Great Gifts Archives - Page 5 of 11

Globetrotting Girls: Meet …

April 2, 2015 By admin

If you’ve got a daughter who loves to travel, cook and play with dolls, today is your lucky day! If you don’t already know, each year American Girl introduces a Girl of the Year and the 2015 American Girl doll, Grace Thomas, is my favorite one yet.

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Globetrotting Girls: Meet Grace, the 2015 American Girl Doll

Grace is an enthusiastic girl who loves to bake with friends and invent new recipes. A trip to Paris inspires her to try new things – including turning her passion for baking into a business. Oh la la! I love that she encourages young girls to see the world but I also love that she encourages girls to help hungry kids by hosting bake sales with the For Goodness Bake program.

As always, a whole array of clothing, accessories and books have been introduced for Grace (and girls) including Parisian inspired accessories, chic outfits, a cute travel set and a tres magnifique (and tres expensive) French Bakery. My five-year old daughter and Grace have become fast friends. They practice counting in French, compare charm bracelets, read and bake together. Grace enjoys exploring NYC with us and my daughter enjoys styling Grace’s hair and outfits.

To encourage girls to get baking, American Girl is teaming up with Sur La Table stores nationwide to offer American Girl at Sur La Table: Make & Bake French Treats classes this April and May. In these special two-hour cooking classes, young bakers learn the fundamentals: following recipes, measuring, mixing and working safely in the kitchen. Girls get hands-on in the kitchen, learning the chefs’ secrets for making French pastry favorites including apple tarts, chocolate éclairs and Eiffel Tower cookies. Every girl gets to take home a goodie bag, including an American Girl apron and a cookie cutter from Sur La Table so they can continue their baking adventures at home.

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Globetrotting Girls: Meet Grace, the 2015 American Girl Doll

My daughter and I attended a preview of this baking class in NYC and it was super adorable and yummy. How cute are these Eiffel Tower cookies?

Globetrotting Girls: Meet Grace, the 2015 American Girl Doll

Spots are going fast so reserve your space in the April and May classes online.

Special thanks to American Girl and Sur La Table for a providing us with a complimentary doll and baking class. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Travel Inspired Decor for …

March 11, 2015 By admin

If you’re decorating a nursery or kids room this spring, here are five of my favorite travel inspired decor finds.

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How fun is this iron Pottery Barn Kids USA Shelf for a kids room or playroom?

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

I love seeing globes in kids rooms and this Land of Nod Chalk Around the World Globe (in gold, red or blue) is a great way for kids to draw continents or write to-do notes.

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

These airplane shaped Can’t Miss Wall Hooks are a fun way to help kids hang their coats and backpacks.

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Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

I just ordered this fun “Oh the places you’ll go!” print for my daughter’s room. I’m loving pink and gold for a girly girls room.

Decorating Finds for Travel Inspired Nurseries and Kids Rooms

These giant floor pillows from Etsy come in different sizes and configurations featuring spots all over the world. I think this North America bean bag pillow would be super fun in a playroom or nursery.

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For more inspiration, check out my Fun Nursery and Kids Room Ideas board on Pinterest.

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 …

March 3, 2015 By admin

We’re big LeapFrog fans so when we were asked to review the LeapPad3, I knew my daughter would be up for the challenge.

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Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

I occasionally let her use electronic gadgets at home but when we travel I let her use them as much as she wants on the plane or in the car. We had a 6+ hour road trip planned so I charged it up and surprised her with it as soon as she uttered, “Are we there yet?”.

She was immediately drawn to its child friendly size and cuteness (pretty in pink) and loved the attached stylus (brilliant!). With very little prompting, she was figuring out the various games, apps, videos and camera while learning how to control the stylus and touchscreen. She happily followed each game’s voice instructions and I happily had some uninterrupted time! Win win.

Traveling Toys: LeapPad3 Review

As with other LeapFrog products, the games are fun AND educational. While she was playing she was also learning math, reading and other problem solving skills. My daughter is in Kindergarden and it seemed like she was able to play with every game at various levels. Best of all, the games automatically adjusted to her skill level so there was never any frustration. It comes with 10 preloaded apps and hundreds more are available to download from the LeapFrog library featuring characters from Disney, Nick. Jr., Sesame Street and more. FYI, the games and apps can add up but if you have other LeapPad products your purchases can be shared by up to three devices.

She especially liked a Barbie game where you matched rhyming words, a puzzle game that involved a bit of geometry, the camera app and seeing her favorite shows like Paw Patrol. There was plenty to do without using Wi-Fi but older kids might enjoy playing with their friends online and chatting with other kids who have LeapPads.

I was really impressed with the LeapPad3’s rechargeable battery life (don’t forget to pack the charger) and overall sturdiness. My daughter loved playing with it and I loved that I didn’t have to worry about her venturing off into YouTube videos or deleting my files. The recommended age is 3-9 but I think 4-6 year olds will enjoy it the most. If you’ve got a long trip with little kids coming up, the LeapPad3 makes a great travel companion.

Thanks to LeapFrog for providing us with the LeapPad3. As usual, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Great Gift Ideas for …

February 19, 2015 By admin

If you’re looking for a cute gift for a globetrotting friend, mom or jet set girl, check out this adorable Landmark Ring Dish from Anthropologie featuring a tiny Eiffel Tower.

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Great Gift Idea for Globetrotting Gals

Just stack your rings onto the Eiffel Tower while you do the dishes, change a diaper, or help with an art project and they will be safe and sound when you’re ready to put them back on. Oh la la, perfect!

If you’re shopping for someone dreaming of an African safari, this glitzy Giraffe Trinket Dish would be a big hit.

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Great Gift Ideas for Globetrotting Gals

Enjoy!

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7 A.M. Enfant Introduces …

February 12, 2015 By admin

Urban kids love to ride their scooters all year long (ok maybe not during blizzards) but that can be a real challenge when temps drop. If getting your kids to wear their gloves is a daily battle like it is with my daughter, you (and your kids) are going to love Kids WarMMuffs™ from 7 A.M. Enfant.

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New Winter Must Have for Scooter Loving Kids from 7 A.M. Enfant

You see the cozy and stylish 7 A.M. Enfant Foot Muffs, car seat covers and stroller WarMuffs all over town but this winter, they’ve introduced Kids WarMMuffs™, seriously one of the best kiddie winter accessories I’ve ever seen.

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New Winter Must Have for Scooter Loving Kids from 7 A.M. Enfant

Available in two sizes, these super insulated kid sized WarMMuffs™ feature a velcro closure that allows the muffs to stay on scooter (or bike) handlebars while allowing kids to hold the handlebars at the same time. My daughter has been using them this winter and they are a huge hit. She loves how cozy they feel and I love that I don’t have to worry about any lost mittens. Win win! Her hands stay warm and cozy and she also thinks they make her go a little faster…

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Thanks 7 A.M. Enfant for letting little and big kids get in on your stylish coziness this winter. Now if they would just design some cool parkas for moms…

I received a pair of Kids WarMMuffs™ for review purposes. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

Fun Food Friday: Trader …

January 30, 2015 By admin

Remember my post about Trader Joe’s Chocolate Passport? Today I’m back to tell you about another delicious option for chocolate loving adventurers…Trader Joe’s Takes Flight: A Dark Chocolate Tasting Odyssey.

Fun Food Friday: Trader Joe’s Takes Flight: A Dark Chocolate Tasting Odyssey

I picked one up over the holidays and somehow in all the hustle and bustle, we never broke into it until…the Blizzard of 2015.

This adorable gift set takes you around the world in chocolate. Inside you’ll find seven dark chocolate (70% cacoa) bars featuring exotic flavors, fragrant spices and unique pairings that will transport your taste buds to lands near and far (think Hawaii, Mexico, South America, the Far East and more).

– Salt & Pepper Potato Chip

– Coffee & Cocoa Nib

– Coconut Caramel

– Black Sea Salt Caramel

– Orange Hibiscus

– Almond Ginger

– Chili & Cinnamon

Fun Food Friday: Trader Joe’s Takes Flight: A Dark Chocolate Tasting Odyssey

Some are oozing with caramel while others are spicy or tart but they are all delicious!

If you’re looking for a sweet Valentine’s present for any of your jetsetting friends, this is a great option.

Look online to find the closest Trader Joe’s store in your area.

Have a great weekend!

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Hair Fairy: A Must Have Travel …

December 31, 2014 By admin

There are few parenting tasks more challenging than brushing my daughter’s hair each morning. Her long curly locks are beautiful but maintaining them requires a full arsenal of equipment including the newly discovered Hair Fairy satin pillowcase from Tangle Free Dreams.

Here’s a look at the morning bed head madness I’m talking about pre Hair Fairy…

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Hair Fairy: A Must Have Travel Accessory for Curly Haired Girls

Enter the Hair Fairy, a silky satin pillowcase featuring Harriet, a little doll who fits snugly into the pillow’s corner pocket. It may seem a bit fancy for kids but this standard size pillowcase is machine washable so have no fear.

Hair Fairy: A Must Have Travel Accessory for Curly Haired Girls

When I first heard about the Hair Fairy, I wondered if it would be too good to be true but we took it for a test drive and it really worked. You simply brush the hair before sleeping on the satin pillow. Easy enough!

Hair Fairy: A Must Have Travel Accessory for Curly Haired Girls

In the morning, my daughter woke up with a mostly tame head of hair. We spent a minute brushing out the few tangles that were left and we were ready to go.

Hair Fairy: A Must Have Travel Accessory for Curly Haired Girls

Wondering how it works? The tight weave and high sheen of a Hair Fairy satin pillowcase eliminates the friction that causes hair to become tangled and damaged while sleeping. If you’ve got a curly haired kid, I would recommend using the Hair Fairy pillow at home and away.

I received a Hair Fairy pillow for review purposes. As always, all opinions are mine. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part …

December 18, 2014 By admin

I featured my holiday gift guide for all the kids and parents on your list as well as family friendly gift ideas and today I’m back with some suggestions for the best holiday toys for kids of all ages!

BABIES:

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2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Baby Toys

How cute is Airplane Rattle by Estella? I love that its hand-crafted in Peru by local artists.

The Cheerios Play Book will keep babies entertained as they place Cheerios in patterns and other designs.

The Global Glowball from B. toys is a great musical nightlight for babies that can be used as an interactive musical globe as the child grows.

The states collection from Little Sapling Toys features handcrafted teethers shaped like different states.

LITTLE KIDS:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Toys for Little Kids

Get their creative juices flowing with a Creativity Can loaded with art supplies like pipe cleaners, googly eyes, tissue paper, etc. Choose from the Big Creativity Can or six smaller cans with themes like Build, Motion, Music and more.

Let their imaginations run wild with Magna-Tiles. These are on the pricey side but little kids will love playing with these for years to come. My daughter is a big fan and I love that they are super easy to clean up and store.

Pop up playtents are always fun but with this VW Camper Van Tent, little ones can pretend they’re on the road. So cute!

Here in NYC, every little kid I know rides a scooter and I think the Micro Kickboard Mini Micro 3 in 1 is a great holiday gift for little kids (ages 1-5)

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KIDS:

2014 Holiday Gift Guide Part 3: Best Holiday Toys – Toys for Elementary School Kids

I recently reviewed LeapTV and its a great toy that combines interactive learning with video games. Win-win!

Card games are always fun (and great to bring along on holiday trips and family visits) and my favorites are from eeBoo. The eeBoo Crazy Faces Card Game is a great pick for kids and adults (think Crazy 8 matching the silly faces on the cards). I like their Color Go Fish too which teaches younger kids colors like chartreuse and turquoise.

Bananagrams is a fun game the whole family can enjoy. Young children will have a lot of fun learning new words and practicing their spelling. I love how the pieces zip up in the banana case making it a great game for travel.

Legos were one of my favorite toys and I love to see my daughter’s reaction when we visit the new Lego Flatiron store. Until you have the room and supplies to build a life size Statue of Liberty, start small with the Lego Juniors (great for kids 4-7), colorful Lego Friends sets and traditional Lego sets.

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Wowza Wednesday Holiday …

December 10, 2014 By admin

It’s Giveaway Time, and Suburban Wife, City Life, Globetrotting Mommy, MommaLew, and Tastefully Childish have teamed up with some favorite brands to bring a giveaway like no other. It’s so good we’re calling it the #WowzaGiveaway!

What’s better is we’ve broken it down into 5 different prize packs so we’ll have lucky 5 winners! So scroll down to check out the prize packs and enter today!

Strolling Stylishly Prize:

Britax Affinity Stroller & Cozy Toes

High fashion meets high function in the Affinity Stroller by Britax. This refined, innovative design combines exceptional comfort and durability. Mix and match frame and Color Pack help create a stroller that is both elegant and enviable. Add the Cozy Toes to keep your little one warm and you’re set! Winner gets to pick frame and Color Pack! For a closer look check out Suburban Wife, City Life’s thoughts at the Britax Affinity Launch Here

Wake me up Prize:

Keurig 2.0 550

Say Hello to the Keurig 2.0 K550 Brewing System. The first system that features revolutionary Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology which is designed to “read” the lid of each K-Cup or K-Carafe pack to brew the perfect beverage every time. The K550 brewer allows you to brew a 4-cup carafe with the same ease and convenience of brewing a single-serve cup – all at the touch of a button. It’s so smart, and so simple! Check out Momma Lews thoughts here.

Cuddle Up Prize:

Teleflora Gingerbread Cookie Jar Bouquet

When it comes to decorating for the holiday Teleflora puts thought into each item they create. This is not only a beautiful arrangement, but you’ll be able to store your treats year after year in this adorable cookie jar. Decorating for the holidays is easy and festive with Teleflora and since they use local florists it will be hand delivered and smelling wonderful in no time. For some Teleflora Holiday Decorating Tips check out Suburban Wife, City Life.

Peanut Hottie

2 jars Original Peanut Butter, 2 jars Peanut Butter & Chocolate.

Getting your peanut butter fix just became a whole lot easier. Just add boiling water to make Peanut Hottie at home, work, on the go, anywhere and everywhere. Available in Original Peanut Butter and Peanut Butter & Chocolate flavors it should be on everyone’s Wal-Mart shopping list.

Jennifer Coburn Books

We’ll Always Have Paris is a delightful mother-daughter travel memoir by Jennifer Coburn. Jennifer processes her dad’s death while navigating her way through motherhood and around Europe with her daughter for eight summers. Their adventures are full of colorful locals, visits to familiar tourist sights and many unexpected moments. See Globetrotting Mommy’s review here.

This Christmas is a three-novella collection by Jane Green, Liz Ireland, and Jennifer Coburn

Mom & Me Prize:

Balinese Multi-Strand Necklace

Help meet the unique needs of families worldwide and receive this
gorgeous draped beaded necklace. This necklace is handmade by an artisan
in Bali who helps children get the education she never received
herself.

Piccolini NYC -Kids hot dog, pretzel, green lap tee

A NYC centric curated children’s boutique specializing in the most thoughtful, unique gifts for those looking to set themselves apart from giving the typical presents to kids. You’ll find the perfect “it” gift that includes a dash of nostalgia and a taste of your own personal past brought to life with the collection of kid tees, toys, music, books and more.

TWELVElittle Carry Love Tote

Lightweight, durable and soft, the quilted Cary Love Tote is not only the perfect diaper bag, but it is also an easy everyday tote overall. For each Carry Love Tote Diaper bag sold, 5% proceeds will be donated to Every Mother Counts. Check out Globetrotting Mommy’s thoughts here.

Time for Fun Prize:

Crayola Virtual Design Pro Fashion Set

This will be a hit with any junior fashionista on your holiday list. The kit contains an array of art supplies and fashion template so kids can create their own designs. From there, the designs come alive on the virtual runway thanks to a coordinating app. So much fun for kids and adults too! See what Globetrotting Mommy thinks about it Here!

VTech Kidizoom SmartWatch – Pink

More than just a watch, VTech’s Kidizoom Smartwatch lets young photographers take photos and videos. Plus, play mini learning games and tell time for learning fun on the go!
Wowza, right! We’re so excited about all the items available and hope you are too. So click on the rafflecopter below and start entering! Open to US entries only. Must be 18 or older to enter. Items can not be guaranteed in time for the holiday.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Toys that Travel: Crayola …

December 8, 2014 By admin

If you’re looking for a fun toy that will happily keep your kids entertained at home and away this holiday season, read on to learn about Crayola Virtual Design Pro (and enter to win your own!).