Ready or not, their period is coming. Rather than procrastinate ’til the day of, now is the ideal time to have the period convo and stock up on supplies so your kid feels excited (as much as one can be!) and prepared. From bags to the best period underwear on the market, we’ve rounded up all the supplies you need to make the most helpful period pack for your tween and teen.

Bags

4-Pack Sanitary Napkin Bags

$13 BUY NOW

Whether you're packing pads or panty liners, or just like the compact nature of these bags that come in a pack of four, this collection is a subtly cool option for tweens and teens. Choose from five colorways and patterns, then stow in backpacks, purses or athletic bags so your kid is always prepared.


Funny Yet True Period Bags

$9.50 BUY NOW

Got a tween with a good sense of humor? These bags from Etsy take this time of the month to a bold new level. Choose from black or beige, along with hilarious sayings like "crime scene prevention kit" and "shark week."


Llama Zippered Bag

$6 BUY NOW

This simple bag with a water-proof exterior comes in more than 35 patterns and just so happens to be the perfect size for those period products.

Feminine Hygiene Products

Rawpixel

Every kid is different, so chat with your tween about whether they are more comfortable with pads or tampons. Whatever you choose, pack several into your period pack, along with some panty liners to keep them prepared. Thinking about period underwear? Keep scrolling to see some of our picks.

Period Underwear

KT by Knix

$22 BUY NOW

Knix now offers undies for the younger set, KT By Knix. These raved-about period underpants come in bikini, boy short, boxer brief and sleepover short styles. Choose from medium, high and super absorbency levels in tons of colors.


Modi Bodi

$26 BUY NOW

With options that protect for up to 24 hours, Modi Bodi's Red collection is worth looking into. Cute patterns abound in styles like hipster boyshorts and bikinis, with further leak protection ranging from light to maxi. You can shop styles individually or save on a bundle to last their whole cycle.


Thinx (BTWN)

$23 BUY NOW

THINX (BTWN) is the well-known brand's tween and teen line, which offers sizes for smaller figures with narrower thighs (we recognize this may not work for all body types but is worth exploring if it's a possible fit). Made with organic cotton, these undies can supposedly absorb five tampons' worth and come in bikini, brief, shorty and sleep shorts options.


Ruby Love

$90 BUY NOW

One of the OG purveyors of period underwear, Ruby Love's lineup of undies is hard to beat. Shop hipster and seamless options that come in fun prints and offer protection for up to 2.5 tampons' worth. On heavier days, your tween can also add Ruby Love's reusable, double-sided pad for even more protection.


Bambody

$15 BUY NOW

Available on Amazon and arguably the most cost-effective option on our list, Bambody has more than 14,000 reviews with an average 4.5-star rating. We love that sizes start at XX-small to fit petite tweens and teens, in addition to a nice color assortment, varying levels of absorbency and four different styles.

Period Tracker Apps

Laura Chouette via Unsplash

Knowledge is power (yes, even—and especially—when it comes to periods), and there are plenty of discreet apps to help teens get a better handle on planning. We tend to love:

  • Clue: Kids can track moods, cycle duration and receive predictions on this free app. Available for both Apple and Android phones
  • Magic Girl Period Tracker: Designed with tweens and teens in mind, this app offers tips, videos, chat features and a customizable calendar. Available for both Apple and Android phones
  • Easy Period- Lite Tracker: Simple and easy to use, this app is to the point without extraneous features. Available for Apple phones.

Cramp Care

Mini Macaron Shape Pill Case

$8 BUY NOW

Store your go-to pain meds in an adorable case like these macarons. The best part? They come in a pack of six so your teen can use for all sorts of organization.


Smoko Mini Toasty Heatable Plushie

$18 BUY NOW

We know that not everyone has access to a microwave at school to heat up this adorable plush, but we can't pass up this toasty product to snuggle up with on the couch. Because some days, you just can't.


Tony's Choco Lonely Dark Chocolate 70% Bar

$2 BUY NOW

It's true, chocolate really DOES make you feel better. According to studies, chocolate contains polyphenols, which can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, and more important, help you ditch the pain.

 

––Karly Wood

 

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If dry shampoo saves your mornings, pay attention to this news. The FDA announced that Procter & Gamble Company has issued a voluntary recall on aerosol dry shampoo and condition products from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless. The recall is due to the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen, detected in some products.

All of the affected products are packaged in aerosol cans and the recall is extensive, so you’ll want to refer to the full statement for product names and UPC codes. The products were distributed nationwide through retail outlets and online and retailers have been alerted to remove the products from their shelves. If you’ve purchased one of the recalled shampoos or conditioners, you can get reimbursement by visiting each product’s specific website.

Procter & Gamble did a full review on the company’s portfolio of aerosol products to inform this recall. Unexpected levels of benzene resulted from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. However, most other offerings, including mousses, hairsprays and styling products, are still safe to use.

You can be exposed to benzene through inhalation, orally or through the skin. It can cause cancers like leukemia and blood disorders. The recall notes that the levels of benzene found in the products would not be expected to adversely affect your health, but it’s the safe move to stop using them anyway.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of the FDA

 

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Photo: Amy Fields

In our house, you will find that we are a blend of solutions in discovering what works best for our kids. You will see things you are used to seeing like medications, equipment, that sort of stuff. Alongside that, you will also see some non-traditional things as well like essential oils, my giant textbooks of herbal medicines, and maybe some familiar equipment used in different ways.

You see, I’ve had to stretch and grow to figure out what works for my kids. We don’t all come out of the same cereal box and things that work for others don’t always work for us. Things aren’t always black and white. They are often various shades of grey. Recently my son was accepted into a unique study. A worldwide research project was being conducted to see if a unique treatment can be beneficial for kids like Marvin. It could help with some of his dietary woes and we were excited to try it. The practitioner had recently relocated and gave me her new address. When we arrived this is what we saw.

As I drove around the building, I began to wonder if it was a joke. There wasn’t a handicapped-accessible spot anywhere. So I called the provider and let her know we were here and the building had no access! She came down and her first words were, “I wasn’t thinking about your daughter.”

Their last location was accessible and we were able to get my daughter, Cary Lynn, up and down. Despite the fact that we had seen this person in her previous location numerous times and my daughter was with me every time, for some reason, it escaped this person’s attention that my child was in a wheelchair.

The next words weren’t much better, that this was, “A pro bono treatment.” And that “Maybe I could find someone who needed community service hours to help with one kid.” I was rather steamed and wanted to offer a shovel while they were burying themselves.

Instead, I said, “Look, I feel like we need to have a conversation here. You may not think about my daughter or the 2.2 million people in wheelchairs or the 6.5 million people who use walkers, canes, or crutches to get around but maybe you should. I’m not saying that every home needs to rush out and become accessible but I would like you to think about how it feels not to be included. How hard it is on our family and others like us because our kids can’t go places. You may not be able to fix your home but how about finding a place that everyone can go to. If you are practicing medicine or holistic treatments think of the large population you are limiting. The people who would probably benefit the most from your treatments have no access to you. Clients that would pay you for your services if they could reach you will take their dollars and go someplace else. Bottom line, it’s not OK and no amount of apologizing is going to fix that piece of my heart that just got a little more battered. It’s not OK to justify the lack of accessibility by saying that this is a pro-bono service. Free does not mean that you can get away with whatever you want. That would be the equivalent of me saying I could rob your home and take your valuables because I am giving you free babysitting. It’s a ludicrous argument.”

We drove for a while in silence. Marvin piped up, “Mama are you upset?” I told him I was, but I would try to think about our options. “Well, I don’t really need to do this. I’d rather go someplace that is nice to my sister. Maybe we can find something more fun to do, like legos!”

The study would have been awesome, but you know what? My kid already is awesome. Both of them are. If people can’t see that then they are the ones with the real handicap.

This post originally appeared on Many Kinds of Families.

I'm a momvocate with a dash of sass and a huge helping of grace.  When I'm not blogging I'm solving life's great mysteries, like do missing socks come back as Tupperwear lids?  

There’s nothing like a warm cup of tea to help deal with holiday stressors. Lipton RealiTEAS, a line of free, limited-edition wellness teas that offer holiday-inspired benefits for the season’s stressors, flew off the digital shelves in less than 24 hours last year. This Mon., Nov. 16, Lipton RealiTEAS are coming back for the second year with themes relevant to the realities of 2020 that we have all endured.

Lipton Tea

 

Available for free exclusively at Lipton.com/RealiTEAS, the brand is introducing two new themes, 24/7 Sweatpants Season and All I Want For Christmas Is A Better 2021, and bringing back two favorites – Silent Night, Sleepless Night and Whole Lotta Holiday Cookies.

  • 24/7 Sweatpants Season: Feel stress-free in comfy clothing made for relaxation with this caffeine-free herbal supplement, containing cinnamon, chamomile, and lavender (originally Stress Therapy).
  • All I Want For Christmas Is A Better 2021: Cleanse your mind and body of 2020 with this herbal infusion containing rich matcha, cooling mint, invigorating mate, plus probiotics to make you feel revitalized (originally Probiotics Cleanse).
  • Silent Night, Sleepless Night: Embrace your sweetest dreams (despite your endless to-do list) with this herbal supplement, containing chamomile, mint and orange peel (originally Bedtime Bliss).
  • Whole Lotta Holiday Cookies: Sip & soothe your tummy after indulging in holiday treats with our caffeine-free herbal supplement, containing ginger, peppermint and fennel (originally Soothe Your Tummy).

To keep up with demand, Lipton will be doing several drops of this exclusive collection of wellness teas throughout the holiday season. Not only do RealiTEAS make for a lighthearted gift or stocking stuffer, the teas are also the perfect remedy against holiday stressors because we’ve been through enough this year.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Lipton

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My first kid was always a morning person. He’s 10 now and wakes himself up at 5:30 everyday. He get’s himself ready and rarely complains. He is cheery and talkative even if he had a late night. He is like the male version of Snow White–singing with birds in the forest, obnoxiously happy.

Let’s just say he created some really unrealistic expectations for me.

My second kid hates mornings as much as a taco bell janitor hates cleaning toilets after Taco Tuesday.

This is what last school year looked like.

If I could manage to get her up at all she would hide in blankets, stare at me but refuse to talk to me, make a lot of whiney noises, and test every ounce of patience in my entire body.

She could never find clothes to wear, or breakfast to eat or lunch to pack. She often “had a stomach ache,” hated school (she didn’t really), and didn’t have any friends (also not true).

I really did try. I’d try to go in early and snuggle her in the mornings, I’d sing her songs to wake her up or turn on music I knew she loved. I’d try to pick out cute outfits to make it easier for her. But no matter what I tried, she wasn’t interested.

And then it would happen…

I would turn into a “momster.”

I hated who I was when this side came out.

  • Yelling to the point that I was sick of my own voice.
  • Making threats and taking things away.
  • Going off on these long diatribes about how spoiled she was and how kids in other countries would be grateful for her life, or how I would go to jail if she didn’t go to school and she’d have to find a new mom, stuff like that.

I was desperate and nothing ever seemed to work. The few good mornings were tiny miracles that I couldn’t figure out how to duplicate.

Summertime meant our relationship was easier. She slept till 10 a.m. and I was grateful.

This new school year brought on a fresh start and I can finally say…we are doing so much better.

Monday’s are still the hardest, but we figured out a few things that give us more good days than bad.

1. Acknowledging Anxiety.

One day while scrolling through Facebook I saw a headline that said, “Kids don’t say they have anxiety, they say they have a stomach ache.”

My heart sunk. I lost count of the times I had dismissed her “stomach aches” as an excuse to get out of responsibility. I read the article and felt like the worst mom on the planet, but I also felt like I finally had a clue that could help my child and save my sanity. It all made sense. I immediately ordered the book they recommended for helping children understand and work through their worries.

As we read through it together I realized that as much as this described my child, it described me even more. Another gut punch. So a mom with unknown anxiety was trying to get a kid with unknown anxiety to suck it up and take on the world…every morning. A horrible combination.

This was a game-changer for us because it allowed us to both feel seen and gave us the language and understanding to communicate with empathy.  Now, when she says she has a stomach ache, I respond with “What’s troubling you?”  Or she’ll say, “Mom, I have a stomach ache, but not anxiety, a real one, maybe I need to poop.”

2. Soft Transition. I used to let her sleep as long as possible, thinking it would help her wake up in a better mood, but she ended up feeling rushed and overwhelmed and would freeze up. This year, I started getting all of the kids up earlier and letting them watch one show before they have to get ready for the day. We try to keep it educational (Current favs are “The Who Was Show” and “Brain Child” on Netflix). This has made a huge difference. I like to have a few minutes to read a devotional, sip my coffee and journal a bit before the day begins, she just needed the same soft transition.

3. Gratitude Practice. Even though mornings at home were getting better, I noticed that once we got in the car that anxiety would spike back up (especially since her older brother wasn’t at the same school this year to walk in with her). So, we implemented a gratitude practice while we drive. It’s like a game where we take turns sharing things we are grateful for. There is a visible difference in her face before and after we do this. And bonus, I end up a little more cheery too.

We still have good days and bad days, but overall we are both improving in how we deal with each other. I feed my inner “Momster” dark chocolate to keep her from rearing her ugly head and take herbal oil every day to manage my own anxiety so I don’t contribute to hers. Our relationship is not as strained, and that definitely belongs on the gratitude list.

This post originally appeared on Midland Moms Blog.

Nicole is an artist, children's book author, and a free-spirited creator gracefully raising three wild offspring while chasing her bearded husband on his oilfield adventure in Midland, TX. Nicole paints pictures with words and tells stories with art that encourge people to reclaim their maker identity and live a life of colorful authenticity. 

You’re invited to a very special tea party celebrating the happy haunts who have been residing in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion for the last 50 years!

For the month of October you can book a seat at the Disneyland Hotel’s Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Tea. Guests of all ages are invited to celebrate the special occasion. The menu includes tea sandwiches, scones, desserts and a selection of teas including a special seasonal gingerbread flavor infused with dashes of cinnamon and allspice. Guests can also order aperitifs, wines by the glass, ports and cordials for an additional fee.

https://twitter.com/DisneylandToday/status/1171921369061298177

There are three types tea parties you can choose from starting with the Classic Tea Party and the Premium Tea Party, which includes sparkling wine, salads and a goodbye truffle in addition to the regular menu. The third option is the Kids Tea Party, which offers herbal infusions, hot chocolate and juice instead of tea.

The special event takes place every Fri. through Sun. now through Nov. 3, as well as every Thu. in October from noon to 3pm. Tickets are $35 for the Kids Tea Party, $55 for the Classic and $70 for the Premium. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Strangegirl81 via Instagram

 

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These days your kid is all about having a spot of tea. Must be all those tea parties she loves to host. The next time she asks you to put the kettle on, consider taking her out instead to try everything from traditional English high tea (white gloves and all) to loose-leaf oolongs with a side of history. Scroll down to find your perfect spot!

Cederberg Tea House

Karen G. via yelp

This traditional South African tea house sits atop Queen Anne. It’s a place to take the kiddos when you want comfort and a casual environment, when spending time together with each other or your bestie buds is the day’s priority. They specialize in brewing Rooibos tea (native to the Cederberg region) alongside other red and black teas traditionally served in South Africa. We love Rooibos for its total kid-appeal—it’s naturally caffeine free, high in antioxidants and a tad sweet. While you’re there nosh on traditional South African pastries, like koeksister and hertzog, or stick to more typical tea house faves like scones, if your tummy’s rumbling.

Sensational Sip: Order up a Rooibos latte or Rooibos vanilla when you’re there. You can thank us later!

1417 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
206-285-1352
Online: cederbergteahouse.com

Graham's RoyalTea

Nick A. via Yelp

Bring your princesses, knights and lovely ladies in waiting to the newly-opened Graham’s RoyalTea in Bothell to be part of their Afternoon High Tea Party. Reservations for parties of one through twenty people are required to be seated with other royal guests in the small tea lounge, and at least 24 hours notice is recommended. Once seated, you and your little tea lovers will be able to raid the Princess Dress Up Room to find the perfect costume for the day. Don’t worry parents, they have hats, boas, scarves and even a few adult-sized costumes, so you can get in on the action too. Then it’s time to sit down to tea sandwiches and cookies, served on vintage bone china. And yes, they have gluten-free options for a bit more so everyone can enjoy the experience. This experience is most enjoyed by kids ages 4 & up, but everyone is welcome. If you don’t have time to sit for a full tea service, guests can still enjoy the ambiance and a freshly brewed cup of tea in the lounge (food service isn’t available there).

Sensational Sip: Word on the street is that Paris is the top choice here, with Chocolate Mint running a close second. And for kids who had high hopes for tea, but aren’t quite sure, they can grab a pot of pink lemonade or hot chocolate (with marshmallows) instead.

10035 Main St.
Bothell, Wa 98011
425-686-7670
Online: grahamsroyaltea.com

Queen Mary Tea Room

K R. via yelp

Although you don’t need to dress your best, it sure is fun to don your fanciest prince or princess costume before heading to the Queen Mary Tea Room in Ravenna for Formal Afternoon Tea. It’s everything your royal mini-me dreams of, and then some, with lace, flowers, silver and sparkles everywhere you look. The kid-friendly tea service includes delish finger sandwiches, fresh fruits and tiny desserts to accompany a pot of tea, hot coca or juice, and tiaras are provided (one for each party).

Sensational Sip: Formal Afternoon Tea is a sure bet here. Don’t forget to make a reservation to enjoy it!

2912 N.E. 55th St.
Seattle, Wa 98105
206-527-2770
Online: queenmarytea.com/pages/about-our-tea-room

Afternoon Tea at The Georgian

Lexi M. via Yelp

The Georgian Restaurant, located inside the elegant Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle, sets a standard of excellence when it comes to traditional Afternoon Tea ($39-$49/Adults; $18/Kids). They pull out all the stops to serve kidlets and their parents an array of tiered, traditional tea sandwiches, sweets and savories alongside a freshly steeped pot of tea. Expect the royal treatment here!

Sensational Sip: This is a popular spot for tea. Be sure to make a reservation to get in on their Afternoon Tea.

The Fairmont Olympic Hotel
411 University St.
Seattle, Wa 98101
206-621-7889
Online: fairmont.com/seattle/dining/thegeorgiantea

Miro Tea

Elle K. via yelp

Miro Tea in downtown Ballard is a casual and contemporary tea bar that at first glance may seem intimidating. After all, they serve up over 150 different kinds of tea and herbals. But once you sit down, it becomes clear that the knowledgeable staff is there to make tea accessible to even the most novice tea lover who walks through the door. Try one of our recommended sips (below) for your crew or ask a staff member to pair you with your perfect tea match. If you head over around lunchtime, you won’t be disappointed. They serve up tasty crepes, sandwiches and salads for adult-size appetites and have three special crepes for tiny tea lovers, too. And most everything on the menu can be made gluten-free, so nosh away!

Sensational Sip: On a chilly day, nothing beats a cup of the herbal Paridiso blend or Cherry Berry Ruche. But if the sun is out, their Iced Tea Infusions are always refreshing. We recommend trying the Arnie or Hibiscus Mint Julep.

5405 Ballard Ave. N.W.
Seattle, Wa 98117
206-782-6832
Online: mirotea.com

Historic Panama Hotel, Tea & Coffee House

Warren C. via Yelp

This quiet tea house in the International District serves up a side of history with each pot of tea it brews. While you and your kidlet toast your time together, you can also check out the historic artifacts that are part of this café’s draw. Some of the most interesting finds are easily spotted through the tea house’s large picture window that overlooks the basement. Here, you’ll find all kinds of items that were stored by Japanese families living in Seattle during the WWII Internment.

Sensational Sip: Order a warm cup of Scarlet herbal tea for your kidlet and a cup of Lavender Earl Grey for yourself!

607 S. Main
Seattle, Wa 98104
206-515-4000
Online: panamahotel.net/teahouse.htm

Seattle Best Tea

Richie D. via yelp

Sit down for a traditional Taiwanese tea tasting in the heart of the International District at Seattle Best Tea. Owner Lydia Lin is a wealth of information about the different types of loose leaf oolong, jasmine, black, green—you name it, they’ve got it—teas that line the shelves. For first timers she recommends doing a tea tasting to get a feel for what you like. You’ll also learn about how to make tea the right way, how to store it and of course, how truly tasty it can be. Visitors will only find quality, organic high mountain teas here, alongside some fun kid-friendly options that will definitely get them through the door if there feeling apprehensive. We’re talking tea-flavored ice cream and quality milk bubble tea

Sensational Sip: The oolong is the way to go here. They carry both light and heavy varieties to tempt every palate around.

506 S. King St.
Seattle, Wa 98104
206-749-3565
Online: seattlebesttea.com

Vital Tea Leaf

Claire H. via Yelp

Traditional Chinese tea is served up daily at Vital Tea Leaf’s two Seattle locations. Drop in for a tasting any time at their Western Avenue Tasting Room, where they set out the day’s best flavors for everyone to try. It’s a great way to find a new favorite you might otherwise have missed. If you find one you like, you can order a pot to share in their cozy tasting room. The Jackson Street location has more of a coffee shop feel to it. Here, you can order cups or pots of traditional herbal teas to enjoy with your mini-me. And they’ve got a small café menu to choose from, too. We think a flowering tea might be just what your wee one is looking for, and you can find them here.

Sensational Sip: Try the herbal Siberian rose tea on a stormy winter day.

Western Ave. Tasting Room
2003 Western Ave., Suite 109
Seattle, Wa 98121
206-441-7476

Jackson St. Tea Lounge
651 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, Wa 98104
206-682-7486

Online: vtlseattle.com

Do you have a favorite neighborhood tea house we missed? Spill in the comments below!

— Allison Sutcliffe

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Whether it’s your first baby or your fourth, you belly is bulging and life is about to change. Big time. And while taking one last big exotic trip may sound like a good idea around month five, the closer you get to your due date, the three big Cs are what make for the very best babymoon: Close, convenient and CHILL. We’ve rounded up seven winning spots in the Bay that are sure to satisfy and expecting couple’s cravings. Click through to see them all.

Pampering For Both Parents: Mellow Mommy at Timber Cove

California's number one baby moon expert wants to pamper parents to be at one of the coast's most stunning locales. Cindy Scott-Fuchs, a wife and mother of two, has been a certified massage therapist since 1994 and has been hosting private Mellow Mommy Babymoons at Timber Cove Resort (just before Sea Ranch on Highway 1) for the last ten years. But Timber Cove has recently undergone an incredible renovation, and so there is no better excuse visit than with baby on the way. Scott-Fuchs can customize your package to include everything from massages (for both moms and dads), facials, herbal foot wrap, a Prenatal Art of Relaxation coaching session and Babymoon Bundle Gift Package (think herbal bath tea, aromatherapy oils, infant massage video and more). Book your dream babymoon through Mellow Mommy's website.

 

Do you have a suggestion for the perfect local babymoon escape? Tell us in the comments below!

–Erin Feher

 

If your little one’s idea of afternoon tea involves plastic cups and lukewarm faucet water (can’t knock the imagination, though), get ready to blow her mind with a real tea party at Vintage Glam Tea Party & Co., a one-of-a-kind party room located in Petworth. Pinkies up!

Photo: Vintage Tea Party

Someone Else’s Trash is Someone Else’s Treasure
The first floor houses a super-cute preloved boutique featuring vintage, used and new clothing, jewelry, accessories, gift wares and craft items (it’s almost impossible to not want to buy something, er…everything!). The second floor is where the magic happens in a Vintage Party Room that’s reminiscent of great-grandmas fancy formal living room. If you decide to throw a shindig here, an assigned host helps to coordinate everything around a tea party that features all vintage wares—from teacups and saucers to luncheon plates and serving tiers.

Photo: Vintage Tea Party

Girl Talk (and Tea)
While Vintage hosts all sorts of parties (think: baby showers, corporate gatherings, and grown-up get-togethers) their “Girlie Girl” Tea Parties are just what your tannin loving tyke ordered. Designed especially for littles (ages 6-12) who love to dress up, entertain friends and host cute tea parties, “Girlie Girl” Tea Parties are held for up to 12 guests in Vintage Glam’s party room or at an off site location.

Photo: Jannelle via Flickr

Cheers!
This isn’t your mom’s tea party! Guests get to use petite teacups and saucers, luncheon plates, cloth table linens and napkins, silverware, platters and servers for cake,  Centerpieces, tea (herbal or fruit), punch, milk or juice—regardless of the beverage tea cups, saucers and/or punch bowls are used—during the tea party. And, come dressed to impress, but just in case, consider renting Vintage Glam’s Fabulous Dressing Table staged with feather boas, vintage hats, bracelets, necklaces, handbags, gloves and scarves to accommodate “dress-up” during the party.

Cost: $12/person
Vintage Glam Boutique & Party Room
137 Kennedy St., NW (Petworth)
202-320-5154
Online: vintageglamteapartydc.com

Have you ever visited this tea party hot spot? Tell us about your visit in the comments section below. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

After a day of don’t-stop-till-I-drop play, it’s a serious task to scrub those tiny fingers and toes to squeaky-clean perfection. If you think the list of stuff in the average bathtime products sounds scarier than what’s in a can of cheese whiz, opt to keep it simple with naturally produced products (no sulfates, no phthalates, no-nothing-ates!) to get the job done. We searched high and low for everything from bubble baths to tear-free shampoos and found our new favorites. Browse through the slideshow below to find out exactly what made a splash.

Honest Co. Healing Balm

Grease up eczema-prone areas and dry spots with this extra thick ointment. We dig the subtle herbal scent and organic ingredients so much that we’ve probably used half the tube on our own chapped hands and elbows.

Available at Amazon.com$12.98.

What is your favorite natural bath time product for kids? Share with us in the comments!

—Susan Banchek