08.18.2008
The Curved Gate
Leaving the general comment of safety gate aesthetics aside, the curved gate is a really good idea. By simply designing the gate with a curve instead of the conventional straight design, it creates extra space at the top of the stairs.
Posted by Jenna
Category:
gear
Tags: gates
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08.14.2008
Teddy Toes Couture Fleece Baby Blanket
I realize I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, as it's still August, but you can never be too prepared for a cold winter. As the mom of a December baby, I wish I had known about this fantastic fleece blanket by Teddy Toes. This blanket has feet and is designed to work with all 5 point restraint systems, from car seats to strollers. Where was this when my son was born? In all likelihood, something similar was out there somewhere but I was in that "new mom" haze, oblivious to cool gadgets like this!
Made of polar fleece, this blanket will feel great on baby's skin. Say what you will about global warning, but I maintain that once that first blast of icy air hits you, you're going to wish they made an adult version of this! Available at BabyRide.
Posted by Katie
Category:
fashion
| gear
Tags: blankets bunting fleece
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08. 8.2008
Early lessons in composting, from Recycleworks
As we all know, there are some kids who just like worms, mud, and anything yukky. In that case, why not make a virtue of it, and get them elbow-deep in a little composting? The process should teach them skills for life, and get them ahead in their biology classes at the same time.
Recycleworks makes these 'Waste Buster' worm farms especially for kids, promising to convert kitchen waste into rich compost. The big difference between this and a standard wormery is that while adults may wish to keep the worms firmly out of sight and out of mind, this one has an (optional) window so your kids can see them at work.
Once the compost emerges, of course, you have another rich area for your children to get involved in: gardening. At this rate, one simple purchase could turn into a very good investment indeed.
Posted by Myf
Category:
gear
Tags: eco-friendly educational garden
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08. 6.2008
Baking set for the very hungry toddler
Many parents will be able to recite the food the Very Hungry Caterpillar munched his way through on one day in Eric Carle's book: chocolate cake, ice cream, a pickle, swiss cheese, salami, a lollipop, cherry pie, a sausage, a cupcake, and a watermelon.
Now, I'm not suggesting you could make all of those things, but it'd certainly be fun to turn your hand to the cakes and the pie with this Very Hungry Caterpillar baking set from the much-admired UK ceramics makers, Portmeirion.
Just try to remind your little one, before he or she bites into cupcake number six, how the caterpillar got a tummy ache from over-eating.
The set contains a ceramic mixing bowl, apron, cookie cutters, bandana, cupcake cases, and a silicone spatula, and costs £34.95.
Posted by Myf
Category:
gear
Tags: books cookware
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07.29.2008
Survival Kits from 5 Minutes Apart
I really like the setntiment behind the products offered at 5 Minutes Apart. This website is devoted to taking care not only of Mom, but the family as a whole, when it comes to delivering and caring for a new baby. They've got something for everyone, in the form of survival kits and pre-packed overnight bags, including expectant dads sleeping over at the hospital, siblings anticipating the unknown, and those moms out there recovering from a c-section. I particularly love the breastfeeding survival kit since I, like (I assume) many women out there, was clueless as to the less-than-glamorous aspects of breastfeeding that aren't taught in those lactation classes. Included are a My Breast Friend pillow with extra cover, Soothies, washable nursing pads and more. A great idea for a shower gift or just something nice for a friend.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
| gear
| mealtime
| parenting
| pregnancy
Tags: breastfeeding hospital labor & delivery sibling
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07. 8.2008
Moonbags
We're all familiar with the changing-room swimming costume shuffle that leaves you, the parent, fishing wet trunks and towels from various parts of the floor. It could be time to add the Moonbag to your swim kit.
Basic idea: your kid stands on it like a rug, and wriggles out of anything wet. Then you just pull the drawstrings and there it all is, cleverly contained until you get home (where, if you are anything like me, you then forget about it for a week).
This would surely be just as useful for picnics, trips to the park, or even a quick-fix when it's time to tidy up little bitty toys like blocks or Lego.
Posted by Myf
Category:
gear
Tags: bags
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06. 2.2008
Bento Box Bags
Last week, we featured the Bento Box by Plastica. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I do love all sorts of mealtime accessories. So naturally, when I pick up my new bento box, you can be sure I'll toss in a Bento Box bag for good measure. These ones are available for practically a song on Mega Super Bento's eCrater page along with hundreds of other bento box accessories.
Posted by Katie
Category:
gear
| mealtime
Tags: bags bento box
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05.27.2008
A New Kind of Picnic Basket: The Plastica Bento Box
If you're like me (a tad on the crazy/overly-cautious side about what your child is eating), then you're familiar with packing lunches and healthy snacks so that your kid doesn't get his hands on (gasp!) a little high fructose corn syrup. Of course, this must mean that you're equally frustrated about how not everything works in sandwich form or fits conveniently into most toddler plasticware.
This is looking like a strong contender as my new picnic basket: the Bento Box by Plastica. It's made of melamine (therefore not microwave safe), can hold several different dishes (sandwich or otherwise) separately, and comes in different shapes and sizes. Plus, they just look really cool and are probably easier to carry than a traditional basket.
Posted by Katie
Category:
gear
| mealtime
Tags: bento box mealtime melamine
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05. 9.2008
The Charlotte Bug Net
It's really nice in our neck of the woods in Kentucky right now: warm and comfortable, but we're in the week or so before the bugs come out in force. It's nice to take your babies to the great outdoors, but insects and mosquitoes are still a worry. That's why the Charlotte Bug Net is such a great product. It fits over your stroller, has attractive little buggies on the mesh, and makes sure no one nibbles on your precious cargo.
Posted by ben
Category:
gear
Tags: bugs safety strollers
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05. 5.2008
Canvas Water Bucket
Now that Spring has sprung here in NYC, my son and I are finding ourselves in the park a whole lot more. Of course, it's not just us going to Central Park. It's our blanket, the sand toys, a ball and an array of other "necessities". Which is why I'm kind of loving this canvas water bucket. Almost a foot in diameter and just over one foot tall, this canvas water bucket makes a great catch all for all of this loot (wet or dry), whether you hang it over a stroller handle or place it near the door as a toy depository. Of course, you could also use it for (yup) water, say at the beach this summer. It collapses into a flat little pancake and is thus beach bag friendly.
Available at Design Within Reach, but you can also find it in different colors and sizes (and probably cheaper) at various camping and army/navy type stores. Via Swissmiss.
Posted by Katie
Category:
bath/health
| gear
| toys
Tags: buckets canvas storage
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