• The Traveling Walnuts Archive

    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, [&hellip

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    Ah, how I fondly remember the picnics in the park my husband and I had B.K. (before kids). Our house was a short walk from a park that held summer concerts, and we’d pack a light dinner and head out without a care in the world. Fast forward to the present, and a dinner outdoors with two little kids is hardly romantic. Our plastic wine glasses have been replaced with juiceboxes, and the comfy blanket we shared barely has room for the four of us. Maybe that’s why today,  I can appreciate the Picnic Set from French Bull that is practical for my family, but whose style appeals to my grown-up sensibility. There’s service for four, including flatware, plates and ample sized cups that are [&hellip

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    Sometimes, a diaper bag needs to double as an overnight tote. Imagine the scenario: Your hubby just got you tickets to the ballet for Mother’s Day and Grandma–bless her heart–has offered to take your little one for the night. Once you begin packing everything she’ll need, it’s not long before you realize you are quickly running out of room. Rather than pack a separate bag for all that extra stuff, opt for Kushies Boho Diaper Bag, which has more pockets than a pair of overalls! There’s no way you can misplace that beloved binky now. We appreciate the padded changing pad that tucks right inside without taking up too much space and the two bottle pockets on the side that are perfect for the last-minute [&hellip

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    Fess up: just how many baby gear items do you lug around from your house, to Grandma’s and back home again? If you had the ability to fold up any of them and fit them into your diaper bag, you’d be in heaven…okay, well maybe your back would ache a little less. Snazzy Baby has the right idea with My Baby’s Own Deluxe Travel Chair, a portable high chair that can strap your little one in for mealtime, and when she’s finished eating, you fold into its own handy pouch and slip right into your bag. No fuss, no muss–and no slumped shoulders for you. In a Nutshell: Just because you’re already weighed down with a stroller and an Exersaucer doesn’t mean you can’t lighten [&hellip

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    As a mom, you know that pesky feeling of never being able to get your hands on what you need, exactly when you need it: a fresh wipe when your baby’s hands are covered with sand, a tissue when your toddler has burst into her latest crying fit…How refreshing it is to be able to tuck a Carabean into your bag and feel you can take on the challenges-with-child du jour. These clips will save the day when the sun is in your baby’s eyes (attach a blanket over her stroller, and you’ll got instant shade). Or when her favorite toy always seems to land on the car floor just when the light turns green (affix Teddy Bear to her car seat and voila!). The [&hellip

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    We’re always on the lookout for stylish ways to get around town with little ones. The new line of from BabyPlanet is one to road-test, especially now that the warm weather is here. Take your pick from any of the three new additions to the Endangered Species collection–the Giant Panda, the Lemur Frog and the Monarch Butterfly. And then there’s the two timi & leslie branded models, inspired by their ultra chic diaper bag collection. No matter which style you pick, you’ll appreciate standout features like the ergonomically designed handles that are easy to grip and the flip-out sun visor that works in a pinch when that bright glare can be a bit too much. If you opt for the timi & leslie line, you’ll [&hellip

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    Ready to get super-close to your baby? There are two new soft carriers on the market that will make you want to scoop her up and snuggle her inside one of them. Living up to its name, the FreeHand Baby Carrier (left) distinguishes itself from other carriers by the fact that you can position your baby however you’d like–facing in or out, wearing her on your frontside or back–without the need for any inserts, straps or adjustments. How is that possible? The carrier has built-in crossover support, so you can wear your baby in any position and she’ll be able to fit securely (that means no floppy heads, especially for little babes). If you have a toddler who will still happily ride in a carrier [&hellip

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    Those comfy portable seats you bring to the beach and the park are now perfectly sized for little one, from babies to big kids. The Go & Grow Chair is meant to go wherever you go with your family. And it’s works as soon as your baby can sit up; there’s a 3-point harness to keep her in place, loops for attaching toys and a tray and sun shade, both of which you can remove when not in use. As she grows, simply fold the seat cover into the front pocket so she can stand or stretch if she wants to (you know how fidgety she can get when she’s sitting too long…). And when your baby is no longer…well, a baby, Go & Grow [&hellip

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    History can turn off some kids faster than you can say, “Time to pick up your room.” Chalk it up to living in a fast-paced world where instant gratification is the norm…kids just don’t get that jazzed about stuff that’s happened long ago, let alone 5 minutes from now. PBS Kids must have had this in mind when it recently launched its new Web series, Wilson & Ditch: Digging America. It’s an activities-packed online destination that aims to make American history, geography and culture a little more…well, lively. The series stars two fun-loving gophers who road-trip across country and learn quite a bit along the way. My 5-year-old and I checked it out and, considering our limited real-world traveling experience, had quite an adventure. Games [&hellip

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    Cold winter days like these are a foregone conclusion for many of us. If you think it’s tough to put your feet on the ground after a warm night snuggled in your bed, imagine being a newborn unearthed from her snug cocoon. (Moms who have to wake sleeping babies in order to pick up their older child from preschool, take note). The Snug & Tug makes the get-up-and-go a little more…well, bearable for little ones. This swaddling blanket’s new design lets you slip the straps and buckles of a car seat through the blanket’s opening (see above) without disturbing your sleeping child. It works in strollers, too, so if you’re an on-the-go mom, you’ll truly appreciate this blanket’s resourcefulness. In a Nutshell: Your mom always [&hellip

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