Red & Brown Boy's Room

It's true - everything old is new again. If you're wondering what's hot in kid's bedding right now, think Sock Monkies. (Yes, we're talking about the same sock monkies you played with if you were a child of the 70s.)  Honestly, sock monkies lend to one of the friendliest and playful kids room themes around. 

New Arrivals bedding company makes a wonderfully affordable Sock Monkey Bedding set.   Coordinate the bedding with sock monkey artwork, and red and brown accessories, and the room will come together in a polished look. Don't be afraid to mix in vintage toys to add to the character of the room.

Revealed in People Magazine

Christina Aguilera welcomed new son, Max, home to his amazing custom-made nursery.  According to People Magazine, Baby Max's nursery features a huge moon, and a round crib. 

Don't fret. You may not be able to buy the theatrics of a large-scale moon, but you can have the luxury of a round crib.  Another center-piece of Max's nursery is a vintage-inspired pedal plane. Yes, vintage pedal cars are within your reach too.

Caden Lane's Morgan Crib Bedding Set

Maybe it's a southern thing, or maybe it's just Caden Lane's amazing sense of style...but one thing is for sure, Caden Lane does baby bedding right.  Caden Lane has just introduced their new line of vintage inspired crib bedding.  The Pink Morgan Crib Bedding Set is a little vintage, and a little today. The perfect yin-yang balance in our baby book!  

The four piece crib set includes: bumper, sheet, skirt and blanket. These crib sets are for the seriously fashion-minded parent. Sorry, you won't find ABC's here.

Retired Petunia All you need to know about baby bags Marked Down

I never thought I'd live to see it, but a few of my favorite Petunia Pickle Bottom All you need to know about baby bags are actually on sale. Yes, you heard me correctly. Petunia Pickle Bottom - on sale.  Sumptuous, luxurious, decadently chic, Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bags are on sale.  Select Boxy Backpacks, Shoulder Bags, Touring Totes and blankets are marked down at up to 40% off.

The sale bags are not seconds with any flaws, but discontinued bags that still look as good as gold.  Hurry, this offer is only while supplies last!

Baby Products to Ease Traveling Woes

And now, for part two of our traveling with baby segment.  A good start to happy travels is a good diaper bag that will allow you to be hands-free.  Other items that top the travel-list include:

4.  Bring baby a change of clothes.   There will be spills, and Murphy's Law (that if it can happen it will) says that your cute little munchkin will get soaked during your travels. Be prepared and bring a change of clothes.  You can get fancy, and put them in a cute Wardrobe Station, or be completely practical and put the change of clothes in a zip-lock baggie. The point is, you want the clothes all together and in a water-proof container.

5.  While traveling, think of yourself as the cruise director. Yep, you are Julie McCoy, so come prepared.  It's needless to say, bring a portable DVD player and some new movies. But if you want to try it the old-fashioned way, try a portable art station - the Doodlebag from Doodlebugz.

6.  Bring a Gate Check Stroller Bag.  You've invested a bundle in your stroller, so don't let it get mangled when you leave it at the gate.  This small fold-out Gate Check Stroller bag will protect your stroller and make sure it gets to you in one piece.  Yes, you need it to be in working order at the other end of the flight!  If it isn't, all your efforts for easy  traveling are for nothing.  

Top Travel Must-Haves

Traveling with a baby is a whole new ballgame. You'll still have the endless airport lines, but now you'll have a little companion that needs a lot of stuff.  Here's a good list of things that will make your travels a little easier.

1.  Chances are before you even get to the airport someone will get hungry. Make sure to have food in easy reach with portable Baby Food Containers.  A good bet is Bumble Bag's Snack Bag , it keeps food for all ages organized and is a nice compact size.  If you have older kids, bring food that isn't messy and takes a while to eat (think raisins or Cheerios.)

2. Make your life easier and only carry on one bag. Yes, one bag. You can do it, just choose wisely.  Make sure when you travel you bring a bag that can go over your stroller.  You need your hands free to keep track of children! Also look for a Baby Bag that has plenty of compartments in it so you can put extra clothes, food, toys, and diapers.  Good traveling All you need to know about baby bags include: Skip Hop Double Duo, and the Bumble Bag Travel Tote.

3. Ever noticed how utterly nasty public changing tables are? Disposable Changing Pads are the answer.  Change baby on them, and throw it away when you are done. If you have potty-trained kids try the disposable Potty Toppers. Disposable changing mats make traveling so much easier.   And more sanitary.

Pink Paisley Bedding

Here's a tip when you are decorating your nursery, try to start with a color scheme or theme that will grow with your baby. For little girls, a popular choice is a pink and green themed nursery.  Pink and green together are fresh and youthful, plus there are lots of accessories that work into the theme.  One of our favorite pink and green little girls bedding is the Tutti Frutti collection from New Arrivals.  The attention to detail is exquisite - note the darling ruffles along the coverlet's edges and the trim around the pillows.  Couple this bedding with a Paisley Children's Rug to finish out the look.

Share Your Love Story, Win Free Bag

Bumble Bags (the to-die-for maker of diaper bag finery) and BabyBrowns.com are sponsoring a contest where you can win a free Lily Bag.  What's the scoop?  All you have to do is share your favorite Valentine's Day story. That should be easy, everyone has a funny or sweet story to tell.

Three winners will be chosen at random.  Hurry, the contest ends February 18, 2008!  To enter, email your story to: info@thebumblecollection.com  or leave your story as a post on Bumble's Blog.

Fire Truck Nursery Artwork

Ask any little boy, and he'll tell you he wants to be a fireman when he grows up. Popular in baby boy nurseries across the land is the Fireman Themed Nursery.  Where do you begin?  Start with stunning firetruck artwork by Oopsey Daisy.  Couple the fire truck artwork  with a  coordinating rug. You could use a fire-themed rug but a more sophisticated and long-lasting look is the matching red and white houndstooth rug. (You can use this rug in other rooms, or into teen years.)  Try hanging a kid's firefighter hat and outfit from a peg board for a usable and fun accessory.

Offered in New Wipeable Fabric

Petunia Pickle Bottom, the maker of ultimate diaper bag luxury, has been a playground staple since its introduction of the Boxy Backpack on "Friends" TV show years ago.  Now Petunia's Boxy Backpack is back making headlines with a new twist to the old favorite - a glazed exterior.  Petunia's glazed line is making moms happy from coast to coast giving the bag a much anticipated wipeable exterior.   Trotting in Tiergarten, Nightfall in Madrid, and Blue Danube are the first boxy backpacks available in the glazed finish. 

Caden Lane Cart Cover to the Rescue

Oh my gosh. Shopping carts at the grocery store are usually so nasty-dirty I have to hold my breath and say a prayer when I lower my kids into them. Same thing for restaurant high-chairs. Yuck again.  You need a shopping cart cover. Caden Lane (the darling Texas maker of haute baby things) has come up with a stylish shopping cart and high-chair cover. Made from Caden Lane's signature fabrics, the covers feature a strap to hold your wiggling little one in place, a pocket for cell phone, and clips for toys. Machine wash when your done.  Caden Lane Shopping Cart covers are available in Blue Circle Dot and Pink Moroccan. Adios germigos.

Baby Crib to Go Gaa-Gaa Over

Wrought iron cribs and sleigh-style cribs have long been a favorite for their traditional and elegant look.  But if you want a more modern look for your crib, you can have your cake and eat it too. Corsican Cribs, the industry leader in wrought iron cribs, has come out with an eye-popping Wrought Iron Sleigh Crib. 

This crib gives a nod to old-fashion elegance, but is 100% modern.  Hammered steel sleigh ends give this crib a wonderfully modern flair.  Available in your choice of finishes.  JPMA certified.

Damask 4 Piece Crib Set

Black and white are the only colors newborns can see. Black and white is a crisp and classic color combination.  That's why it's fitting to have a black and white nursery theme.  Try the Damask 4 piece bedding set by Sleeping Partners (only $139) to start off the black and white look. The bumper is reversible with your choice of polka dots or damask.   Carry the look further with this cool black and white damask rug.  For wall colors, try a pale green or pale pink to soften and play against the black and white.

Sweet Girls Rug

You've got the nursery decorated, but it's still missing something. Hint: look down. You may be missing an area rug for your nursery.   Children's area rugs are a great way to anchor a room, to make it feel pull-together and complete. Think of the area rug as the icing on the cake of your nursery. 

One our favorite little girl's nursery rugs is the Samantha Rug by the Rug Market, which features pink roses and bows.  It comes in two sizes: 2.8' x 4.8' and 4.7' x 7.7'.   Here's another hint when you place a kid's rug in the room, try angling the area rug. For example, instead of having the area rug parallel to the crib, place the rug at an angle away from the crib.  While it may seem counterintuitive, this will actually make the room look larger and more inviting.

Luxurious Burp Cloths

For an affordable and practical baby shower gift, try a set of JJ Cole Burp cloths. They come in a set of three, nicely packaged in a cute gift box.  Each burp cloth is ergonomically designed to fit around Mommy's neck.  

Piped in satin trim, they feel soft and cuddly.  Plus the designer fabrics are a welcome change from plain white burp cloths.  Available in Pink Burp Cloths and Blue Burp Cloths. Priced at $24.95.

Affordable Luxury Crib Set

When I saw the price tag of this crib set, I had to look twice. Surely, they forgot to add a zero to the price tag. Nope, this beautiful Butterfly Paisley Crib Set is as affordable as it is darling. Priced at $179.99, it comes with  a reversible bumper and coverlet, 2 crib fitted sheets (yes 2!!!) printed with hearts and flowers, (one white and one light pink) and a beautiful softly gathered striped crib skirt.  The fabric is nice and soft, and quality is great.

We always talk about "the look for less".  Believe me, this is it.

Eeboo Girl's Growth Charts

If you're invited to a baby shower and can't figure out what to give, try a growth chart.  It's a sure bet, Mommy didn't register for a growth chart. And every baby grows, so it will be used.  Eeboo makes some of the cutest and most durable growth charts available. They come with cute stickers to commemorate milestones - 1st Birthday, 2nd Birthday, etc. 

The Hot Pink Flower Growth Chart is a gorgeous piece of art for your nursery, plus it's really useful. They're nice because they fold up into a little 9 x 11 box.