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JINGLE ALL THE WAY
You know that sense of anticipation you get as you rip open the gift-wrap
only to have the excitement fade away once you see what’s inside? Yes, we’ve
all been there, having to smile politely and feign interest in the unwanted gift
you’ll never wear, play with or read. Carefully chosen for their usefulness,
durability, beauty and coolness factor, the fashions, toys and books on this gift
guide will make regifting a thing of the past.
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{ fa la la la} |
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> Dressed to Impress
Pink Chicken
Jewel! Sparkly and comfy dress in a beautiful block print with contrast ribbon
along hem. Available as shown in tango red with gold sequins. Also available in
mulberry purple and caviar black.
{ jewel red and gold dress $52, Pink
Chicken }
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> Warm Those Legs
Small Nation
Cut extra long to be pulled over the knee, these stretchy black legwarmers are
named after one of the most influential dance choreographers of the 20th century.
Made from mulberry sea-fan print cotton and accented with black buttons, the attached
spat extends over the top of the foot for an authentic look. Get up and dance.
{ Martha Graham Legwarmer Spats $33, Small
Nation }
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> No Frills Fashions
imps&elfs
Launched in 1997 by Fons Cohen and Jaqueline Streng, this Dutch kids’ line
features flat knits, jerseys and woven pieces without frills or fancies. Inspired
by smiles and happiness, this fair-trade company uses organically grown cotton
to create high-quality clothing for newborns and toddlers.
{ imps&elfs }
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> Little Blue Riding Hood
Misha Lulu
Inspired by their Latin chulture and childhood memories, California-based designers
from El Salvador, Joe and Karen Salazar, have created a retro-modern brand called
Misha Lulu that fuses whimsical art and nature designs for pieces that are both
of the moment and totally timeless. Our favorite collection for Winter features
delicate corduroy and cotton tops, dresses and bottoms featuring gorgeous illustrations
of a girl in little blue riding hood, birds and flowers. The duo also recently
launched a Hello Killy collection of dresses, tops and bottoms that every little
girl will love.
{ Misha Lulu }
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> Modern Day Cinderella
kicokids
What happens when a talented designer starts making cuddly knits for the kids
in her life? Why, Kicokids, that's what! Launched as a hobby in 2003, Kicokids
has grown to become an impressive collection of knits and wovens that merge comfort,
function and fun. In other words, uber-chic fashions for active kids. Made of
100% cotton, this tulle tutu dress reinvents the traditional patchwork dress.
It features a back tie and an interchangeable wrap around bow that can be tied
in front or back... because we all know little girls like to change it up.
{ Assymetric Hem Tulle Patchwork Tutu Dress $ 242,
Kico Kids }
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> Duotone Dress
Minikin
Ring in the New Year in style with this duotone dress from Minikin, an online
shop that teams up with indie designersand companies to produce timeless fashions
for kid. We love this grey and burgundy dress, which features an ultra soft knit
top and a delicate silk skirt with an elastic at the waist. Pair it with tights
and ballarina flats to party till, well, bedtime.
{ Bene Duotone Dress t $39, Minikin
}
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> Mod Professor
Appaman
Who says only girls get to dress up? Our favorite brand for boys' clothes has
a new Fine Tailoring collection that includes mod suit ties, pants and dope jackets,
like this tweed number with brown cord elbow patches.
{ Mini Professor $102, Appaman
}
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> Well Hello, Sailor!
Dochi
The relaxed fit with subtle stripes and the extrasoft knit make this the perfect
combination for the trip to the park or just hanging around.
{ Sailor Stripes $28, Dochi
}
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{ the mane event } |
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Let your hair down
Raindrops keep falling on your head... Which can only mean one thing, unruly
hair. Here are some natural hair products that will effectively replenish hair’s
moisture and shine.
WE ALL SHINE ON John Masters Organics Shine
On ($30) is a natural, leave-in hair treatment that uses organic kelp in place
of synthetic silicone to smooth the hair shaft, leaving hair shiny and soft all
day long. A great natural-shine alternative to petroleum-based products. CALM
DOWN Perfect for little curls, Original Sprout Natural
Curl Calmer ($13.99) helps poofy, dry tresses soak up soothing moisture and
leaves locks stronger and softer. BODY BUILDING Great
for lightly sculpted looks, the unique alcohol-free formula in Jack Black's
Body Building Hair Gel with Grapefruit & Ginger provides volume, hold,
control and shine. The lightweight gel has a clean feel with no build-up or flaking.
NO KNOTS Gently wash away dirt and debris with Origin's
Knot
Free Shampoo, which features moisture-rich Panthenol that puts the brakes
on breakage and pumps up strength and thickness. Your locks are left silky-smooth
and swinging with shine as delicious Peach, Lemon, Black Currant Buds and fresh
Peppermint relax the rest of you. SMOOTH IT OUT Thoroughly
smooths hair without weighing it down with Kiehl's Superbly
Smoothing Argan Hair Pak ($25), an intensively nourishing treatment that provides
superb conditioning to tame fly-aways for healthy looking softness and shine.
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{ deck the halls } |
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> Fly Like a Hot Dang
Contexture Glider
Made using reclaimed veneer offcuts and scraps of recycled
materials, this wood and paper Glider from Contexture Design is perfect for the
design geek and DIYer. So smooth and delicate, it’s almost too pretty to
play with. Hang it as décor over your kid’s bed, display it on a
shelf, or, yes, go ahead and let it fly.
{ Glider, Contexture }
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> Once Upon a Time...
The Brothers Grimm
Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel – what kid hasn’t sat
at the edge of his or her bed captivated by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm?
To celebrate the tales’ 200th anniversary, Taschen, publishers of what are
arguably the most beautiful art books, is releasing their first children’s
book, The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm. The stunning compilation includes
all the classics interlaced with beautiful silhouettes, some especially designed
for this book and others culled from original publications from the 1870s and
1920s.
{ The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Taschen
}
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> Canadian Prairies Decor
Henderson Fry Goods
Vancouver-based Alex Henderson, of Henderson Dry Goods, makes beautiful
wood frames, mirrors, clocks and holiday decorations with laser-cut etchings inspired
by the Canadian Prairies. Her country-chic walnut hand mirrors are so gorgeous
they’re more like art for your walls. For this holiday season she created
a series of ornaments made from two layers of Maple veneer. The feathers, totem
poles, and teepees are so lovely you’ll want to display them year round.
{ Each $6, Henderson
Dry Goods }
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> Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Uncle Goose
It's better to give than receive. In the spirit of Christmas we've decided
to go ahead and give ourselves (ok, fine, the little ones) a set of handcrafted
blocks that spell out -- what else? -- Merry Christmas. The 14 blocks feature
the letters in green on one side and red on the other side. Traditional holiday
graphics are beautifully embossed on the remaining sides.
{ Christmas Blocks $22, Uncle
Goose }
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> Dinner Time
Ferran Adria Style
So you never got to eat at El Bulli before it closed down earlier
this year. Or maybe you did. Either way, chances are Ferran Adria’s “molecular”
cooking style is not in your repertoire. The famed chef and owner of what has
been called the “World’s Best Restaurant” has written a cookbook
inspired by the dishes eaten every day by the staff of his legendary restaurant.
Easy to prepare and meant for family dining at home, The Family Meal: Home Cooking
With Ferran Adria (Phaidon Press, www.phaidon.com) features almost 100 hearty
recipes that are affordable and made with ingredients readily found at the grocery
store. Each three-course meal is beautifully illustrated with step-by-step prep
photos. So simple, you’ll be baking apples with whipped cream, roasting
chicken with potato straws and serving Mexican-style slow-cooked pork in no time.
Chemistry degree not required.
{ The Family Meal $35, Phaidon
}
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{ jetset gear } |
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have kids, will travel
Whether you're flying cross-crountry for the holidays or planning the next
big summer vacation with the kids, here are some of our picks to make getting
there (almost) a breeze.
 THE STROLLER
Getting through airport security, jumping in and out of cabs, and riding a crowded
subway is challenging even under the best of circumstances. The last thing you
want while on vacation is to maneuver a big, heavy stroller around foreign streets.
That’s where the Mutsy
Easyrider comes in. At just 14 pounds, the stylish Easyrider is suitable for ages
3 months and up and offers all the features you want—5-point safety harness,
a large canopy and adjustable back with generous recline, extendable leg rest,
ergonomic handles—and none of the ones you don’t (a hefty pricetag,
bad design). The Easyrider, which comes in black, grey and purple, also features
small swivel wheels in front with a suspension system to help get over curbs and
bumps, ergonomic handles and one hand fold.
 THE CAR
SEAT Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their
car seat recommendations, advising parents to leave kids in a rear-facing car
seat until the age of two, instead of one. And they also recommend that kids remain
in a booster seat until they are at least 4’9” and between 8 and 12
years old. For those in the second group, the Clek
Oobr is just what the doctor ordered. The seat is not just easy to install but
features cool colors (strawberry, blue moon, dragonfly) and rad designs courtesy
of Paul Frank. The Oobr features an adjustable headrest, padded side bolsters,
soft-touch armrests, reclining seat back and cup holder. Another great feature
is that the Oobr grows with your child thanks to its removable back feature, which
converts it to a backless booster. Plush and comfy, Oobr is the Business Class
of car seats. Finished using your car seat or been in an accident? You can mail
the car seat back and Clek will manage the disassembly and recycling of all its
components into other products. Look for Clek’s newest convertible car seat,
Foonf, available for pre-order in December and in stores in June.
 THE CARRY ON
Once kids start choosing their own outfits and dressing themselves, they’ll
love packing (and carrying) their very own bags on the next family vacation. Beatrix’s
little wheelie bags are made of heavy-duty nylon and fuse modern design with a
bit of whimsy—think flying robots, smirking owls and toothy dinosaurs. Perfect
as a carry-on, the bags feature an adjustable handle with multiple lock settings
and an exterior pocket to stash away books, crayons and other goodies.
 THE
DIAPER BAG Becoming a mom and traveling with a kid shouldn’t
mean having to compromise on style. timi
& leslie features a line of stylish and convertible diaper bags inspired
by vintage looks. Made from easy to clean (and PVC free) faux leather, the satchels,
totes and messenger bags feature custom hardware in an antique brass finish, exterior
pockets and matching stroller straps. There are plenty of functional features
on the inside too, such as a changing pad with a front mesh pocket for storing
diapers and wipes, an insulated bottle tote and a dirty clothes sac. The bags
also come with a matching clutch that you can use as a purse. Finally, a diaper
bag you’ll use well beyond the potty training days.
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{ magic ice } |
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THE BOOK
Holiday Crafting & Baking with Kids
By Jessica Strand Photographs by Aimée Herring
Holiday Crafting & Baking with Kids will bring the whole family together
for some good holiday fun. Children ages four and up will love selecting their
own materials and digging into these cheerful projects. There is something here
for everyone and every winter occasion—Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,
Christmas, New Year’s, and Boxing Day! Step-by-step instructions, helpful
templates, and color photos make it a cinch for little ones to follow along. Best
of all, the materials and ingredients for these projects are inexpensive, easy
to find, and even easier to turn into amazing gifts, decorations, and treats.
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THE CRAFT
pipe cleaner and borax
snowflakes that grow
Mix a little bit of science with holiday crafting in this creative project!
Kids can actually
watch their snowflakes grow overnight! It’s so cool that they’ll want
to make these all
season long. Add color to the mix to make the snowflakes even more beautiful.
Adult supervision is suggested for this craft.
Materials for one snowflake
12-in/30-cm white pipe cleaner, cut into three equal pieces
Scissors
24-oz/710-ml wide-mouth jar
Short length of kitchen string
Pencil long enough to lie across the opening of the jar
Boiling water
6 tbsp/74 g borax such as 20 Mule Team Borax laundry booster (borax soap won’t
work) or kosher salt (Kosher works better for some mysterious chemical reason)
Food coloring (optional)
1. Twist two pieces of the pipe cleaner together in the middle to make an X
and then add the third piece, attaching it to the center of the X to make a six-pointed
snowfake framework.
2. Using scissors, trim the ends of the snowfake so it fts in the jar; there should
be a little extra room on either side. Tie one end of the string to an arm of
the snow?ake. Tie the other end to the pencil, making sure that, when the snowfake
hangs in the jar, held up by the pencil, it does not touch the bottom. Set the
snowfake aside.
3. Carefully fll the jar with boiling water, leaving a little room at the top.
Add a heaping spoonful of borax or salt (one or the other—not both) and
stir until it dissolves. Repeat this addition until you can no longer get the
borax or salt to dissolve.
tip: At this point, your solution is supersaturated. It should take about 3 tbsp/37
grams borax per 1 cup/240 ml water. Kosher salt is more variable and takes about
5 tbsp/ 55 grams for the same amount of water.
4. Once the solution is supersaturated, stir in a small amount of food coloring
to tint the snowfake, if you wish. Blue adds a lovely natural hue.
5. Lower the snowfake into the jar and lay the pencil across the top of the jar
to hold it up. The snowfake should not touch the bottom, and there should be room
on all sides. Put the jar in a location where it won’t be moved and leave
it overnight.
Copy & craft courtesy of Chronicle
Books
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{ Acura MDX } |
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It defeats snow, mud and crud without breaking a sweat. And it fits seven passengers.
What else could you ask for from a car. How about outstanding performance and
impressive handling? Acura's flagship crossover SUV, the MDX, has it all in spades.
The Elite, which the Tippy Toes family of four (plus visiting grandma) got
to test drive, was fitted with all the bells and whistles: heated and ventilated
front seats, heated rear seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, Bluetooth, Blind Spot
Information and Collision Mitigation Braking system. Even though the third row
seats were in use, we still had plenty of cargo room for suitcases, groceries,
soccer ball, tennis raquets and everything else.
Surprisingly (perhaps for a Y-chromosome), my husband thought there were way
too many lights and switches in the cabin--"It looks like a space ship in
here." Me? I loved pressing each and every one of them to see what they did.
Navigation with voice recognition? Check. Multi-view rear camera? Check. Sun detection
and humidity control? Check. I bet many marriages would be saved in an MDX thanks
to the tri-zone AC, which gets your corner of the car at the temperature you love.
We drove the car around town for a week but really got to experience all the
premium features during a road trip to Galliano Island. Never once did we hear
the are-we-there-yet? chants thanks to Acura's awesome 410-watt ELS surround-sound
15GB hard-drive audio system. The 9-inch DVD entertainment screen comes with wireless
headsets, a real plus when you've had just about as many Spongebob Squarepants
episodes as you can handle. Premium leather seats, the aforementioned surround
sound, and wood and brushed silver accents from dash to door are all very upmarket,
making the MDX an experience much like flying Business Class. When you climb back
into the luxe cabin after a pit stop in the middle of the night, say, the pretty
ambient lighting slowly lowers, like theatre lights after the doors close. I sat
there for almost a minute waiting for applause until I remembered to put the key
in and turn the ignition.
The MDX moves along nicely with smooth, consistent power thanks to the 3.7-litre
V6 and its 300 horses. Though we did not love it, the design is crisp, with lots
of sharp curves and edges. Quiet, smooth and fun, the MDX is light on its feet
and has decent fuel economy. All in all, we give it two thumbs up for comfort
and performance.
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Editor
Celeste Moure
Contributors
Lola Augustine Brown
Catherine DeUgarte, MD
Candida Hadley
Julia Martin
Katharin Robinson
Gabriel Sheffer
Chris Tinselmann
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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.
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