As the school year begins to wind down, we’re slowly getting into summer mode. I’ve stocked up on sunscreen, filled out the camp paperwork and have already tried out my new beach radio that I got for Mother’s Day (it suits me perfectly…). Because my 9-year-old will be spending plenty of time in the swimming pool, I know her hair will be taking a beating. So when we got our hands on Swimmers’ Shampoo from Circle of Friends, I knew it would be another good match. This clarifying shampoo is designed to remove chlorine and product build-up, and is especially gentle on young tresses. One whiff of this shampoo, and you’ll wonder exactly where this pleasant scent originates from. Made with banana, kiwi, guava and
The Accessorized Walnut Archive

My mailbox has been overflowing with catalogs, many of them filled with kids’ summer clothing. I’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again: I loovvveee looking at clothes for my two girls. It’s so much more fun to check out all the playful ensembles rather than agonize over bathing suits for me (sigh). To help you get a jump on the summer sales season, Lolly Wooly Doodle, an online children’s clothing e-tailer, is having a mega Memorial Day sale. Beginning Thursday, May 23 through Tuesday, May 28, shoppers will get 30 % off everything when using special promo code SAS2013. There are plenty of fun pieces for babies through kids, boys and girls. Check it out, and happy shopping! Tags: kids’ clothing, kids’

Next week, my older daughter will turn 9. When she was born, I was only able to hold her for a brief moment before she was whisked down the hall to the nursery (apparently, her temperature was down and she needed to warm up). Somehow, I felt like I was cheated out of those tender first bonding moments between mother and child. Because I have a few mom friends with newborns who also have older kids, I’ve been hearing about their guilt over not spending time with their own babies. “How can I enjoy my little one when I am busy reading stories/checking homework/making dinner?” For moms like these comes a new baby product unlike any other we’ve seen: the NuRoo Pocket. Upon first glance,

If my 3rd grader attaches another object to her backpack, I swear she’s going to keel over. She makes a personal statement while bringing her belongings to school, simply by switching out what’s dangling off the zippers: a flipflop keychain, a translucent dolphin, a Beanie Boo…you name it. Attachable collectibles is definitely trending with tweens, and that’s why I knew when I got my hands on the Radz Gone Wild line, it would be a big hit. These aren’t your everyday collectibles, mind you; Radz offer a sweet surprise, doubling as a candy dispenser that comes with a Radz Plus code for access to free gaming apps. Making up the new line are four animal friends, each with a distinct persona: Scratch the Tiger, Bandit

In a few short months, the wait will be over. We’ll finally be able to “meet” Kate and William’s royal bundle of joy. As people around the world speculate on what name the couple will decide upon and who the godparents will be, our thoughts are focused on more “important” things: Like what stroller they’ll be using and what clothes the new babe will be dressed in. That being said, we turn our attention over to the royal nursery. If Kate just so happens to be one of our loyal readers (hey, don’t laugh; it could happen!), may we offer a suggestion? Bratt Decor’s Chelsea Darling line exudes an elegance like no other room decor we’ve seen. Not only does the antique silver finish on

Happy May! Today, I saw that our town already posted signs announcing its annual Memorial Day parade festivities. That can only mean that the unofficial start to summer is not far off. To get our readers into the spirit, we’re paying tribute to the grand ol’ US of A with a few fashion finds that will help update your kids’ wardrobe sensibly and patriotically. Little girls can put their best feet forward with Venettini’s Savor shoe. These buttery-soft blue patent leather loafers give a kick to any everyday ensemble, even if it’s not a holiday. They may not be made of suede, but we think even Elvis would have approved of this fetching pair. And no patriotic celebration would be complete without a tee that

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I knew I wanted an old-fashioned pram in which to parade my new little love around town. By the time my second daughter arrived on the scene, I had grown weary of the neutral-colored baby gear I had acquired along the way. Sure, a cream-colored bouncy seat may have fit into my traditional home decor, while a steel grey car seat meshed well with my car’s interior. But at the end of the day, I found everything to be a bit…oh, how can I put it? Bor-ing. If someone had told me that those first few months of life with a newborn would be filled with lots of cat-napping, diaper changes, rattle shaking, sleeping, bathing, feeding–did we

It was only a few weeks ago that fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer passed away. I had always been a fan of her bold, citrus-hued prints, having eyed them from a distance over the years, and only recently saved up to buy. Once I became a mom and was introduced to her line for kids, my interest in acquiring an entire super-stylish wardrobe only intensified. Now my girls could share my love of dressing with pizazz (too bad my pocketbook couldn’t meet those expectations…) So, when we learned of this week’s launch of another fashion icon’s line for kids, I finally got a grip on reality: maybe now we could play the part of the savvy shopper who can look great, without breaking the bank. GapKids

It’s just been a week since the Boston Marathon bombings, but it feels so much longer. We’re all still spiraling from the aftermath of Sandy Hook, Hurricane Sandy…and now this. My next-door neighbor was one of the marathon runners who bravely set out that day, looking forward to attaining a personal goal, and not realizing that reuniting with her loved ones, safe and unharmed, would be a far more meaningful gift. She showed us the medal she was given for participating, one that I’m sure she will treasure and that will forever serve as a reminder of that fateful day. If your family is looking for a way to show its support for the people of Boston, consider the latest fashion staple from kids’ clothing

My 4-year-old just got invited to another Hello Kitty party. This is one cat that gets around–and I’m not talking about my daughter! Last week, we told you about a Hello Kitty rain gear line that definitely put a much-needed spring in our step, especially after a long, cold winter. We knew that little girls would be all over that line…but now we’re finding that Hello Kitty has new mom appeal, too. One of our favorite lux baby brands, aden + anais, is introducing a limited-edition collection of Hello Kitty soft goods no baby girl should be without. The 100-percent cotton muslin line consists of a swaddle 3-pack, dream blanket, snap bib 3-pack and hooded towel/wash cloth set–all adorned with the famous cat motif. Whether

