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?
Toy Finds from ABC Kids Expo 2012
Everyone I ran into at ABC Kids Expo 2012 was talking about the products at Haba. This was the best collection of toys on the show floor and they have lots of new products coming out in the next year. A few of my favorites include the workbench, wooden play gym, fancy lacing toys and the wooden doll furniture (which I only wish wasn’t pink!).
Kushies presented a collection of organic wooden toys in a unique color palette. These will make cute gifts for the littlest kids. Products show below include zug, ringo, kobi, catillac, clip clop, and kar.
I fell in love with this set of Nesting Dolls from Wee Gallery. I’ve been planning on starting a nesting doll Pinterest board, and I think I just might have to now.
Finally I had to stop at the Toydozer booth and express my gratitude for their wonderful invention. My kids run to get the Toydozer whenever I ask them to clean up all the Legos scattered across the floor, and if I’m stuck cleaning them up, I’m a little less upset about it because the Toydozer helps me clean them up much more quickly.
So now I’m considering attending Toy Fair 2013. Should I go?
coming soon!: ABCKids baby gear bassinet playard travel
by Esther
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Guava Family is Expanding!
Unlike many other bloggers, I was never a fan of the Go Crib from Guava Family. The only time we’ve mentioned it on the blog is when it was a “Best Alternative To A Crib” 2012 Cribsie Award Finalist. The inflatable rails seemed unnecessarily bulky to me.
I was happy to find their newest travel cribs at ABC Kids Expo 2012 are very different. Coming soon, we have their Lotus Crib and Lotus Bassinet.
I don’t have availability dates or price info on these yet, but I’ll update the post when I find out! In the meantime, take a look at their video to get a better idea how these products work.
Tell me, did you like the Go Crib, or is the Lotus more your style?
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!
UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seat Announcement
After spending many pregnant months researching strollers, we finally settled on the UPPAbaby VISTA ($699) for our son because of it’s sleek look, solid reviews including reviews stating that the company offers wonderful customer service, and the ability to add a jump seat if baby number two becomes a reality. It has been a great stroller for us, and as it can hold up to 50 pounds, it will work for us for years to come.
UPPAbaby recently debuted the MESA, their new infant car seat, at ABC Kids Expo 2012.
I love the clean modern look of the car seat and the new SMARTSECURE™ System is very appealing. According to UPPAbaby, “this unique technology utilizes a tightness indicator and self-retracting mini LATCH connectors to facilitate quick, accurate, and easy installation.”
It doesn’t require an adapter for the VISTA or CRUZ strollers, something you currently have to purchase regardless of which type of car seat you have.
A couple of features I love:
- A hideaway SPF 50+canopy for sun protection.
- Finished bottom to protect car upholstery which eliminates the need for seat protectors. Seat protectors can be a problem for safe car seat installation.
- One-push stroller release on the carry handle for a smooth transfer.
The UPPAbaby MESA (http://uppababy.com/products/product.php?id=272 )will be available beginning in March 2013. It will retail for $280 and come in four styles: DREW (tangerine), SEBBY (teal), LINDSEY (wheat), and JAKE (black).
Three Colorful Booster Seat Picks from the ABC Kids Expo
Though my son is still young (ten months old), I am already keeping my eyes on the horizon for products we will be needing in the next few years. These three booster seats stood out at the ABC Kids Expo as seats that would bring a burst of color and a touch of beauty to my (and your) dining room table for mealtimes.
1- Keekaroo Cafe Booster Seat, about $60, available now in six vivid colors shown.
2- Mamas & Papas Baby Bud, $70, available April 2013.
3- Bumbo Booster, available 2013.
Keekaroo has also launched an outstanding new product this month called the Peanut Changer.
This changing pad will also be available in their six signature colors, is made of the same fluid-impermeable material as their Cafe Booster, is incredibly soft, and needs no additional covers to change and wash. Our nursery is very minimalistic and traditional, but imagine how simply swapping out our current fabric-covered changing pad for a bright Peanut Changer could enhance the look of the whole room. Now…which color would look the best?!
The Peanut Changer will retail for about $80 and is available this month, October 2012.
Latest Diaper Pail Style and Tech
I never expected to spend so much time seriously discussing diaper pails with other grown people, but such is my life and I’m not complaining. At this year’s ABC Kids Expo, diaper pails seemed to be everywhere, and with bright colors and amazing technological features, they were hard to ignore. Here are my top 3 diaper pail picks from the Expo.
1- Diaper Dékor, know for its hands-free operation and economical refill, will be coming out with more colorful versions of their popular design. They were asking their customers (and bloggers!) to choose their favorite colors and will be releasing the top 4 or five choices soon.
2- Svan has developed a odorless diaper disposal system called Non-Scents. This high-tech diaper pail heat seals diapers into the liner bag to lock odors away.
3- Ubbi makes colorful steel diaper pails that do not need any special bags. Their rainbow of products made for an impressive display.
Loading ...New Bath Items and Mobiles from 3 Sprouts
You’re going to love the new Bath Storage from 3 Sprouts. The Walrus, Owl and Fox are made of wetsuit material and stick to tile or glass to hang and store bath toys. $26
The Deer, Goat and Polar Bear hampers are also new. I’m partial to the goat. $25
The bath storage and hampers are obvious and excellent additions to the line of cute storage items that 3 Sprout is known for, but the big surprise this season is the mobiles! Take a look at the Bear, Owl and Peacock. $25
These will be available shortly.
New Puj Flyte and More
The bath products from Puj are so deceptively simple that on first glance it might be easy to overlook them, but their simplicity is exactly why they deserve a closer look. The original Puj Tub is a soft infant bath that folds up to fit in the sink. This year, the Flyte is even more compact and perfect for travel.
Folded up, it can be easily dropped into the bottom of a suitcase. The Flyte is available right now for $35.
I was also impressed with the Hug and Big Hug Hands-Free Hooded Infant and Toddler Towels. These are super soft and hang conveniently on a Puj Nub. The Big Hug was designed to fit a 6 year-old, so as I have one of those in my house and these are so soft and lovely, I totally want a few of these.
Finally, have you ever seen a more stylish set of anti-slip bath stickers? These stick on the floor of your tub to keep you from slipping the the bath. Puj will have several different sets of these, but I like the ones shown below the most.
Puj has truly created a full collection of modern, fun and functional bath items and I congratulate them.
New and Notable from Babyhome
Last year Babyhome was completely new to the US, so I wasn’t expecting too much excitement from them this year.
I was surprised when this incredible collaboration between Babyhome and Oilo stopped me in my tracks!
This Dream bassinet comes in oilo’s Cobblestone pattern. You could buy yourself a Cobblestone Sheet Set and Duvet Set to match with the Dream in your bedroom!
This limited edition Dream will retail for about $340.
The Dream will also be available in this new turquoise blue color as well as white. ($300)
The other notable addition to Babyhome’s collection is the new Side Light bed rail. The Side Light improves on Babyhome’s Side bed rail by adding a mild LED light on the upper bar. The Side Light will retail for $100, while the Side is $80.
I think we’re going to be needing one of these soon!
