droolicious : toddler

Driving Summer Into Town With One Sweet Top

JeanneSager — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Childhood obesity may have stolen some of the ice cream truck's thunder, but there's no need to worry about sticky hands or stuck out bellies with this sweet tee.

A retro top made from soft cotton that's lightweight enough for ice cream-friendly days, it's part of Appaman's new line for summer. The truck will drive over in onesie form only online, but you can load up on toppings for bigger cones, er, kids in stores (locate one by zip code here).

Afraid the wait will make you melt? Get the onesie from Black Wagon for $28.

A Shirt For Little Mischief Makers

JeanneSager — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:06:00 GMT

So it's been really quiet in the other room, and you know your kid must be up to something. Throw this t-shirt on them and the whole world will know your kid has spunk with a capital "S."

From the hilarious Ex Boyfriend Collection, the "Now Accepting Henchman Applications" tee is made for mini mischief makers in sizes extra small to extra large. Mommies and Daddies need not apply.

Get it from the Ex Boyfriend Collection in your little imp's favorite color for $24.99.

Get a 'Peace' of This Puppy

JeanneSager — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:30:00 GMT

I've seen some kooky recreations of the peace symbol, but this canine critter takes the cake.

The Peace Puppy tee from Buddhi Wear will center your little pup for some serious downward dog.

Made of organic cotton, the youth tees come in peaceful sky blue or natural, or you can stretch your way over to pick up a Peace Kitty tee.

The tees are $28.50, and for every purchase, Buddhi Wear plants a tree! We give this tee . . . and the tree . . . two woofs up.

Check out more peaceful tees for tots:
The Best Woodstock Tees for The Fortieth Anniversary

This Toddler Boy Shirt Rocks

Cathy Hale — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Your little boy will be the envy of rockers when he struts his stuff in this cool Rock Guitar Shirt from Baby Nay. It's a button-down plaid shirt with a big colorful guitar on the back. He will make a statement coming and going! There's also a matching onesie for his rockin' little bro. Retails for $36 at Dimples & Dandelions.

When She's Sweet as Guava Jelly

JeanneSager — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:23:00 GMT

She may be made of sugar and spice, but you want your girl to stand out, don't you? So skip the sweet as pie tees and go for this twist on an old favorite.

Thanks to Surf Shack Baby, you can tell the world your girl's "Sweet as Guava Jelly."

The new line of wear for moms, dads, girls and boys who like to ride the waves offers up one hundred percent cotton softness and a little bit of sass.

Get the Sweet as Guava Jelly in 2T to 7 for $22 (with free shipping), and check out Surf Shack Baby's tees for her brother too.

Cold Peas for Banged-Up Knees

JeanneSager — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:29:00 GMT

When a boo-boo hurts, the hardest part is keeping our kids still so we can treat the hurt. Not anymore.

The new additions to the Cold Peas Therapy Line from CVS (its cute critters were introduced here on Babble by our editor Gwynne earlier this year) keep the cool right on the most painful bump or bruise thanks to adjustable elastic straps in kid sizes. So no more trying to make an adult-sized injury pack work for your tot, just slip on a youth bundle of frozen peas. Added bonus? These won't spoil from too much time on your tot. Pea shaped and sized, the little balls inside these packs conform to their joints just like the real thing, but they're not.

So while your kids are whimpering and whining, the soothing cool of the fresh-out-of-the-fridge "peas" pack is freezing the boo boo right out of your boo.

Get the peas for knees or the pack for ankles straight from CVS at $9.99.

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Didn't Feel a Thing

JeanneSager — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:22:00 GMT

Shorts weather can't come a moment too soon for little kids who have been cooped up all winter long. What am I saying - shorts weather can't come too soon for Mom and Dad! So start stocking up with our seven favorite shorts for little legs.

A little ruffle goes a long way with a skort that keeps her undies under wraps.

The skorts from Ouch come in six funky colors - from yummy chocolate to fabulous fuschia - and it doesn't hurt that they're stocked with flair for girls three months to six years. One hundred percent cotton to keep them cool, the bottom layer is a short, the top a skirt, making these a totally retrolicious skort (remember those?).

Prices vary by size, but you're looking at $39 to $41 - check out all the colors here.

A Look Back at the Past Six of the Seven Days of Shorts:

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: The Perfect Fit

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Bermuda, Bahama

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Track 'Em Down

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Mini Mobster

And come back tomorrow for the Droolicious version of a baker's dozen: a look at Target's new shorts line

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Mini Mobster

JeanneSager — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:28:00 GMT

Leave the canoli, take these Knuckleheads pinstripes and stock them in his dresser.

The cotton shorts breathe to keep little boys cool this summer, and the retro white on black stripes make mobster style sweet.

Available in six months to seven years for $43 with an elastic back to make these last all summer long (and maybe into next year), you can get them from Psychobaby.

Check Out More of the Seven Days of Shorts (and come back tomorrow for the next in line):

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: The Perfect Fit

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Bermuda, Bahama

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Track 'Em Down

JeanneSager — Fri, 08 May 2009 13:01:00 GMT

Just one look at these little track shorts, and it's June, the end of first grade. Summer's almost here, and my little legs are loving the sun's kisses.

Yes, track shorts are back, although thankfully it's a trend that is not returning to the basketball court (please, tell me we never have to see the likes of Larry Bird's thighs again!). Tea Collection's little cotton numbers are perfect for slipping under a girl's dress for protecting her, ahem, femininity or wearing as a regular pair of shorts that keep her cool on a hot day.

Machine washable with an elastic waistband, Tea's tiny throwbacks have improved on the real thing - no hot nylon track shorts for your kids!

Get them in a solid color or truly taste the seventies and eighties with bright chrysanthemums. Either way, they're $19, and the elastic waistband means you might get two summers out of these.

Check Out More of the Seven Days of Shorts (and come back tomorrow for the next in line):

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: The Perfect Fit

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Bermuda, Bahama

Wireless Wheeling for the Backseat Driver

JeanneSager — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:06:00 GMT

They've graduated to forward-facing, and now your tot is telling you how to go and where? Let your backseat driver take the wheel with this wireless farmyard set with their own mini steering wheel.

Hang the Tiny Love Wonder Wheel Farmyard board on the back of your seat and hand them the wheel, so they can get to work pressing buttons to make Old McDonald sing, the puppy bark, the cow moo and the whole thing light up. Thanks to the wireless set up, kids can hand the wheel back and forth to each other so everyone in the backseat has a go. They'll be so wrapped up in the lights and music, they'll forget to ask "are we there yet?"

Get it from Student Market for $29.95.

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Bermuda, Bahama

JeanneSager — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

No man is an island, but these little Bermudas can make even the staycation set live out their island dreams.

The funky cotton shorts from Lola et Moi sport an elastic waistband to keep things up and a big retro button closure (backed by an easy slide in and out clasp for little hands to manage).

Machine washable with an adjustable waist, the Bermudas are available in pink and blue at Lola et Moi for $88.

Check Out More of the Seven Days of Shorts (and come back tomorrow for the next in line):

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: The Perfect Fit

JeanneSager — Wed, 06 May 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Imagine not fighting with those little buttons on the inside of the waistband or yanking on drawstrings to keep little shorts on little hips. Land's End's new line of X-Act fit shorts for girls and boys does it the old-fashioned way. Velcro - which is easier for little hands and Mom and Dad's fingers.

Made from nylon, the Land's End X-Act Fit are swim-ready, with a panty liner for the girls, a mesh liner for the boys. But they move on land too, with sweet flower prints and solid numbers for girls and a Hawaiian flair for your little man.

All shorts have UPF 50 for extra protection for sensitive kid skin. Get 'em for girls at Land's End.com in sizes 4 to 16 or for boys in 2T to XL. Priced at $25.50, not bad for shorts that do all that work!

Check Out More of the Seven Days of Shorts (and come back tomorrow for the next in line):

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Dapper Dons and Donnas

JeanneSager — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Think summer, and I think crisp linen, cool on a hot day. It's classic - and thanks to Little Linens, it's hip too - with their one hundred percent linen bermudas.

With button adjustments to keep the waist tight, they hit just above the knee and swing to let a little breeze in when the light linen isn't enough to keep them cool. Perfect for a summer wedding for your little boy or a summer barbecue with Mom and Dad for your little girl.

The London-based company sells to boutiques throughout the states or you can get them shipped in from across the pond for kids infant through age thirteen. Get 10 percent off when you use the code X2007 at checkout.

7 Days of the Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

7 Days of The Best Shorts for Summer: Surf's Up

JeanneSager — Mon, 04 May 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Let his wild animal out with the Zoo Keeper Boardie from Haiden Surf. Designed for boys, we love that the whole line of lightweight surfwear works for girls too - just throw a sweet tee on top and the zebra stripes roam the tampas.

Available in infant sizes or toddler sizes up to age 7, get them from Haiden Surf (and check back throughout the week as we go long on the shorts).

Going Bananas for Play-Doh's Spring Line

JeanneSager — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:01:00 GMT

It's so not cool to say you're jealous of your kids, right? I don't care: all I ever got was those little plastic pots of Play-Doh. And after seeing the spring line of Play-Doh toys from Playskool, I AM jealous.

For starters, I'm being forced to live out my monkey madness through my daughter's new Coco-Nutty Monkey, a little critter that grows Play-Doh hair and a Play-Doh tongue. Tap his cute little tail, and he starts clapping, making Play-Doh shapes out of the interchangeable molds you strap onto his hands. As if that isn't enough of an improvement over our old Play-Doh snakes, the monkey's island home is full of molds, including a tiki torch that sports its own hair-raising lid.

For the kids who prefer their Play-Doh as a dish served cold, the Spaghetti Factory will hit the spot thanks to a meatball maker that rolls out perfectly round balls of Doh and presses for ragged-edged ravioli. With everything they need to cook you a special dish, right down to slotted spoons and veggie molds, they'll make you a meal that's on the house.

Both are available from Amazon - the Spaghetti Factory is $21.39, and the Coco-Nutty Monkey is half that at $10.49. Eat your jealous heart out Mom and Dad!

Tutu That You Can Do

JeanneSager — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:04:00 GMT

I'm here to put an end to the mystery of the endless layers of tulle in your little girl's tutu.

Kerri's Kreations sells a line of tutus that are dripping in little girl, but she's done one better for the parents who always want another challenge.

Due to popular demand (and hundreds of questions from parents like me who can't make heads or tails out of all that tulle), Kerri's rolled out a set of instructions, available for purchase straight from her site, that detail how to make your own pettiskirt (yes, they're the same thing).

"Late one night while doing some research, I came across a thread on a sewing forum with several woman asking for advice because they were extremely frustrated with the instructions posted on Martha Stewart's Website," Kerri explains. Gee, we can't imagine how anyone could be befuddled when faced with trying to Martha-ize themselves (snort).

"I offered some advice and some condensed instructions and answered a few questions," Kerri says. "Next thing I know, I start receiving e-mail after e-mail with questions from women needing instruction or advice about making the skirts."

An idea was born. You can still buy one of her sweet skirts, but you get Kerri by ponying up for her tutorial - which comes with access to her head full of all things tutu. You need at least a basic grasp on crafting to get through this one, but she breaks it all down for you - from the type of thread to buy to the type of fabric (chiffon, she explains much softer on their little kid skin than tulle, by the way - see, just why we need her!).

And when you're done, you never have to tell where all that crafting know-how came from. Just answer your friends admiration of her sweet little pile of froth with, "that old thing? I made it myself. I know a lady who could help you make one . . . "

Get the details from Kerri's Kreations for $19.95 (enter the words FREESHIP at checkout, this comes as a PDF, so there are no shipping charges).

Go Green in a Flash

JeanneSager — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:32:00 GMT

Going green is a big job for little kids, but you can make it easy on them with this set of 52 flashcard tips.

With kid-friendly pictures on one side and eco-friendly ideas on the other, the flashcards from Easy Going Green Kids help kids navigate the right and wrong way to manage every day tasks like brushing their teeth (turn off the water) and finishing up a can of juice (crush it and chuck it into the recycling bin).

One part memory tester game, one part challenge for them to develop new ideas, the Easy Going Green Kids flashcards come packed in a cloth bag to keep them all together at the end of the game. And when you're done, you can pass them on to another family - the "reuse" part of the green chain of life.

Get them straight from Easy Going Green Kids for $19.95, and a portion of the profits goes to green charities.

Four Best Woodstock Tees For the Fortieth Anniversary

JeanneSager — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Ah, the summer of '69, peace, love and mud. So your kids can't remember it, neither can most people who were there!

But you can celebrate the forty-year anniversary of Woodstock with this list of rockin' duds, no roll in the mud required:

1. Salute the British invasion on Bethel, NY with this Rowdy Sprout "The Who" tee. Super soft and summer weight, they're perfect for little rockers who are up all night (bit of trivia, Pete Townshend, et al started rocking at 4 a.m. on day 2 of Woodstock!). Get it from Psychobaby for $38.

2. Another favorite from Rowdy Sprout, this isn't a tee - but it can be (just throw on a pair of tights)! The groovy Hendrix album cover on this drop dress will make your voodoo child sing a different tune. Let her wear this dress (or get the ACTUAL tee for him or her) on the Fourth this year to show some real patriotic spirit, but you have to play Jimi's "Star Spangled Banner" to go along with.

3. Peace, love and understanding were the name of the game, and who doesn't want their little one on board? This signature tee comes from the Signature Network in onesie or tee form, and we understand the doves are flying out fast. So get one for $20 and celebrate '69.

4. Straight from the gift shop at the Museum at Bethel Woods, the anniversary tees are one of a kind and selling fast as grandmas and grandpas stock up on their memories and treat the grandkids. Get one for your kids at Bethel Woods for $22.95 and get back to the garden.

Sing it with me now...

A Mini Cooper for Your Mini Style Maven

JeanneSager — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:01:00 GMT

I love the look of the Mini Cooper, but it's always smacked of something you'd pick up at a toy store to me. It's part of its charm! Now the Mini has gone truly tiny, with Mini tees from Charlie and Sarah for the toy store set.

Printed on soft American Apparel tees, the Mini is hand block printed with a screenprint overlay on this side of the pond with the little car for your little one.

Sized from 6-12 months up to 12, get the Mini tee from Blue Sky Rocket for $29 in long-sleeve or get the short-sleeve in sizes 2 through 12 for $25.

Inspired by Mom, But All Little Girl

JeanneSager — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Who says the baby swans are always ugly ducklings? A new line of sweet little girl dresses and tops inspired by the clothing worn by mom has put grace and style back into dressing little girls.

From the French for swan, Saurette is Lisa Kanouse's answer to mothers who are looking for less cartoon characters, more classic design.

"I think modern parents want their children to look as good as they do. By offering little girls an opportunity to dress more like mom, it offers a fresh approach to dressing little girls," Kanouse says.

She does it with swinging sundresses, like the Cabbage Floral Applique (above), a sleeveless summer wardrobe staple that leaves them free to run with the wind at their legs but dresses up for a summertime wedding. The Cabbage Floral's empire waist adds a grown-up twist, but the long flowing skirt is all little girl.

Get the dress in pink or in gray at Saurette for $99.

A Little Cloud for Your Little Sunshine

JeanneSager — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:30:00 GMT

What's better than a friend to cuddle with in bed? A friend that lets you rest your head on him at the end of the day.

Jaya Loves Tekeko organic pillows are sized just right for little arms to wrap around, and soft enough for little heads to lean on and drift off into dream land.

Hand printed, sewed and stuffed, every little pillow sports a sweet and original character, and every little buddy comes with his or her own story. My pick is Leafgirl (redubbed by my daughter as Goldilocks for some unknown reason, but I'll allow that it's because this pillow was just right), but Professor Acorn can offer up an education in why it's important to get to bed early (so you can cuddle with your new friend!), and Eggboy looks so sad there's no way a toddler can resist giving him a squeeze.

Soft as a cloud, the covers are removable so you can wash the Kumo Friends after they've been dragged around the world with your tot. Jaya Loves Tekeko uses all organic material, with PVC-free and phthalate-free water based inks and recyled packaging, so their dreams are painted in green.

Get a pillow from their site for $62.

Check Out What's Blooming at Spike and Annie!

JeanneSager — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:01:00 GMT

With little girl's dresses, sometimes the simpler, the better. And the new line growing at Spike and Annie is sunshine and light.

Their Summer Garden Dress is dotted with delicate embroidered flowers, its only other embellishments little plaid leaves sewed onto the stems. This sweet dress of barely there cotton will be light on their skin on hot days.

Better still, their shoulderless shifts have a roomy cut so they earn second life as a simple top for her after she's sprouted up out of the dress size. And what parent wouldn't get behind a dress that sports the instructions "do not hand wash?" Right in the machine it goes!

In sizes 3 to 8, you can get one at Spike and Annie for $110.

Bedding That Will Take You From Toddler to Teen

JeanneSager — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:27:00 GMT

The trick to transforming the nursery to a big kid room? Finding a style that will last longer than their baby teeth.

As we make the transition from toddler bed to big girl double, I've been scouring the marketplace and come up with the best bedding to take them from toddler to teen.

Little MissMatched's bed in a bag sets are packed with creativity - because, true to name, nothing matches. Coordinating colors bring the sets slathered in stripes and dotted in dots together, and make this bedding that will grow with them - because they can change things up whenever they feel like it simply by flipping over the reversible comforter or realigning the reversible bedskirt.

With nary a kiddie character in sight, the Little MissMatched bedding is available in twin, full and queen so you can get them for the toddler and keep them around for the teen or let siblings mix things up.

Want to match their growing with your pocketbook? Seven piece sets come with comforter, three pillowcases, two sheets and a bedskirt, and they're priced from $90 for twin to $110 for queen (get free shipping on them - all orders over $75 qualify). Get them at Little MissMatched.

Is Your Girl a Lil' Bettie?

JeanneSager — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:29:00 GMT

I'll be the first to say I don't get the skank-arific swimwear I see out there for toddlers. So find me a store that sells suits sweet, simple and dripping in lil' girl, and we'll splash down.

Lil' Bettie Beachwear's summer line for '09 is just that - high quality suits that are swimming in sweet. The tankini gets my vote for making it easy to move for little girls and providing enough coverage to prove, yes, they're still little betties.

Like most swimwear, these are hand wash only and line dry, but the fabric is soft to the touch and wicks dry quickly so she can be comfy in the water and out. A note to parents - these tend to run a little small, so buy a size up to get her through the summer. If she's long-torsoed, the tankini's a good bet because you can retie the knot farther down as the summer goes on.

Get the tankini from Lil' Bettie for $39, and check out the rest of the line.

A Clock that Talks Back at You

JeanneSager — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:23:00 GMT

The mark of a truly great toy for kids? Something that talks. The mark of a truly great toy for parents? Something that teaches . . . and doesn't talk too loudly.

The Tick Talk hits both marks, making it an all around hit for families.

From the folks at American Innovative, the clock does double duty as an alarm clock, night light and toy that helps them get out the door in the morning. Kids can record their own voices being goofy as their wake-up alarm, or you can record yourself nagging, er, gently reminding them it's up and at 'em. For kids who are always on the go, record messages so they can come home and check them at the touch of the clock's "toe."

Want a stress-free morning? The clock will start shipping next month, so pre-order from American Innovative for $29.95.