Organizing Tweens in 2012

We like to think of the entire month of January as resolution month - it take the pressure off of having to document all of our resolutions on New Year's Day. As we put our list for 2012 together, we're reminded of our list from 2011. So far, so good.

For us, starting the new year means starting with a new calendar. We use the big desk-blotter size ones and tape the current month to the fridge. The tweens love, love, love the Hello Kitty calendar stickers for marking big dates (birthdays, field trips, concerts, etc.), but alas those are no more. 

Typically we just use whatever calendar is at the office supply store (read, "BORing, Mom), so this year we resolved to look around to find a more colorful one.  Below are our faves:

Designer Erin Condren is GIFTED with color. She makes a personalized family calendar. $30 at ErinCondren.com

Dylan's Candy Bar has a fun wall calendar - it's half off for $7.47 on her website

Hello Kitty calendars no longer come with stickers, but SeeJaneWork has these calendar stickers that look hip (price unknown; they're on back order).

Kate Spade has a great idea for the little things - this wall calendar is full of fun photographic details. $20 with free shipping from KateSpade.com

Another very, very colorful calendar from Lilly Pulitzer - $24.50 online

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Barbie Gets a Tattoo

Barbie has her issues, and parents of girls are no stranger to them. Add this one to the list: the newest Barbie features Tokidoki tattoos on her body.
Certainly tattoos are becoming more mainstream, and many parents I know and love have them. Something tells me that a toy that claims to serve as a role model for girls and whose marquee product now models large, visibly highlighted tattoos will receive a lot of attention. (BTW, Hello Kitty didn't get a tokidoki tattoo.)

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World Water Day and Tweens

World Water Day was earlier this week (March 22, 2011), and it is a day for all of us to consider how we use the planet's most precious resource: fresh water.

Foregoing the use of bottled water is a great place to begin, so here's our picks for the best reusable water bottles for tweens on the go:

• Your sporty tween will appreciate the near-indestructible and lightweight water bottles made by Klean Kanteen. These are made out of stainless steel, BPA-free and come in a range of colors. Also, these can be ordered with a variety of drinking spouts, including the Sports Cap which is perfect for rapid rehydration breaks during sports. $16.45 for 18 oz; $17.95 for 27oz size from KleanKanteen.com
• An eco-conscious tween will love these glass bottles in a silicone sleeve from LifeFactory (the silicone sleeve protects the glass while it's being carried and prevents breakage from all but the most violent falls). These glass bottles can hold both hot (think herbal tea) and cold beverages, making them perfect for year-round use. $19.99 for 16 oz; $21.99 for 22 oz from

Sigg's aluminum bottles are widely available and easy to find. These bottles are also lightweight and come in a range of prints that will appeal to your artsy tween (they even come in a Hello Kitty design). $21.99 for a .6L size from MySigg.com

Note: as a reminder, MsTwixt is strictly editorial, and there is NO pay-to-play.

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Cool Kicks For Tweens: Zodiac Converse

Love this! Converse has had its make-your-own line for a few years now, but they've just introduced zodiac prints to this collection. Perfect for a tween's birthday.

We wrote earlier about a custom zodiac Hello Kitty stamp - this is its footwear counterpart. Very cool. Mom may need to get her own pair.

$65 from converse.com

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A Perfect Birthday Gift For Tweens

Remember our New Year's Resolution post about writing thank you notes? We had a terrific response to that idea, and one company, Expressionery, wrote to tell us about their line of stationery created for tweens. Their cards are fun and customizable, but what we REALLY fell for were their custom Hello Kitty zodiac stamps. How cute is this!?!?

We think this is a perfect birthday gift for the next time your tween has a birthday party to attend - it's personalized, unique, and will be adored by the recipient. We chose one with our name (Ms.Twixt), city (Washington, DC), and our horoscope (Gemini). You could have an entire address printed on the stamp, making it ideal for envelopes, invitations, and customizing school supplies and notebooks (which, come to think of it, will help our tweens stick to another New Year's Resolution to pack and keep the right gear).

The company also makes a fun line of invitations, cards and bookplates featuring the Jonas Brothers, Hannah Montana, and (our fave) the Wizards of Waverly Place.

Hello Kitty zodiac stamp, $45; flat note cards start at $14/set

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Adorable Hello Kitty Hat and Gloves

We just saw this super cute set of Hello Kitty hat and gloves for tweens on FredFlare.com. $36 for the set. How cute is that?

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A Real Hello Kitty Car

In celebration of Sanrio's 50th anniversary, Smart Car has created three Hello Kitty wrapped Smart Cars. Even though tweens are too young to drive, they'll love seeing these cute cars. The cars are available for order for those so inclined, and they can be seen on a national tour here.

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Lady Gaga As Hello Kitty?

Calling all Hello Kitty fans!

We just saw this photo of Lady Gaga styled as Hello Kitty - complete with the massive round eyes (no, these weren't done with the scary round contact lenses - they're painted on her eyelids - Ms. Gaga did the entire photoshoot with her eyes shut).

Totally Gaga.

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Happy Birthday to Lady Gaga! (Did You Know She's Only 24?)

Lady Gaga is only 24 years old today, but her music career belies her youth. Everyone get up and just dance!

Photo credit: Photographed by Markus Klinko and Indrani as part of a photoshoot in honor of Hello Kitty's 35th birthday (which we wrote about earlier).

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First Tween Malia Obama and Hello Kitty

First Tween Malia Obama's fashion choices are being modeled by fellow fashion icon Hello Kitty!

In celebration of Hello Kitty's 35th birthday, a series of events around the globe are being held in her honor. Sanrio, Hello Kitty's company, has commissioned a dress for her based on the frock Ms. Obama wore at the Democratic Convention during her father's acceptance of the Democratic Presidential nomination. The dress was designed by Necessary Objects and is a tween-appropriate silhouette of a white sleeveless dress with a pink lace overlay and wide pink sash.

No word as yet on when and where this version of Hello Kitty doll will be available.

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Happy 35th Birthday to Hello Kitty!

She hasn't aged a day since her debut 35 years ago and still looks as cute as ever. Did you know that Hello Kitty lives in London with her parents and twin sister Mimi? The woman who created her is Ikuko Shimizu.

A special exhibition called "Three Apples" of Hello Kitty-inspiried art is at the L.A. theatre space, Royal-T until November 15th. There's even an entire apartment outfitted with Hello Kitty things, and tokidoki artist, Simone Legno, created a special poster just for the event (available for $20). The exhibit is open to the public and free. (BTW, "three apples" is how much Hello Kitty weighs.)



At the opening party on October 22nd, tween celebrity Miranda Cosgrove of Nickelodeon's iCarly was in attendance, as was Tarina Tarantino and Kimora Lee Simmons. The birthday party today included breakfast of Hello Kitty waffles and pancakes, artist workshop, temporary tattoo booth, and, of course, birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Hello Kitty!

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