Even MORE new Barbie Doll Releases for 2012

Mattel is putting out more Barbie Dolls than ever for 2012 and this is good news for both mothers and daughters alike that enjoy collecting, playing with and admiring the dolls.

One of the Barbie Dolls from around the world produced by Mattel this year is Argentina Barbie who is dressed in a teal off the shoulder gown that ends in a long row of fringes. She also wears a sheer shawl and a band with a big rose in her hair. She wears high heel stilettos in black and fish net stockings that are a homage to Brazil's wild night life. She also has a rose around her ankle and is carrying a stuffed cougar.

A really interesting barbiedoll is Barbie Shoe Obsession. This cute blonde doll, who has a seventies cut, is wearing a short white tulle dress with a studded belt. The skirt of the dress has pockets into which are held 50 different pairs of classic Barbie shoe styles including mules in purple, pink and black. If you or your daughter has a secret lust for shoes then this Isa perfect gift.

Barbie Basics at Mattel is putting out a number of swimsuit model Babies for 2012. Model No. 7 is an African American Barbie with a full out Afro that is wearing a bright yellow bikini and high heel sandals, gold hoop earrings and has her own beach bag and orange sarong. Model No 4 is has long flowing gold curly hair and is wearing a bright pink bikini and high heels and carries a large gold lame purse. Model No. 5 Barbie has black hair styled in a short Diana Rig type haircut and is wearing a bright blue bikini with hoops at the hips and bright blue shoes. She also carries a big gold lame bag with a patterned green and blue sarong. Model 14 wears has a seventies style bouffant hairdo and wears a very bright purple two piece bikini and purple high heel gladiator sandals. Model number 4 has large pouffed hair like Anita Bryant used to wear and boasts a one shoulder suit in a bright neon green. She also wears neon green shoes and carries large clear plastic tote.

Another innovation by Barbie that is still popular this year is Stardoll. This allows you to make a Barbie that is in the image of yourself. You can create an avatar and then dress the Barbie however you like. You can then order up the real life doll.

Even More Ethical Products for Kids

The idea of buying ethical toys and products for our kids is so important that I thought I would do one more blog about some of the products I have found that help save the environment.

One interesting item I found that is also a great gift for the adult in your life is a yo yo created from sustainable harvested wood. The yo yo is made from two sliced coins of wood with the bark left on it and everything.

One of the cutest of eco-friendly kid's toys I have run across is a stuffed Earth globe. These are made by a company called Hugg-A-Planet and they help little one's learn about how to read a map. The plush toy is made out of 100% recycled materials.

If you and your kids like chocolate you might want to buy Eco-Friendly Candy. You can buy sustainable, fair trade eating chocolate from companies like Eco-Choco. However when you do buy this slightly pricier chocolate remember that you are supporting environmentally friendly practices and the protection of wild-life in the forests of Brazil.

Another cute eco-toy is the Wheel and Seal umbrella. This is an umbrella with a sponge seal with happy faces embedded on it. When it is wet you can drag it through a puddle and the printed rolls with leave a detailed design behind them.

Do you want to help another mom in the world? Now you can buy prenatal vitamins that have a one-for-one program that benefits moms in disadvantaged countries. The vitamin company that is known for this is Build Nutrition. This company, founded in 2010, donates one bottle of prenatal vitamins to a woman in need for every body you buy and then keeps replacing the vitaminms during the length of her pregnancy. Furthermore the vitamin bottles themselves can be reused and recycled. The vitamins themselves consist of a physician formulated blend of 17 ingredients that are crucial to the healthy growth of a baby.

Josh Rubin and Gabriel D'Amico-Mazza are the brilliant visionaries behind Build Nutrition. Their aim is to bridge the gap between non-profits and for-profits by offering a socially innovative product that gives just as much as it sells. There are 30 million undernourished babies are born each year and 190 million children have poor vision due to a vitamin A deficiency. The true eco-product for moms is one that keeps on giving to those less fortunate than you!