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Archive: Products

August 18, 2010

Back-to-School Cool

Crayons, number-two pencils and spiral-bound notebooks are everywhere right now, which can only mean one thing: it’s back-to-school time. Even if your kids aren’t quite ready for the big “K,” heading off to preschool can be both scary and exciting at the same time (for them and for you!).

Best way to ease first-day jitters? Send a friend along with them! These fun Zoo Backpacks feature a cute owl or dog and make an extra-special school supply for your little student. Kids can pack up some familiar items and favorite toys for reassurance, plus, who wouldn’t love to have these friendly faces on their side?

Another fun school accessory is the Robot Lunchbox in pink or blue. They’re a big hit in the lunchroom for their playful style, and, like the Zoo Backpacks, they’re also healthy, with no phthalates, PVC or lead. In my book, there’s no better way to start school off right!

Products | Trends

August 6, 2010

The Jungle Grapevine

What makes a great children’s book? Well, for one thing, it should be equally fun for kids and for the parents who get to read it to them night after night. And bonus points if it has beautiful illustrations that make it visually appealing. For me, The Jungle Grapevine succeeds on both points.

I love reading this story of mixed signals that lead to humorous misunderstandings. It’s kind of like the telephone game, but set among the animals in the African Savannah.

And since the author is also a painter, the book is accompanied by charming illustrations that help tell the story in style. Alex Beard may be a relative newcomer to children’s books, but he’s a well-known and accomplished artist, and this is a great way for him to share his art on a broader scale. We’re glad he did, and hope to see more of him in the future!

Parenting | Products

July 22, 2010

giggle Better Basics Clean

Like any proud parent, I just had to take this opportunity to brag a little bit about our new line of all-natural cleaning products: giggle Better Basics Clean.

These products go beyond being gentle enough for your baby; they’re made from natural, plant-based ingredients – the kind you can understand when you read the label. They’re safe, healthy, nontoxic, and biodegradable, which is not only good for your baby, but for everyone else in your family (not to mention the planet!).

Moms will especially love our laundry detergent, since clothing and bedding is one thing your baby is always in contact with. It’s also a way to keep any organic fabrics you invest in chemical free. But it doesn’t stop there: the line also includes gentle and effective dish soap, surface wipes, all-purpose cleaner, and more.

Of course, this expansion of our giggle Better Basics line was a no-brainer for inclusion on my A-List, because giggle Better Basics is made up of those great everyday products that we believe in enough for them to wear the giggle name. They already have my stamp of approval, which means they’re also a perfect candidate for the A-List!

Green Living | Partners | Products

June 22, 2010

The New Modern

When it comes to furniture, “modern” doesn’t always have to mean 90-degree angles. From the father of the modern nursery comes the latest in modern nursery design. Giving a nod to 18th-century France, the Louis Collection from David Netto has rounded edges and softer lines that bring romance to the modern nursery in a brand new way.

Like every NettoCollection piece, the Louis Crib and Changer are built to last forever – which is a very Netto approach to nursery design. But these new pieces come with a welcome twist: heirloom quality that’s also budget friendly. For the first time, this NettoCollection Crib debuts below $1,000 — making the best of modern more accessible than ever.

Designing | Partners | Products

May 11, 2010

Balboa Brings Style to Nursing

We’ve all admired the practicality of nursing covers that hang around your neck and protect your privacy. And who can argue with the inherent wisdom of a nursing pillow specially designed to hold your baby in the proper position?

Many such accessories, however, are designed to appeal to children instead of moms, with cutesy patterns that ignore mom’s style and that the baby’s too young too appreciate anyway. (And can someone explain that to me, please?)

At long last — finally! — we’re starting to see things change. One of my favorite companies leading the way is Balboa. They make truly beautiful nursing accessory products. I love some of their materials and prints so much that they may end up inspiring room décor!

Products | Trends

April 29, 2010

An A-List Interview: Christiane Lemieux

New on the scene less than a decade ago, today DwellStudio is almost synonymous with “modern baby.” This week we’re talking to the woman behind the designs, Christiane Lemieux. I love the way she uses color, geometric shapes, and symmetry to create iconic designs that are simple and sophisticated, seamlessly blending vintage and modern design. And as someone who loves to travel and balances multiple roles of mom, designer, and company co-founder, Christiane is exactly the kind of modern mom her products are designed for!

Christiane in India.

Ali Wing: What inspires you?
Christiane Lemieux: I am really inspired when I travel – with the internet it’s possible to see what is going on all over the world but it’s not the same as actually being there. I just came back from a trip to London and Paris with my family – it was so inspiring. From the design of the hotels to the amazing architecture I was sketching like a mad person. I was also moved by how much my children absorbed. It’s amazing to see the Eiffel Tower again for the first time through your child’s eye.

AW: What color are you loving right now?
CL: I am loving gray – gray is the new chocolate.

AW: What’s your favorite city/location/destination?
CL: I am a gypsy at heart – give me a plane ticket and I will go. It turns out that my kids and husband are the same – so far as a family we are loving Paris for all the amazing family activities. The French are stupendous with kids. What could be better then trampolines in the middle of the Tuilleries gardens? Personally – I am in love with India – the colors, the people, the culture. It’s my favorite and hands down the most inspiring place I have been. I hope to take my kids soon but I am terrified by the 15 hour fight. We just conquered Europe!

Christiane and her son.

AW: What is the most favorite baby gift you received?
CL: I think I was a pretty difficult person to buy a baby gift for! Jennifer Chused, my partner, got me the Seimi Bassinet from Netto and I love it. I have since lent it to several friends and colleagues and they have all loved it too. I will keep it as an heirloom for my kids. It’s literally perfect.

AW: What is the baby product you can’t/couldn’t live without?
CL: Since I am still totally in this – three things – Born Free bottles, Aquaphor for diaper rash and Nuk pacifiers – In addition to my DwellStudio hooded towels and Owls nursery!

AW: What’s your proudest moment in parenting?
CL: I think it’s safe to say that there are amazing moments everyday – amazing can go both ways with parenting – you can be amazed how well something goes or inversely you can be amazed at how something can backfire…I think I am most proud at my ability to get a sleep schedule going and keeping it – thanks again Dr. Weissbluth. I think this has given my kids a framework and consistency and allowed them to thrive. When your kids are well-slept – the world is a better place.

Christiane and her daughter under the Eiffel Tower.

Celebrities | Designing | Parenting | Partners | Products

April 27, 2010

First Set of Wheels

Part scooter, part bicycle — all fun! Nothing beats the Early Rider Lite for the perfect first bike. It doesn’t have pedals and has a scooter-like style, which means little ones as young as 20 months can use it.

When my son was two, I absolutely loved watching him scooting around Manhattan on his pedal-free bike. Not only are they pretty adorable, these bikes also help kids develop balance and motor skills that come in really handy when they get their first big-kid bike. It’s also a smart alternative to having your little one in a stroller when you have the opportunity for them to be active!

I’m particularly excited for the Early Rider Lite for its great price. Traditionally, these awesome, craftsman-style bicycles have cost several hundred dollars. But the Early Rider is only $160. Considering you’ll get 2-3 years use out of it, it really is a great value!

P.S. For the dad cyclists out there, you’ll also be impressed by the quality of the pneumatic tires with aluminum rims.

Child Development | Products

April 12, 2010

Recycling Comes Full Circle!

There’s more to love about this bag from Fleurville than just its fashion-forward style. It’s also made from recycled water bottles! The innovative fabric is PVC-free and Teflon-free, and each bag keeps six water bottles out of the landfill.

It’s also well designed and has the function you need. Just a few of its great features include an adjustable shoulder strap, multiple zipped pockets, an included changing pad, and D-rings that let you attach it to any stroller.

It’s practical, responsible, and it even comes in orange — and anyone who knows me knows that that’s totally my cup of tea!

Green Living | Products

March 8, 2010

Toobydoo Does it Again

Cool and classic styling at a great price defines one of my “under 5″ apparel lines of choice, Toobydoo. And these latest wave dresses with creative colors, simple lines and asymmetrical cuts have me asking “do they come in ladies sizes too?” Toobydoo … how do you do it?!

Wave-Dress Soho-Stripe-Dress

Designing | Products | Trends

February 16, 2010

What’s New in Strollers: the Orbit G2

Sometimes a product comes along that we just can’t do justice to in our product copy, and the Orbit G2 is one of them. There’s a lot to love about this upgraded, next generation stroller and/or travel system (which is a car seat and stroller that work together). So I just wanted to take a minute to talk about its innovative design.

Like all travel systems, the big advantage is that there’s an infant seat that goes from car seat to stroller and back again without you ever having to wake your sleeping baby. But the big plus with the Orbit is that the seat swivels at 360 degrees. First of all, that means you can dock it into the car seat base from almost any angle. Which means it’s a lot easier to wrangle it into place without having to have it perfectly perpendicular to your body. (That’s bound to save a lot of headaches, not to mention backaches!)

Secondly, once it’s docked, you can also swivel the seat with your child in it, which opens up all sorts of possibilities for interacting with your child. Anyone who’s ever been in a crowded Starbucks has seen those moms with their strollers wedged in to whatever sliver of floor space they can find. And that often means the mom or dad can’t actually see their child, since there’s never enough room to position the stroller facing them. But with the Orbit G2, you can swivel the seat so that the baby is facing you, no matter how the stroller base is positioned.

The swiveling seat is why we loved the original Orbit to start with, but the newly upgraded G2 edition is packed with features, making it even better. In addition to swiveling, the seat also reclines when it’s on its stroller base, all in one easy motion. Plus, the fabrics and foams are safe, hypoallergenic, and certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100. (A healthy car seat? Who knew?) Plus it’s got things like four-wheel suspension that make this stroller a great choice for anyone who wants a fully loaded ride.

Products | Trends