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BACK TO SCHOOL
Summer is over (sigh) so it's time to put away the bathing suits, the beach
umbrella and cute sandals. As kids head back to school (and daycare), moms and
dads everywhere are picking up last minute essentials. Need clever lunch ideas?
Check out some Food tips from Kia Robertson, authot of "Today
I Ate a Rainbow." Head to our Get Dressed for some
clothing picks for your kid and a little something for mom. Don't miss our Nesting
section where we feature stylish decor ideas (removable wall decals!) for the
kid's room or nursery as well as toys, books and even a family toilet seat that
will change the way you approach potty training--all things you could win! Planning
a quick Getaway just for the two of you? The leaves may
be falling in the rest of the country, but in San Diego you can still catch some
rays and waves.
LIKE US, FOLLOW US & WIN
Don't forget to sign up for our email newsletter, delivered directly to your Inbox.
And to win great prizes every month, Like us on Facebook
and Follow us on Twitter.
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{ fall back } |
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> Pop Jacket
Kuki Kids
Kuki Kids creates simple garment designs that let the fabrics speak for themselves
and let your little adventurer stand out in the crowd. Made of durable 100% cotton
canvas, this whimsical jacket is good for all seasons. Kid of like something James
Dean might have worn when he was two.
{ Pop Pop Blue Jacket $56, Kuki
Kids }
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> Dressed to Impress
Zoolu Organics
Tired of cliched and cutesy kids clothing? You're not alone.The designer mom behind
Zoolu Organics creates organic unixes clothing for babies and kids that blend
an eco-friendly edge (think water-based dyes, chemical-free cotton) with modern
animal graphics. "Nature's beauty," the company states, "comes
in all shapes and sizes, and we need to tread carefully to keep this planet safe
for all species." Now that's something to get all dressed up for!
{ Body Suites $24, Zoolu
}
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> These Boots Were Made for Walking
Eleven Fall Collection
Kids shouldn't have to "wear in" a new pair of shoes before they
feel comfortable. Lucky for them, Eleven crafts stylish footwear, like this pair
of boots, that feature durable, flexible rubber soles, cushioned insole and instant
comfort. This chocolate suede and leather boot features copper and pesto circle
cut outs and accent stitching.
{ Layne $56, Eleven
}
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> Cleanse. Hydrate. Replenish. Repeat
Marie Veronique Organics
Fueled by a desire to age gracefully former chemistry teacher Marie Veronique
Nadeau started experimenting in her kitchen to create a line of ecologically responsible,
natural and transformative anti-aging products. The line is all about natural,
organic and fair trade ingredients. You won’t find toxins, petroleum-based
products, nanoparticles, or anything else that’s potentially harmful. And
it all comes simply but beautifully packaged in 100% recyclable materials. We
love the Anti-Aging Kit, which includes an exfoliating cleanser, anti-aging mist,
anti-aging oil, moisturizing face screen SPF 30.
{ Anti-Aging Kit $170, Marie
Veronique Organics }
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> Falling Ginko Leaves
Astrosatchel
Based Vancouver, Janna Hurtzig is a self-taught designer who has been
handcrafting her creations since 1998. Inspired by nature, the Astrosatchel label
combines Scandinavian design, Asian pop culture influences and a Canadian cottage
feel to give even the smallest of items a distinct look. Made of naugahyde vinyl
with velcro closure and back panel pocket, this tan bag features an adjustable
shoulder strap and nylon lining.
{ Medium Tote $85, Astrosatchel
}
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> Countryside
Chic
Tea Collection
We just can't get enough Tea... Tea Collection, that is. We love their new bohemian
chic looks for girls, like this zip-up cardigan (right) that is inspired by the
textured, embroidered peasant blouses worn by women in the countryside villages
of Romania.
{ Bohemia Cardigan $59, Tea
Collection }
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> Dress Your Bed
Chunky Blanket
The best blankets are the ones you can’t wait to curl up in. With
its chunky weave and super-soft Australian wool, this cozy throw is loaded with
inviting texture and just-right warmth. Lovingly finished with long knotted fringe.
{ Chunky Wool Blanket $265,
Serena & Lily }
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> Pimp Your iPhone
A paper dress-up app
Stuck in line at the store? Flying cross country with the kids? Keep
them occupied with this dress up game for your iPhone made entirely of paper.
Kids can choose from six different characters then mix and match over 180 items
of clothing. Perfect for your little fashionista!
{ App $1.99, Paper Town
Friends }
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> Stroll in Style
Xplory
The new Xplory features fresh new fabrics that encapsulate the seat
for a more cocoon-like feel, an innovative quick fold visor that offers additional
shade and can be retracted in an instant, and an enlarged removable storage bag
that sits quietly waiting to be filled with even more shopping. A padded baby
insert gives newborns a snug fit and the easy click footrest offers full support
as your child grows.
{ Xplory,
Stokke }
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{ san diego } |
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ANDAZ SAN DIEGO
The term “checking in” doesn’t really apply at Andaz
San Diego. With no stuffy uniforms and no check in desk to speak of, the experience
is more akin to being greeted by an old friend—one who looks like a Prada
model. Sitting comfortably in one of the plush settees in the lobby-cum-lounge,
I sip a glass of wine (complimentary, of course) as my “host” inputs
my information in a handheld PC. Before I know it I am checked in and have a handful
of suggestions to keep me occupied during my stay, including a gallery opening
nearby and a “must try” Italian restaurant a few blocks away.
Not bad, I think as he escorts me to my large guestroom where expansive windows
overlook a street in the trendy Gaslamp Quarter. Sophisticated yet sleek, my room
is all creamy whites, chocolate browns and custom features in warm woods. All
159 rooms are outfitted with a spacious work area, large plasma screen TV, iPod
docking station and complimentary WiFi internet access. After helping myself to
a free snack (juice, nuts and chocolate from the mini bar), I head to the rooftop
lounge, where Pretty Young Things drink cocktails till the wee hours and check
out the city’s skyline (or, most likely, each other).
The scene is not entirely different during the day as skimpy bikinis, large sunglasses
and SPF 10 replace skimpy dresses, stilettos and Chanel No. 5. The largest rooftop
space in downtown San Diego, the Ivy Rooftop offers gorgeous city views, and lots
of places to relax under the sun or stars, including private cabanas for those
who desire a bit more seclusion. The action doesn’t stop there. Downstairs
is the Ivy Wine Bar, which offers some 89 vintages by the glass; Quarter Kitchen,
where the focus is on Asian-inspired dishes made with locally-grown produce; and
Ivy Nightclub, a multi-level club where famous and up-and-coming DJs spin everything
from electronic to indie rock. Luckily, Andaz guests receive VIP passes to the
club thus avoiding hours of waiting in line.
At the end of each long day exploring San Diego I look forward to heading home,
er, to my room—a sure sign that the Andaz is doing everything right.
> DON'T MISS
Quench your thirst: Sample any of the 89 wines by the glass at Ivy Wine Bar
Hippos, gorillas, giraffes, Oh My: Spend a day at the famous San Diego Zoo in
Balboa Park
Admire: Take in some culture at the Museum of Contemporary Art
Tee up: With five world-renowned golf courses nearby, there’s no excuse
not to hit the green.
Indulge: Order a handcrafted cocktail at the rooftop lounge then book a poolside
massage while the sun sets behind the downtown buildings.
> NEED TO KNOW
Excellent location in the historic Gaslamp Quarter
Free WiFi internet access throughout
Walking distance to excellent shop and restaurants
Personal approach to service & lots of free amenities
Ideal for modern design fans
Complimentary mini bar with soft drinks and snacks
Four miles to the Old Town Trolley
Complimentary SUV car service in downtown area
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{ leaves, rocks & cars } |
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> WIN THIS
> Zoom Zoom Zoom...
Automoblox Cars
What little kid doesn't love his first set of wheels? Constructed of high-quality
materials and eye-poping colorful parts that will withstand the rough and tumble
play of adventurous young designers, Automoblox cars encourage young minds to
build cars and trucks of their own design. A universal connector system enables
the rapid interchange of parts.
{ Automoblox $38, Manhattan
Toy }
ENTER TO WIN "Like" our Facebook page and post a comment telling
us what is your favorite Manhattan Toy item to win an Automoblox mini 3-pack!
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> Mobile
Wee Gallery
Wee Gallery launched with a line of art cards- chic, graphic black and white
cards that were created to be seen by newborn eyes and please the sophisticated
palettes of parents. It later expanded to include mobiles, coloring books, and
stretched canvases. Most recently additional items soon that we can’t wait
to tell you about!
{ Wee Gallery }
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> WIN THIS
> Peel and Stick Decor
RoomMates Wall Decals
Both sophisticated and fun, you'll love livening up your walls with this tree!
Featuring funky, curly branches, brightly-colored flowers, and some friendly feathered
friends, our Scroll Tree is the perfect touch for nurseries, bedrooms, and playrooms.
Every element is repositionable, meaning it's easy to move the tree around as
you like. No need to worry about getting it perfect on the first try!
{ Scroll Tree $40.49, RoomMates
}
ENTER TO WIN "Like" our Facebook page and post a comment telling
us what is your favorite RoomMates decal and you could win one of these two trees!
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> We Love Wool
Brave Mouse Books
Benjamin and Bumper to the Rescue is the first picture book by a
mouse-sized publishing company. In the book, courageous woolen heroes (a clever
mouse and his pal the elephant) lead an action-packed plot that young kids (and
their parents) won't tire of reading over and over again.
{ Benjamin and Bumper to the Rescue, Brave
Mouse Books }
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> Buzz B
Baby nail trimmer
Safely trims nails with a gentle yet effective oscillating action with this
battery operated trimmer.
{ Buzz B $25, Zoli
}
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> WIN THIS
> Toilet Training Made Easier
The Family Seat
We all know that toilet training can be a difficult job for
parents! The Family seat is a great solution to potty training; one seat that
can be used by the whole family. The seat consists of a regular toilet seat for
grown ups with a concealed toddler seat in the lid for little ones to use. This
clever seat eliminates the need for portable potties and inserts. When toilet
training is completed just fasten it in the lid and keep it in place for visiting
toddlers. It comes in three designs and colors to match any bathroom.
{ Family Seat $39.99, Family
Seat }
ENTER TO WIN "Like" our Facebook page and post a comment telling
us your worst potty training nightmare and you could win this toilet seat for
the whole family!
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> Crayon Rocks that Rock!
Scwibble
Got a little Matisse in the house? Made of renewable soybeans
and colored with natural mineral powders, these rock-shapped crayons are designed
for small fingers to color in wide strokes. The more your budding artist draws,
the more the rocks shine like precious little stones. The 16 rocks come in a keepsake
eco-friendly burlap bag. Talk about thinking outside the box!
{ Natural Soy Crayon Rocks $12.95, Scwibble
}
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{ lunch time! } |
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Fresh Ideas for School Lunches
It's no small task to create a lunch that is healthy, well -balanced, and something
your kids will enjoy! In the morning rush, it may be tempting to quickly throw
a lunch together with pre-packaged foods, however the majority of pre-packaged
foods are loaded with artificial colours, sodium, sugar and ingredients we can't
even pronounce. Your kids will have a much more successful day at school if their
bodies are filled with fresh healthy foods!
By Kia Robertson
Here are a few suggestions for packing fresh healthy lunches:
Team Work: Get your whole family
involved with lunch preparation. It eases the workload on you and teaches your
kids valuable life skills. Children of all ages can and should help with planning
and preparing their lunch. It's a great opportunity to teach them about the importance
of healthy food choices. Kids are far more likely to eat lunches that they helped
put together!
Plan Ahead: Take some time to sit
with your kids and find out what they like to eat. Come up with a simple lunch
menu for the week, then put together your shopping list before you head out to
the grocery store.
The Lunch Container: There are
so many fantastic options these days! Bento style containers, stainless steel,
thermal lunch food jars…the list is endless! I suggest researching them
and find the one that best suits your needs. My one caution is…make sure
your kids can easily open and close the containers. We bought a popular brand
lunch container for our 6 year old but she had a very hard time opening and closing
it. If you are buying online, then I’d suggest emailing the company and
asking them if it’s kid friendly!
Prep Time: Get everyone in family
to help wash and prep fruits and vegetables. It's much easier to put together
a quick lunch when everything has been washed, chopped and is waiting in the fridge!
Cutting up fruits and vegetables into to smaller pieces makes it easier for your
kids to eat them. Carrot sticks, apple slices (sprinkle them with lemon juice
to prevent browning) or loose grapes are much more appealing to kids than having
to deal with the whole fruit or vegetable.
Fruits & Vegetables Everyday:
Fruits and veggies are a must have for healthy lunches! Kids eat with their eyes
so have fun chopping fruits and veggies into fun shapes. There are lots of great
kitchen tools that make it easy to create fun designs and patterns! Try making
small fruit kabobs with toothpicks as a fun alternative.
If your kids aren't too fond of fruits and veggies, try including yummy dips such
as their favorite salad dressing, hummus or plain yogurt. Dipping makes eating
more fun!
Think Rainbows: Get your kids into
the healthy habit of eating a variety of colourful fruits and veggies every day.
By eating a rainbow of produce your kids will benefit from the wide spectrum of
vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. It's the phytonutrients that give fruits
and vegetables their colour and help to keep our bodies healthy! Eating a Rainbow
is a fun and easy concept for kids to understand.
Balancing Act: Try to incorporate
a good variety of proteins, grains, and produce for every lunch. Keep things interesting
by switching between sandwiches, pita pockets, wraps, rolls…that way you
won’t get stuck in the same old rut day after day! If you feel that it’s
important to include a sweet snack, just be sure to keep it very small and remind
your child that it’s to be eaten after everything else!
Hot and Cold: No one likes soggy
sandwiches or mushy fruits and veggies! Hot foods should be hot and cold foods
cold. Add a cold pack to their lunch container to keep things fresh and cool.
For hot foods use insulated containers to help keep them warm.
Don't Forget Water: There
really isn't a better drink for your child than water. Having a "cool"
water bottle might help you convince your kids to switch to water! Fill their
water bottle half full the night before and put it in the freezer. In the morning
fill the rest of the bottle with water. By lunchtime they'll be able to enjoy
a very refreshing bottle of water.
Get Creative: Switch
up the normal routine...cookie cutters make fun sandwich shapes, toss in a sticker
or try including a hand-written note to your child. Even if it's just in once
a week...add something fun and unexpected...your kids will love it!
Putting together a healthy lunch can be easy with a little planning, creativity,
and most importantly by getting the whole family involved! Making school lunches
doesn't have to be a tedious chore...turn it into an opportunity to hang out with
your kids, chat about healthy food choices, and a chance to put a little love
into their lunches!
Kia Robertson is a mom and the creator of the “Today I Ate A Rainbow!”
chart, as well as the author of “The Rainbow Bunch” books.
> TODAY I ATE A RAINBOW!
“Today I Ate A Rainbow!™” is an interactive nutritional chart
that makes eating fruits and vegetables fun for your children! Consisting of a
colourful rainbow chart and bright cartoon magnets this tool will allow your children
to easily track the fruits and vegetables they eat throughout the day. This package
contains the complete Today I Ate A Rainbow!™ chart and The Rainbow Bunch
book. These tools turn healthy eating into a fun challenge!
{ The Rainbow Kit $25, Today
I Ate A Rainbow!}
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{ Odyssey } |
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2010 HONDA ODYSSEY
Think a minivan can't be fun to drive? Think again. The Honday Odyssey
is nimble, comes loaded with features, can fit your entire family or possee (if
you roll seven deep, that is) and has plenty of room left over for cargo. Buyers
are attracted to the Odyssey not necessarily for its design--indeed this model
doesn't particularly strike any new ground when it comes to styling--but for its
practicality. Unlike other recent Honda models that flaunt their chunky front
and back, the Odyssey's look has remained relatively conservative. But what this
minivan misses on flashy design, it more than makes up for in other areas, particularly
in its clever use of interior space.
Interior The cabin comes furnished with everything you'd want
to keep the family busy, including a DVD entertainment system and 115-volt power
outlet (Gameboy anyone?). It also has three-zone climate control, alloy wheels,
power doors and power driver's seat. It's worth splurging for extra features like
power doors, rear-seating entertainment and the leather interior (a must for wiping
off sticky spills and messes).
What sets the Odyssey apart from other minivans is its firm suspension, high
chassis rigidity and precise steering that make for comfortable, smooth ride.
The minivan's punch comes courtesy of ample 3.5-liter V-6 and it also features
a fuel-saving cylinder deactivation system that shuts off two or three cylinders
when they're not needed and thus saves fuel.
There's plenty of room for the kids and if there's only four of you, the third-row
seat folds flat into the floor in a 60/40 split to provide more than enough space
for the family's camping equipment, a cooler, golf clubs and the pooch.
Safety Active head restraints in the front seats, stability
control, ABS with panic assist as well as front side and curtain airbags come
standard.
PROS: Integrated window shades. Large sliding doors are great
for quick and easy entry and exit, particularly when reaching in to attach a baby
into the carseat or helping a toddler into a booster seat. Easy loading thanks
to a low and level cargo floor.
CONS: No daytime running lights. Somewhat dated interior. Elevated road
noise even at low speeds.
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Editor
Celeste Moure
Contributors
Lola Augustine Brown
Catherine DeUgarte, MD
Candida Hadley
Julia Martin
Kia Robertson
Katharin Robinson
Gabriel Sheffer
Chris Tinselmann
We're giving away a wall decal from RoomMates. Email us [celeste AT ontippytoes
DOT com] and tell us about your favorite design of theirs to enter to win.
We're now on Facebook and Twitter. Check us out and enter to win other goodies
from this issue.
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On Tippy Toes is a monthly magazine devoted to bringing modern families the
best in home and nursery design, healthy recipes, travel advice, environmentally
friendly toys and gifts from around the globe. Our experienced team of writers
seek out the most inspiring products and ideas found at the intersection of parenthood
and design.
Media Partnerships
Every month, On Tippy Toes presents one exclusive media partner. To find out more
information about advertising opportunities, please email celeste AT ontippytoes
DOT com.
Press & Feedback
We also welcome samples for review. However please note we do not return samples
as they are given away as prizes to our readers.
Got something to say? Criticism or praise, we can take it, we're big kids.
Let us know what you think about On Tippy Toes by emailing
celeste AT ontippytoes DOT com
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