Each Custom Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Jewelry Personalized by Tiny Tokens Jewelry Designs is unique and created especially for you. Personalized jewelry adds that special touch and lets the recipient know that this gift was created just for them. Tiny Tokens Jewelry Designs delivers high quality, hand stamped pieces that are certain to draw many compliments. We received a sample for the review and were very impressed with the quality of the materials and the work. The letters were hand stamped beautifully and the letters were clear and easy to read. The designs are original and the full range of jewelry offers something for everyone. The jewelry arrives beautifully presented in a gift box, ready for the recipient.

Our Top Picks for Gifts for any Occasion:

Mother’s Day:

The Layers of Love Necklace is a wonderful choice to celebrate Mom this Mother’s Day. This beautiful necklace is classic and timeless and looks gorgeous on the wearer. The Sterling Silver Heart dangles delicately over the discs and accents the hand stamped names.

Mother

Honor mom this Mother’s Day with this elegant charm necklace. Complete with the Chinese character for Mother, a hand stamped heart tag and a beautiful fresh water pearl, mom will know how cherished she.

Father’s Day:

The Hand Stamped Sterling Silver Keepsake Cufflinks
are the perfect Gift for a Groom, or a special birthday gift for the man in your life. The cufflinks are shipped in an espresso stained hardwood box, for a classy presentation.

Anniversary Gift:

The Heart to Heart cut out tag necklace with a dangling heart is a lovely anniversary gift and will make any wife feel very loved and special.

Graduation Gift:

For the new graduate, the road ahead is filled with endless opportunities and possibilities. Celebrate the hopes and dreams with the Wish Necklace.

Four legged friends:

Tiny Tokens Jewelry Designs offers Pet Tags for your furry friends. Your pet will be sporting very cool tags but equally important, if they escape from the house, you can be contacted!

PURCHASING:

Shop the full collection at the online etsy store. Also on offer are Gift certificates.

All images copyright Tiny Tokens Designs.

Around the globe, New Balance is recognized as a leading manufacturer of high-performance athletic footwear and apparel. The company’s objective is straightforward — equip the elite and everyday athlete with footwear, apparel and accessories that provide the best performance, fit, quality and comfort. New Balance, head-quartered in Boston, MA has the following mission: Demonstrating responsible leadership, we build global brands that athletes are proud to wear, associates are proud to create and communities are proud to host.

Here are our top picks for 2010 from New Balance:

645 Country Walker

* ABSORB® cushioning in both heel and forefoot for exceptional shock absorption
* Suede/Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable
* STABILITY WEB® delivers midfoot support and reduces the weight of the shoe
* C-CAP® midsole provides cushioning and support
* Solid rubber outsole provides long-wearing durability

Take advantage of the warm weather by exploring the outdoors and take time for yourself to escape the day to day stress of your life. The Country Walkers from New Balance are the perfect choice as they are lightweight and very comfortable. We have tested these shoes extensively on outdoor adventures in dry conditions and were really impressed with the level of comfort that can be attained during all day adventures. Despite the temperature soaring outside, the testers feet remained cool, helping them to stay comfortable and conserve energy needed throughout the day. From an aesthetic point of view, the shoes are modern and will blend well with your active wardrobe. The Country Walkers are available in mens and womens sizes, including wide widths.

855 Cross Trainers

*ABZORB® SBS in both heel and forefoot provides 5-10% more effective cushioning than original ABZORB® with no compression set
*C-CAP® midsole provides cushioning and support
*ENCAP® midsole technology provides support and maximum durability
*ROLLBAR® with Medial & Lateral TPU Posts for ultimate motion control
*Solid rubber outsole provides long-wearing durability
*Medicare / HCPCS code = A5500 Diabetic shoe
*Non-Marking Rubber Outsole won’t mark floors
*Leather/Mesh upper is lightweight and breathable

The 855 Cross Trainers from New Balance are our top pick for 2010 from New Balance! These lightweight shoes are designed for comfort and support and from the moment you try these on, you won’t look back. They are worth every penny and the top quality engineering and quality stands out. For women with wider feet, you will be delighted to hear that this shoe is available in widths up to 4E, so now despite your foot width, you too can lead an active style in high quality footwear.

811 Walking

* ROLLBAR® with Medial & Lateral TPU Posts for ultimate motion control
* Synthetic upper provides lightweight comfort and durability
* Polyurethane midsole offers durable cushioning and effective resistance to compression set
* TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane) Walking Strike Path® stabilizes your foot and helps you achieve a correct gait
* Medicare / HCPCS code = A5500 Diabetic shoe

*Yearly New Balance contributes 15% of wholesale sales from the Lace Up for the Cure® Apparel & Footwear Collection, with a guaranteed minimum donation of $500,000 up to a maximum of $1 million, to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
athletic footwear and apparel from New Balance

This Athletic Walker is proudly made in the USA, and part of the Lace Up for the Cure Campaign, two combinations which will make you feel great about purchasing it. The lightweight shoe is a great choice for those new to exercise, and who are about to embark on a new walking routine. The lightweight shoe is designed to stabilize your foot, helping you achieve a correct gait and in addition, will provide you with cushioning and comfort.

New Balance offers a full selection of fitness products for men, women and children. Consumers can find retailers that carry New Balance products by visiting www.newbalance.com or by calling 1-800-253-SHOE. New Balance Shoes can also be purchased online through the NB Online Store.

Cara, founder of Preggers n’ Proud:

“I started Preggers n’ Proud when I was pregnant 6 years ago. We were one of the first maternity slogan t-shirt companies on the market and we got a huge boost in popularity when Kate Hudson wore our Loving my Buddha Belly tee in People Magazine. We introduced Daddy t-shirts to the maternity industry with our Men who Change Diapers Rule tee soon after. We continue to grow sales each year and recently added the opportunity for our customers to buy our blank wholesale t-shirts in bulk for their own slogan, Mom’s group, or boutique logo. I feel very fortunate to have started a business at a time in my life when I wanted to stay home to raise my son. I was a Writer before creating the adorable and clever maternity slogans that grace our tees. My business has changed as I have over the years. My interest in an environmentally friendly lifestyle affected my business decisions. My business is not about making huge amounts of money – it is about supporting my family, important causes, and celebrating each and every customer’s pregnancy.”

Spotlight: Organic Cotton Maternity Tees

The organic cotton line from Preggers n’ Proud is manufactured in the USA to cut down on the environmental impact of international freight shipping. The company uses post-consumer waste paper and recyclable gift boxing and shipping materials. In addition, they donate proceeds to eco-friendly organizations.

The organic cotton tees are available in Two super stretch sizes:

*S/M fits sizes 2-10
*L/XL fits sizes 12-18

Organic Buddha Belly maternity tee

Organic Blossoming Baby maternity tee

PURCHASING:

Products can be purchased online at www.preggersnproud.com or in select maternity boutiques across the country. Overseas shipping is available.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Gone are the days when pregnant women hid their pregnant belly in tent like creations and fathers had little to do with caring for their baby. These days, pregnant mamas-to-be are embracing their new curves and flaunting their growing bumps in stylish tees. Fathers are taking an active role in caring for their baby and are proud of it. Preggers n Proud offers custom designed tees for the entire family all at reasonable prices. Cara’s background as a writer is clearly evident in the creative slogans that creates together with her husband. Pregger n’ Proud offers maternity designs such as Loving my Buddha Belly, Sexy n’ Showing, Goddess with a Bump, Hot Mom, Epidural Shmepidural, Viva la Pansa, Blossoming Baby Belly, & With Child, Daddy tees include designs such as Men who Change Diapers Rule, Good Daddies are Hot, and Phat Papa, which celebrate daddy’s and acknowledge them as equal partners. Also on offer are adorable baby tees with designs such as: Buddha Baby and Mama’s Got my Back/And so does Daddy!

We received evaluation samples of their organic cotton maternity tees with the designs:
Blossoming Baby Belly and Loving my Buddha Belly which celebrate and honor the pregnant form in a fun and respectful way. The unique graphics are well designed and are sure to attract many compliments. The organic cotton fabric is super soft and feels terrific against the mama-to-be’s skin. The organic cotton fabric used to make the tees is natural colored, free of dyes and bleaches. The cut and length of the tee is super flattering and oh so comfortable. You will receive plenty of compliments when wearing Preggers n Proud tees and lots of nods and smiles!

Here is some feedback that we received from our tester:

“I had a difficult time finding organic cotton maternity tees. I was really surprised by how few companies offer them. I was delighted to receive the organic cotton maternity tees from Preggers n Proud and eager to try them on. I have been fairly self-conscious about my weight gain during pregnancy and the loss of my pre-pregnant body and admit that I was hiding behind baggy tees and sweat pants, which didn’t flatter my new shape. I was thrilled when I put on my Preggers n Proud tee and immediately saw the flattering silhouette which it created and I felt an instant boost of confidence and dare I say…I felt sexy. I grabbed my maternity jeans which I hadn’t yet worn until now and which was the perfect compliment to my designer tee. I was ready to take on the world! The organic cotton fabric feels awesome against my tender, itchy skin and I can feel great knowing that it is free from harmful chemicals and dyes. I received tons of compliments when I wear my tees and my confidence level has gone through the roof. The tees have totally changed my attitude towards my pregnant body and taught me to be proud of my growing belly. Thank you!

We commend Preggers n Proud for their eco-friendly organic cotton collection which is proudly made in the USA and look forward to seeing it continue to expand. We would really like to see them offer organic cotton wholesale tees in the future. We would also like to acknowledge that Preggers n Proud contributes a portion of sales to organizations that care for animals and children including: Canines for Disabled Kids, PETA, and Zero to Three and hope that other companies will follow in their footsteps.

*GIVEAWAY*

Courtesy of Preggers n’ Proud we have the following 2 prizes up for grabs, both in a size L/XL:

Prize A: Organic Buddha Belly Maternity Tee

Prize B: Organic Blossoming Baby Maternity Tee

Congratulations to Kelly S.

Preggers n Proud collection of tees for the entire family will make wonderful gifts. To view the full collection, please visit:

www.PreggersnProud.com

Fueled by light, it never needs a battery. Eco-drive technology harnesses the power of light from any light source. It works in 2 ways:

1. Natural and artificial light are absorbed through the crystal and dial.

2. Solar cell converts the light and stores it as energy. Cell charges continuously in any light. runs for 6 months even in the dark.

Its Unstoppable……Just like the people who wear it.

Eco-Drive Watches are an amazing achievement in combining a watch that is functional, stylish and environmentally responsible by never needing a battery. By efficiently converting light into energy to run the watch for up to 178 days on a single full charge, the watch is able to maintain a full charge every day even in a fluorescent lit office. The Eco-Drive watches live up to the Citizen reputation for quality. A wide assortment of watches are available for both men and women from mens’ chronographs to elegant watches for women. All Eco-Drive watches never need a battery, which is not only functional as your watch won’t stop due to a dead battery, but also ecologically responsible. Batteries are a significant source of pollution today from improperly disposed of batteries and there are very recycling programs for the kinds of batteries that watches use, making watch batteries a significant pollution problem.

Citizen is proud to be working directly with Susan G. Komen for the Cure this year in their first cause marketing relationship! In fact, Citizen has committed to donating $100,000.00 this Fall in conjunction with the sale of 2 watches created specially for this program. We applaud Citizen Watches for giving back. The specially designed watches are both stainless steel watches with pink dials; one has an 18-diamond bezel and one has an 8-diamond dial, and they both have the Komen logo engraved on the case back. They also come in special packaging. One retails for $275, and the other for $325. Two beautiful watches in honor of a terrific cause.

For more information and to view the full line of Eco-Drive watches, please visit www.CitizenWatch.com

Selecta´s History

Tradition

*Selecta Spielzeug AG looks back on a long tradition. In 1968 Tilmann Förtsch and Günther Menzel grounded the company with the aim to provide high value, specially chosen toys which promote the development of children. The natural raw material wood is especially suitable for this. The name of the company mirrors the company philosophy: “Selecta” is from the Latin and means something similar to “the chosen”.

Selecta today

*Selecta Spielzeug AG has their principal office in Edling, near Wasserburg am Inn in Bavaria, Germany. Out in the country with a wonderful view of the Bavarian alps, the Selecta employees work meticulously on new innovative and high value toys and games.

General terms:

Quality

*From our beginnings, we have traditionally manufactured the majority of our products in our own factory so that, with the exception of a very few products, all of our products proudly bear the “Made in Germany” mark. We monitor all of our products from the development stage right through to manufacture so that we can offer our customers the best possible guarantee of quality. During the manufacturing process all components are subject to continuous quality control procedures which is how we are able to guarantee our high quality standards.

Safety

*Selecta toys are manufactured in compliance with current European and international standards. Our products are tested in accordance with the European standard for toys, from the earliest development phases through to their introduction to market. Our products are also tested by the T?V Product Service for compliance with European Standard EN71 and are certified with the GS safety mark. Our products are also tested and certified to ensure compliance with US standard ASTM.

Surface finishing

*As a natural material, wood can be safely put into a child’s mouth. Selecta only uses environmentally-friendly and totally safe paints and lacquers which comply with EN71 and US safety standard ASTM.

*We were one of the first manufacturers to provide our products with an additional coating of beeswax, which naturally finishes the surface with a very soft, velvety coating.

*Using a special transfer printing process, we are able to print colorful illustrations onto the wood itself. This process enables us to produce very bright and brilliant colors, as well as providing a strong scratch-resistant surface which can withstand saliva.

Warning

*We are legally obliged to attach warning notices to our products. The purpose of these is to guarantee that the toy is used properly. They also provide additional information about its use and age-based suitability.

*The intention of the legislature is that this will counteract any risks which could occur by children using the toys incorrectly. We would therefore recommend that you observe these warning notices and retain them for future use.

Environment

*Our objective is to sustain and protect our environment and to this end we have already put in place a number of measures and are continuously working to improve these further.

*We primarily work with native woods, especially maple and in order to ensure that we do not fell more trees than are re-planted, we support sustainable forestry by working with PEFC/FSC-certified timber companies. We use the wood chips left over from our production processes to meet our company’s entire heating requirement and continuously monitor and improve our production processes to make further energy savings and prevent CO² emissions.

Working conditions

*We have a duty to offer humane working conditions in our own production plants and demand the same from our suppliers. We deal with our employees in a correct and proper manner and offer them a safe and healthy working environment. We monitor our practices on an ongoing basis to ensure that we comply with all regulations relating to working hours, minimum wage and the ban on child labor.

Pontino Babygym

This colorful arch, a new look for the familiar babygym, stimulates the senses as your baby discovers the world from the playmat. The colored rings and the balls hanging from their multi-colored cords move in response to your baby’s movements, as do the musical bells.

Size
*25 x 17 1/2 x 18 1/2 inches

PURCHASING

Selecta products can be found in over 30 countries. You can find shops near you by clicking here.

Success Through Play™ comments:

Are you looking for an heirloom quality playgym that isn’t made from cheap plastic and that will last for years to come? Let us introduce you to the Pontino Playgym from Selecta Spielzeug, a high quality wooden playgym which is proudly made in Germany. This beautiful wooden playgym is very well designed and boasts the most stable frame that we have yet to see. Rest assured that this playgym won’t topple over, even with the feistiest of babies. The high quality wood has a very smooth finish and feels wonderful to the touch. The Pontino Playgym features an arch dotted with colorful wooden beads, which resemble a colorful rainbow, which is sure to attract baby’s attention and interest. Three colorful toys hang from the arch: a colorful wooden bird in the center, surrounded by 2 round shaped wooden toys with bells on either side. The adorable bird has a bold red body, a bright yellow beak, blue wings and green feet which will capture baby’s attention and encourage him to play and learn.

The lead free paint is safe for babies and saliva resistant and the surfaces are coated with beeswax for protection. The Pontino Playgym will stimulate your baby’s visual skills, eye-hand coordination, fine motor coordination and provide him with auditory stimulation. Make tummy time more appealing by jiggling the bells to encourage baby to lift his head up. Make supine play (on his back) fun by encouraging baby to reach and swipe (and later grab) the toys! Once baby is able to weight bear in the prone position (on his tummy), he will have lots of fun weight bearing on one hand while using the other hand to reach for the toys. Once baby can sit independently, around 6 months of age, position him in front of the playgym and let him play the 3 toys! By 6 months of age, he will have sufficient fine motor skills to explore the 3 toys on a more advanced level.

The Pontino Playgym will make a beautiful Baby Shower Gift that is top quality and will last for many generations to come. We commend Selecta Spielzeug for producing safe, high quality wooden toys in an ethical factory in Germany and setting a fine example for other toy manufacturers to follow. Their eco-friendly mantra is an inspiration to us all.

We would like to thank Selecta Spielzeug for sending us the Pontino Playgym all the way from Germany. We hope to feature additional toys from Selecta Spielzeug in the future.

To view the full selection of products available from Selecta Spielzeug, please visit:

www.selecta-spielzeug.de

Transitioning from the Womb to the World is one of the first challenges for a baby. Dr. Harvey Karp named the first 4 months of a newborns life the “4th trimester” indicating that your newborn is in a sense still very immature and will continue to require a womb like environment for the first 4 months of life. The unique and patented design of the Hushamok, provides a womb like environment for your baby, helping to make the transition from womb to world a smoother one.

The Hushamok was developed by Mark and Julie Soboil after the birth of their first child, who had colic. A friend suggested they try a hammock, which has been used for centuries to calm infants. The hammock worked wonders in soothing their restless and unsettled baby. With Mark and Julie’s backgrounds in Environmental Science and interest in using sustainable materials, their journey to design modern comfort solutions began. The Hushamok is a modern take on an old tradition and blends modern design with function beautifully.

The unique design of the hammock provides vestibular and proprioceptive and input to your baby, which is calming and soothing. Contrast that to a huge, empty crib, where a baby may feel insecure, especially after just coming out of the womb in which he was tightly nestled.

The most innovative feature of the Hushamok is the hammock’s ability to sway gently and be bounced. Parents can gently rock and bounce baby to sleep and best of all, baby’s natural movements will set the hammock into a gentle motion, so that he can self soothe during the night. Babies who are properly positioned in the Hushamok tend to sleep longer than babies in regular cribs, making parents VERY happy. The proprioceptive and vestibular stimulation which the Hushamok provides, helps to calm your fussy/colicky baby and at the same time promotes body awareness and neurological and physical development.

The Hushamok Hammock sits low to the ground, which makes it a safe choice for your baby. Parents can easily reach over without getting out of their bed and check on their baby with ease! This is important for moms who have had Caesarean Sections, those recovering from difficult births and parents with disabilities.

With the Hushamok, there are no dangerous slats to compromise safety, but instead, the Hushamok is made from 100% Turkish Organic Cotton with a Polyethylene Mattress, providing your baby with a non-toxic environment. In addition, The Hushamok is JMPA Certified.

Changing your baby’s sheet has never been easier. Forget back breaking manoeuvre that parents with regular cribs have to perform, to change their baby’s mattress! The Hushamok is super portable and fits into the sturdy travel bag provided for easy travel.

PANEL OPINION:

Easy to setup – Frame assembles quickly and easily. Few (frame, leaf spring and hammock) and unique components to deal with make it easy to understand how things come together, and apart.

Secure stand connections – Double, large sized, heavy duty pins lock in place easily while allowing for adults to assemble and disassemble the frame quickly. The double pins help keep the frame together.

Leaf Spring to Hammock assembly is secure, cant come untied, as the weight of the hammock and child pulls the loops tighter, and the tab on the underside ensures the loops will not come free.

Wide base for outstanding stability, not easy to tip over even with baby swinging side to side

Uses Welded Leaf Spring to frame connecting rod, and immovable hanging hook, not a threaded bolt that might come undone or wear away at the frame or components, dropping metal filings into the hammock and onto the child.

Sturdy hammock materials, will not tare or stretch out and deform over time.

No paint on the frame to chip off, be ingested by the child, and will look great over a long period of time and multiple children.

WEIGHT AND AGE LIMIT:

The Hushamok Baby Hammock is an early development product designed for newborns up to approximately 6 months or 22 pounds. Hushamok recommends using the product when baby is born.

Hushamok MySeat

The perfect accessory to extend the life of your frame! The Hushamok MySeat can be used when babies are approximately 12 weeks of age and comes equipped with a removable neck support, tether and harness system. The beautifully crafted MySeat is made from organic cotton and provides a soft, comfortable yet supportive sitting environment for your child. The MySeat can accommodate children up to 50 pounds. Supervision at all times is required with the MySeat.

We were eager to distribute the Hushamok Dream to our parent panel, who were sleep deprived and VERY cranky due to their colicky babies who had kept them up all night, for weeks on end. Here are some comments from the parent panel:

“I was feeling helpful and very frustrated. My baby’s pediatrician informed me that my 6 week old baby has colic. I wouldn’t wish colic on my worst enemy. I can’t begin to describe how we feel. Malia cries almost non-stop, with increased severity in the early evenings and throughout the night. She had been sleeping in a regular crib, which is enormous for her tiny body. My husband assembled the Hushamok Dream easily and quickly and we anxiously awaited Malia’s expression as we gently placed her in the hammock. To our delightful surprise, she started to calm down and we were in awe that we could gently rock her, helping to calm and soothe her. You definitely can’t do that with a regular sized crib. Malia took to the hammock very well and we only wish that we had heard about it from the get go, so that we could have placed her in it the moment that we arrived home from the hospital. We really liked the design, which lies low the ground, making it clearly safer than a standard crib. The frame blends in with our modern decor and friends have commented on its cool design. I could easily reach over and check on her, which I really like. My husband was definitely apprehensive at first, because of the Hushamok’s unique design, but within minutes he was sold. Now we can all look forward to nap and sleep time. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

“Our baby, Henry, was diagnosed with GERD (reflex) which made sleep and nap times difficult at best. Our pediatrician explained that a regular crib is not the best option for babies with reflux because the baby’s head isn’t elevated and a crib is stationary. He commented that his patients had experienced great relief with the Hushamok hammock. I was fortunate enough to be contacted by Success Through Play Magazine at the perfect time. The soothing motion of the Hushamok calmed him and lulled him to sleep. Henry experienced significantly less reflux and is much calmer and happier thanks to Hushamok!”

PURCHASING:

Hushamok offers several options to suit your budget and needs. The Hushamok Dream Package includes an Aluminium Stand, Organic Baby Hammock, Sheet Set, Mattress and Travel Bag.

Tight on space or on a budget? New for 2010, the Hushamok has the added feature of using the Hushamok Hammock without a stand. Click here for more details.

If you love the look of wood, consider the gorgeous Okoa Stand made from European Beech Wood which replaces the Aluminium stand in function.

The Hushamok Organic MySeat will extend the life of your frame and provides a unique sensory experience for your child. The

To learn more, please visit:
www.Hushamok.com

Success Through Play’s Top 10 Tips in honor of Earth Day 2010

1. Replace your plastic water bottles with re-usable stainless steel. Use a Brita Water filter to purify tap water and fill your own re-usable stainless steel bottles. Kleen Kanteen offer a line of fun containers for the family.

2. Save money and the environment by bringing your own lunch to work in a re-usable container. We love the Thermos Range.

3. Bring your own re-usable bags when you go shopping. Many stores are now offering discounts if your bring your own bag.

4. When in the market for new appliances, look for ones which are rated A for Energy Efficiency. You will save money and help save energy.

5. Disposable diapers can take up to 500 years to decompose in landfills in ideal circumstances. Using Cloth Diapers is one option and the cloth diapers can be re-used for additional children, which is a great money saver. To learn more about cloth diapering, participate in the Regal Lager/Bambino Mio’s first ever Twitter Party! The Twitter Party will be on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 11 AM – 12 Noon. There will be 10 giveaways (and 20 percent discount to Twitter party participants through Regal Lager’s co-sponsor and retailer). Everybody can take part – to win prizes you have to live in the United States or Canada.

Click below to find out more

Cloth Diapering Twitter Party.

6. Wash clothes in cold water when possible and hang your laundry out to dry on a clothes rack or clothes line when the weather permits. You will be saving energy and preserving your clothing at the same time.

7. Take public transport and or bicycle to work. You will improve your health and reduce gas emissions. If this isn’t possible, consider car pooling. Better yet, find out if you can tele-commute, even if it is a few days a week.

8. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs and watch your energy bill plummet.

9. Unplug appliances when you are not using them. Turn off the lights when you are not in the room and consider switching to solar lamps for the night. We like the Sunnan Solar Lamp from IKEA.

10. Consider a flow flush toilet and install a low-flush shower head to save money and water resources.

To learn more about Earth Day, please visit the Official Earth Day Campaign.

Kariza Designs is a division of InGear Fashions, Inc. The woman behind the famous Kariza Wrap Skirt and the full range of sexy, stylish dresses and tops is Kariza. Kariza has always had a love for fashion and an entrepreneurial spirit. After attending college for Fashion Design in Brazil Kariza moved to Miami where she had several jobs in the fashion industry but still felt a lack of fulfilment. In December 2005, she started co-working with Boaz Dekel, a fashion consultant originally from Israel, responsible for manufacturing the Kariza Vintage wraps. At the end of 2005 Kariza decided to go on a trip to Hawaii. She left with only the idea of celebrating the New Year in North shore. During this trip, Kariza encountered breath taking spiritual places and people that inspired her. She showed all the wraps to people she met and every person’s reaction was the same. They were amazed by the unique array of colorful fabrics of the vintage wraps. While in Hawaii, Kariza decided to visit a few boutiques in Haleiwa and make a presentation with the wraps to the store’s owners and employees. They were really thrilled with the versatility of the garment and the uniqueness of the fabrics. From the very moment Kariza got everyone’s reactions from the presentations she did in Hawaii, she was driven to design, sketch and develop different ways to wear the wraps. As she returned to Miami, Boaz and Kariza designed 50 ways to wear the vintage wraps. Every day a different style was born. They started wholesaling the wraps in Hawaii, Miami Beach, South Carolina and in the Keys. They provided each customer a brochure with step-by-step procedures in order to instruct the final customer on how to wear the garment. Boaz and Kariza partnered with In Gear Fashions in May, 2006. And since then, the company has undoubtedly increased to include a full range of dresses and tops in addition to the Kariza Wraps.

Kariza Star line

Left: The sexy shirt dress is the new little black dress and paired with strappy sandals or heels is perfect for a night out with the hubby. Pair with leggings or jeans for a chic day look.

Right: Halle Berry rocked drop waist styles and now you can too! Although strictly not a maternity dress, it will work well for the early months and post-partum as well.

Left: From the beach to a night on the town, this halter neck transitions from day to night with a change of shoes and accessories. The beautiful print will draw many compliments.

Right: Paired with leggings for a tunic style or on its own for a great versatile summer dress.

The dresses from the Vintage Star line need to be dry cleaned. Do not hand wash or machine wash because the colors will run and ruin the dress.

Left: This sweet and sexy babydoll dress is flattering on all shapes and sizes. The dual pockets add to the casual chic. Our pick for Summer 2010 from the Vintage Star line, Kariza Designs.

GIVEAWAY:

Congratulations to Karen G.

PURCHASING

Online ordering is available here. Click on the “Vintage Star” line.

For additional information, please visit www.KarizaDesigns.com. Click on “catalog” to see the full range.

Boob Design is the designer line of Maternity and Nursing Apparel from Sweden that will change the way that you think of maternity and nursing clothing forever. Gone are the bulky, uncomfortable and frumpish maternity and nursing outfits that hide the bump (maternity) and are difficult to access and scream to the world that you are nursing. Boob® boasts a gorgeous line of designer apparel that just happen to be maternity and nursing wear!

Commitment to the environment:

“We keep all of our production in Europe, in factories where we know that the employees are treated well and are decently paid. Keeping production in Europe is also a way of guaranteeing that the product in Europe is as environmentally sound as possible. All our jersey is certified with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. This certification is a guarantee for clothes that are completely free of toxins that can be harmful to you. Clothes that are kind to your skin as well as nature. Our goal is to you materials that are environmentally optimal.”

Boob Design’s® Maternity line is cut to accent and flatter your new curvy figure. The gorgeous eco-fabrics, the fresh simplicity and the playful details make the trademark of Boob® . The soft and comfortable fabrics will fit like a dream – all the way from bump to big belly!

Boob® Nursing tops are brilliantly designed and feature a double layer of fabric over the bust so that an overlapping opening is formed. The opening is simply pushed aside with one hand, making nursing comfortable and discreet.

Boob Design doesn’t disappoint with their Spring/Summer 2010 Collection.

Maternity Collection:

The Maternity Collection has something for every occasion from tanks and jeans to flattering dresses to celebrate the warmer weather.

Nursing Collection:

With romantic smocked tunics and dresses, you will feel confident and stylish enough to nurse anywhere this summer.

Quality:

Our parent panel consistently report that wash after wash, wear after wear, the Boob Design Garments maintain their color, stitching and shape, making each piece a good investment.

Value:

Several of the designs in the Spring/Summer 2010 Collection can be worn for both pregnancy and nursing, making them great value.

New for 2010

Baby Collection:

Boob Design has expanded their range to include gorgeous apparel for your baby. European styling with modern prints; your baby will be the center of attention this season.

PURCHASING:

Treat the special mom in your life this Mother’s Day or spoil yourself with a well deserved shopping spree. Visit www.BoobDesign.com to locate a retailer in your area. Readers who live in the EU will soon be able to shop online at www.boobdesign.com.

All images copyright Boob Design.

The NHTSA has estimated that 3 out of 4 parents do not properly use child restraints, thus preventing child safety seats from protecting your child the way it should.

Choosing the correct car seat for your child

We interviewed several Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) and asked them which is the safest car seat on the market? They all agreed unanimously that the safest car seat is the one that suits both your car and your child best. Parents give plenty of thought towards designing a nursery, but little thought towards selecting the most appropriate car seat. Many parents research the top-rated car seats and then select according to the list and their budget. Unfortunately it isn’t this simple, as even the top-rated car seat won’t provide top notch protection if it isn’t suited for your car and your child. We strongly recommend finding a store which has a full selection of demo car seats available on hand for you to take out of the store and fit into your car, in order to find the perfact match, in conjunction with your child. After finding a perfect match and installing it in your car, we urge all parents to have their car seat professionally checked and fitted by a Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). This service is free and an essential step in making certain that you have the safest fit. In addition, you will learn invaluable safety tips that will go a long way towards making your car seat a safe place to be. Details for NHTSA Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations can be found here. Remember to plan early as the wait time on average is 3-4 months.

Car Seats do expire

While parents are aware that they need to discard their car seat in the event of a serious car accident, many are unaware that car seats have an expiration date! Each car seat should be labeled with the date of manufacture and the date of expiration. Typically, car seats have an expiration of 6 years. The plastic and expanded polystyrene cushioning degrade over the years, unable to absorb the shock of an impact. This renders the car seat ineffective and dangerous. Be sure to always check the date of expiration on your car seat.

Introducing the Britax Advocate CS from Britax USA.

Introducing the Britax Advocate CS from Britax USA, one of the few car seats manufacturers that proudly makes it car seats in the USA.

Product Features:

Side Impact Technology
True Side Impact Protection
Click & Safe Harness Adjuster
Five-Point Harness
Premium, Push-Button Lower LATCH Connectors
HUGS (Harness Ultra Guard System)
Infant Body Pillow
65-pound Weight Capacity
Rear and Forward Facing Recline
No Re-thread Harness Adjustment
Patented, Energy-Absorbing Versa-Tether
Built-in Lock-Off(s)

Fit & Specs:

Rear-facing: 5-35 lbs
Forward facing: 1 year and 20 lbs, up to 65 lbs
Further details can be found here (Fit & Specs)

Side Impact Crashes

Watch the video to learn more about Side Impact Crashes and how the Britax Advocate CS is uniquely designed to offer further protection in this type of crash. Additional information can be found here.

Installation Videos and User Guides for Britax Car Seats can be found here.
Use the demos to assist you in installing your car seat correctly and then make an appointment to have your car seat inspected at no charge.

Our team had the opportunity to work extensively with the Britax Advocate CS, under the guidance of a professional team of Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST). The Britax Advocate CS is designed to be used rear-facing for babies weighing 5-35 lbs and forward facing for babies who are both 1 year and 20 lbs and up to 65 lbs. Further details can be found here (Fit & Specs). Due to its size, the Britax Advocate CS is best suited for medium size vehicles and up, particularly in the rear facing position. Our team of parents were asked to install the Britax Advocate CS into their vehicle, following the directions in the booklet which accompanies the car seat and consulting with the demo and instructions on the Britax website. The parents were delighted with how quickly and easily they were able to install the car seat. A consultation with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) confirmed that the parents had indeed installed the car seat correctly, but offered additional tips for installation that would provide the safest fit possible. During the consultation, the Child Passenger Safety Technician systematically went through a detailed safety check list, educating the parents about the key components in installing, maintaining, and using the car seat in the safest manner. The parents commented how valuable the information shared was and how every parent should have the opportunity to have this one on one session. The Technician customized the car seat for the child and explained how to adjust the car seat as the child grows in weight and size.

The Britax Advocate CS is engineered for safety and comfort, and when used correctly, in the appropriate vehicle for your child, will offer your child protection in the event of a car accident, especially when a side impact collision is involved. Two features which make the Britax Advocate CS stand out from its competitors are the True Side Impact Protection and the Side Impact Cushion Technology, which offers protection for the child in the car seat as well as the adjacent passengers. Another feature that stands out on this model is the Click and Safe Harness Adjuster, which is an audible aid which provides additional assurance for parents that the harness is in the appropriate range of snugness. During your consultation with a Child Passenger Safety Technician, you will learn about the importance of obtaining a snug fit where straps are concerned and a hands on demonstration and an opportunity to obtain some hands on practice under the guidance of a professional will go along way.

PURCHASING:

Click here to find out where to purchase.

For additional information and to view the Britax product line in your country, please visit: www.Britax.com