Babies Gotta Have It

I came home to Lewisburg, Pa this month for many reasons. Swimming lessons here cost thirty bucks. Period. Lots of family-and-friend love hovers above these rolling green ridges. A hotdog and a coke will run you a buck fifty at the Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays. Hot tuna grinders at the House of Pizza a.k.a. La Casa de Pizza are better than any sandwich I have ever eaten in New York City, the deli capitol of the world. Ever.

I expected all these things, and I have not been disappointed.

I did not expect, however, to fall in love.

But I did. On Market Street. In downtown Lewisburg.

You will too if you visit the Katie and Company outlet store which is, believe it or not, where the dollar store used to be which is, believe it or not, where the liquor store used to be. My familiy has lived here a long time. Rest assured this well-appointed store bears no resemblance whatsoever to its predecessors. It is simpy lovely.

But I digress. If you want a christening gown that will be used by your grandchildren’s grandchildren…if you want the most exquisite flower girl and ring bearers outfits you may ever lay eyes upon…if you just want a delicious little outfit for a gift or a splurge, then you too have come home.

Under the labels Katie & Co., Gordon & Co., and Pippa and Minnow, Tuechild Children’s Clothing offers some of the most gorgeous, most beautifully made, most sweet sweet sweet children’s clothes I have ever seen. And the company is based right here in my hometown. What could be better?

Lust on the streets of Lewisburg, P.A. Yeah…sometimes baby’s gotta have it!

Special End of Summer Offer! Right now Tuechild.com is offering 75% off Spring and Summer Items here! Just enter coupon code fsc75 at checkout! Offer good until August 26th!

• Well not every product can be flashy. But very few baby items will be used day in and day out like baby bottle cleaning supplies. Looking for a really practical baby shower gift that feels like a “gift set?” Put the Munchkin Deluxe Bottle Brush, Munchkin Deluxe Dishwasher Basket, and this super cool Splash Bottle Dryer by Skip Hopin a gift bag and get ready to play silly shower games, smug in the fact that your present will be unique. Heck wanna be a rock star at the shower? Throw in some BabyGanics All Natural Foaming Dish Soap. Now that’s something baby’s definitely got to have.

Every little girl wants to be a princess. Perhaps now more than ever. At least in my family of girls.

I tell myself that I could make a tutu. Get some tulle, attach a waistband, glue on some flowers. I’m fairly crafty.

But I’m pretty sure that even if I tried, it wouldn’t turn out like this.

I first stumbled upon Karin Alexis’s Upper West Side boutique on an incredibly hot July day when I was 8.77779 months pregnant. It was tiny and cool and charming and utterly delicious. Since then she has opened an Upper East Side location, expanded into women’s clothing and housewares, and I have been back many times. Her burp cloths have become my go-to baby gift for my husband’s work friends. They, like many of her products, are made with beautiful vintage inspired fabrics and are just so fun and cheerful. After all, why should your burp cloth be covered with duckies? You’re the one wearing it. Not your baby.

Maybe if we all write to her she will offer more of her products in her online store. But I digress…

These tutus are made with the finest tulle and finished with a satin waistband. The velcro waist closure allows the tutu to grow with your little ballerina, and the tutus come in three sizes. Halloween? Birthday gift? Just want to say I love you? Baby Lust is all about spoiling your little princess. Karin Alexis Tutus. Sometimes baby’s just gotta have it.

Update: The Karin Alexis online shop is currently closed, but they promise to return shortly with a newly designed site featuring the Spring 2009 collection!

• Sorry Mom, you’re gonna have to take that pink thing back.  The days of diaper bags covered in little bunnies and duckies are long gone.  There are so many chic and practical baby diaper bags out there now that even Daddy will be willing to carry one!
• The Skip Hop Messenger Diaper Bag makes a wonderful baby gift. They cool and stylish, and I got mine at my friend Sarah’s neat little Upper West Side boutique called Roam. They don’t offer Skip Hop bags online but they have lots of other wonderful items for Mama and baby.  But if you’re not within striking distance of the UWS, check out your local Target for a great and affordable selection of Skip Hop diaper bags!