
With three children who have to take a packed lunch to school/daycare every day, lunch bags get a lot of use at our house. Unfortunately, they also have a tendency to get lost. This can be a bit hard to stomach. I’ve learned the hard way that fancy lunch bags are not the way to go for us. That’s why I like this simple cotton tote lunch bag from ECOBAGS. The organic cotton equivalent of a brown paper bag, this simple style does the job without breaking the bank, which makes losing a few along the way a little easier to tolerate. It is super-easy to clean, too. You can purchase one (or a few) for $7 at http://www.nubiusorganics.com/ECOBAGS-Organic-Cotton-Lunch-Tote-P234.aspx.

Etsy seller ONElittleBELT sells leather belts for infants and toddlers, something you don’t see every day. Most belts for babies and toddlers are made of canvas or cheap fabric. These belts are made of full-grain brown leather and come complete with a nickel-plated buckle. Belts are available in the etsy shop for ages 6-12 months up to 12 to 36 months. This one sells for $15.

Lil Chatterbox makes felt hair clips and headbands for babies and toddlers. They are all hand stitched together, with no glue involved in the making. Made from 100% Holland wool felt, these headbands are stretchy and soft. They range in price from $10 to $12 each at Etsy.com/shop/lilchatterbox.

It is well below freezing today where I live, so even looking at these sandals makes my feet cold. That said, they are absolutely adorable. If you want to get a jump on your little one’s spring and summer wardrobe, or if you are lucky enough to be in someplace warm (or to be headed someplace warm soon), you can pick up a pair of these fun shoes for $37.50 at http://www.pureandhonestkids.com/browse.cfm/4,6554.html. They are available in toddler sizes from 4-10. I think they will look great with skirts, dresses, or even shorts.

Kate Landers Events creates custom-made party accessories, such as these Felt Party Hats. Embroidered by hand, styles range from a farm scene to a friendly lion to your own custom design and color combination. What a great idea for an original children’s birthday party! They range in price from $16 to $29.50 each at KateLandersEvents.com.

Here’s a neat little gadget that could benefit many moms. The Text Hook is a smartphone holder designed to fit onto the handlebars of any stroller. Invented by two moms who were tired of digging through diaper bags to find their phones, the Text Hook works with iPhones and Blackberrys. It can also strap onto the handle of a grocery cart, exercise machine, or bicycle, making it easy to find your phone on the go. You can purchase this unique accessory for $25.99 at amazon.com.

I like the idea of giving a pre-teen girl the Made for Each other Pillow Set for Valentine’s Day. How cute are the peanut butter and jelly cushions? Squish them together and they’re totally made for one another. Completely eco-friendly, they’re made from eco-felt and on sale for $50. Add $16 for customizing. They’re 16” tall by 15” wide by Etsy seller diffractionfiber.

My son will turn 6 in about a month, and I think I’d like to surprise him at his birthday party by using these Colorflame Birthday Candles. Not only are the candles multi-colored, their flames are colored as well. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and smokeless, so as not to poison the air before your child blows them out. I think he’d love them, and his friends at the party would be amazed. They’re easily worth the price of $2.99 at ThinkGeek.com.

Etsy seller prettydarncute makes these unique and beautiful baby hangers, which would make a great baby shower gift. They are custom-made to your specifications, including color, style, and image. Each hanger measures 9 3/4″ long and comes with coordinating ribbon. They sell for $12 each and are also available in custom sets.

www.Sckoon.com always has baby clothes I adore. I drool over their organic onesies and their cute matching pants. Today, I came across the $19 Organic Cotton Baby Wa Kabuki Cap in Green Tea and was quite enamored. 100% cotton and couldn’t be cuter, I’d put it on baby with the matching tee (as shown) or a plain white tee and jeans. In sizes 0-6 months and 6-12 months, it’ll keep baby’s head warm through the first year.

One of my pet peeves is socks that won’t stay up. Rock-a-Thigh Baby makes thigh-high socks guaranteed to stay up on babies’ and toddlers’ legs. These give full coverage like tights, yet are convenient to put on and take off like socks. Best of all, this company makes styles for boys and girls (unlike most of these tights companies who cater to females). Available in sizes from 0-6 months to 2-4 years, you can purchase this cute Little Boy Blue style for $14 at RockAThighBaby.com.

Here is a great option for packing your little one’s things for shorter trips. This sleek, yet sweet duffel bag is made from coated canvas for durability and is designed to keep you organized with numerous pockets both inside and out. It features handles, a removable shoulder strap, and a coordinating luggage tag. Older girls will enjoy carrying this one themselves. Moms will look hip with it too. You can purchase one for $230 at http://babygeared.com/padowe.html. Several other patterns are also available.

This set of animal socks for girls made by Zooni would be a perfect baby shower (or Valentine’s Day) gift for a new mom. Socks that stay up and are stylish at the same time are hard to find, so any parent would appreciate receiving these cute accessories for their baby girl’s feet. Three pairs of socks are included in the set, which comes in sizes from newborn to age 2. They sell for $26 at Lavish.com.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this mini hearts valentine clip from Starlet Goodies is perfect for your little valentine to wear in her hair for the holiday. Made with pink, red, and white ribbon, the clip is also adorned with glitter for a special touch. At just $4, this clip is a real steal at StarletGoodies.com.

wallcandy arts is offering these cute Monster Patrol room decals to help keep monsters at bay in your child’s room at night. Four “monster patrol” expert characters (named Radar, Buzz, Henry and Jett) have unique “weapons” to battle the monsters that keep your children up at night. This is a great, creative idea, and I’d love to hear from any parents who have tried it to see if it works. While my son is mostly over his fear of the dark, at times he still has a bit of separation anxiety at night, and these colorful, dependable characters might just do the trick at helping him (and us) sleep better at night. They sell for $26 at CleverTomato.com.