Baby Gear
Ali's Picks: The Bloom Nano Highchair
Compact, Stylish and Easy on the Wallet
Why is the understated Nano from Bloom one of my top picks in highchair design? Although it doesn't boast the uber-modern look of the new hydraulic lift chairs, the Nano is still a design "best of" in my book for its simplicity and innovation.
Streamlined and diminutive, this European-designed highchair takes up a lot less room than its fully-loaded counterparts. Best of all, it folds flat for easy storage between meals (or between children).
Upholstered in easy-care micro-leather that could pass for real leather, it comes in fresh, contemporary colors. And the sleek simplicity of the design allows it to fit beautifully into any decor.
The Nano is a great solution for space-constrained families. But anyone who loves great design can appreciate its simple, minimalist style.
Nano Highchair by Bloom Baby | $180 at Giggle
-by Ali Wing, CEO of giggle
April 8, 2008 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: aliwing, bloom, giggle, high chairs
Stashing Your Stroller with StrollAway
Metrotots' StrollAway is right on the money when they state on their website:
It's huge, it cost you a fortune, and it's a neccessity. But where do you put it? The neighbors scowl if you leave it in the hallway (illegal they say, as it's a fire hazard). It folds, but the fact that it's on wheels makes it impossible to stay upright in a closet, and at about $1,000.00 a square foot in this city, it's costing you a fortune in lost space!
Even though most of us don't live in a tiny Manhattan apartment at $1,000 a square foot, StrollAway makes it nice to get that stroller out of your entry hall or falling over when you open the closet door.
StrollAway | $40 at Metrotots
March 13, 2008 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: strollers
Fatboy Introduces Bags
Fatboy known for their beanbags has just introduced a new line of bags in Europe. These bags are now available through Made in Design if you want to pay in Pounds or Euros. According to Fatboy, these bags will not be available in the US until late Fall 2008.
via swissmiss
March 4, 2008 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: bags, fatboy
Adaptable and Safe Baby Furniture Prototypes
Could your changing table and high chairs be safer? French designers Frank & Stanimira Rafaschieri think so. They've created two children's furniture prototypes that address the inherent safety issues of two daily tasks of parenting - feeding and changing diapers. These prototypes show designs that are thoughtful of the developmental stages of a child's growth and abilities, which may sensibly result in less accidents when placing children at unsafe heights.
February 25, 2008 in Baby Gear, Furniture | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: changing table, france, high chairs, prototypes
Sneak Peak: Orbit Baby's New Toddler Car Seat
Soon to be available in late February, Orbit Baby extends their Orbit Baby System with their new toddler car seat. Parents waiting for an upgrade after their baby outgrows Orbit's infant car seat will celebrate. [via Car & Caboodle]
January 6, 2008 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Got $1100? Give a Bill Amberg Golden Papoose
We covered Bill Amberg's luxurious shearling papoose before, but this holiday season, he's created a limited edition of 10 golden papooses. A bit gaudy for me but maybe you have the perfect person on your gift list for this type of baby accessory bling.
Golden Papoose by Bill Amberg | $1,100 exclusively at Vivre
December 10, 2007 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Obliterate Odors with VIPP Diaper Pails
This month, Coochicoos begins an on-going series of columns by Ali Wing, founder of giggle, a baby retailer whose driving philosophy is "helping new parents navigate the glut of choices out there and find only what they need, when they need it." While both Coochicoos and giggle love great-looking design, Ali will bring her experience to show that the best baby products are not just eye candy but are also practical and functional in design. Her first article describes her love for the Vipp waste bin as the best choice for a diaper pail.
It's one thing to invest in great design for design's sake. But with the VIPP Diaper Pail, you get a superior product that works as good as it looks.
Standard plastic diaper pails are at best plain, and at worst, ugly. Even worse, they'll start to smell bad over time because they're not airtight and the plastic absorbs odors.
But the VIPP is a great-looking choice that's virtually odor free. Not only is it completely airtight, but it's made of stainless steel that won't absorb smells. Plus, you can use any plastic bag inside of it rather than having to buy a specific brand of refills.
It's not just your nose that benefits: where a standard diaper pail is destined to get used for a short amount of time and end up in a landfill, the VIPP graduates beautifully into the kitchen or bathroom when you're past the diaper stage.
Doctors and dentists throughout the world use VIPP waste bins because they're compact, airtight and sanitary -- and those same qualities are what make VIPP Bins the perfect diaper pail!
link: VIPP Diaper Pail
-by Ali Wing, CEO of giggle
November 29, 2007 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (4)
Tags: aliwing, giggle, vipp
Ubi Changing Table Review
The Ubi Diaper Changing Table ($119) has unique built-in diaper dispenser that also holds an unfolded diaper in place to make diaper changes easier. For all those out there who have been wondering if the modern-looking Ubi
diaper changing table is really worth it, here's our review.
I've always thought it was uncomfortable having to
hoist my little one's legs high enough to get the diaper all the way under her.
She squirms, grunts a little, and it just seems so very uncomfortable, not to
mention not altogether good for her spine. The Ubi changing table makes this
task so easy and saves so much time and effort. Just lay her on the already
opened diaper and pull the tabs on each side. Considering the number of diapers
being changed every day, this is huge convenience, and seemingly easy on my baby.
My one reservation about the Ubi is that it's really safest sitting on the floor. I don't like that I have to get on the floor to change my little one's diaper. I can see the benefit once she gets older and heavier, but for now I prefer changing her higher up on a traditional changing table.
On a final note, some suggestions for future models...a place for wipes, diaper cream, etc that maybe hangs off the side of the changing table? Perhaps a table top version?
link: Ubi website
November 14, 2007 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (1)
Tags: changing table, diapers, ubi
Skip Hop Giveaway to Facebook Moms & Dads
Join Coochicoos' moms and dads at our new Coochicoos Facebook Group.
To launch our the Coochicoos group on Facebook, we're giving away Skip Hop's new City Chic bag to all those to one lucky winner drawn from all those who join our group. The Facebook world is growing and we're finding more and more parents with Facebook pages, so we decided to join the crowd and form the Coochicoos group. We hope it becomes a place for modern moms and dads on Facebook to meet other each other and share in their parenting experiences.
In addition, Coochicoos is also giving away Skip*Hop's newest Via Backpack and Via Messenger Bag to two lucky winners drawn from our mailing list. So make sure you're on our list to be eligible to win. Drawings for all bags will take place on December 1.
link: Coochicoos on Facebook
November 9, 2007 in Baby Gear, Diaper Bags, Giveaways | Permalink | Comments (3)
Tags: facebook skiphop diaperbags, giveaway, skiphop
Mutsy 4-Rider Light Stroller Review
New mom and a friend of Coochicoos, "Manhattan Beach Momma", recently had a chance to try out a new Mutsy 4-Rider Lightweight Stroller and sent us this review. Thanks, MBM!
Be prepared to stop once or twice when walking with the Mutsy Stroller. I couldn't get through a walk without a compliment or question about my stroller. According to my husband, the no-nonsense styling of the Mutsy 4-Rider Light is the eco-friendly Hummer of strollers. Aside from the stylish retro look, one of my favorite features about the Mutsy is its height.
I feel that my baby is safer in a sturdy carriage higher off the ground, and I worry less about other people's curious dogs and kids riding by on skateboards or other low riding gadgets with wheels. Another plus about the height of the bassinet is that it's easier on my back when attending to my baby.
November 6, 2007 in Baby Gear | Permalink | Comments (2)
Tags: mutsy, stroller, review
