My baby is now a preschooler, but stick around for video and written reviews of the best baby, toddler and preschool products out there. Because even when as they grow up they're still our babies! And if you're a new Mama, check out my archive for fun and funny video reviews of the baby products that saved my life in those early months at home with a wee one.
Babies gotta have used clothes. Check garage sales for the cheapest secondhand clothes around and don’t be afraid to wheel and deal a bit. People mostly just want to get rid of their stuff! Also local consignment shops and thrift stores will still offer you the thrill of the hunt while eliminating shipping fees.
There are also great online resources to guide you to free or low-cost used kids clothes in your area. Craig’s List offers you chances to pick up stuff locally if you live in an area big enough to have a Craig’s List branch. Freecycle.com and Freepeats.org also offer totally free baby and kid gear and clothing. Depending on your locality, the size of the selection may vary. But hey, it’s worth checking out. And the more people who participate, the more inventory will be out there!
If you’re looking to buy online, I think that eBay still reigns as the best place to find amazing stuff at low prices. Nowhere else will you discover such a huge assortment of the high end boutique brands at such discounts–if it’s out there you really will find it on eBay. Look for the big lots to stretch your dollar the farthest.
Got a great consignment shop in your area? A thrift store that always contains a buried treasure beneath a pile of ratty tees? Babies gotta have cheap baby clothes! Drop me a comment and let me know!
Nightlights are really nice. As are intact bones in your feet. Don’t stumble around in the dark. Get one. We have the Butterfly Nightlight from Pottery Barn Kids in our little gal’s room and I love how it looks.
Are you an inventor…a visionary…? There’s definitely a market for cute, kid-styled green and toddler safe nightlights! Maybe you have one? Or have you seen one? I’ll be looking for one in, oh, about six months! Drop me a comment if you have any leads!
UPDATE - Just came across a totally charming green nightlight! The Moon Jar solar powered nightlight from Perpetual Kids. It’s like catching moonlight in a jar!
Ok so everyone who’s everyone in preschool is scooting around on a Skuut. And I mean everyone. Now don’t get me wrong, the Kettrike still seriously rocks hard. But the Skuut has a heck of a lot going for it. And as I wander around trying to find a baby swing in Riverside Park, a feat nearly as impossible as finding a seat in a Manhattan Starbucks, I see kids in helmets deliriously zipping around on these while the kids being pushed about in Kettrikes look on with envy.
So what’s so boot scootin’ boogie-licious about the Skuut? Note (and it took me several days to note this) it has no pedals! Kids literally scoot around, feet on the ground or hovering just above, gradually learning the balance, steering and coordination it takes to ride a “regular” bike. This little gem is designed for kids ages 2 - 5 (but I’m so danged jazzed about it I’m considering getting one for my gal’s first birthday…sure she can’t walk…hey she can’t crawl…but I want it to be ready when she can), weighs ten pounds so it’s not too bad to tote when your kid gets sick of riding it and insists upon skipping home backwards while singing “Hot Potato Hot Potato”, and the seat is adjustable.
Now lots of those kids in Kettrikes are younger than Skuuters–and it would make a great follow-up for a three or four year old. At pushing ninety bucks it ain’t cheap, but lust is lust. And every once and a while…baby’s gotta have it.
Ok so I know I’m all about the practical. The burp cloths and bathtubs, mobiles and play quilts (which can be really fun too), but every now and then I just can’t resist the exquisite and frivolous and beautiful. And the clothes by Margery Ellen Baby are all that and more. We got the most delicious little pink outfit with delicate chenille edging on the cuffs and collars as a shower gift. So soft and so supple. I put the baby in it until she was Incredible-Hulking out the seams and then I still put her in it.
The trick is…finding these clothes! My source got it from Kidville on 82nd and Columbus in NYC, but if you aren’t living near a swanky little boutique, I have done some scouting. Course you could email the folks at the Margery Ellen website for a location near you. But you can also get a few items from Jen Klair Kids, Atterdag Kids,Forget Me Not Kids,The Bean’s Closet, and Benini Bug online. Baby Alexandra claims that they will very shortly be featuring the complete Margery Ellen line! That would be so exciting! These clothes are indeed, to lust for!
Come back for more “Baby Lust” and even “Mama’s Gotta Have It” items in the weeks to come. Cause practical is great…but lust is so much fun. And every once and a while…baby’s gotta have it.
Kids like puppets. The Plush Talking Toucan Hand Puppet by Oriental Trading stars in this vlog post. Currently unavailable on the website but there are some on eBay - search “toucan puppet” and find some in eBay stores. There are lots of wonderful puppets available!
Kids also like finger puppets! And you know I loves me some Etsy.com. Check out fantastic finger and hand puppets from the following Etsy gals: gowheele and cherylasmith both make wonderful felt finger puppets, and I’m loving the hand puppets made by mahalo.
Mozart effect…David Archuleta effect…you say potato i say potato…let’s play music for our kids! A couple of cd’s makes a great and unique shower or baby gift. We got several that we play all the time. Got some music for kids you can’t do without. I’m always shopping for more–leave me a comment and let me know!
by Greenlite or just replace your bulbs with 
.
. It’s a darned good tub.
