ThisNext Blog - *Parenting/Kids

Celebuspawn: A Users Guide

VMA — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:16:44 +0000

Hollywood is abuzz with some very famous babies being born in the last couple weeks and several more on the way. Brad and Angelina welcomed twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Léon to their family which now boasts six children. Other notable celebuspawn that joined us recently are Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s baby girl Sunday Rose and Matthew McConaughey and model Camila Alves’s son Levi Alves. Not to mention all of the other babies that are on the way! To name drop just a little bit more, you can expect Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Minnie Driver and Laila Ali to pop soon. So with all of the celebrity baby births happening, how does a celeb mom keep her baby looking posh? We here at ThisNext have a few ideas on how to keep your baby looking cool in the bright lights of Hollywood.

See more of my When I am a Celebrity Mom… list at ThisNext.

crayola madness!

VMA — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:12:15 +0000

The Crayola product line has come a long way since the original set of markers and Crayons that we enjoyed as kids. Now you can probably fill up an entire shopping cart with unique Crayola items. I can picture a well-paid think tank huddled around a table trying to devise new Crayola products to facilitate kids’ scribblings. There’s washable markers, ones that only show up on special surfaces, twistable Crayons, markers that change colors, and much much more. The fun never ends!

Crayola Madness!
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100 Days 100 Lists: Child Prodigy

FashionKitty — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 21:53:59 +0000

All cool stuff to feed the baby Einstein in all of us.

See more of the Child Prodigy #78 list by J-Yazdani at ThisNext.

P'Kolino Play Table

andrea — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:45:09 +0000

New York-based designer Theo Richardson is obsessed with simple, functional designs. A RISD grad with an interest in “anonymous design”, Richardson takes a studied and meticulous approach to his work, and it shows in pieces like this beautiful, streamlined, yet completely age-appropriate maple and vinyl modular play set for P’Kolino. Richardson is the kind of designer who makes me think about having kids for almost a full two seconds, before I realize I could just buy the table and scrap the procreation - and then I realize I can’t afford either. ($1000 at PKolino.com)

Kid Steppin'

Jacqueline 'Jax' — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:07:00 +0000

My nephew is going to turn one…. in about 11 days and I’m still high and dry on ideas of what to get him. Because let’s face it, he’s one- the only person that will remember what his Auntie gave on his first birthday will be his parents. My sister and brother-in-law are the quintessential Manhattan couple, which means that my nephew has all of those smart, fancy toys I can’t figure out myself and will probably know French by the age of 3. Which is great, that way he can order for me in a French restaurant, without me sounding like a fool.

In order to trump their smart toy ways, I figured I can buy them something they wouldn’t think of…. home decor for the kid. Yes that’s right, every child needs a bit of color in their life and I’m not talking about a messy bib or diaper… The SkipHop Playspot is perfect for any play room and chic enough for any baby despite it’s Parents’ desired IQ- It comes in a pink/brown combo, blue/gold combo, and brights combo.

With a soft finished surface, the mat is a 72” × 54” and is rated as safe for children of all ages. Which is great considering that most mats are only safe for children 3 and up….

So trump the parents with the baby that has everything in the world with this mat and you’ll definitely be in the top ten list for favorite auntie, uncle, cousin, or ‘I don’t want a child yet’ friend with fabulous taste.

This isn't my baby, I swear

Jacqueline 'Jax' — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:36:46 +0000

I love my nephew, don’t get me wrong…. though I love telling people “it’s not my baby”. When my sister had an adorable bouncing baby boy, I swore I’d be the best aunt in the world. This also meant to my dismay that I’d have to change an occasional diaper. So when I’ve got the kid lock and loaded in his Upper East Side ride (aka Bugaboo), I always bring along the Skip Hop changer.

Besides, when you are trying to rock a hot pair of heels with the bugaboo and coo the words, ‘my sister’s baby’ out all at once to some cute guy passing along… you wouldn’t dare to be caught dead with a boring change pad.

And if you aren’t a baby-less gal such as myself, then you really need this! Because let’s be honest here and admit that being a mother can be quite bland at times. Especially when your days are filled with crying/sleeping/pooping babies, you need a bit of color and fun print in your life.

It also features a compartment to hold, diapers, wipes, and all those creams that babies hate. Comes in green, blue, and red… and perfect for when you need to buy a baby shower gift (I’ve bought so many for friends I should hope that they never compare my gifts) Baby not included.

Triobike

matthew — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 16:30:59 +0000

This aluminium frame, seven speed TrioBike features a two seater stroller that attaches to the front of the bike. You can now push the kids easily while enjoying a bike ride at the same time. The stroller can be detached from the bike, and used as a push stroller. I bet it will cost you an arm!

spluch

Offi's Ovum Bassinet

matthew — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:25:38 +0000

Most baby bassinets look alike, but this one will definately stand out. With design modifications from Heidi Newell, the Ovum bassinet which was first unveiled in 2006, will now feature a rocking base which can be turned on it’s side to act also as a fixed base. Also it allows clear visibility of the baby from all angles. I have no idea when the bassinet will be available. Keep checking the Offi website for updates and release dates.

coochicoos

baskets are so last year

AUNT BEEP — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 15:59:35 +0000

One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is an Easter Basket. I was fortunate growing up; my mom always had a superior sense of style and our baskets were fab…filled with really cool stuff like books, stationary, jewelry, and a little candy (hence, I still have no cavities).

With so many packaging options at our disposal, those old-school rickety baskets which are typically tossed as soon as the last shred of fake grass is torn through can be easily replaced with a beautiful, reusable box…making your Easter gift even more special.

A very unBritney pregnancy

liz — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:51:25 +0000

Contrary to what Britney Spears might believe, a steady diet of Cheetos and Coke Slurpees does not a healthy pregnancy make. For better baby-nourishing nutrition, you may want to step away from the 7-Eleven and reach for some fish oil supplements, according to a recent post at Babylune. “An Australian study published in The Archives of Disease in Childhood says that women who took fish oil for the second half of pregnancy gave birth to children who performed better on hand-eye coordination skills tests than the control group participants who took an olive oil supplement,” the blog explains.

For first-rate fish oil, turn to Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Softgels. “This is the highest quality fish oil on the web,” promises Alex. “Everyone should take 2 pills a day to stay healthy.”

To get your omega-3 fill through actual food, try snacking on a Nutiva Organic Hemp Seed Bar or scrambling up some Organic Valley Omega-3 Eggs for breakfast (“So delicious and better for you,” notes w0man1nr3d).

Who's Got Their Baby Legs?

AUNT BEEP — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 14:04:56 +0000

Moms, help me out here. Are your kids kickin’ it with the BabyLegs or not?

What are BabyLegs, you ask? We’ll they’re simply covers for your baby’s legs which are designed to make changing diapers a wee bit easier, and also protect the little chubbers as they start crawling everywhere. Here’s what the website says:

Gapiosis: The space between the sock and the bottom of the pant, often accentuated by being held in arms or by being placed in a carrier or stroller…Sweet little baby legs all over the world are being exposed to the chilly air because of gapiosis. Protect their sweet little legs from wind burn and chill…Feet remain free to allow for successful crawling, walking, and dancing. BabyLegs also help keep socks on! They fit most kids from newborns to size 10 - BabyLegs will warm your little ones for a long time. They’re fun to use as arm warmers too!

Blogger and ThisNexter Carolyn D. loves her BabyLegs big-time, “Not only are these unbelievably adorable, they are also useful! No more fighting to change diapers - well, at least not as much fighting! They’re great for little girls to wear under dresses in colder weather, and for protecting the chubby knees of crawling babes!”

And GooGaBaby agrees, “Babylegs are these cute, versatile, legwarmer products for your baby! They’re oh so convenient because 1. they make diaper changing a breeze 2. they’re much easier on those baby knees when your little one starts crawling and 3. they come in such great designs.”

So, are these nifty little leggings insanely useful for mom’s on the go? Or, are they pretty darn cute but not practical for everyday?

Moms of the world: debate.

Shopcaster Shout: DWilliams picks The Toys Of Summer

AUNT BEEP — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:44:52 +0000

I just had to give a shout out to ThisNexter dwilliams’ super-cool, super-geeky (but in a good 4th grade science class way) shopcast The Toys Of Summer.

For those of us not on the East or West coasts, summer seems like a fair distant dream- a cruel joke - as we trudge through rain and snow. For a little winter-time day dreaming, check out this fun and youthful list shopcasted ironically by the CEO of Red Scream Films, a horror films production company. My faves are the Solar Shuttle (literally a flying trash bag which I could no doubt play with for hours) and the Build Your Own Hot Air Balloon.

A refreshing break from all the techno toys out there for kids these days, The Toys Of Summer will make you want to get that Christmas list back out and put smiles on all the faces of the kids and kids-at-heart you know and love.

Go Ahead, Grab It!

AUNT BEEP — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 16:50:17 +0000

When babies cross the 6 month mark, things really start to get fun. They discover their feet, they discover they can grab stuff (like your hair) with their hands, and they start learning to play by themselves which is an indescribable gift to parents.

This is also the time where you & close relatives start mad running about town gleefully purchasing every 6M toy in the hopes to see a smile cross the baby’s face when you put it in their hands and they wave it around and smash it on your lap. I’m not being sarcastic here, it’s a hoot to watch them grow.

I was struck by the pretty and classic design of this wood Clutching Toy recommended by blogger MC Milker in her Crunchy Kids Toys list, who says it’s her “favorite ring for babies”.

It’s such a simple toy, but it’s got all the right colors for babies in development, and it really edits down the noise a lot of toys can bring with too much going on. It’s handcrafted in Germany and made of beechwood and kid-friendly paint.

Snag one up, and which them smile and drool. Oh, they grow up so fast.

Happy Peppy Travel Luggage for Peppy Happy Kids

AUNT BEEP — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 15:16:07 +0000

ThisNexter gretaguru has a lot of bright and shiny recommendations on ThisNext which always make me smile. However, her recent recommendation of Trunki’s Lightweight Wheeled Child Travel Luggage might be her most enthusiastic yet:

“How cool is this?? Your kid gets tired walking in the airport and you just have them sit down and pull them on their luggage!! It’s ingenious! It makes the airport fun! YAY for functional intelligent design!! Comes in different colors and is designed just for kids!”

!!!

In my experience, kids love to carry their own luggage when walking through an airport. Of course, that love lasts only a small, blissful amount of time - which is why the Trunki is so great. It’s lightweight, super bright and engaging and it functions aptly as a chair for the little tykes as well. Created by innovative British design company Magmatic (and those Brists certainly know a thing or two about travel), the Trunki can be ridden on, pulled along or carried by adults.

As with most kid stuff, I have to ask…when do we get one?

You can Deck It, and then you can DECK IT

AUNT BEEP — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 04:14:08 +0000

Not much to say here really.

Moms, the choice is yours. You can dress your child 90% in a festive Holiday outfit, or you can dress your child in 100% Christmas Cheer with these Christmas Wrapping Paper Pantlets.

After all, it’s only once a year.

via Cool Mom Picks