Mary Janes for Kids: High Style from Venettini

by Kate on April 1st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, Reviews


Celebrity babies from Honor Warren, Suri Cruise, and Valentina Hayak have been spotted sporting the classic, chic look. Mary Jane’s have become a favorite among Hollywood’s A-list of tiny tots. And the A-list tots in my ‘hood. My daughter has been garnering the attention of the paparazzi other moms with the stylish, modern look of the classic Mary Jane shoe from Venettini.

Meet the Jazmin Mary Jane from Venettini

For almost 20 years, Venettini has been designing and manufacturing luxury children’s footwear with a large emphasis on fashion and style. Founded in 1989, Venettini enjoys a strong cult following. The brand has grown organically and steadily under the management of Kinderland, Inc., a family business dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and distributing high-end and luxury children’s footwear. Fashion, fit, and comfort drive Venettini’s designs, and we will continue to make feet look good and feel happy.

  • This modern twist on a classic style is perfect for everyday wear.
  • Premium leather upper with moc-toe stitching.
  • Hook-and-loop closure for a secure and adjustable fit.
  • Breathable leather lining and a cushioned leather insole.
  • Durable and flexible rubber outsole.

Modern Mary Janes

As an exceptionally precocious two year old she needs shoes that are well constructed, and I like them to have some personality to match hers. Venettini shoes mix classic styles with European construction and modern colors and materials.

The Venettini Jazmin Mary Jane shoes are gorgeous. I’d wear them in a heartbeat if they came in my size. My daughter’s shoes are a super stylish shade of Purple in Patent Leather. The details and construction quality are impressive. I love the rubber sole and rubber heel reinforcement. And the stitching detail around the toe adds interest and appeal. The hook and loop closure allows for a very flexible fit – the strap is long with plenty of extra velcro.

The fit is long and narrow – if your tot has chubby feet these might not be a good fit. My daughter wears an 8.5 – 9 in US shoe sizes and is wearing a 24 in the Jazmin style. There is definitely extra room in the length but not as much in the width. But, with the long strap, if your child has “tall” feet these are a great option.

My daughter’s wardrobe makes me jealous. She has the right clothes, and almost more importantly, the right shoes for every occasion. These look great with more “dressy” dresses but sturdy enough – and look adorable – with jeans on the playground.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Venettini Jazmin shoes offer an updated look on the Mary Jane style shoes. The shoes are very high quality with fine details. I adore the variety of colors and will be highly depressed when my daughter outgrows her shoes – as I have no doubt the shoes will outlast her growing feet.

Or Not to Buy… The shoes are on the pricey side. If you are watching your budget, wait until your child’s feet are growing at a slower pace so they can wear the shoes longer.

Shop! Prices range from $47.50 to $75.50 for Venettini Mary Jane’s. Many styles are available from US size 2 (Infant) through 1 (Youth) The shoes are available on Zappos.com and Amazon, among other online retailers.

Thanks to Venettini for providing a sample. Opinions are my own.

Enjoy the Green While Being Green

by Kate on April 1st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Shopping

To help celebrate April’s designation as Earth Month, Diapers.com is offering a limited edition “Life is a Picnic Pack” featuring seven products to help you and your child enjoy the great outdoors, while at the same time protecting it.

The picnic packs, specially priced with a 25% discount, contain products from earth-friendly brands and include:

(1) 40 ct CleanWell Hand Sanitizer Wipes Original Scent, (1) Green Toys™ BPA-Free Snack Bowls (4 per pack),  (1) Green Toys™ BPA-Free Feeding Spoons (8 per pack (1) White Chocolate Macadamia Luna Bar (2) Fabkins Organic Cloth Napkins  African Safari Design, and  Plum Organics (1) Mish Mash (1) Super Puffs (flavors will vary – read our Super Puffs Review).
With your purchase, you’ll:

  • get seven safe and/or organic products from five earth-friendly companies.
  • receive a 25% discount.
  • support a non-profit dedicated to healthy children and a healthy world – all profits go to Healthy Child, Healthy World.

Facebook Giveaway

Visit Facebook during the week of April 11-15 to be entered for a chance to win a “Life is a Picnic Pack.”  Simply “like” participating company pages and respond to the Life is a Picnic question and you will be eligible for that page’s drawing at the end of the week.  You can “like” and answer on each of the five pages for a total of five entries.  Prizes can only be shipped to Continental U.S. address, one entry per fan per Facebook page.

Shop!  Visit Diapers.com to purchase a “Life is a Picnic Pack” for $26.99.

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Skincare Review & Giveaway

by Kate on April 1st, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  For Mama, Giveaways, Reviews

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Skincare line launch. I am excited to bring you the opportunity to try the products for yourself through this generous (i.e. TWO winners!) giveaway.  I also have been using one of the products over the past week, and am excited to tell you about my experience.  Here is a reminder about how these new products are unique.

About Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Skincare

Introducing bareMinerals Skincare. A transformative new way of caring for your skin that’s simple, super-effective and incredibly easy to use. Powered by 100% pure RareMinerals Active Soil Complex, enjoy increased cell turnover, fewer fine lines and wrinkles and the famous bareMinerals Naturally Luminous glow. If that’s something you’re looking for, then this might be the revolution for you.

  • RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex: This proprietary complex in our skincare line is composed of the Earth’s most natural, effective and mineral-abundant soil containing a comprehensive blend of beneficial macro and micro minerals that exist in nature. When extracted through a unique method, these minerals yield a densely rich, efficacious concentrate clinically proven to deliver faster cell turnover, noticeably smaller pores, increased luminosity and softer, smooth, younger-looking skin.
  • Healthy Ingredients: There are no synthetic fragrances, no artificial oils and no parabens within bMskincare

The bareMinerals Skincare line includes:

Cleansers

  • purifying facial cleanser
  • deep cleansing foam
  • treatment exfoliating cleanser

Moisturizers

  • purely nourishing moisturizer
  • purely nourishing cream

Treatments

  • Firming Eye Treatment
  • Blemish Therapy
  • Pure Transformation Night Treatment

My Experience

I received the Pure Transformation Night Treatment for review about a week ago. I must say, I was really excited to give this a try. I am experiencing major skin issues right now and really need some help! My skin just looks ruddy and flakey all the time. The winter weather has for sure taken it’s toll. Not to mention breakouts reminiscent of middle school. So, needless to say I was excited to try something, anything to make me feel and look better! I am not sure why, but I wasn’t expecting the Night Treatment to be a powder, but it is! At first I had a hard time putting a powder on my face for bed, but the package insert assured me it wouldn’t come off on my pillow, and it totally didn’t. The treatment goes one silky smooth, and kind of gives a luminescent glow. I actually thought I looked “good” after I washed my face and took my makeup off and put this on!

The package states that “every formula is powered by 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, which is clinically proven to deliver faster cell turnover, noticably smaller pores, and increased luminosity and softer, smoother, younger-looking skin”.  I can tell you that I honestly think it delivered on all of those promises. I have a lot of redness from acne spots lately, and after using this product for one night, I felt that they were reduced, and I really feel like there was faster skin turnover. I felt my skin was healing faster, and I am already seeing a reduction in my acne spots.

After trying this product for a few nights, I am really interested in the others in the line, and would really like to try those as well.  I am one who will spend plenty of $$ for skin products, and am thrilled that this one is an affordable $60.  The Night Treatment really does make your skin ready to walk out the door, and can be worn under makeup or alone if you choose to wear it during the day, just be aware that it doesn’t contain any SPF.  This product will remain in my skincare routine for awhile I am sure! Give it a try, you won’t be dissapointed!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… This product totally delivers on it’s promises in my opinion. I couldn’t be happier!

Or Not to Buy… The only thing I think could be improved is the jar should be clear, as it is impossible to see how much product is left, so that you have some warning as to when it’s time to repurchase.

Shop! All of the products are available at Bare Escentuals and range in price, starting at $20.  The Pure Transformation Night Treatment is $60, and comes in a few different shades. I received the Clear, but it also comes in Light, Medium, and Tan.

Win! 2 Lucky readers will win the Pure Transformation Night Treatment!

How to Enter: Visit Bare Escentuals and take a look at the different BareMinerals skincare products. Tell us which other one you would try!

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends April 14. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Bare Escentuals for providing a sample product and the giveaway prizes. As always, opinions are my own.