Hello Paper Dolls

I have always been a fan of paper dolls.  One of my favorite toys from my own childhood involved a Victorian paper doll set.  hello hanna 'hello paper dolls' is a sweet, simple take on the paper doll sets I loved. There are four royal princesses to choose from -Violet, Buttercup, Rose and Daisy. Each doll comes with one large paper doll, a pet, outfits and sticker accessories.  A stencil is included to create one-of-a-kind designs too. 

Each sturdy hello paper doll ($12.95) is 6" and made from heavyweight paper.  Two sheets of punch-out clothing and 1 sheet of sticker accessories are in the kit as well.  I love that the stickers can be used multiple times.  Each set is made from FSC-certified uncoated recycled paper.  Always a plus in my book.  My girls loved the endless combinations they could create with their own hello paper dolls and spent hours making fashions and playing with their individual paper dolls sets.  I think they make great gifts for the holidays as well as any upcoming birthdays you might be attending soon. 

hello paper dolls are available on hellohanna.com and fine stationary stores everywhere. 


MPR Rating:  Four Stars.

Disclaimer:  MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only. 

Barbie's Princess Charm School

Charm and etiquette are not one in the same. However, you can go to the same school for both. The new Barbie Princess Charm School DVD (available Sept. 15) is the story of Barbie (or Blair in the story) going to Princess Charm School. Together with Mrs. McVeigh (Mattel's appointed manners expert), Barbie is setting out to teach a new generation of girls the importance of good manners.

I held a manners/charm school party for the little girls in my neighborhood and they were just delighted. With the help of Barbie and her friends we learned how to set a proper table (forks on the left, knives on the right, fold those napkins, please!), we learned to pass food properly, answer the door correctly and why it is important to treat each other with respect. When I went down the provided 'Manners Checklist' the girls were stunned and pleased to learn that being kind to friends and believing each girl is her "own princess" was a box to be checked. It sent them into a fit of giggles, squeals and happy sighs. With glittering crowns on their heads, thank you notes written and their own checklists and placemats to take home from the party the girls thought they had hit the jackpot. What they did not know was that each one would get to take home their own new Princess Charm School Barbie or one of her friends Hadley or Delancey.




The Barbie Princess Charm School DVD will be debuting in your area mid-September. See a preview here. Charm School Barbie and friends are already in stores. You can find them at your local Walmart and Target today!


Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only. The Barbie Charm School party was given by working with the One2One Network.

Monster High Walkie Talkie Review

Monster High Walkie Talkies have invaded my home. Available since May they come in sets of two ($20) and are available at Toys R Us. I was anxious to see how these toys went over in our house as well as how durable they would be. Additionally, I wanted to know how clear the sound was and how it traveled.

The Monster High Walkie Talkies performed well on all counts. I liked how lightweight each one is and how easily it fit into my child's hands. She and her little sister used them immediately and then they shared them with friends. Everyone liked using them inside the house and outside of it. They moved from the basement to the loft on the fourth floor and could still hear each other too. I loved how I didn't have to add batteries as they are included and the antennae can bend and survived the two year-old in our home. Geared for ages 7 and up, my five year-old could easily figure out the push/talk buttons, but the Morse code was too challenging. I don't know Morse code so I couldn't help her in that department.

Overall, these are fun, inexpensive toys that have a different look about them that I like. While geared for girls they aren't princess or blinged out, which is a change I adore.

MPR Rating: Four Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

*Image from pixiehollowenchanties.com

Discovery Girls Magazine

Discovery Girls magazine is aimed at girls ages 8-13 and is devoted to tween girls and by tween girls. The content is created and written with not just this age group of girls in mind but by them. The pages are filled with photos and stories of real girls. I love it! Where was this magazine when I was growing up? Discovery girls debuted in 2000 and has since become a wonderful, fun guide for tween girls. It goes beyond cute hairstyles and fashionable clothing layouts and hits the core of what these girls are interested in and thinking about daily.

Just flipping through a few issues I found sections on how to deal with the end of a friendship, cool animal facts, tips for making friends, gaining confidence and dealing with body image issues. Each page has a Discovery Girl reader either writing a piece or being featured. It's amazing and so empowering and exciting for girls of this and any age to see.

Here are a few examples of Discovery Girls articles and features-


5 Ways to be a Be a Better Friend
What's Your Favorite Warm Weather Snack?
How Well Do You Know Your Mom?

Loaded with tips, advice, fun facts, embarrassing moments and more Discovery Girls magazine is a resource that all tween girls can appreciate. As a parent I can too. It opens the door to deeper discussions and a peek into what is weighing on their mind. The idea that actual readers can participate in the creation of the magazine is beyond a boost of confidence and inclusion. It fosters a bond and a safe community for tween girls and sparks ideas for their future.

In addtion to the magazine, Discovery Girls website has an online community and wealth of information for girls. They have also created a 4-book Fab Girls guide that teaches girls how to deal with Sticky Situations, Getting Your Questions Answered, Friendship Hardship, and Getting Through Tough Times.

I'm giving away the following cool prize pack from Disovery Girls too!

1 complimentary year subscription to the magazine (a $20 value!)
1 set of our Fab Girls book set ($40)
A special collector's edition, set to be released June 28, 2011, which will encompass 10 years of the best content from our magazine plus more special features!
Enter to win by commenting. A winner will chosen at random on June 27, 2011. Please include your email address so I can contact you. Retweets and follows with an additional comment will garner an additional entry.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

O-Snap! Girls Hair Products

O-Snap! The hair accessories line that allows young girls to express themselves in limitless ways by using interchangeable charms. Girls have the ability to build an O-Snap charm collection and even swap charms with friends. O-Snap makes it easy to create custom headbands, clips and hair ties.

O-Snap works like this- Find your flair whether it is a headband, clip or even bracelet just pick one and then add step two- picking a charm ($4.95) to accessorize your clip or tie. Then snap it on and wear it! Even small kids can do it. There are all sorts of charms ranging from sports themes, animals, flowers, girly items, hearts, stars and so much more. You can also buy a special pack which includes a headband and a few charms
($24.95).


I tried these clips,headbands and bracelets out with my girls. They thought they were cute but didn't show a lot of interest. They wear ribbons daily and bows but are not into charms yet at the age of two and five. I think its a great idea for older girls who like to trade items with their friends and get into collections like silly bandz and more.

Visit O-Snaps Facebook page here. Free shipping on all orders over $35!

MPR Rating: Three Stars.

Disclaimer: MPR was not paid for this post. Products recieved are for review and test purposes only. Opinions are MPR's only.

DISCOUNT-Disney on Ice- Princess Wishes

Enter a world of wishes with your favorite Disney princesses in Disney On Ice presents Princess Wishes! Tinker Bell represents the magic of Disney as she whisks you through a collection of enchanting and beloved Disney stories. Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves. See Snow White find her one true love. Discover a whole new world with Jasmine. And, watch in wonder as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Mulan all come true.

Starting one hour before each performance, families will be treated to the Disney Princess Pre-Show, an exclusive fairy tale collection of gowns and treasures from the Disney Princess stories. This bonus experience is free with ticket purchase and includes a special appearance by a live Disney Princess.Verizon Center, Washington D.C. Presidents’ Day Weekend, Feb. 16th – 21st


Show times:

Wednesday 16th – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday 17th – 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Friday 18th – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday 19th – 11:00 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Sunday 20th – 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Monday 21st – 12:30 p.m.


Ticket Prices: $75.00 (Front Row) / $50.00 (VIP) / $30.00 / $20.00 / $15.00
Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets via charge, by phone at 202-397-SEAT or 703-573-SEAT in Virginia, via www.ticketmaster.com, and the Verizon Center box office.

Visit us on Facebook and YouTube.



**Discount Information:The Enchantment Starts at $11 for Select Weekday Performances with Code MOM Or, SAVE $4 on Weekend and Holiday Tickets with Code MOM! 

Olivia the Pig Plush Doll & 2-in1 Play Set

Team Mom Review

You probably know Olivia from the best-selling children’s book and hit Nick Jr. television show. Now Spin Master has taken her bold personality and wild imagination and created a collection of fun and creative toys for children ages 4 and up.  Courtesy of Spin Master and Team Mom we received the Olivia 2-in-1 play set and an 8" plush Olivia doll dressed up like a cow.

First, the Olivia doll ($9.99). This plush pig comes dressed as a cow with bright red bows bedecking her ears. I gave her to my two year-old to start and she hugged Olivia and then put her aside.  I explained it was a pig dressed as a cow and she looked at me like I was crazy.  My four year-old didn't show much interest either.  However, this toy is well made and you can find it dressed in other outfits like a princess and more.  If you know a little girl who loves Olivia then this doll will be a hit.  Available at Toys R Us, Amazon and Target. 

In our house it was love at first sight with the Olivia 2-in-1 play set ($29.99). This toy is awesome!  Both my girls could not wait to get it out of its box and every adult who has come across it in our home finds it simply amazing.  It provides so many play scenarios and the handle at the top of the roof makes it easy to tote from play space to space.  The set includes one Olivia doll, 23 accessories for her house or pirate ship and a sticker sheet to decorate both sets.  The house unfolds by hinges to separate ways (a few fingers have been pinched but nothing severe) and it easy for small hands to open and close the play set.  This Olivia toy has been a huge hit in our house. I highly recommend it as a gift or to put on your list this holiday season.  It is available at Amazon, Toys R Us and Target.

MPR Rating:  Five Stars.

Disclaimer:  This is a Team Mom review. MPR was not paid for this post. Team Mom supplied the review items for testing/review purposes only.  Opinions are MPR's only.

Girl World Tour Ticket Giveaway!

Guess what DC!  Rosalind Wiseman, best-selling author of the book, 'Queen Bees & Wannabes', the basis of the hit Mean Girls, will be in town April 6.  She is hosting a workshop filled with "mother-daughter bonding, but also an interactive discussion about confidence, friendships and how to navigate those sweat-inducing “moments”." She will be signing copies of her books, which attendees will receive at the event.

I am giving away two sets of tickets for the Girl World Tour on behalf Dove go fresh!  It's perfect for Mothers and Daughters in the tween and teen set!  This if for DC, VA and MD residents only.  I'll pick two winners on March 27, 2010.  Enter now!  It's a great experience for mothers and daughters alike!


Date: Tuesday, April 6

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Location: Georgetown Day School

Tickets: $40 per mother-daughter pair

Event Details: http://rosalindwiseman.com/events/girl-world-tour/

SciGirls Debuts on PBS Kids!

Want to channel your tween girls energies into something new, educational and incredibly fun?  Turn them on to PBS Kids newest series SciGirls!  On SciGirls, the lead character Izzie and her best friend Jake set off to investigate topics in science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M).  Sound like snooze fest for your tween? It's so not!  SciGirls are imited only by their imaginations. The show films real girls and their mentors in reality style TV as they learn about topics such as dolphin behavior, how to engineer a giant mechanical puppet, unearth archaeological secrets of now extinct Native American cultures, create an eco-friendly turtle habitat or design fierce fashions with a high-tech twist.  I could go on but you and your daughter will just have to watch the show to learn more. 

With the goal of getting girls to view S.T.E.M differently and funded by the National Science Foundation, SciGirls combines TV and the Web in a totally new way. Each episode starts with Izzie on the site’s homepage.  Each time she finds herself in predicaments that only the topics of S.T.E.M can fix. Watch Izzie as she joins the real-life SciGirls in learning and exploring their adventures.

What I really love about SciGirls, beyond its basic message, is that the website and its social network are completely safe.  Their girls can create personal pages with their own avatars, upload cool projects, and make friends with similar interests. It combines all the things that they are into today with TV, iPods, laptops and more.  It really reaches out to girls and gives them a space to explore the S.T.E.M world or just dive into it further. 

Want to know more about SciGirls?  Check out the website online and check your local listings to see when the show debuts in your area. 

Think your girl is a SciGirl or would like to be?  Enter to win a SciGirl prize pack here.  I'll choose one winner at random on March 23, 2010.  Inside the prize pack is a SciGirls button, bracelet, magnet picture frame, pencil and plastic egg with a fun at-home experiment!

Raising Girls- The Complete Idiot's Guide

When I realized I would be the mother to two girls I was excited about it but also a bit worried. The sense of responsibility weighed on me. How in this crazy, mixed up world would I raise two confident girls into women?

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Raising Girls ($14.95) by Dr. Gary J. Weisenberger, Kathy Sherwin and Deborah Romaine is full of real life advice for parents raising girls. It has a section for everything from birth to womanhood. While I'm a big believer in parenting on instinct I did find this book incredibly helpful.

The book is broken down into four sections. Each section deals with different aspects of a girls life from infant to adult. It's not just for mothers either but for both parents. I loved that as it put the weight of parenting on both parents and spoke to each in a different way. My husband has already admitted to needing to, "read this book." Punctuated throughout each chapter are anecdotes, bits of humor and good solid, common sense advice. Let's face it though, even the smartest of us sometimes forgets these things or is in a conundrum on how to face a parenting challenge. 'Raising Girls' deals with each problem with finesse and simple to understand answers. I found that I could easily flip through the book by section and find the problem I was dealing with and help me prepare for the future. From bully's in school to having the s-e-x talk it is all there with loads more.

Raising a girl in today's world is not an easy task. They are inundated from all sides with information from the good to the bad to the ugly. It's not the same world that we were raised in either. Their possibilities are endless and that can be terrifically overwhelming. 'Raising Girls' assists parents with these very same issues in a clear, insightful way. I highly recommend this book.

MPR Rating: Five Stars.

Team Mom- Bella Sara

Bella Sara is the leading trading card group for girls. This inspirational online horse game about the land of North of North presents girls with positive messages about friendship and some safe online fun. Not content to just sit on its laurels Bella Sara has created two new parts to its line- Bella Sara Miniatures Series 1 Collection and Bella Sara Treasures.

The concept is simple. Just like baseball cards girls can collect and trade Bella Sara horse character cards ($1.99). Each card contains a code that can be entered online. The Miniatures Series has an added bonus of providing a soft, velvety miniature horse (20 in all) inside each card pack. Girls can collect, trade and love these little horses creating offline games in the process. With Bella Sara Treasures ($2.99), the eighth series in this line, there are printable activities, bonus codes, wallpapers, coloring pages, jigsaw puzzles and more.

I think that Bella Sara (5 yrs and up) is a great product for girls, however in our house my two daughters (an infant and a three year-old) are a bit too young to really have any fun with the cards. My preschooler loved the stickers included in the Treasures pack and really enjoyed making up imaginary games with the Miniatures horse figurines. The online games, loading the codes in and learning about the different characters was way over her head. The Bella Sara website is well done though and I can see how it would really entice girls of the elementary school age.

I think the Bella Sara concept is wonderful as it features natural wonders, historical artifacts and gives girls a chance to explore a very non-threatening world that parents won't have to constantly monitor. It was created by Gitte Odder Braendgaard who devised the line when she worked as a social worker in Denmark. She wanted children to have a game that was made up of meaningful messages and imagination -building game play. I can definitely see how Bella Sara does that and would recommend it to anyone who has a child who loves horses or is looking for a quality gaming website for their child.

MPR Rating: Three Stars

To celebrate Treasures, the eighth series in this trading card line, Bella Sara is kicking off a contest for a chance for kids to win an exciting Treasure Hunt Party for themselves and their friends! It runs through April 30 so enter to win on the Bella Sara website now!

PBN- The Daring Book for Girls

First, let me say that I was incredibly excited to view this book, The Daring Book for Girls, by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz. When I received it the turquoise cover reminded me of a book from the early part of the last century, but the glitter on the front cover makes it modern and appealing to girls today. The illustrations are beautiful and easy to follow. This is one quality book. When I opened it to take a look inside I realized that this tome surpasses even my best hopes for it. It is a veritable treasure trove of fun and useful information.

Being a shy only child I never asked questions about a lot of basic kid stuff. Half the time I didn’t even know which questions I wanted to ask and that was part of the problem. Upon reading ‘Daring’ I realized that many of my questions were now being answered right here in this book. Who are the players on the basketball team and what is their purpose? Got it! How do you play Foursquare? I never knew but I can teach it now! I was amazed at the plethora of information that I now possess as an adult. I can then pass it on to my daughter and her friends. Some of it was a nice review for me too. I reviewed my leaf types, got to relive all the chants and songs of jump rope (which I had forgotten) and the best way to build a campfire. All things I was taught as a young kid but haven’t revisited in quite some time.

It is not just the classic games and songs that I love about this book. It is so much more. The brief pieces on women in history appeal to me and will be great to share with my child as she grows. The women who are profiled are not the everyday trotted out women in history either. Buchanan and Peskowitz really dug in and provided a broad range of women like Freya Stark, Artemisia and more. ‘Daring’ is big and it covers a lot of ground. From writing the proper thank you note to powering a clock via lemon it has it all. I learned to tie knots and refreshed myself on how to change a tire. I can now teach the kids on the block how to do a back walk over again as well. I almost feel that ‘Daring’ should be a text book given to girls when they reach school age. They can carry it with them and share it with their friends absorbing the information and growing wiser and stronger because of it. Let’s face it. There is a lot to teach a child today and many times we forget some of the best parts from our own childhood. ‘Daring’ is a great reminder/refresher course for parents.

‘The Daring Book for Girls’ (for ages 8-18) is like an encyclopedia or a manual on finding yourself as a girl no matter what your age. If you are artistic, athletic, outdoorsy or bookish there is something that will speak to you in this book. Its wide range of topics will lure you in and teach you lessons in history, etiquette, forestry and art that you didn’t even know you needed but will soon realize you shouldn’t be without. Trying to figure out a way to explain stocks and shares? Read this book! Want to teach your daughter some self-defense and other life-saving skills? Buy this book! It is invaluable. I cannot wait to share it with my daughter as she grows. In the meantime I will be recommending it to the Mom’s of the young girls I know. There is truly something for everyone inside Daring’s pretty turquoise binding.

Act now in time for the holidays too! The Daring Book for Young Girls is for sale at Amazon for only $14.97! For more reviews on this book and other great items please visit PBN.