PakNaks

I first saw PakNaks last summer, and my kids loved them. I was glad to have the opportunity to review some. Paknaks are knickknacks for backpacks. Paknaks retail for about $4 each.

PakNaks are fun soft rubbery 3-D decorations for kids (and adults too!) to personalize all of their stuff. Backpacks, lunchbags, headbands, computer bags, household items, the list is only limited by your imagination.

There are more than 40 designs. Some of my favorites are Robert (the robot), Bella the Bee, Kyla Jane the butterfly, and Damsel the dragonfly.

Paknaks come with a customized velcro® that sticks and holds very well to whatever you want it to hold to. My kids each have one on their backpacks. They change out the design when they want.

Here are some of Munchie's choices.

Empty (see the velcro by the final S).

The Squishes (dolphins)

Grant (Soccer Ball)

Mike (Monster?)

Amies Chris'topher Tote and wallet review

Amies Circle is a fun new line of products created by a graphics designer who wanted hip age-appropriate toys for young girls. Rather than try to make our kids into mini teenagers, Jubily Boy created a line of stationary, fashion and gift accessories for girls of all ages.

I received the Chris'topher tote and wallet (pictured above). They are cute enough for me to carry! In fact, when Crunchy (5) and Chewie (11) went out to sell candy bars for school, the tote was the perfect place to store the money. There is an inside zipper pocket where I put big bills and all the ones and change I just threw in the bag. It was quite roomy! It's small enough that Crunchy can carry it as a purse. (If I ever decide to give it up!) The tote sells for $18 and the walled for $12. There are a dozen Amies (French for friends) characters--each with a picture and description. The website even offers fun downloads of greeting cards, posters and coloring sheets.

Nico and Zoe Baby Hippo

Nico & Zoe carry uncommon and artisan made toys that are made from materials that have been tested to be safe. Right now they are offering free shipping (lower 48) on orders over $100. I had the opportunity to review one of the organic plush: Fairy Tale Baby Andi the Hippo.

Cheerios Spoonful of Stories

One of the goals I would like to complete before my 40th birthday in October is to write a children's book. I have found a great place to start. You know how Cheerios has been putting books in boxes of cereal for the past several years? I just found out they have given away 35 million over the past 7 years. That is a lot of books! But, they don't want to just encourage readers, Cheerios wants to find new authors. For the third year, the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author contest helps to encourage previously unpublished children's books authors to wreite new books. Entries are being accepted until July 15, 2009. Juding will be based on appropriate story and content for 3-8 year olds; emotional connection; writing quality; uniqueness; and read aloud potential. (Details: Spoonful of Stories Contest.) Last years' winner, "The Great Dog Wash" by Shellie Braeuner will be in this 1.5 million boxes this year. It is printed in both Spanish and English. She won $5000 and the chance to have her book reviewed by Simon & Schuster. They are publishing the book in hardcover this summer. Would you like a chance to win "The Great Dog Wash" and 3 other books that will be appearing in a Cheerios box near you? To enter: Leave a comment about reading. (Ideas: How often do you read to your kids? What is your favorite storybook character? What storybook character is most like you? or your kid?) Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each): * Add my button to your blog * Follow me on twitter * Twitter about this giveaway * Follow my blog * Subscribe to my blog Contest ends Thursday, May 14th. Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one. Limited to US addresses only.

Guardian Angel Bracelets

Have you ever turned around and realized that your child is not there? Even if it's just a couple of minutes before you are reunited, the anguish is intense. One mom lost her son at the beach. For an agonizing and frantic 20 minutes, she searched for him. Thankfully, they were soon reunited. After questioning what went wrong and what could have been done differently, she came up with the Guardian Angel Bracelet IDs. These wristbands are durable and waterproof. They are like the bands you would wear at an amusement park, and they require someone to cut them off. Each band is brightly colored and fun.

So, how do they work? When you are going out to a busy, public place, write your cell phone number on the bracelet (with the included waterproof permanent marker). They suggest you teach your child that if they get lost, they find the first Mommy they can and ask her to call the number on the bracelet.

I think it's a great idea! We will definitely be using the Guardian Angel Bracelet IDs this summer if we make it to Disneyland!

A Mother's Promise

Recently, I received a beautiful beaded lanyard to review. The one I received was made with white and silver beads. (There are several other colors available here.) The lanyard is long (mine came down almost to my waist.) I don't wear a name badge for work, but I do wear a name tag at church. I wore it today. And it looked beautiful! (I'll post a picture later.)But the story behind the necklaces is even more beautiful! From Kimberly Martinez (one of the founders):

My children love to pepper me with “what if” questions about the future. My answer to them: “No one knows what the future holds but the one thing I can promise is that you will always have my love, a roof over your head and food to eat.”

On a business trip to South Africa with Lisa, my partner and co-founder, we met mothers who could not keep that same promise to their families. For the first time, we considered what it would be like if we could not give our children a safe place to live or healthy food to eat. We considered what it would be like if we couldn’t make or keep “A Mother’s Promise.”

Compelled by a force bigger than ourselves, we set out to empower women in disadvantaged economies around the world so that they can provide life necessities to their children.

Our current project is in Guatemala where our fair trade wages allow local bead artisans to pay for shoes, school tution and nutritious food for their children. In addition to the feeling that comes from knowing we are providing better lives for these women and their families, we are also able to offer you unique, hand-crafted works of art that you will love and will feel good about purchasing.

Thank you for helping us keep “A Mother’s Promise.” —Kimberly Martinez

A Mother's Promise is just one product in the beautiful line offered by BooJee Beads. There are an assortment of lanyards (including some appropriate for men!) ; retractable badge reels ; badge clips; FunKey covers; and eyeglasses covers.

JBanz

It's getting warmer, and summer will soon be here. Are your kids ready for the sun? BabyBanz offers a variety of products for children's sun protection: sunglasses, UV clothing, and accessories. The sun classes come in 3 sizes: Baby Banz (0-2); Kidz Banz (2-5) and Junior Banz (4-10). They even offer ski goggles, special needs glasses, and adult sunglasses. Crunchy got to try out the:

New from Baby BanZ - Junior BanZ for Girls! Junior BanZ feature UV400 Polarized polycarbonate lenses and sturdy frames, while offering new shapes and temples for the protection and style older kids want. Junior BanZ come with their own solid pink neoprene carrying case complete with zipper clasp as well as a removable neoprene strap for active girls on the go!

• Lenses 100% UVA/ UVB protection
• Category 3 POLARIZED lenses offer high sun glare reduction and good UV protection
• Durable polycarbonate Ophthalmic quality
• Capable of being replaced with prescription lenses
• Frame is made of shatter-resistant polycarbonate
• Sporty, sleek design

Crunchy enjoyed modeling the pretty pink JBanz. She said,

They are pretty and fun and cool to wear. They keep the sun out of my eyes. Very very very cool.

The quality is very high. The frames are thick and strong. They came with a "nerd strap" (as my husband calls his) to keep the glasses in place. And the case that arrived with the JBanz is pretty and functional.

Chic Buds and Pink Tooth

I recently had the opportunity to try a couple of fun (and stylish!) products from chicBuds (earphones with Swarovski Crystals). They offer some beautiful accessories. The chicBuds are retractable, decorative earphones to use however you receive your music: iPod, portable CD player or personal computer. chicBuds are detailed with genuine Swarovski Crystals transforming which makes them not just functional, but fun! The chicBuds come in both black and white with five delicious flavors (or colors): Blueberry, Grape, Watermelon, Sour Apple and Marshmallow! There are some limited edition designs including crosses, hearts, and awareness ribbons, as well as RockBuds for the men in your life. chicBuds have a unique retractable feature that keep the cords from getting tangled. Make sure you read the How it Works page so you don't break them! The second item I tried was the Pink Tooth (other people call them "blue tooth") ear piece. As you can see, below, it is a beautiful piece. The ear piece came with 3 various sized tips to find the perfect fit in your ear. I am using the smallest one. There is also a black "hanger" that attaches to the the ear piece to give added security. Some people can get a secure fit with just the bud, but I needed a bit more. After a couple of days, my hanger broke, but chicBuds offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and my new hanger is on its way. The sound quality is great! In fact, my husband can hear me better on the Pink Tooth than when I call him using the phone! I've had some trouble getting used to the push button on the ear piece to receive calls. But I think I'd have trouble with any ear piece. It will just take some getting used to. I have one problem with the Pink Tooth, but most people won't encounter this. I wear hearing aids in both ears. And the Pink Tooth and the hearing aid don't both fit in my ear at the same time. There is a volumn control, but it is still a little quiet for me. I don't know of any blue tooth accessory that has extra loud controls. I've really enjoy using the Pink Tooth when I'm walking. I have music loaded on my smart phone. I put the ear piece in my ear and start walking. If I get a call, the music automatically pauses while I take my call. Both the chicBuds and the Pink Tooth retail for under $50. Would you like to win? I have one set of chicBuds earphones to send to one reader. To enter: Leave a comment with your favorite product on chicBuds. Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each):

• Add my button to your blog
• Follow me on twitter
• Twitter about this giveaway
• Follow my blog
• Subscribe to my blog

Contest ends Thursday April 16th. Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one. Limited to US addresses only.

Pop Art Toaster

Okay, I found something for my wish list. I am not much of a cook. And I'm not super creative in the kitchen. About as fancy as I get is when I cut my kids' peanut butter sandwiches into exciting shapes like dinosaurs, hearts, and dolphins. Lest you get too excited, I use these:

Anyway, I found something else to make bread fun. The Pop Art Toasters! They make toasters with branding irons that put words and pictures directly onto the bread. They also have a 5-in-1 baker that makes quick breads. I've shown the Mickey, but there is also a princess, and a non-Disney design.