New Year Around the World

"Should all acquaintance be forgot..." Ahh yes, with 2010 just a day away, we'll all be counting down those final seconds of 2009 and ushering in the new year with this song again!

How do you celebrate the New Year? Here are some interesting ways that New Year is welcomed around the world:

SCOTLAND
In Scotland, the New Year is called Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of 'first-footing' which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbor and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt, coal, shortbread, whiskey and black bun (a rich fruit cake) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder.

It is also Scottish custom to sing "Auld Lang Syne," which has now become common in many other countries. "Auld Lang Syne" is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns, which was later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although in Scotland the traditional practice is to cross arms only for the last verse.

GREECE
In Greece, New Year's Day is also the Festival of Saint Basil. It is customary for children to leave their shoes by the fireside on New Year's Day with the hope that Saint Basil, who was famous for his kindness, will come and fill their shoes with gifts.

IRAN
Nowruz, Iran's New Year's Day, is celebrated in March. It is the most important holiday in Iran. Before the Nowruz, it is customary for major spring celaning to be performed in each household in Persia. It is also customary to buy new clothes. On the day itself, families dress up in their new clothes and start the 12-day celebrations by visitng elders in the family, then the rest of their family, and then their friends. This is because people are expected to visit one another in the form of short house visits, which are usually reciprocated. On the 13th day, families leave their homes and picnic outdoors.

JAPAN
To celebrate New Year's Day in Japan, it is cutomary for the Japanese to send out New Year's Day postcards to their friends and relatives, making sure that these will be received on January 1. It is also their custom to give money to children, handed out in small decorated envelopes called pochibukuro.

Celebrating the new year in Japan also means paying special attention to the first time something is done in the new year:
1. Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the year. Before sunrise on January 1, people often drive to the coast or climb a mountain so that they can see the first sunrise of the new year.
2. Hatsumōde is the first trip to a shrine or temple. Many people visit a shrine after midnight on December 31 or sometime during the day on January 1. If the weather is good, people often dress up or wear kimono.
3. Shigoto-hajime (the first work of the new year)
4. Keiko-hajime (the first practice of the new year)
5. Hatsugama (the first tea ceremony of the new year)
6. Hatsu-uri (the first shopping sale of the new year)

Happy New Year!!! ;)

Image from sxc.hu.

Farewells in 2009

The year 2009 has been quite a remarkable one. We have all gone through many triumphs and defeats, joys and sorrows, celebration and mourning. No Slippy Hair Clippy itself has experienced many blessings and challenges this year, and we are very grateful to all of you who have trusted us with your little angels' hair and made us a part of your lives.

As we look back at the year that is soon drawing to a close, I am reminded of the many people whom I have grown up to admire that we recently lost. One that particularly struck me was of course, the death of Michael Jackson. I am not as devoted as his millions of his fans all over the world, but I did grow up with his music. His songs, whether you are a fan or not, did define our generation. And it is undeniable that Michael was a man of many, many, many talents. One of the very few that our music industry has ever known, if you ask me.

A reminder to all of us to live life to the fullest like these popular figures, and hopefully leave a legacy that is just as lasting. Yahoo! gave a rundown of some of the celebrities we had to bid farewell to this year and you may see the full article here.

Cheers to the year that was and the year that is to come!

Earnshaw's Magazine Feature

How did 2009 turn out for you? I hope it was just as lovely as it has been for us here at No Slippy Hair Clippy! Thanks to you, of course, for the continued support :)

Here's one more thing that makes us very grateful: a feature in Earnshaw's Magazine's November-December 2009 issue!



Make sure to check it out! Happy new year everyone! Cheers to 2010!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun...

Ahh the week after Christmas... You are either too bloated with that Christmas dinner (or dinners, if you're very friendly!) to get out of bed, not-so-bloated and on your way to your post Christmas celebrations, thrilled with the gifts you received, disappointed with the gifts you received, glad it's over, sad it's over... Whatever mood you are in right now, I know that after all that hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas day, you deserve a little break!

As you contemplate the remaining days of this fabulous year, here's something fun you can do. I found a really cool site called girlsgogames.com that's chockfull of games that girls (or girls-at-heart!) would enjoy. You can choose from adventure games, makeover games, dress up games, puzzle games... All short, simple and sweet but a whole lot of fun!

My current favorite is called The Devilish Hairdresser, where you get to play a rather naughty hairstylist (oh come on, girly games don't always have to be so girly!) Just be careful that the Angelic Hairstylist doesn't catch you messing up any hairdos! Good for laughs!

Think you can make the cut? Click here!

Simply Sensational Reviews

The gifts just keep on coming :) We got not just one, but TWO great reviews! This time, it's from the lovely ladies at sensationaldivasreview.com, who recently tried out our headbands on their little ones. Here's an excerpt of what they had to say:

"I loved these headbands. They stayed put on my busy toddlers' heads. The first time they wore them, we went to church. Afterwards, the headbands were still in place. When my girls were babies, I never used headbands. I didn't like the elastic tight feeling that most baby styles have. These were soft, not tight fitting and I would have loved to had these for my girls hair. If you're looking for that special occasional headband or a few for everyday use, then check out the site. The prices are a little more than what I generally would pay for a headband, but you are paying for quality. These will last you and you will not be disappointed. There are many of their products that I can put on my wish list." --Kim

You can read the rest of her review here.

"These headbands live up to their No Slippy name and claim, for the most part. CJ's hair is a bit finer than K's and the headband does have to be repositioned more often but the clippies stay put no matter who's head they are on. R has a hard time pulling the clips out; they are so soft that she doesn't even seem to notice them in her hair. I plan to purchase more of this product in the future and CJ has already circled her requests in the flyer we received in our package." --LM Harris

Check out the rest of her review here. These moms have a pretty cool site!

Thanks so much, ladies! :) We are thrilled that you and your girls loved our headbands!

Congratulations!

We have a winner!!!

Congratulations to Modesty Lyman of Nauvoo, IL for being the lucky gal to win No Slippy Hair Clippy's $25 gift certificate giveaway :)

Check out the results here.

The promo ran until December 24 and we received a good number of entries. Thank you so much to everyone who participated!

Keep a lookout for more of our clippy promos, okay? A lot more loveliness is in store for all of you!

Have a Clippy Christmas!

Merry, merry, merry Christmas! Here's to celebrating the wonderful year that was and to welcoming the joyous year ahead (hopefully with hair clips from Clippy!)

I'm sure you ladies will all be busy with your own holiday get-togethers, but here's a little something for laughs (or boos and then laughs for making a fool of yourself!) You know how sometimes the corniest, cheesiest jokes often make you laugh even more? Come on, someone has to do it :)

Christmas Jokes from kaboose.com:

What do elves learn in school?
The elf-abet!

What is the difference between the Christmas alphabet and the ordinary alphabet?
The Christmas alphabet has no L (Noel)!

What Christmas carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night

Why does Santa have three gardens?
So he can hoe hoe hoe!

What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frostbite!

What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas?
Sandy Claws!

What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus?
Claustrophobic!

Ha-ha-happy holidays :)

Clippy Holidays!

One more day! How do you even bottle up the excitement? Have you ladies done all your gift-shopping? For those who love a little suspense and wait until the very last minute to do their shopping (you thrill-seekers you...) here's a nifty way to complete that gift list with a lot less hassle. Check out our newest styles in our website and click away to purchase online!


Come on over to hairclippy.com. If you reach $25 worth of hair clips, we're throwing in one lovely holiday clippy absolutely free, too! Last day tomorrow so no more dilly-dallying okay?

Merry Christmas!

Sweets for Your Sweet

Valentine's Day may be a long way to go, but that shouldn't stop you from giving away some sweet lovin'. Here's a sweet (literally!) giveaway idea from teaching-tiny-tots.com. To make it sweeter, ask your little darling to give you a hand. It's so easy! Be careful, though, your little helper might want some for him/herself!



What you'll need:
2 clear cone-shaped pastry bags (usually in stores with cake decorating supplies)
small bowls
spoon
2 twist ties or 2 small rubber bands
hot cocoa mix
small marshmallows
1 red gumdrop
mini chocolate chips
ribbon
small gift card
small measuring cup with lip
scissors

What to do:
1. Put marshmallow in a bowl.
2. Put the chocolate chips in a second bowl.
3. Pour 3-4 packets of cocoa into one of the cone-shaped pastry bags. You can measure with a small measuring cup to make it easier to pour.
4. Twist right above the cocoa and secure with a twist tie or small rubber band.
5. Trim extra plastic on top, leaving an inch.
6. Place cocoa-filled pastry bag into another empty plastic pastry bag.
7. Place 3-4 tablespoons of chocolate chips so that they are layered on top of the cocoa.
8. Add marshmallows to add top layer.
9. Place red gumdrop on top.
10. Twist the bag shut and secure with a twist tie or small rubber bands.
11. Add a ribbon and gift card. Be creative! Your card can say: "Here's a gift that will warm you up. Just add some hot water and stir into your favorite cup."

It's perfect for ANY occasion! To warm up your loved ones on Christmas eve, as a sweet greeting for a birthday (your chocoholic friends would love it), as an alternative "treat" for Trick or Treaters on Halloween, or even just to comfort on a blah day.

Image courtesy of teaching-tiny-tots.com.

Party Perfect Hairstyles

What's even better than a hoppin' holiday party? You being glam in that hoppin' holiday party, of course! And don't give me any old excuse that it's just with some of your closest friends anyway or a bunch of relatives. Unacceptable! You've been a hardworking mommy all year long, forgotten to shower several times (admit it), and average only three hours of sleep per night! This is that one time when you can unleash your inner goddess and not have to explain yourself.

So take out that favorite dress, put on some bling and glam up with these celebrity hairstyles with easy steps and handy tips from totalbeauty.com.

Ravishing like Reese




Channel Reese Witherspoon's classically glam layers by following these steps:

Step 1: Apply thickening lotion to wet hair to add lift before blow drying it.

Step 2: Create a bit more volume at the back of your crown by teasing a three-inch square section. Smooth a top layer of hair over the teased area with a brush to hide it.

Step 3: Use a curling iron held vertically to add soft waves all over. Start the curls at ear height, so the top of your hair remains straight. And be sure to wrap your hair around the iron, instead of clamping it in. Set the look with hairspray.

Click her for more celebrity styles.

While you're at it, top your new 'do with girly hair accessories and get ready to sign a few autographs!

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Exclusively Clippy!

With the holidays kicking in within just a few days, I'm sure a lot of you has been caught up in all that gift-shopping madness. Some friends have even been telling me how ready they are for the holidays to be over---which is sad, because there may be a lot of stress involved, but I think there's always more about Christmas to enjoy and be thankful for. Don't let the rush rob you of the joy to be had during these festive times! Especially with great news from No Slippy Hair Clippy that will hopefully make your gift hunt easier.

I am very proud and thrilled to announce that No Slippy Hair Clippy has opened an exclusive "Bowtique"Headquarters in Vacaville, California! Read on for the rest of our official announcement:

"December 21, 2009: No Slippy Hair Clippy® - the clip that stays in® - has opened a special new store at their headquarters in Vacaville, California. Devoted exclusively to No Slippy®, Bowtique is the one place where the entire line of these unique hairclips and headbands is on display and available for purchase.

“We’re so glad we were able to move our business into our hometown last year,” says Annie Salyer, No Slippy®’s President & CEO, “This is a way for us to share what we do with moms here in this wonderful community.”

Bowtique will be open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Located in a bank building once owned by US Bank/Liberty title, the store’s address is 801 Alamo Drive, Vacaville, CA 95688. Merchandise is priced at retail with in-store specials available on a regular basis, and major credit cards are accepted."

So go get your little darlings lovely new hair accessories to celebrate the holidays! This is THE place to be for all our Northern California shoppers who are looking for something pretty to buy for this special season. And also for all our devoted No Slippy Hair Clippy customers who want to see our line in person. See for yourselves the devoted care that we put in each hair accessory we make, all with your little angels in mind. We only use the best quality materials and produce the loveliest styles.

Oh, I am just sure that you ladies would love our hair clips, baby bows and headbands even more!

Do drop by and have a peek! Hope to see you there soon :)

Top 10 Signs You're a Mom

1. Sleep? What is this "sleep" that you speak of?

2. Shower? What is "shower"? It is alien to me.

3. It's 3:00 in the afternoon and you realize that you have not had lunch AND breakfast. And you're wondering why you're so cranky.

4. The front of your shirt is soaking wet. And it's not because you were sweating.

5. In relation to #4, you are no longer fazed by any form of baby excretion. ANY form.

6. You're up each day until 10PM vacuuming, dusting, wiping, washing, drying, ironing, cooking, driving, changing sheets, changing diapers, bathing, helping with homework, budgeting, pushing trucks, cuddling dolls, putting to bed, dragging out of bed, chasing, feeding... then get up at 5:30AM the next day, only to find out you STILL gained 10 pounds.

7. Your children tell you that you said "Yes." But you don't even remember what the question was.

8. You have convinced yourself that the laundry has taken on an evil nature and is out to get you. You approach the spin dryer cautiously. And with a baseball bat.

9. In the rare occasion that you do get some sleep, you fall asleep with various vocal ranges of "Mommyyyyyy"/"I'm hungry"/"No, no, no!" still ringing in your ears.

10. When you start conversations with the cashier, crossing guard, bank teller, etc. because you rarely talk to anyone over four feet tall.

Got your own top 10? Feel free to share!

Image from livingonadime.com

Makin' Over Momma

Motherhood is beautiful. But sometimes, the momma isn't! With so much to do and so little time, a lot of mothers have no more time or motivation to bring out their inner goddess. Oh, come on, you know you have it! It would be quite a shame to keep hiding your best side from the world. What a bleak world we'll all be living in if mothers aren't there to brighten it up. Sometimes, all it takes is one uniquely pretty hair accessory (a lot cuter if it matches your daughter's!) and you instantly brighten up both your mood and your look.

Well, since it is No Slippy Hair Clippy's mission to make the world prettier one girl at a time, we figured, why don't we start with the wonderful ladies that those little girls will aspire to be?

I found this article from parenting.com that is loaded with helpful and easy tips for my dear ladies to get your groove back on. Here's an excerpt of De-stress in 5 Minutes or Less:



Take a (virtual) vacation
"I close my eyes and visualize being on a luxury ocean liner," says Alisha Bush, a mom of one in Madisonville, Tennessee. "I feel the rhythm of the waves and inhale the smell of the ocean." (Try it yourself! See, the beach chair's waiting for ya!)

Crank up some tunes
Play music that brings up good memories. "Many people find they have a visceral reaction to something they heard in their youth," says Suzanne Hanser, chair of the Music Therapy Department at Berklee College of Music, in Boston. Choose anything that triggers a positive image, like your wedding-dance song or the music that played during a first date or at the first rock concert you went to as a teenager.

Laugh it off
Numerous studies show that laughter lowers your levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone. So go ahead and giggle out loud at your husband's bad knock-knock jokes-- it'll make you both feel good.

Rub the right way
No, we're not talking about getting a massage; we're talking about giving one--to your baby. Research shows that when women massage infants, their levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop, which in turn calms them down, says Tiffany Field, Ph.D., director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Here's a little more from me:

Glam up! You don't have to channel those Hollywood A-listers to feel like a million bucks. As I said, sometimes, all it takes is that one little detail that makes you stand-out. It could be that heirloom necklace that your grandma gave you, it could be adding a little shimmer on your lips, it could be a unique hair accessory, it could be getting a gorgeous new manicure.

Be bold! Prettify yourself and don't be shy about it! I've noticed that ladies are a little more daring with their choices these days. Headbands with large floral designs and bold colors a la Leighton Meester are all the rage now. Ultra-feminine styles are becoming trendy once again. But be careful not to get too carried away!

So moms, go ahead and get started to beautiful, hopefully stress-free days ahead!

Click for a Clip!

There's something about Christmas.

You see it, you feel it, you even smell it. It wafts about you playfully in the air. You can't quite explain what it is but somehow you just know. The atmosphere seems a little cheerier, people seem a little warmer, and sometimes, even food tastes a little better! There's simply no other experience like it on any other day throughout the year.

I don't know about you, but Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. In my family, Christmas has always been one crazy production number of sorts! Come December, the household becomes abuzz with activity. We set up decorations, we plan for holiday reunions and get-togethers, we make tons of Christmas cards, we cook up a storm in the kitchen for holiday dinners and of course, we shop until we drop for Christmas gifts! It all sounds stressful, and believe me it is, but it's actually a lot of fun too.

This is also the time of year when we can celebrate some family Christmas traditions. Some friends have made it a habit to drink hot cocoa by the fireplace come Christmas Eve. Others gather 'round and share what they're thankful for. Others watch old Christmas movies. One of my closest friends always makes it a point to dress up her little angel for the holidays. I kid you not---no mother in her right mind would miss any opportunity to show her child off to everyone!

Last year, she dressed her baby up as a ballerina, perfectly pretty in pink in her tutu and matching hair accessories. Needless to say, all the neighbors missed no opportunity to fawn over her. Some even threw in compliments like "She takes after her mom..." which I'm sure my friend didn't mind at all! What made it even better was that her hair clip stayed on her hair the whole time. I remember times when my friend would spend the day just clipping and clipping and clipping her baby's hair accessories, as they would always slip since her hair is very fine.

This Christmas, my friend is dressing her baby up as a princess. But I just know for sure that getting her a tiara would be a nightmare. It will either keep falling off her head for being too loose, or hurt her head for being too tight. We ladies love to say "no pain, no gain," but certainly not when it comes to our babies! My solution for her is to get her a baby-friendly but equally "royal" hair clip instead.

For mommies who love to play dress-up too, there's plenty to choose from--different styles and colors, but all adorable. Plus, you don't have to deal with those uncooperative clips anymore, just make sure to choose non-slip hair accessories.

Dainty little hair clips make perfect baby gifts too. Now, I know, I know, it's just days before Christmas. But you don't have to go out there and drown in all the holiday rush. You can easily complete your gift list by doing your holiday shopping online. I myself have been doing it for years and have found it very helpful. No more walking around all day, no more dodging that lady who also wants to get that dress, those shoes, etc., no more wasting time and energy on those long lines! You can shop for a lot more, too, for a lot less time. So go get hair accessories and more for your baby, for your niece, for your friend's baby, for your neighbor's baby, for every sweet little girl that you love. I'm sure you'll complete your baby gift list in no time.

Worried that the gifts won't make it to you by Christmas? Don't worry. Brands like No Slippy Hair Clippy can ship hair clips in 24 hours, safely stored in beautiful gift boxes and just waitin' for you to give them away. So for a no-fuss, stress-free baby gift shopping experience, as my friend's little girl would say, "go clicky for clippy!"

Here's to hoping your holidays are as lovely as your little girls are!

Meatball Mania!

What's a holiday without holiday food? One of my favorites has got to be meatballs! They're yummy, easy to make and just about everybody loves it. It's kind of nostalgic, too, as I remember helping my mom to make these for Christmas when I was a kid. Of course, my mom's recipe is a huge family secret (We have all sworn to secrecy, sorry!) But I recently found a recipe in AllRecipes.com that approximates hers. Plus, it's even easier. Since this season is all about sharing and giving, try this out yourself and tell me how it turns out!




Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb ground veal
1/2 lb ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 1/2 tbsp chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 cup olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese

Procedure:
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp, remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)
2. Place cooked meatballs into marinara sauce and cook 15 more minutes.
3. Blend breadcrumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape. (You may use about 1 1/4 cups of water).
4. Shape into meatballs. Combine beef, veal and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.

Serve to starving guests and if the kids are around, pop in a DVD of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs :) Happy holidays!

'Tis the Season to be Clippy...

Fa La La La La... You know the rest.

Well, 'tis the season for giving, too! And since I'm feeling a little bit like Santa today, I've decided to give away our cutest holiday hair clips for free. Still a wee bit early for Christmas, don't you think? But since you're all in my Nice Mommas list, go ahead and enjoy the early gift!

For every purchase worth $25 or more from our regular offerings, you can choose any No Slippy Hair Clippy hair clip here that you can get for free. No dilly-dallying, ladies. It's only until December 25! So mix and match lovely hair accessories to give away as gifts and if you reach the minimum amount, you get one more adorable clippy to give away or keep!







Speaking of giving, you should also check out our newest Baby Gift section in the website. We have lots of adorable hair clips, hair clip holders plus a Clippy shirt that your girls would love. Sigh... if only we had such pretty hair accessories when we were kids!

While you're at it, go ahead and pick a lovely gift bag or gift box from the site to dress up your gifts with. Lovely holidays!

A Hot Momma Loves Us!

We've been getting noticed quite a lot lately... And we are totally loving it! Recently, Natalie Klein of HotMomsClub.com wrote a lovely review for No Slippy Hair Clippy. She says:

"Honestly when I received my No Slippy Hair Clippy Large silk flower on wide organic headwrap my husband and I laughed and SAID!!! No way is she ever wearing that! So not our style! LOL Well I eat my words!! These are seriously so AMAZINGLY cute on and finally everyone stopped calling my daughter a BOY! AND she could not pull it off. Really you must check them out they have everything to make that little girl sparkle!!!"

Thank you so much! You are making this a very special Christmas for us!

Find the review and an adorable photo of her darling daughter here.

Me Eat, Me Save!

We hear it all the time: eat well, live healthy, lose weight, "be a better you." Yeah right. Not only is it hard, it's expensive, too!

A recent article in Yahoo! reports: "Over the past two years, the cost of vegetables, meat, fruit and other high-nutrition, low-calorie foods has increased by an average of 19.5 percent... Our economic outlook isn't only making it harder to make ends meet--it's making it harder to make the two ends of our belts meet."

Solution: eat the healthiest food that your money can buy! The article lists down smart, healthy food alternatives that you can buy for a lot less, based on the book "Eat This! Not That!":

BEST BREAKFAST FOOD:
Eat this!
Eggs ($1.63/dozen)

Not that!
Cereal ($4.50/box)

BEST COOKING OIL:
Eat this!
Canola Oil ($0.96/lb)

Not that!
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($5.92)

BEST BROWN-BAGGED FRUIT:
Eat this!
Banana ($0.61/lb)

Not that!
Red Delicious Apple ($1.21/lb)

BEST SNACK VEGGIE:
Eat this!
Carrot ($0.80/lb) --costs a little more, but has more nutritional punch!

Not that!
Celery ($0.78/lb)

BEST POULTRY:
Eat this!
Chicken Leg ($1.43/lb)

Not that!
Chicken Breast ($2.36/lb)

BEST FISH:
Eat this!
Farmed Catfish ($2.52/lb)

Not that!
Pacific Halibut ($4/lb)

Click here for the rest of the article. Happy healthy and budget-friendly eating!

Hair Ye, Hair Ye!

It has been said that the moment a child is born, a mother is also born. A woman may exist for many years, but she only becomes a mother once she gives birth to her child. And indeed, I'm sure a lot of new moms would love to tell their babies: "Oh come on, we're both new here!"



Being a new parent can be very overwhelming, to say the least. There is always one more new thing to learn, one more lullaby to hum, one more tantrum to hush, one more poop to scoop, one more hour of snooze to lose, and inevitably, one more "I told you so" from your own mother. But what you get in exchange is the privilege of experiencing what could be the greatest love you'll ever know.



It's easy to get distracted by the many needs of the newest member of your family. This is not as easy as getting a new kitchen appliance. Babies don't come with a manual, unfortunately. Even so, motherhood will not be the exciting journey that it is without the challenges along the way. To get at least one hurdle out of the way, here's a little 101 about taking care of baby hair.



Caring for baby hair is often overlooked. Admit it--you don't really think much about putting baby hair accessories on your child's three strands of hair. While your baby may have very little hair, it's very sensitive and must be cared for properly.



Be gentle. As infants generally have very little hair, there is no need to wash it everyday. Do it on an as-needed basis or every few days. Be very careful not to go obsessive-compulsive on your child. Applying pressure to the soft spot on your baby's head will endanger her.



Bye bye tears. A lot of babies and small children hate to have their hair washed. One reason could be that their shampoo has stung their eyes before and they are afraid that it might happen again. One solution is to make sure you buy a shampoo that is especially formulated for babies, made with mild ingredients that won't sting.



Hush little baby. When shampooing your baby's hair, gently recline her while holding her in the bath. But brace yourself because when in this position, babies experience a reflex and get frightened. Just make sure you hold your baby securely and put her at ease by speaking in a comforting tone.



So the baby hair is clean, but the mother's job does not end there. Of course, you have to style it! Especially if it's a baby daughter we're talking about, a mother can never be passionate enough to make her child look her best (and maybe show her off in the neighborhood afterwards).



But your baby's barely-there hairstyle isn't doing her any favors, as all she keeps getting are praises of how adorable HE is and how HE takes after HIS father. Sacrilege! Even when she is decked out in pink, some people can be so darn clueless. A neon sign saying "SHE'S A GIRL!" might be out of your budget. A cheaper solution: baby hair accessories.



Here clippy, clippy. Aside from the usual baby items, a lot of boutiques now offer hair accessories specifically designed for babies' wispy, delicate hair. Look for brands whose accessories stay in place even with just a few strands of hair. No Slippy Hair Clippy, for example, has baby hair clips that are wrapped in Swiss velvet, so they are soft against your baby's head. A safe small magnet underneath the clips ensures a non-slip clasp that doesn't tug at her hair. This spares you from having to clip and re-clip and re-clip those little things.

Gossip Baby?

I am not exactly a big fan of Gossip Girl, but I've always thought that Leighton Meester is so lovely! And I absolutely adore that her character in the show, Blair Waldorf, loves to wear those pretty headbands. I think they make her look even lovelier, don't you?



Well, for moms out there who want their little angels to channel this upper east side cutie, here's something from No Slippy Hair Clippy's Head Bands selection.

Show Stopper Large Sheer Petal Flower on Swiss Velvet Band

Large Sequin Organza Flower on Stretch Lace Band

The headbands are made of lightweight materials like Swiss velvet, satin, organdy, lace, organic cotton and stretch grosgrain. So they stay atop your daughter's head without hurting her. Plus, with such adorable designs as those, do you really need any more convincing? :) Hair accessories should not be the same ol' boring ponytail! I say go ahead and prettify your baby!

Here's to lovely days ahead!

Leighton Meester image courtesy of InStyle.

Gives Me Hope

These are hard times we're living in today, don't you think? It's so easy to get distracted by all the day-to-day challenges. Sometimes, getting through one day can be hard enough! (Not to mention those times when TANTRUM seems to be part of your kids' SOP.)

GivesMeHope.com is a site that is updated daily by ordinary people, like you and me, with real experiences that inspired them. It's similar to Twitter, except that every single post is inspirational and positive.

I find that when I need a little boost on very trying days, reading about people's little stories of joy moves me to look past the imperfections of the not-so-ideal situations I am in.

Recently, I read these from the site and they made me smile:

"Today, my teacher was telling us a story about her friend's adopted son and how he got picked on for it. One day at school a boy went up to him and said, 'I came from my mommy's tummy, where did you come from?' knowing the boy was adopted. His response? 'I came from my mommy's heart.' He was 6 years old at the time."

"Exactly 8 months ago, my grandpa lost his battle with cancer. By the end, he couldn't talk and wouldn't respond to any of us. A few moments before he took his last breath, he looked at my grandma and said, as clear as day, 'I love you.' They were married 51 years."

Gifts Kids Can Make

Okay, Christmas is SERIOUSLY just around the corner. There's no denying it anymore at this point. If you haven't done any gift shopping yet, you may want to start thinking about it now. But if you don't fancy getting into the mad, mad Christmas rush, why not make the gifts yourself? And to make it fun (or, inevitably, very challenging), let your kids join in! When they see you tinkering with all the arts and crafts, they'd want to join in anyway...

AmazingMoms.com has lots of great gift suggestions, including easy-to-follow step-by-step procedures for each one. Each gift requires very little materials to make. You might even already have some lying around at home! The gifts are categorized according to kids ages. The ones for kids aged 2-6 are easier, while those for kids aged 9 and up are a wee bit more difficult. But all gifts are lovely and since you're making them, will be all the more special to the recipient.

Here's one that I really liked:

REINDEER CRAFT TREAT HOLDER





You'll need:
scissors
craft glue, glue stick or glue dots
terracotta clay pots (2"-5")
plastic eyes
red pom-poms
three shades of brown craft foam, cardstock paper or construction paper

How to make it:
1. With one shade of brown, cut the antlers to match the size of your pot. If you are making the large reindeer, use a child's handprint as pattern.
2. Cut the ears with the other shad of brown. You can use a lighter shade of brown to add yet another layer to the ears, but it's not necessary.
3. Attach the ears to the back of the pot. Then add the antlers.
4. Glue the eyes and nose to the front of the pot.
5. Fill the pot with candy, nuts or other goodies. It's that simple!

Click here for more gift ideas.

Image courtesy of AmazingMoms.com

Spankin' New Baby Clips!

You MUST NOT miss out on our newest clippies. 15 new styles to choose from, the most excruciatingly cute designs yet :) And we've got something for whatever your darling daughter fancies (well, almost!)

If she loves animals...

If she loves flowers...


If she loves bows...

Or anything cute and girly...

Haven't done your Christmas gift shopping yet? These lovelies make the best baby gifts, too!
Check out more adorable hair accessories here.

Holiday Partying Without Adding the Pounds

Let's face it, ladies. Sometimes it's hard to ignore that perfectly roasted turkey beckoning us to get just a little more. It lies golden on the dining table, the sheen coming from the buttery fats glazed over it. Even from afar, you can almost hear its crisp skin breaking, to reveal the moist tender meat underneath. Ahhh... the holidays.

But then 20 pounds later, you find that giving in to the turkey (or steak or pasta or...) was not a very nice thing to do. Of course, I'm not saying that you should starve yourself these holidays. Go ahead and celebrate! But remember to pace yourself and take everything in moderation.

For all the celebration dinners you will be having, here are a few helpful and DOABLE tips from E-zine Articles:

1. Eat your food mindfully. If you slow down your pace and become more conscious of the food, you will naturally eat less and make better food choices without anyone catching on. Here is the trick, chew every bite of food thoroughly and then swallow EVERY morsel in your mouth before taking the next bite.

2. Divide your plate. To be sure you are getting the right foods in the right amount at a dinner party, divide your plate. Fill the top half with vegetables or salad and the bottom half with one serving of protein and one serving of carbohydrate. You get a complete and healthy meal without counting calories.

3. Drink water. Carry around a glass of water (even add a splash of lemon or fruit) like it is attached to your hand. This will allow you to do something other than reach for a snack and it is social.

4. Don't go too hungry. You are not doing yourself or your body any favors by starving before a party. Your body will store more of what you eat at the party as fat if you starve ahead of time because you throw off your natural balance. Eat light but often before the party.

5. Use a stopper. This is a great trick. It is simply having something ready to do that is not compatible with snacking. A quick and easily available stopper is a minty piece of gum or breath mint.

Click here to read the article.

See? That doesn't seem so hard! More importantly, you still get to enjoy the food (come on, who goes to a party without the intention of eating?).

I do have an additional tip and I think it's so fabulous: dress up your little darling with super adorable baby hair accessories and you'll be too busy with all the guests' attention that it would be impossible to overeat! These make great baby gifts, too.



Happy, lovely holidays!

Jessica and Honor Do Breakfast

One of our favorite babies, Honor Marie Warren, was recently spotted looking lovely once again with her equally lovely mom, Jessica Alba. The two grabbed breakfast at Nate 'n Al's in Beverly Hills. See that adorable headband Honor's wearing? Doesn't that remind you of a No Slippy Hair Clippy headband? :)



We are so in love with you, Honor! You're growing up to be one fine little lady.

Image courtesy of Celebrity Baby Blog.

New at Clippy's Website (aka more reasons for you to adore us)

Hurray for another beautiful day :)

I've been itching to get to you today because I have BIG news. To help you ladies out in time for the mad rush of the holidays, and yes because I love you, we have added a brand new feature in our website. Come over for a visit here and check out the Baby Gifts section!

The new section features:

Baby's First Gift Packs
These gift packs have adorable Clippy trios that come with an organza bag, ready for gift-giving.




Hair Clip Holders
Now, now, I'm sure all you have a collection of lovely Clippies by now. Or even if you're just starting, here's just the thing to store all of them---and equally pretty, too. (Available in 2 styles)



Clippy Shirt
For all you hard-core Clippy fans: now you can express your love on your angel's shirt too! 100% Combed Cotton Shirts are not only pretty, they're also super comfy.


Ooh, and so much more! I hate to brag, but honestly, is there any lovelier gift out there for your little pretties?

Go have a lookie and tell me what you think :)

December Darlings

It is officially December and what better way to start the month than with the No Slippy Hair Clippy's fabulous new Clip of the Month? See below and adore :)

Victoria Embroidery Bow






All pretty and dainty and just perfect for the holidays. You can choose from 14 colors.

Baby Gift Ideas for Christmas!

Barely a month to go before Christmas... The holiday season never fails to stir up the spirit of giving within all of us. Whether it's something as simple as a greeting card for an old friend or as grandiose as jewelry for a loved one, gift-giving is never as joyous as it is during the holidays.

But more than anything, and I’m sure you would agree, Christmas really is for the children. So don’t be a Scrooge this holiday season and spread some Christmas joy to them, too!

Here comes the hard part: what to give... While little kids are generally appreciative of anything they receive (I suspect it's the tearing of gift wrappers that truly excites them!), it's still better if your gift truly stands out. Here are a couple of tips:

Choose something unique. Do away with the cutesy stuffed animals and dolls! They'll likely get two or three of those come Christmas eve. If you have the time (and a little talent), get artsy and make a toy yourself. Or make something educational BUT fun at the same time, like making your own funny story or fairy tale into a book that mom can read to them.

Gear them up for the year ahead. How? By getting them a new set of clothes (do get their sizes right, of course). Little girls will always be in love with pretty frilly dresses. But don’t stop there: like any perfect gift, top it with the perfect bow! I've got just the thing for you. You'll love our adorable designs:

Pediped Clips (available in 5 styles)

And because I love you, for a limited time, you can choose any clip from our website which you can get for free when purchasing $25 or more from our regular offerings. Choose from over 20 super cute baby bows and hair clips!