Rich Wipeable Fabric Change-Mat

Carrying diapers around has never been so chic.  This haute couture little diaper clutch by Beeby is so sleek, you’d swear it was an evening purse. But alas, it is a highly functioning diapering tool.  You may even look forward to changing diapers. (Ok, probably not. But at least you'll look cool doing it.)

On the outside, it’s a stylish purse, but unfold it and it becomes a full sized change pad. And it can carry a wipes case and several diapers. Fully laminated, spills or leaks are no problem.  This is a great piece to carry alone, or to slip inside the diaper bag.  Available in three to-die-for fabrics, Blue Paisley, Pink Paisley, and Black & White. Priced at only $32.

Double Duty Baby Bottle Carrier

To the praise of parents of multiples everywhere, Skip Hop has introduced a Triple Bottle Bag – the perfect twins bottle carrier. Yippee! You won’t find a better baby bottle cooler. Now you can carry three bottles in one easy to manage container. Made of 3M’s Thinsulate, it will keep bottles (or sippy cups) cold for up to four hours.  Best yet, it converts into a backpack so it’s a perfect lunch bag for pre-school or day care.  Features inside mesh pockets to organized the inside. Available in red and black. Priced at $28. 

Reese Li's Earth Stripe Baby Bag

Keep an eye out for diaper bag designer Reese Li, known for innovative and highly functional baby bags. For those mommies who need a diaper bag to do double duty, Reese Li’s convertible shoulder-to-stroller-diaper bag is just the bag.  Reese Li’s line of Lexington diaper bags have several strap options, it goes from shoulder bag to over-the-stroller. Another great feature is the amazing fabric it’s made out of – soft matte wipeable vinyl.  It’s also got a waterproof interior and has 12 organizing pockets. (Yes 12!)  This is a mommy's dream bag.  It’s also large enough to fit a laptop, allowing you to go from baby to boardroom with ease. Available in several gorgeous colors: Earth Stripe, Black Geo, Black Stripe, Blue Taffy and Leaf.

...but not inside the stroller

Winter is too long to stay inside the entire time, but tucking in blankets around your child for the entire stroller ride is no fun either. JJ Cole has taken the bite out of winter with the introduction of the Bundle Me infant stroller cover, today’s take on baby bunting.  The Bundle Me stroller cover is the best of the best as far as keeping baby warm. Made of luxurious micro-suede interior, and quilted nylon exterior, baby will be toasty (and fashionable).  The nice thing about the Bundle Me cover is that the stroller safety straps rest directly on your child.  Available in Diva (pink) and Stealth (rich dark grey). Priced at $59.99.  It also comes in an infant car seat cover.

Ray Picks Favorite Baby Gear

On Monday October 22, the Rachel Ray Show previewed a Baby Planner segment, and showed the Elizabeth Bag in Camel by Storksak.  Rachel Ray knows her food, now she shows she can pick diaper bags too.  Hot from England, the Storksak line of diaper bags has been a hot commodity since appearing on the arms of uber-mom, Angelina Jolie.

Under-the-bed kid's storage unit - just what Mama ordered!

Efficient use of space is what a well-organized children’s room is all about. Kids have a lot of stuff, so for your sanity…keep it organized.  You don’t need a lot of kid’s storage units, just ones that are efficient. No part of your child’s room should be left cluttered, and that includes under the bed! That’s why we love this under the bed storage “trundle” by Jack & Jill Furniture. 

It slips neatly under the bed while holding a good stash of your child’s toys (or blankets, extra clothes, or shoes).  This literally is a God-send when it comes to staying sane and tidy.  You can customize this storage unit with over 20 gorgeous paint colors to match your room.  

BabyBrowns.com Shares Free Diaper Cake Recipe

The latest trend in Baby Showers is the diaper cake. For those uninitiated in the world of Baby Shower trends, the diaper cake is a stunning and useful centerpiece made out of…diapers.  Like their edible counterparts, diaper cakes can come in a huge array of “flavors”. For example, some diaper cakes are adorned with toys on the outside, while others are simply topped with flowers.  There are some absolutely beautiful ready-made diaper cakes out there. Our favorite "store bought" cakes are by Bloomers Diaper Cakes.  But for those with the time and energy, its fun to make your own diaper cake. Follow this free diaper cake recipe to make your own stunning cake.

Not only is this a beautiful addition to the Baby Shower table, but it is a useful gift as well. Our favorite way to make it is with cloth diapers, but you can use disposable diapers. The cost is about the same. If you use cloth diapers, (and have the time) you can sew pretty ribbons onto them to make gorgeous burp cloths.  We like to add fun goodies on the cake, like newborn socks and pacifiers. Obviously, you don’t have to do this. BabyBrowns.com has seen variations of the cake where goodies are wrapped up inside the rolled up diapers (baby  tweezers, nail clips, thermometer, Mother’s necklace, etc.)  

Ingredients

1 baby plate (try BabyBrowns.com personalized plates.)

3 pkgs. cloth diapers (6 diapers per pkg.) These make excellent burp cloths!

1 pkg. colored newborn socks (6 per pkg.)

4 pacifiers

3 pkgs. diaper pins

4 spools of ribbon (may have extra depending on length of tied bows.)

1 cake topper (examples: stuffed animal, lg. rubber duck, baby shoes etc.)

Scissors or Pinking Sheer scissors for a detailed edge

1 small pkg. of clothes pins (optional)

2 spools of clear cellophane wrapping paper (optional)

1 receiving blanket

Directions

1.      Cut pieces of ribbon into 4 ft. piece, 3 ft. piece and 2 ft. piece.  Place aside.

2.      Roll receiving blanket as you would a sleeping bag. 

3.      Roll all diapers as you would a sleeping bag.   

4.      Using 2 hands place 8 rolled diapers vertically standing around the vertical standing receiving blanket (place in middle of baby plate).  This becomes the bottom cake tier.

5.      Tie together snuggly with 4 ft. ribbon piece.  Tie remainder of ribbon piece into bow or leave hanging.  Cut ends of ribbon with pinking sheer/sharp scissors.

6.      Make middle tier of cake with 5 rolled diapers by placing around top part of receiving blanket that is still poking out of bottom cake tier.  Tie together snuggly with 3 ft. ribbon piece.  Tie remainder into bow or leave hanging and cut ribbon ends .

7.      Make top tier of cake with 4 rolled diapers.  Tie together with 2 ft. ribbon piece and finish off with a bow or leave hanging.  Cut ribbon ends.  Place on top of middle cake tier.

8.      Attach each tier together with a diaper pin.  May need to use 2 to 4 pins.  Depending on how tight the diapers are rolled.

9.      Attach socks and pacifiers randomly to cake with remainder of diaper pins.

10.  Top with stuffed animal, rubber duck, baby shoes etc.

11.  Attach cake topper with diaper pins or clothes pin(s).

12.  Optional--- Place cake in middle of laid out clear cellophane wrapping paper (may need to use 2 long pieces and create an X on floor with cellophane prior to placing cake in middle of laid out cellophane paper X.)  Fold sides of cellophane up around diaper cake.  Tie top together with extra ribbon and cut ends of ribbon.

Oil Cloth Mats make meals out easy

Lucky Baby Maxwell - what a nursery!

Trista and Ryan Sutter, from reality TV fame (The Bachelorette), have just become proud parents of baby Maxwell.  Featuring a custom-made glider from Angel Song Nursery Gliders, and an iron crib from Bratt Décor, baby Maxwell is one lucky lad!  Angel Song makes amazing gliders - you can send in your own fabric for a personalized look, or choose from one of their beautiful designs.

If new motherhood doesn’t take enough time, Trista has launched a functional and fashion forward diaper bag line bearing her own name, Trista Baby.  The old saying is true - you want something done, ask a busy person. Motherhood and entrepreneur all at once. You go Trista!

Writers at Celebrity Baby Blog recently sat down with Trista for an interesting interview where Trista talks about her bout with gestational diabetes, and on becoming a mom. 

Get a Jump Start on Santa!

No, it’s not too early to start thinking about Christmas gifts. In fact, if you start now you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor.  One of our favorite baby Christmas Gifts are personalized baby Christmas ornaments by Jamie’s Painting. You don’t have to worry about the size not fitting, or the colors matching. 

            There are many cute Baby's first Christmas ornament designs to choose from: Angel, Santa, Baby Buggy, Snowman, Toy Soilder, Stocking, and Reindeer.  Priced from $20.

            Jamie Lentzner is a very talented artist (and mom) that lovingly hand-paints each ornament in her home-studio. (She also has a great blog you should read, JPD Mom.) Order early, because demand is so great for these ornaments that you can’t order them after mid-November. 

Make Memories - Save Baby's Handprints

Ok, we’ve all heard it a zillion times “enjoy your baby, it goes fast.” Well, you can get the best of father time by documenting your child’s growth with the handprint tower by Child to Cherish.   The tower comes with five tins, to document your baby’s handprint for the first five birthdays.  Making the handprint will become a treasured birthday tradition. You're little one will love to see how much they've grown from year to year.

At only $25, this is a fantastic gift that grows more precious as time goes by.  Imagine if you had your grandmothers handprint from when she was a baby…that would be priceless! Available in Blue and Pink.

Retro & Personalized Top the List

Retro, Retro, Retro – that’s the number #1 trend in Baby Boy Rooms. Think artwork that features vintage cars and trains, sock monkeys and cowboys.  We think Murphy Smith Designs does a fantastic job capturing the retro/vintage look. If you don’t have a money tree in the backyard, buy plain inexpensive crib bedding (think white or denim) and punch up the color in the nursery by buying interesting artwork. Mix professional artwork with framed Xerox copies of your baby’s hand and footprints for even more impact. 

Bebe Au Lait - High Style Nursing

For too long, Moms who wanted to nurse in public had to scramble to find a coat big enough to cover up, or head to the dirty bathroom.  Thank heavens for Bebe au Lait and their wonderful nursing covers.  It's a simple design, but packed with useful features that your coat or blanket just won't have.  We like the adjustable "stay-put" neck strap, and the terry-cloth panel for cleaning up.  Another innovative feature is the neckline that can be molded in place so the nursing mother can see the baby.

Be careful, there are many copy-cat products out there, but none compare to the gorgeous fabrics offered by Bebe au Lait.  At only $35, the price is cheaper than having to buy formula!

Bebe au Lait is a favorite of many nursing celebrity moms.  It's been spotted on: Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler and Julia Roberts.

Celebrity-style Budget Price

On October 9, the Tyra Bank's show featured some of the most gorgeous nurseries around. And here's the great part - you don't need a seven figure movie deal to afford them.   Working with designer to the stars, Shalena Smith, owner of Ga Ga Designs, Tyra Banks created an eye-popping and awe-inspiring nursery.

The centerpiece of the featured nursery was the Once Upon a Time Princess Scroll Wall Hanging by Sherri Blum. Measuring 24”X36”, the artwork is big enough you won't have to buy a lot of little pictures to fill up your walls.  It comes with a rod and ribbon, ready to hang.  The price is $190, a bargain compared to $360 for comparable pieces.  Sherri Blum also makes it in a horizontal version.