Now that summer is in full swing, we’ve officially moved onto camp season. My older daughter has decided that she’s outgrown her lunch bag, so we’re in the market for something a bit more, shall we say, “sophisticated?” (read: middle school cool). While out shopping the other day, I came across some bento boxes, which seemed like the perfect upgrade to the lunchtime routine. But upon further investigation, I decided the plastic containers appeared a bit too flimsy, and figured they wouldn’t hold up to a rough-and-tumble camp day. So when I heard about PlanetBox, a line of stainless-steel, multi-compartment lunch boxes, I was determined to check it out. There’s so much to like about this product line…where do we start? Kids with fussy appetites [&hellip
The Accessorized Walnut Archive
Back in the day, how cool was it to get an Alberto VO5 hot oil treatment? I remember seeing the commercials on TV and in my sister’s fashion magazines, hoping that someday, I’d be grown-up enough to do something more sophisticated with my hair than a plain old ponytail. (Little did I know, my mother would torment with endless perms, but that’s a story for another day.) Today, I may have graduated to salon status, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t benefit from occasional at-home hair maintenance. But because I’m a mom who works from home and manages two kids, I’m not exactly in the market for an all-day beauty fest. Fortunately, Alberto VO5 is in tune with modern women’s needs with its Shine, [&hellip
Are you still on the hunt for a last-minute Father’s Day gift? Me too, and since guys are notoriously tough to buy for, I’m looking for something that will knock my husband socks off. Too bad he’s not a golfer or the new Coolcore line from Imperial Headwear would be the perfect present. This hat is outfitted with a specially cooling technology that keeps moisture away from your body, so you can concentrate on your game. At first glance, this may look like an ordinary baseball-style cap, but go beneath the surface (literally), and you’ll find there’s a whole lot more in store. Coolcore fabrics boast a chemical-free design that produces a cooling effect by “wicking” (a fancy way of moving sweat away from the [&hellip
What a great day to be out for a stroll! And if you’re out with your baby in tow, it’s the perfect excuse to strap on your front carrier and let her take in all the sights and sounds of a warm, spring day. We’ve got our eye on the brand-new BABYBJORN Ice Cream Collection of carriers that make a fresh statement for today’s babies. Available in a mouthwatering palette of four refreshing colors–or should we say “flavors?”–including Pear, Strawberry, Blackberry and Blue Mint, the Baby Carrier One can be worn either forward-facing or back-carrying as your baby’s needs changes. Because it is designed to accommodate children from 8-33 lbs., you can use this carrier well into the toddler years. A baby product that lasts? [&hellip
Homework is a real drag. And at this point in the school year, with the warmer weather beckoning kids outdoors, it’s getting even harder to sit still and get that work out of the way and done! In the spirit of finding innovative (read: inexpensive) ways to entice my newly minted 7-year-old to breeze through her math problems, I presented her with Wild Animal Scented Erasers and boy, did she perk up. These soft erasers are designed in colorful animal shapes–purple gorilla, blue elephant and green frog–and sit atop an easy-to-grip decorative holder. With 5 refills in each pack, your kid can make as many mistakes as she pleases. And don’t be surprised if some of them are intentional; one whiff of those erasing animals, [&hellip
As April turns into May and thoughts of summer vacation are on the horizon, it’s the perfect excuse to update your little one’s wardrobe (as if you needed a reason to shop!). If you’ll be planning a trip to a seaside destination this summer, why not speak the language of the natives and go for some beach-inspired baby wear? We are loving the newest collection from SoftBaby, makers of designer organic cotton clothing for infant boys and girls. From soft tees, to one-piece rompers, this all-natural assortment is entirely non-toxic and features whimsical prints that are both playful and fashion-forward. We especially love the long-sleeved play suits that protect little ones from chilly sea breezes…utterly adorable. So, stop dreaming about your summer vaca and start [&hellip
As I begin to enter the tween years of parenting, I’m faced with challenges that I never would have dreamed of (social media madness, anyone?). To help curb my own pity party, I sometimes remind myself of those early year moments that fortunately I won’t have to experience ever again…like teething. The sheer agony of watching my then-toddlers cry in utter pain and writhe their little bodies mercilessly was enough to convince me that mothers do, in fact, experience their children’s discomfort as though it were there own. Perhaps if I’d been able to inject some humor into the situation (as I tend to do with so many other uncomfortable moments as a mom), I’d be able to smile through those tears. That has got [&hellip
As a child, I adored Little Golden Books. My mother kept me on a steady diet of these beloved storybooks when I was younger, and once I could learn to read, I enjoyed perusing them by myself. Whether it was a wallflower kitty or a precocious pup, I always felt like I could relate to their adventures. Once I had kids of my own, I knew they would inherit my burgeoning collection of Golden Books–and hopefully, my love of reading. So naturally, when I heard about The Land of Nod’s bedding, room decor and gift collection inspired by these classic stories, I was thrilled! Each item in the Little Golden Books for Nod line pays tribute to a well-loved character, featuring designs so true to [&hellip
I am an admitted Hallmark junkie. I love to peruse the aisles of their card stores throughout the year, and look forward to their annual holiday open house when I can check out the latest Keepsake Ornaments. And don’t get me started on their itty bittys line…we’re hooked! So when I recently found out that Hallmark was coming out with its own line of baby and kids’ clothing, I couldn’t wait to see it for myself. And what an adorable collection it is! Hallmark Baby includes Little Blessings, a sweet line of infant wear that can be personalized for the perfect new baby gift, along with layette basics. The girls’ collection, Spring Delights, features playful separates, dresses and frilly skirts that are all ready for [&hellip
What’s up with Mother Nature? While the calendar may say it’s spring, it’s still pretty cold out there. This may be the winter that just won’t quit, but that doesn’t have to spoil your fun. If you and your kids have had your fill of the white stuff, how about warming up with an indoor tea party? And if you’ve got a Girl Scout in the house (or a wannabee one), so much the better for this shindig. Speaking of scouts, hold onto your green berets for this one: Due out this fall, the Girl Scouts Cookie Oven lets you whip up freshly baked batches of Trefoils and Thin Mints in the comfort of your own kitchen. And if you’ll be joining your little ones [&hellip