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Back to School (2)
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Beauty-licious (3)
In the Bag (11)
Oh No! (6)
Designer Dreams (5)
Sale Rack (5)
Mini-Me Style (7)
FantasTech (17)

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Designers in the Making

We all hate getting caught with the same thing as someone else and if you're a kid who's about to head back to school, you may be worrying more than ever. That's why I'm loving these products here that let you make a truly one-of-a-kind piece and get you noticed come the first day of class (and in a good way). I'm talking about a Color Your Own Canvas Bag from Hurley, which comes with a set of multi-colored markers that lets you decide how you want your carryall to look. No one else will be toting that to class and I'm sure you'll get plenty of compliments along the way!

Or take these Graffeeti Sneakers (what a cool name by the way). The shoe becomes your easel. You'll be the buzz of the class for sure, you mini-Picasso, you. And if you need to tweak your "art" or start from scratch (hey we all mess up), you can. The shoe's surface is made of dry erase paneling, so your drawings come right off.
This Design Your Own Lamp from Discovery Channel is a great piece to have in your dorm. You can insert all sorts of stuff in the lamp shade including photos, dried flowers, notes... anything you want.

I also found this Invent Your Scent Collection from the Body Shop, which lets girls create their very own perfume. The kit comes with six fragrances which can be combined to make all sorts of scents.

Now Moms, got little ones who are painting just about everything in your house including your precious white walls? Get their hands on a Paint Your Own Polo Shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren. The shirt comes with all the essentials including fabric paint, sponge brushes and a rubber stamp. The price ($45) may be a bit steep considering you can get a Hanes shirt and do the same thing, but a 100% of the proceeds go to charity. These is also perfect for your preppy or artsy teen.

Now that you're in the mood for designing, check out more Create Your Own and Design Your Own products >>

For more for Back to School, including our daily Fab Five picks, click here >>

A Little Lovin' - Gift Ideas for Kids

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to show your amore for your little love bug. Here are some gift ideas that I have for my sweet little angels:

Pajamas - My kids look so angelic when they are asleep (hmm I wonder why) and they love coordinating in matching PJs. I know they will "heart" these cotton jammies from the Gap (and I heart the fact they are on sale!)

Toys - Combine sweets and sense with Connectagons, they come in a fun heart pattern especially for Valentine's Day. This will be perfect for my preschooler, who has a wonderfully stocked playroom but is often asking "Now what should I do?"

Books - I try to make sure that my girls are in love with themselves, not in a bratty spoiled way, but in a way that they truly know how special they are and they are always happy with who they see staring back in the mirror. What better way to drive the message home than with a "kid power" book like "I Like Myself" that they can enjoy the whole year round.

Frames - Call it narcissistic but kids love looking at pictures of themselves! Let your kid pick her favorite pictures from the past year and frame the pictures. You can hang the pictures in her room as a reminder of how wonderful her life truly is (even when she is in time out for trying to feed her sister a penny.)

Here are some other gift cool ideas for kids. Do YOU have any gift ideas?

Tory Burch - Wear The Rainbow

I have a major shoe crush. The Tory Burch Reva flat makes me giddy. I mean seriously. I have been admiring this shoe from afar for the past year. Initially when they burst on the scene I dismissed them --- thinking that they were overpriced shoes for the high society set but I cant seem to shake them. They are like skittles for your feet, they come in delicious colors like Orchard Pink, Banana Yellow and Grass Green, as well as super practical colors like Brown, Black and Navy. The gold TB logo takes them from mundane to uber sleek.

Okay they are a tad on the pricey side ($195) but they are super comfortable and can be worn with anything from wide leg jeans to skinny jeans (sorry but I think that these are going to be around for a while.)

And did I mention they even come in pint sizes for your mini me, at a "mere" $95 daughters and mommies can be equally sassy.

I am seriously considering indulging. Just need to be able to explain who Tory is to my husband. Maybe I can convince him that she is an out of network doctor from our insurance company.

Dad's Guide to Hannah Montana

Hannah MontanaOkay, dads. Your daughter's been running around the house wearing a blonde wig, singing songs you don't know, and trying to get you involved in witty verbal banter. You may think she's just being a typical kid, but she's really a Hannah Montana fan.

The bad news is you probably don't know who Hannah Montana is. The good news is that you've just discovered a great way to bond with your daughter.

"Hannah Montana" is a television show on the Disney Channel about a young girl (Miley Stewart) who lives an ordinary life by day, but is secretly a big, huge pop star (Hannah Montana) by night. Kinda like Batman – but instead of doing something cool in the evenings like fighting crime, she lip synchs pop songs to kids who adore her.

Given the current state of teenage pop stars, it's hard to imagine any young girl (fictional, or not) wanting to become one. But let's assume that childhood fame is not a destructive force in reality and that Hannah Montana is a unique example of a child star gone good.

Hannah Montana is played by Miley Cyrus – real-life daughter to country music star Billy Ray Cyrus, who not-so-coincidently plays her dad on the show (sans his signature super-mullet). Their single-parent family also includes Miley's brother Jackson (not played by a Cyrus family member). The bond that Billy Ray shares with his daughter onscreen is very endearing. He is a strong father figure (which is rare on television these days), who's tough enough to tell his daughter "No" and is humble enough to admit when he's wrong. Pretty much your ideal father.

Instead of being a super-snob, Miley remains humble at school and with her friends. Few know her secret identity, and she's not interested in letting anyone else know. I don't quite understand the reasoning behind this decision, but can appreciate the humility involved. Fame and fortune aren't everything. Personal privacy and an incorruptible family life are more important to Miley.

Other than these life lessons, there is plenty to keep your interest while watching "Hannah Montana" with your daughter (which you should start doing). There are guest stars galore – including The Rock, Heather Locklear, and Dolly Parton (probably appearing because their own kids are fans of the show). And, believe it or not, Miley is actually quite funny. After a couple episodes, you'll grow to love her silly behavior and Tennessee drawl.

Possibly the least enjoyable part of the show is when she's actually on stage as Hannah Montana. You probably won't like the music, and you'll probably think she looks better as the brunette Miley. As Hannah Montana, she looks like every other teenage pop star you've grown weary of. But stick with the show until the end. Your daughter will love you for it.

And that's what it really boils down to. Spending time with your daughter and developing the same kind of loving relationship that appears on the show.


Shop Now for Hannah Montana toys, video games, movies, music, and tickets!

Pump In Style (A Sassy Bag for your Breast Pump)

Dilemma - How to fashionably lug a not so fashionable breast pump to and from work everyday?

Solution - Kate Spade!

As a self proclaimed sassy working mom, I am always looking for things that make my life easier and are fashionable. A friend recently sent me the link for an ultra hip pump carrier made by Kate Spade. Yes Kate Spade! So now instead of lugging around your breast pump in a non descript black bag you can flaunt your mommy-hood with style and grace. Go head moms! Pump in style! Check out www.KateSpade.com

Robeez - Perfect for Little Feet

Am I the only Mom who has to enlist armed forces to try and keep up with teeny weeny baby socks? Recently I threw away ALL of my youngest daughter's socks and purchased Robeez in several colors to match her outfits. They are a flexible and sturdy leather booty, but are not as unpractical as putting an actual shoe on a 6 month old. They come in tons of delicious colors and are pretty affordable.

7 Jeans for Girls

Ok, I know that kids grow out of their clothes fast and I know that it is hard to mandate that a 4 year old not get grass stains while playing at the park, and that it is ludicrous to request that my 6 month old not projectile vomit on an adorable jumper, but I am an admitted shopaholic when it comes to all things fashionable for my girls. It is not that everything has to cost a lot but everything has to be well put together. So while trying to figure out what "must-have" pieces I wanted to get for my oldest daughter for school, mind you it is PRE-SCHOOL, I stumbled across "7 Jeans for Girls." How adorable!!!! Well made, fashionable jeans that can make my daughter truly be a mini-me. Let's just hope that they are grass stain resistant.

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