hip head gear: krash bike helmets

 The Playful Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Apr 132012
 

Does your kid give you a hard time about wearing his bike helmet? I can’t say I blame them. From the look of some of the helmets out there, I’m more in favor of the utilitarian models that ooze sturdiness over style (or lack thereof). Fortunately, with the new line of protective head gear from C-Preme, tweens won’t have to sacrifice fashion for function when biking around town. Designed for ages 10-12, KRASH helmets  are the coolest thing we’ve seen in bike gear. From punk-inspired, spiky-head numbers, to cutey confectionery caps, there are plenty of choices for the most temperamental tween. And because the KRASH line is made from a soft, rubber-based materials, they’re as safe as they are slick. So, if you know any “hard heads” (ahem), this collection is just for them.

In a Nutshell: Springtime means bike-riding. Now the whole family can take a spin around the neighborhood, donning some extra cool head gear.

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we bought a zoo: skip hop playspot

 The Furnished Walnut, The Playful Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Feb 032012
 

It’s a jungle out there, especially if you’ve got little ones running around at home. When I’m making dinner, I swear there’s a stampede of elephants overhead–and not just two little girls playing. If you’re in search of a way to keep your playroom accident-free and spare newly mobile toddlers from acquiring more bumps and bruises than necessary, consider the Skip Hop Zoo Playspot. A refreshing alternative from the ho-hum hopscotch patterns we’ve seen in one too many kiddie gyms, this fashionable print may just bring out the wild child in your little monkeys. The adorable faces of a dog, bee, owl and monkey are so cute, they may be entertaining enough to coax your constant crawler into actually sitting still for more than five seconds. We like that the puzzle-like pieces snap together easily to create an intimate play space of 4 spots or up to 12 spots wide for multiple movers and shakers. And if you’re extra concerned about safety, you’ll appreciate that these tiles are BPA-, PVC- and Phthalate-free. And that makes for smiles all around.

In a Nutshell: Protect your precious little ones–and your hard wood floors–with this soft covering that’s as playful as it is practical.

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u can touch this: kiinde kozii

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Safe Little Walnut
Jan 312012
 

Late night feedings are no picnic, and certainly not made any easier with a blistered finger. I can remember the time I awoke in the wee hours one morning to the cry of my young daughter, and stumbled into her nursery. Like so many other times, I hastily filled an empty bottle with water, mixed it with powdered formula and set it in her trusty bottle warmer. I don’t know who found it more infuriating to wait for that bottle to warm: half-asleep me or my sobbing daughter. After what felt like forever, it was ready…or so I thought. Grabbing it too fast proved to be a mistake, as I silently chided myself for burning my hand. From then on, I made certain to keep a small towel nearby–a makeshift pot holder, if you will–to prevent future accidents. It’s moments like those that make me realize as a seasoned mother, not all bottle warmers come equal. If you or a friend is registering for baby gifts, be sure to check out one of the newer ones on the market: the Kiinde Kozii. As fun to say as it is easy to use, this device takes the guesswork out of warming breast-milk or bottle-formula to a comfortable temperature. A built-in time counts down until a bottle has fully warmed. Once the timer turns off, the warmer shuts off, reducing the risk of handling a too-hot bottle. Because Kozii can heat either plastic or glass, you can also use it to warm baby food jars. That means fewer accidents in the kitchen, too.

In a Nutshell: This warmer makes preparing baby’s bottle practically effortless, and worry-free.

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safe sleeping: skip hop bumperless bedding

 The Furnished Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Dec 272011
 

Happy (almost) 2012! If you’ll be welcoming a new arrival into your family this year, chances are you may be registering for baby bedding. And if this isn’t your first child, you may already be familiar with the potential health risks associated with crib bumpers. They may look pretty, but are deemed unsafe by the American Academy of Pediatrics with regards to SIDS prevention . That being said, any bedding set that can pull off the look of a complete bedding ensemble–minus the actual bumpers–gets a nod in our book. Skip Hop’s Complete Sheet Collection is just that product, offering a bold printed sheet whose design extends to the mattress sides and features a contrasting pattern on top. Finished with linen piping, the 100-percent cotton, 200-thread count sheet achieves the look of a bumper without having one in place. Now there’s no need to worry about your newborn becoming entangled in her sheets. And that means a more restful night’s sleep for the both of you.

In a Nutshell: It’s a ban on bumpers; this sheet set makes great strides in bedding for babies that is both safe and stylish.

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smile for the angry birdie

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Safe Little Walnut
Aug 252011
 

Yesterday I was shopping at a toy store on Long Island’s North Shore when I came face to face with some rather irate creatures. It was a window display filled with Angry Birds stuffed animals, keychains and other merchandise inspired by the well-known video game. My 7-year-old, of course, was in heaven, and my 3-year-old was waving–or should I say, “flapping?”–her arms wildly, much like a little bird herself. I can’t deny this trend any longer, even if I don’t admit to playing the game myself. And while these birds have soared beyond the handheld remote and into toy stores, they’re now joining the baby world with their own new arrival: SwaddleDesigns’ Angry Birds Ultimate Receiving Blanket. This gift is sure to delight new parents who are avid game players and first-time moms determined not to leave their pre-baby identities behind, not to mention those who just want their newborn to be blanketed in the softest cotton flannel. Product won’t begin shipping until October, but if you pre-order $50 or more of SwaddleDesigns’ merchandise now , you’ll receive an Angry Birds plush toy with your order.

In a Nutshell: Like a mother bird who instinctively knows how to feather her nest comes an of-the-moment baby gift that’s bound to find a home in the modern nursery.

 

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scratch-proof

 The Accessorized Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Aug 172011
 

My 3-year-old has a small scratch across the bridge of her nose–but that’s nothing. When she was a baby, she would scratch herself repeatedly and there was nothing I could do to stop her. While I consider myself a relatively self-sufficient mom, trimming my kids’ fingernails is one parenting task I’ve always managed to delegate. If you’ve got a budding scratcher on your hands (pun intended), there’s no need to resort to the socks-on-hands trick of olden days. Guavamitts are a fashionable way to minimize the chance of letting your little one’s sense of exploration go too far. Perfectly sized for little hands, these bamboo/organic cotton mittens will help keep your little one stylish and safe, sensibly. Available in a variety of prints, including gender-neutral, guavamitts will give you an extra hand or two to stop scratching once and for all.

In a Nutshell: Save those scratches for the playground when she’s a little older; these reversible mitts help get a handle on a pesky parenting woe.

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safe supplies

 The Organized Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut, The Smart Walnut
Aug 082011
 

It was right there as I rounded the corner, practically impossible to miss. As I pushed my shopping cart past the sunscreen display, spiral notebooks, ballpoint pens and pocket folders competed for my attention. That’s right: back-to-school shopping is nearly upon us and before long, school districts will be updating their Web sites with a laundry list of classroom essentials. But in this information age in which we are thinking twice before making any kid-related purchases, selecting which items to stock our kids’ desks is no longer a no-brainer. You’d have to be living under a rock not to know about toxic substances like PVC lurking in plastics, especially in kids’ products. To make your job as a conscientious consumer a little easier comes a handy new tool you’ll want to consult before heading out to shop. The Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ)’s Back to School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies offers helpful tips on selecting everything from backpacks to lunchboxes. There’s also a list of suppliers that offer PVC-free products, so you can make a point of looking for safe supplies. If you consider yourself a green-minded mom, you will find this guide to be an invaluable resource. It’s also available as a wallet-sized version that’s an ideal companion when heading out to Staples, Target or wherever you’ll be shopping. See you in September.

In a Nutshell: To ensure that your child’s school supplies make the grade, consult this free-of-charge downloadable guide for shopping tips and suggestions.

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shoo fly

 The Healthy Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Jul 132011
 

Kids are not unlike bugs: Sometimes, they are pesky, persistent and just won’t go away when you want them to. (Can you tell we are already a few weeks into summer vacation?) But unlike with actual bugs, there’s no real repellent which, with a simple spray, you can buy yourself some alone time. So for now, we’ll just concentrate on trying to keep those pesky, multi-legged critters at bay. At my house, we go through bug spray like some people go through water. OK, well maybe not that fast, but I wind up buying a few bottles over the course of the spring and summer. I’m more mindful about what products I’m using on my kids these days (yes, even if they bug me, I’m still nice to them…most days.) And because I have equally bright kids who oftentimes inspect the bottles of sunscreen, bug spray and other protective goods, we know a standout product when we see one. We’re particularly fond of Bug Bandit from Fairy Tales Hair Care , an all-natural, DEET- and pesticide-free insect repellent. My 7-year-old doesn’t care for the company’s name (she’s the one with a strong aversion to anything related to princesses), but both girls get a kick out of the image on the bottle. The masked bug looks ready to take on the world of pesky critters, and if he can distract by kids from being doused with bug spray, so much the better. The delightful scent of lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and lemon eucalyptus reminds us of a outdoor candles we use during BBQ nights. Hey, if the thought of grilled burgers and corn on the cob isn’t enough to keep them happy, what will? Kids…yeah, sometimes they really bug me.

In a Nutshell: Take a whiff of a bug spray that not only smells good, but gets the job done.

 

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safety gets silly

 The Playful Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Jun 102011
 

On a humid and sticky day, I know the last thing my bike-riding daughter wants is a “hot hat,” as she puts it, but we insist that she wear her helmet…or else. Donning a helmet while biking is no laughing matter, but as is true for many of those trying parenting moments, a little humor can make a big difference. Perhaps this was the thinking behind the creatively designed bike helmets from Raskullz (the name alone is worth a smile). Their 3-D helmets, sporting a motley crew of wacky characters, are probably the coolest thing in head gear we’ve seen in a long time. Be it the Go-Rilla, Shark Attax or Brainy Bunny (shown here), each helmet is made from a soft rubber material that’s as comfortable as it is fun to wear. Now, when it’s time to go for a spin around the block, your kid may actually grab his helmet before you have to beg and plead with him to do so. Just put that energy in reserve for the next parenting battle…like no screen time until your room is clean!

In a Nutshell: Summertime means safety on the sidewalks and the streets. With these whimsical bike helmets on your child’s head, safe biking becomes a no-brainer.

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kiddie to go

 Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Safe Little Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Jun 012011
 

As the school year winds down, that can only mean one thing…No, not you pulling your hair out because the kids are driving you crazy (already!). It”s time for that annual rite of passage: the family vacation. While gas prices aren’t anything to sneeze at, lots of people I know are still planning on hitting the road with the whole gang at some point this season. Some will be taking longer car rides across state lines, while others are looking into a few long weekend trips. If your car is anything like ours, fitting two kids in the backseat, let alone a third child, doesn’t allow much wiggle room–or rooms for all those travel toys. That’s why we are loving the Bubble Bum booster seat. It’s a portable, foldable lightweight seat that doesn’t eat up precious space, and provides a comfortable ride for the child who’s always feeling crowded out. It differs from other standard booster seats because of its seat belt positioning clips instead of arm rests, and has passed all the U.S. and U.K. motor vehicle safety regulations. What’s also really cool about the Bubble Bum–besides the name, of course–is that it inflates easily and when it’s not in use, just deflate it and store in your glove compartment, travel bag or even your purse. Now your kids have even more room in the back for all those souvenirs…

In a Nutshell: Gas up the car and pack those snacks and card games. With this one-pound booster seat, your kid will proudly call this seat his own, even if he can’t call shotgun. The Bubble Bum is designed for kids ages 4-11 who weigh between 40-80 lbs.

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