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  • Blog
  • About Me
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to our List Serves!
    • Press Page - Travel
    • Hire Me!
    • DIY Hair Inspo!
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimers
  • Family Travel + Momcations
  • Membership
  • NJ / NY Guides
    • Day Trips & Weekend Getaways from NYC
    • Hudson Valley >
      • Day Trips & Activities
    • Bay Ridge Families >
      • Life in NYC >
        • Brooklyn
        • Bronx
        • Manhattan
        • Queens
        • Staten Island
      • Summer Camp Guide
      • Birthday Party Guide
      • Classes & Activities for Babies & Toddlers
      • Halloween Guide
      • Holiday Guide
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Advertising
      • Submit Your Event

#1 Monthly Clothing Subscription Box for Girls - kidpik review

5/28/2019

4 Comments

 
Girl moms and mini fashionistas, this one is for you!! We recently did a review of kidpik basics (budget-friendly and super cute a la carte girls' clothing), and now we're back with a (sponsored) unboxing and review of kidpik subscription box! Keep reading and don't miss our fun unboxing and fashion show video embedded at the bottom of the post!!!
US Japan Fam reviews kidpik - voted best monthly clothing subscription box for girls
There is no stylist fee, no subscription fee, no shipping or return fee. Basically, there's no risk when ordering your kidpik subscription box!!! You take the stylist quiz (see some of the questions in the carousel below), select the sizes and frequency to receive your box (every 4, 6, or 12 weeks) and bam, your girl's box is on the way!


Available for girls ages 3-12 years (sizes 4-16), each box includes 7 items (clothing, accessories, and shoes, or you can select not to include shoes), with an average cost of $13.50 per item or $95 per box. You only pay for the items you don't send back within a week, but if you keep ALL the items, you get a 30% off "keep all" discount! And because each box is personally stylized for your girl's preferences, it's quite likely you'll want to keep them all! We sure did! But just in case, they include a pre-paid return envelope, to make returns super easy.
US Japan Fam reviews kidpik - voted best monthly clothing subscription box for girls
One thing I find very unique about this particular subscription box is that it's not a mish mosh of brands. Every item is kidpik brand - high quality, super cute, and not available in stores! Knowing every item was hand picked by a stylist for your daughter feels pretty special, too! Fast forward a few years, I can totally see my girls signing up, taking the stylist quiz, and handling all of this for themselves (with minimal supervision)! Such a fun system for your lil' fashionistas - no driver's license necessary! HA!

So what are you waiting for?! Go ahead and sign up for your no risk box of girl's clothing here!! And get 40% off your whole box + free shipping with code USJF40, valid 5/31/19 thru 6/13/19

Share kidpik with a friend and you and your friend will receive $15!

4 Comments

Cute Helmets for Toddlers & Kids: Mini Hornit LIDS Review

5/25/2019

9 Comments

 
Cute Helmets for Toddlers & Kids: Mini Hornit Lids review by US Japan Fam
Safety first guys. Kids should be in an age and weight appropriate carseat or booster when in the car, and wearing a good helmet when riding bikes, scooters, or roller skates. But helmets don't have to come with a "Come on mommmmmm, do I have toooooo!?!?" battle of wills. Helmets can be COOL! Adorable! A fun fashion statement!! I ran across the Mini Hornit LIDS line of helmets at Toy Fair New York and reached out to them immediately when realizing my kiddos had outgrown their previous helmets. They sent us 3 to review, and we are LOVING them!!! Watch our quick video below unboxing and modeling them (there may even be a little "Baby Shark" ditty belted out by yours truly LOL! And keep reading for more about the helmets!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links - you don't pay more but we will earn a small commission for purchases made.
The fun kid-friendly designs are definitely the first thing that'll grab your attention, but there are some other features we are loving as well:
  1. Integrated LED light!! That's right, in the back of the helmet is a battery-powered LED light that you simply press for 3 various options of flashing, solid, or off. Works 10 hours solid light or 20 hours flashing light. 2x AG3 batteries included.
  2. 11 air vents to keep your child's sweaty head from combusting this summer.
  3. Regular adjustable straps under ears and chin, but an additional sizing adjuster in the back, with a simple turning knob for a quick final adjustment.
  4. Simple sizing - size Small for ages 2-5 years (48-53cm) and Medium for 5+ years (53-58cm).
  5. EN1078 and CPSC tested
Cute Helmets for Toddlers & Kids: Mini Hornit Lids review by US Japan Fam
You can find Mini Hornit LIDS for about $45 on US.TheHornit.com and Amazon (affiliate link). Here's the current lineup, which one are you loving most? I was hoping my kids would pick my own favorites: The Aviator, Commander, and Wayfarerer haha, but of course, they had their own preferences, which I love, too!!
Helmet Designs, Mini Hornit LIDS
And if you can wait, here are the 4 new designs coming out in June 2019:
Mini Hornit LIDS 2019 Kids' Helmet Designs
And here are some recent related product reviews we think you might find helpful:
  • Sun Safe Swimwear for Kids (and Adults) by UV Skinz
  • EzyRoller - Ride-On Active Fun for Kids & Adults
  • Our Top Pick for Your Child's First Comforter 
  • Syunsoku Children's Sneakers
  • Kawaii Japanese Kigurumi for Halloween, Playing Dress Up, & Cosplay
  • Back to School Haul: The Best Kids Shoes, Bento Box, & Washable Labels
  • Tips for Setting Up Your First Bunk Bed
9 Comments

Watch Rilakkuma and Kaoru on Netflix and Get Shopping!

5/3/2019

2 Comments

 
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We just discovered an adorable new Japanese show on Netflix, stop motion Rilakkuma and Kaoru! You can watch it in English or Japanese (or a few other languages), and as it takes place in Japan, you'll notice tons of places and customs you recognize if you've ever been to Japan or happen to be a Japanophile, fan of Japanese Anime / Manga fan, etc.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links - you don't pay more but we earn a little commission on products you purchase to help fund the blog
Trailer in English:
Trailer in Japanese:
Official website by creators San-X (in Japanese).

SHOPPING!!
You can load up on adorable Rilakkuma wears over at shopkutame.com (affiliate link)!
  • Rilakkuma Kigurumi Hooded Onesie (affiliate link; "A soft, toy-like brown bear whose interests are mostly limited to sleeping and eating. He appeared in front of Kaoru's apartment one day and started living with her afterwards." ~Wikipedia)
  • Korilakkuma Kigurumi Hooded Onesie (affiliate link; "A small, toy-like white bear and Rilakkuma's close friend. He also appeared at Kaoru's front door one day and began living with her too." ~Wikipedia)
  • Rilakkuma Blind Box (affiliate link)
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Love all things Japan?
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Don't miss the Japan Playlist on our YouTube Channel - featuring our Japanese product reviews and unboxings, our travels to Japan, cooking Japanese food with our kids, and more!!
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Dyeing Virgin Brown Hair Vibrant Colors (without bleach)

4/23/2019

63 Comments

 
​How will vibrant hair dyes show up on virgin brown hair? Read on & watch my videos below to see how different brands and colors have worked on me before you try on your own hair!!

**updated 1/23/2024** as the years went along I did eventually play around with bleach, so you'll see some videos how to bleach brown hair, and how later colors look on both bleached and unbleached hair!! YOLO - It's just hair, lets have some fun!!!

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission from qualified purchases after clicking the affiliate links below.
US Japan Fam - Dyeing Virgin Brown Hair Vibrant Colors (without bleach)

​In high school I went through some crazy hair phases - from platinum blonde to dark red, you name it! I spent much of my 20's with long blonde highlighted hair, spending tons of money at salons in Tokyo and NYC. After meeting my now husband, I settled into my "mousy light brown" hair and have not changed it color-wise for over a decade! But... I got bored. So, I recently started my adventure with vibrant semi-permanent hair dyes, ones that wash out in 4-15 washes and don't have bleach, ammonia, or any really damaging chemicals. They're cheap, they're fun, but do they work??

​In a nutshell, you can't expect to look like Mal from Descendants without bleaching your hair first, but you can still have fun without lightening it. I'll add my youtube videos below as I try new colors - comment below with what you think, what colors you've played around with, etc!! Check this out if you're looking for tips on dying or straightening your hair for the first time, and keep reading / watching for my experiences with many different hair colors and brands! 

L'Oreal Colorista (Burgundy)
This was my first delve into the vibrant semi-permanent hair dyes (in January 2018). I bought 2 boxes at Rite Aid for about $20, and spent about $50 at the salon having them apply it because I was too scared to try it and ruin my hair and bathroom haha!! It was beautiful, purplish reddish dark brown, but it did wash out very quickly, about 50% the first wash and by 5 washes was pretty much gone. I did shampoo with warm/hot water and regular shampoo with sulfate, so I'm not sure how much this had to do with the quick fade out. It was fun and I liked it, but with the salon expense, totally not worth it.
  • ​​Purchase L'oreal Colorista Semi-Permanent Hair Color on Amazon (affiliate link)

Clairol Color Crave (Orchid)
This was my 2nd "crazy" color, and my first ever time dyeing my own hair (or anyone's, for that matter). Watch the video, it's helpful but mostly funny - I take you through my paranoid prep of my head (Burt's Bees ointment all over my hairline, ears, and neck) and bathroom (garbage bags all over), dyeing my hair, washing it out, and how it looks dyed. It was very dark, blueish purple in sunlight, almost black in regular indoor lighting. There was ZERO SMELL from the dye itself or on my head afterward, which was awesome, but makes sense since there aren't really any harsh chemicals in there. The vaseline worked well at protecting my skin, and I ended up getting some dye on my hands and arms when I forgot gloves washing it off, but it came off with a quick rub with hand sanitizer! I'll update this page when I find out how quickly it fades, I'm a bit nervous it'll go grey during the fadeout, since it is quite a blueish hue of purple. It's supposed to last 15 washes and this time I'll be trying to use colder water and special sulfate-free color safe shampoo and conditioner (Redken Color Extend Magnetics Sulfate-Free Shampoo & L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Moisture Conditioner - affiliate links).
  • ​​Purchase Clairol Color Crave Semi-Permanent Hair Color (amazon affiliate link) 

L'Oreal Colorista Teal
My 3rd "crazy" color, I let my YouTuber fans vote and pick this one out actually!! Unfortunately, it came out a bit more green than blue and I'm not really loving it. And it really lingered, more than 6 months later and the green hue was still there, and highlights made it reappear! But it covered up easily with the next colors.
  • Purchase L'Oreal Colorista Teal here (Amazon affiliate link)

Manic Panic Amplified Hot Hot Pink
My 4th color job, and my favorite results so far!!! LOVE THIS STUFF!! But... it washed out VERY quickly, quicker than the others.
  • Purchase Manic Panic on Amazon (Amazon affiliate link)

New Cut & Half Head Highlights (12/2/2019):

oVertone Coloring Conditioner Rose Gold for Brown Hair (dyed 12/4/2019)
The in shower conditioner kept it from fading like 90%, so amazing!! I used it in almost every shower - I'd towel dry, apply in shower, comb through, let sit 5 minutes, then rinse out and shower off, no gloves needed (it tinted my palms a wee bit pink each time but it came off quickly and wasn't obvious at all). As soon as I finished the bottle (took about 2 months, i wash my hair just 1-2x a week) and started taking hot showers without it, it faded very quickly, almost gone in about 5 washes!
  •  Buy oVtertone (Amazon affiliate link)

oVertone Coloring Conditioner - Purple for Brown Hair
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(dyed 3/15/2020)
This purple guys, it is STRONG STUFF!! I recommend wearing gloves in the shower when using the in-shower conditioner because it tinted my hands and nails pretty significantly each time. I did this color during COVID lockdown so didn't really care all that much that my palms/nails got tinted, and my kids got a kick out of it LOL! But, just a heads up!! The purple lasted the same as the last overtone color I did - in shower conditioner kept the color pretty good and it faded very quickly when I stopped.
  • ​ Buy oVtertone (Amazon affiliate link)


oVertone Coloring Conditioner - Extreme Pink
(dyed 8/20/2020)
Great color!! Came out pretty much same color as Manic Panic Hot Hot Pink (see above). To save money you could do the Manic Panic for initial color and keep it going with the oVertone in shower extreme pink conditioner... After I stopped using the in shower conditioner, it didn't want to fade all the way out. But I moved on to my next color (below) and it covered the remaining rose gold hues no problem!
  •  Buy oVtertone (Amazon affiliate link)

Manic Panic Shocking Blue over Rose Gold Hair
(dyed 11/4/2020) Beware, this blue man, it gets everywhere!!! Until my first shampoo, it bled like CRAZY!!! My fingers got stained anytime I touched my hair, and blue was all over my computer keyboard, shirts, etc. Yikes!! After the first wash it was fine, but it faded SUPER quick and after it was all gone, the pink from my previous color remained under it! Kinda weird but I loved the pink so it's all good.
  • Buy Manic Panic (Amazon affiliate link)

Purple & Pink Ombre with oVertone
(dyed 1/14/2021) I decided to try using 2 colors for the first time, and didn't have the skill or patience to go strand by strand as the professionals did. So I went with my typical "massage in by hand like shampoo" method and it actually came out great!! I used Purple for Brown Hair on top half and Extreme Pink on bottom half.
  • Buy oVertone here (Amazon affiliate link)

Manic Panic Vampire Red
(dyed 5/17/2021) I wanted to try a new color and was on the fence between Crazy Color Fire and Manic Panic Vampire red, in the end went with the latter since I've had good luck with Manic Panic on my unbleached brown hair in the past. This one seemed thinner than I'm used to and I made a bit of a mess but it came out FABULOUS!!!! Loving it! 
  • Buy Manic Panic here (Amazon affiliate link)

oVertone Extreme Green
July 20, 2021 - used oVertone extreme green over my (still tinted red from manic panic vampire red) brown hair. didn't love it, i think the red canceled out the green mostly? it washed out SUPER quickly, maybe 3 shampoos. tops. 
  • Buy oVertone here (Amazon affiliate link)

oVertone Rich Black
September 8, 2021 - Dyed my hair black with oVertone Rich Black coloring conditioner! Very thick and easy to use it seems to have a bit of a purple hint. Very dark but not black black on my brown hair. Still a fun color, I really love it!
  • Buy oVertone here (Amazon affiliate link)

November 22, 2022 - Bleaching my virgin brown (shaved) head with Manic Panic Blue Lighting bleach kit (Amazon affiliate link)

May 6, 2022 - Dying bleached blond and virgin brown hair teal with oVertone (Amazon Affiliate link).

June 2, 2022 - Dying bleached blond and virgin brown hair pastel blue with oVertone (Amazon Affiliate link).

June 27, 2022 - Bleaching virgin brown hair and double bleaching blonde hair with Loreal Feria Hyper Platinum (Amazon affiliate link)

October 19, 2022 - Dying hair copper with Clairol Color Gloss Up Terra Copper (Amazon affiliate link)

December 8, 2022 - Dying my brown hair with Manic Panic Ultra Violet (Amazon Affiliate link)

January 23, 2023 - Dying hair burgandy with Arctic Fox Ritual (Amazon affiliate link)

Feb 19, 2023 - Dying brown hair with Crazy Color Bordeaux (Amazon affiliate link)

April 28, 2023 - Dying my brown hair with Lime Crime Unicorn Hair Bubblegum Rose (Amazon affiliate link)

July 2, 2023 - dying brown hair with Hair Dope Hair Juice Fuchsia (Amazon affiliate link)

August 5, 2023 - Dying brown hair with Lunar Tides Plum Purple (Amazon affiliate link)

Nov 21, 2023 - Dying brown and bleached hair with oVertone pastel pink, pastel blue, and purple for brown hair!! Buy oVertone here (Amazon affiliate link

Not hair dye related, but here are my fun DIY haircut videos!!
63 Comments

Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide

4/19/2019

17 Comments

 
US Japan Fam's Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide
Disclaimer: This blog post is sponsored by oNecklace and Responsival, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links - you don't pay more but we will earn a small commission for purchases made.
Mother's Day is coming up and we all have different feelings about this day. For many, it's a day to reflect on all that the mother does for the family. To spoil her, or at least to take a moment to say "Thank you and I love you!" But we have to remember for some, it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Some women are struggling to become mothers, some are grieving the loss of our own mothers, some have a tense relationship with their mother / mother-in law / baby mama or even their own children! No matter the case, we can all agree that without mothers, none of us would be here. It becomes our responsibility to keep her happy and small gestures like Personalized gifts for mom are really helpful to bring a smile on her face. So, to commemorate the day just how you want to, if that means gifting yourself or a mother with something lovely, unique, and treasurable - anything from a personalized necklace to a full day of treatments at Spa MD to a gorgeous set of huggie earrings (adding a bit of beauty and bling without being unpractical for a busy mom - from round to square with or without diamonds, these Aurate earrings are so pretty and exactly what this mama needs!!), then this is the post for you! I bring you my unique Mother's Day Gift Guide!
huggie earrings from aurate

Personalized Jewelry
I have been wanting this myself for ages, and just hadn't made the splurge or hinted at it to my partner in crime, oops! But I got a beautiful personalized piece of mothers' jewelry thanks to oNecklace who provided me with this gorgeous Three Tone Ring Engraved Mother Necklace, currently 40% off, selling for just $47.95!! Beyond having your children's names engraved (smallest ring is 24K gold plated, next is rose gold, and largest ring is 925 sterling silver), you can also customize the clasp (lobster or spring-ring clasps) and chain length (with 14 - 22" available). oNecklace has TONS of other designs available - mother jewelry, and non-mother necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, for kids and adults. oNecklace has been around since 2012 and has been featured in British Vogue and on Pretty Little Liars and The Talk, they offer free shipping and have a 90-day return policy, so what do you have to lose!? Check 'em out!
US Japan Fam's Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide featuring Mother's Jewelry by oNecklace

Mugs, Tumblers, & Glasses
Whether she's a wine lover, coffee addict, tea enthusiast, fitness freak, or just your average Jane struggling to stay hydrated, you can't go wrong with a fun or stylish beverage container. Pick out one with a silly catch phrase, an inspirational quote, or even some photos of your kids - the sky's the limit! I'm loving the motherhood line of glasses by Pearhead, featuring wine glasses (affiliate link) and ceramic coffee mugs (affiliate link).
Motherhood Wine Glasses by Pearhead, on US Japan Fam's Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide

Subscription Box
Nothing says love like a box of goodies delivered right to their doorstep! Thankfully there are a bazillion subscription boxes out there to choose from!! Got a fitness or yoga lover? Check out my review (and $10 off coupon) for Yoga Club!! For regular clothing (men, women, and kids) try Stitch Fix (affiliate link).
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Intangible Services
Sometimes the most thoughtful gifts don't come in packages with pretty bows on top. What about booking her a day at the spa, or that cut and color she's had on the back burner for months (or years) because she just hasn't had the child-free time to "pamper" herself on such a "luxury"!? Heck, you can even book a sitter for her to have some free time - check out Sitter City!

Professional Photography
When's the last time your family had a professional photoshoot? Book one to commemorate Mother's Day this year, or every year! Or, just for the mama, how about a Boudoir Shoot? It's certainly not for everyone, but would be an experience she'll never forget (and probably some photos she and her partner will appreciate having decades down the road!). If you don't know of a great local photographer, hey, there's an app for that, with plenty of "on-demand" photography booking options these days. With Shoott in NYC, for example, you book on demand (or ahead) and get a free on location 30 minute photo shoot and only pay for the photos you keep (each is $15 or less)!! Some others include PhotoSesh, Snappr, and Snapped.
US Japan Fam's Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide - Professional Photography

Other Ideas:
Support your mama friends by shopping through them!! Here are a few great Mother's Day gift ideas from my mom friends:
  • Pampered Chef - Now, don't be a rookie and get her a blender or a "necessity" that shouldn't count as a "gift"... how about a Wine Tumblers & Bag, Premium Cocktail Set, or Cold Brew Pitcher!
  • Rodan + Fields - Help mom age backwards. Give the gift of youth this Mother's Day with R+F's Redefine or Reverse regimens and show mom the love she deserves! 
  • Burst Toothbrush - again, maybe not a great gift for others but who says you can't treat yourself to healthier (and prettier) teeth and gums? This sonic toothbrush has been rocking the dental world and is recommended by thousands of dentists and hygienists!
  • Kigurumi Oneise Costumes - have an anime / kawaii / Japan loving mom friend? Or want to buy a cute cuddly costume / pajamas to match your kids!? Go get you some Kigurumi hooded onesies!!
  • YoRo Naturals - struggle with your eczema prone skin, or know another mother who does? Check out this amazing Organic Manuka Honey Soothing Skin Cream (affiliate link) or their skin healing zinc & tencl infused fabric RemedyWear (affiliate link)!
  • Apparel by Brooklyn BoyMom - With logos like "comin' in hot" and "it's all grace" - these are fun, cute, and inspiring!
  • Get style help online, over the phone, or in person (at the shop in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn) at mama run Ogo New York - only a $30 commitment which will go toward purchases made!
  • Kannaway - Give mom the gift of all natural hemp-infused skin care products, in addition to a full line of natural hemp products including CBD supplements.
US Japan Fam's Unique Mother's Day Gift Guide

If all else fails and you're still at a complete loss for the perfect Mother's Day Gift, check out Amazon's exhaustive list of Mother's Day Gifts (affiliate list), with tons of categories and options!!
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Watch a Video!
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YogaClub Yoga Apparel Subscription Box Review

4/18/2019

6 Comments

 
US Japan Fam reviews YogaClub yoga apparel subscription service
Not sure how to dress for yoga? Looking for women's yoga clothing inspiration, how to look hot at the gym, or just to be comfy and cute while running errands? Say hello to YogaClub (who sponsored this post), a yoga apparel subscription service!

​You take a style quiz so that your yoga outfits are individualized for your taste, and for just $79 per box, you'll get the best yoga clothing brands (like Free People, Niyama Sol, Manduka, & Beyond Yog) at 60% off retail value, delivered to your door!

I love LOVE the items they sent me, the style quiz did its job, it's so detailed even asking if there's a part of your body you'd like to conceal (ehem, my #twinskin). I love how easy it has made it (as a mom of 3 convenience is KEY) to update my workout wardrobe gradually! If this sounds right up your alley, your hunt for a great fitness subscription box is over! Sign up here to get $20 off for life, and don't miss my unboxing, mini fashion show, and headstand in the video below LOL!!
Yoga Club
Yoga Club
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Basics by kidpik: Cute, Comfy & Budget-Friendly Girls' Fashion!

4/17/2019

4 Comments

 
US Japan Fam reviews the stylish, comfy, and budget-friendly girls' fashion line, Basics by Kidpik
Whether you like to coordinate your multiples like me, or you have a daughter who likes a multitude of solid color options to mix and match, you're going to love basics by kidpik (who provided us with some clothes in exchange for this review.) Offering the best in cute & fashionable basics for girls sized 4T - 16 - no logos, prints, or graphics - you can mix and match and let your girls show off their own style (without breaking the bank)!
We're talking buttery soft and comfy materials, in a rainbow of colors, at a price point that will make your wallet do a happy dance! As a mom of twins, their "Buy 2 get 30% off" deal for nearly every item is right up my alley, but their regular rates are great, too! For example, seamless tank tops (in 20 colors!!) for $7.50 (2 for $10), long sleeve layering tees for $10.50 (2 for $15), super soft skinny jeans for $22.50 (2 for $34), t-shirt dress for $14.50 (2 for $22), fun fringe denim shorts for $17.50 (2 for $25), and glitter sandals for $25 (all shown in the above image).
US Japan Fam reviews the stylish, comfy, and budget-friendly girls' fashion line, Basics by Kidpik
Check out my girls modeling the Coco Swing Top in Provence Blue ($10.50, 2 for $18) and Tie Front Skort in Pink Peacock ($15.50, 2 for $22). I love the skort - fun like a skirt and practical like shorts! I think it looks best with a fitted shirt tucked in (so you can see the adorable tie front), but I was happily surprised that the swing top actually works well in or out! Both are super duper soft, especially the skort, made of rayon spandex jersey. They're adorable and welcome additions to my girls' spring and summer wardrobe! The sizing was spot on, as well, my girls are in between 3T and 4T so we went with size 4 and it'll definitely fit through summer and probably even next year (now that's a great bang for your buck, am I right!?)
Get $10 and cash back for shopping with Rakuten
Before you shop basics by kidpik, make sure you have Rakuten (previously Ebates) plug-in installed on your browser - they're currently offering 6% cash back on kidpik purchases!! If you don't already have Rakuten, sign up with my affiliate link and get $10 toward your first purchase! 

Kidpik also has a great subscription box, check it out here! Each month you get 3 stylish mix and match outfits (7 pieces total). There's no stylist fee, you just pay for what you keep (and there's a 30% off discount if you choose the "keep all" option). Shipping, returns, and exchanges are FREE!
kidpik clothing subscription boxes for girls!
So, what do you think!? Let us know what fashion trends your daughters are loving these days!
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Sun Safe Swimwear for Kids (and Adults) by UV Skinz

3/29/2019

56 Comments

 
US Japan Fam's review & giveaway of UV Skinz UPF 50+ Swimwear for Kids
Disclaimer: We received product free in exchange for our review and hosting of this giveaway. This post contains some affiliate links, you don't pay more but we will receive a small commission from any purchases made.
I recently posted about my concerns over the typical (quite revealing) swimwear options available for young girls these days (read more here) and my hunt for more conservative and sun safe options for my toddlers. I did find a few options, one of them being UV Skinz, who sent us some great children's sets for review, and will be giving away a full children's swim set (hat, top, bottom) to one lucky reader!! Watch our fun unboxing and swimwear fashion show, keep reading the rest of our review, and enter to win in the app at the bottom of this post!
Founded by Rhonda Sparks after losing her 32-year old husband to Skin Cancer in 2001, UV Skinz produces UPF 50+ sunwear for babies through adults, aiming to provide families with "peace-of-mind in the sun". You'll find great styles in everything from swim suits and rash guards to sun hats and cover ups to dresses and hoodies!
Our 3 year old twins received adorable swim sets from UV Skinz Girls' Seaside Breeze Collection. Emi got the purple-hued Hibiscus Floral Stripe design and Mia got the Pink Flamingo Stripe design in: Swim Shirt ($28.95), Swim Skirt ($29.95), and Sun Hat ($24.95). The skirts have built in bikini bottoms and an adjustable tie on the inside. The skirt provides extra coverage (from the sun, etc), as well as the "fun" skirt factor that some little girls (like my Mia) can't get enough of! We haven't had a chance to wear them in the sun or water yet, but they're absolutely in love with their new outfits and demanded wearing them around the house for 3 days straight, I kid you not, you can even see them donning their swimwear in our latest cooking video LOL!! That's definitely one perk of these modest swimwear - you can wear them in the water, on the beach, and once dried off, even straight into the shops and restaurants - no cover up needed! 
US Japan Fam's review & giveaway of UV Skinz UPF 50+ Swimwear for Kids
Our 6 year old son received a set from the Boys' Seaside Breeze Collection - the Jaspe Royal Turtle Sport Sun & Swim Shirt ($31.95), Board Shorts ($26.95), and Snap Back Hat ($19.95). The board shorts have velcro and tie, are nice and long (knee-length) for maximum sun coverage, and are adjustable inside so you can make them snugger or looser, which is not something I've seen in swim shorts before and is great!! They also have built in mesh underwear which I know some people don't like (inspect before each use to make sure there are no holes that could entrap anything, or cut them if super paranoid), but they're required in NYC public pools so I was grateful to see it! The hat is adjustable in the back, and has a moisture-wicking terry cloth sweat band.
US Japan Fam's review & giveaway of UV Skinz UPF 50+ Swimwear for Kids
The designs and the quality are top notch, and the sizing seems to be correct as well. The shirts are a great length, we've had some rash guard shirts that were a bit short, leading to their bellies hanging out, but these are perfect! The only negative is that the necks are cut pretty small, meaning my kids aren't able to get them on and off over their heads by themselves, but on the bright side, they're fitted and tall, meaning more sun protection (without need for regular sunblock applications) for those delicate little necks!
​You can purchase UV Skinz on uvskinz.com and Amazon (affiliate link), but you can also win some in our giveaway here!! Open to US residents ages 18 and over, one lucky winner will receive a hat, swim top, and swim bottom set for boy or girl in their choice of size. Don't forget, the more actions you take in the below app, the more chances you earn to win! Good luck!! Giveaway ends at 11:59PM EST on Thursday, April 11.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
56 Comments

Why I Want My Girls in More Conservative Swimwear

3/5/2019

9 Comments

 
Why I Want My Girls in More Conservative Swimwear
In a nutshell, I want to better protect my girls from the sun, and the creeps. Watch my short video, then keep reading and be sure to comment with your thoughts on girls' swimwear, the YouTube "adpocalypse" / "commentpocalypse", or your take on clothing gender norms!
Why are 95% of girls' swimwear options teeny one-pieces and bikinis? Sure, many styles are adorable. Seeing a toddler wearing a little retro-style bikini, I mean, come on, SO CUTE! But... they are not being protected, from the sun or the creeps out there. It's not 1980. In this day of social media, we're sharing photos and videos like crazy. We're sharing our own, and perhaps strangers are snapping away and sharing them without you even knowing it!

Have you heard about the latest YouTube drama? Not Momo, that's a different type of terrifying. No, I'm talking about the pedophile wormhole ring that was discovered. Apparently they're commenting with time stamps of their favorite moments and sharing videos of girls doing gymnastics, toddlers at the water park, you name it. Innocent videos. Of kids. It's sickening.

​So, YouTube, to protect children, or advertisers, or both, all of a sudden slammed on channels featuring kids. Demonetizing videos that show a bit too much skin, or touch on certain topics. And turning off comments on millions of channels, mine included. It's annoying, but they did it for a good reason. And it's eye opening. One of our vacation videos had about 30 seconds of me holding our baby twins in swim diapers. Demonetized. I hadn't had any odd time stamp comments, but does this mean it'd been targeted by the creepers? Or is it something Advertisers might not want to be associated with? Who knows... But it got me thinking.
Hoping to protect my girls from both the sun and creeps (online and in real life), I went looking for a cute tankini - board short type set. Couldn't find ANYTHING out there. Ended up getting the cute rash guard and shorts set shown in our title banner (affiliate link - only $15, great deal!!), and below are some other pretty good options that friends shared with me, but frankly, I'm still hunting for a great "girly" belly-covering tankini & board short option!! If you know of one, please comment below!! And if you're a clothing manufacturer, get on it, this is a niche that needs to be filled!!!
Here are some brands I've found with more conservative / skin covering options for girls:
  • SWIMZIP (affiliate link) - has great zip up short and long sleeve rash guards for baby through adult, as well as zip-up body suits for babies and toddlers.
  • UV SKINZ (affiliate link) - cute UPF options for babies through adults, and some really great skirt swim bottoms for girls!
  • Lands End (affiliate link) - some cute swim short options, though these seem to be in bigger girl sizes rather than toddler, which is a general issue I'm seeing when looking for "board shorts / swim shorts"
  • Nozone (affiliate link) - UPF options for baby through adult, made in Canada
9 Comments

Toy Fair New York 2019 - My Picks for Best Toys of 2019

3/1/2019

6 Comments

 
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York
A couple of weeks ago I spent the day at Toy Fair New York 2019 and phew, it was a BIG day! This was my 3rd year in a row attending Toy Fair New York, which is only open to toy makers & distributers, buyers, and media. Since it's not open for you guys, the consumers, I always feel responsible and excited to walk the expo floor, booth by booth, hours on end, to find the new, exciting, and mind blowing products new to the market or coming soon. Many of these will be the hottest toys for Christmas 2019, and will be on all of your kids' wish lists! For the kids at heart out there, there are some great toys for you, too, as well as some non-toy products!! So, watch my Toy Fair New York highlights video below featuring my picks for the BEST TOYS OF 2019, and keep reading below that for some photos and details of a select few items from the video (some affiliate links are included, which provide our blog with a small comission from items you purchase - thank you)!

BEST ACTIVE TOYS:
  • Brightz CosmicBrightz - LED lights for your bike frame and wheels, $13 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Easy Rollerz Heel Wheels - for toddler through adult, turn any sneaker into a roller skate! $25 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Dexster Ezy Roller - stay tuned we have a personal review / video coming soon on this one!! You sit down on it, low to the ground, and move it with your feet (not pedals though). hard to explain, but so fun!! $120 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Flybar My First Foam Pogo - a foam squeaking pogo for ages 3 and up, $17 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Monkey Moves Card Game - play alone, with a partner, or on teams, using cards that show various yoga / acro yoga poses to make. $15 on monkeymovesgame.com
  • My Buddy Wheels by Yvolution - cute plushie covers for balance bikes! Coming soon, stay tuned on their Facebook page!
  • Pulse Lightup Skates - rechargeable light pulsing roller skates. Need I say more!?  $80 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Wipeout Dry Erase Protective Gear - helmets, elbow and knee pads, and more - kids draw on them with dry erase markers and wipe off! $20 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link)
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Active Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST ARTS & CRAFTS TOYS:
  • PixPerfect - create art gallery worthy creations with sequins! $50 for a kit on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Spyrocity by Quill On - make very cool 3D pictures using wound-up strips of paper! $27.99 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • TreeMendous Christmas Tree Ornament Decorator Kit - by the makers of the EggMazing Easter Egg Decorator Kit, it spins your ornament while you color, so fun, and comes out great!! $30 on Amazon (affiliate link) but on sale now for $16!!
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Arts & Crafts Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST BABY & TODDLER TOYS:
  • HenBea Light Table - light up activity table that acts as a white board - use stencils, get creative putting colors together, etc! Not available in the US... yet... see it on henbeastore.com
  • Trail Master Wagon by Simplay3 - a 1 or 2 seater wagon, rickshaw style - fun for the kids, easy for the parent. The  handle comes off and flips over for more compact storage. 2-seater for $130, single-seater for $110 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Vertiplay Wall Toys - stick these to the wall, little ones can play, make music, and more! $20 - $40 on Amazon (affiliate link).
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Baby & Toddler Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST BOOKS & READING TOYS:
  • Ditty Bird Song Books - great board books with popular children's songs at the push of a button! $16 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Mark My Time Digital Bookmark - digital book marks with have timers, lights, and more! $10 - $20 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Quiet Books by Piqipi - great soft books for little ones with quiet activities on each page! A couple are listed for $55 on Amazon (affiliate link) but seems like the price will be lower once the line is released. You can see them on piqipi.com
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Book Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST COMPOUND TOYS:
  • ORB Slimi Cafe - create desserts with reusable slime, squishies and other fun compounds.  Hitting the US market on March 7, 2019!! See more on orbslimicafe.com.
  • SloFlo - a very cool new compound similar to kinetic sand and Mad Mattr, yet different. Very cool and worth checking out, hitting the market soon but get more info on playvisions.com
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Compound Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST COOKING TOYS:
  • Hapinest by Island Genius - created by a mom and dad team, this adorable baking set comes with a cute apron, easy cook book, cookie cutters, frosting bags and reusable coupler, and a patented rolling pin that makes cookies of the perfect thickness, and dough won't stick to it! $35 atislandgenius.com/collections/hapinest.
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Cooking Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST PRETEND PLAY TOYS:
  • Densters Build Your Own Fort at Home - a set of clips that easily allows you to attach blankets to any chairs, doors, corners, you name it. $30 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Little Medical School Kits - how to be a pediatrician, veterinarian, etc! Great for aspiring professionals, or imaginative kids! $50 on littlemedicalschool.com
  • Pop-Oh-Ver Pretend Play - these canvas sets go over your chair to make a stove, ice cream parlor, or kitchen counter! $40 on Amazon (affiliate link)
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Pretend Play Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST PLUSHY TOYS:
  • Cubcoats​ - an adorable hoodie that folds into a stuffed animal!! How cute AND practical!!  $45 - $50 on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • WowWee Pink Fong Baby Shark Singing Puppet - the faster you move your hand, the faster it sings Baby Shark! HA!!! Not on the market yet, but it should pop up here on Amazon (affiliate link) when for sale.
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Plushy Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST TRAVEL TOYS & PRODUCTS:
  • ClypX Car Seat Belt Positioner - an alternative to the booster, this brings the seat belt to a safe position for your child. $40 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • KidsEmbrace Character Car Seats​ - these are frankly the coolest car seats I have ever seen!!! WOW!!! From superheros to cartoon characters, $119 - $165 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Micro Luggage Easy - luggage with a built in seat so your child (or an adult!) can sit on it as you pull it through the airport - leave the stroller at home! $180 on Amazon (affiliate link).
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Travel Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

BEST VIDEO GAME & TECH TOYS:
  • Artie 3000 by Educational Insights - a coding robot for ages 7 - 12, you create the code and Artie draws. Not yet available but you can buy him soon on Amazon (affiliate link).
  • My Arcade Micro Player Arcades - the classic arcade games you know and love, for your desktop! $18 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Shifu Orboot Globe - augmented reality globe that lets you learn about the world with a handy app. $60 (on sale for $50) on Amazon (affiliate link)
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Video Game Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

OTHER HOT ITEMS (not toys):
  • iDecoz Phone Mirrors and Decals - hold your train pass, credit cards, check your makeup, you name it! $4~ on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Para'kito - refillable mosquito repellant bands, $19 on Amazon (affiliate link)
  • Sunshine & Glitter Mermaid Sunscreen - 50+ SPF, biodegradeable (reef-safe), 80 mintue water resistant, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen!! Your skin will glitter and be protected from the sun, SO AWESOME!! $19 on Amazon (affiliate link)
US Japan Fam's Picks the Best Toys for 2019 from Toy Fair New York

In case you missed my Best Toys for 2018 video from Toy Fair New York last year, watch it below, LOTS of gooooooood stuff!
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    I'm a NYC metro area mom blogger living in NJ with my Japanese husband & our 3 kids (twins + 1), focusing on fun and honest product and travel reviews, helping busy parents find the best for their families! Find what you need in the menu bar or search section above!

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