Welcome to the Red Tricycle blog. Joia Poort, RT Chief Product Reviewer, has been dishing on the myriad kiddie items that come through the office.

She'll continue in her quest to find the latest & greatest must-have parenting items. In the upcoming weeks we'll also introduce you to our panel of local experts who will share the scoop with you on everything from kids' music reviews to green living.

It's all part of our continuing effort here at RT to make your job as a parent easier and more fun. Stay tuned...

You’ve heard it before. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. If you’re rethinking your current shopping habits, it’s never been easier for eco-savvy Seattle & Eastside mamas to shop for great deals on gently-used clothes. From thrift shops for die-hard bargain hunters (Value Village and Goodwill) to the vintage racks at neighborhood shops (Retroactive Kids and Pop Tots) there are loads of options for the eco (and price) conscious shopper.

One of the best ways to clean up and clean house is through the bevy of beautiful consignment stores that have cropped up around town. Most of the items sold in these modern boutiques are in such pristine condition, you’d never believe you were shopping for second-hand goods. Following are our picks for the best consignment stores for maternity, baby and children’s clothes.

Bonus: Bring your closet full of clothing, toys and gear and pay it forward (and earn some $$ to boot).
Tip: The policies differ from store to store, so it’s a good idea to call before bringing your goods in. Read more »

The newsletter and subsequent hoopla regarding the baby high heels made us think about gifts we’ve received for our kiddos that we just don’t like or flat-out despise. One of comments about the shoes from an RT reader was “It’d be at the back of the closet never to be seen again.” We get that.

The high heels didn’t hit us with much fury but there are several gifts that are actually in our house (some in use) that make us seethe. Most, we’re embarrassed to admit, have come from family. Funny how, when the baby was born, we wished we lived closer to family, but once they started sending gifts (and we had a few ill-fated vacations together) it became evident that 3,000 miles was just the right distance.

Here are suggestions for items that make bad baby gifts, culled from our own personal inventory. These are not hard and fast rules and it’s not to say you can’t buy any of these for your own kid, but if you’re angling for the role of “favorite aunt or uncle” or want to be invited to the next birthday party, it’s best to steer clear of these items so as not stoke the flames of resentment. Read more »

In Tuesday’s newsletter, we told you about a company founded by two Seattle moms called Heelarious. The concept: fun, fake high heels for babies 0 - six months old. Obviously, with the company’s name and product description, they don’t take their concept too seriously.

But on various message boards across the blogosphere, the feedback has been less than positive about this frivolous gift. One RT reader was horrified that we’d recommend these, “Um seriously? The sexualization of our daughters is so pervasive these days, Read more »

Yep, we’re dating ourselves, but in searching for the perfect gift for Father’s Day, we were reminded of one of our favorite all time gifts to give: The Mix Tape.

Before CD burners and playlists, mixed cassette tapes were a staple of our adolescence, cherished reminders of a mega party, a summer love, or a road trip. Prized not only for their cool song compilations, but the labor-intensive process (Stop. Rewind. Pause.) and inventive packaging (Cover Art? Check. Hand scribbled notes? Check.), a good mix tape is a little bit luck, a whole lot of work, and a big dish of love, thus the perfect ode to parenthood.

Whether you want to dig out your boombox and go totally old school, burn a CD, or make a big splash with a new iphone booted with a personal playlist, we’ve come up with a few songs about parenthood that will surely bring a tear to dear old dad’s eye (he always was a softy). For additional inspiration, we’ve tapped a few local music gurus (who happen to be dads) for their top parenting playlists. Feel free to add your own to the mix. Read more »

Wallingford and Phinney Ridge have emerged as family-friendly ‘hoods in the heart of Seattle. The amount of outdoor activities, food, shopping makes each a perfect destination for exploration. Wallingford is full of good eats, parks, and has a bustling urban feel that makes it such a desirable neighborhood for families. Phinney Ridge sits atop the hill over-looking Ballard, nestled next to the Woodland Park zoo, and bordered on the north and south by Greenwood and Fremont. With the new infusion of children’s stores with some old standbys, Phinney should not be missed. With the arrival of urban play space playmatters, 65th and Phinney is a must-stop destination for shopping and socializing. On a sunny day, you’ll find all the locals out and about in this friendly ‘hood. We’ve conveniently broken down our picks by category: Eat, Play, Shop. Read more »

This weather has left us hankering for something cold and creamy. Ice Cream. Nothing beats it on a hot day. Especially when you can enjoy it outside. Craving something a bit trendier healthier? Frozen Yogurt is where it’s at these days. It’s low (or non) fat, healthy (assuming you lay off the coco puffs), and filling. Gwenyth is doing it. Perez is doing it. Go ahead, go Hollywood. Here are our picks for the best ice cream and frozen yogurt spots in Seattle and the Eastside. Read more »

Whether you’re looking forward to elbowing your way through an all-you-can eat buffet (hey, it’s your day after all), or long to explore healthier options, make the most of May 11 by reading up on the following Mom’s Day outings. We divided our picks (many of which came from RT readers) into easy-to-use categories (Chic Chow, Active Endeavors, Spa Ahh and Retail Therapy). Naturally, our favorite is the spa section, because nothing can top some well-deserved down time. Relish it while you can. Read more »

When the days get longer, we often start jonesing for the open road. We don’t want to nest indoors anymore; we want to spread our wings. However, when there’s family involved, that spontaneous Thelma & Louise-style road trip is definitely out of the question (especially given the movie’s ending).

A quick day trip in the car is what’s most practical and fun for kids. So, bust out those sing-a-long CDs and a plethora of snacks and get ready to feel the wind in your hair. We’ve spotlighted three trips to do right now and listed some possibilities for later. Read more »

Happy Earth Day! Here are a few tips on fun, local ways you can make the world a little greener.

TRADE IN your toxin-laden bottle of nail polish and replace it with a fresh bottle of gently formulated Julep Nail Vernis (no formaldehyde, toluene or dibutyl phthalate). Schedule any manicure or pedicure appointment between now and April 21st at Julep Nail Salon and they will swap out your polish with purchase of any nail treatment (one per visit).

RECYCLE when you buy gently-used clothes, toys and books on sale this weekend at the massive Greenwood Community Garage Sale or the Woodinville Friends of the Library Used Book Sale.

GIVE the gift of a beautiful, handcrafted wooden airplane, choo choo train or baby rattle, colored with natural vegetable dyes, from Kirkland toymaker Earthentree.

BROWSE Cooler Picks, a selection of smart, eco-friendly shopping choices on everything from trash bags to handbags, light bulbs to lipstick found on the Coolerchoices website from Monroe-based mama Stashka Lepera.

ATTEND the Green Power Baby Shower on May 3 to find inspiration from Dr. Alan Greene, pediatric expert and author of Raising Baby Green: The Earth-Friendly Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Baby Care. Also, stop by the expo to shop for local earth-friendly products and services.

Hey all, a quick shout out to Seattle Magazine. The December “Best of” issue is on newsstands now and we are totally psyched to announce that Red Tricycle has been named Best Parenting Web Resource!! Woo Hoo! Click here to read the full article.