GoodyBlog

Buggin' Out Over a Spoon

I know you're wondering, "Is that a bug or a spoon?" Well, it's all both of these things and more: It's a Beetle Spoon!

The spoon looks like a big ol' bug, but unfold the wings and it's a spoon. (There's even a spork model!) The wing-handles of the spoon are soft and comfortable to use. It comes with a sturdy travel case that fits nicely into any lunch box.

Anyone with an 80s toy obsession will flip over this wonderful spoon. There's nothing quite like eating pudding with a cousin of the  Insecticons. Although this is supposed to be for my soon-to-be-born daughter's future lunches, I think I'm keeping it for myself.

SuperMom Action Figure

Does this lady look familiar? Are you capable of juggling a baby, a pocketbook, a grocery bag, all while making a pediatrician appointment on your cell phone? HappyWorker.com outlines her powers as follows:

Up at the crack of dawn and working long into the night, this heroine magically creates extra hours each day juggling kids, schedules, chores and career. Navigating jungles of toys and mountains of kiddie stuff she prepares tasty yet healthy snacks, tames dust bunnies and banishes stubborn stains. With an invisible third arm and a never ending pursuit of work/life balance, she can help with a school project and answer an all-important business call while wrist deep in dirty diapers. Part teacher, part doctor, part chauffeur, part boss… she's all SuperMom.

SuperMom comes equipped with 2 heads (one calm, one frazzled), 2 babies (an angel and a monster), a mommy bag, cell phone. super-long to-do list, 2 pairs of shoes, and a bag of groceries.

This true action hero, is available for purchase at a number of fine stores.

Thanks to Bloesem Kids for the link!

Clever Toy Storage Solution

If your house is in serious danger of being overtaken by your kid's stuffed animals, check out this toy storage/plushy seat combo from Boon. When your child is done snuggling with her cuddly pals, all she has to do is stuff them in this fuzzy bag and voila—she's got a pretty awesome beanbag-esque chair. Take a look at all the cool colors and styles here.

Toy Storage Brilliance

As a kid, I had the coolest Lego storage bag ever. When it was open, it was a round piece of denim with cord weaving in and out of grommets along the edge, thus making a drawstring around the circumference (can you picture that?). The Legos would go to the center of the mat, and I'd pull the drawstring and hang the satchel on its proper hook. I never understood why this system went out of style because it's quite brilliant. (If this still exists, please let me know!)

 

When I landed on this project by Soozs, I had a total flashback. Only she's kicked it up a notch. She wanted a place to keep her daughter's barnyard toys, so she created a bag turned play-mat turned backdrop for the animals. Not only does it solve the storage issue, but it also provides an imaginative play world. I heart it! (Check out this talented Aussie's book called Making Stuff for Kids. It looks like a must-have!)

Thanks to Write, Mama, Write for the link!   

Ready to Take on the Uglydolls

As you know, GoodyBlog has some beef with the Uglydolls. It's a love-hate relationship. But check out these new Uglydoll-ish creations from Monster Factory (via Coochicoos)... don't they look like little hipster monsters? I love the idea that Ugly can be Cute and Monsters can be Lovable. The company has brilliant designs and lots of adorable characters—check out the entire family below. Plus, you can watch an awesome music video that they made, starring one of their plush-dolls, over at Notcot.

An Elephant In The Room

How fun is this Riding Elephant from Moroccan company Zid Zid Kids? It's made of faux leather and the stuffing is recycled cotton and sponge scraps. I love that it has a back pocket where your kid can store stuff. But it's pricey: $249 at Designpublic.com.

For less cash ($64) you can get these sand-filled Book Ends. Perfect for a kid's room, but I'm wanting them for myself!

Pandas Are The New Penguins

Judging from what I saw at the Toy Fair, pandas are poised to replace penguins as the cuddly black and white creature your kids will soon be clamoring for. A rep for North American Bear told me they plan to roll out a line of silky plush pandas this summer, just in time for the Olympics. You know, because they're being held in Beijing.  And if that's not enough to cause some major panda-monium, the release of Kung Fu Panda in June certainly will. But really, how can you resist this face?

[Photo via ]

Toy Fair: Why I Heart Haba

It's true...Toy Fair 2008 has come to an end. And while all that's left at the Javitz Center are forgotten game pieces, bits of cotton batting, and abandoned toy catalogs, here at Parents/GoodyBlog HQ we're still mulling over our favorite toys and booths at the show. For me it's simple: If I love the toys, I love the booth. And this year the booth that gave me the warmest, fuzziest, cupcakes-dancing-through-my-head feeling was Haba's. I visited their floor space at the show yesterday and got to check out many of their over 400 new toys. From rattles to room decor, this German company has something for every age and stage of your child's life. These are my show-favorites:

This play tent (you may have seen Kourtney in this exact tent) is just one of Haba's many room decor pieces that are durable, practical and just so darn beautiful. The tent even folds up to fit in the tiny round bag in front!

This soft play blanket has a few fabric loops on one end, so when your baby is ready to sit up, you can take it off the floor and hang it on the wall for more visual play. Such a great idea!

When your baby is ready to walk, this adorable wood cart will give her something to push around while she's moving her legs. And if she decides to take a rest, there are fun activities built-into either side.

Yes, this one is just a classic "watch-the-ball-roll-down" toy, but doesn't the natural wood design make it look so sweet? And you know your kid will love it!

Live from Toy Fair: It's tour time!

It's the final day of Toy Fair, and let's just say things got a little, well, bananas. The Uglydoll drama from yesterday continued (don't worry–there's a happy ending), fellow GoodyBlogger and today's vlog co-host Taryn got way too up close and personal with a giant stuffed bear, dinosaurs are no longer extinct apparently, and oh yeah...we finally take you on that Toy Fair tour we've been promising.

House Proud: The Coolest Dollhouses EVER

I'm honestly speechless over how AMAZING these dollhouses are.  I stumbled upon them at Kidsmodern.com, "a website devoted to the fascinating world of design for kids".  I definitely had fantasies of living in Barbie's Dream House, but now in my more mature state of life, I gravitate more to the minimal Villa Sibis or the RayRay Dollhouse. 

(Sigh).  Oh to be a plastic doll with uber-mod Scandanavian furniture...

You can read about (and drool over) each and every one of these here .