Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Welcome to the Hip Kid Blog

We'll bring you news surrounding the HipKid (TM) Brand as well as news, product information and events for your Hip Kid!

We'll post photos of our canvas wall art in your nurseries and playrooms and inform you of our new products as they are released.

Please visit often!

-Melissa

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

MacLaren - Oh so cool

I'm sure you know the English company MacLaren?
Well they are coming out with FANTASTIC seat covers for their strollers. Tons of different prints ranging from bold to preppy and ONLY $30.

30 bucks for a bit of design, a bit of savvy and a long glance from others mom's at the park. Worth it? I think so!

I wish I had a photo as this isn't on their site yet.

Keep on the look out for their fall release at MacLaren.com

Monday, September 15, 2008

Click for CLEK

We found these uber-cool booster seats for car safety from a Canadian company called CLEK. We loved their stain resistant fabrics and colors and the fact that they are made by an automotive seat manufacturer who was commission by the Canadian government to create a safer car booster seat.

For kids 40+ inches the backless OLLI seat can't be beat
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And coming in January 2009 the OOBR with a full back is the solution for smaller kids 38 inches+. This seat also converts to a backless booster to grow with your Hip Kid.

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Available in a store near you or always online.
We like MINIJAKE!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

At the end of a train of many parenting websites...

Do you know www.caboose.com?
Chug on over there and check out there very well done site with lots of ideas to keep moms and tots busy.

Take a look at their section on Halloween: crafts, treats, games and coloring pages to boot. We weren't even thinking of throwing a Halloween bash until this site caught our eye.

I love this fall craft ideas: The Fingerprint Tree
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Wouldn't it be adorable with fabric paints on a tshirt for your kiddo?

Check out the directions H E R E

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hello World......

If you had given up on us...wait...there's hope
and a whole slew of new products coming your way.

We've just returned from the ABC Kids EXPO and want to share with you all the cool things we've found.

Stay tuned.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Summer Vacation

School's out and we're taking a blogging break.
We'll catch up with you when school is back in session and hope to share with you all kinds of new and wonderful products, websites, tips & tricks!!

Stay tuned....Stay Cool.
Enjoy your Summer.

xoxox - the Hip Kid Crew

Monday, June 09, 2008

Too Many Vaccines

Talking with parents about vaccinations is on par with discussing religion or politics. My husband and I refuse to do it. We aren't necessarily anti-vaccine but we are terrified of the idea of vaccination injuries. Coupled with the rising incidence of autism (for which NO ONE can find a cause) we have delayed vaccines for our two young boys. Agree with me? Disagree with me? It doesn't really matter...we all have to navigate this path on our own.

But...I urge you to check out this site from TACA - Talk About Curing Autism

Getting more popular as Jenny McCarthy (whose son has autism...and she swears it was a vaccination injury) is their celebrity endorser.

They are holding a rally to GREEN OUR VACCINES
Please join Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey for the most historical event of 2008, the Green Our Vaccines Rally. Jenny and Jim are working hard to eliminate all toxins from our children's vaccines and have our national health agencies reassess the mandatory vaccine schedule, as our children are receiving TOO MANY, TOO SOON. While Jenny and Jim support the vaccine program, like many, they feel vaccines are too toxic. This country has the ability to provide a safer vaccine supply and schedule to our children and they ask you to join them to demand this for our country's greatest asset, our children.

Who: Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey, sponsored by Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), Generation Rescue, HEAL Foundation - Healing Every Autistic Life and Moms Against Mercury
What: A March and Rally to give everyone who loves a child with Autism a day for their voices to be heard.
When: June 4, 2008
9:00 a.m. – Gather in front of Sylvan Theatre on the Washington Monument Grounds

Note: the police do not want rally participants to gather on the Washington Monument Grounds BEFORE 9 a.m.

10:00 a.m. – March (PROMPT START TIME)

12:30 p.m. – RALLY CONCLUSION

Where: Washington, DC
Why: Demand Congress take action to Green Our Vaccine Supply while reassessing our current vaccine schedule. Ask Congress to reenact legislation that would eliminate mercury and other toxins from our children's vaccines, study the instance of Autism and other neurological disorders in vaccinated versus unvaccinated children, and to extend the statute of limitations to allow all children affected by vaccine induced Autism to file in the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP).


I bought my husband a GREEN OUR VACCINES tshirt as part of his father's day gift.
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It is time for action people.
One more child with autism is ONE TOO MANY!

Think about how you can get involved.

(visual....me stepping off my soapbox now.....)

Friday, June 06, 2008

YOGI POOFS -the best child play pillows around.

Have you heard about the YOGIPOOF??

I called their company looking for information on this super groovy HUGE bean bag and wound up with one. Let me tell you....my kids adore it.

We got one in turqoise and it is about as long as I am!
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My kids think it is an airplane which they straddle and ride. My 2.5 year old winds up and sprints full force into it inthe mornings when he has energy to burn. 3 or 4 kids have crashed comfortably on it for movie time when the adults are socializing at cocktail hour.

It also makes for a great spot to nurse my infant when the toddler wants to snuggle up next to us.

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They also make a special nursing pillow that makes this job all the more easy and is better than a boppy because it is bigger and multi-functional.
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The cover comes off for an easy wash and the beads can even be replaced as they compress over time. We have had ours a month and I think it gets better over time...softer and squishier.

Yogipoof is a small company out of California...poised for the big time.
Check them out at www.yogipoof.com for pricing and availability.

Sunday, June 01, 2008

We're back...again

Ok, ok...we've been less than stellar bloggers lately.
Please accept our apologies and give us a second chance.
Think of us as your precocious toddler who poured grape juice on your new couch but is so sweet and irresistable you wrap your arms around him and say "everybody spills sometimes, sweetie" when you really want to scream, "God Dammit!"

We have great things to share with you in the coming weeks.
Won't you take us back?

Monday, April 14, 2008

Get paid to play.

Can I take a time out to rave about BzzAgent?
www.bzzagent.com
Sign up and recieve products in the mail, tell your friends about them, then email BzzAgent to tell them who you talked to.
If you are chatty like me and you like trying new things for free-- sign! up!

So far I have gotten the AutomaticScrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner (love it!) the Glade Flameless Candle (love the soft light, set the scent on LOW) and the new Tropicana Premium Juices (I have only tried the Valencia orange so far but it is lovely)

Go check them out.

Friday, April 04, 2008

Yum to the Mum

Do you know about these guys?
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I just remembered them as Teddy (7 months) wants more than mush but can't handle the Cheerios yet.

Rice rusks have been an essential part of a
toddler's diet in the Orient for over a century.
Baby Mum-Mum is the ideal "first snack"
because of their great taste, wholesome
ingredients and nutritional value.

They come in plain, carrot and vegetable flavors.
They are from Australia but a few markets here in New Jersey have them!!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Scootababy

When Teddy was born and had severe reflux the MOBY WRAP saved me.
Teddy was comfortable, my back wasn't breaking. He loved to be snuggled against me.

Fast-forward seven months and about 15+ pounds...a nw solution was in order.

ENTER SCOOTABABY

The Scootababy™ is a hands-free carrier that allows you to comfortably carry your child as you would naturally.
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The Scootababy has:

A natural carrying position
Comfort for adult and baby
Ease of use
Quality design, materials, and workmanship

Your tot straddles your hip and the carrier helps to evenly disperse the weight.

It is SAVING.ME.

Literally.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

New Age Ant Farm

Move over ant farm...it is the antquarium.

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The Antquarium gel and habitat was developed in 2000 by NASA to study animal behavior under zero gravity in space. Now families can watch the ants in their own home as they eat the gel and tunnel through it to create a unique environment. Ants are not included in the purchase of an Antquarium but are readily available through the website listed on the box. The average lifespan for the ants is around 7 months.

...unless they make a break for it and raid your pantry....

$28.- at KidO

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Wonderful Walls

Please excuse us for the brief hiatus.
Hip Kid's Family moved over Easter weekend into a house that is TOTALLY.UNDER.CONSTRUCTION. Uh.Hmmm. A House that was supposed to be TOTALLY.FINISHED by now. life..is..crazy.

Anyway.
We thought we could apologize by showing you some amazing wall decals from down under.

WONDERWALL

Ever wondered why your kid draws on the walls?

You’d hate blank walls too if your imagination hijacked your brain every five minutes.

Introducing Wonderwall, creative wall graphics to control wax crayons everywhere. At last green giraffes can romp across the nursery with impunity. Our fun designs are easy to fix to walls, glass, mirrors or any flat surface. And the big blue elephant won’t leave an impression on the wall when he’s removed. Although he might refuse to budge from your child’s imagination.

My very most favorite:: THUMBELINA
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Get Some!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Coupon Codes Galore

Hi folks

Here is a link to discounts for great companies like:

*Hip Kid Art
*Pumpkin Patch
*Couture Dreams
*Marmalade Ink
*Tiny Prints
*Vincent Shoes
...andbaby Plus amongst others!

Come check it out HERE

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Nourish Those Hip Kids

Nourish Interactive is a neat site I recently came across.
Introduce your child to a new, fun way to learn about nutrition. There is a video game that teaches your child about the importance of nutrition and exercise through animation, exploration, gamelets and decision making activities. Understanding nutrition will give them the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy choices throughout their lives.

It is FREE to sign up and there are games for the kids and helpful tools for parents like meal planners and more information about creating balanced meals.

We all could use a little help getting our tykes to eat well!

Visit Nourish Interactive

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I had to share this

So we are moving next month and I am looking for places to donate all of the things we need to unload. I found a place for old clothes, a consignment shop for kid's clothes (see if there is a MILK MONEY in your town) and now I have found a place for my old laptops and cell phones. Free shipping, the secure and wipe out all of your personal data for you and you get the peace of mind that your stuff is being properly recycled.

Good stuff folks.


Click HERE and do some good.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Cars, Carseats and Babies...OH MY!

So we have 2 babies and might someday have a third (dare I even write that??)
Our Ford Explorer is barely fitting my toddler when my husband is driving.
We are considering a mini-van (I never thought I would write those words) but would love an alternative. Driving one of those massive SUV's is really not my style but then again neither is the minivan.

I found this site CARSEATDATA.ORG

Helps you to answer questions like what is the narrowest booster seat? Which seat has the highest top harness slots? which one has the tallest seat back? The answers to these questions help you figure out:

Which seats will fit, side by side, 3 across?
What is the best harnessed seat for a child with a long torso?
Which high back booster will last the longest for a tall child?

Check out their Forums to discuss what has worked for you or what you are looking for!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Easy Peasy Art!

I am so not artistic and I am reminded of that everyday.
However I found something that looks really interesting

Easy123art.com is a paint by numbers kit made just for you from any photo you send them (digital files too)

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The photo Paint-By-Number kit entitles you to one (1) personalized paint-by-number kit of your photograph. The kit includes: 42 acrylic paints, 2 brushes, numbered outline on art paper or canvas, and a reference sheet of the outline in case you paint over a number.

Princesrange from $50 - $90 depending on the size you choose and whether you paint on canvas or paper.

check it out HERE
and get creative!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

For Your Global Gobbler

Here at Hip Kid Blog we have a few obsessions:
Modern Nursery Design
Wooden Toys
Uber Funky Baby Clothes
and new and interesting baby foods.

Our last few food related posts have been about all the new fresh and fresh/frozen baby foods on the market. This one is a bit different.

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Dr. Susanna's World Baby Foods, LLC offers organic and nutritionally balanced baby foods based on the cuisines of the world. Our baby foods are preservative free, designed by physicians, and favor local farmers. Diverse multicultural flavors helps your baby develop into a healthier, happier and better eater!

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BABY BORSCHT
Quintessential eastern European cuisine, the best way to enjoy beets, carrots, potatoes, spinach, and a touch of dill.

BABY DAL
Flavors of India: cumin and coriander blended with lentils, brown rice, carrots, apples, for your very own baby doll.

LULLABY THAI
A ginger and cardamom delight - with bananas, pears,, and jasmine rice - and a dash of tumeric.

QUE PASA CALABASA
Literally, "What's up squash?" We couldn't resist the rhyme, and nor the sweet blends of squash, sweet potatoes, and garbanzo beans, gently seasoned with a sweet mild chili.

SWEETIE TAHITI
Bali Ha'i.... Welcome to the South Pacific, with this Polynesian-inspired recipe of coconuts, banana, pear, and jasmine rice.

TOKYO TUM TUM
Hey, we love edamame, and wouldn't any baby? Here's a mix of Japanese flavors including bok choy, brown rice, edamame, apple and a hint of wasabi.
Do babies like it? Meet our panel of experienced food critics.

I haven't tried it yet.
Any of you guys give these flavors a whirl yet? Leave a note in the COMMENTS section.
I will write to the company and see if they will send me some to review here for you all.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Cool Nurseries

HGTV has some cool nurseries on their site.
Skip on over and be inspired.

CLICK HERE

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Thursday, January 24, 2008

I {heart} Plan Toys

Do you know about Plan Toys?
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If you don't -- you should.

They create toys that inspire imagination as well as promote children's physical and intellectual development along with being socially & environmentally responsible and maintaining good values.

sounds good right?

Henry is just starting to get into the whole Plan City series
A few of my favorites:

the garage
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the airport
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and i dont have a daughter
but if i did
check out the coolest doll house ever
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sold all over the web and at better toy stores

Monday, January 21, 2008

You Gotta See This

We just bought a new house with a pool and that terrifies me.
I have a 2 year old and a 5 month old - neither of them can swim.
In doing research I found this site from Infant Swimming Resource

CLICK HERE to see something terrifyingly beautiful and amazing at the same time.

These folks teach 6 month old babies to float on their backs when they are in the water...even if they are fully clothed.

The closest instructor I can find is probably 45 minutes from my house and the class is daily for 4 weeks minimum. I think it will be worth every minute I sit in traffic.

Folks, peace of mind is hard to come by when it comes to your babies.....and it is worth every red cent.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Wow Weee

I am in love with this site
Hazel Wood Children

Sweet girls coats
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and beautiful organic knits!
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Check them out - they are having a sale!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Think Spring

In the dead of winter spring is fun to dream about.
With spring comes the beginnings of fresh produce.
We join our local cooperative farm where for about $13 a week we get a bountiful harvest of fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Check out a farm in your area by going to http://www.localharvest.org/

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Our farm shares sell out early (LIKE NOW) so if you are interested make sure to act quickly.

An organic farm is a great place to take your toddler.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Yummy Baby Food.

We've posted here about the fresh frozen baby food market.
There's a new (or new to me) offering from Jack's Harvest.

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These delicious certified organic fruits and vegetables are gently prepared in small batches then quickly frozen to capture nature's fresh flavor, vibrant color, rich texture and essential nutrients. Organic herbs and spices feed curious taste buds and add extra health benefits. Jack's Harvest keeps in the freezer up to 3 months, so plan ahead and stock up! Taste tested by Jack and his friends.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Well Hello Again

We've been on a bit of a hiatus between the holidays and sick kids, wrapping and eating and drinking and eating....
Happy 2008.

Santa brought me no presents because we've bought a new modern house and boy oh boy do I have lovely dreams for decorating.

If I had an extra 10 g's I would buy myself this hideout.

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Wouldn't it just be the perfect spot for
*meditation
*crafting
*writing
*blogging
***thinking, dreaming, escaping from toddler mayhem.

Of course to take full advantage of my mod-spot I'd need a full time Nanny and a housekeeper.

Santa...put this at the top of the list for 2008.

Prices start at $10,600 (but can't santa just whip one up at the Pole?)
GO SEE THEM HERE