On Tippy Toes

SPRING IS HERE

Spring has sprung and along with it, these budding new accessories and eco-friendly toys for mom, dad and kid. Take a look at Get Dressed for ideas on freshening up your look and skip to Fun&Games for a must-have list of gifts for the home and the nursery, including a digital filing system that will help keep your work area neat and organized.

Just in time for Earth Day, we get behind the wheel of Honda's new hybrid hatchback, Insight. Find out what we think of it in The Drive. In Good, Better, Best we help you choose from three affordable and easy-to-use photo sharing and printing sites.

Spring, of course, means it's time to Get Away so we put together a handy guide of easy things to do and see in Vancouver Island's chic city of VIctoria.

In Food we take a look at baby-friendly dishes you can make at home, plus must-have accessories for the new mom and a link to a Sweepstakes where you can win Mutsy's new high-chair.

Don't forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox, and you'll be automatically entered to win one of the items featured in this issue.

Past Issues:
New Year
Trick or Treat
Water
Summer Travel
Food
Sleep
Sex&Love
Winter '08
Holidays '08

{ Think Spring }

> All Dressed Up with Places To Go
Shampoodle

Dress your boy or girl in stylish linen, perfect for summer's warm days. The outfit features a jacket with asian collar and breast pocket with satin border. The top has hidden buttons on front and satin cuffswhile the pants come with elastic waist and back pocket and leg endings with satin border--oh so stylish! The whole shebang is delivered with finess in a black suitbag.

{ Raffles suits, Shampoodle }

> Bohemian Like You
Rikshaw Design

Designed by a spontaneous adventurer drawn to a creative, bohemian existence, Rikshaw Designs features crib bedding, pillows, and accessories for the boho-chic baby. Always captivated by the tradition of Indian block-printing, the designer is expanding the collection to include adorable apparel (think kurtas and ruffled bloomers), as well as queen-size bedding for parents in their colorful, hand-blocked prints.

{crib bedding $380; bloomers $22; shirts $44, Rikshaw Design }

> Soirée Messenger Bag
Carry the Diapers in Style

Though not exactly a diaper bag, the Soiree is roomy enough for all your baby changing needs, plus it's water-resistant and washable too. Adjustable strap can be worn on the shoulder or across the body like a messenger bag.

{ Black Soiree $215, Crystalyn Kae }

> Make the Bed
Q Collection Junior

Q Collection has been known for creating beautifully designed furniture and textiles that are safe for people and the planet. Q Collection Junioris the company's line of organic baby bedding. The Celestial Parade Crib Set lets you make up a beautiful crib in soft shades of Sky Blue or Roxy (a watermelon pink) and cream. The set includes a reversible quilted bumper filled with organic cotton batting, soft sateen fitted sheets and a reversible crib skirt with an 11” long drop. All four items come in a reusable drawstring tote. A lovely gift with no plastic packaging.

{ Crib Set $395, Q Collection }

> All the Pretty Flowers
Headbands by Lou and Lee

Lou and Lee makes unique headbands out of fabric and felt. Nanette's bunch felt flower headband with vintage millinery flowers is perfect for your little flower child.

{ Headband $17, Lou and Lee }

> Nursing Made Easier
Bebe au Lait

Moms who prefer a little privacy while nursing in public can now do so discreetly and fashionably with Bébé au Lait nursing covers. Recently updated to feature an additional cotton terry pocket to help with quick cleanup and to store breast pads or pacifiers, the unique rigid neckline design allows for ventilation and direct view of baby during breastfeeding, while the generous size keeps mothers completely covered. Machine washable and 100 percent cotton, the Bébé au Lait nursing covers can also double as a blanket or sunshade for baby.

WIN IT Subscribe to our free newsletter by the end of April and you will be automatically entered to win a nursing cover.

{ Bebe au Lait }

> Walk on the Wild Side
See Kai Run

With its new 2010 Spring/Summer Collection, See Kai Run shoes are made with stronger, more durable leather. Collection highlights include the General III, a handsome brown, cream and navy shoe named after a little boy with his great grandfather’s name. His mom bid and won the opportunity to name the shoe in an auction where proceeds went to support ill children through music therapy. We also love Shari (pictured above), a Mary Jane that exudes a breath of springtime freshness in lemon yellow and Arianna, which comes in three colorways and features flower accents.

{General III and Mary Janes from $40, See Kai Run }

{ Vancouver Island }

VISTING VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND

Once a dodgy part of town occupied by industry warehouses, Victoria’s newly branded Design District is now the place to go for chic home accessories, dainty threads and yummy organic nibbles.

BREAKFAST
Victoria has long been popular with guitar-toting college dropouts, hemp wearing surfers and downward dog practicing mamas so it’s no surprise that recently opened Café Bliss, which serves organic juices and salads, is always packed. Try a Cecily juice made with apple, cucumber, lime, lettuce and mint. You’ll be glad you did.
556 Pandora Ave, 1-250-590-5733, cafebliss.ca, juices from $4

BRUNCH
Victoria hipsters, indie rockers and yummy mommies with kids in tow head to Mo:Lé for what is unquestionably the best breakfast in town. Local artists line the brick walls with photography and paintings while a silky smooth soundtrack is provided by the likes of Bob Marley, Al Green and Jack Johnson. Brunch favorites include smoked tuna eggs benedict, which come with pesto kissed home fries and freshly baked biscuits. The eggs are free-range, the orange juice fresh squeezed and the sausage locally made. ‘Nough said.
554 Pandora Ave, 250-385-6653, molerestaurant.ca

SHOP
When the owners of a century-old heritage building decided to put in an elevator, a tiny four- by eleven- foot space behind an arched window remained. Owners of Smoking Lily, a local label that handcrafts silk-screened clothing and accessories for men and women, jumped at the chance to open their flagship store at this most unusual location. Stock up on up on t-shirts, coin purses and silk scarves featuring whimsical prints of bugs, sea horses and other creatures.
569a Johnson St., 250-382-5459, smokinglily.com

Walking into Josephine’s Home Embellishments is like visiting the chic apartment of your favorite aunt in Paris (if you were so lucky to have one). Owner Karen Josephine Somerville, whose eponymous middle name goes back three generations, stocks the store with antiques and replicas—chairs, armoires, sidetables and beds—she acquires at auction houses throughout Canada. Pick up some gourmet artisan spices and vinegars from Maison Coté. Or a delicate necklace handcrafted from genuine semi-previous stones and Austrian crystals. “The line is called Sorrelli and the pieces look like those you might see in your grandmother’s jewelry box, but with a more contemporary look,” says Karen.
21-532 Herald St, 250-478-2325, josephineshome.com

Interior designer Heather Draper, who co-owns Bespoke Design with partner Jonalyn Siemens, stocks their airy shop with colorful silk throw pillows, linens from Dwell Studio and paints from UK favorite Farrow & Ball. A bundle of local driftwood will make a great souvenir.
517 Pandora Ave, 250-298-1105, bespokedesign.ca

DRINK
If a bag of Lipton is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of tea, Daniela Cubelic, owner and tea diva at Silk Road Tea, will enlighten you. “Tea, like wine, has many characteristics and nuances,” she’ll tell you during a tasting at the tea bar. She should know; Daniela learned about blending techniques and traditions from a Chinese tea master and herbalist. The tea plant, she’ll tell you, reflects the flavor of the region in which it was grown. The Zen-inspired shop showcases some of the best white, green, oolong, black and herbal teas from around the globe as well as beautiful Asian tea kettles and accessories. An in-house spa features face and body treatments like the green tea facial.
1624 Government St, 250-704-2688, silkroadtea.com

Opened in summer 2008, Union Pacific Cafe has a dual personality: café by day and wine bar by night (UP After Dark). The décor theme is retro railroad, with comfy leather couches, large communal tables, exposed brick walls and concrete floors. Large vintage train posters hang on the walls as does a blackboard listing the specials. During the day that might mean a turkey sandwich with cranberry dressing on organic sourdough. At night, though, the house lights dim and the locals dressed in cool denim jeans and funky sneakers come out to taste a selection of local cheeses paired with great BC wines. The place also offers free Wi-Fi and game boards to while away the afternoon with a cup of Joe—organic fair trade, of course.
537 Herald Street, 250-380-0005

STAY
At the center of it all and surrounded by the Design District, Old Town and Chinatown is Swan's Suite Hotel. Located in a century-old heritage building, each of the 29 suites is unique—some feature skylights, others exposed wooden beams, private patios or terraces. Bright and airy, the suites are decked out with spacious living areas, fully equipped kitchens plus homey touches like antique coffee tables, plush beds and leather sofas. Hanging on the walls throughout the hotel and the downstairs brew pub are more than 1000 original works of art.
506 Pandora Ave, 1-800-668-7926, 250-361-3310, swanshotel.com, doubles from $129

Web: www.tourismvictoria.com

{ Clean Up Time }

> Bamboo Sunshine Dollhouse
Hape

The first dollhouse offering eco-friendly materials combined with contemporary design and tech. It is made of natural and sustainable materials like birch plywood and bamboo. To save energy, the house boosts a fully functional solar panel to recharge the batteries that operate the LED lights.

{ Hape }

> Earth-Friendly Art Supplies
Eco-kids

Eco-kids brings creative play the natural way into your home. Just in time for Earth Day, a line of products that uses safe, natural ingredients and aim to raise awareness about our planet. Eco-dough and eco-paint, for example, are handmade using colorful fruit, plant and vegetable extracts. Eco-colored pencils are made from recycled newspaper, wax, natural mineral pigments and glue derived from corn and potatoes.

{ eco-dough and eco-paint from $20, Eco-kids }

> Seed Bombs
Visualingual

Inside the muslin bags, made in the USA and screenprinted by hand, are bird-, bee- and butterfly-friendly wildflower mixture native to much of North America.

{midwest seed bombs $7, Visualingual }

FOR MOM & DAD

> Tax Time and Year-Round Organization
Neat

Tax time can be a source of frustration but The Neat Company's solutions can help busy moms and dads organize all their important tax receipts and financial documents. Save time and money come April 15? Sounds god to us! Check out NeatDesk, a high-speed scanner and digital filing system that will finally help you clean off your desk and organize all your important information. The NeatWorks software saves receipt images and data in its database, keeping a digital copy, which is awesome since the IRS accepts scanned images of receipts.

{ NeatDesk for Mac or PC $399.95, Neat }

> Get Organized
LobotoME

This line of eco-friendly organizational products are designed to help keep busy people healthy, organized and sane. Made in Colorado, the products are printed on recycled paper using soy based inks. Choose from weekly meal planners, packing lists, grocery shopping checklists, weekly planners, to do lists and more.

{ individual pads from $9.95, get all eight pads for $59.95, LobotoME }

> Reusable Produce Bags
Veggie Shop in Style

Say goodbye to the plastic bag. Made by Seattle designers Wonder Thunder from preshrunk100% unbleached cotton with organic cotton drawstrings and printed with water-based inks, these handy reusable produce bags are perfect for shopping at the farmer's market or grocery store. Bags conveniently fit into one bag for easy toting. Comes in a set of four.

{ $20, Olive&Myrtle }

> Touch-and-Feel Books
Boad books for little hands

Discover just what makes little bunny's meadow so cozy. In My Meadow's bright pictures, sweet reassuring messages, unique layered pages, and an adorable finger puppet combine to create interactive reading and playtime fun. The pages of High Five with Julius encourags kids to celebrate everyday achievements— from sharing their toys to just being themselves.

{ High Five with Julius and Friends $8.99, In My Meadow: Finger Puppet Book $8.99, Chronicle Books }

> Soothing Lullabies
Baby Blanket Music

Baby Blanket Music makes its debut with a collection of albums featuring unique, soothing lullaby arrangements of favorite songs by the likes of Billy Joel, Elton John, John Mayer and Simon & Garfunkel. Designed to appeal to babies, parents and grandparents alike, it features familiar baby sounds like vibraphones and music boxes paired with a full medley of richer, more classical instruments (strings, woodwinds, pianos, harps).

GET IT: Use code ontippytoes2010 to receive a 20% discount on any order.

{ Baby Blanket Music }

{ Baby Food }

THE BOOK
Love in Spoonfuls
Fast and Easy Ways to Make Nutritious Food for Your Baby
From the editors of Parenting

From the experts at Parenting magazine comes this essential resource for parents looking to create a menu of easy, tasty, and nourishing meals for baby. Featuring 75 recipes for children aged 6 months to 2 years, Love in Spoonfuls grows with baby and offers a wide variety of tastes and textures—from baby's first purees and bites, to more sophisticated flavors like Baby Bolognese or Flaked Fish with Leeks and Carrots. Gorgeously photographed, and packed with tips, tricks, creative mealtime ideas, and solutions for picky eaters, this is the ultimate family cookbook for new parents.

> Bibs to Go

This clever, tear-off pad of bibs will keep baby clean and smiling! The brightly-colored illustrations will rev up any mealtime. Each bib is made of a waterproof, disposable material and can be placed securely around a child's neck with a tab closure.

{Bibs to Go from Dwell Studio $12.99, Blue Apple Books }

THE RECIPE: Creamy Pear with Spinach

Once your baby has eaten two of the three main ingredients here, you can start adding some spinach to the mix for poweful nutrition.

INGREDIENTS
1 handful fresh spinach leaves
2 tbsp plain yogurt or heavy cream
2 ripe pears, about 1 lb, peeled, cored and quartered
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)

Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Drain well. Place the spinach on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze until barely moist.

Puree the spinach, yogurt or cream, and pear quarters in a food processor or blender until smooth. Stir in the nutmeg, if using, and serve.

To store, refrigerate in an airtight containter for up to 3 days, or spoon into ice-cube trays or other freezer containers and freeze, for up to 3 months. The pears will discolor slightly, but this is not harmful.

HOW LONG Takes 10 minutes to make
HOW MUCH Makes 1 cup

Copy & Recipe courtesy of Chronicle Books

> Start Right Pack
Lifefactory

If you're like us, you probably started thinking more seriously about the future of our planet as soon as you became a parent. And that might mean paying closer attention to what babies new products are made of. At Lifefactory baby bottles and accessories are made of glass and silica low impact raw materials and packaging that leave less of a footprint on earth. Safe and easy to clean, products are sleek and modern but, more importantly, free of known harmful chemicals including bisphenol-A (BPA), phthalates, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

{ starter kit $59.99, Lifefactory }

> Win It
Mutsy-Best Seat In The House Sweepstakes

Win a Mutsy Easygrow High Chair – This innovative new child seat brings life to your interior and gives your child a safe and comfortable place at the table. Both the seat and foot rest can be easily adjusted to perfectly fit your child as he or she grows. Eating tray and bumper bar are included along with a flexible seat reducer and a 5-point harness. The chair’s unique tilting feature allows for the dinner tray to fold down and away for baby to be easily placed and removed from the seat. ENTER THE SWEEPSTAKES

{ Photo Sharing }

You’ve upgraded your digital camera now how do you get that good quality phto on paper? Millions of users have turned to online photo developing sites that offer free features to help organize and enhance pictures. Once you’ve transferred photos to your computer, these three popular sites make sharing photos with friends and family, printing them or just storing them a snap.

> Snapfish

DEAL 20 free 4x6 prints with first upload; Unlimited photo storage; Mail-order & pick-up options available
EASE OF USE Download their QuickUpload tool to add multiple photos to your account at one time.
PROS Unlimited free storage of your low-resolution photos. Hi-res photos are erased after 90 days.
CONS Mac users must add photos one by one, a painstakingly slow and tedious process. Fix & enhance options—red eye reduction, tints, fill flash, color correction, cropping.
GET CREATIVE Create the perfect gift using your images—from albums and stationary to baby bibs and boxers.
COST As low as .9c for a 4x6 print. Prints up to 20x30 for $19.99. Prepaid print plans start at .8c per 4x6 print.
SIGN UP Snapfish.com

> Shutterfly

DEAL Join and get 50 free 4x6 prints, free unlimited sharing and storage at full resolution plus free personalized website
EASE OF USE Intuitive navigation to view, enhance, organize and edit your photos quickly. Install “Picture Upload Assistant” to add multiple photos at once.
PROS Their “VividPics” image processing technology analyzes your photos and automatically adjusts to improve exposure and colors to give you their best-quality prints. Choose from Matte or Glossy prints. Recipients don’t need to join to view your pictures.
CONS With so many options to choose from, this site is for those with the patience to figure it all out.
GET CREATIVE Wide selection of chic edges, borders, tints and elegant fonts will give your photos the exact look you want.
COST 4x6 for .15c. Prints up to 20x30, $22.99. Prepaid print plans offer 4x6 prints for just .10c.
SIGN UP Shutterfly.com

> Kodak Gallery

DEAL Uh, no deal other than free photo sharing with privacy controls and high-res image storage and download.
EASE OF USE Intuitive navigation to view, enhance, organize and edit your photos quickly.
PROS Quickly upload hundreds of images using any browser, no special software. Just drag and drop photos, switch designs and edit images while creating, and preview an accurate representation of the end result.
CONS Kind of pricey to print with Professional Color Management, where your photos are hand-inspected to ensure the best color accuracy, clarity and the sharpest detail possible.
GET CREATIVE Filmstrip and Polaroid edges to classics rounded rectangle and soft ovals give your photos the look you want.
COST 4x6 from .15c and .38c for Pro Metallic or B&W. Prints up to 20x30, $21.99.
SIGN UP KodakGallery.com

{ Hybrid }

HONDA INSIGHT

With gas prices more volatile than your child's mood, it's no surprise hybrids, their superior fuel economy, have become modern parents' prefered mode of transport. The 2010 Honda Insight LX is a vast improvement over its original design from a decade ago --sure it was remarkably fuel-efficient but it lacked the practicality found both in regular cars and Toyota's four-door Prius. This year, Honda revives the Insight name with a four-door hatchback design--a must-have for eco-conscious families--that offers decent cargo space and a tight but usable rear seat. Better yet, like its predecessor, the small gas engine with an electric motor powered by a battery pack still returns well over 40 mpg without breaking a sweat.

SAFETY: All Insights come standard with antilock brakes (front disc/rear drum), front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Unfortunately, the base Insight LX lacks stability control and traction control, which come standard on the EX.

PROS: Controls are logically placed and easy to use. Seamless hybrid powertrain. On the road, the Insight rides firmly but handles securely. Affordable price and excellent fuel economy.

CONS: The rear door windows dip downwards, making it hard to maneuver a kid in and out of a car seat. The backseat is also on the snug side. The car also makes excessive road noise at higher speeds.

Editor
Celeste Moure

Contributors
Lola Augustine Brown
Catherine DeUgarte, MD
Candida Hadley
Julia Martin
Katharin Robinson
Gabriel Sheffer
Chris Tinselmann

This Month's Drawing

Subscribe to our e-newsletter and you will be automatically entered to win one of the featured items in this issue.

On Tippy Toes is a monthly magazine dedicated to all things kids and family. We feature a handpicked selection of baby and kid fashions, products for the home, entertaining and educational toys and gear for the modern family.

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About Us
On Tippy Toes is a monthly email magazine, featuring health, travel, and reviews of the best toys, gadgets and all things for babies, kids and their parents.

All content on this website should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or your baby's.

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