Saturday, June 30, 2007

Silver Pram: Cruising Celeb Babies in Style

Some baby products are just designed to make you drool and inspire mom-envy. The Balmoral pram by Silver Cross is one of those products.

A British Import the Balmoral is designed to transport baby in luxury. The design is pure baby chic with its steel bodied frame, polished chrome chassis and hand-spoked wheels.

Silver Cross has been building is reputation as the premiere carriage / pram company for over a hundred years and was once the most sought after carriages for Europe's royals and aristocrats. Now they have expanded into the American market and have garnered a wave of celebrity fans who have selected the Balmoran as the first mode of transportation for their little ones.

The Silver Cross Balmoral is a celebrity favorite with Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Tori Spelling all wheeling around their tots in these amazing prams.

Tori Spelling recently test-drove the Balmoran during a press tour in London for her show Tori & Dean: Inn Love. She loved it so much that she has had it shipped back to California for Liam's Beverly Hills outings!

Available at fine retailers and online at twilitemoon and poshtots.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Serena and Lily: Eco Friendly Paints in Kid Friendly Colors

I went a little eco crazy this spring. The time had come to tear out my very lived-in carpeting that had seen better days and replace it with something new. When we went shopping for that something new, I knew what I wanted -- bamboo floors for most of the house and organic cotton carpeting for the upstairs where my studio lives. My feet get cold during the cold Minnesota winters and I live most of the day in my studio / office.

I even got in an argument at Home Depot after I asked a flooring specialist where they had linoleum (a product made out of renewable linseed oil) and she pointed me at vinyl (a product made out of petroleum products). Yep, I was the crazy eco chick yelling at a salesclerk. To defend myself, the boys had been sick with respiratory infections for a month and the doctor said it was probably coming from the carpet.

Of course, once I replaced most of the flooring had been replaced something became very clear. I had to paint! Everything! Right now!! New floors make six-year-old painted walls look just a little too lived in

I wish I had found the new paints by Serena and Lily before I pulled out my brushes and rollers. Their eco-friendly, matte-scrubbable wall paints are designed for the kids rooms and all that kids can dish out. The paints themselves have low VOCs and are low order. After painting the entire house, I was dizzy from the fumes from the paint I had chosen at the local paint store. . Serena & Lily's colorful paint selections (we love the "Grass" hue feature above) also have low VOCs and low odor.

The colors are chosen from nature -- grass, air, chocolate, sun. The eco-friendly paint is perfect for baby and children's rooms since they are non-toxic.

I would have loved to have found their "grass" paint prior to painting my oldest sons room. He had selected an outdoorsy themed room and it would have been the perfect color.

Available at serenaandlily.com

Samantha Harris Loves Michael Stars Dresses!

The soft and comfy tees by Michael Stars have long been a celebrity must-have. Their maternity tees have been seen on stars Courteney Cox-Arquette and Jennifer Garner.

Earlier this year, Michael Stars expanded their line to include a collection of super style and comfortable dresses. Their dresses have captured all of the characteristics that have made their tees a must-have. Style, comfort, and quality combined with simple feminine silhouettes are the trademarks of the dress collection.

Over the weekend Dancing with the Stars host Samantha Harris was spotted out at the Colette Jewelry part at Republic in Los Angeles wearing the Michael Stars "Natalie" dress in Begonia. The sheer comfort of the dress transitions pefectly from a summer party dress for any stylish gal to the perfect red carpet dress for a stylish celebrity mom.

I personally snapped up one of their "Chrissy" dresses earlier this year and it has become a staple of my summer wardrobe!

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Two Elizabeths: Retro Inspired Baby Gifts

I'm a big fan of retro inspired baby stuff and hit the motherload when I discovered the adorable products by Two Elizabeths.

They have put together adorable gift bucket sets which include a handpainted bucket, blanket, changing pad, and distressed clothing hanger.

The products are handcrafted using vintage inspired fabrics or handpainted, distressed buckets / hangers with intricate attention paid to the details. The collection include classic kids favorites including: cowboys, dolls, fire engines, and pokka dots.

A sure-fire hit at any baby shower!

Check out their complete collection at Two Elizabeths today!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Zahara Wears Baby J Brand Jeans

Angelina Jolie was recently spotted out with daughter Zahara and son Pax while filming in Prague. Zahara was sporting one of Jolie's personal favorite Jeans brands - J Brand Jeans.

J Brand Jeans has recently introduced their new baby / kids line, J Brand Jeans. The style sported by Zahara are priced at $120 and come in both mother and daughter sizes.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Petit Collage: Re-used Papers Create Modern Collages



Recycling is extremely popular right now and we've found some adorable artwork for your children's room that embraces the spirit of recycling.

All of the designs by Petit Collage are created by talented artist Lorena Siminovich using found, recycled, painted and vintage papers. Most of the collages are inspired by nature and compiled from papers picked up in Lorena's travels from all over the world and from different eras in time.

The collages are all created on maple plywood to incorporate a natural element and the beauty of wood grain accentuates the re-used papers.

Each of the collages are created in limited editions with no more than 50 of any given piece ensuring your artwork will be truly unique. So simple and vintage, yet incredibly stylish and modern.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Quinny Buzz: Making the Transition from Stroller to Pram and Back

One of Europe's chicest strollers is set to make its entrance onto American streets. The Quinny Buzz Stroller is ready to open our eyes to what a stroller can be. Easily convertible the Buzz transitions from umbrella stroller to standard stroller, to pram all with a simple touch.

Bright and modern, the Buzz is sure to turn heads of moms as you walk down the street or around the mall. An easy-touch automatic unfolding system allows you to set up with just a simple touch. Its triped wheels offer easy maneuverability

The design allows you to adapt your stroller into a classic pram with the use of the Dreami bassinet accessory. The perfect option for those of you who want a pram, but don't have room to store one in addition to the stroller.

Currently available in four colors - Juice (orange with pink trim), Sulpher (yellow with lime trim), Capri (turquoise) and Black (charcoal with black trim). Additional accessories include a bassinet, sun canopy, mosquito netting and underseat basket.

Now available in select specialty stores and online retailers including: Giggle, Magic Beans and babystyle.

Preggers 'N Proud New With Child Tanks

One of our favorite maternity tee company's has introduced a brand new design just in time for summer!

The new "With Child" tank by Preggers 'n Proud is perfect for those upcoming hot summer days. This is perfect tank for the rock star mommy who wants to flaunt her style for summer and look cool while doing it.

Former Soprano's and Joey star Drea de Matteo was recently given this tee to celebrate her pregnancy announcement!


Wednesday, June 6, 2007

VedaDUDE Gift Sets for Father's Day

We've previously written about the gentle, natural skincare products by VedaPure.

Just in time for Father's Day you can "Go Green" and get the vedaDUDE Gift Set for Dad. The VedaDude skincare line is non-cosmetic with simple, clean products that don't include the typical preservatives you find in many skincare products. This 4-step complete shaving system is perfect for any dad who wants to pamper themselves.

The vedaDUDE Gift Set includes: CLEAN (Face Cleanser), GLIDE (Shave Gel), SPLASH (After Shave), and CHILL (Face Moisturizer).

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Doomoo Bean Bags: Snug Seats with Modern Style

Kids love furniture sized just for them. The only snag is that often kid sized furniture doesn't always come with adult oriented style.

For several years, my living room featured gorgeous overstuffed couches, a custom designed entertainment center, a beautiful antique rug, a modern wooden bookshelf, and two Spider-man chairs.

These adorable new Doomoo Bean Bag chairs for kids have been designed in Belgium and are available exclusively in the US at Baby Dagny.

The Doomoo seat is a modern bean bag filled with a combination of polystyrene micro-balls in a snug chair shape. The cover is created from extra-soft stretchy material in a variety of modern color combinations. The cover can be detached, washed, and interchanged making it ideal for busy toddlers.

This is definitely not your '70's bean bag chair. Perfect for child sized seating in your toddler's bedroom and modern enough to fit into the style and function of your family room. A snug little spot for reading, playing, or movie watching.

All Doomoo seats are on sale at Baby Dagny through the end of the week!

Little Thieves: Urban Designs for Little Boys

Clothing for boys needs to be built for playing. It doesn't matter whether you're spending the day at the park or at a formal function, one way or another the little guys will find a way to turn it into playtime. Their clothing needs to be able to adapt to their environment and be ready for play.

The new Little Thieves collection by Bunny & Bee has a fresh take on conventional clothing for
boys. Paired with jeans these urban inspired designs are the perfect match for rough and tumble playtime. Paired with a pair of khakis they have the perfect level of sophistication for more formal days.

In our house, we don't put much faith in formal "dress" clothes for the boys. The inevitably end up stained, ripped, or otherwise unwearable in the future. We go for khakis, button up shirts paired with funky tees, and dress sneakers. They look good and they can play too!

The Little Thieves tees are very high quality -- softer to the touch than most of the other tee collections I've seen. Their lightweight design makes even the long sleeved tees perfect for the summer. Their eye-catching designs take a subtle, urban twist on bulldogs, ice-cream cones, and owls - that are fresh and vibrant.

A summer tee from Little Tieves will definitely make your little guy the envy of the playgound!

Bunny & Bee hasn't forgotten the girls, check out their original collection of non-cutesy girl-wear and bags for mom too!

Brooke Shields and Grier Out Wearing Pink Chicken

Brooke Shields and her one-year-old daughter Grier on a family outing in Brentwood California. Grier is wearing Pink Chicken's Belle dress available at select retailers.



Monday, June 4, 2007

Whimsy Press: Extraordinary Wall Art for Children's Spaces

Who says your baby's walls need to be plain and boring. The new children's wall art by Whimsy Press offer a fresh way to make boring walls extraordinary. These premium stretched canvases are UV protected to resist fading and gallery wrapped which allows you to hang it with or without a frame.





A Peek Inside Mariska Hargitay's Home

Mariska Hargitay's home is a sanctuary that is a tribute to her life and family. In her downtown Manhattan apartment nearly every inch is covered by those memories. "I'm obsessed with pictures and memories," she says.

Son August's toys and photos are present and give her home that lived in quality that every home needs. Her bedroom includes a nook for August's bassinet with a linen armchair where the family enjoys bedtime stories.

She says, "It's such a blessing to get things later in life - to become successful later in life, to get married later and have a baby. I'm a better wife, better mother, better actor. I have the perfect life, and I want to take out an ad: 'HANG IN THERE, LADIES!' As my father always said, 'Life is what you make it.'"






Source: O At Home

Shopping guide:



Jumbo Go Go Go Soft Toy Car at Target



Classic Cariboo by Scandanavian Child


Collection of books including: Oh the Thinks You Can Think, Trust Me, Mom!, Horton Hears a Who, Inventor McGregor, and Superdog

Friday, June 1, 2007

Must Have Summer Bags by Coco Bebe

I absolutely love the new market inspired bags by Coco-bebe!

These bags were created with the roomy vintage farmers market bags in mind. They feature loads of pockets for storing all of your baby essentials while you are on the go. Made from 100% cotton materials, the best part is that when it gets dirty all you need to do is toss it in the washing machine for easy clean-up.

Place your order by June 6 and receive a free blanket with your bag!! Check out the complete collection here.


These bags have been recently gifted to Marcia Cross, Tori Spelling, Keri Russell, and Jaime Pressly.