Just for Girls Archives - Page 13 of 19

Cute and Comfy Pajamas for …

October 3, 2014 By admin

I always pack my favorite pajamas when I travel so when I pack my daughter’s suitcase, I always make sure to bring her favorite comfy pajamas along too.

While my daughter still has a soft spot for princess nightgowns, she likes her pajamas a little more “grown up looking” now that she’s almost five (going on 15…). I sometimes miss seeing her in footsie pjs but I am really enjoying watching her try on new “big-girl” styles like these adorable yet modern Girl’s Side Patch Pajamas from Little Twig and Sparrow (deal alert: Little Twig and Sparrow discount code below).

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Cute and Comfy Pajamas for Little Jetsetters

Made from Peruvian cotton, Little Twig and Sparrow’s pajamas are super soft yet made to last. The patch designs are fun for boys and girls and a refreshing change from the all the kiddie prints. They’re perfect for home or away and each pair comes in its own cotton travel bag so you won’t accidentally forget to pack the top or bottoms. How fun are these boy and girl designs? On some styles, the patches are made out of velour. Too cute!

Ready to snap some up, click https://littletwigandsparrow.com/coupon/twig10 and you’ll automatically save $10 on every pair and receive free shipping!

Cute and Comfy Pajamas for Little Jetsetters

Whether your kids are lounging around the Jacuzzi in a tropical paradise or vegging on the sofa, these pajamas are sure to please. And by the way, while I wish I had a balcony Jacuzzi here in NYC, these pictures were taken on our recent Dominican Republic vacation. More on that to come…

Have a great weekend!

I was not compensated for this post but did receive a pair of pajamas for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Adorable Halloween Costumes …

September 29, 2014 By admin

Tis the season for pumpkins and adorable Halloween costumes!

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Adorable Halloween Costumes for Little Globetrotters

I searched Pinterest high and low and here are my top five Halloween costumes for Globetrotting Kids…

1) This Baby Pilot DIY costume is just perfect for the under-one jet set.

2) How cute is this DIY Mini Eiffel Tower?

3) I just love these little DIY Pan Am Stewardess Costumes.

4) Do your kids love the Disney movie Planes? How about making this DIY Dusty Costume. Perfect for boys or girls.

5) No time to be crafty? This Ride in an Airplane Costume is great for kids of all ages.

What are your kids going to be this year?

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Fall Fun: Pumpkin Picking on …

September 18, 2014 By admin

Back-to-school came and went and now its time for Halloween! Pumpkin picking on Long Island is one of my favorite fall activities but if you wait too long, the pumpkins are picked over and the crowds are crazy. So, pick a weekend (between September 20 and November 2) and head over to Fink’s Country Farm on Eastern Long Island. It’s not too far from the Riverhead outlets so if you’re feeling ambitious you might come home with pumpkins and a few new outfits!

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Pumpkin Picking at Fink’s Farm on Long Island

You’ll want to get there as early as you can (like 9 ish) to avoid crowds and get the best photo ops and pumpkins. The $13.25 admission price includes unlimited access to the Fall Festival weekend activities including Hay Rides, 7-Acre Corn Maze, Pig Races, Animal Farm, Barnyard Bouncer, Corn Crib, Live Music and more. Additional attractions are available for an extra charge including Pony Rides, Face Painting, Fall Photos, U-Pick Pumpkins on the vine, Kiddie Train, Corn Cannon and Pumpkin Slingshot. There are plenty of picnic tables and the food stand serves soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob (delish!) and beverages (get the hot apple cider). The food line was really long the day we went so be prepared to wait or pack a picnic and snacks. Bathrooms are plentiful but they are port-a-potties (I know, I know) and there is an area for diaper changing.

If you’ve got older kids, you might want to bring a flashlight and check out the Spookie Flashlight Maze from 7:30 – 10 pm on October 25th. There is also a regular Flashlight Maze on October 18 from 7:30 – 10pm. And if you visit on Sunday, October 26th there will be trick-or-treating.

There was so much to do and see my daughter was running around checking everything out for hours. She’s a pro at pony rides by now and she enjoyed her first pig race and corn crib. The Animal Farm was pretty extensive and there were plenty of feeding and petting opportunities. The staff was friendly and I loved that it wasn’t as commercial or expensive as many other pumpkin patches on Long Island (you know who you are). We left with three big pumpkins and a bunch of gourds for $12 which I thought was a real bargain when you consider one pumpkin at the Union Square Farmer’s Market is $10+ dollars.

You can also buy Halloween decorations, plants, pies (freshly baked by Mrs. Fink), vegetables, cider and other fall favorites at the farm stand.

There were so many great spots for pictures so bring your camera. Here are some of my favorite photos from our visit…

Need more Halloween inspiration? Check out my post on Halloween costumes and Halloween gift ideas.

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I AM ELEVEN: Sneak peek into …

September 16, 2014 By admin

When I was a new mom, I remember venturing out to the movies to see a documentary called Babies that chronicled the lives of four babies around the world. I was amazed to see how different moms (and babies) had it in other countries (no wipes, no plush stroller buntings, oh my!) but the unifying theme was how the babies were loved and cared for in their communities.

I AM ELEVEN

I recently had the chance to see I AM ELEVEN, a new documentary that follows 11-year olds all over the world and it was a great sneak peek into the future for me. My daughter is almost five now and she’s so grown up in so many ways but clearly she’s still a little girl. Filmmaker Genevieve Bailey traveled to 15 countries to explore the world through the eyes of 11-year olds and the result is a fascinating look at the fleeting moment between childhood and adolescence aka middle childhood.

I loved seeing the children’s different environments and learning about their concerns and hopes for the future. Some children were orphans while others were living pampered lives but the overall message was one of hope, curiosity and excitement for the future. Their dreams varied from becoming a ballet dancer, actress or secret agent to being a famous rapper or getting engaged in college, yet they shared a love of singing and dancing.

The film is currently playing in New York City with plans to open in California this month followed by Boston, Chicago, Washington DC and other markets. I think its a fascinating must-see for children, parents and grandparents so be sure to check it out in a theater near you.

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Personalized Kids Picks for …

August 28, 2014 By admin

Does anyone else have a kid starting Kindergarden next week (OMG!)? I want to make sure that my daughter has an easy time keeping track of all her things in elementary school so I’ve rounded up some of my favorite personalized kids picks for back-to school.

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Personalized Kids Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

Step one…label anything and everything with personalized Mabel’s Labels! These are essential for back-to-school and traveling. When we accidentally left my daughter’s jacket on a tram in Stuart, Florida, I was able to track it down because it was labeled. True story. We’ve been using these sturdy and stylish Mabel’s Labels for the past three years and they really are indestructible. For Pre-K we had girly pink and purple cupcakes from the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo but for K we’re excited to test drive the new Stylish Scholars Combo pack in confetti dreamin’ polka dots. The Skinny-Minis are perfect for lunch containers, water bottles and gadgets, the Tag Mates work nicely on clothes and the waterproof Round Labels are great for shoes and towels. The set also includes two Teeny Tags that can attach to zippers. Thanks Mabel’s Labels for keeping our goods safe!

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Personalized Kids Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

Step two…get a personalized backpack and lunchbox. Since there will be a lot more students and fewer teachers in my daughter’s class this year, I thought a personalized backpack and lunchbox would make things a little easier for everyone. Since she’s just turning five, many of the regular sized backpacks were just too big and many of the small backpacks were too small. After some trials and tribulations, we agreed that a 15″ backpack would be just right and I was very happy when I found the rugged yet cute backpacks from Garnet Hill Kids. Their Backpack Jr. is the perfect size with two large compartments, a built in organizer, padded straps, loops for a lunch box and more. Best of all, it came with a free matching lunch pack (through September 9). Win win! I had both monogrammed and got a matching pencil case too since the lunch pack was free.

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Personalized Kids Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

Step three…add in some personalized school supplies like notebooks and pencils. Frecklebox has some fun personalized notebooks with glossy laminated covers. These work great for travel journals too. Paperwink has the most adorable collection of personalized pencils I’ve ever seen. Traditionalists can choose their child’s name on their favorite color pencil (in 11 color options) but I love the cute “It’s a great day to be (your name here),” “Hooray for (your name here),” and “See (your name here ) write” options. Or create your own personalization up to 32 characters and spaces. They make personalized teacher pencils too which are great for holiday gifts. Save 20% off Paperwink through the end of August with the discount code “SCHOOLED.”

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Globetrotting Mommy: Personalized Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

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Globetrotting Mommy: Personalized Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

Step four…add in a personalized smock for art class. At my daughter’s pre-K, smocks were provided but for her Kindergarden class its BYO. At home she’s fine in an apron or old T-shirt because I control the paint pouring but for school I wanted a waterproof smock with long sleeves that would also be long enough to protect her dresses. I didn’t realize what a tall order that was but once again, Etsy saved the day. I ordered this adorable Extra Long Kids Art Smock with long sleeves in primary chevron from Ladybuglayne with monograming. There are so many cute styles and patterns for babies and children (up to age 9) and best of all, the cotton laminate will be a breeze to clean.

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Personalized Kids Picks for Back-to-School and Traveling

Personalized items make great presents for kids of all ages. What are your favorite personalized items for back-to-school?

I was not compensated for this post but I did receive Mabel’s Labels for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Little Elliot, Big City …

August 26, 2014 By admin

My daughter loves books and I’m always looking for new tales that amuse her and don’t bore me. Since we live in New York City, she especially loves books that feature Manhattan as the backdrop. Little Elliot, Big City, the newest kids book set in The Big Apple, debuts today and we were excited to get a sneak peek!

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Great Books for Globetrotting Tots: Little Elliot, Big City Review

This cute tale is short and sweet with pretty illustrations and an easy to follow story line. Basically, little Elliot the elephant is having a challenging time in the city until he befriends a mouse. Working together, Elliot and the mouse make a great team and become good friends. Its just the right kind of story for the preschool/elementary set who are learning about teamwork and sharing.

We read it on a trip to grandma’s house and my daughter loved pointing out how Elliot was riding the subway like we do and how he was passing the Flatiron building near our apartment. She also liked the other New York landmarks and the old school cars.

Little Elliot, Big City is the first in a three book series by Mike Curato. This is a great addition to my favorite New York City themed books for kids and I think it would make a great gift for any globetrotting babe.

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Spotlight on NYC: Victorian …

August 21, 2014 By admin

One of my favorite spots to disappear in the summer is Central Park. The big boulders, lakes and miles of grass quickly make me forget I’m dead smack in the middle of an urban jungle. After I became a mom, I quickly found out that Central Park is also home to Victorian Gardens, a mini-amusement park (with stellar views!) that is just perfect for the mini-set.

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Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

Victorian Gardens is located at Wollman Rink which is an ice skating rink in the winter. Leave it to the Donald to turn any bit of real estate into a money making enterprise. There is a nice selection of children’s rides (bumper boats, swings, airplanes, roller coaster, train, etc.) and none are too scary so even the littlest kids will be entertained.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

This was my daughter’s third summer visiting and she was especially excited to be tall enough (42 inches) for every single ride! The rides are just perfect for the 2-5 age range but younger kids will be fine riding with parents. Its a very manageable spot with little kids since the rides are all contained in a small area (think ice rink) and the lines are never too long. Pack a lunch and grab a picnic bench or buy food at the concessions stand when you get hungry.

Spotlight on NYC: Victorian Gardens Amusement Park in Central Park

It’s a little pricey for what it is (pay-as-you-go starting at $7 or unlimited wristband options starting at $21) but since you don’t have to drive hours to get there, I think its worth paying up. Kids under 36 inches are free so bring along the little siblings. After a couple of hours, you’ll be ready to go home but don’t say I didn’t warn you if your kids want to stay and climb the nearby boulders for another hour…

If you’ll be near Central Park, check it out before they close on September 7.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach …

August 19, 2014 By admin

We’re heading off on a tropical vacation later this month and I can’t wait. There’s a spa for me, shaded cabanas for my husband, a kids zone for my daughter and a white sand beach for all of us. If you haven’t had your fill of fun in the sun this summer, today I’m sharing my top 10 must haves for a beach getaway with kids…

1) Sunscreen is a must for grown-ups and kids and The Honest Co. makes a great family friendly version. If you’ve got a girly girl in your group, Glitter Tots’ Sparkle Screen is my daughter’s favorite. When she asks for more “skin glitter,” I’m always happy to oblige.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

2) On those days when its chilly coming out of the ocean or pool, I recommend hooded towels for kids. Some of my favorites are from The Company Store, Pottery Barn Kids and Carters.

3) A cute bathing suit is a must have. For moms, Miraclesuit makes some a stylish options that don’t scream “mom.” For fathers and sons who want to be matchy matchy, I am loving the Tom & Teddy line.

Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

4) Hats and sunglasses for the whole family are a must. Flap Happy offers a great hat selection for babies and toddlers and I highly recommend their swim hat and floppy hats with the chin tie. Target also has a great selection of sun hats for the whole family.

5) Beach toys can be as simple as a plastic container or as complex as a fancy kite. You can’t go wrong with Melissa & Doug products and the Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Speck Seahorse Sand Ice Cream Set and Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set are always popular with my daughter and her friends.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

6) For those who haven’t fully mastered the art of swimming, bring along some accessories. For toddlers, I recommend taking along a Stearns Kids Puddle Jumper Life Jacket Vest (one of the few coast guard approved devices) while a backpack type floatation device like the Water Gear Back Float 4-Color Split Back Float is better for new swimmers who want to do more than just doggie paddle. Kickboards are also fun..

7) You’ll need some cute beach bags to carry all your stuff. For kids, I adore the Trunki PaddlePak waterproof backpacks that come in a variety of colors and sizes. They are the perfect size and kids will love the secret compartments and extras like a special tag to hang sunglasses. I also love this Stephen Joseph Mermaid Beach Tote above because the back is made of mesh so the sand stays at the beach. It comes with beach toys and is also available in a cute Shark version.

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Top 10 Must-Haves for a Beach Getaway with Kids

8) Picnics at the beach are great family fun but you want to be careful your food stays nice and cool. I took a PackIt Freezable Picnic Bag to the beach on a super hot day and it did not disappoint. You freeze it overnight and stays cool for up to 10 hours. The Picnic Bag is a great size for a small family but you could also use it for baby bottles/food, drinks and anything else you want to keep cool. They also make lunch bags, shopping bags, wine bags and more which are great for summer or if you live in a warm climate.

9) Cover ups are a must for the whole family. I love the cool cotton kurtas and dresses for kids and adults from Roberta Roller Rabbit. Rash guards are also great for keeping active kids protected when they’re swimming and building sand castles.

10) Nobody wants to bring sand home so don’t forget this trick… Put some baby powder in an old sock and the sand will magically disappear when you wipe the sock across your skin. You’re welcome.

I hope you enjoy your last few trips to the beach…

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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt …

August 14, 2014 By admin

Remember when I was home day after day mending my broken foot aka taking a NYC summer staycation? Well, Morton Salt sent me a care package full of goodies to cheer me up and suggested I throw a playdate party to celebrate the Morton Salt Girl’s 100th birthday! She’s looking pretty good for 100, right?

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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

As I soaked my recuperating foot in Morton Epson salt baths (Eucalyptus and Lavender, yum) I decided that throwing a little DIY Salt Dough party for my daughter and her pal would be a win win. The kids could get crafty, the moms could chat and the mess would be minimal.

I made the dough in advance to keep things easy. Kids plus flour is a dangerous combination in my book but if you’re feeling daring, this is a pretty easy recipe for little hands…

SUPER EASY SALT DOUGH

1 cup of Morton Salt
2 cups of flour
3/4 cup of water

Mix the salt and flour together in a large bowl.
Gradually stir in the water and mix until it forms dough.
Knead the dough and add more flour if it sticks to your hands.
Roll out the dough and separate into individual pieces.
Use cookie cutters or create your own designs.
Bake in oven at 250 degrees for about two hours depending on size.

The girls got right to work with their designs…

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Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

They added in some stones and played while they baked. When they were cool, they added on finishing touches with markers but you could also use paint or glitter glue.

Staycation Ideas 101: DIY Salt Dough with Morton Salt

This is a great project for a rainy day or staycation. I’m sure you already have the supplies so give it a try.

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Back-To-School Giveaway …

August 7, 2014 By admin

I’m super excited to join some of my favorite bloggers for a Back-to-School Giveaway! If you’ve got kids you’re definitely going to want to enter.

It’s time to get ready to head back to school and a group of us got together to share some of our favorite products that make that first day a little easier for both parents and students.

Read on and enter below to win everything on the list…

Now to introduce you to the awesome bloggers hosting this giveaway! Stop by and visit them to say thanks! Destiny of Suburban Wife, City Life, Courtney & Julie of The Chirping Moms, Lyla of Globetrotting Mommy, Kris of My Strange Family, Elizabeth of MommieDe, Esti of Primetime Parenting, Lynda of Main Street Mama and Jessica of Peekababy.

Here’s a breakdown and brief description of the amazing giveaway items…

$50 Stride Rite Gift Card

“A century of quality crafted footwear, designed specifically for kids.” Nothing says Back to School like a new pair of shoes and Stride Rite knows what little feet need.

$100 RUUM Gift Card

American’s Kids Ware ranging from birth to size 14Y this company will have you wishing picture day was everyday. The clothes are casual and stylish with quality at it’s finest.

Mabel’s Labels – choice of Stylish Scholars Combo or Ultimate Back to School Combo

A waterproof, dishwasher safe and microwave safe set of labels to put on anything you don’t want to risk losing. Their slogan is “Labels for the stuff kids lose.” To read a full review please visit Suburban Wife, City Life.

Vamousse – bottle of Lice Prevention and Lice Treatment

No one likes to talk about these unwanted visitors, but it’s best to be prepared and Vamousse helps to take care of both. These products are non-toxic and pesticide free. Killing the lice in as little at 15 minutes. A great secret weapon to have on hand.

BubbleBum – an inflatable car booster seat

This booster seat is the perfect item to have on hand when your child is going to someone else’s house after school or you’re picking up another child for a play-date after school. It meets all US safety testing standards and is appropriate for ages 4-11. To read a full review please visit Globetrotting Mommy.

Spbang – three reusable snack bags

This mom invented, made in the USA, lead free, phthalate free, bpa free and food safe bags are going to make packing lunches so easy. To read a full review please visit MommieDE.

Little MissMatched – backpack of your choice

A new backpack is much more than a place to hold your school supplies, but an expression of your child. These super fun bubble backpacks are not only stylish, but also so roomy!

Peppercorn Kids – $25 Gift Card

Whether you wear a uniform or everyday clothes allowing your child to accessorize shows their personality and fashion sense. Adorable hats, ties and bow ties for the little man of the house or a fun hair accessory or necklace for the little lady.

Skip-Hop – choice of zoo backpack and insulated lunch bag

Skip-Hop has been creating these adorable animal backpacks for years, and they have some new animals they’ve added to the family. Watching as your little one walks into the classroom is a little easier when they are wearing something so cute and functional. The insulated lunch bag is easy to wipe clean and perfect for on the go.

Sneakz Organic – case (12) of Chocolate Milkshake

If you have a picky eater, who loves to drink chocolate milk then you are set! Sneakz Organic combines 4 veggies into a delicious chocolate milkshake making you feel like a sneaky parent!

HABA USA – choice of Wildlife Mini Backpack

Perfect backpack for both school and exploring. A roomy inside with adjustable straps and chest strap there’s no worry for your little one sliding this off before getting to class.

Wall Pops – Learn to Write Chalkboard

You always say don’t write on the wall, but with this we encourage your child to! Wall Pops are easily repositionable and removable.

Raffi – Love Bug CD

Raffi has long been a passionate advocate for children and a sustainable world for today’s youth. ‘Love Bug’ resounds with Child Honouring principles and affirms Raffi’s place as the legendary children’s artist we all know him to be.

We are so grateful to all of the sponsors who are helping to support this giveaway with over $450 worth of products. This giveaway will run till Friday, August 15th at 11:59pm.

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