While shopping for some back-to school clothes for my son the other day (On Pricegrabber of course, who has time to go to the mall?) I figured I would pick up a few things for my sixteen-year-old nephew.  “What’s his style?” I inquired of his mother?  “Goodwill” she replied.   Uh, okay and that means exactly what?  Get him some T-shirts, she suggested.   Well, I gave it my best shot and here’s what I came up with. I hope he likes them!

Quicksilver Eat Your Veggies Organic (of course) T-Shirt: Made of organic (Not 100%) recycled materials, this comfy cotton shirt will add some style to his wardrobe.

Live The Life You Love 100% Organic Cotton Tee: This natural and green company makes fabulous clothing for men, women and even pets!

And for my own crunchy kid, Quicksilver Boys Past time Organic Cotton Layered Tee: He wants to be like his cousin!

Why do I love organic cotton so much? It’s not so much for the body as much as it is because it is environmentally friendly. Farmers are able to manufacture organic cotton without the use of pesticides and harmful chemicals.  They instead use a natural and safe system of composting and the introduction of many other innovative techniques that are good for the environment, wildlife and our water.

Of course it feels good too and if your child has sensitive skin, nothing feels better against it than organics. Prices have come done in recent years due to the demand of these types of natural products making them very affordable and worth every penny!

I promised some more amazing baby items from this smart and savvy mom, and you won’t be disappointed. Keep in mind the price point for organic cotton is high, except in this case.

Under The Nile uses only the finest Egyptian Cotton, yet their prices are competitive with what you would find in your local department store and in some cases, better.  Plus, you won’t find this brand just anywhere. I was so pleased to come across them and I know you will be too.

Organic Cotton Trouser: Incredibly soft against baby’ skin.  The vibrant color made from all natural vegetable dye adds to the incredible look of these inexpensive little pants.

Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Lap Shoulder Tee: Pair these with the softest trousers ever and you have a simple little outfit that looks great and washes well.  With a roomy shoulder opening, this no fuss top matches everything in baby’s wardrobe. Best to pick up a few.

Organic Cotton Terry Romper: Get them dressed quickly and effortlessly with this one-piece romper from Under The Nile.  Also available in blue, this outfit dries quickly (on a hot summer day!) thanks to its cool and comfy terry lining.

Organic Cotton Loungewear: How cute is this?  We were lucky they even made bathrobes when I was a kid!  This is perfect for those fall evening walks in a stroller or last minute summer dips in the pool.  They’ll be warm and cozy with the attached hood.  Perfect after-bath attire, too

This is just a sampling of some of my favorites that Under The Nile has to offer, but check out the complete collection on Pricegrabber.

Nothing beats a hoodie when it comes to dressing your kids.  Be it a boy or a girl, they seem to have a real sense of what is “cool” from an early age

While in New York City with my family this fall, I marveled at my teenage nephew who casually wore a hoodie as his outerwear.  “Aren’t you cold, I asked?”  He seemed confused for a minute and then replied,  “But I have a hoodie on!” (My sister has given up.)

Get ready Moms  because that’s all they will want to wear, so invest in a few of these wardrobe staples.   The Hatly Kids Lab Pullover Hoodie is a cute way to start . This pullover style hoodie sports elastic cuffs at the wrist and hem and a sporty kangaroo pocket.  The all-over Labrador print adorns the inside hood and of course what I like best, no ties at the neck. (They’re not necessary anyway.)

This is a perfect back-to-school item that will appeal to a lot of kids.  It is a unisex design, so feel free to pass it down to a brother or sister.  Made of 100 percent cotton, it will wash well and feel soft and cozy for years to come.

Hatly Kids also makes zip-up hoodies for kids that prefer that style, with the same fun appliques to spruce up their wardrobe.

Here’s a product that surprisingly I’ve never seen before, but I definitely recommend. I know, I know it’s another of my “favorite things to give as a gift.” But if you think about it, it’s really hard to find useful and adorable gifts for someone at the mall.

This is a Butterflies Sleeping Bag By Aden & Anais. Its purpose is to mimic the same soothing security your newborn receives when it is swaddled. As your baby gets older and starts to move around the crib, this super soft Muslim gown replaces that tightly bound blanket. Slip this on over their pajamas and it does the same thing. It has a nice inverted zipper, too so it’s easy to get off and on. (No pulling over baby’s head.)

The open weave design of the fabric allows a sleeping baby’s body temperature to adjust naturally, minimizing the risk of overheating, which has been linked to SIDS. This is especially nice for those new parents who live in a warm climate and don’t always need a blanket in the crib but want a little something soft to wrap their baby in, or for those new parents who are concerned about a blanket in the crib at all.

This fabulous product just won the iParenting media award for 2009 and is available in three sizes and other adorable prints like Pink Stars.

I just flew back from the beach and boy, am my arms tired!  Not really but my belly was COLD!  I thought the water was supposed to be warm by July.Luckily, our kids were wise enough to bring along their surf shirts to wear as they boogie boarded and frolicked among the chilly ocean waves.  They were the envy of both my sister and me.

We were forced to run up to the boardwalk and purchase ridiculously expensive shirts to wear over our little two-piece numbers, so we cold actually go in the water above our toes.

That’s why I  recommend the L.L.Bean Sun-and Surf Shirt.  This must-have item for the beach or pool is multi-functional, as it not only offers relief from that first blast of cold water lapping up on your kids belly but it also offers UPF+50 sun protection.

We applied sunscreen generously to their faces and arms (not much leg area as they were wearing board shorts) and they happily played by the waters edge, digging castles and moats.  No worries about harmful rays burning them, and they looked like real surfers to boot! The nylon and Lycra material dried quickly, keeping them comfortable between dips.

This is an inexpensive summer purchase that they’ll happily wear and comes in a couple of styles and fashion colors for boys and girls alike.

A few years ago, a very unattractive fashion trend made its way in to the homes of young pre-teen boys. The pressure of looking cool suddenly got ugly

I understand kids want to fit in with their peers.  I don’t understand why their peers want to want to wear ugly clothes too.

What’s a parent to do?  Well, I think this is a very serious problem.  How can we teach our children to be respectful, responsible citizens of planet earth, full of self-confidence, ready to take on the world when they won’t even pull up their pants up for goodness sake?

I can’t promise that these Big Boy Mud Wash Jeans will suddenly change their thinking, but it’s worth a try.  For starters they look good with a soft stonewash fabric and carpenter style pockets.   They sport a relaxed fit in the hip seat and thigh and what I like best is the addition of button tabs sewn inside the waist.  These jeans will adjust for a custom fit.

Perfect for running around in or just hanging out with the guys.  They don’t look babyish and you and your boy can hopefully agree on a size that suits you both. Also available in slim and  husky.

Are you freezing yet? If you live in much of the Unites States, you’re laughing as you read these words. It’s been a cold…really cold winter! You’ve bundled your kids up everyday in the wide variety of winter apparel that you’ve bought, scrounged and borrowed just to keep them warm.

And, especially if they are a bit older, they placidly wrapped themselves up according to your directive, early this winter, but as time has worn on they’ve begun to protest. And they’ve begun to slip out the door without the appropriate winter gear. They’ve argued about hats and complained about looking cool.

Well here’s a cool accessory they just might wear that will both keep their ears toasty and warm the cockles (whatever that is) of your heart.

These fleece ear warmers from REI, one of the top purveyors of outdoor gear are sure to keep kids warm and fashionable too. Big enough to cover even teen sized ears and small enough to smash into a pocket, they fit securely around the back of kids’ heads and stay in place even during rough snow play, sledding and even skiing. They work with earrings, sunglasses and helmets and one size fits all. What more could you ask of earmuffs?

I have to admit, while I’m not usually a fan of expensive shoes for children, ( I know, I know, growing feet, spend the money) Uggs are one shoe that I will shell out the dough to buy.

My son has had Uggs for the past few years and talk about getting the wear out of them…and we live in a warm climate! Each morning from November to well into April he grabs his Uggs and pulls them on…by himself! He runs all day at the playground – no laces to come untied; not slipping off as he runs. Then at night, he kicks them off …all by himself and even, occasionally, puts them carefully on the shoe rack.

The natural shearling
wool lining breathes, making these boots comfortable in both freezing cold and moderately temperate weather. When we venture into cold climes, they keep his feet warm. Back home, they don’t heat him up too much and they are, fortunately easy to clean…and dry. A few hours under the radiator or over a heating vents and they’re ready to go again – just enough time for hot chocolate and a short nap.

And did I mention they last? Our first pair was a hand me down from a neighbor – in perfect shape after her son wore them everyday from November until well into April. That’s quality!

Winter babies need shoes. That’s my opinion anyway. Though my son was born in the winter, I was able avoid the necessity of them until he was about 6 months old and we traveled to a place much colder (and higher) than where we live. I’m not a big believer in shoes for babies – give those feet some room to breathe- or something like that. But, facing the realities of cold winters shoes become a necessity.

Knowing that they aren’t going to fit more than a nanosecond or two, going cheap or going cute is the obvious choice. I usually believe in choosing one and choosing a cute one.

These New Balance Infant Boy shoes are both. On sale at half price and as cute as can be – they are a perfect starter shoe. Unhindered by the need for various shoes for different occasions until say 7, 8 or even 15 (years that is, not months) baby boys can go just about anywhere with just one pair of shoes. This light blue pair has soft suede soles, leaving lots of room for toes squirm and an all leather upper that’s easy to keep clean.

Like any good sport shoe, the inners manage moisture keeping tiny feet dry and warm. No reason not to start teaching your child the benefits of good shoes early now is there?

OK- it looks like winter is here early this year. Cold winds and snow seem to be appearing in all the usual and in quite a few unlikely places.  No matter where you live, in the Unites States with the possible exception of Hawaii, you’re going to need a winter jacket.

It may not have to be particularly heavy, but it must be warm. That’s why I like this fleece jacket from North Face. Tough and durable, it’s just right for boys who have a tendency to drop their jackets wherever they happen to be- never mind, the mud puddles and slush.

Since it integrates with various North Face shells, it’s the perfect jacket to take a child from winter into spring. I like the nylon reinforcement which makes it windproof and the fleece chin guard for all those days that scarves get lost or left behind.

Warm zipper pockets hold gloves or hands when the gloves too are left behind and the reflective element is great for when they just can’t seem to get home before dark. Since this is made by North Face, it gives me an extra dose of comfort too. They stand behind their products and their products last!