Chic Baby New York

Obaibi...Oh baby!

2010-06-29T17:45:00.003-04:00

I have been wanting to write about Obaibi for a long time. Unfortunately every time I went in there the last couple of months, they had low inventory because their merchandise was stopped at customs because of some paperwork glitch. Well that has certainly changed and we can now put that aside. I went today and they had great things and so many sales, some items were up to 50% off. Basically Obaibi is a french chain store that sells their own designed clothing. It is quite popular in France and their clothes definitely show their French origin. They are a mix between Jacadi and Cadet Rouselle. The designs and fabrics are wonderful. The prices are great too. In fact it pretty much costs the same as if you bought it personally in Paris! So save your money and skip the airline ticket and check it out at 1296 Madison Avenue and 92nd. Also I can't wait for them to open their older children's store, appropriately called Okaidi since Obaibi only goes up to size 5!

We have a great way to display our art!

2010-05-31T16:29:00.003-04:00

The Lil Da Vinci frames are fabulous. They come in 2 sizes 8 1/2 x 11 and 12 x 18 and hold tons of art work. The new 'masterpiece' can be placed in the front of the frame for all to see, while the old ones are stored behind in the same hinged frame. Your 'chic one' will love participating in the framing process. Lil Da Vinci also comes in different frame colors (...great birthday gift).

Yummy custom made cupcakes

2010-05-30T21:49:00.004-04:00

We are a little Sesame Street crazy in our house. And it goes without saying that since cupcakes are the new doughnuts, we happily oblige the cupcake trend and try to grab them where we can. So imagine our excitement when we happened upon Ruthy's at the Chelsea Markt. They had pretty much every cupcake character available...Big Bird, Zoe, Abby Cadabby, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the grouch and Elmo. We settled for a Cookie Monster cupcake. Ruthy's delivers anywhere in the US in special temperature controlled shipping, so give them a ring if you have cupcake Sesame Street addicts like we have at home or just pop on over to Chelsea Market yourself. Would be great for a 'chic ones' birthday too!

Fun crayons

2010-05-05T09:57:00.007-04:00

I wanted to start highlighting some more eco/organic/ green items since I have been pretty environmentally conscience myself, after living in Europe for years. I am happy that this year, Earth Day and frankly, the whole month of April, received much more attention here in the States, then years past. I will probably be adding a weekly addition to the blog, maybe a 'green toy Tuesday, or an 'eco friendly Friday' to post about some ideas or items I have found....but it's Wednesday and I couldn't think of a catchy post title and since I have been remiss in my postings as of late, here goes....

Eco stars from the same company that brought you Miss Brittany's Fun Dough. These crayons come in fabulous star shapes, different colors, and write superbly ( I have tested these myself). They are made out of crayons collected from the National Crayon Recycling Program ( I didn't know there was such a clever program either). So basically they are 'upcycled' or recycled. Available directly from their website for $ 8.95. Makes a great add on or party favor gift.

I love these tshirts!

2010-04-21T11:39:00.004-04:00

I am absolutely buying these as gifts for some friends who are about to have a baby! The 'production' version is too funny...you can personalize it with your the parents' first names or last names/ maiden name. My other favorite is the copyright version with the year printed right next to it. The copyright version is available till size 6T, so it would be a great photo opportunity for every child in a family to wear them simultaneously, with their respective birth years printed, of course. They cost $26 and are available in both long and short sleeves from Mitetees.

Alphabetizing their rooms.

2010-04-18T19:57:00.003-04:00

I love these initial alphabet hooks from Anthropologie. They have that old time, classic feeling and are black and white so they can easily adapt into any bedroom's decor. We all need hooks whether in the closet, behind the door or on the wall. Something to consider for only $12.

Personalized baby Moses baskets makes sleeping that much warmer!

2010-03-29T17:04:00.005-04:00

What a wonderful way to make your new 'chic baby' feel like a special new member of the family. You can personalize the baby's Moses basket with the baby's name or even your last name to make a true family heirloom. Available from Makaboo for $179.99 including the monogramming.

The go to travel toy...memory!

2010-03-28T23:17:00.004-04:00

We love this toy both at home and on the road. It is the Memory Game from Melissa and Doug. It says it is from 5 years old and up but it works from pretty much 2 and up if you don't leave the 'chic one' alone. The game has 7 different topics, such as shapes, vehicle, animals, fruit, etc. These topics have 2 inserts each ( math geniuses like myself realize that means there are 14 different games to choose from). It is a really small and portable game, and unlike other memory games, there are no small pieces or cards to lose. So if you thinking what to pack for entertainment this holiday week...this is greatand suits a lot of ages. Available for $12.99 from Melissa and Doug.

Our favorite gift to give at birthday parties.

2010-03-23T20:52:00.003-04:00

The 'go to gift' for us is something that has been a big hit in our own home...it is the Aquadoodle Draw N Doodle. You basically take the pen the drawing mat comes with and fill it with water and viola! You draw and within minutes it dries back up so you can start again and again and again, so you have a chunk of time with entertained 'chic tots'. I would also recommend getting the extra brush & pen set, which is sold seperately, for when a friend comes so your 'chic' playdate can go smoothly without the typical lesson of 'sharing' and you and your mommy friend can actually get a moment to have a cup of coffee. Available at Target, Amazon and is best priced at Walmart for $22.57.

Baby doll needs new wheels.

2010-03-15T12:17:00.001-04:00

There is something old fashioned ( maybe the wood) yet at the same time airodynamic ( maybe the reversable handlebars) about this baby doll stroller. I like it even though it is pricey at $260. Available at Y Living, called the Troll Doll Stroller.

We have a new favorite game at home!

2010-03-03T07:36:00.003-05:00

We do have a new favorite toy...it's called CooCoo the rocking clown. It is made by a fabulous company called Blue Orange which has been consistently winning toy awards for the past few years. The wooden ( 2 thumbs up) Coocoo Clown is basically a game of balancing a bunch of colored 'logs' on the extended arms of a clown, as you watch with glee how the clown tries to maintain its balance. Eventually the clown losses its fight and topples over to the amusement of your 'chic little one'...thankfully as our little ones dont have so much patience, the waiting is not too long. I can't wait to try out other products from this company such as Zimbbos and Chickyboom. Costs range from $ 18.49 ( amazon) till about $24 for the Coocoo the Rocking Clown game.

Spring in the air, Spring in your step...Gap has it.

2010-02-21T12:11:00.008-05:00

I am loving Gap's shoes for kids this Spring. Especially for the boys. They have such a large selection, it is hard to chose just one, especially with the great prices.

They have slip on sneakers, I love the Gap's girl's hot pink color, they look like a Euro version of Keds, $20. The boys version ( above) is cute too.

Driving Mocassins that look amazing, $30.

Striped flip flops, $17.

Just in case you forget your card for a birthday gift.

2010-02-17T18:07:00.004-05:00

Since our little 'chic one's' are always going to birthday parties, this wrapping paper is perfect! You know how it is, you buy the gift, the wrapping paper ( or gift bag) and then the card... 3 step process. Why not cut down one step while making your gift that much more cute on the presentation scale with this personalized wrapping paper. The personalized wrapping paper measures 24" by 6 ft., which should fit about 3 to 4 boxes. Available at Namemaker.com from $10.95, they have many other designs and gift paper lengths.

The ultimate stroller hooks!

2010-02-16T10:33:00.002-05:00

These stroller hooks have finally come stateside. I bought mine in London and even posted about these stroller hooks on my British blog about 2 years ago. They have a thick plastic hook and velcro strap that goes around the stroller. Whenever I came in from London to visit in NY, I was always stopped on the street where to get them, I even bought them as presents for friends here in NY....well they have arrived. $ 8.95 at Lullaby Lane and if you live on the UWS, you can pick them up at Therapie on Columbus. They are called 'See Me Smile', but it is the same company as the Britsh version.

Tory Burch has stolen my heart.

2010-02-12T14:44:00.008-05:00

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the new Tory Burch Reva Ballet shoes for little kids. These ballet slippers are so adorable up close. I felt like I was literally holding baby princess shoes. They start at size 9 ( bummer for us because we are not there yet...1 and 1/2 more sizes to go!) The Reva model comes in orange, red, patent black, silver, gold and leopard. They are $95, except the Tory Burch leopard which are $125. They are so cute...you could totally get the mini me going on with your 'chic baby' princess. Available at Tory Burch.

Keeping your children entertained at mealtime!

2010-02-05T10:28:00.003-05:00

Looking to bring the kids to the table? Well here is a personalized place mat that comes with chalk for your little 'chic' picassos. The outside is embroidered and personalized with your 'chic one's' name and the placemats can be rolled up for travel...makes it great for restaurants. Available in 2 colors for $29.99 from PersonalizedPresents.com

The ultimate baby teether.

2010-02-05T10:22:00.002-05:00

The newest teether comes from a company called Lifefactory which has other innovative items as well. It is a multi sensory teether with many grooves for those little gums to sink into. Comes in 3 colors and can be worn as a bracelet by mom in case you need your hands free without dumping a teether, that goes into your child's mouth, onto the floor...smart! $ 6.99.

M&M's make friends or just great party treats

2010-01-29T17:01:00.007-05:00

I looked on my recent purchase of M&M's and saw that they offer you the option to personalize your m&ms with either a message or a photo. They recommend it to use it for business favors, Valentine's day, teacher gifts and of course ( where my ears perked up) children's party favors! Available starting at $16.99 for one bag of M&M's with a message. The price gets better if you order more bags. Very cute and great memento from your party that everyone will talk about. Order directly from My M&M's.

Tommee Tippee is in America!

2010-01-25T12:09:00.005-05:00

Tommee Tippee baby feeding products are THE brand in England. It is basically comparable to our version of Playtex or First Years products in the USA. After having lived in London, our house if full of their products and they are very good and BPA free. They are available at Toys R Us exclusively at the moment...which quite frankly, Toys R Us is really impressing me with a few of their exclusivity agreements with some 'cutting edge brands', such as Tommee Tippee and Handysitt, lately.

Organic first foods

2010-01-21T13:40:00.004-05:00

I love that there are now organic first finger foods that melt in your mouth from Happy Baby. It's nice to see alternatives come to the market, plus I like this company's other products. Their whole concept is pretty nouveau as well and being much needed...so welcome Happy Baby Organics to the baby world!

Even if you only crawl...you too can now be a NY Jets Fan!

2010-01-19T09:47:00.005-05:00

In honor of our beloved NY Jets who are doing us New Yorkers proud at the moment. A great gift to grab the attention all sportsfans, a personalized football baby blanket from Neiman Marcus for $145 (including personalization). So get into the NY Jets team spirit if you want. Makes a cute gift for a new baby too, if you know a football fanatic family! Also available in other sports themes, such as a baseball tummy blanket and a soccer personalized blanket.

Leggings that rock!

2010-01-15T12:37:00.006-05:00

I have recently seen 2 very cute sets of leggings on my friends' daughters.

The first one is from a company called Chopstix. They are denim skinny leggings that look like skinny jeans, making it easy for your chic girl to climb and not feel encumbered by actual denim...and they really look amazing on. $39.95 from Tutti Bella.
The second are ruffle leggings from Europe from a company called Ewers. They are so soft, almost like thick tights with a few layers of ruffles flairing on the bottom. It comes in pink, chocolate, navy and white from Glee Kids, $23.00.

Having a cute place to put away the little things.

2010-01-15T12:31:00.002-05:00

Having an adorable place to put away your 'chic baby's' little things (nail clippers, ointment,etc) that fits in with their room and actually makes it sweeter looking, is what these personalized cube boxes are about. They look like a big version of letter blocks but they also have your chic one's name on it. Choose from pink or blue, 4 inches squared and fits so nicely on a book shelf. $19.95 from Personal Creations.

Insider Tip- My Gift to you

2010-01-14T14:26:00.003-05:00

Friends share insider tips and because you read my blog ...you, dear reader, are my friend...so here it is. The lost mitten club from Land's End. If you loose your glove or mitten, you can buy the mate from Land's End and will only be charged half price...brilliant concept! And since our 'chic one's' usually do ( as well as our spouses and even, ahem, ourselves), this is perfect for any family. Makes you want to buy all your gloves from Land's End!

Lights, camera...personalized!

2010-01-11T22:31:00.004-05:00

Personalized lamp shade for your 'chic one's' room....beautiful! Available at The Silly Wagon, they have a few different designs of personalized lamp shades available. Takes a few weeks to ship.
$97.95 and comes in many different designs, you can choose any message, name, etc.

Maternity Denim Therapy

2010-01-10T19:59:00.005-05:00

A company called Denim Therapy takes your favorite jeans and basically makes them into maternity jeans so you can enjoy your favorite jeans while pregnant...even if you can't enjoy your favorite other clothing items during the 9 months. Clever idea and located right here in NYC! They will also put them back to pre maternity form once you give birth. Check out the rest of their site because they do basic repairs on any type of denim..holes, rips, hems...nothing even to do with maternity.

Helping our noses get through this terrible winter!

2010-01-08T08:30:00.005-05:00

Maybe it's too much information, but we love Boogie wipes this winter (specifically this week). Saline tissues created, of course, by 2 moms! Available in drug stores across NYC.

Another toy with only capital letters...yay!

2010-01-07T20:49:00.003-05:00

A toy that teaches reading using capital letters and not mixing upper and lower case...a rare items in the toy world. Has 4 sides and all the letter combinations together make about 3 dozen words. Available from Nubius Organics, made in the USA, costs $7.95.

Styling...in a bib kinda way

2010-01-05T19:01:00.008-05:00

Having just returned from abroad, I was reminded of the baby kerchief or bandana bibs that many a European tot,sports around their neck. European parents have been using these for ages because they are a multifuctioning accessory. They can be used as a bib, a drool or spit catcher, a scarf or just a stylish splash of color to liven up an outfit. So, I decided to scour the web to see if it has arrived stateside and voila!

Eco Modern Baby has some kerchief bibs that are made from cool mod fabrics with plush backing and a snap closure at the neck. It is made in the USA from organic fabric. $18.

Bazzle Baby has a wide selection of cotton stylish prints on their bandabibs. They feature a velcro close and have a flannel backing. $12.

Did you say warm and personalized?

2010-01-04T11:01:00.005-05:00

Bundle up your child this winter with these beautiful knitted sweaters. Your chic one's name, initial or monogram is knitted along with your sweater and not appliqued or stitched in later, making it a truly bespoke piece. It is machine knitted in the good ol'USA from 100% cotton and available in an array of colors. Sizes start from newborn on up. Available from babyknitsandmore.com starting at $52.95.

Bespoke rugs!

2009-12-31T14:18:00.006-05:00

Well sort of bespoke rugs....initial rugs available in 2 different sizes and 2 different colors ( blue and pink) both with chocolate brown lettering. All you have to do is choose your 'chic one's' initial. Available in 3' x 5' for $ 149 and 5'x8' for $379 from Restoration Hardware.

The magnet that sticks to everything!

2009-12-13T14:00:00.006-05:00

Ok, refrigerators are no longer made of basic matierials, we now have stainless steel models, etc, ...so where does a 'chic parent' hang their 'chic baby's' artwork? our own memos & lists? emergency phone numbers? Enter the newest, patent pending product from Mayfair Lane...the Happeez Clip. It attaches itself to mirrors, stainless steel and other slick surfaces. It is sold indiviually, $6 or in 3 packs, $15 with over 115 different designs to choose from. Great stocking stuffer gift or hostess gifts

We made it onto our favorite crafting blog!

2009-12-10T23:28:00.004-05:00

Aren't we lucky, 2 days in a row we're getting a little bit of fame! Our craft ideas were posted on our favorite crafting blog, "no time for flashcards", which is written by Allie, a mom and former teacher. So check it out, as well as all her other wonderful ideas.

My article is in the newest magazine, The Observer Playground!

2009-12-09T21:01:00.008-05:00

Just to let my readers know, I was delighted to be an official 'momtributer' to the 2nd edition of NY's newest family magazine from the NY Observer, called Playground.

A couple of the things I wrote about ( on pages 26 &27) in the NY Observer Playground, are the personalized melamine plates from LaPlates.com...with these amazing plates, transitioning from bottles to solids has never been easier. There are 19 designs, different colors to choose from and tons of fonts available, which makes the design possibities endless. $22.

The other item I wrote about is the personalized wooden train. The blocks spell out your child's name ( up to 7 letters). The same blocks come out of the train, so your 'chic one' can stack and play with them, making it a double functioning toy. Available at Good-byes on the UES (E 78th) or at the manufacturer's website Tag Toys. $ 42.95.

Last but not least, the wonderful, multi tasking Editor of Observer Playground, Lyss Stern, has cowritten a wonderful book for moms, called 'If You Give A Mom A Martini'. It is a great read and a fabulous gift for either yourself or any mom you may know this holiday season. Available at Amazon.com

Gives a new meaning to the saying 'Santa Baby"

2009-12-08T12:15:00.002-05:00

Personalized Santa hat from The Baby Bump Shop...enough said ( well almost, it is on sale for $9.99)...now it's enough said!

Play dates in NYC that are stylish.

2009-12-08T12:11:00.002-05:00

Love this intial shirt with matching bottoms from Playdate NYC, a NY mom based business. Everything is hand sewn and made to order ( love crafty home made clothes). Which means you can choose the color of the intial, star, shirt, ... you get the picture. Comes is girl colors too! The set is $40. And makes Playdates in NYC that much cuter. Great holiday gift.

Personalizing your chocolate!

2009-12-07T12:19:00.004-05:00

Personalized chocolate bars for all the different seasons this holiday. At Personal Creations, you can choose from chocolate candy bar wrappers for Hanukkah, Christmas or the all inclusive "Season's greetings". They start at $14.95 for 24 wrappers, plus a one time personalization fee of $3.50 whether you order 1 or more products. So get out your chocolate bars to make the holiday sweet.

PS. When the wrappers arrive, make the holidays a little more family festive and sit down to wrap them with your 'chic baby', if they are old enough to try. And then let them distribute to everyone on your list!

Reaching size 24 months doesn't mean saying goodbye to lap t's!

2009-12-07T12:03:00.004-05:00

I love lap t's...but all the sizes only go till 24 months and then you must bid farewell to that wonderful envelope closure. Enter the lap t's from Estella, available in 9 colors and up to size 6. Costs $ 30.

Mom gifts!

2009-12-04T08:23:00.005-05:00

Since I have a blog, it is kind of funny to write about an actual paper product...but since it's cute, here goes! I saw this type of 'from the mom of' stationary years ago and hearted it instantly. I really think they are a great gift for any mom, dad or grandparent. Here are a couple of versions of them, the memo sheet that comes in a crystal clear holder has 375 sheets and costs $23.95 and you can choose any ink color. The notepad version, with the check box next to each child's name ( perfect for school notes to a teacher!) come in 4 pads of 50 sheets each and cost $26 and comes in various paper colors. Both available at Noteworthy Notes.

One of the reasons that moms want to have daughters!

2009-12-02T12:06:00.004-05:00

This chair is divine! This pink, scratch resistant chair is made from a collaboration between Kartell and Barbie, featuring Barbie's signature profile. Available at Barney's for $170.

Bring on the Holiday gifts!

2009-12-01T12:15:00.019-05:00

I received the Uncommon Goods catalogue at home and went looking through it. They have some really cute gifts for the holidays. The puzzle above hit me right away because as most parents, we are told so many conflicting things about teaching our 'chic ones' the alphabet...start teaching only lower case, start with caps only, don't teach the names of the letters instead just teach how to sound it out, etc.... Well I have taught the caps approach and it is so hard to find puzzles with cap letters only...enter the Animal Spelling Puzzle from Eeboo for $15( one of my favorite toy companies).

The construction plate and utensils set, makes eating fun and creative. The plate is $15 and the utensils are $18.

Every parents knows that a mistletoe is indeed never needed to give your 'chic baby' a big kiss. This 'no mistletoe needed' onesie is $25 and made from 100% organic bamboo, limited quantities available.

Who wants to make traveling easier?

2009-11-30T21:21:00.006-05:00

The Holidays have begun...that means traveling by car, plane or for the eco conscience, the train. Well the 'chic ones' need to be entertained. Try the doodlebag from Its Personal Stuff for $28. It comes personalized and contains: chalk, crayons, paper, chalkboard and an eraser, sure to give plenty of entertainment till you reach your final destination. And speaking of final destinations, if it's to family or friends, don't come empty handed, get them a personalized monogrammed long sleeve tshirt, available in sizes ranging from babies to adults for $30. Or just get them the doodlebag that gave you some quiet time along the way.

Just makes me want to go to Paris!

2009-11-26T11:39:00.008-05:00

For those who like the panache of Europe and are bilingual or let's face it, wanna be multilingualists...Atsuyo et Akiko, a Brooklyn based company has adorable clothes. The tshirts above are both $34, at Milkshop, one T is Paris's zip code ( or the 7th for you francophiles) and the other is the days of the week...makes you just want to go away and shop in Paris..A bien tot!

The Bugaboo new canvas diaper bag...finally arrives!.

2009-11-18T14:59:00.005-05:00

It's finally out, after much anticipation...the new canvas Bugaboo diaper bag! And the best part about the Bugaboo diaper bag, in my humble opinion, is it has a zipper...the old bugaboo had 2 snap buckles to close it, making it challenging to open the diaper bag 9 or close it ) and hold your 'chic little one' at the same time. Available at Lullaby Lane for $129.95.

Because chemicals on your little ones nails is not cool!

2009-11-18T14:49:00.003-05:00

Just discovered a new nail polish that is non toxic and chemical free and child friendly( also doesn't have that harsh nail polish odor, that we don't want near the little ones nose!). It's called Piggy Paint, comes in 14 colors and already is a celebrity hit! All the ingredients are biodegradable and there are no residues or traces left behind...the company actually has a tag line...natural as mud! So pig up some Piggy Paint and let the girlishness roll.

Because playing with castles and forts can be eco friendly!

2009-11-14T22:02:00.005-05:00

Playing with castles has never been more green! This cardboard castle comes with a draw bridge and turrets which can be folded away after play, a perfect NYC apartment toy, if you ask me. Measures 27.5"x 27.5x 13" and made of recycled cardboard...attention all eco trendy moms...makes a great holiday gift! Available at greenpartygoods.com for $38.99.

A classic toy with a winter twist!

2009-11-14T21:38:00.002-05:00

Barnes and Noble has the cutest snow man stacker from Melissa & Doug. A cute interpretation of the stacker classic and its a Barnes and Noble exclusive. They also have a deal if you buy 2 books, you get the snowman stacker for $ 5.95.

Maclaren Recall

2009-11-09T16:08:00.004-05:00

Maclaren is conducting a voluntary recall of strollers due to a malfunction in the hinge when folding and opening the stroller. Go to this website to see if your models are affected...but there is so much traffic, you may need to try a couple of times. Or call (877)-688-2326.

Craftaholics come hither!

2009-11-09T10:51:00.005-05:00

I have been the biggest fan of Michael's craft stores for years!!!! The annoying thing was it wasn't in the city and was always a drive to LI or NJ...well that has changed. I saw the signs last May and have been waiting for it to open and it finally did a few weeks ago!!! ( I can now replace that driving time with being creative instead). It is in the new Columbus Village on Columbus and w97th in Manhattan. It has a whole children's section and it boasts the biggest Crayola department out of its entire chain. The Michael's store is also almost 15,000 square feet and there is a birthday party room to rent! Oh how I would have loved to have a party there as a child!...so crafters or want-a-be crafters, go go go!

Learning Cause & Effect was never so well made

2009-11-08T08:22:00.003-05:00

Naef, Naef Naef! This Swiss toy company has so many wonderful wooden products and are so impossible to find in the USA. So I was so excited to find a whole section of Naef products on Fawn & Forest ( they have 3 pages of offerings!). They are a bit pricey even for wooden toys, but they have such a big following because of their craftmanship. These Naef Color Balls are great as a mini mobile and teaches a cause & effect lesson with each touch. $65 but check out Fawn & Forest for other Naef toy options as well.

In honor of our great city and champions!

2009-11-06T15:48:00.009-05:00

For our 2009 champions...and their 'chic baby' fans, here is a New York Yankees pacifie r and clip for $7.95, so everyone can see your little one and know your proud! And for the older kids, who after watching the Yankees win and now want to become future champs themselves, try this personalized baseball bat, on sale for about $27. Enjoy and see you next October!

Cutting or serving in style.

2009-11-05T13:16:00.002-05:00

Great personalized cutting board that makes a wonderful hostess gift or even a present for yourself. In this very room, an online shop, is offering many different sizes and shapes available. This one is $75 and measures 12"x 18".

For the little baby girls who like to pull off their socks

2009-11-04T20:34:00.005-05:00

I am in love with these burberry infant tights, the classic Nova plaid pattern tights with bows sewn on. Not to knock Trumpette, because I love those too, but they've been around for about 4 years already so this is a breath of fresh air. Available at Saks for $45 and in 3 different colors.

Baby Bracelet

2009-10-27T20:08:00.006-04:00

Beautiful personalized bracelet from Red Envelope. Comes in 2 sizes, infant and toddler. Costs $44.90 with the engraving.

P.S. Sorry about the picture, go to the website for a better look.

Get one, give one.

2009-10-23T11:48:00.002-04:00

We all saw the AT&T commercials about TOMS shoes last spring and summer. Basically for every shoe you purchase, a child in need gets a free pair from the company. TOMS calls it their 'One for One program'. Great concept that has been quite fashionable as of late, for adults, but very soon they are coming out with their tiny TOMS which will feature shoes for the under 4 year old crowd. They decided to make that move after loads of requests and also weighing in on the irony, that the shoes they were giving away ( but not selling to the public) were actually made for little children's feet. Until Tiny TOMS comes out there is the youth version. The one above is sooo urban chic and sells for $34 from the TOMS site, in sizes 10-13.

Baby Tough!

2009-10-20T20:29:00.004-04:00

I am not the biggest fan of skull & crossbones on babies or kids...but if it has to be done this hits just the right spot. Cute shoe slip ons for $26. Also comes in a girls version of black with pink bones. From Me In Mind.

Preppy newborn!

2009-10-16T16:57:00.005-04:00

This beautiful monogrammed, wrap style, one piece is from Restoration Hardware Baby & Child. It comes in 3 colors and can be personalized with an intitial or monogram. Available in sizes 0 to 24 months. Costs $32 with personalization. makes a great newborn gift too.

Name your germs!

2009-10-14T12:08:00.010-04:00

Mypacifier.com has come up with a cute way to personalize your 'chic ones' germs. The company will personalize your pacifier with your baby's name or special saying which helps with all the missing or switched pacies, that we all experience or cringe at, as moms. The pacifiers are the clever creation of a Danish company, that has affiliates all over the world ( I wrote about them on my British blog, a while ago). They come in fabulous colors and shapes, so take a look at the website. The price starts at $15.00 for a pack of 3 pacifiers and they would also make a really cute gift! Also if you need a pacifier case/box to attach for your stroller, they sell those too for $4.50 and you can not find them anywhere else in America and they are divinely handy!

Kickboard scooter fans...introducing Aqua

2009-10-14T11:19:00.007-04:00

Kickboard or Microlite, whatever name they go by, just gets better and better. The Mini Kick scooter has always been my favorite, although I was always a bit annoyed that they were very gender stereotypical in the beginning, with the choice of only 2 colors...pink and blue. This summer they introduced gender neutral orange which sold out immediately and was on back order and now they have....Aqua. The scooter costs $79.99, the price keeps going up every season. Kickboard says its from ages 3 to 5 but in Europe, Microlite (the same company) actually say from 2 to 5, I wonder what that is about?

Lights and Action!

2009-10-12T14:16:00.005-04:00

We love personalized items, so this lamp fits the criteria. This lamp can be personalized with any letter or name ( up to 6 letters). It is handmade and costs $110 and available at Romp, an amazing online shop that you can peruse their wonderful, unique and handcrafted items, for hours on end.

Monogrammed luxury

2009-10-11T10:07:00.008-04:00

I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it. Comes in 3 colors, lt. blue, pink and camel and can be monogrammed with a name or initials. Also comes in 2 sizes 36"x46" and 28"x36" and costs $47.20 to $50.20 for the bigger blanket and about $10 less for the smaller receiving blanket. Perfect newborn gift! You do need to email or fax the monogram information separately from the online order to the company, A Soft Idea.

Because we all have friends that met online!

2009-10-09T16:32:00.004-04:00

I laughed so hard when I saw this baby lap T shirt. Perfect newborn gift for new parents who met on the internet. Available from sizes 6 months to 18 months for $20.

You may accidently create good table manners!

2009-10-05T17:02:00.013-04:00

I love all the designs behind Fred & Friends. It's whimsical and creative and just puts a smile on your face. The magic wand ice princess Ice Cube Tray and Straw is $9.99. The Stacking lego-like utensil set is $19.99... great gifts. Check out their other products as well.

Naartjie, anyone?

2009-10-05T16:23:00.009-04:00

Naartjie is a South African company that has such a comfortable, stylish, bohemian vibe for kids. We have some of their clothes for a couple of years now, as well as having South African friends for longer who bought it for us! Naartjie has a few stores around the country, mostly on the West Coast. Unfortunately none in our area yet, although one is opening in New Jersey sometime soon. The fluffy jacket is $22, comes in a couple more colors and I adore it on a chic little one! The T shirt is on sale for $11, also available in other colors. Check out their site and if you are in LA, like I was, check out their stores...I spent an hour in there!

BTW, naartjie means a small clementine in South African, in case you were wondering.

Aden + Anais burp and bib muslin in one.

2009-09-30T17:46:00.006-04:00

While we all have, in a moment of desperation transformed our burp cloth into a bib. It has now been made into an official product, called the Burpy Bib, from the minds of Aden + Anais, the muslin geniuses from 'Down Under'. They basically used their muslin magic wand to design a bib a little curved so that can easily be used as a burp cloth as well. Can not yet be purchased on their site but available at Buy Buy Baby for $ 8.99. Also, most of them have 2 different patterns on either side of the Burpy Bib, such as the one above, cars and airplanes.

Wooden Eco-friendly heaven!

2009-09-29T10:56:00.006-04:00

Aren't these beautiful? It is hard for me to choose just one to showcase, so I included photos of a few...but just go to their Etsy site to see the whole collection! Little Sapling Toys are made from wood that is either reclaimed or FSC Certified hardwood and is sanded satin-smooth. They are all handmade and eco friendly. They use a local beeswax and organic jojoba oil finish to bring out the natural beauty of the woods. The teethers, however are left bare. The company plants a tree through Trees for the Future for every toy sold and they participate in Idaho Green Power Program to offset business and personal energy usage. They range anywhere from $8 to about $30 and shipping is free.

Cereal on the go!

2009-09-29T10:41:00.004-04:00

How have I missed this convenient little Cheerios pack? Apparently its been around for at least a year or 2 and available at Duane Reade and other stores.

Eco friendly and Fair trade

2009-09-25T10:31:00.007-04:00

Recycled and Fairtrade bags are all over Europe and are picking up steam here. In this post the bags listed are from cooperatives who use recycled matierials, such as rice bags or juice boxes to create really stylish bags and accessories. To create a product that is both eco friendly and fair trade is a double thumbs up as far as I am concerned. The cooperatives where these bags are made, better the lives of the people working in them and give them fair wages and working conditions...basically NO SWEATSHOPS. So feel good about purchasing these products. Hey its's one small step in the right direction.

From Firebox, starts at $24.95. A pretty stylish tote made from recycled rice bags in Cambodia. From Doy Bags,a pencil case for the 'chic kiddos' for $7.99. The Sunkist bag,at the top of the page, is $ 19.99. Look through the site, they have a lot of other products as weel such as backpacks, coin purses, clutch weaved bags, etc. So grab something for yourself or your 'chic baby' and feel good at the same time!

Tylenol Recall 2009

2009-09-24T14:15:00.007-04:00

Just a heads up about a couple of recall products from Tylenol.

The products involved are: Children's Tylenol Cold MS Suspension 4 oz. Grape, Children's Tylenol Plus Cough & Runny Nose 4 oz. Cherry, and Infant's Tylenol Suspension Drop 1 oz. Grape. They were manufactured between April 2008 and June 2008. It is a precautionary voluntary recall, against possible contamination and no affected cases have been reported. For more information, click here.

Hiding the stains...chic stroller covers.

2009-09-23T21:33:00.012-04:00

There are loads of stroller covers out there. They are pretty functional, not just to pimp up your 'chic baby's' wheels, but to preserve the life of their stroller, by preventing wear and tear on the actual stroller fabric.

When I was in Miami last week, I noticed one I hadn't seen before. It's from BVkids and comes in over 40 designs, including some that use the minky fabric ( so soft). They are quite popular below the Mason Dixon line but I am sure they will be in Yankee territory soon. They start at $68.

There is also the celeb favorite (Marcia Cross, Nicole Ritchie, J Lo, Halle Berry,etc), from Booyah Baby, started by 2 LA moms. These are also gorgeous and start around $69.

New Playground Observer Magazine makes its debut.

2009-09-21T18:17:00.004-04:00

Great new magazine made its debut in the Observer last Wednesday ( some starbucks still have a few left). It's called Observer Playground and is edited by Lyss Stern of Divalysscious Moms. It's an amazing guide to all that is fabulous for New York families...perfect for our 'chic baby families'. Pick one up, if you can still find them. Mary-Louise Parker is the cover mom....love her!

I want to come to the table too!

2009-09-21T09:19:00.006-04:00

The Minui Handysitt is an innovative highchair that is portable, foldable and light. Made by a Danish company and available all over Europe and the Middle East (we have used it personally). It is also made of environmently friendly matierials for which it has been winning many awards, as of late. Well...the Handysitt is now in the USA and available at Toys R Us , online only at the moment, as well as a few other stores. Check out the videos and get ready to start seeing it at all the trendy restaurants around town because it is such a space saver! Costs $149.99. The accompanying chair will start to be available in early 2010.

The Baby Show Comes To Town!

2009-09-20T22:48:00.005-04:00

The Baby Show is making its debut stateside, right here in good ol'NY. This show was THE ultimate baby show in London and I am glad to see it here. I've written about it before on my chicbabylondon blog. It will be here Oct 3rd and 4th, so buy the tickets soon, I am sure it will be a successful venue.

Land Of The Lost.... Stroller Cup Holder Found!

2009-09-17T09:51:00.003-04:00

About 2 to 3 years ago, there was probably not one Bugaboo in NYC without this cup holder and you could only buy it on eBay. Well the sellers that used to sell it on eBay are no longer selling it and the 1 or 2 times it is ever listed on eBay, there is a ridiculous bidding war of up to $50 when it used to go for under $20 with shipping ( from Canada). Plus, a lot of families have either moved out or are on their second child, and this doesnt work on a twin stroller, so you just dont see them as much.

Well...I found it (through a friend)! From One Step Ahead for $ 19.95.

Does It Come In My Size Too?

2009-09-17T09:42:00.001-04:00

Gorgeous, I want one too! Gold puffer down jacket for your 'chic little one' from the GAP. $54.50.

Welcome to the other side of the pond!

2009-09-16T16:10:00.001-04:00

Hi and welcome to my first post on the other side of the pond. For those joining me from my British blog...thanks for following me here!
One of my favorite gifts for newborns or birthdays or even holidays, is this book which personalizes your 'chic baby's' name letter by letter. It is called "My Name In Lights" and was recently featured on the Good Housekeeping Blog. Costs $33.95 plus shipping.