Thursday, November 30, 2006

High Chairs

Modern parents with contemporary tastes abhor standard fare for their tots.
High Chairs are no exceptions.

Here are 4 fab ones to choose from:

Our favorite (we chose this for H) the Svan

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The single best feature of the Svan™ Chair is its tremendous versatility. It can be used as a traditional high chair with a tray , but remove the tray and even a young infant can be seated up to the table for a meal with the family. Later on, the safety guard can be removed so your child can step up into the chair on their own to seat themselves up to the table and eventually it becomes a full-size chair.
About $235


The Babylon High Chair

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The Babylon Toddler High Chair can support children and also most adults. It can handle more than 250 lbs. The seat adjusts to as high as a bistro or countertop and as low as a coffee table. Shown with optional cushion and infant tray. For babies older than 18 months.
About $200

The Nest High Chair
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The NEST® High Chair combines minimalist form with superior function. The compact shape and stable powder coated tulip base enable NEST® to be pulled right into to the table with no tripping hazards. The UV stabilised polyethylene curved seat and tray simply wipe clean. A machine washable 5-point safety harness is supplied with NEST®.

Every NEST® High Chair is designed and built to last. This chair fits babies and children from 6 months to 6 years. The removable tray is suitable for baby feeding. For toddlers and young children who want to join the family at meal times, NEST® easily converts to a standard table height booster chair by removing the tray. Is your child too old for a high chair? In just moments NEST® converts to Nester - a cool low chair that will last you child to 6 years of age. Height 32" – Base Diameter 18.9" – Overall chair diameter 17.7" – Weight 25.4lbs. About $575

The Calla HighChair - not yet available but very cool.
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Designed by Yves Behar for Fleurville this very mod high chair will be highly coveted by the jet set...maybe you can get on a waiting list somewhere??

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Homework For You

This post is not about cool baby products.
It is about YOU!

Me? you ask??
Why yes, it may be just for you!

Learning to Love You More is a cool site we were turned on to.
A super duper inspirational source to get in touch with your inner artist, it provides some structure to turn on your creative juices.

We felt compelled to share.

Check it out.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Gifts for Hip Kids

People keep asking what to get H for Christmas.
He will be just about One on Christmas day and just about any toy would do.
He delights in all things "new", casting them aside once the novelty wears off.
Like Mamma like child....

So here is our Top 5 list:

1. Books
Any book that has hard pages, lots of pictures and very little words.

2. Bath Toys
The bath has become play central at our house and especially if we take a shower in the bath tub and H can stand up and play. Cups, water toys, sponges...they all are fascinating when you are 1!

3. Teething toys
Anything H can safely sink his teeth into with out shredding is a big hit. IQ makes these great hands and feet teethers that we have and keep losing...we are big fans.
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What's better is that they are vanilla scented and washable.

4. Blocks
Anything wood and hard that can be stacked and knocked down. Wood blocks by Haba or Melissa & Doug are nifty. Even better if they come in their own case
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5.Videos
Baby Einstein aside I like the Fisher Price videos, musical baby will be in H's stocking. It has lots of real babies on it and music we can dance to.
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Go get your shop on people...time is a tickin!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

It's in the bag!

I know, I know...another diaper bag post.
Perhaps I am obsessed with them.
I never get to carry a handbag anymore.

I am really digging this new company (well, new to me)
Baby Kaed

Look at this sweet bag - it is too stylish to be a diaper bag but hooray it is!
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How do I know that?
Because it has Accessories! Galore!
A changing mat, zippered pouch, drawstring bag for messy days, pacifier purse, cell phone pocket, Baby Kaed wipes case and a handy clip for your keys or pacifier purse!

You can buy Baby Kaed on a cute site called Potato Ears!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Whatsup Chief?

I love me some Appaman.
H had quite a collection.

Check out this orange chief shirt

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Cute Stuff right?

Monday, November 20, 2006

H's First Birthday

H turned 10 months last week
Which means I have 2 months to get it together an plan birthdaypalooza 2007.
We were going to keep it tight but now the guest list is about 40 people.
We are doing a Sunday brunch with lots of champagne (this is a celebration that HipMamma and HipDaddy kept the Doodle alive and thriving for the first year!)

Working on invitations and color scheme now.
Thinking Red and Turquoise for our colors.

Someone from American Crafts visited HipKidArt and so I checked them out.
Woo-hoo people - get over there.
I am not a scrapbooker but fell in love with their designs.
(wouldn't some of it look super on canvas?!)

I am going to try to make party hats from some of their paper for the children.
Kind of like this
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but with printed ribbon ties.

Stay tuned for more of the party planning...I have 2 more months to stress about this, right?!

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Cookie Hair

I heart Cookie Magazine

Check out the story on cool haircuts for kids.

My favorite is this little guy
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The Menace:
A spiky, mildly mischievous style for straight and slightly coarse hair
The Rules:
On the playground, hair roughed up with a glob of gel is visual code for cool. For best results, have him rub no more than a quarter-size dollop of gel between the palms of his hands and apply to damp hair from roots to ends. To get this thatched look at the salon, ask your stylist or barber to scissor in texture, and steer clear of blunt ends.
The Tools:
Lightweight, kid-friendly hair gels can be combed or brushed out in a flash. Try Propoline KIDS Fun Hair Gel, $11,


I have 2 Christmas wishes people
#1 that H gets more hair soon
#2 that H gets better hair than his parents thin mops

C'mon Santa!

Friday, November 17, 2006

More Cool Furniture

I will be very poor soon.
I keep finding amazing things that H *needs*

Like this little CHILDCHILD CHAIR by maartje steenkamp

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This combination of two child chairs and a small table is a playful variation on the idea of the Mother Child Dining. Perfect for letting your children sit, play and have a nice child-to-child conversation on their own level.

Note to HipDad: I guess we don't need this until #2 comes along. Phew...we're not poor yet.

$375 at Modern Child

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Paper Mama

This is a shout out to the fab-U-lous Erica - Queen of Paper and Mamma to
PaperBride and Paper Mama

Check out these super hip cards

One for the new mamma you know:
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One for the new big sister
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making your sister an aunt?
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even one for your fantastic pediatrician
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We *heart* cool paper.

baby journal happiness

most baby books are pretty horrid...especially the ones from your local Hallmark store. When H was born I looked and looked for a great one and wound up with something so-so. of course now that I dont need one I have found two gorgeous options.

ONE: Check out Nikki McClure's first1000days baby journal
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Nikki's beautifully detailed illustrations divide this lovely baby journal into sections celebrating the first 1,000 days of life, from the story of birth to jumping into her first mud puddle. Modeled after the journal Nikki herself started when she had her son Finn, the sections focus on recording a child’s interaction with the natural world, including baby’s first tree, moon, and garden.
Perfect gift for the expecting mom or dad, with pages of illustrations and ample room for notes and note-taking about baby's firsts. This is the baby-book you've been wanting.
Best of all it is only $12.95



TWO: Binth
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A fresh and modern take on the genre. Handcrafted and designed to be as special as that new someone in your life. Beautiful woodland illustrations will lead you from the day of birth through the 3rd birthday celebration. With ample room for photos, and to jot down thoughts and memories. In it's handsome keepsake box this book will become a cherished family heirloom. Entirely screen printed. Entirely original. And kinda pricey at $110 - but gorgeous!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

V. Cool Cards

Ahhh these made me smile today.
Cards by Mina Lee


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Mina, you are crazy cool.

Janie and Jack Sale

If anyone is interested - I have a coupon for
Janie & Jack
$20 off a $100 order.
Not sure if several people can use it but the promotion code is
106464286262

H had this sweet footed one piece
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And if Mamma only had a little girl
this darling top
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would be tops on my list.

Janie and Jack - cute....but cuter with a coupon!
Enjoy

Cars and Cars and Cars!!

We love finding out about new sites selling stuff for hip kids.
Point your browsers to UrbanKidsPlay and shop your little hearts out.

My faves...all cars. Ahh to be a boy's mamma.

Check these AUTOMOBLOX Cars
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Automoblox cars are designed to be taken apart and put together again and again. It's interlocking componenets interchange with all other Automoblox models. All Automoblox vehicles feature: Family of passengers (folks..they come with little people inside!!!!), changeable wheels, changeable tires, interchangeable roof, interchangeable body blocks, removable connectors, 17 digit VIN number and premium packaging!

And how cute these Birthday Cars
Birthday Cars by Vilac
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Choose the birthday car for your youngster with their corresponding age with this wonderful keepsake. Recommended Ages: 1 Year +

H is definetly getting a HUGGY BUGGY (and only $10.00)
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they come in a bunch of colors & these bright-colored, soft Huggy Buggys will delight preschoolers. Recommended Ages: 18 Months +

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Thinking Outside the Jar

I have seen quite a few organic fresh baby food companies pop up in the past year.
Who doesn't want to feed their baby the healthiest food out there?

Bohemian Baby
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offers basics for the littlest ones and blends for bigger babies. Flavors like pear pomegranate or apple butternut squash will have even the p[ickiest baby making his baby sign for "more."

Happy Baby Food
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has basics like pears and sweet potatoes but also random flavors like Mama Grain which is bananas, black beans and quinoa!

But what I like most about them is that they support
Project Peanut Butter
which feeds undernourished babies in Malawi.

If, by chance, you are looking to give a little this time of the year
a small donation of just $10 would help them alot.

I will if you will....?

Monday, November 13, 2006

Building Kid Karma

While H is only 10 months old I have to say that I am starting to think about things like:
Will he play well with others?
Will he share well?
Will he do the right thing?
Will he build good karma?
And as I think about these answers I realize that his Daddy and I will have to teach him all of this.

Well, check out these KIDS KARMA CARDS


Kids can have a powerful impact on those around them, and these cards are a great way to get them started affecting positive change each day. They just shuffle the deck, pick a card and, with your help and supervision, follow through for an inspring activity that will bring insight, reflection and a lot of fun, too. From making cards for a faraway family member to becoming a closer friend, the child will have each day enriched by these enjoyable, thoughtful cards. Printed in Canada. Ages 5 and up.

I have a little time with H I guess. But thought some of you with older Hip Kids might wanna check em out over at Uncommon Goods.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Modern Toy Chest

Can anyone help me find a modern toy chest?
Right now I have an ugly rubbermaid plastic box holding all of H's toys in the family room. I would love something *not* see thru and made of wood.

I adore the Argington Fuji Wood Toy Box Chest
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but it costs over $400...not in the budget at the moment.

Can anyone steer me in the right direction?
I have googled my brains out.

thanks team!

Fantastic Invitations

You know Hip Kid Art LOVES Toccare Design.
But did you know that you can buy the whole line from Fine Stationery.
Why not use the mod rings design for a baby shower



and the when the baby is born, give the parents the ModRings HipKidArt Canvas for a "welcome baby" gift?
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Friday, November 10, 2006

Super Baby Books

It is really difficult to find just the right books for infants.
You want to encourage reading but all they really want to do is turn pages and occasionally look at a picture or two.
Mammas...your sorrows are over.
Tana Hoban's books fit the bill.
Mostly black and white images with no words these hard-paged books will keep your baby's attention.
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You can probably order them from your favorite bookstore or shop at one of the mega-stores online like Amazon or Barnes&Noble.

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Room and Board

Dontcha love Room and Board?!
Who knew they did KIDS so well.
((wouldn't it be great if they carried a line of Hip Kid Art we made just for them...hint hint))

Maybe to match their rugs
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or bedding.

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Call us! 1-800-956-3989

Think s*n*o*w

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Baby on Board. The Snow Baby is designed for parents with small children - a stroller for those snow days. Take your little ones for a stroll or a ride, complete with adjustable seat belt. Can be pushed from behind with the parent's push-bar, or fold the push-bar down and pull the sled from the front. Recommended for parents with small children. Like Me!
Another gift on the list for H.
From Our Favorite Sparkability

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Cookies

Last yer my husband's company sent us a gift basket for Christmas.
I DEFINETLY am NOT a gift basket kind of Mamma but hooray for
Cheryl & Co.

We got a huge tin of cookies, brownies, blondies etc.
I really loved the frosted cookies and am praying they send this again this year.
But I would much rather have just the frosted cookies

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I think the husband just might give these as his corporate gifts for clients this holiday season. I think they'd make a great gift for your Grandma in Florida, your Vet, or as a hostess gift for a holiday party.

Yum On People!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Nursing Bra Helldom

When I first gave birth I had no idea how big I would be when my milk came in so I held off buying a nursing bra. Then a week after H. was born I was desperate. I ran to our local maternity store only to learn the between my last visit for maternity clothes and giving birth - they had closed. So I started to look online. I needed to be able to return anything I didn't like.

That was the moment I fell in love with figleaves.com
figleaves.com

I bought 3 bras and kept them all.

First, every Mamma needs a very basic everyday bra.
I love Bravado. It is cotton, comfortable to sleep in ( I have worn a bra 24/7 since my 10th week of pregnancy...) and cleans well.
Basic nursing bra



Next - I own 2 Elle Macpherson (yes, as in the model Elle...) nursing bras.
I HATE underwire when nursing though I used to love them.
These are both super bras.

This Maternelle non-underwire drop cup bra

Is a great bra. Purple may seem a srange color but it works under a white shirt or a dark shirt equally as well. I live in this bra.

I also wanted something a little sexier (but boy...sexy and nursing don't really work together) and so I bought this La Mere maternity bra

And it does the trick. It isn't quite as comfy, probably due to lace vs. cotton or nylon but it is gorgeous.

So there you have it.
Great picks for the nursing Mamma.
I lived with these 3 bras for 8 months.
And while they are starting to look a bit ratty, I still love them!

Did I mention that figleaves has FREE RETURNS!!