Category: Kids

RIDEMAKERZ Launches Cars 2 Line

My nearly four year old son is a tad bit attached to his cars.  Not only does he carry at least one in his pocket on school days, you’ll find one or two on his pillow at bedtime.  Children, particularly little boys, are fascinated with cars. And not just play cars…my son frequently asks my husband if he can “drive” daddy’s “big” car.  He’s a typical boy in this way with his vrooming and zooming all around the house.

Toy cars to a littte boy are fun. Motorized, custom-designed cars that he can help build are awesome. Last year around this time, RIDEMAKERZ re-designed and re-opened it’s store in Downtown Disney.  Building on the concept of stuffing and dressing your own bear, founder and ZEO Larry Andreini originated the idea of building and customizing your own ride.  His vision is to contribute to the positive development of children which I wholeheartedly support.

Boys and girls can exercise their creativity while having fun as they design something unique and original at RIDEMAKERZ. While I definitely think that children who can should have the experience of going into the store to build their ride, the online experience does not disappoint.  Here is a brief overview of the process:

Children CHOOZE from over 70 body and paint styles including their newly released Disney-Pixar Cars 2 line which includes Lightning McQueen, Tow Mater, and Sally and either a Street or Monster chassis; Motorize (we opted for Radio-Control but you can also Free-Wheel it!); Mobilize by selecting wheelz and treadz and then building their RIDEZ in the RZ Pit Challenge;  Customize by adding specialty lights, spoilers, side pipes, hood scoops, blown engines, roll bars, decals and more; and Cruize  once they’ve loaded their Ridez into the RZ Cruizecase.

As I mentioned above, this is our second experience and my son was even more excited this time because of the tie in with Cars 2. We each ended up building a character from Disney-Pixar Cars and then put our own unique twist on each ride. With the help of a crew member, my son was able to use the power screw driver (with daddy’s assistance) to attach the chassis and then secured his wheelz onto Mater the Greater.  Once he customized Mater with side pipez and a hood scoop, he was ready to Cruize!

Children have a wide variety of options when it comes to the body, engines, parts, and decals which makes each experience and car unique.  This also means you can opt for a less expensive car or go all out and opt for ultimate customization.

Along with their 5 nationwide locations, RIDEMAKERZ is located within select new-format Disney Stores and Toys R Us stores nationwide.

This Father’s Day weekend, you can build one ride, and get one free (the Cars line isn’t included).

No compensation was received for this post. We were invited to build a ride at RIDEMAKERZ.

Disney and Nordstrom Launch it’s a small world Collection

As a little girl growing up in LA, I have many fond memories of our family trips to Disneyland.  I can remember the excitement of riding Space Mountain with my father, and the wonder as we sailed through the different countries on ‘it’s a small world.’

This year marks the 45th anniversary of ‘it’s a small world’ at the Disneyland Resort and in celebration of this historic, beloved ride, Nordstrom and it’s a small world‘ will be available in four collections, released seasonally throughout the year.  The collection was inspired by world-renowned Disney artist Mary Blair’s original artwork created for the attraction and Walt Disney’s belief that we are united in our love of children and our dreams of a better tomorrow.

This season you’ll find pieces from the Japanese Spring collection including dresses, tees, onesies, bibs, shoes, totes,

Unlike conventional branded items, the designs are elegant and subtle while still reminiscent of the original art from the ride.  If you look at the prints and patterns on my daugther’s outfits, you’ll notice the butterflies and parasols, with the same aesthetic feel you find in both the artwork and on the ride.

When the collection launched, Nordstrom and Disney collaborated with TOMS Shoes and FEED Projects to offer philanthropic pieces in the collection.  TOMS will give a new pair of shoes to a child in need and FEED Projects’ line will benefit UNICEF, which was the original beneficiary of the ride.  Specifically, each FEED Our Small World bag sold will provide 500 children with Vitamin A capsules for one year to prevent deaths associated with malnutrition.

Beginning in June, you’ll find pieces from Indian Summer featuring warm colors and pattern.  Scottish Fall will debut in September and Russian Holiday will debut in November.  Throughout each of the collections, you’ll find items from collaborators such as diaper bags from Petunia Pickle Bottom, shoes from TOMS Shoes, bags and shirts from FEED, sock gift sets from Trumpette, and more.  While you’ll find items in varying price ranges, you can expect wardrobe pieces like shirts to retail for $26-$34 and dresses to retail for $42-$46.  While supplies last, you’ll receive a collectable limited-edition lithography of Mary Blair’s artwork each season with purchases from the line.

While the line is moderately priced, the fabrics are durable and the designs unique and unlike anything you’ll find on the market today.  For more information, just visit Nordstrom.

No compensation was received for this post. Product samples provided.