, I can assure you will feel like you have never seen anything like it before. I was mostly absorbed with watching A’s reaction to the film and seeing her ooohs and aaahhs but I was also fully entertained by the tale and it’s beautiful visions.

As you may have guessed, A absolutely loved the film. As we walked into the theatre (I had shown her the trailer a few times before), she kept saying “Ponyo’s House, Mami?”. It was adorable. I got her a way too big popcorn bag and a lemonade that could have quenched the thirst of a lion and she was in heaven from the moment the previews came on. We were the last people to leave the theatre as she wouldn’t let me leave until the screen had gone black and even then still inquired “More Ponyo Please, Mami??!” We talked about it the whole ride home and I have a feeling she dreamed of gliding gilded goldfishes in a deep blue ocean that night.

And as she slept, my husband and I prepared for our next big adventure with her – her first trip to Disney World. I’ll be working on that posting in the next couple of days. (This one is being written as Senor drives back down but unfortunately my computer’s battery is about to die so I’ll have to wait for that recap). I guess I’ll get back to being an annoying backseat driver for now.