Art objects indeed – but a great read too

These volumes are now extremely collectible. If you didn’t read Angela Brazil books when you were a girl, then your mother or even grandmother probably did, especially if they were brought up in England. The author was born in Victorian England; a time during which ‘young ladies’ were expected to read improving, non-fiction books, religious tomes or about moral matters.

For your own Grumpy

Or for your own little princess. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made over seventy five years go and yet the cartoon movie – and its products – are as popular as ever. They make fun gifts and I particularly like their ‘dwarf-themed’ t-shirts. But there are plenty of other goodies too.

If you’re looking for a tablet for under $100 then Fire HD 6 is for you. It is a stylish tablet, with everything you would expect to find, or indeed you’d need from a tablet device.

If you have a son who is over the age of 8 and loves Star Wars, then this Star Wars Lego set is brilliant. It’s the Republic Gunship. It is a massive box jammed full of Lego mini figures and it has a separate speeder, which my son tells me is a kind of space motorbike. This is an added bonus because it is two toys in one.

Here at Tastes Magazine, we’ve always loved products that can be customised. A gift in particular is so much more special when it has been custom-designed for the recipient.  One of the latest companies to offer this is Converse and their fabulous sneakers.

I would recommend any puppet that has been designed and made by the company Enchanted Puppets.

Finding a toy that will keep a teenager happy is not an easy job. And it seems to get harder each year.

There are plenty of things out there that promise the earth, but sadly, they all don’t deliver!

Last Christmas I bought my son has a Kindle Paperwhite, which he loves. I decided on a Kindle because I wanted him to read. Other devices, like tablets, have too many distractions, and expecting an emerging teenager to ignore those is asking just too much.

Because it is an electronic device the Kindle is very cool and so it ticks many boxes. But which device is best for you depends on why you are buying it, and to be honest the array of devices is a little overwhelming. See the article in the link below.

This article will help you through the mist!

Mini trampolines are perfect for keeping your child happy during those long cold winter months.

They are designed to be brought into the house and they easily fit into any average sized room.

My son was given his mini trampoline on his third birthday. His granny sent it over from Scotland, so it arrived in the post, which shows that they are neither too big nor too heavy.

He had a great time and bounced on it so happily for many years.
This Fold & Go Mini Trampoline is newer and has more safety features than mine, but essentially it is the same toy. Great for winter exercise and to help your kids let off some steam.

You can learn more here.

The best gifts for the book lover

With worldwide shipping direct from The British Museum in London these special-edition, Folio Society books are the absolute best gift for anyone who appreciates books, literature and fine quality. There is a lovely selection of books available including those suitable for children, the historian, the collector or simply those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Super stylish from Scandinavia

I fell in love with these the moment I saw them. They are, depending on where you see them, described as both ‘toys’ and ‘home ornaments’ and I’m not arguing; I think they qualify as both. They are superbly stunning as decor items in your home or office and yet any child would also be delighted to own such a wonderful piece.

Gorgeous organic baby clothes – newborn to 24 months

Only the best for the babies of the families of Tastes readers! Whether you’re a proud parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or close family friend, you want to make sure that your precious little bundle starts life in the best possible. And what better than organic baby clothes? That lovely, delicate skin will certainly appreciate these items which are 100% organic and 100% pure. Sizes range from newborn to two years old.

For lovers of all  things Ferrari

And that includes me. This website features official Ferrari merchandise and includes clothing, bags, sunglasses, toys and home decor / desk items. There are also sets of historic photographs, limited edition items and special products that have been personally signed by Alonso and Massa – the current Ferrari Formula One drivers.

A truly thoughtful gift

Something that has been out of style for so many years is suddenly red hot! There was a time when everyone had personalized stationery, note cards and bookplates but in recent years they have been items that belonged to a more elegant era. Now though, they are enjoying a huge revival.

Best gifts for a baby shower or newborn

Pink for a girl and blue for a boy? That’s how it used to be. But today, more and more parents are choosing to follow in the footsteps on Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and wait until the birth to find out the sex of their child. I like that. But it does make it a little more difficult for those of us who are buying baby gifts in advance, doesn’t it? No, not with this lovely range from Nordstrom.

Baby and toddler clothing from Gap

Babies and toddlers have never been so stylish. Gone are the ‘blue for a boy and pink for a girl’ days – today’s parents see no reason why their children can’t be dressed in the best from day one. Gap has probably the finest selection of baby clothes on the internet today. Not only are they stylish, they are well-made from the best materials.

Baby and infant clothes for a little prince or princess

There was a time when it was almost impossible to get stylish clothes for children and babies, but no longer. Even top designers create fabulous clothes for newborn babies and up. This range, from Hartstrings, is an excellent example.

Create a collection of stylish and fun watches

These watches are great gifts for him, for her or for kids. They are great value for money and the wonderful thing about them is that, on the website, you can design your own. Choose the watch faces you like, and a suitable strap and make it uniquely yours. The company also has a collection of ready-assembled versions too.

Burberry – for the most stylish kids on the block

Burberry has stood for British style and elegance since the middle of the ninteenth century. This long-established company is still at the forefront of fashion and design and its famous and iconic tartan patterns are available on clothes for young babies and for toddlers.

Harrods style for teddy bears and toys

For the kids? Well yes, babies and children love these toys but don’t you think that they are a lovely gift for anyone? In addition to their regular range of cuddly toys, every year Harrods produce ‘annual bears’ with the year embroidered onto the plush underside of the foot.

Style and good taste are both taught at an early age. There are some truly dreadfully tacky toys on the market and I am constantly hunting down well-designed toys and games for my own family. I love these ride-on cars and bikes, especially those made of wood. When you buy one of these for a child, you are creating a family heirloom that can be used for future generations.

There is something terribly soothing about owning a traditional piece of clothing when its history goes back hundreds of years. Not only are we wearing a piece of history, we also have items that are timeless and will never date.

Now the 2014 Harrods of London teddy bear is available

We loved last year’s bear and like many people, wondered what this prestigious London store would create for 2014. Now all can be revealed. The 2013 annual bear was very gentlemanly (see him here) with his smart city pinstriped waistcoat and sharp red accessories.

Direct from BBC America – gifts for the Doctor Who fan

It’s a bit scary to think that I remember the original Doctor Who series when it was shown on the television in the UK. Maybe it’s even more scary that I still watch it now on BBC America. But Doctor Who is now fifty years old. Here’s a piece of trivia for you – did you know that the first of the series was shown on British television the evening after Kennedy was shot? But enough of trivia.

Thinking of a sun and ski vacation?

Are you looking for the perfect gift for yourself or loved ones who are into sun and ski products that are made of the highest quality?

Simply put – gadgets and small electronic items make outstanding gifts for anyone

These gift ideas are especially great for those hard to shop for people on your list…you know the type, the seem to have everything, or you want to get something truly unique that they wouldn’t purchase themselves but would be thrilled to own.

An eclectic selection of vintage replicas for home decor

I wonder if you realize just how much fun I have searching out unusual gift ideas for Tastes? This site is a great find. It features a very eclectic selection of replica goods which are perfect for the home or office. They are inexpensive too and many are suitable for children’s rooms.

For baby girls and boys – with the royal seal of approval

The British Royal Family make no secret of their fondness for Burberry clothing and fabrics. The Duchess of Cambridge – now acknowledged as a style icon in her own right – is following the traditional and is often to be seen dressed by this prestigious fashion house. Therefore it makes the best of sense that Prince George will be seen in the clothes seen above.

Keepsakes and gifts for baby

Shopping for baby gifts, the nursery, baby keepsakes, and all things baby is made easy at GoToBaby ~ with personalized specialty items you simply can’t go wrong at this baby boutique. Unique, quality, individual and upscale are only a few words that describe the products at this very specialized baby store.

If you are looking for a baby shower gift, a newborn baby gift, or a first birthday gift. you’ll certainly find something extremely unique and different that you simply won’t find anywhere else…

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a friend or family member, this baby shop promises to exceed your expectations in terms of quality, selection, and customer service!

Visit the website

Featured is the luxury baby embroidered robe with trim ~

Author

Karin Hiebert is a Sassoon-trained award-winning hairstylist and fashion & beauty guru. After … Read More »

From train tables and train sets, to wooden rocking horses and retro-style play kitchens for boys and girls, this site has some outstanding and unique gifts for children. For hours of creative play, you’ll want to look to this online shopping site and page for long lasting durable toys and playsets and gift ideas.

What is a bento box?

Bento boxes are the way to store and carry lunchbox meals. But they are so much more than that – they are a stylish traditional Japanese art that has been around for hundreds of years. Today, they are available in sophisticated and traditional designs for adults and modern, funky versions that are perfect for kids.

Easily grow your own organic dinner!

You don’t need a farm or even a garden to grow your own organic herbs and selected vegetables. Many of the plants and seeds available from this lovely site will grown on your windowsill. What’s more, they are beautifully presented in an eco-friendly way and there’s a lovely variety to choose from. These are a lovely treat for yourself and make wonderful gifts for the planet-conscious food-lover.

Cute, stylish and fun toys

Although these ride-on toys are recommended for youngsters from eighteen months and up, I have found that younger babies love them too and use them as walking aids when they begin to take their first tentative steps. But these are so much more. Don’t you think that they are wonderful items to have around the home? (Especially the ladybug and the cow for me!)

One of the most popular and loved teams in NHL Hockey is The Boston Bruins team

For the Bruins fan we have got just the site for all of your online shopping hockey needs. Any Boston Bruins fan would be thrilled to find this unique selection of items from apparel, jerseys, and of course gifts like the ones offered here.

About the North Face

Born in the mountains, this line of apparel and gear for men, women, and children has become a highly recognized name and brand for its high-performance in fitness apparel and outerwear. Regardless of where you live, or in what climate – you can be sure of one thing, and that is that the North Face brand will keep you comfortably warm and dry.

A special commemorative gift for a special year

Is this a special year for you or for a loved one? Maybe you or a member of your family is celebrating a special anniversary, a new marriage or the birth of a new baby? Mark the year with one of these fabulous gifts from the Royal Mint in London (international orders accepted).

Great gifts for the Blackhawks fan

The winners of this year’s Stanley Cup the Chicago Blackhawks played an outstanding game in the playoffs against the famous Boston Bruins…

Polka dot tea set for play and fun

We just couldn’t resist this ultra-cute tea set for little girls. Its retro styling is very 1950s as it the bright, cheerful red and white polka dot design. Made from tin, as toys were in those days, it’s a reminder of days gone by and a funky object in its own right. It’s perfect for a teddy bears’ picnic or for treating mum and dad to a cup of ‘tea’ in bed.