A Stroller Rant

Confession: When it comes to baby strollers, I have been through most. I bought into the Bugaboo hype and started out with the top of the line Cameleon and what a bug-a-bust.  I despise the stroller.  I tried to love it.  I will say there are definitely some perks to the bug-a-wallet-buster.  The ride is amazing and I love the look.  I even ran a 5k with my first born in the Bugaboo and had zero complaints from my little love.

However, the stroller is an absolute beast to get into the trunk.  There is nothing graceful about lifting a ridiculously heavy and awkward piece of machinery.  Don’t even let me get started on the car seat adapter debacle and my major meltdown in the hospital parking garage when I couldn’t get the car seat unattached from the stroller with my arm candy strapped inside. Disaster.

I even tried to pimp my ride a little with the fun fabrics and after market accessories.  I still hate it.  You definitely need another stroller to travel with.  Sure, you can purchase a travel case for the bugaboo if you plan on checking it through to your final destination, but then you have to check it and pray you don’t get stuck somewhere between Point A and Point B.  We know how that goes.  I could go on and on, but I won’t.

I recently read that Harper Beckham will be cruising in the ICandy Peach Stroller.  To be honest, I haven’t tried the ICandy stroller.  I love the name, but it is priced like a Bugaboo, looks like a Bugaboo and well….you know the rest.

Pregnancy Book Guide

Confession:  I believe the greatest joy in life is becoming a mother.  Therefore, you can understand the excitement when a bestie calls to share that she is expecting her first child.  It is hard to put into words the joy and fear that surround motherhood.  In nine months you are expected to produce a child and know what to do with it.  Loving a child is the easy part–making sure your newborn baby boy doesn’t pee in your face is the challenge.  Yes, it will happen.

I’ve always been one for preparation.  My nine month journey to motherhood included pretty much every maternity book and magazine under the sun.   Most, I could live with out.  However, there are a select few that I have turned to time and time again for information.  Without further ado,

1. Baby Bargains–This book is an absolute must have for mothers.  I took this book with me to register and still reference it when researching new items to purchase for my arm candies.

1. Baby Bargains

2. What to Expect When you are Expecting– This book is like the pregnancy bible and even when you think you know everything, I guarantee you will still pull this book off the shelf to look up some random pregnancy question.

3.  Bump It Up–  Pregnancy is not an excuse to be a fashion “not”. Be prepared with these amazing fashion tips for expecting mothers.

Amazon Mom

In case you haven’t noticed, I am a huge fan of Amazon.  (As mentioned here).  Just when I felt my love for the Seattle-based company was at full capacity, Amazon.com proved it was possible to squeeze a little more love out of this heart of mine.  The fabulous new program for parents, Amazon Mom definitely tugs at my heartstrings, not to mention helps pull in the purse strings.  The savings are insane! 30% off on diapers and wipes AND two-day free shipping with Amazon Prime?!  Need I say more?

Click here for details.

**Not a parent, but still want the perks? Check out Amazon for students.  Good lookin’ out Amazon!

Keep ’em Covered

I know it’s not polite to stare, especially while a mother is breastfeeding her baby, but the oh-so fashionable Bebe au Lait nursing covers make it difficult not to sneak a peek. I have frequented many mommy gatherings only to find a sea of breathtaking fabric draping my gorgeous mommy friend’s necks.  It’s hard not to fall in love with these covers.  Here are a few features besides the incredible selection of  fabric that make these nursing covers desirable for every new mom:

• Light fabric keeps baby from overheating
• Adjustable neck strap for privacy and comfort
• Rigid neckline allows mom to view baby while nursing
• Terry cloth corner of inside fabric ensures you always have a burp cloth handy
• Folds up extremely flat for storage almost anywhere
• Maintains vibrant color after multiple washings
• Privacy, privacy, privacy

Here are a few of my favorites from the gorgeous collection!  I am also attaching a promo code for 20% off all nursing covers that Bebe au Lait is running for Breastfeeding Awareness month that ends TODAY!! Enter WBW2010 at checkout. 

Amber Hagen

It is very rare that I find clothes for my son that I get excited about. The majority of the time, I surf through the racks of clothing hoping to find at least ONE thing I like. Shopping for little boys is truly painful at times. Hence, my excitement for Amber Hagen’s line of children’s clothes. I can’t stop drooling over the adorable line of clothing Amber Hagen has assembled. I can’t even narrow it down to a favorite, so I am not going to. I’m attaching a handful of adorable duds by Hagen. While, I can’t imagine having a cashmere sweater for my son, nor anything dry cleaned for my son, I do love the cotton option and do feel that sometimes you just have to splurge.
Thank you to Amber for giving us adorable options for our girls AND our boys!

Bedding Block?

When it came to decorating the nursery for my daughter,  I had a horrible case of nursery bedding block.  What is bedding block you ask?  Let me explain.  Bedding block, is similar to writer’s block.  It’s the feeling of standing in an empty nursery staring at white walls and perhaps even nursery furniture and not having the perfect bedding to welcome your baby home.  I battled bedding block for months, almost 9 to be honest.  I kept searching for inspiration in catalogs, online and in stores, but kept leaving empty-handed.  As my due date drew near, I was forced to make a decision.  Hubs threatened to make it for me if I waited any longer.  So, I did the best I could with the time allotted. I settled on nursery bedding that I like.  It is sweet and it doesn’t repulse me every time I walk into the room.  However, it is nothing that induces pure nursery bliss either.

I am still on the hunt for the perfect girls nursery bedding.  I will not redo my daughter’s room, nor do I have any arm candy announcements to make, but I know the perfect bedding is out there somewhere.  In the meantime, I’ve got my eye on some serious contenders by Serena & Lily.

Roxy Collection by Serena & Lily.

Kate Collection by Serena & Lily.

Cameron Collection by Serena & Lily.

Make Room at The Plaza

Seven years ago, my husband surprised me with a fairy tale surprise marriage proposal that included a red-eye trip to New York City, The River Cafe, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park and a stay at the legendary Plaza Hotel.  Ever since that memorable weekend,  I have had a love for everything New York, especially The Plaza Hotel.

So, of course when Tommy Hilfiger and the fam moved into the luxurious Plaza, I couldn’t help but fall in love with their designer diggs.  Here they are,  as recently featured in Harper’s Bazaar.

Image Credit:  Douglas Friedman

Another well-known child of The Plaza that is worth mentioning is, Eloise.  She may no longer be the youngest Plaza resident, however, I think she might still be the most famous six-year-old to ever live at The Plaza.  Check her books out here.
The Eloise books are a must read for all little girls, but especially for little girls who are heading to NYC. A trip to the famous Palm Court for high tea is also a must for families heading to the Big Apple.  Don’t forget to order “The Eloise Tea” for the kids!

Eloise at The Plaza

Palm Court

Beaba-The Little Steamer That Could

I have stated before (here) that I am no domestic goddess.  Today the same holds true.  However, it may come as a surprise that there are areas of domestic goddesshood where I really do shine.  One of these areas is making baby food.  It is a complete labor of love for me.  There is something about making fresh organic foods for my little loves that is so extremely rewarding–much more rewarding than folding laundry or some other domestic chore.

I have to give credit to the Beaba Babycook for helping me to become a baby food making machine.  A couple of years ago when my son was starting on solids, I made the decision to make homemade baby food.  I purchased the Beaba Babycook from Williams-Sonoma.  I cannot say enough about this little life saver! I absolutely love it!  It is so easy to use and great for all stages of baby food making and beyond.  Even after my son had outgrown “baby food” I used the Babycook for steaming vegetables.  It has an automatic shut-off and ensures perfectly steamed veggies.  I recently pulled the babycook back out for my daughter and re-sparked my romance with this amazing little machine.  It is seriously that good.

1. Beaba Babycook

I’m also attaching a couple of my other favorite baby food making faves.

4. Beaba Baby Food Trays

by Williams-Sonoma

A Dash of Celeb Arm Candy

Kourtney Kardashian and baby Mason BC Magazine Cover

Just a little Dash of Celeb Arm Candy to go with your morning coffee! Have a great weekend!

To see additional images and the article from the shoot, you can visit Kourtney Kardashian’s website (here).

Hello Gorgeous

It’s hard to find baby blankets that rival the softness and style of Little Giraffe blankets.  That is not to say the competition is not out there.  In my opinion, the biggest rival is a San Francisco based company by the name of Tourance.

Tourance has a gorgeous line of baby blankets, one of which I received 3 years ago when my son was born. (click here to see) It was then that my love affair with their blankets began.

I have since ordered a blanket for my daughter (here) and gifted a blanket as well (see here).  The blankets are absolutely gorgeous and more importantly, they are beautifully crafted.  My children’s blankets have held up wonderfully in the washing machine and endured everything from spillage to spit up, while remaining stain free of course.

I absolutely adore a number of other items from the Tourance line and look forward to adding a couple other items to my Tourance collection.

Here are a couple of my other Tourance faves:

Snow Leopard Throw By Tourance

Tourance Ruffle Bloomers