lighten your load

 Diapering for Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Mar 182011
 

Back strain can bring you down–literally and figuratively. Every spring, I make a point of cleaning out my purse to minimize the droop in my already-slouched shoulders. That’s what years of schlepping around a textbook-laden backpack will to do you. And those diaper bag years haven’t exactly helped matters either. To make whatever bag you’re lugging around town a little less cumbersome, Go GaGa’s Urban Sherpa Strap may just be your new best friend. Even if you don’t want to part with your favorite diaper bag, purse or laptop case, you can still use it by updating it with a strap that evenly distributes the bulk across your back and shoulders. Just remove the current strap and clip the Urban Sherpa one onto the metal or plastic loops at either end of your bag. It makes a big difference, even to these worn-out shoulders.

In a Nutshell: A shoulder strap that’s pain-free? With this simple, yet effective accessory, you really can take it with you.

Tags: , ,

present with panache

 Diapering for Walnuts, Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Mar 142011
 

When my daughter was born, a friend and colleague sent me a memorable gift: a painting of a clothes line featuring little girls’ dresses with my daughter’s name inscribed below. Packaged in a cellophane gift bag and tied with a bow that matched the gingham check in one of the dresses, this gift was more than just personable. It demonstrated creativity and forethought…something that I wish I had more of as a mom. I know that when I’m giving a special gift to a friend, I want her to know–just by looking at it–that I put thought into my selection. So when I come across a baby gift line that features high-end materials and matching accessories, it earns points in my book. New to this realm is pkboo kids, makers of coordinating changing pads, bibs, totes and burp cloths. Each item in this vintage-inspired collection is handcrafted and outfitted in fresh, modern prints of poppies, lilies and clovers. We got our hands on the Poppy Bib (shown here) and appreciated the bold graphics and generously sized neck opening, not to mention the easy-access Velcro closure. Because each of the three floral-focused fabrics coordinates with existing products in the ensemble, you can mix and match or choose a standalone item. Either way, you’ve got the makings of a baby present worth presenting.

In a Nutshell: Not all baby gifts are head turners. Here’s a line-up that will make gift givers and recipients stand up and take notice.

Tags: , , , , ,

read your baby like a book (really)

 Diapering for Walnuts, Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut, The Playful Walnut, The Pregnant Walnut, The Safe Little Walnut
Mar 082011
 

As one of my favorite PSA ads professes, it’s too bad babies don’t come with an instructional manual. Do you remember what it was like to leave the hospital with your bundle of joy, only to arrive home and realize you didn’t have the slightest clue what you were doing? (I’ve been a mom for nearly seven years, and some days, I still feel that way!) To make newborn care a little less daunting comes a new book that aims to take the guesswork out of much of the day-to-day crying/burping/feeding/sleeping that has become your routine. Written by occupational therapist Megan Faure, The Babysense Secret focuses on picking up on your baby’s cues by reading her body language. Does that cry mean she’s too warm or that her diaper needs to be changed? Is she fussing because she doesn’t want to play anymore or because she’s bored? This book seeks to provide answers to questions like these that can practically drive newbie parents to the brink of insanity. Hey, when you’re the one going through it, you know how flat-out exasperating and exhausting it can feel! To complement the teachings of Faure’s book, there’s an entire line of baby products that hinge upon the concept of interpreting and understanding your baby’s “language.” From winter- and summer-weight swaddling blankets, to nursing pillows that promote bonding, these products encourage new parents to fully immerse themselves in this all-too-fleeting period of their child’s life. Because even if it’s not always easy, caring for a baby is one experience in life for which there is no substitute.

In a Nutshell: “Baby” and “sense” in the same sentence? Don’t laugh just yet. This book may be just the ticket to the most pressing, head-scratching moments of your child’s first year.

Tags: , , , ,

wasabi (and wipes) to go

 Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts
Jan 122011
 

Practically every Saturday night is takeout Japanese in my family. What started out as a convenient way of grabbing dinner on my way home has developed into a tradition that we’ve come to relish. The fact that my 2-year-old is learning to use my chopsticks and that my 6-year-old knows her sushi from her sashimi is something we can be proud of–really. Perhaps it’s my love for Japanese food that prompted me to take a closer look at the Bento ultimate diaper bag. There aren’t too many other bags that I’ve seen with their own Bento box for keeps baby foods and snacks  mess-free in their own separate containers. An insulated cooler bag and freezer pack keep a stash of grapes cool…so you can keep your cool when little hunger pangs strike. Plenty of pockets means ample space for wipes, diapers and all those other on-the-go necessities. And using the Shuttle Clips, you can strap this bay right onto your stroller’s handle bars and away you go! (I don’t know about you, but I’m off to pick up some shumai…yum yum!)

In a Nutshell: Got a diaper bag that’s not proving its worth? Say “sayonara” and pick up the Bento bag instead.

Tags: , ,

coothchie-coothchie-couture

 Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Jan 062011
 

Remember when you opened a diaper bag at your baby shower and it practically screamed “I’m a Mommy…and there’s nothing I can do about it!”?…Well, the days of satchels adored with pastel bunnies and fuzzy ducklings are long gone, thanks to a number of designers that recognize that women don’t have to leave their sense of fashion behind just because they now have kids. One brand worth checking out is the CoCaLo Couture Diaper Bags, a versatile accessory that can help update your grown-up ensemble in a pinch. Not only is there plenty of room inside to stash all your baby necessities, but from the outside, no one will ever believe you’ve actually got wipes and Pampers in there. The bags are available in satchel and hobo styles to suit every fashion type, from the sophisticated to the bohemian. Yeah, you may be stuck changing diapers for a few years, but with at least with these totes, you can still feel like you’re hot to trot.

In a Nutshell: A diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag? We’re all over it…

Tags: , ,

quick change

 Diapering for Walnuts
Nov 102010
 

I finally decided to bite the bullet and clean out my purse. (Hey, when you have 5 minutes to spare, these are the exciting things we moms do.) Amidst the countless used tissues, gum wrappers and broken crayons was a lone diaper…with a hardened piece of gum stuck to the bottom. It really set me off–not just because it was vile-looking, but because diapers don’t come cheap and this one was headed straight for the trash can. Since I don’t think I’ll ever be one of those moms that can whip out a fresh wipe and diaper packed together–and if you remember my post from last week, you know I love Ziplocs–I can appreciate the convenience of Diaper Buds. These individually-wrapped diapers fit right into your purse or pocket, and are vacuum-sealed so they appear smaller than they are. Once you unwrap them, Diaper Buds expand into a full-size nappy. What’s more, you can use the discarded wrapper to hold dirty diaper until you can dispose of it. Just don’t look to me for a fresh wipe, ok?

In a Nutshell: No need to toss those diapers that have acquired more lint than your favorite old sweater. With Diaper Buds, you’ll be prepared with a clean diaper at your fingertips.

Tags:

double duty diapers

 Diapering for Walnuts
Jun 302010
 

How utterly frustrating it can be to clad a baby in her swim diaper, only to to have a blow-out in the water! I’ve never been a huge fan of disposable swim diapers to begin with. My older daughter always managed to…ahem, “fill” her diaper precisely when we were at the beach. How I couldn’t wait to until it was time to change her, so I could wrestle with the tab-less sides and pull down her diaper while all of its contents spilled out. Not a pretty sight! What an ingenious idea to create an all-in-one swim diaper bathing suit! Bambino Mio Swimsuit Nappies have elasticized leg cuffs that offer a snug fit to prevent any possible “spillage.” The best part is that you don’t need a bulky diaper anymore; this suit is washable and reusable, eliminating the need for costly swim diapers.

In a Nutshell: Get into the swim of things with this swimsuit and built-in diaper, and you’re bound to have a real day at the beach with your little one.

Tags: ,

no grubby hands

 Diapering for Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut
Jun 182010
 

If there is ever a season for wipes, it’s summer. Think ice pop-stained faced, sticky sunscreen lotion fingers (those are yours), sandy feet…you get the picture. Not that you need an excuse, but sometimes I think about just how many wipes I go through that don’t involve diaper changes, and I feel pangs of mommy guilt. With Jackson Reece Soothing Herbal Baby Wipes, I can breathe a bit easier. This brand is better for the environment because it’s biodegradable and made with organic ingredients that are free of alcohol, chlorine and other harsh substances. In a pinch, these wipes are great as a cooling balm for sunburned skin–an inevitable summertime occurrence. Yes, that mommy guilt can follow me everywhere…

In a Nutshell: If you’re making an effort to go green, this brand of wipes will make you feel at one with nature.

Tags:

alpha male

 Diapering for Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts
Jun 162010
 

My husband wouldn’t be caught dead sporting a diaper bag; it’s enough that he remembers to grab a sippy cup when heading out the door with the kids (I don’t expect miracles, you know…). But if he were to acquiesce and tote a bag, it would most certainly be an Alpha Sherpa. Call it the Cadillac (insert favorite sports car here) of diaper bags, this model truly has it all. The cooler component has ample, protective pockets for storing bottles and cold snacks (yup, even his Pepsi One). Technology-savvy dads will relish the storage sections designated for a laptop, MP3 player and any other “daddy gear” they must have at their disposal. Not forgetting the purpose of this bag, the Alpha Sherpa has plenty of extras for your “other” baby, including a pacifier clip, toy loops and a spacious changing pad. Sorry, Dad, that’s something you just can’t sacrifice.

In a Nutshell: Let your hubby think he’s not toting an actual diaper bag with this hip model. Save your arguments for more important stuff, like who left the toilet lid up again…

Tags:

not your big sister’s diaper bag

 Diapering for Walnuts, The Organized Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
May 282010
 

When my sister had her first daughter nearly 16 years ago, she schlepped a quilted Winnie the Pooh bag to my parents’ house; I think even she’ll admit it was hardly a fashion statement. Today, there are so many versatile, stylish bags in which to tote baby belongings that I’m sure even my teenage niece would approve of them! One such line that recently caught my eye is ISOKI, which apparently comes from the African word meaning “beautiful gift.” Just take one look at these bags and you’ll agree that this name is an apt description. Looking more like weekender bags than ones holding diapers and wipes, you may easily mistake these for ones that belong at a Hamptons beach. What makes them stand out, though, are the extras: namely, a storage compartment underneath (great for when you’re fully packed and you realize you’ve forgotten to pack the diaper rash cream) and an insulated cooler (no need to throw in an extra bag for milk, juice or anything else that needs to keep cold…yes, even your iced coffee).

In a Nutshell: Unlike that bridesmaid dress that’s been hanging in your closet and promising to be worn again, this is a bag that has a life after diapers…and one that you’ll be proud to show off.

Tags:

 Older Entries  Newer Entries