 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||
SOCK STAR
Keep Baby’s chubby lil’ legs cozy and warm with the hot tot accessory of the moment: Pork Chops. Part sock, part leg warmer and all function, these stylish thigh-highs make diaper changes a breeze—well, uh, minus the breeze—and thanks to their smart design, frisky kids can’t pull them off (read: no more one-sock wonders roaming about on the cold floor). Plus, the nonskid grippers on the bottom mean less slip-and-slide for your funky walkers. Available in sizes 6 months to 8 years, these de rigueur darlings come in 17 designs and definitely dress to impress.
($18, www.porkchopkids.com)
TISSUE, I HARDLY KNOW YOU
Say goodbye to traditional, dry, clumping-off-everywhere tissues and hello to Boogie Wipes. These super-soft saline wipes, scented in Great Grape, Fresh or Magic Menthol, chase away the boogies, man, by dissolving the mucus. Hypoallergenic; alcohol-, phthalate- and paraben-free; and made with moisturizing vitamin E, aloe and chamomile, snotty kids (of all ages) will actually want to use them. Seriously, parents, stock up on these little sheets of genius. Parenting is difficult—keeping your kids booger-free just shouldn’t be.
($3.99 for a 30-count pack, www.boogiewipes.com)
FASHION FIRST
Cloak your fashionista-in-training in this fall-tastic hooded poncho, inspired by the fresh, funky, fabulous wares from Saige Nicole’s Baby and Toddler Boutique. The avocado green hue of the polar fleece flatters just about every little girl lucky enough to don this cool tot tog, and the aqua blue pom-pom fringe and multicolored floral trim give it the chic edge it needs to make it a playground standout.
Oh yeah—and it’ll keep her warm, too. Score!
($48 to $62, www.saigenicoles.com)
CHARMED, WE’RE SURE
Oh, you pretty things! You’ll fall for the keepsake-quality collection of fine children’s jewelry by Iceing on Top. Elegant, stylish, with just a hint of whimsy and guaranteed to bedazzle, this eco-chic company shines thanks to its charming designs and dedication to being socially responsible. The line is made in the USA from recycled and environmentally friendly mined gold and ethically mined diamonds—even the gift box is made from mostly recycled paper. Bauble bonus: A portion of the proceeds from the Four Charm Iceing Bracelet (pictured) benefits Keep a Child Alive.
BELL JARRED
Got a newborn or light sleeper in your midst? Don’t be a ding-dong! Tell well-meaning well-wishers and UPS and FedEx carriers bearing gifts to please, please, please not ring the bell with the sound door hangers from BabyKnobNots. Yes, there’s nothing worse than sitting down to an inbox full of unread e-mails in the calm and quiet of your home after surviving 15 minutes (or more) of “Mama!” being belted out, full voice, from the nursery, only to have your sleeping beauty startled awake. A unique baby shower and new-baby gift or smart sanity-saving must-have for yourself, these customizable weather-resistant, easy-to-spot, tongue-in-cheek signs, available in pink, blue and yellow, get the message across minus the tears—yours and your baby's.
($14 for the four-pack Parent Pack, www.babyknobnots.com)
THE FRESH MAKER
When it comes to keeping food fresh, time isn’t on your side—unless you’re keeping track of it with the DaysAgo Digital Day Counter. This money- and waste-saving tool tells you when everything from your homemade pasta sauce to stored breast milk to vitamins are set to expire. Use the digital counter to remind yourself when it’s time to clean the fish tank, change air filters, take the recyclables out to the curb and more. It does the thinking for you, freeing you up to focus on other things, like figuring out where the heck you left your cell phone. A mind, like good food, is a terrible thing to waste.
($8, two-pack of Magnet DaysAgo; $8, two-pack of Suction DaysAgo; $8, two-pack of Band DaysAgo; www.howmanydaysago.com)
WRITE AWAY
Budding Picassos and talented teachers-in-training can play the day away with these peel-and-stick chalkboards from modern room décor originals WallCandy Arts, makers of uber-hip wall decals in high designs. These fun-meets-functional chalkboard stickables, also available in animal shapes, dots and rococo, foster creativity while keeping Junior’s room decorated with the times. And when those times change, update the look with a simple peel of the old, stick of the new.
($58, Chalkboard Kit, contains four 19"-by-24 1/2" chalkboards; $56, Chalkboard Animals Kit, contains six animals; $57, Chalkboard Circles Kit, contains four 18.5" circles in black or green; $36, Rococo Kit, contains one 31 1/2"-by-18 1/2" design; www.wallcandyarts.com)
WRAPPER’S DELIGHT
Swaddle your baby in the height of eco-friendly fashion with these delicate yet durable dual-layer muslin blankets made from organic cotton. Designed to keep your little one calm, cool and collected, these lightweight wraps, available in fun prints, double as a privacy shield for nursing, a carriage and stroller sun shade, a portable crib sheet, a blanket and a lovey. Why lightweight? Doctors recommend using lightweight wraps to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of SIDS. With these sets, you don’t have to sacrifice style for safety—or a good night’s sleep for your little one.
($39, two-pack set “Stars & Stripes”; $39, two-pack set “Farm Animals”; www.bambinoland.com)
Not sure how to swaddle? Check out Bambino Land’s helpful demonstration here.
FULL PETAL JACKET
Draw out your tween’s sense of self with the Mia MY Signature Jacket. Complete with a set of scented write-on/wash-off markers, designing girls can custom-create a look that’s uniquely their own—and then design a whole new style when they’re bored of the old one (read: every other day or when the wind shifts—whatever comes first) by simply tossing the jacket into the washing machine. This one-of-a-kind jacket is a cool tool for helping young girls get in touch with their emotions, thoughts and feelings, making it so much more than just a fashion statement—it’s a way for them to wear their heart and their art on their sleeves.
($49.99, www.miamy.com)
