Mommies With Style

It wasn’t easy coming up with my list of favorites for 2007. It’s been such a year! A year jam packed with discoveries of products, services and websites that inspired, impressed and delivered beyond my expectations.
In fact, I hold Mommies With Style and all these products at least partially responsible for my current pregnant state. All of these things make me happier than ever to be a mom. Here they are, in no particular order:
The Quinny Buzz Stroller & Let’s Go Strolling:
In my review of the Quinny Buzz I proclaimed that the “stroller made me do it”. It was the last product I reviewed before I became pregnant, a fact that did not seem so coincidental at the time.
There’s so much to love about the Quinny Buzz. I was of course impressed by smooth and easy push of this techno marvel, but it was the bright cheerful colors and squishy neoprene upholstery that had me at hello. This stroller also has a posh back-saving hydraulic system that allows it to unfold automatically, it’s like having valet service each and every time you get it out of the car. The matching Dreami bassinet is lined with cozy color coordinated terry cloth and is sure to inspire much envy and admiration. Celebrities who own this stroller include Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gwen Stefani, Jenna Elfman, Mariska Hargitay and Heidi Klum.
For me, it’s impossible to even think about strollers, without thinking of Let’s Go Strolling. Any time I have a question about strollers in general or one in particular, I know I can turn to Melissa and Jo for advice. They never fail to impress me with their encyclopedic knowledge and dedication on this oft confusing topic. After meeting the pair at the ABC kids show, and watching them in action I can see why! They really care about their customers and love what they do and it shows.
MWS special: Shop before 1/15/08 and save 10% on strollers with code MWS0810 and 15% on diaper bags and accessories with code MWS0815. Please note that certain manufacturers are excluded from this offer.
Aden & Anais Blankets:
Earlier in 2007 I wrote a review of Aden and Anais’ muslin swaddling blankets, and then more recently I reviewed their Dream Blankets. I rarely find myself gushing about a baby blanket, but these are the exception. And here I go, raving again about Aden and Anais. This company took off like a rocket in 2007, with their designs sweeping across Hollywood (it’s hard to find a celeb who is not a fan) and across stores throughout the USA. The swaddling blankets are just the right size, weight and weft for swaddling a baby withour fear of overheating. Their soft cottony simplicity is just addictive. Their new dream blankets are the perfect size for toddler cuddle time. Multiple layers of puffy muslin keep kids perfectly warm and cozy, but never sweaty. I just can’t get enough of these blankets, and can’t wait to use them with my new baby.
MWS Special: Save $5 on your order when you enter the coupon code RJ001.
The Ubi Baby Changing Table:
Noone likes changing dirty diapers. Including moi. So whenI stumbled onto Ubi Baby’s uber-mod and groovy portable changing station and found myself sort of looking forward to doing the deed, I knew I was onto something big. The genius here is that there is a pop up diaper dispenser built right into the changer. No need to turn away from the squirmy baby and dig around for a loose diaper. It’s already right there where you need it. The actual design of the table is gorgeous and would flatter any mod nursery. It’s also supremely practical with it’s ergonomic and wipe clean surface. The Ubi Baby Changing Table is even cool enough looking to leave out in the living room, which is where I expect to keep ours. Read my review of the Ubi Baby Changing Table here.
The Deglingos:
I used to suffer from stuffie malaise. Shelves full of narcolepsy inducing bears and sheep had me fantasizing about kidnapping the beasts and embarking on covert midnight goodwill drop-off runs. Bad Mommy! But then I discovered the Deglingos. This line of adorable stuffed toys has personality to spare. You can read my review of the Deglingos here. We adore Big Bos the Wolf, and I have a hankering to order a porcupine and a rat for me errrr… my son. Yeah, it’s for him. These animals are crafted to the highest safety standards and have the quality crafted feel of a special heirloom toy. Shop at Oompa Toys for a comprehensive selection of the Deglingos.
Tiny Revolutionary:
My son contributes his voice to this pick, as after repeated washings and wearings, the Tiny Revolutionary tees I reviewed last spring, are still amongst his favorites. The blanks that Tiny Revolutionary prints on are some of the softest and nicest out there. And their messages of tolerance, kindness and earth friendly practices are inspirational to both parents and kids. My Russian born daughter and I are in love with their “Chosen Child” adoption tees. This design has been a hit with celeb adoptees as well. Sheryl Crow and Angelina Jolie have these tees for their chosen children. I’m also looking forward to reviewing their new Jewish themed “I survived the bris” tee (though not looking forward to the actual process!!) in 2008.
MWS Special: Enter coupon code ONELOVE for 15% off your entire purchase.
Nature’s Baby Organics:
There came a time early in my pregnancy, when any smell at all would trigger waves of woozy and nauseous. Any smell, except the addictively soothing tangerine vanilla smell of Nature’s Baby Organics products. I had a small sample to try on my kids but I admit, I hogged it all to myself. It was too yummy to share. Eventually I got some more of their products and before long, the whole family was hooked. All of their products are extremely pure, gentle and work wonderfully without drying skin or exposing your children to potentially hazardous compounds. Created by a mom for her own kids, this stuff is now a staple in our shower. My top product picks from the line include the shampoo and conditioner and the Organic Soothing Stick that works on everything from chapped lips to minor scrapes. Nicole Richie recently selected their products as a favorite and helped arrange for the company to donate their products to moms in need at the LA free Clinic. For more information about the line, see my review of Nature’s Baby products.
MWS Special: Save 10% off your order with the coupon code top10.
The Little Stork
I’m a little proud to say that I have something in common with Gwen Stefani and Brooke Shields. It’s not my talent for singing or acting. It’s my prepacked delivery bag from The Little Stork that I will be taking with me to the hospital when I go into labor. For an ocd gal like me, this bag is a dream come true. In the past I have spent weeks assembling all the right “stuff” for this important journey. I ran around like a chicken without a head finding everything I needed and spent a fortune. And still I forgot something. These bags are the ultimate shower gift and are an absolute lifesaver for moms on bedrest. There is a certain peace of mind that comes with a well packed bag. It’s not a task I’d trust to just anyone, but The Little Stork has outdone themselves, thinking of everything from hairbands for you, to a toiletries kit for your partner. See my review of The Little Stork for more info and details about what’s in the bag.
Use coupon code mws10 for 10% off your order.
Sakura Bloom Silk Slings:
When it came to slinging my children prior to writing for Mommies With Style, I completely missed the boat. I only began slinging my then 2 year old son, in 2007. Oh how I regretted not starting sooner! Even more so after seeing the utterly beautiful silk ring slings created by Sakura Bloom. The colors! The textiles! See my review of Sakura Blooms slings here. This was not just babywearing. It was couture baby wearing. At first I was worried that the slings would not hold up well, but they wash up like a dream, getting softer each time. Slings like this are not a necessity perhaps, but they are a real treat that both mother and child will cherish. You’ll want to wear your child in one of these every day. My one regret now? When my son got too large, I lent my sling to a neighbor. And she liked it so much she has not offerred it back!
Zid Zid:
This Moroccan line of childrens toys, clothing, and furniture cast a spell on me. From the instant I saw their lion pillow, I was completely enchanted. Everything that Zid Zid makes is a little magical. As if you might see the fairy dust in the seams should you look real closely. From their poofs and low tables, to their stuffed animals, this is kid stuff so hip you will be tempted to co-opt it as cool decor for your living room. This stuff is never a problem when it gets left out. I’m partial to their silver poufs, their animal shaped pillows and their sequin embellished slippers, but quite honestly there is nothing in the Zid Zid catalog that I do not want to possess. Almost a year after finding them, their unique blend of artistry and alchemy endures and I remain charmed. Read my review of select Zid Zid Kids items here. Design Public sells a broad selection of their products.
Paul Frank products and My Little Ducks
If there is one single thing I did not review in 2007, that I truly should have, it’s Paul Frank clothing items. Because despite what the Chinese calendar might argue, 2007 was the Year of the Monkey in our home. Everyone from my 11 yr old daughter to my 3 yr old son was loco for Julius the monkey and we collected Julius themed tees and accessories like crazy. My son even proclaimed that he himself was a monkey, and refused to wear any tee without Julius for nearly a month. So despite my lack of review, Paul Frank stuff had to be included on my pick list.
And because we go there for all our Paul Frank needs, I must also include My Little Ducks. My Little Ducks has an amazing assortment of clothing for boys infant through size 12 - not just Paul Frank, though these remain our faves. The online shop has recently added a “tomboy” section to the site to include tees and accessories for hip little girls who are not all that into frou frou. This is big news to my daughters, who now know to look up the site on their own to check for tees from Paul Frank, Junk Food, Ed Hardy and more. I’m in big trouble now!
MWS Special: Save 15% at My Little Ducks with the Coupon Code mws15