Teething "Bling"

Who said teething can’t be stylish, too? Teething jewelry is all the rage right now, and Pure and Honest Kids has Smart Mom jewelry that will keep you looking stylish, while also providing your little one with an outlet to ease their teething pain.

Smart Mom jewelry makes a perfect gift for moms, grandmas and aunts! Inspired by babies who like to tug and chew on jewelry, this stylish and beautiful “Teething Bling” was designed for little ones to handle and chew. Teething Bling by Smart Mom are made from a silicone that is phthalate and lead free, non-toxic, dishwasher safe and federally approved.

Pure and Honest Kids carries the pendant and bangle set from Smart Mom that includes a 2" x 2" donut shaped pendant on a black, silk cord with a breakaway clasp and matching bangle.

There are so many colors and patterns to choose from! From coral to amethyst, and jade to onyx, we are certain to have a color and pattern that will match perfectly with your outfit! Check out all the different Smart Mom pendant and bangle sets from Pure and Honest Kids right here.

Also check out the teething jewelry article on Celebrity Baby Blog, too! Even our favorite celebrities “bling out” in teething jewelry!

How to Plan the Perfect “Staycation”

Spring Break is just around the corner, and because of a slumping economy, many families are planning on taking a “staycation” rather than going on a vacation or a major trip. What is a staycation, you ask? Well, it is a vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s community has to offer.

A staycation is a perfect way for families to spend time together without spending the big bucks! All it takes is a little creativity and some planning, and your family will have a great time together in your own home!

Here are some ideas to make your staycation a success this Spring Break!

• Be creative! Consider having a camp-out in your backyard or have a slumber party in your living room to make one of the nights of your staycation more fun and adventurous!
  Research local museums and attractions and find out what events are going on in your community while you are on your staycation. Do things you normally wouldn’t do while at home, and visit attractions that are off the beaten path.
  
• If the weather is nice, have a pool day! If there is no pool available to you, have a sprinkler day! Nothing says Spring Break like a little water fun!
  
• Spice up your meals by cooking together. Make your meals fun and exciting by having theme nights and have everyone pitch in to make the meals a success. You can even decorate your table or dress up in costume to match the theme of your meal.
  
• Don’t view your staycation as a time to clean out the attic or power-wash the porch. Try to really treat the time at home as a family bonding experience.

With the right mindset, a vacation spent at home may be just what the doctor ordered! Enjoy you time at home and remember the most important part of every vacation, no matter where you travel, is time spent with family!

Happy Spring Break from Pure and Honest Kids!

Sassy Shoes for Girls!

With warm weather approaching and making us all long for summer days, it’s time to think about how to keep your little one’s feet stylish, safe and comfortable this summer.

Pure and Honest Kids has an excellent selection of shoes for boys, girls and infants. Check them out here!

Because most little girls like to be fashionable from their head to their feet, today we are going to highlight some of our favorite shoes for girls as we approach summertime!

Adeline Shoe in Fushia Leather
A pretty pink sandal for a pretty little girl! The Adeline shoe - girly and easy for days in the sun! Fuchsia pink wide straps with fun pink and white flower accents. From Kid Express.

Beverly Shoe in Lime Leather
Pink and green is so classy! The Beverly shoe - perfect for sweet summer days! Lime leather Velcro adjustable straps adorned with fun pink and white leather flowers. From Kid Express.

Turquoise Polka Dot Espadrilles
Trendy and bright, these comfortable turquoise polka dot espadrilles are sure to add a punch of fun to her summer shoe wardrobe. Shoes made in Spain by Cienta. 100% cotton upper. Machine wash.

Leslie Shoe in White Leather
The white leather Leslie shoe is a classic. Simple and white, these little sandals are perfectly finished with a butterfly in front. Adjustable front and ankle strap. Genuine leather upper. From Kid Express.

Things I Thought I Would Never Do as a Mom

Before you have children, you have probably watched friends and relatives raise their kids and think to yourself, “I’ll never do that when I become a mom.” If you are anything like me, you have probably already eaten those words! That’s where the quote, “Judge not that ye be not judged” comes into play!

Here are some “rules” I said I would never do as a mother that I have already broken!

I will never bribe my kids to get them to do what I ask of them.
All I can say to this is, “HA!” Whoever said they would not bribe their kids has obviously not gone through potty training. And who can get through grocery shopping trip with a toddler without a little bribing?

I will always get dressed every morning and be presentable.
I stay at home with my daughter and I also work from home. I promised myself when I decided to work for myself that I would always get up in the mornings and get dressed as though I was going into an office. That rule got broken very quickly! Some days, I am lucky to make it out of my sweat pants or even get a shower!

I will never lick my fingers to wipe off my child’s face or fix their hair.
GUILTY! I think I do this on an almost daily basis. You would, too, if you saw my child’s bedhead.

I will never say, “Because I said so.”
As my child gets older, and the “why” question is asked often, I can already see where it is easy to break this one. I am on the verge of using this as a response when asked “why” for the 30th time.

I will never say, “I’m going to count to three!" to get my child to obey me.
I honestly don’t know how a mother can survive without the “count to three” method. If you know of a way, let me know.

What are some things you said you would never do as a mother, but find yourself already doing? Post it in the comments section below.

Easter Outfits!

Are you searching for the perfect Easter outfit? Pure and Honest Kids has a wonderful selection of adorable dresses and outfits for your boy or girl that would be perfect for this Easter season!

Here are some of our favorites below. Be sure to also check out our Easter section, filled with Easter gift ideas for your little ones!

Neige June Dress
Whether it's Easter Sunday of a Summer wedding, the June dress from Neige will be your go-to dress! The signature Neige baby doll shape in the prettiest Liberty Fabric. Fashioned in the finest cotton floral, we love this dress. Gathered yoke with wide ruffle and little cap sleeves. Fully lined in soft cotton lawn. Washable. Made in the U.S. A. of European fabric. 100% cotton.

Neige Preston Jacket
The Preston jacket from Neige. In ivory cotton twill with contrast seam binding, this timeless, classic and stylish sport coat jacket is an essential in any Pure and Honest wardrobe. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Pink Dress by Miniman
How do we count the ways we love this little pink dress from La Petite Ourse? So many details packed in one amazing dress, it combines beautiful details too many to name. For starters, this lovely dress is starts as a soft cotton onesie with full back snaps and legs to keep her warm and swaddled. Then, it's overlayed with a knit cotton top dress that is finished with a woven cotton bottom that is finished with a button back. But wait, there's more - the dress is then layered with a wrap style woven cotton overlay skirt with an asymmetrical hem and a few accordion pleats on the front. And then it is all wrapped up with a sweet satin ribbon and finished with a sweet little bow and mother of pearl button detail. Wow! This dress is like no other. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Peul Patwork Shorts
One of our favorite shorts of the season, these great patchwork shorts are inspired by a patchwork sail. From Tea Collection's Ancient Elegance Collection, these fabulous shorts combine simple styling with side and back pockets. 55% linen 45% cotton. Machine wash. Cobblestone.

Neige Poppy Dress
The Poppy dress from Neige. Rooted in comfort and freshness, this lovely dress is made of soft cotton lawn Liberty fabric dress with a back bow, petticoat and shell button detail. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Cocooning Check Combi by Miniman
Bundle him up in this plaid romper from La Petite Ourse. Fully lined and padded to keep your little one warm. A snap button closure makes it a breeze to change diapers. Two front patch pockets complete this look. 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Prenatal Yoga!

My back has been hurting this pregnancy, so my doctor suggested that I try prenatal yoga. I have never done yoga before, but reluctantly I signed up for a prenatal yoga class.

I usually like to work up a real sweat when working out, so yoga has never appealed to me. However, having tried my first prenatal yoga class last week, I am hooked! I am already looking forward to this week’s class!

It was nice being in a class where other pregnant women know what you are going through and you can share with one another. The class provides a sense of community and includes pregnancy related topics at the beginning of each class.

It was also encouraging to see women in all stages of their pregnancy taking the class. Our class varied from a woman who was 10 weeks along, all the way to 36 weeks! It was inspiring to see the ladies who are in their third trimester still practicing yoga!

Why take prenatal yoga you might ask? Well, I did some research and here are some benefits on why you might want to consider taking a prenatal yoga class.

--- Prenatal yoga provides physical and mental strength during pregnancy. It improves flexibility, circulation, overall strength, muscle tone and balance.

--- Many women find yoga during pregnancy helps reduce swelling, back aches, leg pain and insomnia.

--- Prenatal yoga helps women focus on their breathing, which is beneficial in the labor process. Mentally, yoga also develops concentration, focus and reduces stress.

--- There is little to no impact on joints when practicing yoga.

--- Prenatal yoga aids in digestion. As your baby grows, your intestinal organs get pushed around, which may affect your regularity and cause indigestion. Forward fold poses can promote regularity and aid in overall digestion flow.

Remember, not all yoga poses are not safe during pregnancy, so it is important for beginners to sign up for an accredited prenatal class with a knowledgeable teacher that can help you decipher which poses are okay and which are not. Always listen to your body and if something hurts during yoga or any other form of exercise while pregnant, stop immediately.

Namaste from Pure and Honest Kids!

Baby Names!

Choosing a name for your baby can be hard! The range of names to choose from is mind-boggling. Do you go traditional or unusual? Do you like unisex names or family names? The possibilities are endless, so when it is time to choose a name for your little one, here are some tips to help you!

--- Decide your style of names. Do you like traditional names? Or do you want something less common? Do you want your child’s name to have special meaning, such as a Biblical name, a family name, or for the name itself to mean something special? Or do you just want it to sound good with your last name? Decide what is important to you when you begin the process of choosing a name for your baby.
--- Choose a name you would want to have yourself. Think about 20 years down the road, would your child want to be called the name you are considering? Is there a possibility of unkind nicknames that come along with your name choice? How does the name sound with last name? These are all things to consider when selecting the perfect name.

--- Decide if you want your child to have a nickname or not. Some names lend itself to inevitable nicknames (such as Elizabeth can be Liz or Beth and Robert can be Bob or Robbie.) If you absolutely hate a potential nickname that comes along with a formal name you have selected, then you may want to consider selecting another name.

---Remember, the baby you are naming is your baby, so it really comes down to your opinion. If you seek too many people’s thoughts on names, it will confuse you and make you second guess your choices. If you don’t want the peanut gallery weighing in on the name of your child, then keep it to yourself until the baby is born. Friends and relatives are less likely to weigh in on the name you have selected once the naming has become official.

Whether you choose a traditional name or an uncommon name, as long as you like it, then that is all that matters!


You can always check out names of celebrity babies for inspiration, too (or for ideas of what NOT to name your child!) Here are some of the more unusual baby names we found below!


Apple Blythe Alison: daughter of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and singer Chris Martin
Bronx Mowgli- son of musicians Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz
Harlow Winter- daughter of reality TV star Nicole Ritchie and singer Joel Madden
Pilot Inspektor- son of actor Jason Lee and Beth Riesgraf
Kal-El Coppola- son of actor Nicholas Cage and Alice Kim
Shiloh- Nouvel Jolie-Pitt- daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt

What are some of the more unique and uncommon names you have heard of for babies? Post them in the comments section below.

TV for Babies: Harmful or Helpful?

A new study suggests that watching television, including educational videos for children, won’t improve language development or cognitive skills for infants and toddlers, even if they watch several hours of television a day. Results of the study were published in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television time for toddlers younger than 2, in large part because no studies have yet established that TV exposure improves babies' learning. Now the new study published in Pediatrics confirms that position.

Read more about the new study at TIME magazine here. What do you think? Post in the comments section below.

Birthday Bonanza!

For a period of your child’s life, it will seem like every weekend you are going to a birthday party! Welcome to the Birthday Bonanza!

We just got our first birthday invitation of the year for our daughter’s friend, and the invitations will steadily continue to come until the end of the year. The practical side of me would like to go ahead and purchase a lot of the presents ahead of time this year so I am not caught scrambling at the last minute for birthday presents (much like last year.)

But how do you go about choosing the perfect birthday presents without breaking the bank? Here are some tips on making the birthday bonanza a little easier on us parents.

Stock up on gifts and start a birthday “closet.”
When you get your first birthday invitation, consider stocking up on gifts at the same time. This will eliminate the need to go out and every week and shop for birthday presents, and you’ll save money in the long run! Parents tend to grab and go when under the gun to get a present before a party, so you may spend a little more than you intended. If you shop ahead of time, this eliminates the impulse buy of a much more expensive gift. Now, when an invitation arrives, you can go “shopping” in your birthday closet and be ready to rock come birthday party time!

Set a limit on your birthday purchases.
Gauge what people spend on other kid’s presents and try to follow suit. It can make some people uncomfortable if your present if far more expensive than what they gave your child. The standard birthday gift for a child is anywhere from $10-$20.

Buy age appropriate gifts for your child’s friends.
Remember the “do onto others” rule when purchasing birthday gifts and buy age appropriate gifts that are suitable for the age of the birthday boy or girl. Also, remember what you would like your child to have, and more importantly, what you would not want your child to have, so the nosiest toy you can find or the messiest toy you can find may not be the best pick!

Don’t agonize over what gifts to purchase.
Remember that most children are not picky when it comes to toys and gifts! Find something you think the will enjoy and just go with it. You can spend hours trying to find the “perfect present” and most kids will like anything they are given!

Pure and Honest Kids has a wonderful selection of birthday gifts, all under $20! Check it out here! Enjoy all the parties and good luck weathering the Birthday Bonanza of childhood!

Going Out of Town? Get Prepared!

Leaving your children to go out of town is never easy! However, the more prepared you are, the easier it is on you, your child and the sitter!

Here are some ways to get organized and prepared when leaving town without your children. The grandparents, guardians and sitters who are caring for your child in your absence will thank you for it!

Provide the sitter with a detailed schedule of your child’s daily and nightly routine.
A scheduled child is a happy child! Try to have your sitter stay on routine as much as possible when watching your children. Ask them to keep meal times, nap times and bedtimes as close to your set schedule as possible. This will give your child a sense of normalcy while you are away, and routine is comforting to most children. Remember that even grandparents who see your children often can benefit from a detailed schedule. It leaves the guesswork out of what comes next in your child’s daily routine. Also include a list of activities your child likes to do to help your caregiver entertain your child during playtimes. Leaving a list of comfort items, such as favorite songs, stuffed animals, movies and books is also helpful to your sitter, should your child start to miss you.

Leave a medical consent form and insurance information with your sitter.
God forbid anything happens to your child while you are gone, but just to be on the safe side, it is always smart to leave with your sitter a medical consent form and authorization to seek medical attention on behalf of your child while you are away. The copy of your health insurance card information is also important to leave with your sitter. That way, they will have what they need should your child require medical attention while you are on your trip.

Have a list of emergency numbers.
Include in your packet of information to your sitter a list of emergency numbers. This list should include your child’s pediatrician’s office, neighbors, close-by relatives, the poison-control hotline, and of course, the number where you are staying and your cell phone number. Having the essential phone numbers all on one list is helpful to your caregiver during an emergency situation.

Remember that time with other loving adults is good for your child.
Of course, you will miss your children and they will certainly miss you, too. But remember that having other loving adults care for your children can go a long way towards instilling the virtues of flexibility and adaptability.

Have a great trip and relax knowing you have left your child’s sitter with what they need to have a successful stay with your child! Being well prepared goes a long way! Safe travels from Pure and Honest Kids!

Clothing Lines Celebrities Love for their Kids!

Deux par Deux is a children's clothing line that celebrity parents just love, and you are in luck...you can find many fabulous outfits from Deux par Deux at Pure and Honest Kids!

Check out A-Rod's (Alex Rodriguez, third baseman for the New York Yankees) daughter, Ella, 10 months (as seen on Celebrity Baby Blog) in the adorable Mongolie Jumper Dress Set from Deux par Deux, available at Pure and Honest Kids!

The Deux par Deux Clothing label is daring and shows a sense of fun. This celebrity favorite clothing line distinguishes itself by its bright, eye-catching colors, and a trend-setting style of European inspiration. Deux par Deux is also synonymous with quality and the European flair and attention to detail make it hard to beat. Parents will love Deux par Deux because of its comfortable fit, fashion trendiness and friendly prices!

Deux par Deux Mongolie Jumper Dress Set
***On Sale at Pure and Honest Kids! (Regularly $112, on sale for $69.99!)
You'll love this outfit from Deux par Deux. Pair the snuggly velour striped shirt with the aqua jumper for a look that is anything but boring. Ruffles and fringe in various colors decorate the bottom of this jumper. The matching striped tights have a miniature tassel on ankles. Shirt 80% cotton, 20% polyester. Jumper 100% cotton. Machine wash.

Top Five Things You Probably Won’t Hear at a Playgroup for Toddlers

Here are the top five things you probably won't hear at your next playgroup with toddlers!

1. “Here, please play with my toys!”
2. “Sharing is fun, mommy!”
3. “That’s your toy, not mine! Here you go!”
4. “Anyone want some of my snack?”
5. “It’s your turn! You go first.”

Sharing. It is such a tough concept to teach preschoolers. Many days, you may feel like you are in a sharing war zone with your child, battling your toddler about sharing his or her toys and taking turns with others. Don’t worry, mom and dad. This is a right of passage for every toddler and eventually your child will grow out of not wanting to share. What can you do in the meantime to survive this stage? Here are a few ways to help your child learn about the art of sharing.

- Find ways to share with your child and explain that you are sharing with them because you love them. Teach your child through “teachable moments” that sharing is a way to show people you care about them.
- Check out books at your local library about sharing and make reading these books part of your daily routine. Reading about the concept of sharing and seeing examples in books of how other children share will help your child better understand this difficult subject.
- When you see your child sharing, praise them with kind words. Use their moment of sharing as an opportunity to point out to your child how nice it is to share and how proud you are of him or her.
- Try to let your child work out “sharing issues” with other children as much as possible. It is part of social play. However, when it gets physical or if a child gets upset, it’s time to intervene. Demonstrate to the children how you can share and take turns and how it’s fun to share with friends.

In the meantime, try not to get too upset or embarrassed by your toddler’s behavior. Struggles over toys and personal belongings are common among this age set and it will get better with time. Just continue to positively reinforce good behavior and point out ways your child can share when playing in a group setting.

Happy sharing from Pure and Honest Kids!

It's Never Too Early...

It's never too early to start thinking about Easter! Pure and Honest Kids has an excellent selection of Easter outfits for boys and girls, from fabulous lines, such as Neige, Miniman, and Tea. We also have terrific gift ideas for Easter baskets for your little ones!

Check out our Easter section here! "Hoppy" Easter from Pure and Honest Kids!