It's such a happy day when I click on my favorite of sites and learn that they have several new products to add to their already incredible and want-able mix!  Introducing Boogaloos.  Charming, "enchanting, whimsical characters make round, soft cuddly friends."  Who could pass that up?  

Wouldn't it make a delightful resource for thoughtful + charming birthday gifts!  See here for free step-by-step instructions for the bunny and dog.  

This wooden shopping cart would make the perfect addition to any toy collection. Height adjustable to fit your child and comes with a stopper in back to prevent overturning. Now they just need to make them in adult sizes!

This is Bu-Lou.  He is a kind soul who is often tripped by his own clumsy two feet. He is always daydreaming about other places and other things. He's a accident prone & things never go his way. 

I'm pretty sure this is pull toy love. He's wooden, with rubber on the wheels to protect your floor. His colors are vibrant and fun, and the spikes, well who could resist those? Certainly not me, even if I did have to use my google language translator to find out more about Punky.

as seen on babygadget

Safe toys that inspire imagination is always my search.  CurlyQ Cuties offers a unique and silly approach with colorful and lovable monsters.  And coming from someone who's picky about their plush (Cole.. and well, his mom too), these are flawless, sturdy and clever.  With names like Dizzy, Spot and Diva, what's there to be frightened about?

Growing up I couldn't wait to pick my dad up at the airport. Each business trip he took meant something magical for me. Beautiful Korean dolls, silk kimono pajamas, a t-shirt, a pen, it didn't really matter. I lived vicariously through him and loved hearing about the places he'd been and the different cultures he experienced. It was and still is a highlight of my childhood.

Naturally it was easy to fall in love with the online boutique il cocco di mamma. Since I have yet to become a world traveler it allows me to bring pieces of that culture and learning I loved so much as a child into our home.

il cocco di mamma promotes and celebrates languages, cultures and people. Offering one of a kind gifts to kids everywhere, whether their parents are world travelers or not. Their signature tees are "designed with expressive international sayings and printed on the softest European cotton". (also available in organic cotton designs)

In addition to their signature tees they have a pleasing selection of multilingual books and CDs in some of your favorite classics. But what has to be one of my favorite shop items:

With all the buzz about unsafe toys going around these days, Green Toys offers a refreshing alternative. I am completely sold and already have the Tea Set pre-ordered. The entire production process start to finish is done in California, who is known for their strict safety and environmental laws. Green Toys is also extremely energy efficient, so much so that "every pound of recycled milk jugs used in the making of Green Toys: saves energy equal to 3,000 AAA batteries, saves enough electricity to power a TV set for 3 whole weeks and saves enough electricity to keep a laptop computer running for a month."

Green Toys uses recycled milk containers as the main ingredient in creating their toys. Yes the ones you drink out of every morning. These milk containers are reprocessed into super clean fresh plastic. The plastic material they use is called high-density polyethylene (or HDPE). This is considered to be one of the safest, cleanest plastics around.

But they don't stop there. They minimize packaging using boxes that require as little material as possible. All Green Toys are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes. No plastics, cellophane or annoying twist ties and every box is 100% recyclable.

If the environmental factors aren't enough to convince you. Perhaps the toys themselves will. They are brilliant. Perfect for imaginative play. From the Cooking & Dining set to the Sand Play Set.

View list of retailers and online vendors here.

Anamalz is a line now carried by Target, right next to our favorite Schleich animals.. so I took notice. They're an original and award winning animal range made from organic maple wood and textile products.

"anamalz have unique characteristics which make them warm and appealing. Each piece has its own wood grain and individual markings that make them different from one piece to the next. Handcrafted and integrated with textiles, we have given our range the ability to move.

anamalz look left and right, up and down and stand in different poses. This inspires hours of creative play. They are a unique gift, a story teller, a toy and a companion."

Amamalz come in the wild, farm or Australian variety, each with it's own cool facts and characteristics. For example: did you know that echidnas (also known as spiny anteaters) are good swimmers and are called "puggles" when they are babies- still in the pouch. I love clever learning tools.

reader tip: I just came across this the other day and thought I'd pass it on. They're cool organic art supplies with (I think) really simple, kid friendly packaging.

Thanks Sarah! We couldn't agree more. Handmade, organic soft dough scented in 6 mouth watering flavors; Lemon, Orange, Key Lime, Blueberry, Strawberry and Grape. Kit contains [6] 4oz tubs, [2] patterned rollers a hammer and rolling cutter. Buy the kit here.

If there are three things I love about Europe, it's breakfasts, duvets (before the revolution made it's way to The States) and wooden toys. I've been a collector since Cole was born and have always returned to the trusty and beautiful French Vilac. Meet Fanfan L'elephant Stacking Toy. So pretty, practical and.. non-toxic!

Instant on-the-go entertainment is invaluable. I'm sure any parent would agree. The kind of invaluable that saves you from toying with the idea of feeding the toddler sugar packets while that meal is still too many minutes away.

While this funky, wipe-clean placemat on one side and reusable chalk mat on the other proves perfect for table tops, my big eater also comes with a massive imagination, with coloring being his favorite pastime. A 12 piece box of non-toxic colored chalk and detachable chalk pouch (all included) are sure to save an extra-long car trip or doctor's office wait from becoming, well, toddler crazy.

With code: TANGLED20, save 20% on any Bella Tunno purchase. It's worth it!

Layla Grayce is a collection of "never mainstream but always functional" products for women, children and home that make our homes and lives beautiful. We like their search for quality and unique, and even more so, support their philanthropy.

"We are committed to supporting women. We wish that life was easier than it is. We attempt to relieve the strain of life through donating to several organizations that assist women and families. We recognize that we are fortunate women and hope to bring joy in to other’s homes."

If you tend to lean more modern than shabby chic, be sure to browse their new modern nursery and kids department. A couple of my favorites:

After spending the last week inside due to the large amounts of snow accumulating around us, I think we are in desperate need of one of these.


Hours of imaginative play right at my fingertips. The possibilities are endless and best of all it's cardboard, so you can easily take it down and store it away.

Here's an activity that is sure to please both little and old ones alike. Shadow puppets are a wonderful way to utilize ones imagination and can account for many hours of play.


The Yeti, Fairy and dinosaur are but a few of the lovely puppets you can find at Owly Shadow Puppets. She is currently in the process of restocking her puppet creations, including new pirate themed ones as well as airplanes. Oh I can already think of the many stories that will be made up with these.

Ryan has accused me of caring more about the look of what goes into our house than the functionality of it. This may be true, but I think in my search for the ultimate play room storage I have covered all my bases. The jax toy box.

well, not a box, actually. organic cotton stretched over a minimal frame

yet so sturdy. quick assembly. suddenly you have storage. easy to take
apart and wash, too.

Throw in one or two of their jax toy cubes, and you'll have even more storage AND a table and chairs. Style, function and no complaints from Ryan. Perfect!

Comes in nest purple, green, orange and pink.