ALOHA, KANANI! AMERICAN GIRL’S 2011 GIRL OF THE YEAR HAILS FROM HAWAI‘I!

—National Campaign Encourages Girls to Share the Aloha Spirit of Helping Others—

This January, kicking off American Girl’s 25^th birthday celebration, is the debut of Kanani Akina^™, the 2011 Girl of the Year^®, whose story takes place in the lush tropical paradise of Hawai‘i. A warm and cheerful girl, Kanani loves her town’s beautiful beaches, tropical sunsets, and fun lu‘aus, but most of all, she and her family love sharing the aloha spirit—a desire to welcome and care for others with an open heart. Through Kanani, girls will discover that everyone has something to share that can make life better for someone else.
Kanani is available for one year and will launch with two books that tell her story, a beautiful
18-inch Kanani doll (featuring long, wavy medium-brown hair and hazel eyes), and an array of outfits and accessories such as a paddleboard set, a plush Hawaiian monk seal, and a shave ice stand!

Written by acclaimed author Lisa Yee, the 2011 Girl of the Year books—Aloha, Kanani and Good Job, Kanani—introduce readers to Kanani and her small seaside town on the island of Kaua‘i. Kanani loves working in her family’s shave ice and sweet treats store, as well as sharing the wonders of Hawai‘i with visitors. Whether she’s making her cousin from New York feel welcome on the island, helping rescue a baby Hawaiian monk seal, or assisting older people in her community, Kanani learns that by sharing herself and her home in the true aloha spirit, she is able to make life better for others. The back of each Kanani book features profiles of real girls who, like Kanani, discover the joy of helping others through their gifts and efforts, however small.

To share in the Hawaiian spirit of helping others, American Girl is partnering with the National Wildlife Federation^® (NWF) to help raise awareness of endangered animals, like the Hawaiian monk seal featured in Kanani’s stories. With the purchase of every Kanani plush monk seal sold in 2011, American Girl is donating $1 (up to a maximum of $100,000) to NWF’s efforts to help children throughout the United States gain an appreciation and understanding for America’s most vulnerable animals through various educational programs and activities.

To further engage girls in Kanani’s world and her story’s inspirational message, American Girl is introducing the following products and activities in 2011:

• Lend a Hand: Girl-Sized Ways of Helping Others: A nonfiction companion advice book to the Kanani fiction series, Lend a Hand gives girls ideas and tips (both big and small) for making a difference at home, among their friends, in their community, and on the planet.

• Kanani Retail Events: Starting on January 1, girls can take part in Kanani-inspired events at American Girl retail stores nationwide, including demonstrations for dancing hula, free Hawaiian craft activities, and delicious Kanani-themed meals.

• Kanani and Me E-cards: From January 1 through April 15, 2011, girls can create and share their own Kanani-themed postcards at americangirl.com/girloftheyear and can be automatically entered (with parent’s permission) in a drawing to win a Kanani doll and book.

Starting on TODAY, the Kanani doll, books, and accessories will be available for one year or while supplies last through American Girl’s catalogue, at americangirl.com, and at all American Girl retail locations. 

About American Girl

American Girl Brands, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT, www.mattel.com), the world’s leading toy company. Since American Girl’s inception in 1986, the company has devoted its entire business to celebrating the potential of girls ages 3 to 12. American Girl encourages girls to dream, to grow, to aspire, to create, and to imagine through a wide range of engaging and insightful books, age-appropriate and educational products, and unforgettable experiences. In meeting its mission with a vigilant eye toward quality and service, American Girl has earned the loyal following of millions of girls and the praise and trust of parents and educators. To learn more about American Girl or to request a free catalogue, call 1-800-845-0005 or visit www.americangirl.com. 

About National Wildlife Federation

National Wildlife Federation is the nation's largest conservation organization and publisher of the award-winning children’s magazines Ranger Rick^®, Your Big Backyard^®, and Wild Animal Baby^®. National Wildlife Federation inspires more than four million members and supporters to protect wildlife for our children’s future. For more information, visit www.nwf.org.

American Girl's Shine On Now -- My American Girl Doll Giveaway!

As you all know cupcakeMAG & Sprinkles has partnered with Shine On Now -- if you missed our post all about American Girl's Shine On Now launch then you should check it out here! In the meantime we know everyone is busy donating stars as Shine On Now has reached more than 563K stars already since the website full launched on July 13th! To thank you all for your support we want to give a deserving girl in your life their very own My American Girl doll which you can check-out on the American Girl wesbite.

Ready to win? Nominate a deserving girl in your life or in the community that you think would love their very own My American Girl doll. Write a description of how this special someone helps others and is involved - there is no need to reference the girls identity. This comment is mandatory!

For extra entries, please leave a separate comment for each entry letting us know. The more you comment the better chance you have to WIN! The winner will select the doll of choice from here.

1. Follow cupcakeMAG on Twitter

2. Follow Shine On Now on Twitter

3. Make sure you "LIKE" us on our NEW Facebook page.

4. Subscribe to our updates (top right corner above) - just sign up with your email!

5. VOTE for us on Top Mommy Blogs here -- just select "click to vote" -- you don't have to register - just a simple click.

6. Tweet about this giveaway and include @cupcakemag -- you must tweet, not just follow.

7. Tweet about this giveaway and include @AGShineOnNow -- you must tweet, not just follow.

8. Write a blog post about this giveaway on your blog and send us the link.

The winner will be selected Wed., August 4th on or around 11pm! US Residents only.

While you wait check out Shine On Now and make sure you follow them on Twitter and like them Facebook! Also, make sure to check out Shine On Now on YouTube!

Sprinkles partners with American Girl’s Shine On Now

What is it? The program, called Shine On Now, is a cause-related initiative focused on inspiring girls to make a difference in the community.

How does it work? The Shine On Now website will empower girls to contribute ‘stars’ to help four great organizations – the National Wildlife Federation, Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children, and the National Association of Children’s Hospitals. American Girl is pledging up to $1M in goods and money based on the number of ‘stars’ girls contribute (there is no cost associated with contributing a star and for each star we will donate $1).

American Girl’s mission with the Shine On Now program is to inspire young girls to make a difference in their communities. To do that, we have created www.ShineOnNow.com (full-laucnh on July 13th) – an interactive site where girls (with mom’s help) can contribute one star towards four charitable organizations – the National Wildlife Federation, Kids in Distressed Situations, Save the Children and National Association of Children’s Hospitals. American Girl is pledging up to $1M in goods and money based on the number of ‘stars’ girls contribute (there is no cost associated with contributing a star and for each star we will donate $1).

To foster a spirit of goodwill and help make the world a brighter place, American Girl is introducing Shine On Now™—a new charitable initiative that harnesses the collective power of girls to help others in need. Through Shine On Now, American Girl is calling on girls across the country to help the company give $1 million in clothes, books, dolls, and money to the following four organizations: Kids in Distressed Situations,Save the Children U.S.A., National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, and National Wildlife Federation. Beginning July 13, 2010, girls can visit shineonnow.com to contribute a free ‘star’ to the effort. The goal is to collect one million stars by the end of the program on July 31, 2010. In addition, for every star a girl contributes (she can donate up to 100 each day!), her name will automatically be entered in a daily drawing to win a new My American Girl™ doll.

As part of the Shine On Now initiative and to further encourage girls to let their spirits shine, American Girl is also launching a brand-new virtual campus, Innerstar University™—a fun, safe online world where girls learn to be their best through a variety of games, quizzes, and other enriching activities that help boost their confidence and strength. Access to the new virtual world is free with each 18-inch My American GirI doll—the company’s newly enhanced contemporary product line that allows a girl to create a special doll as unique as she is.

To help American Girl reach their goal of one million stars WE have partnered  to raise awareness and have become an official Shine On Now Parent Partner. American girl contributed an automatic 1,000 stars to get us started as we work with American Girl fans to serve as advocates for Shine On Now! 

But, right now you can start by downloading an Ambassador kit on the Shine On Now site. And stay-tuned for when the site is fully launched on July 13th to begin donating stars!  We will be giving you the chance to win a new MY AMERICAN GIRL doll (VERY SOON!) which is a new doll collection that features more customization options and the brand new educational and fun virtual world - Innerstar U. 

Make sure you stay-up-to date with Shine On Now on Facebook, Twitter and make sure you check them out on YouTube and help spread the word now! Also, watch Sprinkles for when we launch the My American Girl doll giveaway!

Chic Moms -- A Sprinkling of Holiday Treats

Making our list and checking it twice. Trying to find out what goodies we like - from top brands we all know and love to new finds we can't get enough of - Cupcake Mag's Holiday Gift Guide is for all the little ones in your life that is already tried and tested by yours truly.

Cupcake Mag's Holiday Gift Guide for Chic Babes

Fisher Price: Snap N’ Style Friends are just adorable and is perfect for someone’s that two! The mix n’ match snap n’ style dolls retail for only $13! The accessories are adorable and the sweet styling encourages early role play. Little hands can easily snap-on clothes and will play for hours. And you know we just can’t make a list without including ELMO! Elmo Tickle Hands ($30) top the list this year as something fresh and fun for your any Elmo fan. Slip them on in a second to tickle and dance just like Elmo with the silly sounds and fun phrases. For the smaller babes in your life we LOVE the Amazing Animals Tubtime Tugboat perfect for bath time fun along with the Stack ‘n Surprise Blocks Songs ‘n Smiles Sillytown features many developmental benefits for baby and lots of fun!

The top 5 Hasbro games for the season are Sorry! Spongebob Squarepants Edition ($20), Connect 4: Spongebob Squarepants ($15), Kid Cranium ($20), Littlest Pet Shop Go Fish ($6) and Pictureka! ($23) - you will be sure to have hours of fun with these family fun filled games for a not so silent night.

Also from Hasbro is the My Little Pony Pinkie Pie’s Playhouse Playset ($45). This was a favorite among our little product testers with small hands. The playhouse is quite precious and has everything you need to take care of Pinkie Pie, the adorable pony figure. From a swing, potty, crib and other fun accessories your pony has everything they need to feel at home along with music, lights and sounds with just a push of a button. It is sure to be a big hit in your house this holiday season. For the creative mind, the super fun Play-Dog Burger Builder ($15) and 2009 Family Fun Toy of The Year Award Winner is perfect for those who love to cook with tons of burger building accessories.

Recommended items from Lego are the Large Pink (or Blue) Brick Box($30) that contains 402 bricks in 12 colors that comes in a pink storage case with transparent lid. Along with My First LEGO Sets in three classic themes are perfect for young builders. They make fun and adorable stocking stuffers for only $10 you get 117+pieces.

For the girly girls Barbie Doll Fashionistas is a perfect way to express your fashion personality and STRIKE A POSE! We love the trendy fashions the dolls wear as each has a distinct personality (Glam, Cutie, Girly, Wild, Sassy and Artsy) reflected in their clothes and accessories. For only $12 you can collect them all and pamper them in the ultra-stylish Barbie Glamour Camper ($80). We can’t get enough of the GLAM details!

Not into Barbie yet? Go for the PollyPocket Roller Coaster Resort Playset ($50) for hours of fun. Join Polly and friends as they pack in all the fun and adventure of a rollercoaster into a deluxe luxury hotel. The playset includes a Polly™ doll, pet monkey, rollercoaster car and luggage cart. Girls will forget about their winter blues as they spend endless hour’s resort-side with Polly™ and friends! It is on every little girl’s wish list!

As for the older girls, we suggest American Girl’s brand new historical character, Rebecca ($95). She comes alive with the story she tells and is a keepsake for years to come. We couldn’t get enough of the red herringbone dress and two-tone boots she arrived in that are authentic styles to her era.

For the tot who loves to pretend make sure you check out the Bitty Baby collection perfect for pretend play. We loved the Baby’s Diaper Tote ($36) which has everything your little one needs to care for her Bitty Baby all in a pretty printed tote.

Hidden Treasures

The Piggy Story: The “Art Folio” ($21) is beautifully crafted in your choice of adorable patterns (9 to choose from!) and keeps your kids happily occupied with creativity. Everything you need comes along; drawing pad and 12 crayons in a very easy to carry fold n’stow art case. Does your little artist need more? Opt for the BRAND NEW Little Picasso Art ($22) kit filled with 20 pieces that easily (and neatly) get packed away for on the go trips from car rides to taking it along to school. Each kit includes 8 markers, 8 colored pencils, 1 pencil sharpener, 1 glitter flue pen and 1 pair of safety scissors. Browse around at everything you need to capture your little one’s imagination.

Yubo Lunchboxes: One of our favorites by far the BPA-free lunchboxes contains a food-safe, anti-microbial agent that inhibits the growth of bacteria. Easy to clean and 100% dishwasher safe the lightweight YUBO lunchbox ($29.95) design and soft handle make it comfy for kids to carry. We also love the interchangeable faceplates, food containers and ice packs that fit snugly. This lunchbox should be mandatory!

Dante Beatrix: Sweet, precious, and just adorable are only a few words to describe the Little Kid Anastasia ($42) backpack perfect for your pink princess. She will never want to take it off! It is also a perfect spot for her Kindred Things bear ($40) from Henry Road. Stuffed with love the bear is made of vintage chenille and Henry Road scraps and remnants. No two are alike.

Perfect stocking stuffer! Crayon Rocks come in vibrant colors that look just like rocks! Ranging in price from just a few colors for $5 to all the colors for $27 the crayons are designed to strengthen the tripod grip muscles, preparing fingers and hands for handwriting are all natural soy wax made from USA grown soybeans and colored with natural mineral powders. They are sure to be a hit.

Color Me House is perfect for rainy day fun or to get those creative juices flowing! The Color Me House ($40) and Color Me Rocket ($50) entertain kids for hours and can easily be put together in five minutes, and we aren’t that handy! Your artist will love painting, coloring and decorating and will never grow tired of the fun. It can be easily put away and put back together for years of fun!

Disclaimer: All items mentioned were tried and tested by Cupcake Mag. We do not get paid to review this product, just like all the products we feature. This is just our opinion, review and recommendation on the products mentioned.