Orla Kiely Baby Changing Bags
Many fashion designers carry diaper bags and changing bags for parents, and I wanted to start featuring several that I know our readers will love. I have had my eye on one line for quite some time now — the Orla Kiely Baby Changing Bag. Their bold, signature prints stand out over many other printed changing bags.
The Nautical Multi Stem Print Baby Changing Bag from the SS13 Collection. $244.
The bag has a matte laminate exterior, allowing it to be wiped clean, and a cotton twill lining. The inside has a zip pocket, key fob, and six pockets. A foldaway changing mat is included with a vertical striped signature print.
Exterior details include two from outer slit pockets, a large zip pocket, and a zippered compartment at the bottom of the bag. The strap is adjustable and can be worn as a shoulder bag or messenger style.
The Pre-Spring 2013 Collection features the yellow and scarlet Daisy Stem Print Baby Changing Bags. Sale $122.
The Small Print Shadow Stem Baby Changing Bag in Lichen and Multi can be found in the Past Season collection. Sale $122.
You can find all of the Orla Kiely Baby Changing Bags on OrlaKiely.com, along with all of the additional gorgeous items they carry.
Re-Play Recycled Tableware
Re-Play is a line of children’s tableware from the makers of Dandelion. Re-play is made from FDA-approved recycled plastic: milk jugs! This line of feeding gear makes an environmentally-friendly statement, as well as a trend statement. The colors are terrific. Even better, Re-Play is sustainable, with materials originating just three states away, their molding plant is located within 150 miles of their warehouse, and the packaging is just 20 miles away.
The entire Re-Play collection features utensils, bowls, plates, cups, and divided plates. The cup spouts contain a silicone valve to keep them leak-free and spill-proof.
I was shopping at Target the other day and noticed the line in stock, so I picked up a set of their utensils (spoons and forks) for my son to try out.
He is 15 months old, and although the spoon appears to be a little wide for his mouth at this age, he didn’t seem to notice. This fork is the perfect introductory fork for a toddler as the spines are neither too long nor too pointy. They wash off easily and have been a great addition to my diaper bag for use at restaurants. I do have to say that I absolutely love these colors, and my diaper bag may grow bigger by one divided plate soon as that would be another perfect addition for dining out.
You can find Re-Play at your nearest retailer, or online at the following links.
Utensils (8 pack) – $4
Bowls (3 pack) – $5
Plates – $5
Cups (2 pack) – $5
Divided Plates (3 pack) – $6
Giveaway: New Diaper Bags from Jonathan Adler and Skip Hop
March has been a fun month on the blog with giveaways running back to back– and this week is no exception! We’ve scored a wonderful giveaway: a Jonathan Adler ♥ Skip Hop new Light & Luxe diaper bag. But wait– it gets better. Not only will the winner receive a Light & Luxe bag in the pattern of their choice, but they will ALSO receive a Jonathan Adler ♥ Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station in their favorite pattern.
I wish I could enter this one myself since I’ve been dying to try out this new bag. I love a good tote.
Skip Hop diaper bags are immensely popular for many reasons, but the main two are that they’re functional and fabulous. The fabulous-ness just gets ratcheted up when Skip Hop pairs with Jonathan Adler, who we just talked about last week!
The new Light & Luxe diaper bag is a chic lightweight tote, featuring two large front insulated bottle pockets, and a custom silhouette. The corners of the tote can be tucked in towards the bag and zipped up, creating a more trim and handbag-like appearance. The bag also features cotton shoulder straps, stroller straps, eight pockets, a zip-top closure, and a cushioned changing pad. Laminated, BPA-free and Phthalate-free fabric ensures that the bag can be easily wiped clean. The Light & Luxe is available in the signature Jonathan Adler prints of Abacus (yellow and gray), Nixon (black and white), and Syrie (blues).
Can I just say that these would also make awesome summer bags for the beach, pool, and children’s sporting events? They certainly would.
The Pronto Changing Station is available in four mod patterns by Adler: Chevron Blue, Flame Yellow, Nixon (the Light & Luxe matches this black and white print), and Wave Multi.
These portable changers can fit in large diaper bags, can be carried on your wrist, or clipped to your stroller. The changing pad is extra-wide, includes a built in pillow for baby’s head, and can be zipped off of the main compartment if needed for use separately. The Pronto can fit four large (disposable) diapers, accessories, and the enclosed wipes case.
The Light & Luxe retails for $70 and the Pronto retails for $34. Whether you’re going out for the day or just running out on a quick errand, you’ll be ready to go in Jonathan Adler style. You can find both bags online through Skip Hop, AND, you can enter to win your very own pair this week in our giveaway!
You must leave a comment letting us know what you’d choose it you won. There are a few additional entry methods you can take advantage of to increase your odds of winning.
This sweepstakes is open to US resident over the age of 18. It starts right now and ends April 1st, 2013 at 12:01 am EDT.
Thanks to our friends at Skip Hop for this fun and generous giveaway and good luck to you!
Storksak Diaper Bags
Over the past two years, I have been on the quest to find the perfect diaper bag, and there are two bags that keep standing out to me above all of the others, and they are both Storksak bags: the Sofia bag in Taupe, and the Tania Bee in Grey Multi. This bag is gorgeous, roomy, and classic enough to be more than just a bag for baby essentials. It could easily double as a stand-alone bag for a career woman, a spacious bag for weekend excursions, or a bag for a trip to the ballpark with your family. I have it on good authority that a Storksak insider regularly uses this bag as her carry-on when traveling. She is typically able to fit her regular handbag items, iPod, iPad, overnight essentials, snacks, a lightweight sweater or scarf, and more all inside of the gorgeous Sofia bag. What I find most beautiful about this particular bag is the color, so I thought I would put together a few of the classic neutral diaper bags that Storksak has to offer. Their collection is amazing and impressive—there is truly something for everyone.
1) Tania Bee, $210
2) Sofia Taupe, $425
3) Olivia Grey, $198
4) Sofia Natural Canvas, $250
5) Kate Colorblock, $220
6) Elizabeth Leather, $345
Now, if you’re a typically neutral/black/gray outfit-wearing person like me, this year may bring some risk in to your life. This spring and summer will be filled with bright color, and if you’re not ready to take that trend leap with a vivid shirt, than try taking it with a statement diaper bag!
1) Tania Bee Hot Pink, $210
2) Ashley Coral, $185
3) Tote Yellow Tan, $132
4) Olivia Berry, $198
5) Tote Fuschia Orange, $132
6) Tania Bee Burnt Orange, $210
Well, now that I think of it, I will be needing the fushia orange tote, too. That would be a perfect bag for a summer splash of color! Which of the Storksak bags do you find yourself drawn to? Their selection is incredible. You can shop their entire collection here.
Holly Aiken Diaper Bag Collection (and Design Your Own!)
Last summer Holly Aiken sent me one of her signature diaper bags for a review and I feel that the quality is so fantastic that I have to mention it here, too. Holly Aiken is a Raleigh, North Carolina artist who has been designing, making, and selling her product line at her shop, Stitch – Holly Aiken for almost ten years. Her products are created with durable vinyl drawing design inspiration from retro styles and colors found in dime store aisles and vintage racing jackets. Her signature style is the “bold black webbing trim, accented by stripes or crisp geometric shapes.” Since the material of the bag is vinyl, you can use soap and water to clean them, or even just throw them in the dishwasher.
Bomber (Atomic) $178
Bomber (Bird) $178
Airship (Star) $186
Airship (Daytona) $186
Here is an example of all of the items able to fit inside of the Bomber (Atomic) Diaper Tote.
A sturdy tote is incredibly useful as a diaper bag because it not only stands upright unsupported, but it is open with easy access for tossing items in and out on-the-go. Holly Aiken also offers a line of customizable bags, where you can pick your style, pattern, and colors.
Emerald green is going to be a hot color for 2013, so find another shade of green you love and make it bold and unique.
It is way too much fun to spend time mixing and matching colors and bags. You could have one for every outfit. I would love having this bright pink and red tote for February.
You can find the entire collection online at Holly Aiken.
Stroller Review: Quinny Zapp Xtra with Folding Seat
Buy Modern Baby is excited to announce that not only do we cover the best designed gear and nursery furniture for your mini-modernist, but in addition to our stroller guide, we are now also reviewing and highlighting the sleekest, most stylish, and sophisticated stroller options to complete your modern lifestyle.
We are pleased to introduce our first stroller review: The Quinny Zapp Xtra with Folding Seat.
Quinny was kind enough to send us a Zapp Xtra with folding seat to review in person. The stroller has been tested over a period of two months, over which my son has grown from a content 11-month-old to a now walking, curious, adventurous 13-month-old. We have put this stroller to the test! It has been used during a week-long vacation in Florida, over cobblestone pathways, wooden boardwalks, neighborhood walks, zoo outings, mall shopping, road tripping, and pushing around the house to encourage napping. I feel that we have given it a true, comprehensive review.
The Quinny Zapp Xtra with Folding Seat is a full size stroller with an incredibly compact fold. When used with the included infant car seat adapters, the stroller transforms into a complete travel system for use from birth to 50 pounds. Without an infant car seat, the stroller is useable from six months to 50 pounds.
The Quinny Zapp looks really smart. Strangers often made comments about the beautiful color (Natural Mavis) and the Quinny logo in bright pops of neon yellow. People commented about the clean design and its upscale appearance. I kind of felt like a celebrity, which, I admit, is pretty nice when you are just running errands with your child in tow. It is a very attractive stroller – Quinny has an amazing sense of design and it certainly shows.
The shoulder straps are padded, comfortable, and ridiculously easy to adjust (just push and pull through the back of the seat). The seat bed is definitely roomy enough for my son to move around, squirm, kick, stretch, and recline using the footrest.
There are two recline options, and they certainly have come in handy allowing my son to nap, and even to carry shopping items while I wore my son in his baby carrier.
The sunshade is large and is very sturdy, with a small window strip to peek in on your child. The wheels handle well on many different terrain types, as said above, over brick driveways, a trip to the zoo, on a boardwalk by the river, and on city sidewalks. It is easy to turn with one hand when the wheels are unlocked and also a smooth ride when wheels are locked straight. The handlebars easily hold my small, lightweight, travel diaper bag. The handlebar height is a little shorter than my husband and I are used to, since we are both tall, 6’4” and 5’10” respectively. The brake is simple to use—just step on one footpad to lock and step on the other to unlock. This brake is PERFECT for wearing sandals and flip flops. The lack of brake bar or brake lever also ensures that you will never kick it while walking or engage the brake when pulling the stroller backward up stairs. The storage basket is a bit smaller than other full size strollers, but that is to be expected with the stroller’s small size, light weight and compact fold. Easy tradeoff.
The option to have your child face forward or face you is wonderful for bonding and reducing stimulation. The process to change the seat from forward facing to parent facing was a little cumbersome for me as the frame seemed to expand slightly when the seat was removed, just enough to have to press it together with both hands to lock in place.
This is a ONE-HANDED, four-step fold which is super easy. Make sure the parking brake is applied and the seat is in forward facing position. Push the release button labeled 1, then push the release button labeled 2 and fold the handlebars forward. Fold the seat forward by squeezing the seat recline button and collapsing it on top of itself. Press down on the gray pedal with your foot and push towards the front of the stroller. Wrap the transport straps around the frame to fasten. Voila!
The fold is extremely compact and the stroller barely took up any space in a Subaru during a 12-hour road trip in our fully loaded trunk, which included a travel crib and a 70 pound dog. Folded, the stroller is very small, light, and the carrying strap makes it simple to hold with one hand.
Additional stroller accessories include a travel tote, parasol, footmuff, WeatherShield, and cup holder. Seat adapters for the Maxi-Cosi Mico or Prezi infant car seats are included.
The Quinny Zapp Xtra Stroller with Folding Seat is available in three color choices, Natural Mavis, Rebel Red, and Rocking Black and retails for $349. Find your favorite color available here.
Although Quinny provided us with the Zapp Xtra with Folding Seat Stroller to review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Some affiliate links included.
Takenaka Tableware
It’s mid-January! By now your home is probably clear of holiday decorations, you have made your resolutions, and you’re looking for new uplifting decor and tableware to help combat the winter doldrums.
Takenaka is a Japanese company that produces BPA-free, lead and phthalate-free, dishwasher safe, microwaveable, lightweight melamine tableware. The non-cartoonish design and bright colors are fun enough for young eaters yet chic enough to take to the office.
1. Divided Plate $17
2. Divided Bowl $15
3. Small Bowl $10
Bento boxes (deep and double size options) in many vivid colors can be found on Amazon. I’m in love with the sophisticated silver one–that would look perfect in the office fridge.
Square Bowl, Divided Bowl, Oval Pasta Plate, Oval Bowl
Although it is only January, Valentine’s Day and Easter decorations have already been on the shelves at stores for weeks, so I thought I would include some festive options that would be spot on for planning a classroom party or even a Valentine’s Day dinner-for-two at home.
With modern colors perfect for any occasion, portion control solutions through Bento boxes, and divided plates for “no-food-touching” for picky eaters, this line of tableware pretty much has it all covered.
Brinware: Children’s Glass Dishware
It is always great to find alternatives to plastic tableware for children that are still whimsical and beautiful. Brinware fits the bill on these qualities with their modern yet vintage animal print plates, removable silicone sleeves, alphabet placemats, and playful colors.
Shown above in patterns Butterfly Garden, It’s a Hoot, Froggie Field Day, and School of Fish, each plate is 7.5″ of durable, tempered glass with removable silicone sleeve for slip resistance and protection. They are microwavable and dishwasher safe.
My favorite prints are the adorable Panda Play and Koala and Friends.
Each placemat 11″ x 15″ in size and constructed from food grade silicone and are also dishwasher safe. They easily roll up for storage or taking in your diaper bag while traveling or dining out.
We have started seating our son at the table with us and love the lightweight placemat for both its educational design and bold color. We have also been able to lengthen our time at the table by pointing out the different animals and letters, which is helpful for not only learning but allowing us to finish our meals, too!
If you are looking for a durable, modern, classy alternative to plastic children’s feeding options, Brinware is definitely a company to check out!
Diaper Bag Highlights from ABC Kids Expo 2012
It is not a secret that I am a huge fan of diaper bags. I believe that there is a style for everyone, a bag for every purpose, and a size for every child’s age and associated gear needs. That being said, I was excited to see some new items that stood out for quick picks at the ABC Kids Expo.
The highly pumped release of Ju-Ju-Be‘s partnership with the brand tokidoki was showcased at their Vegas-themed booth this year in two prints, Iconic (top) and TD Dreams (bottom). The fun prints are vivid, bright, and are available now on all of their products.
Some more exciting finds include:
1- 2 Red Hens Studio Limited Edition Messenger Bag, $225, available now.
2- 2 Red Hens Studio Limited Edition Tote Bag, $225, available now.
3- 2 Red Hens Studio “Bowling” Style Diaper Bag, $90
4- JP Lizzy Satchel, $78, available now.
5- JP Lizzy Classic Tote, $86, available now.
1- Skip Hop Grand Central, worthy of a second mention, $90, available soon.
2- Skip Hop Jonathan Adler prints, also worthy of a second mention, available soon.
3- 7 A.M. Enfant Polochon bag, $78, available now.
4- House of Botori Kaira Diaper Tote, about $60, available now.
5- 7 A.M. Enfant Barcelona bag, $84, available now.
Any new favorites jumping out to you?
Infant Straw Cup Picks
Straw cups for the infant crowd are definitely a hot item right now. In addition to the ZoLi Bot Straw cup we highlighted in this table setting, here are my top picks from the ABC Kids Expo for developing your little one’s beginner drinking skills.
Meet lollacup. BPA-free, phthalate-free, and made in the USA, this clever little chicky is available in six colors, including a very sleek black. $16. Available now.
Sugarbooger is O.R.E.‘s baby collection line featuring diaper bags, feeding gear, and nursery items. Their products can be easily recognized for their cute, whimsical prints. All of these items are available now.
1- Sippy Cups- $8.50.
2- Flip & Sip Straw Cup- $19.
3- Divided Suction Plates- $12.
4- Zippee Back Pack- $25
There are several new additions coming out by Innobaby, a company recognized among moms for their Packin’ Smart Original stacking containers.
1- Sippin’ Smart flip straw sippy, about $13, available now.
2- Teethers, available 2013.
3- Teething rattles, available 2013.
4- Sippin’ Smart cup detail
5- Introducing a lid for the Din Din Smart Stainless Divided Platter, available 2013.
6- New colors for the Packin’ Smart Original stacking containers, available 2013.
I look forward to trying out these new products with my son very soon!
