{ImagiPLAY} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

ImagiPLAY offers a plethora of "Toys with Integrity," as their motto claims. What gives them integrity? Well, for starters, they are crafted from plantation-grown Rubberwood, which is an eco-friendly hardwood, and their toys are all-natural and non-toxic. In addition to their "green" all-natural hardwood and lead-free paint, the toys offer educational value for your children, with most of them aid in their ability to count, learn the alphabet and identify different animals. For these reasons, they're quite perfect for pre-schoolers, in my opinion. Even moreso, ImagiPLAY toys inspire creativity and help instill the use of a vivid imagination ~ what every child needs and craves naturally! I love the *lack* of "bells and whistles" on their toys, and focus on open-ended play instead, and for that feat alone, I give ImagiPLAY an A+.

Many of the ImagiPLAY toys focus on the wonders of the world, namely, animals. From their Pozimals, featuring mostly African mammals, to their ColorMeUp wooden puzzles {it's an art kit, too ~ paints included!}, featuring domestic, exotic and sealife creatures, ImagiPLAY helps kids learn about the beautiful, natural world around them, all the while, teaching the basics of pre-school {counting, coloring, learning their ABC's, etcetera}. Additional toys such as the LacingScapes further instill such qualities, while also helping your children enrich their fine motor & problem-solving skills.

My newly 3yo son received the Count Octopus from their Colorific Earth Puzzles line. It is a non-traditional puzzle, shaped like an octopus, of course, and painted in bright & rich child-safe paints. Each octopus arm, along with the head, is painted in a different color and has a different number on it. So your child can learn not only about the different colors, but also how to count {1-10}, how to problem-solve {put the puzzle together properly} and about octopuses {Mom & Dad's insight AND information from their online Learning Center, where I learned there are 150 species of octopi and that they can change their color to match the coral and rocks around them!}.

So, the first time my son encountered the Count Octopus, it was a bit perplexing to him {naturally}. As he's used to the more traditional-style puzzles, and this one is definitely more advanced, he found himself frustrated. He is just newly 3, so I think it will just take some time to get used to it. So for now, we're using it mostly for our practice with colors and counting, along with learning about sea creatures. But that's the beauty of it - it's very versatile and will grow with your child. I think the Count Octopus would make for a fabulous 3rd {or even 4th} birthday party gift, and it will be one the child uses for a few years. And what a great kick-off present for a child getting ready to go to pre-school!

Upon learning about ImagiPLAY, including its toys and the company's philosophy, I have a lot of respect for them, and highly recommend their products for your children. They really do encompass what I would consider to be reputable toys, as they fulfill all aspects you'd like every toy to have, as a parent {not to mention, all the awards they've won from Dr. Toy, Parents' Choice Foundation, and others}.

BUY IT! To purchase your own ImagiPLAY toys, visit them online. From toys starting at just $5.99, you're sure to find something for your child that won't break the bank, and you can feel good about getting them! Receive 20% off your purchase with code: integrity10 (good 3/16-4/14).

WIN IT! One lucky Haute Tot & Baby Couture reader is going to win the same Count Octopus we received {MSRP $17.99}!

Mandatory Entry:

You must be {or become} a public HTBC blog follower on Google Friend to enter (1 entry)! Then visit ImagiPLAY to find 2 TOYS you'd like to have! Come back here and tell me what they are in 1 comment (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through April 5th. Winner to be chosen April 6th, 2010 {open to US residents only}.

Additional Entries!

Once you've completed the mandatory entry, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; 1 via google & 1 via email feedburner (must be activated to count as entry)).

*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (1 entry).

*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).

*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet, (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a Count Octopus natural, non-toxic toy from ImagiPLAY @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"

(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).

*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).

*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

*Enter any of our other current giveaways for one entry each (up to 3 entries possible) and leave a comment letting me know which giveaway/s you entered.

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED!
WINNER: JESSICA jj****03@gmail.com

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com

{Plan Toys} Review & GIVEAWAY! *CLOSED*

Well, I've always been a big fan of Plan Toys, the main reason being they offer very imaginative and natural toys. You won't find lots of bells and whistles on their products {which I'm a huge fan of} but instead, simple designs to promote wonder and creativity in your children. After all, when I visit big retailers and look at their toys, 99 percent of them are high-tech, loud-volumed, over-stimulating toys that don't allow for out-of-the-box thinking {or some peace and quiet for Mom and Dad, for that matter!} & creative challenges for your child. Where did all the wonder go?

Well, Plan Toys has brought all that back. And not only are their toys innovative, but they are also created with natural wood ~ non-chemically treated rubberwood, to be exact. Furthermore, their manufacturing process reduces waste & saves energy, as they reuse materials. Just one more {easy} way to live "greener." I really experienced this firsthand, as I noted their shipping box has no extra packaging, and it was all recyclable. I'm actually keeping the original box it shipped in to store the toy, as it has many small parts. But it was so nice *not* to see "a box in a box in a box," if you know what I mean! All I had to do was remove 4 extra papers (added to prevent damage to the toys' parts), toss them into my recycling can, and the toys was ready to use. (Read more about their environmental responsibility here}.

Plan Toys has a whole plethora of new toys out, and we were lucky enough to review one of them recently. We received their new "Tower Tumbling" toy. It features 5 wooden, round discs with a number on one side, and a color on the other. Along with the discs are different shaped "posts" in corresponding colors that match those of the discs. Further, there are a different number of "posts" that also correspond to the numerals on the discs. The concept is to use the posts to stack up the discs. Children can mix and match the posts, and eventually learn to match the colors and numbers of the posts with the discs when building their tower.


My 3yo son really enjoyed his Tumbling Tower! We discovered just how many ways there are to use this toy, and to be frank, your imagination is the limit! We started by building it, and then moved to counting, sorting by colors, rolling the "discs," stacking the pegs, rolling the pegs and linking the pegs. I love aiding my child to think differently than how a toy is "supposed" to be played with ~ and the Tumbling Tower is just the toy to allow for such creativity!



Plan Toys has so many educational and well-conceptualized toys out there, you really ought to check them out, if you haven't done so already. Not only can you search their site for toys by age, but you can also search by developmental concepts, such as social, mathematic, physical or creative {among others!}. With preschool right around the corner for us, I would love to get our hands on the Alphabet A-Z toy next - I just love the way the letters fit perfectly on the animal! And on the back of the cards? Directions for helping them learn how to write the letter! Then for our new babe due soon, I love their new Rattle from their Plan Baby line ~simple, modern, safe & creative all at the same time.



BUY IT! Visit Plan Toys to see all their wonderful products, and select that perfect birthday gift or special prize for your own child there! (Under the "Plan Toys Catalog," select "Shop Online" to purchase while you're there!).

WIN IT! Plan Toys is giving one lucky Haute Tot & Baby Couture reader their very own Tower Tumbling! {Open to US residents}.

Mandatory Entry!

Simply visit Plan Toys and find & come back to tell me something you learned about your child's development for his or her particular age or a parenting tip you discovered (look under "Parents and Children" for the links). Tell me what you learned in a comment on this post (1 entry). Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through March 29th. Winner to be chosen March 30th, 2010.

Additional Entries!

Once you've completed the mandatory entry, do any of the following for more entries! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Follow our blog publicly on Google Friend (right-hand column, 1 entry)
*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).
*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (must leave link to
your blog in comment - 1 entry)
*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).
*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win the NEW Tower Tumbling Toy from Plan Toys @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"

(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).

*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).
*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).
*Enter any of our other giveaways for one entry each (up to 3 entries possible) and leave a comment letting me know which giveaway/s you entered.

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.

This giveaway has ended. Winner: Tabathia.
Thank you!

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com

Spotlight On ForeverandAfters - Review & GIVE-AWAY!!!

Today we are showcasing the lovely& quaint ForeverandAfters ~ a small business owned by a woman by the name of Georgia, who hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Raised by a carpenter & machinist father, and a seamstress mother, it seems only natural Georgia would end up where she is today.

I stumbled upon her shop in my never-ending search for adorable yet practical & whimsical children's toys for my son. I love natural toys, so it is no surprise really that I ran into ForeverandAfters on Etsy. Last week we received the "Sack Lunch" toy from her shop. It is comprised of a brown fabric sack, peanut butter & jelly sandwich, banana, juice box with straw, & a gingham napkin. Everything is handcrafted by Georgia herself, using only woods & fabrics for inspiring your child's imagination and being natural at the same time. The effect is a collaboration of textures that is quite vitalizing, and the whole set elicits a comforting & primitive, vintage feel. I love that the PB&J sandwich is stackable, too, as it helps your child develop his coordination and sequencing skills. How can we go wrong here? Natural toys that *DON'T* make noise, and help teach your children practical skills?? This would make a fantastic birthday present for a toddler, by the way, or a great addition to any chidren's kitchen play set.


Through an interview with her, I have developed a fondness for her business of making heirloom, quality, handcrafted toys, and can't wait to share her journey into the business of toy-making with you!

How did your business start and when? "It seems that I have been making toys for as long as I have been a parent...which is longer than I will disclose. We had 4 childen in 8 years. Dollars rarely went far enough and it was just a natural to put creativity and my children's needs together. Then I began working in the educational world and nothing had really changed. Dollars were still short. So I began making things for my classrooms and the preschools that I directed. One of the real frustrations of parenting and the preschool directorates was that the toys cost so much, but they lasted for seconds. So, it seemed like a natural to put my knowledge of children, my love for sewing and woodworking, and the desire to present a better option to budgeting parents and schools to work by creating toys and furniture that would be durable and economical."

How did you come up with your business name? "By divine inspiration, I think. That's what happens when you scream for help. As I stated previously, I was very interested in providing better options to the noisy, 'don't need no imagination', break in a heartbeat toys that are so frequently available for kids. There is nothing worse than watching a child fall in love with a toy and then having to reassure them that you will try to fix it 20 minutes later when it breaks. I wanted the products that I make to be heirlooms, something a mom could give to her little tike while saying, "I played with this when I was your age." Hence, Forever and Afters. Granted, it may cost a little more right now, but you only have to buy it once!"

How long have you been making your creations? "I started making toys when I turned my first cardboard box upside down as a little girl and used the round trademark printed on the bottom as the heating element for my 'kitchen range'! I think I've been doing something of the kind ever since."

What mediums do you use to create your products? "I like to mix color and wood tones. I like the lines to flow under the tools. So I'm not really big on hardwoods. (Besides, I've seen what they can do in the hands of an angry child!) So we use a bit of hardwoods, a little poplar, but mostly pine and aspen. I like to add bright colors, and a splash of fabric to my creations. I want to give the child enough to work with for really good, imaginative play, but not so much that they don't have to build a sense of creativity.

Is there any other advice you'd like to share with our blog readers? "I do want to urge parents to put things in their children's reach that will give them opportunities to develop the wonderful power that is in their hearts and between their ears. The mess they make will be far less than the ones they find themselves in when they don't have the creativity, small motor skills, imagination, and determination to make it work in a few years and even later in life. Spread a drop cloth, take out the play dough and the cookie cutters, and stand back. You will have hours of "fight and fright" free time, too, when your little ones are engrossed in productive, character-building play."

Georgia has also graciously offered any blog readers who place a first-time order with her 10% off their total purchase. In order to receive the discount, please just mention this blog in the comments to the notes to the seller upon check-out. As an added bonus, she will be GIVING AWAY the Ironing Set (retail value of $35.00)!



Here is how you can enter for your chance to win this amazing set!
*Visit ForeverandAfters and then come back to this blog and post a comment on this thread, stating your favorite item from her shop AND why. (You must state both the item AND WHY to be entered for a chance to win!). Make sure to leave your email address for purposes of contacting the winner.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES TO WIN!!!
Once you have visited ForeverandAfters and commented on your favorite item and why, you can do the following for more entries in the drawing:
*Become a follower of the Haute Tot & Baby Couture blog
*Blog about this give-away (make sure to post the link to your blog)
*Tweet about this give-away (make sure to post the link to your tweet)
*Copy my Adam's Blankie & Haute Tot Couture blog buttons and post on your own webpage (make sure to post the link to your site)

The winner will be drawn & notified on Tuesday, June 30th! Good luck!

Thank you so much for joining us for this special "Spotlight" today, and thank you so much also to Georgia for sharing a little bit about herself & her inspirational business! I know I'll be looking forward to perusing her shop for future purchases myself!

Children's Play Houses

One thing I always have been disappointed in is how all the "doll houses" out there are only marketed for girls, since my son LOVES to play with them! That's why I love the PlanToys doll houses so much - fashioned very modernly, and made in gender-neutral palettes and themes. Additionally, they are made out of "natural, chemical free rubber wood and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors." Take a look for yourself and let me know what your favorite PlanToy play house/accessory is. If anyone has one of these, we'd love to hear how your little one likes it!

Convertible High Chair

Okay, this has got to be one of the coolest high chairs on the market - and so mod yet so practical! I love the progression of children's items today...what will they think of next? You can find more information about it here.