Chic Galleria » feelings

Giveaway: Celebs Love Special Feelings Toy

Editor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:45:40 +0000

Kimochis is a truly dynamic and innovative brand that is growing as we speak. A brand run by mom entrepreneurs! With an already strong following, even celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani and Jennifer Garner can’t resist.

Plushy Feely Corp. has just released Kimochis {www.kimochis.com} … Toys with Feelings Inside. Awarded the Creative Child Magazine 2009 Seal of Excellence and Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy.

Are you a Kimochi Cloud? A Kimochi Bug or Kimochi Huggtopus?

Kimochi (KEY.MO.CHEE) means “feeling” in Japanese and each 13 inch Kimochis character comes with 3 plush “feelings” and a how-to- Feel Guide with tips for parents on connecting with their kids during emotional moments. Feelings can be messy…Kimochis can help!

Kimochi’s goal is to create compelling stories and loveable characters that will build confidence and self-esteem in our children and serve to strengthen parent-child connections. The toys are for everyone and help with parent-child connections: children with autism to a child who wants to play, the adorable characters help children express their feelings more easily. Younger children can use Kimochis to learn to identify feelings while older children can use the Kimochi to work through communication challenges.

The stuffed toys are revolutionary in that they’re not just stuffed toys. Kimochis is helping kids learn to express their emotions in POSITIVE ways, in hopes of possibly helping to prevent future tragedies. They are meant to teach children and parents how to interact with each other and express themselves, developing their emotional intelligence with the Kimochis Feel Guide book – teaching parents on connecting with their kids during emotional moments. The bag of emotions (happy, sad, grumpy) allows the child to relate and easily express their emotions to their friends, parents , teachers – holding an emotion and describing what they’re feeling and why.

Now is the right time to invest in the emotional intelligence of our children. With Kimochi, all children and adults can relate to them and it opens the opportunity for communication and education.

Nina Rappaport-Rowan, Kimochis Founder and mompreneur, was struck with the horrible Columbine High School incident, thinking how could something like this have happened? It made her dig deep and question why. What is missing? What are we not doing right with our children that they can be so disconnect and so self destructive? This very thing was the inspiration that drove Nina to create the Kimochis. The goal is to get parents and kids talking to each other. Creating original children’s products and animated family entertainment, the company wants to create compelling stories and loveable characters that will build confidence and self-esteem in our children and serve to strengthen parent-child connections.

Nina was the perfect person to launch such an idea! She is a leader in the field of animation. Producer of the 1998 Academy Award winning Best Animated Short Film, Bunny, Nina is known for her expert knowledge of computer animation and her skill in developing teams that can tackle innovative and complex CG projects. She is primarily know as a Producer in the family entertainment industry overseeing children’s books, animated feature films and animated TV projects. She has other amazing moms on the Kimochi team, helping build the brand.

Nina and her team are reaching out to kids and families in hospital situations, for social workers, adoption and special needs. Kimochis is a toy for everyone with the added benefits!

Chic Galleria and Kimochi is excited to be giving away a Cloud character to 1 lucky Chic Galleria reader. Just leave a comment on this article and answer this question, “What is Cloud’s favorite color?” You will probably have to visit the website to find the answer! The winner will be chosen at random from those who leave a comment and the winner will be announced November 16, 2009. www.kimochis.com

Congratulations Kiley Smith!

Sticks and Stones

Stephanie Churma — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 07:01:00 +0000

One of my best friends in the entire world is also one of the most accomplished females I have ever met. She constantly meets, exceeds and astounds her expectations, and blazes a trail through her personal life and career. She is beyond exceptional, and yet last month she became a shrinking violet when a careless remark was tossed her way. Someone in her field of work, (who could be considered competition if one chooses to look at it that way) made an off the cuff statement to my pal that hit a nerve. It is my belief that this comment was illegitimate, and uncalled for. Weeks later this comment is still sitting with my friend in the back of her mind. With many career choices she makes, that comment lingers and in turn throws her off her game.

I recently talked to my lady and asked her point blank why this woman’s careless sentence has caused such insecurities. She copped to the fact that she felt slightly imprisoned by it and did not know why a mere stranger could affect her like this. In almost all cases these comments are made in passing without any validity, yet we feel that they are instantly correct. They unmask hidden beliefs that we might have, doubts about ourselves, and make us question ideas and concepts we wouldn’t otherwise. We tend to be our own worst critics, and any negative review is instantly a dig at who we are as a person- regardless of whether or not the remark(s) are warranted.

In a room full of one hundred people, if nine hundred and ninety-nine of those folk buttered us up with admiration and kindness, and the last straggler made a snide remark or gesture, we would harp on that alone. It doesn’t matter that the majority sang your praise; the negative comment wins. We could debate why, and harp on the effects of character assassination, but it would be an utter waste of time.

The irony is that the person responsible for making the comment is not the person responsible for accepting the comment. People can say whatever they please about us, but it is our choice on how to perceive it, and in turn, respond. In my 23 years sitting pretty in this world I have had a lot of people say things that have shocked me to the core. I have had people assume I embody character traits that I do not. I have had people judge me. I have heard people state things point blank that have made me question my virtues. It can hurt, but only if you allow it to effect you. At the end of the day the only person you have to report back to is yourself. Sure, nobody is perfect and we all have things we could work on, however the job of figuring that out belongs to you and you alone.

One of my favourite quotes is actually the title of a book called “What Other People Think of Me Is None of My Business” by Terry Cole-Whittaker. Because really, those who speak ill of us are just displaying their insecurities masked as bravado and that it would be ridiculous to look further into it. Someone else has no right to alter my own self perception. The kicker is that ultimately it is our choice on how we respond. We can take criticism negativity and let it spin us so out of control; or we can literally laugh it off and realize that they are so ill informed it borders on absurd. Instead of being angry, we can look at criticism a few ways. The pessimists will stew and continue the negativity with a cruel comeback. The enlightened ones will take criticism as a chance to ‘review themselves’ and if necessary, adjust a bit. The gurus would call this a gift and silently wish our naysayers well. Perhaps the next time somebody says something slanderous ask yourself this: Where do you fit in, and how will you react?

Photo Credit © Anton Gvozdikov | Dreamstime.com

3 Tips to Connect With Your Child

Robyn Stone — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Busy rushing from one activity to another, but not 100% sure how your child feels about any of them? Do you know what your child wants to be when he/ she grows up?

When our son was three we enrolled him in soccer. Everyone said it was the best sport for energetic little boys and would encourage self-confidence. And of course, it was the “in” game in our hometown. He played for two seasons and participated in multiple soccer camps. Then one day, I took the time to actually ask him how he liked soccer. His response, “I hate it. I just do it because you and Daddy want me to.” Why had I never actually asked him before now? I knew with his answer we really needed to connect.

There are a few tips I share with you for bringing you and your children back in sync.

1. When together, be together. When you are with your child, make sure you are truly paying attention to your child. We all get extremely busy with daily activities and chores. Including your child in as many of these activities not only increases his/ her self-confidence, but you are able to share a moment that he may tell you was his most favorite when he is an adult.

2. Flatter and Flirt. Best-selling author and syndicated columnist, Ronda Rich, informs us in her book What Southern Women Know About Flirting (Perigee Books) the art of flirting is simply to find the best in the other person and concentrate on it and them. We all love for people to pay attention to our strengths and offer occasional compliments. And we definitely know the importance of discipline. By providing positive feedback in a fun way, I found the results to be much more effective. For example, when my son shares his favorite toy with another child, I am fast to give him a compliment on how sweet he is to share something special with his friends.

3. Just talk. There are constant opportunities throughout the day to have a great conversation with your child. Sometimes, my son is not in the talking mood. And some days, he opens up about his hopes, dreams, fears, and why he loves asparagus. We have great discussions while driving down the road, fixing dinner, and snuggling at bedtime. I try my best not to push too much and just ask simple questions. Our chats keep me in tune with what he is thinking and make me feel like I am a part of his world. Just the other night he told divulged to me his thought of his God-given talent, singing (in addition to golf). I would not have thought this would have been his choice, but now that I know I can nurture it.

Parenting Coach Nancy’s favorite quote from parenting expert Barbara Coleso, “There is no one way to raise our children, but a path we must find.” Similarly, there is no one way to connect with our children, but a lifestyle of fostering connections at every opportunity.

I still have moments where I do not feel completely in sync with my son. These are the opportunities that I grab hold of to spend some quality time together and get back on track.

Photo Credit © Sparkia | Dreamstime.com

Use Your Mind to Create Your Best Reality

Laura Carson Miller — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:01:00 +0000

Have you heard of affirmations? From the Latin word affirmare, affirmation means to assert. It is also a term to describe a form of autosuggestion used to produce desired results in various areas of our lives.

The link between our thoughts and our reality is stronger than you may know or even realize. The thoughts and feelings going on inside you are what manifest in your life. Our subconscious mind is very powerful. It is working hard all the time to make the thoughts and desires we have come to fruition, so it is important that the thoughts we have are positive, centered thoughts so that our lives match our thinking. With affirmations you are harnessing the power to influence yourself in a positive manner.

A good way to begin your use of affirmations is to make a list of things, people or situations that you want to draw into your life. Or you can state situations that already exists, that you want to be mindful of, such as gratitude for a certain person, situation, etc. Group them into sections such as family, career, finances, and social life. Then purchase a package of index cards (I like to get a multicolor pack and have a different color for each area of my life) and write each affirmation, as concisely as you can, on a separate card.

State your affirmations, written or verbalized, in a positive way. Repeat each one four or five times, then move to the next. While it is fine to use affirmations from a book or website, I’ve always had the most success with affirmations that I craft myself, for my specific needs and desires. Repetition is a big part of making affirmations successful. Try to sit quietly twice a day and go over your cards. Also be mindful throughout the day of repeating these positive statements in your mind, especially if have or feel a negative thought coming on. You can also get a notebook where you write out your affirmations, twenty or more times for each one. It is recommended that you use a maximum of 6 affirmations at a time, say per week, in order for them to be most effective.Believing what you say in your affirmations is significant in their ability to work for you. Say your affirmations out loud, slowly and add creative visualization to pack an even more powerful affirmation punch. Remember that your subconscious mind is like a magnet and attracts whatever you focus thought and energy on into your reality.

Remember to exercise patience, as affirmations don’t ‘take’ overnight. You will find that as you use affirmations you will notice a change in your thoughts, to a more positive, productive random (and conscious) thought pattern. Although you may not notice it for a while, you truly are gaining control of your thoughts and feelings with the routine use of affirmations. Affirmations can help shape your future reality. Take the time to figure out what you want out of life and use affirmations create the life you desire and deserve.

Photo Credit © Oleksandr Kalyna | Dreamstime.com

Helping Kids Handle Their Emotions

Editor — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 07:01:00 +0000

Matt Casper graduated cum laude, from Duke University were he studied Personality Psychology, Comparative Religion (with a focus on Hinduism) and Film. He spent 6 months in India researching and writing a paper on Hindu art, architecture and ritual as means towards “experiencing the self.” He then went on to receive Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California Graduate Institute of Professional Psychology and Psychoanalysis. He is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Los Angeles, California.

Matt has spent 3 years working at a non-profit counseling center in Beverly Hills called the Maple Counseling Center. He also worked with children who fall somewhere on the autism spectrum at the Julia-Ann Singer Therapeutic school. In addition, he was a supervisor at TEEN LINE, a teen-to-teen hotline that provides support for teenagers across the country who are struggling with various challenges, from abuse, depression, drug use and sexuality.

He has been working as an actor for the past 10 years, appearing in dozens of national television commercials as well as having roles on television shows such as “Desperate Housewives” and films such as “Pearl Harbor.”

“I was approached by a woman named Helen Lau who came up with the concept of the Emotes. She is a designer, with a long history of working in the toy industry. She actually helped to develop and distribute the Smurfs. As a parent, she found herself needing help talking to her sons about their emotions and so she created the Emotes characters. She brought me on board to serve as the psychological/emotional consultant and writer of the Emotes books to help develop and spread the emotional message of the Emotes.” said Matt.
Where do you draw inspiration for your products and books?

After having worked with people of all ages as a psychotherapist, I have seen first hand how the denial of emotions can lead to destructive behavioral and thought patterns. Kids that are raised in an environment where emotional expression is discouraged end up feeling ashamed, guilty and alone regarding their feelings. These repressed emotions than have the potential for seeping out into hateful behavior (i.e. violence and prejeudice) as well as inward turned aggression leading to depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. The Emotes are here to help children foster a greater awareness and understanding of their ever-changing emotional states.

Feelings are always changing. For a developing child this experience can be confusing and overwhelming. The Emotes are here to help! The Emotes books are filled with engaging illustrations and fun stories that each tackle a different emotional challenge.

The Emotes toys and books help children to recognize their emotions through facial expressions and help them to pick up on non-verbal emotional cues, while also teaching them how to express their feelings through words. When a child boosts their emotional vocabulary, they are better prepared for the emotional rollercoaster of childhood and beyond!

Describe your best selling items and favorite experience with your profession?

In conjunction with our books, we have developed toys for each of the Emotes characters. We sell these vinyl toys individually, but they are also sold in a set called “The Emotes Emotions Display Case”. This case allows kids to choose one of the Emotes characters who they feel represents how they are feeling, and then highlight this character at the center of the display case. The experience allows kids to communicate with caregivers how they are feeling, while also providing a starting point for discussion.

It is amazing to see how children immediately respond to the Emotes and quickly identify with one or more of the characters. Parents are amazed to see children gravitate towards the particular Emote character that embodies their specific feeling state at that time…

We were at the Miami Book Fair this past November. A mother and son came to our booth and they both immediately responded to the Emotes…especially to Jumpi (“the scared”) and his book “Jumpi Goes To Camp”. The boy took the Jumpi plush and hugged him tightly. I gave him the Jumpi book and he began to read it right away. The mother and I began a conversation. She told me that her son (age 7) was about to have a kidney transplant, and that he was VERY scared. He was having bad dreams, just as Jumpi does in the book. The mother and I both got tears in our eyes as we watched the boy respond to Jumpi. He was scared. And so was his mom. They left with a book and with a Jumpi plush. I hope that the Emotes help this boy and his mother to remember that it is okay to be afraid–it’s a very normal feeling. I also hope that the Emotes will help them both to express how they are feeling and seek comfort in realizing that they do not have to be alone with their feelings.

What are your plans for the future?

My goal is to help kids increase their “EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE” by teaching them to identify, understand and express their emotions in a fun and interactive way. It is essential that children increase their “EMOTIONAL VOCABULARY” — their ability to put their feelings into words.

We currently have books aimed towards helping younger children (ages 5-8) yet we are also developing simple picture books for kids ages 2-4, and comics for teenagers and young adults to help this population handle the specific challenges of their generation (i.e. drug use, depression, suicide etc.) In 2009 we will be releasing a book filled with four panel comic strips that will make kids giggle while also modeling ways to handle and express their emotions in a healthy way.

Our toys (plush as well as vinyl figures) are geared towards allowing kids (of all ages) to externalize and interact with their emotions…while also having fun!

We will be traveling with the Emotes a great deal in 2009–exhibiting at both the New York and San Diego ComicCon, Book Expo International, Association of Play Therapists Convention and many more events nationwide.

We are also working with a wonderful group called TEEN LINE through Ceda
rs-Sinai hospital. This is a hotline as well as an interactive site (www.teenlineonline.org) where teens can speak with other teens about problems that they are facing.

Visit www.emotes.com and www.mattcasper.com. Los Angeles, California

The Emotes books and toys can be purchased through www.emotes.com. The
website also features games, comics, short videos, and lesson plans for
educators and parents. There is also a blog at
www.emotesblog.blogspot.com.