Have bag will travel

I do have soooo many bags but just love a good beach bag! Zippered, draw string, open tote – I love them all. Look in your closet to see what you have but if you are like me, each year I tend to buy a new one. Here are my favorites.

Land’s end has always been a favorite, especially with the zippers.  Of course LL Bean is great too. Bright and fun are key words when looking for a beach bag.  

Kids would love this adorable bag from little miss matched, but yet I like it too! Love the outside mesh pocket.  http://www.littlemissmatched.com/Catalog/bags/Kooky_Pink_Hearts_Beach_Tote_Bag

The beach store has tons of fun bags to choose from.  I like this large navy bag – the structure of it is perfect. http://www.beachstore.com/Beach-Products/Fashion-Beach-Bags/Large-Canvas-Beach-Tote-w-Spots-Navy

I love anything Lilly Pulitzer. The loose lilly is wide enough for everything and it has a cute rope handle. The sea and be seen large tote works too! http://www.lillypulitzer.com/Originals-Collection/Loose-Lilly-Bag/invt/70167999k79

Other favorites include Vineyard Vines and Tory Burch 

http://www.vineyardvines.com/category__14698_14698_____13051

http://www.toryburch.com/toryburch/browse/productDetail.jsp?icProduct=21109085&icSort=&icCategory=

What are you favorites?

My little one has snuck into my make-up bag on a number of occassions and came out looking a bit over done up! I then began to wonder what she was actually putting on her skin (clearly she does not need any anti-aging products). Glad I found out about http://www.lunaorganics.com  They have a line of all natural kids play makeup and face paint made entirely with natural, non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials. Plus all ingredients are FDA approved!

They have cute kits like Fancy Fairy Play Makeup ($14.95) which includes fairy dust blush, eye shadow pack and purple cinnamon lip balm.

I also love the First Make up Kit ($18.95) which includes blush, foundation, eyeshadow pack and hot pink bubble gum lip balm packed in a windowed tin case. They also offer Rock Star Play Make-up, Animal Medley Face Paint and many others. So there is something for everyone from the little princess to the perfectly painted pirate.

The party favors are the way to go if you are planning a little girls party and don’t want to worry about where the lip balm is from or what toxic ingredient it has in.  Luna organics is made in New Hampshire and its products are paraben free, non-toxic and not tested on animals. The company uses recycled paper products and their containers are BPA-free.  Three cheers for eco-friendly makeup!

I struggled through the swim season with my 8 year old and her blond hair. While this year it did not turn green, the smell of chlorine was just staying there! In my quest for more natural products (i.e. ones without laurel/laureth sulfates) I have found some favorites that smell nice and really work.

• Aubrey Organics makes a swimmer’s shampoo and conditioner that is ideal for blond hair. The shampoo has shea butter and aloe and the conditioner has aloe and jojoba oil in it. http://www.aubrey-organics.com

• I do love California Baby products (and no they do not pay me to say that) California Baby® Swimmer’s Defense™ Shampoo & Bodywash is made with lemongrass and has no Sodium Lauryl Sulfates http://www.californiababy.com

• I bought Mailbu 2000 Swimmers’ Action Shampoo last year at the salon. The kit was pricy but contained the Swimmers After-Swim Solution which according their web site it is a “patented, fresh-dried vitamin complex that dissolves into a gel in the palms of the hand forming a rich lathering treatment specifically formulated for swimmers to be used in the salon, at home or at the pool after swimming to remove and prevent all the elements from pool, spa or ocean water that can otherwise damage and discolor hair” I like it because it is Preservative-Free, Fragrance-Free and Sulfate-Free AND the green goes away! http://www.malibuwellness.com

I have always admired those mom bracelets and thought they make a nice gift for the new mom (or for the upcoming holiday..hint, hint to all you dads out there) Who knew there were also mother’s necklaces and family jewelry – from the family necklace to a child’s bracelet? Bella Beads of Andover is certainly the expert to turn to for fabulous, custom and unique pieces that any mom (grandma or aunt) would love.

The mother’s necklaces have sterling discs which can be stamped with your child’s name and/or date of birth. The discs come in three sizes and also available in 14K gold fill. Sterling ball chains available in any standard or custom length!

They have several style mother’s bracelets to choose from. I personally love the traditional mother’s bracelet with sterling silver block letters and Swarovski crystal (pick the color of your child’s birthstone). But you can have it made anyway you like  – initials of your children or even adding up to five strands.

Mother’s necklaces retail about $25 per disc and the mother’s bracelets varies in price depending on style. The retail location is at The Olde Andover Village at 89 Main Street in Andover. You can order in person or over the phone and tell them exactly what you are looking for and they will make it! Or if you are feeling really creative sign up for one of their classes or gather some friends for a girls night out to create a bracelet, necklace, wine charm or wine bottle stopper! Check it out at  http://www.bellabeadsandover.com

Remember the Sigg fiasco? That is why I am so glad I ordered the klean kanteens. I also ordered a few other items for back to school lunches that I thought were pretty cool and they are holding up quite well. There is this web site call the soft landing that has some great products that are all free of BPA, PVC and phthalates. Check out http://www.thesoftlanding.com

Here is a sample of what I ordered and I love all of them!

The Kids Konserve 8oz Round Food Container is the perfect size for packing any kind of food item but I really wanted it for small salads. The stainless steel container keeps food somewhat cold which is nice.

The Laptop Lunches Bento Buddies 2.0 can be used on their own directly inside a lunchbox or inside this special Bento 2.0 outer container. I bought them on their own specifically to use for fruits and veggies for the kids lunches. They are small but work really well.

I was looking for some small glass bowls for the kids to use at home and their Kidishes are made from tempered glass. The tempered glass is stronger than standard glass and doesn’t break into sharp shards when it does fall. The web site sayss they are 100% recyclable, can go in the dishwasher, and microwave-friendly — so no more heating up your child’s food in a ceramic dish, only to transfer it to a plastic one. Makes sense to me!

I have to admit I did not wear jeans for several years as I just found them to be too uncomfortable. That is why I love this new legging trend! But ladies you do need to wear a long shirt or sweater over your leggings for the look to work. (if you are of a certain age……)

But now I do wear jeans but have yet to find a really comfortable pair. Oprah swears by these jeans – CJ by Cookie Johnson – saying they are like wearing sweatpants but I find that hard to believe. I will have to try on a pair for myself to see about the fit. They are a bit pricy but hey if they are comfortable I will pay the price!

20091015-tows-cookie-johnson-jeans

Even better are these new yoga pants from Althleta – the Bettona Pant – how cute are these? They look comfortable but I have to see how they look put together with an outfit! I think I used to have a pair of these in the 80′s!  

product.do?cid=46797&vid=1&pid=684427&tid=atemjw0910gc&EV=10272009_N_GAT1&DI=13836024

Sunshine is finally here in New England. We have been heading out to area beaches and rating them but after all the packing and unpacking I’ve found that there really are only a few essentials you need for a day at the beach. (Boogie boards are the only essential my kids need or so they say!)

Beach Cart – Yes! – After searching last year for one of these I finally bought one – the Nantucket Beach Buggy. At first my husband was like, you have got to be kidding me, but after just two uses he was hooked and said it was the best investment I ever made. You can find them online or at specialty stores.  Or check out similar ones at http://www.beachandswim.com/beachcarts.aspx

Water Bottle  - Yes! – I bought another stainless steel water bottle the other day and boy was I disappointed – as it had a small opening and I was not thinking at the store when I saw the great colors that you cannot fit ice cubes in it. Plus the color was coming off but I won’t mention any names….So I am back to my original love of the Klean Kanteen! http://www.kleankanteen.com.  I noticed they have new colors at LL Bean – perfect for back to school! http://www.llbean.com

Sun Screen – Yes! – The girls sometimes complain it’s cold but after two seconds the sunscreen is on and no rubbing so that is why I love the no rub spray in a jiffy sunscreens.  You do run out faster so beware.  With sensitive skin I have to use the Aveeno line – BABY CONTINUOUS PROTECTION^® Sunblock Lotion with SPF 55 is so great and gentle. Also love the CONTINUOUS PROTECTION^® ACTIVE
Sunblock Spray with SPF 70.

Beach Bags – Yes!  - I really like the zip up tote bags. New this summer is the LLBean Regimental Stripe Boat and Tote® Bag http://www.llbean.com

Lands End has the Small, medium, large and extra large Zip Top Colored Canvas Tote Bags in some new colors this season – love the Bright Pistachio/Bright Clover http://www.landsend.com

I’m not the best at braids, ponytails or pigtails but I can slip in a clip into my girls’ hair! Instead of those boring store bought hair clips that tend to fall apart after one use here is a solution. This line of eye-catching and sparkling hair accessories by Los Angeles based Lucy Hammel is just stunning.  Each headband, clip and bow is made by hand with a touch of sparkle from the Swarovski crystals she uses.  Unlike any other bows or clips I have seen, each is unique and beautiful and will make a great special occasion gift! Check out the display:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7596001&ga_search_query=lucy&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

Now that manicure and pedicure season is in full swing in the Northeast I have been investigating some brands of more natural nail polish.  A friend told me about Dr. Remedy http://www.remedynails.com

Dr. Remedy nail polish says it’s enhanced with naturally occurring anti-fungal ingredients and vitamins to promote healthier nails. It has no toxins like DBP, toluene or formaldehyde.

I just bought a bottle and will try it in a few days so I will let you know how it works.

I also checked the Sally Hansen web site which says they do not use toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde in their nail colors.  I like how this line has the new insta-dry fast dry nail color.  Just bought a few bottles of some very funky colors but after one day it has started to chip. It did dry pretty quickly.   http://www.sallyhansen.com/

OPI is another good brand I use and they have great colors (and cute names too)

From its web site they say, “Since 2006, OPI has reformulated its entire line of Nail Lacquers, Nail Treatments, and Nail Hardeners to eliminate DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and Toluene.  Formaldehyde has never been an ingredient in OPI Nail Lacquers or Nail Treatments.

http://www.opi.com

Ever notice how the kids toys pile up and you have no place to put them? I have a great fabric bin storage system that I use for the kids toys that I got at…surprise..target! But am always looking for places to put their stuffed animals.

The Container store has some great bins so you cannot go wrong there.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=20683774&itemIndex=3&CATID=71232&PRODID=10012560

Ikea also has these mesh storage containers that are great and colorful. The hanging ones are a great space saver and are only $1.49!

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10098505

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90096786

But when I discovered Boon Inc. I was in heaven.  This company makes the best products.  The oval animal bag is the cutest thing.  It also doubles as a seat too so it would look great in a bedroom.  The trio animal bag is even bigger and will accommodate even the biggest collector of stuffed animals.

http://www.booninc.com/products/OvalAnimalBag/802