Need Winter Boots? Quick, Head to Stride Rite!

November 18, 2014 by 3 Comments

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Disclosure- I received the below  in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. Please see “Disclose” tab for more info.

stride riteWe all know that with winter upon us, snow will follow (and for some, it has already started).  You don’t want your little ones to be without snow boots when the time comes, so if you haven’t yet, grab a pair.  We just got these Merrell Snowbank Waterproof Boots from Stride Rite, and my son says they are super warm.

While we have not had the chance to test them in the snow yet (thankfully) we did try them in the rain, and his feet stayed dry.  I also like the way they look- very cute.

stride rite bootsA bit more info on the shoes-

“The kid’s Snowbank mixes function and fashion. The elastic cord and lock lacing system offer a secure fit and cool look. This boot is great for winter weather because it features M-Select DRY and M-Select WARM to keep his feet comfy, cozy and away from moisture.”
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‘Tis the Season For New Shineys

November 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Looking to stuff a few stockings?  Deck the halls, and put some great presents under the tree?  Check out these fun ideas for the upcoming holiday season.

pic4If your kids are into anime, all things Japanese, or simply cute plush toys, you will want to hear about Rilakkuma.  Rilakkuma is very popular in Japan, and is now available in the USA as well.  The story of Rilakkuma is pretty simple- three friends who live in Tokyo with a hard working woman named Kaoru. They go on adventures together, and make mischief while Kaoru is working. Known as a “mysterious brand”, although I’m not sure why, honestly, Rilakkuma and friends have been “a staple in the Japanese market” for more then ten years, according to David Ringer, CEO/President of AQI.  Now that they are here in the USA, you can find out what they are all about with your kids- and honestly, tweens and teens should be interested in this as well, anime and Japanese crossovers are popular with many kids in that age group.

The friends Rilakkuma, Korilakkuma and Kiiroitori (two bears and a chick) love going on adventures, and encourage your child to be imaginative and creative in thinking up new ones as often as they would like. (They are also fun to cuddle with, and Rilakkuma has a zipper in it’s back for hiding or toting small treasures).

Rilakkuma and friends are currently available at FAO Schwarz and Hot Topic from $8.99 to $199.99 in price.

20141009_200040For adorable stocking stuffers, head to http://www.schleich-s.com/en/US/ and find all sorts of creatures, animals, and your favorite cartoon characters in figurine form.  Schleich, makers of realistic collectable figurines and toys, caries everything from Smurfs to chickens to unicorns and more.  If your child (or collector friend) is into it, they likely carry it.  Some of the most popular items are the riding sets, horses, and Peanuts characters.  The riding sets come with a horse and rider, with details so intricate you know that they were designed by an artist. They also come with harness, saddle, and everything you could need for your duo to ride into victory.  You can buy the horses and humans separately of course as well.  The horses come in breeds, and are again very detailed, as are all Schliech products.  These are both heavier then your average plastic toy and collector quality, nice items that you gift-ee will cherish.
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Rilakkuma and Friends – a unique holiday gift

November 18, 2014 by Leave a Comment

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It’s about that time of year, where we are all looking for the perfect gift.  Some people are easier to shop for then others.  Kids can be easy- or not so much.  Tweens and teens can be harder to shop for as well.  I recently discovered Rilakkuma, a Japanese brand that is now here in America as well.  With so many cartoons and toys made popular in Japan that have become hits here in the USA, Rilakkuma caught my eye.

japanese toysIf your kids are into anime, all things Japanese, or simply cute plush toys, you will want to hear about Rilakkuma.  Rilakkuma is very popular in Japan, and is now available in the USA as well.  The story of Rilakkuma is pretty simple- three friends who live in Tokyo with a hard working woman named Kaoru. They go on adventures together, and make mischief while Kaoru is working. Known as a “mysterious brand”, although I’m not sure why, honestly, Rilakkuma and friends have been “a staple in the Japanese market” for more then ten years, according to David Ringer, CEO/President of AQI.  Now that they are here in the USA, you can find out what they are all about with your kids- and honestly, tweens and teens should be interested in this as well, anime and Japanese crossovers are popular with many kids in that age group.
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Win a Frankie the Fox Twilight Buddies Sleep Cuddle Toy

November 12, 2014 by 38 Comments

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So, what does the fox say?  This one doesn’t say a thing, thankfully- but it will help your little one drift off to sleep.  One of the latest from Cloud B, trusted maker of bedtime buddies, this super soft and snuggly friend is part stuffed animal, part soothing sound machine, but all calming, routine keeping, rest inducing cuddles.

10 13 14 091Frankie the Fox is a plush that offers tranquil sounds to help calm and comfort children to sleep, a perfect companion for a calm and restful night for both kids and parents.  Every child needs a special lovey when they go off toy bed, why not choose one that will help them drift off to sleep as well?  With all the travel that comes with the holidays, this little guy is perfect, and your child won’t want to be without him.
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Playmobile Toys- Fun Sets for Everyone

November 6, 2014 by 2 Comments

There are tons of toys out there that have international appeal but none with quite the same depth and broad range of toys as Playmobile. With each toy set that is released, the universe gets bigger and bigger and some of the most recent sets includes motors or stow away in an easy way. Today we are looking at the new RC Pirate Ship with Underwater motor and the My Secret Dragon’s Lair Play Box. Both of which are great fun for kids of all ages.

pic6

First up we will take a look at the huge RC pirate ship. This pirate ship has tons of details and tons of accessories to make play time as a pirate a blast. There is even a cannon! The pirate ship itself is about 4 feet long and about as high once put together. The process ot put it together doesn’t take too long the most difficult part being tying off the ropes in the proper way to make the sails look real and complete the pirate ship feel of the toy. But even that is easy to follow so don’t panic.
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