Green Toys Sand Playset (a pint size social favorite):
Made from durable, safe, eco-friendly plastic, it’s perfect at the beach or in the sandbox. Includes all the tools little hands need to dig, build and play. Plus, it has a handy rope for easy carrying. Ages 2 and up.

Kids Garden Tote with Tools:
Adorable canvas tote with real gardening tools – a hand rake, a shovel and a spade. Designed like a real gardening tote with pockets on the outside for tools and lots of space inside. Gardening is a great activity to do with kids – outdoors or in pots inside. Plant some herbs or flowers and they will grow in weeks. Ages 3 and up.

Chubbies Bucket:
The perfect gift for a little boy. 15 small and sturdy plastic vehicles in their own storage container including airplanes, cars, boats, trains and trucks. The vehicles are water safe so they’re great in the pool or tub or at the beach. Plus, you can clean them in the dishwasher! Ages 2 and up.

Phlat Ball:
It’s both a ball and a flying disk. A unique sports toy that starts out as a 9” disc and pops open into a ball when thrown. It is soft and safe. Gets kids outside and running around, building strength and gross motor skills. Lightweight and can go in the water. Ages 5 and up.

Copter Darts:
The coolest lawn dart set around. The whirling darts are made of foam that is weighted on the end so they always land upright. Comes with a foldable target and its own carrying pouch. A great family activity. Ages 6 and up.

Morey Wiki Pro Boogie board:
Boogie boarding is one of Lisa’s kids favorite activities at the beach. They spend hours running in and out of the water and riding the waves. This board come sized for children so they can hold on tight and stay safe.

Star Wars Lightsabers:
They come in green, purple, red and blue – for different characters in the saga: The perfect active toy for the young Star Wars fan. Stefanie’s son Benjamin has all 4 colors so he and his friends can duel like Jedi and everyone can play. He only plays with these outside which gives him a reason to run around and be active.

For more great gift ideas that can come wrapped in a signature and reusable gift bag, visit www.gifthero.com.

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The ABC Paper Cups put an end to mundane disposable cups and the creative possibilities are endless. They are making our backyard bbq’s much more fun. As for the Magic Stroller Bag? The genius French design speaks for itself. That, or the amount of people that stop us on the street when we use it. It has two large grommets which allow for easy on and easy off of your umbrella stroller. Use a single bar stroller? No problem, we’ve got hooks to use with the bag, too. Happy Shopping!

www.pintsizesocial.com

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The Laundress New York for J.Crew collar & cuff bar
Completely nontoxic, biodegradable, dye and allergen free and animal cruelty free, keep shirt cuffs and collars looking, well, perfect with this ultra-gentle 3.5 oz stain bar formulated from 100 percent vegetable soap with natural borox. It fights stubborn stains and everyday grime and grease so well it’ll easily become the laundry-shelf MVP! $7.
www.jcrew.com

Kiehl’s Cross-Terrain UV Skin Protector with SPF 50
Furthering its adventurous heritage, Kiehl’s “Cross-Terrain” collection offers the skincare brand’s first line of active body care for men, with head-to-toe formulations made for ultra performance. The Kiehl’s and National Geographic Cross-Terrain Team of Young Explorers are chronicling their experiences through blogs, photography and video, which will be launched on Kiehls.com later this month. Perfect for summer, this cream offers a high-level UVA/UVB sunscreen combined with a wax texture that is water and sweat-resistant against sun and wind burn even in the most extreme weather conditions. $25.50
www.kiehls.com

The Cultivated Life: Written and Illustrated by Jean-Philippe Delhomme
A humorous, and illustrated, narrative of life’s adventures—interior design mishaps, art world snobbism and literature elitism—is portrayed with tongue in cheek humor by Delhomme through his 100+ gouache painted cartoons. Poking fun at those that take themselves too seriously, he provides a witty perspective on a variety of things, such as living with modern furniture in modern culture. Have a laugh and live a little! $30.
www.amazon.com

Smythson “I Love My Dad” Panama Notebook
Nile Blue gift boxes aren’t reserved just for women. Fancy your father this year with Smythson’s classic pocket-sized notebook featuring a new, fun, gold-stamped title. Slim and light to fit in a pocket, the featherweight paper is bound in grained lambskin in navy blue while the title is gold-stamped. Take it up a notch and personalize it with his initials. $69.
www.smythson.com

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original 3-Eye by Band of Outsiders
Put the brown leather loafers aside for the summer and get dad a pair of nifty blue and white linen Sperry Top-Siders designed by Scott Sternberg of indie cult label Band of Outsiders. Granted, Sperry’s are the original American boat shoe (celebrating its 75th anniversary this year), so indulge in some classic nautical style and comfort. A stain and water resistant leather provides durable and lasting wear (the beat up ones are my favorite) while rust proof eyelets and shock absorbing heel cup ensure secure comfort. Best of all? Their rubber outsole provides the ultimate in traction. $195.
www.sperrytopsider.com

Editions de Parfums “Geranium pour Monsieur” by Frédéric Malle
Fragrances is one category I don’t normally advocate buying for men as it can be a highly personal process, but I’ve yet to meet a guy—young or old—that hasn’t given in to this scent. A gorgeous, yet masculine, mix of geranium, mint, and anise infused with a cocktail of incense, vetiver and musk, it is complete freshness paired with an ocean of sophistication. The mint is incredible to say the least. Trust me: he’ll love it. $210.
www.barneys.com

Louis Vuitton iPad Case
Have an on-the-go dad who’s into the latest gadgets and toys? Complement his tech-savvy side with some style in the form of Vuitton’s iPad case. It’s a small price to pay for a stylish yet durable cover—and it’s only fitting that he has something equally as stylish to house a tool that they will undoubtedly use a lot of in the presence of others. I love the masculine vibe of the Damier Graphite cover, which is also scratch resistant. The iPad slips right out from on top to prevent accidental spills. If quality mixed in with some ostentatious style is your cup of tea, then this is worth your consideration. $390.
Louis Vuitton boutiques or 866-VUITTON

Box set of 24-Carat Gold Toy Soldiers
Looking for something with a bit of whimsy and eccentricity? In tune with the men’s wear military trend, Richard Christiansen, creative director of Chandelier Creative, in collaboration with Partners & Spade, created this set of gold toy soldiers perfectly suited for high-design interpretations of old classics. Available either as a box set for $500 or individually at $125 a piece, this very New York-centric collaboration is ideal for the design-inspired man. $500.
Available exclusively at Partners & Spade, 646-861-2827

Coach alligator wallet at the new men’s store
Because most men don’t know when it’s time to give their bulging, unsightly wallets a rest, might I suggest Coach’s slim billfold—slim being the operative word—that will hopefully keep his hoarding to a minimum. Fashioned in exotic alligator with a stunning natural vachetta lining, six card slots should tame any excess card carrying. The colors—gray and apple green—are terribly chic and go a long way in making a discreet and distinct statement of style. $598.
Coach Men’s Store, 212-675-3045

Michael Sanderson Portrait
Having recently come across this illustrator on Facebook, I must admit I am head over heels in love with his work. Colorado native Michael Sanderson, who started drawing at the age of 2 and studied for a time at The Art Institute of Chicago before dropping out, pursued a career in illustration that has led to some lucrative projects with top-name clients. What I love about his work is the ease and simplicity at which the illustrations come across—yet they have a fascinating vibe that stretches from the 1970s to current contemporary art. Sanderson doesn’t use ink for his drawings; rather, they’re all pencil sketches which are they scanned and colored using Photoshop. $1,250 and up.
www.michael-sanderson.com

follow Jim on twitter @jimshi809

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Most New Yorkers don’t even know it exists. It is kind of like a hidden gem right in the middle of Soho. The Maclaren Showroom, one of two (the other is in Connecticut) could be the best resource we have found in a long time. Not only does it house all of the Maclaren products for sale, including the Netto collection, it has tons of benefits that almost anyone with a child can reap. Here’s what they have on tap:

• Test drive any of the strollers they have in their showroom.
• Bring in a Maclaren Buggy needing a repair, and they’ll loan you one while they fix yours.
• Have an out-of towner visiting? They will lend you a stroller for free (!) no questions asked.

Maclaren Showroom SoHo
150 Wooster
New York, NY 10012-3112
P: 212-677-2700
www.maclarenbaby.com

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Oh Spring time…how we’ve yearned for you. The temperature is finally rising, the sun has appeared once more and there are even those rare days when you might venture to, gasp, bare your naked legs.  Problem is, your legs are still stuck in mid February, when you could actually see through them all the way back to your last leg wax…in August.  Solution: Soap & Glory’s miracle tan in a can, Glow Getter. This product is sheer genius.  A sun powder spray that looks totally natural, goes on easily and washes right off, so you don’t have to deal with those awkward uneven fake tan marks that tend to look more like a rare skin disease than natural colour. It works best when applied after moisturizing and can be used on your whole body and face.  Our London Editor, Gwen, has been testing Glow Getter quite thoroughly for weeks now, and can’t stop raving. It’s available at Boots stores throughout the UK and at just £10, you really can’t afford not to pick up a can immediately!

www.boots.com

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