droolicious : blue

Agatha Von Vanderbeetle: Welcome Anytime in Our Backyard

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

This time of year, the only beetles I care to see are the ones sitting calmly in the toy aisle -- or, in the case of Ms. Agatha Von Vanderbeetle here, the ones batting their eyelashes at me from an Etsy store.

Agatha actually has quite the back-story, having made the journey (as an orphan, no less) from the harsh Australian wild to her present home with Etsy seller chunkychooky. No wonder, then, that she's such a rugged little critter, machine-stitched from denim, suede and various other hardy fabrics, and finished off with strongly attached (and really cute) eyes.

Learn more about Agatha's journey, and pick up a Von Vanderbeetle of your own for $28 at chunkychooky's Etsy store.

Finally, A Sleeved Blanket For Kids Too - The Snugglette

Chris Ford — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:30:00 GMT

If you watch TV, then chances are you've seen the Snuggie advertised. Basically it's a blanket with sleeves, and although it's not exactly the caliber of "Where's the Beef?" or "I've fallen, and I can't get up!", the commercial is pretty memorable. Well, I suppose a rolling stone gathers no moss in the world of sleeved blanket making, because the Snuggie people are now selling a sized-down version for kids - the Snugglette.

The Snuglette is made of "Super Soft, Luxurious Fleece", is machine washable and is available in "Royal Blue" or "Pretty Pink." It even comes with a free pair of matching "Slipper Socks." And guess what? If you act NOW you can get a second one FREE (just pay an additional $7.95 P&H).

Huh? So, uh, what does that all come to?

Basically, for a pair of Snugglettes and two pairs of Slipper Socks (all of which you have to buy together) you'll be paying $35.85.

Oh, and beware of the link below. The TV commercial for the Snugglette starts the moment the page loads. But if you've got headphones on, then click away.

Check it out at Sungglette.com.

Candy Dot Bench

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:28:00 GMT

Call it branding genius, clever marketing or maybe just kitschy fun, but this NYC design firm has mastered the art of melding nostalgic icons of 80s childhood with modern furniture and accessories.

Forget the old sex sells adage, it’s emotional attachment and “remember when” moments that can sell anything. Just one glance at Jellio’s Button Bench, $1,400, flashes me back to a five-and-dime shop my mom used to take me after doctor appointments. If I was good I got a roll of candy dots. (Ahh … I can still taste the paper that always managed to stick to the back of those sugary sweet treats.) The candy dot bench brings a little piece of that memory home. Covered in pink, blue, and yellow rubber dots that squish down when you sit on them and pop back when you get up, the white acrylic bench would be a great playroom piece.

Turtles with a Twist

Lisa Mulcahy — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:36:00 GMT

Although it seems to be everywhere, I’m still loving powder blue and chocolate brown. The brown seems to ground what could otherwise be a wishy-washy pastel. Add to it these modern turtles and I think it’s a winning combo. And this time it’s affordable.

The Mod Turtle Collection from Kidline has the perfect blend of modern geometric pattern that takes a not-so-serious turn with the untraditional blue turtles. From crib linens to curtains, rugs and accessories, there’s a complete selection of Mod Turtles to choose from.

Crib bedding $152.50, along with all the other affordable accoutrements, at Amazon.

Nickelodeon Launches myNOGGIN for Ad-Free Online Learning

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:32:00 GMT

More power to those of you who've managed to keep your little ones offline, but for the rest of us, Nickelodeon has launched myNOGGIN, a subscription-based, ad-free site aimed at preschoolers through first graders. Featuring a variety of curriculum-based learning games developed with an educational advisory board, and hosted by familiar characters Blue, Dora, Diego and Moose A. Moose, the site offers three subscription levels: $5.95 for 12 months, $7.95 for six months, and $9.95 for a month-to-month deal. You can try a demo, sign up for a free trial, and read more about the "connected learning" approach before committing, and, as with any sort of gaming experience, this one is only as meaningful as the time you invest in it alongside your kids (there's even a Parent Center where you sign in to track progress). In other words, a baby-sitter it isn't.