Atomic Diaper Relief

The Atomic Diaper. If you have experienced it and survived, you’ll understand why Herban Essentials Towelettes are a must have for every parent.

Herban Essentials had me hooked with their clever name. Whether you’re an urban, suburban or rural dweller, Herban Essentials Towelettes are like a little bit of aromatherapy heaven in a single serving size package. Made with the finest essential oils available, these delightful towelettes deliver a perfect dose of crisp, calming and uplifting scent to ease a harried Mom’s day.

Herban Essentials was founded by Deborah McCormick when she discovered a homeopathic and aromatherapeutic way to ease her flight anxiety. She teamed up with Stuart Manson, an essential oils aficionado, and together they created the Herban Essential Towelettes. After working together for a few years, Stuart married Deborah’s middle son. Herban Essentials has since grown to be a harmonious group of 10 employees spearheaded by a dynamic mother and daughter-in-law team. I love my mother-in-law, but I know I would need more than soothing essential oils to run a business together!

The multi-tasking Herban Essentials Towelettes can be used to calm and cleanse scrapes and burns, repel bugs and ease itching, dispel nausea, and stimulate creativity. You can even toss them in a pillow case to insure a peaceful night of slumber. I throw Herban Essentials Towelettes in the fridge and use them to cool off after a hot day or to soothe a fevered brow. However, my favorite way to use them is after changing an atomic diaper in a public restroom. After getting cleaned up, I whip out my Herban Essentials Towelette, do a last minute wipe down of baby and me, and I’m good to go in a cloud of serenity.

Herban Essentials Towelettes may seem a little extravagant, but you can’t put a price on post atomic diaper bliss!

Try the calming Lavender, the uplifting Peppermint or the crisp Lemon. If you are having a hard time deciding, Herban Essentials Towellettes are available in a mixed package. You can even get your favorite pooch a bit of aromatherapy action!

Available in packages with 20 individually wrapped towelettes at Itty Bitty Ladybug.

Itty Bitty Ladybug featured on Cool Mom Picks

We were thrilled when Kristen at Cool Mom Picks featured the Giddy Giddy Elephant Pouch! Cool Mom Picks is our favorite site to check out new and hip products for children. If you are even stumped looking for that perfect gift, click on over to Cool Mom Picks for their amazing selections. Thanks Kristen and Cool Mom Picks!

Giddy Giddy: Starting the Bag Addiction Early

While searching for hair clips that weren't drenched in lace and ribbon, I happened upon the impossibility that is Giddy Giddy, and their totally cool felt creations that launched my daughter's infatuation with barrettes. So leave it to them to fuel her handbag addiction now too.

Mom and designer Teri Dimalanta has added ridiculously sweet pouches to her slew of irresistible wool felt clips. Each pouch is individually handcrafted from a variety of textiles and patterns, all of which include just a smidgen of pre-loved fabrics. I'm completely in love with the little red elephant bag (pictured), but would happily indulge my daughter with the owl.

You can find a wonderful selection of Giddy Giddy pouches, along with their brand new pony tail holders at the Itty Bitty Lady Bug. -Kristen

Piper Whelan - Karito Kids New Addition

Meet Piper Whelan - she is the newest doll to be added to the award winning Karito Kids Collection. Piper is an 11 year old girl from Australia. She lives with her mother, father and little sister in Bondi Beach.

Piper is an avid surfer and life guard. Being outdoors so much, Piper begins to see the effect that humans have on our environment. Piper takes it upon herself to educate others about how they can make a difference until one day she notices that the sea life in Bondi Beach is slowly dying. Her story is about her eco mission to help save the ocean animals from pollution.

Karito Kids have won over 14 awards including the #1 Toy of the Year in 2007. Every Karito Kids doll and book comes with a passport that invites you to log onto www. karitokids.com and experience the joy of giving to other children around the world who are not as lucky as them. Karito Kids band contributes 3% of the MSRP to Plan USA, a children's charity with whom the company has partnered.

In addition to Piper, the current global gals include Wan Ling from China, Gia from Italy, Lulu from Kenya, Zoe from New York, and Pita from Mexico. Each character has a unique personality and a hard cover adventure mystery book that allows kids to recognize that for the most part, no matter where you live, all kids are the same.

My eight year old daughter and I have enjoyed getting to know the Karito Kids. I love that my daughter is learning about other countries and the importance of charity by reading the adventures of each Karito Kid. My daughter loves the fun, spunky personalities of all of the Karito Kids. The books bring to life the personality of each doll - all of which are a wonderful role model.

Click over to http://www.ittybittyladybug.com/ to read more about the Karito Kids and check out their cute accessories!

Kung Fu Panda - Movie Review

A big thank you to our in house movie critic, Spencer, for reviewing Kung Fu Panda for the Itty Bitty Ladybug Blog!

Last night I saw Kung Fu Panda with my 8 year old sister and 4 year old brother. Jack Black is one of my favorite actors and I think he did a great job as the voice of Po, the panda.

The movie was really funny. My whole family laughed a lot. Kung Fu Panda also has a really good message. Po, the panda, keeps trying even though it seems like he will never be good enough. In the end, his dreams come true and he is able to save his village.

I don't want to give away too much of the story. Kung Fu Panda is a fun movie that your whole family will enjoy!

Submitted by Spencer, age 10.

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Kung Fu Panda - What to Wear?

At our house, Jack Black reigns supreme - we can't wait to see Kung Fu Panda. Even though the kids have not seen his stellar performances in Nacho Libre and other fine films, you've got to admit - Jack Black is just plain funny. Add Angelina Jolie to the mix and even Dad is happy to escape the summer heat for a couple of hours in a cool movie theater.

Now, what to wear to your first viewing of Kung Fu Panda you ask? Why this adorable, hand made, felt clip by Giddy Giddy. Available in Little Girl and Big Girl sizes, even Mom can keep those bangs that never quite seem to grow out - out of her eyes. Without a doubt, Giddy Giddy clips are fun and sassy.

Jack Black would approve.

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Hot or Not? Flora & Henri

While on a recent trip, we came across Flora & Henri, an upscale children's clothing store in the heart of downtown Seattle.

The store windows were decorated to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rat. Since it was the first time we had seen a children's store with a Chinese Zodiac display - we had to stop and take pictures to share with you!

Flora & Henri carries European style clothing with exquisite details using fine linens and thick, soft, jersey cottons. Silk party dresses round out a collection of luxurious clothing for Seattle's best dressed tots.

We were intrigued by Flora & Henri's windows because they used life sized - and bigger! - rats in their display. We love that they didn't turn the Year of the Rat into the Year of the Mouse (or hamster as noted in the post below). According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Rat has many great qualities that should be celebrated with pride. After all, the Rat was the first to finish the Amazing Race.

Unfortunately, the Rat is far from cute. But, that didn't stop the creative minds at Flora & Henri! Plastic Rats (perhaps left over Halloween decorations) were used throughout the window displays.

To the right, small Rats share the limelight with a gorgeous Irish linen christening gown. The Rats' harsh features are a notable contrast against the sweet, delicate gown.

We appreciate the integrity of Flora & Henri's design, but, at the end of the day we were more than a little bit creeped out by the Rats in the window display. Then again, maybe we've watched Lady and the Tramp too many times and the scene of the vicious Rat in the baby's room is hard to shake.

What do you think? Is the Flora & Henri window display HOT or NOT?

Passover Centerpieces with Asian Flair

In Thursday's post below we created an Easter basket and/or centerpiece using Asian inspired accents to reflect the dual heritage of families who have adopted a child from
China or other parts of Asia. An Itty Bitty Blog reader asked us if we had any ideas for a Passover centerpiece using similar elements.

Well, there's nothing we love more than a project! Thanks to our reader, we got the kids involved and spent a fun afternoon making our centerpieces.

Passover, in a nutshell, is a celebration of the Exodus - the liberation of the Jewish people from the Pharoh. The Seder plate contains five foods that symbolize the Exodus. While three of the foods symbolize the stuggles of the Jewish people before they were freed from the Pharoh, the other two foods represent Spring, sweetness, and new beginnings.

In putting together our centerpiece we focused on Spring and new beginnings (although we do think the centerpiece is pretty sweet). We also wanted to celebrate family and heritage.

The starting point for our arrangement was a blue and white pot representing the colors of Israel. We filled it with packing peanuts and a tree branch - symbolizing new growth. Then we put the kids to work cutting out circles and decorating them with the Star of David. On the back of each Star of David we wrote down the name of friends and family members. We also wrote down one way in which we each wanted to grow in spirit - like being kind to others when we don't feel like it or taking time each day to tell each other what we are thankful for. The Stars of David went on the branch.

Next, we filled the pot with green shredded paper. We added Giddy Giddy Flower Power clips on popsicle sticks to hand out as Spring party favors. The Jack Rabbit Creations Pull Back Mouse represents The Year of the Rat. The Kaloo Fung Shui Collection Fat Cat has the double happiness symbol embroided on his belly which reminded us of our happiness is celebrating together as a family and joy in our heritage. Of course, the Jack Rabbit Creations Ladybug Shakers represent the red thread that binds together friends and family.





We also thought it would be fun to make individual placecards. In the picture to the right, we cut paper to fit around a can of refried beans we had in the pantry (how's that for blending cultures!). The kids each decorated their own sheet and we taped it around the can. We were glad we made a mistake and cut the paper too big because it made it easier to fill with the green shredded paper and the other goodies.







Here's another, more manly, variation of the same idea. Painted flower pot, ladybug, mouse and popsicle stick with with child's name and Star of David.

You can go to town with these ideas or pare them down to make them easier and more affordable. It would be fun to paint the branch silver and use lots of glitter glue for the Stars of David. You can use blue and white lollipops instead of the Giddy Giddy Flower Power clips or write your guests' names on the lollipops with a silver permanent marker - just make sure the lollipops are wrapped!

Thanks Anonymous for getting our creative juices flowing and keeping our kids entertained this afternoon!