Talk to any new mom, and she’ll tell you she doesn’t feed her baby with just any old bottle. If she considers herself an A-list mom who wants the healthiest/safest things for her little one (and what mom doesn’t?), she’s probably done her research and figured out which crib promises the best night’s sleep, which stroller has the smoothest ride and which bottle reduces spit-up and fussiness. Now, thanks to the advent of the Similac SimplySmart bottle, the homework has been done for you. The makers of the well-known powdered formula brand have taken their expertise in feeding and applied it to their first-ever baby bottle, designed to make feeding a more enjoyable experience for moms and their babies. At first glance, you’ll notice the SmartClose, a blue shield that takes the mystery out of determining whether or not the top has been properly closed (translation: fewer leaks). Inside the bottle you’ll notice a clip-on contraption, the EasyMix, which ensures that powdered formula and water have been properly combined (simply shake or swirl the bottle, and the EasyMix does the rest).  On top of the extra-wide opening for easy cleaning and extra-large, easy-to-read numbers (in ounces), we love the On-the-Go powder cap, which is sold separately and lets you take enough formula in a sealed cap that snaps right on to the top of the bottle. Similac was a brand I trusted as a new mom; I’ve no doubt the SimplySmart bottle will make an ideal companion to the formula line.

In a Nutshell: Bottle-feeding just got a whole lot smarter with the Similac SimplySmart bottle. Whether feeding on the go or right at home, this innovative bottle has all the makings of a smooth meal.

Right about now, I’m feeling like the holidays are catching up to me. I’m all shopped out, have more wrapping ahead of me and still need to go out and pick up last-minute essentials like extra tape and batteries. Speaking of which, I could use a little recharging myself…can you relate? If the holidays have left you a bit frazzled and you realize you still need to make it to New Year’s without losing your spirit, it’s time to indulge yourself. No, I don’t mean to spring for that new pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing all season. I’m talking about something to invigorate your senses and start your day off right. Maclaren’s beginning collection is exactly what this weary mom desires. It’s a new line of organic bath and body care products that your entire family can use. We love the eye-opening scent of the shower elixir that gives you that fresh-from-the-bath smell, and as your day winds down, slather on some beginning body lotion for a calming effect. Other products in the line include shampoo, body butter and lip/cheek balm–winter essentials for dry, parched skin. With New Year’s right around the corner, beginning is a timely way to start off 2012 on a healthy, happy note.

In a Nutshell: New year, new you. The body/bath line that’s gentle enough for babies works on big kids, too. Here’s to babying yourself in 2012!

Tags: baby skincare, Maclaren, Maclaren beginning, organic baby products, winter skincare for kids

My 3-year-old’s new favorite fruit is the clementine. She can’t get enough of them, and I can’t say I blame her. They are sweet, incredibly juicy and easy to peel and eat. From a mom’s perspective, I like that they’re portable and pack easily when we’re on the go, and don’t result in sticky, orange fingers. In fact, theirs is a rather invigorating, citrusy scent that I much enjoy this time of year. Because I tend to buy clementines in bulk, I am forever experimenting with different brands and currently can’t resist Cuties Clementines. Bursting with flavor and packed with vitamin C, they are the perfect addition to lunch, snacktime or anytime hunger strikes. If you happen to have a resident cutie who also loves clementines, you’ll want to check out Cuties.com. On top of giving you the nutritional lowdown of this fun fruit, you can upload pictures of your little darling and enter to win daily and weekly prizes–everything from Cuties T-shirts and toys, to one extremely lucky grand prize recipient of a college scholarship valued at $150,000. A different theme contest runs every week, and next week’s is cutest dress-up. Time to grab the camera and start filming; your amateur video may just pay for your child’s future education. And that’s a lotta clementines!

In a Nutshell: Orange you glad you captured the time your toddler clomped around in Daddy’s shoes? Now it’s time to upload that footage and enter to win on Cuties.com.

Tags: clementines, cutest kid video, Cuties.com, kids' video contests, prizes for best kids' video

I’m two seconds away from calling my dermatologist. Sporadic blasts of cold air, coupled with excessive hand-washing to ward off cold/flu season, have laid the groundwork for an eczema flare-up…and there’s no turning back until spring. Here at The Talking Walnut, we can’t get enough of lotions and potions that vow to combat winter-dry skin on kids and grown-ups alike. Because we’re especially mindful of products that are safe for the environment, we love a product that’s as good for us as it is for our planet. And if it looks attractive on our nightstand or in the nursery, then so much the better! I’m sure I’m not the first mom to sneak some of her kid’s stuff (after all, I am the girl who misted herself with her mom’s Norell perfume way back when…). So sue me if I decide to sample some of Butt Naked Baby’s 911 Rescue Cream. The name alone cries out to me in my time of need, wrestling with parched skin. Smooth some on and you’ll see for yourself how skin drinks in the moisture-inducing, organic ingredients like shea butter, white and green tea extracts and sunflower seed oil. We love that it works on practically any problematic area of skin and with just a small dab, your skin feels better almost immediately. Thanks to 911 Rescue Cream, maybe I won’t have to call my doctor after all…

In a Nutshell: Dry skin emergencies call for 911 Rescue Cream. This is one wintertime remedy you’ll need to have on speed dial.

Tags: 911 Rescue Cream, all-natural baby products, Butt Naked Baby, organic skincare

It’s only October, and I’m already seeing signs of dry skin on myself and my daughters. With more frequent hand-washing during cold/flu season, our hands are a bit chapped and rougher than they were just a few months ago. Because my girls have unfortunately inherited my tender Irish complexion, they are more susceptible to winter’s wrath and therefore are slathered with lotions and creams more often than they’d like. Since the Talking Walnut is always on the lookout for products that combat eczema and other irritated skin conditions, we’re always willing to put new skincare to the test. Well, Episencial’s Soothing Cream is just what the doctor ordered. A pleasant-smelling balm made with a blend of natural ingredients like organic green tea and jojoba seed oil , it goes on smooth without that heavy, greasy feeling of some other lotions we’ve tried. I like that it’s as effective for both my young girls’ sensitive skin as it is for mine.  The ideal after-bath companion, the Soothing Cream seems to absorb best on clean, dry skin, leaving no match for Ol’ Man Winter this year.

In a Nutshell: We’re one step ahead of the colder weather with a lotion that leaves skin soft, smooth and soothed.

Tags: baby skincare, eczema, Episencial, kids' skincare, treating dry skin, winter skincare for kids

My 3-year-old tries to be like her big sister in so many ways. She mimics what she says and how she says it, she sings the same songs (eat your heart out, Katy Perry) and she so desperately wants to join her in playing Wii. Sadly, yoga and go kart racing doesn’t exactly appeal to the average preschooler, so she has been forced to watch her sister and dad from the sidelines…until now, that is. We recently got our furry paws on a copy of Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover!, a video game for the Wii and Nintendo DS, and let’s just say she has found her idea of true blue heaven. Right off the bat, the ultra plush remove cover in the likeness of the lovable furry monster is especially designed to keep little digits focused on the game play, and not distracted by which button to push when. The message of developing eating healthy may be a tough pill for Cookie Monster-loving kids to swallow, but the game play itself is so much fun, kids may not even realize they’re absorbing this idea. My two daughters both had a blast moving their bodies as they helped monsters drop good-for-you food into their bowls as it was being hurled toward them. Factoids about how drinking milk is good for your teeth and bones are added in for flavor, making these teachable moments. Our best laugh-out-loud experience? When Elmo flew through the air towards us, that he practically landed in our family room. After all, belly laughter is good for digestion, too.

In a Nutshell: Little ones can join in on the fun of console video games at a speed and style that’s all their own.

Tags: Grover with Elmo, Nintendo DS preschool games, Ready, Sesame Street, Set, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Wii games for preschoolers

There’s nothing more refreshing than a cold drink on a hot summer’s day…especially when you’ve been outdoors for hours. My 7-year-old takes a water bottle with her to camp everyday, but after so many refills, she craves something with a bit more flavor. Rather than load her down with sugary juice or lemonade, we thought we’d give coconut water, the latest fad in the beverage world, a try. But this isn’t just any coconut water, mind you. O.N.E. Kids Coconut Water with Fruit Juice is specially designed for finicky taste buds who need to rehydrate after a long day at play. Flavored with natural juices and no added sugar, this drink is packed with potassium and electrolytes to replenish growing bodies. We decided to put O.N.E. Kids to the test during a long, sweltering week at camp. The results? One happy camper. “It wasn’t so sweet, but it tasted really good and that made me want to drink more,” said our resident tester. Available in a medley of fruity flavors like apple, fruit punch, raspberry lemonade and orange, O.N.E. Kids Coconut Water with Fruit Juice is one drink your kids will go nuts for.

In a Nutshell: When lemonade and plain old H2O have had their day in the sun, switch over to this delicious, healthy beverage of choice.

Tags: coconut water, healthy drinks for kids, juicebox alternatives, O.N.E. Kids Coconut Water with Fruit Juice

It’s hardly Christmas, but next winter, my sister’s co-worker will be having her first baby. She has just started checking out all the baby gear she’ll want to register for, and it got us to talking about all those things she’ll need in the first few months. When my girls were born, I was fortunate enough to have a bassinet handed down from my sister. It was simply outfitted in a white eyelet bedding and a basic mattress. Today’s bassinets are not only more functional, but they aim to offer a better night’s sleep for both baby and mom. Kolcraft’s Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet & Incline Sleeper is specially designed for the colicky newborn who benefits from a boosted sleeping position. This bassinet features a removable insert for a baby’s head, which is just what the doctor ordered to relieve congestion, colic or even an ear infection. And when your little one is perfectly healthy, you can switch over to rocking mode, offering gentle vibration and soothing melodies. We love a baby product that can multitask…just like mom!

In a Nutshell: No need to listen to that colicky cry at 3 a.m. Your newborn will rest easy in this bassinet with elevated insert that provides a restful night’s sleep.

Tags: bassinet, Kolcraft, Preferred Position 2-in-1 Bassinet

Last week, I took my 2 girls out for a bite at a kid-friendly restaurant near our home. My husband had evening plans and we were in the midst of a heat wave, so it seemed like a fine idea. I forgot how much 2 little girls can talk (both at the same time, mind you), but with a glass of Chardonnay, a bread basket full of warm pretzel sticks and coloring books for the little ladies, I was well-armed. While nibbling on our appetizer, I couldn’t help but notice a toddler at a nearby table who was having a ball. Much to his mother’s horror, he dipped every fry several times in ketchup before aiming them towards his mouth. Naturally, he missed his target more than once and before long, the table space in front of him looked like a war zone after a bloody battle. Keeping kids occupied before their food arrives is one thing; keeping them and the table relatively clean is quite another. The Neatnik Saucer is one mom’s solution to this dilemma. Having become increasingly frustrated about cleanliness while eating out with her new baby, she designed this portable product that is a high chair cover and baby playmat in one. The saucer comes in two parts: a chair liner that fits inside a standard restaurant high chair and a lightweight tray that fits over and suction cups to the table, giving your child a clean, secure play to eat, color and enjoy her meal. We favor the saucer’s extended sides that prevent food or small toys from dropping onto the floor–how many times can you play pick-up after all?–and that it wipes clean and folds up easily. I’m guessing the mom we saw at dinner would have benefited from the Neatnik Saucer; those fries fast became Unidentified Flying Objects.

In a Nutshell: Less messy mealtimes are on the menu with this on-the-go feeding accessory. This is one saucer that’s out of this world.

Tags: eating out with kids, feeding accessories, high chair cover, Neatnik Saucer

Kids are not unlike bugs: Sometimes, they are pesky, persistent and just won’t go away when you want them to. (Can you tell we are already a few weeks into summer vacation?) But unlike with actual bugs, there’s no real repellent which, with a simple spray, you can buy yourself some alone time. So for now, we’ll just concentrate on trying to keep those pesky, multi-legged critters at bay. At my house, we go through bug spray like some people go through water. OK, well maybe not that fast, but I wind up buying a few bottles over the course of the spring and summer. I’m more mindful about what products I’m using on my kids these days (yes, even if they bug me, I’m still nice to them…most days.) And because I have equally bright kids who oftentimes inspect the bottles of sunscreen, bug spray and other protective goods, we know a standout product when we see one. We’re particularly fond of Bug Bandit from Fairy Tales Hair Care , an all-natural, DEET- and pesticide-free insect repellent. My 7-year-old doesn’t care for the company’s name (she’s the one with a strong aversion to anything related to princesses), but both girls get a kick out of the image on the bottle. The masked bug looks ready to take on the world of pesky critters, and if he can distract by kids from being doused with bug spray, so much the better. The delightful scent of lemongrass, citronella, rosemary and lemon eucalyptus reminds us of a outdoor candles we use during BBQ nights. Hey, if the thought of grilled burgers and corn on the cob isn’t enough to keep them happy, what will? Kids…yeah, sometimes they really bug me.

In a Nutshell: Take a whiff of a bug spray that not only smells good, but gets the job done.

Tags: all-natural bug spray, Bug Bandit, bug spray, DEET-free bug spray, Fairy Tales Hair Care