Teen Bling...Safe Accessories for Tweens!

My 8 year old daughter is at that stage where she wants to wear jewellery but isn't really old enough to be responsible for expensive necklaces which could easily get  broken.  I'd hate to see her upset if she snapped a chain or even worse, got hurt by catching a metal or strung bead necklace round her neck.

Young girls love fashion and creativity but they also need their jewellery to be safe.  That's why when the lovely Lynne from Teething Bling offered us the chance to try out Teen Bling I knew a little girl who would only be too happy to help out!

Teen Bling (or Tween Bling as the Americans call it!)  is made from the same material as the Teething Bling, but it comes in funky vibrant colours perfect for fashionable young ladies!  They are aimed at tweens who want to look stylish, but need to be safe.  The silicone contains no harmful chemicals and are free from BPAs, PVC, lead and latex.  They are flexible, bendable and can even be chewed on...much more hygienic than chewing hair or pen tops!!  My daughter fiddles with everything so this pendant is an ever present object that she can play with without causing any damage or harm, or leaving a trail of fiddled with objects strewn around the house!

The Teen Bling necklace that Kizzy was sent to try was Hot Pink and also was Berry Scented.  The fragrance helps keep the wearer focused!  The 2x2" donut shape pendant is strung onto a black silky cord with a breakaway clasp for safety.  It is fun, vibrant and stylish and very practical for a busy pre-teen!

Kizzy loved the colour, she loved "squidging it" and I caught her having the occasional chew on it!  She liked the scent too...kids love 'smelly' things.  She loves scented felt tips and pencils so this was right up her street!!

She felt very grown-up with her jewellery and it was reassuring to know it was safe (even if little brother Freddy grabbed it!!)  It carries the CE trademark which means it has been tested to the strictest safety standards.  You can also put it in the dishwasher to keep it hygienically clean.

Even when she was playing outside I wasn't worried about necklace related mishaps.  I really think this is a great product.  The quality is great, it isn't brittle and breakable like some of the hard plastic pendants in the shops.  It is soft so there are no hard edges that could snag clothing or stick into the skin whilst playing.  The clasp adds an element of safety that puts mums' minds at rest.  And it really looked good and bang on trend with its oversized shape and low hang.

The necklace sells on Smart Mum UK for £12.95.  Other colours are available including Lollipop and Peachy Peach...perfect for little girls.  Co-ordinating bangles are also available for £8.95, made from the same material.

The Teen Bling definitely fills a gap in the market for safe, stylish fashion accessories for girls aged 8-12 years old.  It would make a lovely gift for any young girl.  Kizzy says "I love it and it is fantastic in all ways possible! It makes me feel very pretty!"  So, I think that is a definite thumbs up!!!!

Vanilla Bean Teething Bling

I can't begin to tell you how many times I have wrestled inappropriate items of jewellery from my son's hands and mouth.  He is fascinated by jewellery, and loves to explore things, but it obviously is not safe to let him chew on any old necklace or bracelet.

When I heard about "Teething Bling"  I was intrigued...jewellery that is "designed for babies, worn by mum".  It sounded like a fabulous idea!  Teething Bling was invented in Maryland by two stay at home mums. They created a range of jewellery that looks great but is safe for babies to play with.  The pendants and bangles are made from silicone and contain no harmful chemicals.  The pendants have a break away clasp for added safety. After rigorous testing in the US and Europe, their product was awarded the CE safety mark and went on sale in 2008. 

I was offered the chance to test out one of the Teething Bling Pendants with Freddy.  I was sent the beautiful Vanilla Bean Pendant which is delicately scented with a sweet vanilla fragrance.  It arrived beautifully packaged in a pink organza bag.  I immediately thought that it would make a wonderful, original and thoughtful gift for any new mum.

The pendant itself was lovely, a 2" donut shape on a silky black cord.  It looked like it was made of stone, not silicone. I was impressed with the design and it was definitely the sort of necklace I would wear.  I don't like fussy jewellery, this was stylish and classy.   It smelled delicious too!

Freddy is now a toddler and is cutting molars.  I wondered what he would make of this pendant.  He was instantly interested and loved handling it and chewing it.  He enjoyed biting down on it with his gums. I still breastfeed my son and sometimes get pinched and scratched by his exploring little hands as he feeds.  This necklace was a fantastic distraction.  He happily fiddled with it, turning it round in his fingers and exploring the shape and texture.  He really loves it....as I'm typing this, Freddy is sat cuddled up with me on the sofa and he is delicately touching the pendant and poking his fingers through the hole!  I honestly wish I'd discovered Teething Bling when Freddy was cutting his first teeth.  He really suffered with his teething and I think this would have been a Godsend, providing something for him to chew on as I comforted him with a cuddle.  I love this product, and even at Freddy's age and stage, it is brilliant.

Smart Mum  has over 20 different colours of pendants and bangles available on the website, available individually or as mix and match gift sets.  They also sell giftcards so the lucky recipient can choose their own combination!

Priced at £12.95 for a pendant,  £8.95-9.95 for a bangle and £19.95 for a gift set, they are great value for money.  Mum can look stylish and baby is safe and happy!