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| Shoes and Accessories |
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Squeakers Shoes
Rebecca Goldschmidt |
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It’s another day out shopping with your toddler and somehow he’s convinced you to let him out of the stroller to wander around your favorite boutique. The shop girls ogle his hair and his outfit, telling you how sweet he is, as you peruse the racks. Just as you’re reaching for that delicious looking pair of heels, visions of a night out, a babysitter, a meal you don’t have to cook yourself…you turn to check on Junior, but he’s gone! “Parent Panic” ensues. Your heart races and you awkwardly shout his name, your voice trembling while you think the worst. Those fifteen seconds of terror last forever before he pops, giggling, out from behind a shelf, amused by your seriousness
Jensen and Larsen knew they had struck gold and a solution to the lost-child-syndrome.
That feeling is fleeting, yet every parent experiences it at least once in his or her child’s life. Andi Jensen and Julie Larsen, both 40-something moms, knew that feeling quite well. A friend of theirs adopted a baby from China and returned with souvenirs, including a pair of squeaking sneakers to keep track of roving kids. Jensen and Larsen knew they had struck gold and a solution to the lost-child-syndrome. They lost hours of sleep trying to find a manufacturer and eventually settled with one in China, returning back to the home of the original shoe.
Made of soft leather a sturdy rubber sole, the shoes are tough enough for thrashing toddler toes, but also have a sweet appearance. The girls’ versions are tiny Mary Janes in pinks, reds, browns and purples with ribbons, flowers, and polka dotted leather appliqué and contrasting stitching. The boys’ shoes are equally as cute and classy, made in browns and blacks to look like miniature loafers and oxfords.
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A new metallic version is also available for those little ones with a flashier attitude. Velcro closures make getting dressed easier (not that it’s easy in the first place!) and the squeak also stimulates toddlers’ senses and rhythm.
Jensen also stresses the importance of a healthy heel-toe gait, which Squeakers help promote. Her daughter walked on her tip-toes for many years, causing pain for both her and the family, who searched tirelessly for a cure to her walking problem. Jensen believes that if she had been able to wear Squeakers as a toddler, her daughter would not have had the same difficulty walking as she does now.
There is an obvious hesitation that looms over any squeaking, noisemaking, rattling baby product—can you ever stop the noise? Yes! The shoes do not have to squeak forever! The best part about them is that the squeaker is easily removable, allowing parents their ten minutes of peace. Make your life easier and your kid cuter with a pair of these stylish squeaking sneakers and squelch that “Parent Panic” feeling once and for all!
You can find our favorite Squeakers shoes available now in our new store, Zenspired.
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| The Pitter-Patter of Bumble Bells! |
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 When it comes time to learn how to crawl and walk, it’s hard to keep one eye on Mr. or Mrs. Crawl-into-danger and the other actually living your life! That’s where Bumble Bells come in—tiny baby anklets with tinkling bells that can help you keep track of your little one without even turning your head. Jill Katona, founder of Bumble Bells and a mom herself since 2007, was inspired to make the anklets after a trip to Thailand, where she saw a little boy wearing a similar adornment. Thinking she could use the idea for her own daughter, she came back and created the anklets both as a killer accessory and as a safety tool. Since then, blogs and baby-product websites have been raving about the jewelry and American moms have been sighing in relief, knowing where their child is at all times. Cast in sterling silver, the anklets have two small bells that jingle whenever a baby moves. There are four versions, each boasting simple floral or geometric patterns that give them an understated beauty, perfectly suited for infants.
In addition to being beautiful, the jewelry also serves a practical purpose. “They are particularly helpful for visually impaired parents, or parents with babies who are mute,” says Katona, and adds that many of her clients with disabilities have found the Bells quite useful. They are 100% ASTM-certified and can be worn anywhere—in the bath, at the beach, even while they are sleeping. Celebrities are also realizing the benefits of the anklets; Courtney Cox is a loyal fan and Gwen Stefani’s baby, Zuma, was recently spotted by the paparazzi donning a Bumble Bells anklet.
Bumble Bells are available at stores online and across the states and also at their website. Priced at $45, they are an affordable and fashionable investment, considering that they are expandable and can last on a child for about four years! If silver doesn’t happen to be your baby’s “color,” you may be in luck—Katona is looking into gold versions of the anklets, as well as unique earrings and bracelets for babies.
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If all of that hasn’t sold you yet, how about a good old dose of philanthropy? A portion of every purchase is donated to Head Start, the federal children’s program for low-income families, making Bumble Bells anklets adorable, practical and charitable all at the same time. I can hear the bells ringing already! Get your pair now, available at our new store Zenspired.
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| Our Favorite Shoes |
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From the left, top to bottom: 1. Juicy silver sandals ($60) 2. Skidgrip Converse ($30) 3.D&G Junior Jellys ($75) 4. Armani Junior Saint Tropez ($166) 5.Robert Cavalli Disco Tech Ballerina ($138) 6. Roberto Cavalli Sneakers animal print ($138) From right, top to bottom: 7. Bikkembergs Juniors ($93) 8.Vans glow in the dark skull ($30) 9.D&G Junior boys Sneakers ($105) 10. Sweet shoes, boys slip on pirates ($28) 11. Sweet shoes, girls sweet janes metallic red ($30) 12. Pink Metallic Squeakers Sandals ($35) |
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