 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||
PRINTS AND THE REVOLUTION
Ditch Disney and other assorted (or as we think of them, sordid) purple creatures and paint a new view for Junior to feast his impressionable peepers on—one that will elevate, not pander to, his burgeoning aesthetic sense. The elegant yet age-appropriate postmodern “Core Values Series” of designs, including stretched canvases (pictured), prints, growth charts and toddler tees, from Taut Canvas promote the positive, sweet and simple ideas, concepts and virtues of its founders in high-styled vignettes that, at once, mirror the nascent whimsy of their littlest beholders and speak volumes about the people we'd like to see them become.
($129, 18"-by-18" stretched canvas; $329, 40"-by-40" stretched canvas; www.tautcanvas.com)
SHOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE
Oh, you pretty things! How we love you—but it's just so hard to buy for ourselves nowadays without feeling a little guilty. Unless, that is, you've seen the sentimental-chic stunners from Heart and Stone Jewelry. Fashioned from 100 percent recycled silver, the well-priced, custom-made charmers—classically cool necklaces with your choice of danglers in rectangle, round and oval shapes as well as symbol, birthstone and mini tags—master sweet with an edge, advancing the paradigm of “mommy” jewelry in a thoroughly modern and fresh way, and give otherwise wayward gift-givers a go-to present for the ages via the add-on charms. But, we have to hand it to the buzz-worthy rivet rings when it comes to giving us a reason to pick up a little something for ourselves. Stack up to three for a finger-lookin'-good way to keep your loved ones wrapped around your finger.
(Prices vary for Custom Charm Necklaces; Women's Rivet Rings: one for $95, two for $190 and three for $285; www.heartandstonejewelry.com)
 |
 |
 |
WARMING TRENDS
Make childhood memories last while doing your part to reduce and reuse with a flash(back) of fabulous from Jelly Bean Quilts. Made from your child's clothing (anything from shirts, dresses and pajamas to blankets, sheets and towels to Halloween costumes to even a few of your favorite maternity pieces), this patchwork pièce de résistance can be used as a wall hanging or actual bed quilt. A sensational idea for a first birthday gift (but great for children of all ages—as well as a clever way to get rid of your man's well-worn bachelor wear), these custom-made memory-keepers—available in small-, large-, twin- and full-sized quilts; tooth fairy pillows; throw pillow; and shams—sew together the life and times of your loved one in a fashion-meets-function-meets-every-time-you-look-at-it-your-heart-will-melt way that melds the classic with the cool for an heirloom in the making.
(Prices vary, www.jellybeanquilts.com)
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
Have new baby, will travel—with a filled-to-the-brim bagful of stuff, that is. Diapers, bottles, wipee holder, change of clothing, oh my! And then there's the time you will spend digging in said filled-to-the-brim bag, feeling around in a frenzy for insert-any-item-here, since everything related to a baby is frenzied. Keep diaper changes easy and breezy with the all-in-one tote and changing pad from Tiny Hineys. The streamlined design sports four invisible zippered pockets for storage on the inside and an exterior zippered pocket for Mom's accessories, and it opens up to reveal a hypoallergenic changing pad with cushioned center. Available in eight fashionable fabrics, this versatile time- (and sanity-) saving carryall makes changing your wee one a snap (literally—the bag is held together via magnetic snaps) and life on the go with Baby in tow much easier to shoulder.
($48, Tiny Hineys Portable Changing Station, www.shopbusybees.com; for more information, go to www.tinyhineys.com)
SOCK IT TO ME, BABY!
Necessity is the mother of invention—and, in many cases, mothers are the inventor of a necessity. In Dalia's case, she noticed that the babies in her popular Fitness Picnic exercise program for new moms had a penchant for pulling off their socks, leaving their tender tootsies out in the cold. A little insight, a little ingenuity, a handy sewing machine and, voilà, Baby Sock Locks were born. This CPSIA-approved, new-baby essential helps moms kick their kiddies' footloose and sock-free days to the curb. Available in two sizes (small/0 to 17 pounds and large/17 to 25 pounds), these stylish sock-er stars spare Baby's pairs (no loosey gooseys here!) and ensure that their happy feet are always nice and toasty—not to mention well adorned—right down to their toes.
($5.95, www.babysocklocks.com)
WRAP STAR
Many of us are familiar with the benefits of babywearing (but if you're not, check out what Dr. Sears has to say on the age-old practice that's recently become the de rigueur parenting—and fashion—staple). Nowadays, it's a natural choice for any new parent. The only question is what carrier is right for you. Enter: the Sleepy Wrap, a one-size-fits-all sleep solution that's as comfortable for you as it is for your baby. Touting 27 advantages over other baby carriers on the market, the soft-to-the-touch Sleepy Wrap provides proper support for your sleeping beauty's head and neck and secures even the smallest of babies all the way up to toddlers. Available in 13 stylish colors for the classic wrap and two eco-chic hues for the organic version, this mom-made must-have keeps Baby calm, cool and collected—and Mom or Dad, well, calm, cool and collected, too, thanks to its safe and super-comfortable fit and the genius that is being hands-free.
($39.95, Sleepy Wrap classic; $59.95, Sleepy Wrap organic; www.sleepywrap.com)
DON'T BE TARDY FOR THE POTTY
Potty training is stressful for many parents—and so they wind up delaying it despite their wee ones' desires to move ahead. Fortunately, Healthy Baby Boutique has a whole section dedicated (online and in their Kansas-based Newton and Manhattan stores) to helping moms and dads take on this milestone like champions. Here's your checklist for everything you need to gear up for those oft-dreaded training days—and even make them fun: the Riding Potty Chair ($20, available in pink or blue), The Potty Patty or Potty Scotty Kit ($55); Potty Training in One Day Book and DVD ($30); a Potty Training Chart and Sticker set ($10); and Swaddlebees Blueberry Trainers ($17.50), aka the absolute cutest (as well as soft despite the water layer) training pants. Now that you know where the potty's at, there's no reason to pooh-pooh the issue. Okay, we'll stop now.
(For more info, go to www.healthybabyboutique.com)
GET 25 PERCENT OFF ORDERS OF $100 OR MORE WITH CODE FAMILYGROOVE
WHO'S BAD?
Whether your mini man in the mirror is a punk, a rocker, a revolutionary, a rebel rebel or a pretty boy in the making, Boy Peralta's got him covered with their own line of hats, tees and onesies that simply ooze badass style—that's still age-appropriate. The name, a loose translation of the Brazilian term for “mischievous boy,” says it all when it comes to the capturing the spirit of boyhood in all of its provocative and cheeky glory. With high-design yet playful graphics and hipster messages like “Boy Punk,” “Boy Star,” “Boyhazard” and “Boy-de-Lis,” your guy will rule in his too-cool-for-school duds that, no doubt, he'll don with pride. He is boy, hear him roar.
(Prices vary, www.shopboyperalta.com)
GET 20 PERCENT OFF THESE TRENDY TOGS WITH CODE FAMILYGROOVE
WELL-SEATED
Keep your tot toasty when you're toting him to and fro in his less-than-comfy car seat with the Snuggle Me'z. Complete with a detachable blanket and pacifier/toy loop, these CPSIA-approved ever-so-chic cuddlers fit all infant car seats and come in a variety of posh 100 percent cotton prints, ranging from statement-making to sweet and lined with soft ivory minky fabric. Bang-for-your-buck bonus: The fabrics are reversible for a two-for-the-price-of-one look that'll carry your baby—and you—through his first year in style.
($98, www.snugglemez.com)
