Paul Frank's iconic Julius monkey face has long been beloved by hip tots, and this Fall, the brand's range is especially adorable. We scored a sneak preview of the collection, and while you can't shop it just yet, you can start out by scheming to shop your favorite back-to-school styles a few months in advance. The collection will be available on Amazon.com, with select pieces at major department stores. Click through to see some of the cutest picks for your little Paul Frank-o-phile!
March is in like a lion, but sunny days will be here soon, meaning long days spent outside with the family. And what is better than background music to go along with your day at the beach? An iPod speaker station is the perfect solution for keeping tots entertained and setting a fun mood.
I tried out the Julius Dance Machine Speaker Station ($100) that Paul Frank had sent over to see if it could, in fact, get the party started. Made for all iPod devices (although adaptors are not included), it easily mounts your iPod and charges it while playing. The speaker dock comes with an adaptor, but also includes a rechargeable battery, meaning it is made for travel.
Who is this designed for? What I liked about this kid-friendly speaker dock was its ease of use — there's only a few buttons, including the volume buttons, which are on the monkey's ears, and the power button at the top of his head.
What sets it apart? At first, I wondered exactly what would make this simple speaker dock a "dance machine," but I quickly realized why it's a good purchase. Moms and dads can take it along to a picnic or kid's birthday party and get up to six hours of playtime on the rechargeable battery.
What did it sound like? The speaker sound was clear, and the volume reached a loud level. I didn't test it outside, but the sound was more than acceptable for such a small speaker station, even though I was at first concerned that some sound may be distorted since the iPod mounts right in front of the speakers. I can imagine that if you were in a noisy area it may not have the power to project far, but its size and portability make it a great option for an impromptu backyard party or a day at the park.
Would I recommend it? I can see how someone who loves the Paul Frank monkey would go bananas over this speaker dock. It's portable, easy to use, and — aside from the impenetrable plastic packaging it comes in — easy to set up.
Class is in session, but kids can still monkey around! This week we're adding a bold splash of color to Lil's back-to-school Twitter wardrobe giveaway with a chance to win a $500 gift card for Paul Frank! One lucky student will have the opportunity to dress to impress in the brand's signature designs. From graphic hoodies to patterned socks and days of the week undies to cozy pajamas, Paul Frank has a variety of vibrant items children love. Come back next Monday and the following for our Appaman and The North Face giveaways. 
Ready, set, get started: * First, follow @LilSugar on Twitter. * Then share what your lil one will be sporting this Fall at school by tweeting at us. Include the following message and hashtag to qualify: The #1 item on my child's back-to-school list is: RT @lilsugar http://ow.ly/2oVXi #LilBacktoSchool
Tweet your entry anytime between now and September 13 at 11:59 p.m. One entry per person, and remember: you must be a @LilSugar follower on Twitter. Click here for the official rules, and then head over to Twitter to tell us what's on your back-to-school list.
It's my favorite cheeky monkey! The whimsical Paul Frank line featuring Julius comes for the dogs this Summer, and I'm all over it. I've got my eye on the devil leash for my lil devil but mostly because he already has four beds. The three styles are safe with nonskid bottoms and eco-tastic, too, since the filling is made of recycled plastic bottles. Drink up. 
Preview the pieces (which ship in early July) in the widget below.
Paul Frank first introduced the world to Julius, the lovable monkey with a big grin, in 1995. Thirteen years later, the company is publishing its first book, Only In Dreams - A Bedtime Story. The book follows Julius on a magical journey through the land of dreams where the items found around his room come alive to take him to new and exciting places, such as the river of strawberry milk and outer space where he becomes the first rock star to perform on the moon.
The book does a great job of telling tots about the importance of dreams, while illustrating the point with vivid illustrations. It is definitely a worthy addition to your bedtime routine.
Sure, Paul Frank is a little juvenile, but the brand always turns out hip, borderline-geek items that catch my eye. This Paul Frank Camera Wallet, $27, doesn't house a hidden camera or any spy gadgets; however, it has that certain flair that makes it geek worthy.
Antiwar. Antimeat. Antifashion (gasp!). Is there anything Hippie Dude isn't anti? I'm sure he'd be happy to know about the green fashion movement; then again, it's been his cup of green tea since he left home to attend Humboldt University. But ok. Send these websites his way: Sweatshop Watch, Behind the Label, and Free Cycle, and he has to be impressed. Hippies are indeed hard to shop for, here are some hippie-keen ideas.
Be sure to peruse all of our Gift Guides and download our Fab Gift Guide worksheet to help keep you organized!
Even if you don't have a Super Tween in your family, chances are you know a few who will need snazzy gifts this holiday season. Finding the perfect present for a gal between seven and fourteen is difficult because that demographic is usually sassy and picky as hell. Think color, lots and lots of color. And something that will make them stand out — but not like a sore thumb. Remember, it has to be just the right amount of cool and pretty. I know, it's a tall order, but we've got you covered.
Be sure to download our Fab Gift Guide worksheet to help keep you organized!
