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Healthy Child Healthy World, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity, Green, Charity of the Day

It couldn't be more true that in order to have a healthy world we have to have healthy children, and Healthy Child Healthy World is a non-profit organization that makes that principle their main aim by working to protect our youth from harmful environmental exposures. Working through education, laws, governmental agencies, advocacy, and spreading awareness of environmental issues this charity is a no brainer because not only are they helping kids but they're also helping the environment (something we could all be doing more of).

Keep a Child Alive, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity of the Day


AIDS is officially 25 years old and sadly in many ways it's as strong and as deadly as ever. In certain parts of South Africa as much as 41% of the population is afflicted with AIDS, and worldwide 90% of the people who have it don't know it. Ignorance is one of the biggest hurdles in treating and controlling the spread of AIDS, and Keep a Child Alive is an organization focused on helping with both education, treatment, and prevention of this devastating disease -- not to mention support of the children left in its wake.

To date over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to the AIDS pandemic, and for just $1 a day you can buy the drugs needed to keep a child alive.

Expensive Designer Bedrooms for Children

Filed under: Decor


What a dream for a little girl or boy to have a bedroom modeled after their favorite fairytale or movie! Of course the rich and famous can afford to give their kids whatever they want, and they aren't hesitating to do just that when it comes to bedroom design and decor. One designer says "if you can draw it we can make it," which is resulting in every creation you can imagine -- from a $47,000 pumpkin-shaped carriage bed (Cinderella) to a Tom Thumb room consisting entirely of over-sized furniture.

It's not unusual for these designer bedrooms to end up costing $50,000 to $100,000 by the time they're complete. Would you spend that much on your child's bedroom? Especially considering they'll probably grow out of the theme and want something new in a year or two?


Via Born Rich

The Balloon Inspired Frosted Sheep Light

Filed under: Decor


This lamp would fit perfectly in a child's room, and brings to mind counting sheep as they go jumping through the clouds. Created by David Hupton and Yve Thelermont for Thelermont Hupton of Great Britain, this simple design was inspired by the balloon animals made by clowns at carnivals and parties -- now you can have one that not only lights up a room but also never deflates! It's frosted blown glass mounted on a silver finished steel stand and comes in just the one color and design. $385

Sending Kids To Summer Camp By Private Jet

Filed under: Journeys, Wings

For kids who have parents that can afford it, long gone are the days of riding to summer camp on a hot loud bus that smells like peanut butter and sweat. Many families are instead going the route of private jet flights, thanks in part to charter company Revolution Air assigning more than 20 jets to just that purpose this month. Costing about $8,000 per flight, most families choose it to both save time and make for a special experience. The designated jets have specialized menus featuring chicken fingers and ice cream, and it's such a treat for some they're opting to fly instead of taking a bus ride of almost the same length!

Outrageously Extravagant Birthday Parties for Children

Filed under: Events


Sometimes you've got to wonder at what point a kiddie party becomes more about the parents than it does about the kids. I'm sure they all love their children dearly and have the best of intentions, but kids can only appreciate so much when it comes to extravagance and money spent. Birthday parties have become the new way for parents to both shower their children with love and impress the competition,*ahem*, neighbors, at the same time. Gone are the days of balloons and cake in the backyard, replaced instead with renting entire clubs and candy stores while serving dinner on fine china. These days some people are spending upwards of $30000, $40000, and even $50,000+ on their children's birthday parties.

Ridiculous, or simple displays of affection from those who can afford it? You decide, I'm too jealous.

BB2 Toy Caddy

Filed under: Decor

The NY Times personal shopper pointed out that a toy caddy of some kind would be a good addition to a kids' room after Christmas so that there will be someplace to keep all of their holiday goodies. Shelves seem a little too functional to inspire kids to use them on their own, but the BB2 Toy Caddy they recommended nicely bridges the gap between toy and storage unit. Made of natural, finished wood and measuring 23" high x 15" wide, the caddy can be used as a chair or toy cart, which just might be enough to motivate child to use it for storage, rather than just leaving everything for you to put away. But if that's a little too optimistic, at least you're getting a cute, multi-tasking piece of furniture in the bargain. Price: $250.

Playsam Rocking Horse

Filed under: Pets

If you're not going to splurge on a solid gold rocking horse for the kids this year, a more affordable alternative would be the Playsam Rocking Horse. The Scandinavian-designed horse is wood, but is finished in a satiny black lacquer that will make any child think that s/he has just gotten her own little Black Beauty. It's aimed at ages 1-5 and measures 33.5" x 13.5". The only downside is that your child might want to get a "real" pony at some point after this - which is significantly more expensive than a wooden one. Price: $225.

Mod Rocker

Filed under: Decor

The Keinu Rocker isn't the only chair that updates the classic rocking chair, but it is probably one of the most modern in its use of materials in addition to updating the design to some degree. The Mod Rocker, on the other hand, uses a traditional material with an entirely new design. It is also kid-sized. The rocker is wide and low, made of bent plywood - from sustainably grown forests - with a maple veneer. It won Honorable Mention in 2006 I.D. Magazine's Annual Design Review and measures 16.25w x 22.25d x 18.75"h. Price: $320.

Madonna's Spending Spree for New Son

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping

Madonna wants her new 13-month old adopted son, David Banda, to grow up with all the comforts his little heart could desire. To this end, she spent about $28,000 (£15,000) on decorations for his nursery and toys for him to play with. Her purchases include a child-sized electric car, a $9,300 (£5,000) rocking horse and a "designer wardrobe." For his room, she installed "giant murals of tigers and lions," a surround-sound stereo system for playing classical music and a set of cotton and cashmere sheets for his bed.

Apparently, some of the residents of David's village in Malawi were shocked to hear of the amount she spent and noted that such an amount "could have paid for 10,000 chickens and 500 goats, or 10 mud huts."

Plush Bentley

Filed under: Wheels

How old were you when you got your first car? This could be baby's first Bentley. From the Bentley Collection, the toy is just the thing to get a kid on the right road to appreciating a quality vehicle. Called Blower the Bentley, the soft and squeezable car has removable wheels for making "bedside repairs." We suspect that they could be used for other things, too, such as throwing at older siblings, though we recommend trying to keep Blower in one piece for a smoother ride. Price: £16.98 ($32).

Kid's Stuff Complete Dining Set

Filed under: Dining

If you have a nice set of dishes, though luxury consumers tend to prefer basic tableware, you might not want your kids eating off of it, especially if they are very young. Not only could they have an accident, dropping a plate or bowl, but working with a knife and fork that are too large for their small hands can be quite difficult. The Kid's Stuff Complete Dining Set from Alfredo Haberli is kid sized and much more refined than those cartoon-covered plastic dish sets that are often given to children. It includes a plastic tray, porcelain bowl & plate, glass, a four piece flatware set, wooden cutting board and spreader and everything is sized to the proportions of a child, with wide grips that are easy to hold. The cutting board is designed to encourage children to cut up their own food, rather than waiting for an adult to do it for them. Price: $150.

Cotton Monkey Bedding

Filed under: Decor

Cotton Monkey Bedding is a line of linens made from 100% certified organic cotton, grown without any pesticides or chemicals, and is finished with wool batting that is not treated with formaldehyde or bleach and is antimicrobial. Only non-toxic dyes are used. The result of all this is that the bedding is ultra-soft and as safe as can be for a baby's sensitive skin. They make sheets, quilts, crib bumpers and throw blankets, and you can mix and match the various patterns they offer. A full Cotton Monkey set, which will outfit a crib completely, is $704.

Luxe Diaper Bag

Filed under: Handbags

The word "luxury" is not often found in conjunction with "diaper bag" but the Luxe Diaper Bag from Fleurville manages to combine the two with ease. The bag is practical and surprisingly attractive, made from waterproofed leather in black, pink or blue, with three exterior pockets and an adjustable shoulder strap. Inside, the bag is loaded with an insulated bottle holder, wipe case and changing cloth, so your gear will be coordinated, as well as conveniently put together. Will it replace designer bags as a must-have fall purse? Unlikely, but at least it makes carrying baby supplies as stylish as it can get. Price: $375.

[via Babygadget]

Babies to Enter Luxury Market?

With the advent of a screening process that allows couples to screen for various traits, including gender, of their babies, some fertility clinics are seeing an upswing in foreign clients. This is because the US does not have as strict regulations as some other countries over embryo selection and allows doctors the freedom to select for gender - a desirable thing for many couples considering children. In other countries, such as Australia, screenings are permitted only for genetically inherited diseases, so a couple that wants a girl can come to the US and, with the help of a doctor here, can get one.

Doctors say that the bulk of their clients come from Canada, where girls are very popular, and China, where boys are in demand, though potential parents come from New Zealand to Austria, too. The procedure costs about $20,000.

Not all clinics offer this sort of service and many doctors and legislators oppose what they say amounts to "amounts to medical tourism for designer babies " Other doctors simply say that they are serving the marketplace and fulfilling a need.

But is it ok to turn a potential parent into a consumer who is on the lookout for only a specific type of child?



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