One of my besties gave me this in the hospital when I was recovering from surgery. It was incredible there, and I remain obsessed! I keep in my purse.

This rich, multi-purpose cream is for hands, face, body and lips. Incredibly nourishing, it deeply moisturizes and soothes dry skin irritations, too. Made with Shea Butter and Glycerin, it has a matte finish, non-oily, and non-sticky.

The perfect cream for a purse, backpack, yoga bag, travel, and anytime!

More than a moisturizer: my dermatologist recommended this moisturizer brand for the lactic acid content. This daily lotion has the powerful ability to leave rough, dry skin soft and smooth.

2-in-1 exfoliator and moisturizing lotion: AmLactin uses lactic acid to boost healthy skin renewal through gentle exfoliation while ceramides provide 24 hours of intense hydration by locking in moisture; resulting in visibly restored skin. Recommended by my dermatologist. Sometimes I use the daily lotion, and sometimes I use this one.

This Swedish Clover Foot File is the BEST. If you're barefoot a lot like me, or a runner, you get dry feet or calluses build up. For some people they can get too thick and crack, which is painful, and can even cause infection.

You don't want to file thickened skin down all the way. Those areas are there for protection from where you regularly have friction. Use with mindfulness and care.

My feet are on display all the time, and I like to smooth them out once or twice a month. These last a super long time.

I use these fragrance-free baby wipes all the time. For a “bath” while camping or any other time, for hands and faces. In certain circumstances we use antibacterial wipes, but I like to minimize chemicals where I can.

They are gentle enough to protect baby’s delicate skin with just 2 ingredients: 99.9% purified water and a drop of fruit extract. (I think there may be a tiny bit of a preservative; I’m fine with that. My Honest Co. baby wipes molded…

Whether you use them as diaper wipes or for everyday purposes, WaterWipes are ideal for all skin types.

I wanted a good quality hair dryer that wasn’t going to break the bank. Recommended by Wirecutter, this hair dryer is incredibly fast, with gentle heat. Far-infrared rays penetrate the outer cuticle of the hair, drying hair from the inside out. Salon quality blowouts now within reach.

We have four of these. We use in bedrooms, and we even have one dedicated to travel - even though I have a white noise app on my phone.

There are two-speed options for adjustable tone and volume, making it simple to create a personalized sound environment. Excellently masks background noise and allows for better sleep, office privacy, effective soothing for kids and babies, and calming for sound-sensitive dogs.

My awesome eye doctor recommended this antibacterial, latex-free, washable eye mask for when my eyes get irritated.

Put in the microwave for 10+ seconds, for a relaxing, soothing experience. Take 10 minutes out of your day to wear this and focus on your breath. It’s highly restorative. I use the highest level of Systane eye drops when I’m done.

Like a spa day for your eyes! Naturally antibacterial, latex free, non-toxic, and washable.

I used to think soft brushes didn’t clean as well, but my dental hygienist and dentist said that’s not the case. They recommended these Nimbus to clean teeth and protect gums.

The bristles absorb less water which allows the brush to maintain its shape longer than standard nylon bristles. Additionally, the bristles resist breakdown brought on from chemicals and natural mouth fluids which allows you to use Nimbus longer than average toothbrushes. Love them.

I shake it up and occasionally use this electric toothbrush, in the white color. My husband has this one. I researched a lot before making a decision, and I’m very happy with this dentist-inspired round brush head technology.

A different color of the previous brush with accessories: (1) Oral-B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush, (1) Cross Action Replacement Brush Head, (3) Sensitive Gum Care Replacement Brush Heads, (1) charger

They say you get 300% more plaque removal along the gumline vs. a regular manual toothbrush. So I switch between my Nimbus soft brushed with periodical cleans with this.

They say it has a silky smooth texture, and I find that to be true. My husband will buy cheaper floss, and it shreds, so I stock up with this high-quality floss.

They also say it sllides up to 50 percent more easily in tight spaces vs. regular floss, and I find that to be true!

Clearly I’m into health in all areas!

I don’t like to use plastic, disposable things, but I do have these in my repertoire for their ability to get into the gumline between teeth. They’re also easy for my kids to use with braces.

Flexible, comfortable bristles gently remove plaque, dislodge food & massage gums. The flexible synthetic rubber bristles fit easily between most teeth, removing dental plaque where gum disease often starts and toothbrushes can't reach.

Clinically designed by dental professionals to remove plaque from areas between the teeth most commonly missed by toothbrushing alone.

Tongue scraping ( jihwa prakshalana) is part of Ayurvedic oral care. This is the practice of gently grazing the tongue with the help of a u-shaped tool or a scraper to remove debris and bad bacteria, and clear out the surface of the tongue. This is a complementary practice to brushing, flossing, and mouthwash.

I’m not big into the concept that we are toxic, but I’ve been practicing tongue scraping for many years, and I can’t imagine not doing it each morning before I eat or drink anything.

Stainless steel, easy to clean, adjustable, and lasts for years.

On of my favorite kitchen accessories! Quickly boils up to 1.75 L of water.

One-dial allows you to choose an exact temperature in °F or °C (170 °F to 212 °F), alerts you when temperature is reached, and keeps it at that temperature for 30 minutes.

Durable, BPA-free borosilicate glass offers thermal-shock protection and water-level visibility.

OXO has descaling solution, which you need to use occasionally in the electric kettle. The bottle contains liquid and provides two uses. I don’t like the environmental impact of that, along with accompanying cost.

This universally compatible descaler comes in 4 packets and you add your own water. There’s obviously environmental impact to that but I live in a city on this earth and do my best. I’m looking into citric acid descales, and this is what I use now.

This product can be used to descale Keurig machines, as well as Nespresso, Breville, Jura, Delonghi and other drip coffee makers, espresso machines, superautomatics, and kettles. It is more effective at removing limescale than vinegar, works faster than vinegar, and is odorless.

I have a 7.25 quart size in the color above, Cerise. Comes in other sizes and colors. Great for one pot meals, stews, and much more. It’s pretty, and the enameled cast iron provides wonderful heat distribution and retention. Unlike my cast-iron skillet (also loved), it is ready to use and requires no seasoning

Easy-to-clean and resists dulling, staining, chipping and cracking.

This Wilton springform pan can be used to make cheesecakes, deep dish pizzas and more. If you’re a baker like me, it’s a bonus to have in your kitchen, and necessary if you want to make a cheesecake.

My OXO is my go-to, we keep this in our back office and ALSO use it for travel. It’s less expensive than our OXO, so if it broke I wouldn’t be bummed.

Quickly boils at only one temperature. uickly boiling water; great for making herbal tea, hot chocolate, instant soups, and more

I’m a baker, and sometimes you want more than the standard colors.

You can tint your cake batter and icing almost any shade with these 8 colors. It’s a concentrated gel-based formula so your batter, buttercream, etc. gets a beautiful hue without thinning it out.

One day I decided to make a matcha latte with this gift that had been in my drawer for over a year. It was great, and I could make my favorite drink at home!

I use it with milk, almond milk, to mix hot cocoa for my kids. It was perfect for milk frothing if you don’t want a cappuccino maker in your kitchen, which I don’t (for space and cleaning reasons).

Food-safe stainless-steel whisk and BPA free shaft. It makes creamy froth within 15-20s. I also use it to blend my matcha.

A few reviews mention it broke within a few months, but my first one lasted for years.

This pan is my go-to. Cast iron provides superior heat retention and can be used in the oven, on the stove, on the grill or over a campfire! It also adds trace amount of iron into your food. Eggs, pancakes, meats, vegetables, and even bread can be cooked in this versatile pan.

Cast-iron pans require occasional seasoning, and that definitely makes a difference in cooking. Lodge uses 100% vegetable oil, and I use avocado oil for it’s high smoke point. The more you use the pan, the better the seasoning will get.

A USA product. Lodge has been making cast iron cookware in a small Tennessee town since 1896.

I use a chef’s method for cleaning: after cooling, put a little kosher salt and a small amount of water in the pan. I use a clean dish towel or paper towel to rub. This removes food and maintains the seasoning of the pan. Rinse, dry well, and rub a very light coating of oil.

It is heavy, that’s the downside. There’s a light-weight version here. I haven’t personally used that.

Plastic straws are terrible for the environment. We use stainless straws at home and try our best not to use straws while we are out.

These straws are awesome, and we’ve had them for years. Colored silicone tips are exchangeable and protect your teeth. They come with a cleaning brush and are easy to clean. You get an assortment of average-sized and extra-long metal straws, some with curved tip, which make them good for different things. They can be used for drinking from 20ox, 24ox, or 30oz tumblers.

I never knew how amazing Microplanes until I helped a friend cook dinner at her house about five years ago.

How did I get through my culinary life without this tool? I have black but it comes in many colors.

It makes the most incredible zest. When we have pasta everyone uses it to grate fluffy parmesan on their meal.

You also can grate ginger and garlic into a minced pastes to flavor many foods. Create your own ground spices from whole hard cinnamon or nutmeg. (Fresh nutmeg is a fave around here.) You even case use for things like shaving a cork down to fit back into a bottle . If you are around picky kids, you can even scrape off burnt or dark spots from cookies, scones, and toast.

Blades made in USA, which also is nice. I try to support our country as much as we can in that way.

I love real candles, but sometimes you don’t want to worry about a burning flame. These battery operated candles are made of waterproof plastic, so I use them outside. They have worked after hot weather, heavy rain, etc.

Comes with remote control.

The flickering warm glow of these electric votive candles is quite realistic and creates a cozy and warm ambiance. With kids and two cats I like to be able have a nice atmosphere without having to make sure there are no accidents.

Always recycle batteries and electronics at a hazardous waste center NOT in the trash. :)

Super portable wireless Bluetooth speaker with high-quality 360° sound and up to 15 hours of battery on a single charge. Comes in multiple colors. We use this throughout our house with Spotify, computer files, etc.

This model has a charging dock (sold separately) to charge wirelessly, but we just use a cord.

Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 is waterproof and floats. It can be totally submerged in water up to 1m for 30 minutes.

Big, beautiful sound. Totally waterproof (I have not had the opportunity to test this beyond taking to the beach). You can hang it over a hook, take it on vacation, kayaking, strap to a bike or backpack. Stretchy, attachable marine-grade bungee. I travel with this, use in my yoga room, and it’s fabulous.

We have a mosquito problem in the summers, even after following abatement measures. They are not the fat, slow-moving Michigan mosquitos from my youth, and I was tired of having leg-welts, so we got this Wirecutter-recommended repellant. It’s been great. (We also occasionally use a box fan.)

The Thermacell repellent system lasts up to 9 hours per charge (with a 12-hour cartridge insert). It creates a 20-foot mosquito protection zone within 15 minutes. Other models have a shorter charge and/or lighting in the product. Micro USB charger. Includes one 12-hour scent-free refill. See next product are the cartridge refills. We got them both at the same time.

Mosquito problem? These are replacement cartridges for the Thermacell Mosquito Repellent E-Series. This refill pack offers 120 hours of mosquito fighting.

It’s a scent-free repellent , and the active ingredient is Allethrin, a synthetic version of a naturally occurring repellent found in chrysanthemum flowers.

My son started playing bass, and a friend let us borrow an old-school heavy amp. He now has his own, a still-powerful modern one that is light enough to carry around the house. (We keep it in his room, though!) Our musician friend recommended this highly. It’s a perfect, good-sounding amplifier for a beginner, and gig musicians seem to like it, too.

We are VERY happy with this camp/kitchen setup. A friend had a more deluxe version, but we wanted something easier to carry and store. All our cooking stuff is off the picnic tables!

26'' main tabletop, easy carrying bag, quick set-up, We sometimes put our camping stove on this (though I make sure it’s out of the way so no accidents). There’s lots of room underneath for a plastic storage bin for food (we don’t like to invite critters in our area with food) Could be used for picnicking and tailgating.

A wonderful resource for child development with practical tools to foster security and brain growth. (NOT in a “get them into college” way.) This book gives information and tools that foster play, safety, and confidence. Little things like activities that visually cross the midline of the body, which is great for the brain, body and nervous system - and something I do in yoga! Many people have challenges going activities with cross-body patterning.

We did “Attachment-lite” parenting, which I find to be compatible with the mindset of yoga, but this book is great for all people responsible for the care of a small child. It offers research-based answers: Should you really read to your baby? Can teaching a baby sign language boost IQ? What about classical music in the nursery?

Dr. Stamm translates the latest neuroscience with clarity and practical suggestions. It isn’t “edu-tainment” that nurtures an infant’s brain. It iis Attention, Bonding, and Communication, and it’s within every parent’s ability to provide.

There are practical games and tips for each developmental age group.

Manga Gerber was a world-renowned child therapist and infant specialist, a leader in the field of early childhood education. She was a passionate advocate for children and parents, inspiring us to recognize babies as whole people from birth who deserve our respect and should be welcomed into the world as “honored guests.” She founded RIE Parenting (Resources for Infant Educarers).

We embraced the RIE parenting style, and I believe it’s one reason our kids are confident and like themselves - supported wherever they are in their development. This was further fostered with four years of Waldorf Early Childhood education. (Then our kids went to public schools.)

Here is the first RIE pamphlet.

Your pediatrician likely will suggest sleep-training around 4mos. This went against our general parenting style. I don’t recall what the authors markers are for starting sleep-training. I know they’ll tell you the most thoughtful way to do it.

We NEED sleep to be well, and I was starting to lose my mind with lack of sleep when my kids were 8mos. One night I held a tired baby who cried for 45-minutes before sleeping. I had a revelation: if he’s crying that long in my arms, why are we not doing sleep-training where he could learn to self-soothe. Everyone was ready.

A psychotherapist friend highly recommended this book. It became my bible for their sleep- completely dog-eared. It gives ALL the information about when kids should sleep, how long, when naps should be weaned, etc. Up to age 5.

In hindsight I still would do things as we did, when we did it. Our friends who were against sleep training have poor-sleepers that kept visiting their room for years. My kids remain GREAT sleepers, love their cozy beds, and I believe it was because I followed this.

Siegel is a neuroscientist and Payne is a therapist and parenting expert.

They offer an approach to child rearing that is broken down into twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development and calmer, happier children.

The authors explain the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.

The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. Eespecially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. Hence, kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. Outbursts, arguments, or fear are opportunities to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth. Even though my kids are older, I’m going to re-read this as a refresher.

I wish I always acted with perfect calm in the midst of fighting, yelling, and chaotic times with the kids. I’m quite good at positive parenting, but sometimes my patience and empathy are challenged. I’m human!

Kids’ high emotions and snappy behavior reflect internal conflict. They need to support and not punishment for their nature. Well-intentioned solutions like “time outs” in a corner, don’t foster security, attachment, or brain development.

This book highlights a child’s neurological development. It offers effective, compassionate ways to approach tantrums, tensions, and tears.

At the end of the day, discipline means instruct, not to shout or reprimand (guilty of all!). The esteemed authors explain how to effectively communicate, redirect emotions, and turn meltdowns into opportunities for growth. Problem-solving becomes a win/win situation.

These plastic-free wipes are 99.9% water-based. They’re perfect on-the-go, or at home when you want a natural clean to your baby’s bottom, hands, or face. I used washable wipes for awhile, but that’s hard to sustain.

Huggies are fine, and when we were out we’d get their Free and Clear version. But I liked being as natural as I could, and I still do! We always have these around to clean parts that might need it and you don’t have time for a shower. I feel good using these for hands at those times you don’t want or need an antibacterial wipe.

Water wipes are unscented and hypoallergenic, 99.9% water, and perfect for my babies’ sensitive skin. Apparently they have a minute amount of preservative. I don’t freak out about that. My Honest Company wipes got moldy…I think that’s worse! (NOTE: not flushable! My plumber says no wipes in the system, even if it says flushable.)

Comes in different color sets.

LOVE these Aiden + Anais soft muslin swaddles. We used them all the time: to swaddle, in the stroller, etc.. You’ll see them around everywhere, and it’s because they are great.

When my kids got older they used them as blankets, and I only recently put them away. I act;;u kept and stored for them when they have kids. We’ll see if they last…

They were easy to wash durable, and cute. Perfect form and function.

These are another product I saved for when my kids have kids! They come in different colors/animals, and I had three for each kid. One would be in the wash, one with the kid, and another ready for action. My kids slept with them for years (though I’m lucky they weren’t so attached they freaked out without them).

A great gift for someone having a baby, it’s likely not something someone would think to put on a registry.

Angel Dear makes classic baby clothing and accessories that are sophisticated without being serious. Anything I used was beautiful quality and with lasting value.

Waterproof, washable, polyester bibs and smocks with pockets. Comes in many colors/patterns.

Pockets rule for catching drips and crumbs. I had 2-3 of these bibs for each kid, and they lasted their whole time I needed them.

This company also has other cool products like reusable storage bags. Check out the Bumkins page at the link below.

We got these stainless food containers when the kids were two and went to Waldorf Sweet Pea Parent and Me. I’d have gotten them earlier if I knew they existed.

When small, they’d have a whole meal in there with different options to savor. (Or not eat!) Now we use them for small meals or snacks. We generally make our meals, and this is a perfect container for a healthy snack, meal. A “lunchable”.

We have a lot of the Lunch Bots line. Each child has this, they have one with two sections that fit larger items, we have tiny containers for things like raisins or hummus, kids stainless silverware (still use for lunches), wide-mouth thermoses for warm or cold food, etc. See the next posting for the entire Lunch Bots line.

We have so many of these items, and nine years later, we still use them all the time.

We have four of the divided lunch containers, tiny containers for things like raisins or hummus or sauces, stainless silverware (still use for lunches), wide-mouth thermoses for warm or cold food, screw top containers for cut fruit (use these for hikes and camping), etc.

I think they’re easy to wash, but they do have some crevices that I get to with a tiny brush.

Comes in multiple colors.

We had three for each kid at 18mos, and they STILL use them at 11yo. We have lost one straw in the place where single, and one bottle was left at a friend’s years ago and never got it back. They’re still part of our repertoire when the kids don’t need tons of water, like ballet class.

BPA-free and made with Eastman Tritan copolyester, which is impact resistant, durable, clear and will not absorb or impart any flavors or odors to its liquid contents. We wash in top rack in dishwasher or by hand, depending on our mood.

Interchangeable parts that fit other Foogo Phases cups. Easy to open with hygienic push button pop-up llid with pop-up silicone straw.

Comes in multiple colors.

Perfect baby spoons. We let the kids feed themselves right from the start, and they must have been watching because they knew exactly what to do.

Gum-friendly, BPA/Lead/Phthalate/Plastic Free. Great gift set. I gave most of them away but kept one in case I have a baby guest.

Great Gift Set!

Our Toddler utensils were loved as much as their first spoons.

Stainless steel with food grade thick silicone handles that are easy for kids’ grip.

These utensils are the perfect length for littles continuing to learn self feeding. That means your child won’t push their utensils too far into their mouth, so they’re less likely to choke. The rounded fork tines are gentle on gums and developing teeth.

100% dishwasher safe for quick and easy meal times!

Available in different colors with optional lids.

This 3-pack of suction plates are for Babies & Toddlers. They’re 100% silicone, divided, and microwave & dishwasher friendly. I like to microwave in glass, so I never used these plates for that.

The lids are a nice add-on. I didn’t suction anything to my wood table, but these work on a high chair.

I don’t know who turned me on to these Disposable Stick-on Placemats, but I’m grateful to them. They’re gender neutral, come in a reusable package, 60 count of 12" x 18" mats.

I worked in restaurants after college, and we used clean towels the best we could, but a towel would wipe a number of tables, and who knows what’s on there. I didn’t want my kids spilling and picking up things and eating off a table. I’m a little weird about that. But clearly not the only one, since these exist!

I try to minimize my use of disposable plastics, but I had no reservations about these, which were easy to travel with and I didn’t have to deal with washing after eating out.

This is another great gift because it’s unlikely anyone thinks of this.

Multiple color options.

Designed for small teeth and gums with very soft bristles. The handle is the perfect size for kids to hold. We brushed the teeth for quite a long time, but we also had them play with these on their own, too.

BPA-free, latex-free and phthalate-free. The Totz Toothbrush handle is made with FDA-approved dyes, which is something I didn't think about, frankly. The handle is 100% re-cyclable.

There are many great teething rings on the market. I’m not going to put all that we liked (there was an orange one shaped like P’s and T’s that also were great when they’re in the biting phase).

We liked these because they could be cooled, which was refreshing for the teething discomfort.

It’s a safer plastic filled with sterilized water, and a textured surface to massage gums. Nitrosamine-free,Pvc-free. The orange ones mentioned about are silicone, I believe, and we used those more, but these were create for the chilling factor.

I LOVED THESE. They come in many styles and colors.

My husband and I (or whoever was carrying a kid) wore this silicone teething jewelry. We had three necklaces, and I’ve purchased them for a number of moms.

The safety clasp and pull off when yanked too hard, but we didn’t have a problem with them coming off too easily, as other brands are known for. Even after using them a lot.

I don’t have any affiliation with this company! it’s just a product I highly recommend.

Comes in multiple styles and fabrics.

If you look around, you’ll notice babies with a flat rear head.They may even have a bald spot. This is from too much lying on their backs.

No surprise, II was obsessed with supporting my kids’ natural movement, reflexes, and opportunities for their developing brains to view the world.

I did not have a swing because I knew it would be too easy to put the babies in them. (Until our housekeeper bought them one around 6mos. She couldn’t fathom we didn’t have one!) Our were carried a lot in baby carriers, got plenty of floor time, and as they got older, they walked even though we moved slower. We left car seats in the car, so people would not leave them in the seats for naps.

Someone gave me one of these, and I ended up buying another. They fit everything I wanted and needed. We often had them on a balcony in our old condo, so they could see, be outside, and still be about to move. One of my kids became incredibly proficient at kicking and bouncing himself. They’re not flat on their heads and backs, and it’s less pressure.

These kept the kids occupied in a way that supported my parenting. They might have a book or two with them, you get the picture.

A friend recommended these for the littles, and they were awesome. Many colors, patterns, and fabrics.

The original wearable blanket replaces loose blankets in the crib for a safer environment; the 3-way swaddle ensures your baby's best sleep and an easy transition when it's time to stop swaddling; number 1 choice of hospital nurseries to promote safe sleep.

Can be layered with warmer sleepwear for cooler temperatures. Zipper opens from the bottom for easy diaper changes without undoing the swaddle. Arm and neck openings sized for a safer fit

Designed for babies weighing between 6 and 12 pounds, who are generally 0-3 months old, and 19-23 inches long. Stop swaddling when baby shows signs of rolling over or breaking out of the swaddle wrap.

Super cute, protective flexible, polarized baby sunglasses from Italy (assembled in USA). Comes in many colors.

BABY size sunglasses typically fit infants and babies 0-2 years old (depending on head size). TODDLER sunglasses for 2-4 year olds. JUNIOR sunglasses for 5-12 year olds.

The Deluxe Bundle includes a head strap and ear adjuster kit to keep glasses from slipping off.

Shatter resistant and polarized with 100% UVA/B/C protection. BPA, phthalate, lead & latex free, and all small parts tested. The frames are soft and designed for little hands and faces. And they are adorable, too.

Many colors, this was a great, adjustable sun hat.

Baby Banz fit 0-2 years old ( up to 19 inch head circumference ). 100 % polyester

Features velcro closure in the back of the brim to allow easy adjustment for years of wear as the child grows.

I am maniacal about well-fitting shoes - with littles you need to check this all the time because they grow quickly. It was important to me to preserve and support the function of my kids’ feet. I waited until my kids were walking before encasing their feet in shoes, and they still got lots of barefoot time.

Pediped shoes marry form and function. They are super cute and designed for a child’s foot.

You can get them slightly big because they have a 2mm insert to customize size. No animal products in the manufacturing. Memory foam insole that customizes to your kids’ feet. The soft rubber sole with rounded edges mimics the natural shape of a child’s foot, so they have heel stability and a wide toe box that allows toes to naturally grip the floor.

Some models are machine washable. Lightweight, eco-friendly and water safe.

These are an investment, but hand-me-down shoes can cause your child to move differently based upon how that kid wore the shoes.

Another great kids’ brand. This was my other go-to for kids feet for years. I was bummed when I sized out but now I found a new brand we all like.

Fashion shoes often are smaller versions of the product designed for adults. Unfortunately, adult feet are shaped differently than baby, and most adults wear ill-fitting shoes. I highly believe in supporting babies’ natural movement.

These shoes are very cute and are designed for the triangular shape of kids feet. Flexible, with room to wiggle toes, and APMA-approved. They’re not cheap, but IMHO supporting a lifetime of perception and good movement is worth it.

I saved this toy to hand down to my kids’ kids. They loved it that much. It’s also a great gift.

It’s made by an Italian company, and it’s got the design and quality you’d expect from that. The kids play with it so many ways: stacking, making shapes, sorting by color, shape, or number. Or even exploring an individual peg. There are an unbelievable combinations of things they can do. They explore naturally, and you can teach them by sorting, stacking and playing.

My kids continued to play with this after 4yo.

Hape is one of the largest producers of toys made from sustainable materials in the world. Sustainability is an integral component of their products.

They make puzzles and playthings that promote dexterity, hand-eye coordination, matching, and spatial relationships at different developmental stages for your child..

Chunky pieces fit perfectly in little hands for creative play and practice of new skills.

Educational fun for kids of different developmental phases. My kids played with many of these things long after they “should”. (This may be because they had no screens until over 3yo, and then a tiny bit of very carefully chosen, slow television programming until they were 6yo.)

Some products teach shapes, animals, or literacy skills: They build upon and improve a child's natural abilities.

The previous link shows all the wonderful Hape eco-friendly toys and puzzles.

This specifically is for a drum my kids loved!

Sustainably made from rubberwood with organic-pigment coloring and water-based dyes. Drumstick has rubber head.

Another toy my kids played with for years. We gave this as a gift a few times, too.

The egg crate contains 6 colorful squeaking eggs kids can play with.

“Crack” them open. The eggs feature shells that open to reveal adorable colorful chicks for kids to marvel at while they play. They do love them!

Press down gently on the colored chicks' heads to hear them chirp, which is not annoying to parents and keeps kids exploring and giggling.

It’s also an educational toys that helps kids improve recognition of colors and shapes as they sort each egg into its own special base in the box (the bottom of each egg has a shape that matches with its place in the crate. They also will mix and match by color. You also can do that and have them sort correctly and put back. A great toy!

This pair comes in other colors.

Simple to play egg maracas measure 6” L x 2” and are 2 oz each. When shaken, the maracas produce clear rhythmic maraca sounds. You’ll often see these at kids’ music classes.

Highly durable 100% all-weather synthetic construction — easily cleaned with a dry or damp cloth. Ours stayed intact despite heavy use, but the internal ultra-light filling is non-toxic.

Pair well with any other instrument and a key component to your kids “bands” and making music.

32-Inch Caution/Go Slow/Children At Play Signage.

We didn’t use it a ton, but I was glad to have it on many occasions. Very durable and I still felt secure in our area without the flag, which a kid played with a lost… Though that visual reference is good for safety.

We watched our kids and all kids when they were the age of running into the street. Yet this still is good to have.

Buying rain gear challenge me because decent gear is costly, and you don’t use it all the time in So. Cal.

Yet we are a family that plays outside in all weather, so we needed it for rainy walks, building dams, and worm hunting (which we’d put in our vegetable garden area to fertilize it).

We occasionally receive hand-me-downs and welcome things like rain boots! I also would pay-it-forward and hand these down when I bought them, thus helping someone else and reduce/reuse/recycle.

I definitely bought boots and rain coats a little big to get the most bang for our bucks!

This fun, light-up memory game builds problem solving skills, sequential thinking skills, and enhances memory.

You challenge your brain by observing the light sequences and following along for as long as you can without breaking the pattern. Not as easy as it sounds. I’ve been meaning to explore this to sharpen my own brain!

Comes in a multitude of colors/designs.

High-definition stereo headphones with specially developed software and noise reduction technology. Deep bass in combination with “Dynamic Power Sound” offers pretty great audio quality. These are my kids’ school headphones, as the ones offered at school aren’t great - and I don’t want my kids sharing something like that on a regular basis.

We use it wired because my kids don’t have their own devices yet, so I can’t speak to the bluetooth. I hesitated to recommend headphones because they’re so personal and some can have issues. But it took me awhile to settle on these, they’re well-reviewed, and they’ve been great for us.

Sharpens critical-thinking skills with fun logic puzzles.

Puzzles and brain games are a fun way for kids to exercise their minds. My kids’ develop logical reasoning skills with 100 challenging puzzles that get more difficult as they progress.

I like to have a number of inexpensive things like this (and STEM or art projects) around, so my kids have alternate activities to screens…

This super popular plushie is very soft, portable, and genuinely satisfying to flip. Available in different characters.

Obliquely, it also is a tool for social-emotional communication, as it reflects different emotions on each side. For many kids, the flipping action also will relieve stress. We’re constantly getting rid of older stuffed animals. My daughter would not part with these. I chose this age range because I think they’re the best, but some kids might like them a year or two earlier, and others into their early teens.

Heart plus other designs.

This product is pretty popular for girls right now. I’m sure there are some boys who enjoy them, but mine has zero interest. I like the creativity, patience, further development of hand-eye coordination, and my daughter loves to display them as a manifestation of her work. She is very creative in all ways: drawing, ceramics, etc. These are fun for the kids, and introduce to another form of design.

Nariolar diamond painting sealer is a powerful adhesive that firmly secures gems in place, whether you choose to display or store your masterpiece. No whining due to lost gems in the kids’ art!

8fl oz of diamond painting glue is enough to complete 4-6 12*16in diamond paintings, taking 5-8 hours for sealing. Also can be used for puzzles, and other products, but our kids do their puzzles over and over, thank goodness.

I think this activity should be supervised and likely assisted so there are no bubbles.

3-piece embroidery kit for beginners: Comes in one other design. I like these so my daughter can learn craft skills that might currently be less in fashion, but keep her grounded in the midst of all the noise in the world. She likes activities like this.

3 pcs of patterned embroidery fabric, 3 8-inch adjustable bamboo cross stitch hoops, 6 embroidery needles, color embroidery threads, needle threader, adjustable thimble, and instructions (scan the QR code in the top right corner of the instruction manual to get video tutorials).

The cross stitch fabric is printed with the embroidery pattern, greatly convenient for beginners embroidery. The needlepoint frame has an adjustment screw, which can be tightened if necessary to tighten the cloth.

Comes in different images, too. Nariolar is a German company that makes painting sets that have everything needed to complete the project: 1 pre-printed cardboard, 3 high-quality brushes, eco-friendly acrylic paint, plastic frame, and instruction manual.

The color is thick enough to cover the lines well, and there is enough paint to complete the picture. Includes 3 types of good wood brushes for different drawing areas. (Many kits have bad brushes.)

These are good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish. We got the full set, but you might want only a couple sizes.

See here for a Men’s Health article that gives potential weights for 10 classic kettlebell exercises. Keep in mind, this is for men, and each person will have a different tolerance to load. (It says 26lb for Turkish get-up, for instance, and I’m challenged with 10lb.)

The color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring.

I also like the smooth textured steel handles. They’re quite comfortable with secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves.

These are good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish. We got the full set, but you might want only a couple sizes.

See here for a Men’s Health article that gives potential weights for 10 classic kettlebell exercises. Keep in mind, this is for men, and each person will have a different tolerance to load. (It says 26lb for Turkish get-up, for instance, and I’m challenged with 10lb.)

The color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring.

I also like the smooth textured steel handles. They’re quite comfortable with secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves.

These are good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish. We got the full set, but you might want only a couple sizes.

See here for a Men’s Health article that gives potential weights for 10 classic kettlebell exercises. Keep in mind, this is for men, and each person will have a different tolerance to load. (It says 26lb for Turkish get-up, for instance, and I’m challenged with 10lb.)

The color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring.

I also like the smooth textured steel handles. They’re quite comfortable with secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves.

These are good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish. We got the full set, but you might want only a couple sizes.

See here for a Men’s Health article that gives potential weights for 10 classic kettlebell exercises. Keep in mind, this is for men, and each person will have a different tolerance to load. (It says 26lb for Turkish get-up, for instance, and I’m challenged with 10lb.)

The color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring.

I also like the smooth textured steel handles. They’re quite comfortable with secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves.

These are good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish. We got the full set, but you might want only a couple sizes.

See here for a Men’s Health article that gives potential weights for 10 classic kettlebell exercises. Keep in mind, this is for men, and each person will have a different tolerance to load. (It says 26lb for Turkish get-up, for instance, and I’m challenged with 10lb.)

The color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring.

I also like the smooth textured steel handles. They’re quite comfortable with secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves.

I wanted good quality cast iron kettlebells with a vinyl finish, and these fit the bill. I got this set because it works for my husband and me both for a variety of activities. Occasionally, I wish I had duplicates of a certain ball (for “Farmer carries”, for instance).

I knew I wouldn’t use them all the time, so I didn’t want the absolute “best” kettlebells. The multiple color-coded vinyl prevent corrosion, increases durability, reduces noise, and protects my flooring and enhance appearance

I also like the smooth, high-quality textured steel handle of the kettlebells. They’re quite comfortable and secure grip for high reps. They’re supposed to make chalk unnecessary, but I like to wear workout gloves anyhow.

High-end exercise bands I love. 5 resistance s, so they’re perfect for a variety of different exercises and levels. Th only complaint I get is when men use them on their upper legs without wearing shorts or pants - a little hair-pulling. They’re a great tool.

Mid-sized PVC ball for balance or stability ball. I use for gluteal massage and pelvic floor. It’s softer than the regular Tune Up Fitness® balls, which are my go-to balls. It’s smaller and slightly firmer than the Tune Up Fitness® Coregeous ball.

Ever walk with a book on your head? This excellent product helps you find that natural axis of your spine, but in a more comfortable and sustainable way. Get your head into proper postural position and place it on your crown.

Strengthen the deep cervical (longus colli) muscles; keep your head high without lifting your chin! Wear while seated, walking around the house, doing chores, etc.

Good posture relieves neck pain, shoulder pain, upper back tension, low back pain. This product also can improve your gait - the way you walk - so you efficiently use your core, hips, and everything downward.

Diameter: 6 1/4'' / 16 cm; Weight: 21 oz. / 600 grams. Hand washable. I have gifted this to many people!

I am OBSESSED with this brand of jeans. I held off on getting a couple pairs because they are $$$ and I had enough jeans. But a couple lost their form, and I got two pairs, different styles and shades.

They are the most comfortable, flattering jeans, and they look just as great on their “plus” size models as the super skinny models. I seriously never realized how jeans could be formed in this way to bring out the best in your figure: shaping, hugging, you know what I’m talking about!

I have zero connection with this company, I simply need to share the good news!

(Read their info about washing. I have been washing jeans too much in the past! You spot clean until they really need it. )

Another company I have no affiliation with, but I need to share. I’ve never had socks I liked so much. Others in my family received some at Christmas, and they love them, too.

I got compression knee socks, the ones with the lightest compression. I love the feel and the energy. I don’t recommend wearing them all the time - for most people - because they squeeze your feet, too. One pair was a little too tight for me, but I’ll get it to stretch out a bit.

Again, a little pricey, but I think worth it!

Vet Recommended solution that helps 90% of cats adjust to challenging situations. It has helped ALL our cats, and has been essential for maintaining harmony between our two cats, one who we introduced when the other was 3yo. It curbs stress and unwanted behaviors such as spraying, peeing, scratching, and general fearfulness. Not a current issue in our home, but also reduces urine spraying in 9 out of 10 cats

This is the spray version of Feliway. I use this when our two cats get territorial. Simply spray on common turf or the places they’ve been hanging out.

Feliway helps 90% of cats adjust to challenging situations.It curbs stress and unwanted behaviors such as spraying, peeing, scratching, and general fearfulness. Not a current issue in our home, but also reduces urine spraying in 9 out of 10 cats

Refills for the Feliway phermone diffuser.

FELIWAY Classic is a drug free solution that mimics cat’s natural facial pheromones, which may help your pet feel calmer in common stressful situations - for the best results, plug in the diffuser where your cat spends most of his or her time.