As seen in Baby Couture

The summer issue of Baby Couture arrived the other day. Tori & Dean along with their adorable tots appear on the cover. An article - and photos - of Scott Baio's family can be found inside, along with many hip and haute fashions for infants and toddlers. Here's just a small sample of the clothing lines found in this Special Anniversary Issue (for kids and adults):

• Agatha Ruiz de la Prada
• Bambino Mio
  
• Kelty
  
• Micro Me
  
• L'ovedbaby
• Cutie and Patootie
• Go Green Lunchbox
• Scout Baby
• Heidi Merrick
• Kate Quinn Organics
• Baby Eggi
• Bonafide Craftworks
• Creative Recreation
• Sand Cassel Kids by Goorin
• Right Bank Babies
• Designer's Touch by Baby Deer
• The Big Citizen
• Girlfriends by Anita G.
• Ports 1961
• Auriella Maternity
• James Perse (creator of my favorite cotton clothing)
• Sanuk (my favorite shoes/sandals)
• Da Lil Guys
• Baby Nay
• Childish
• Lola et Moi

Of course, the cutest clothes in the Tori Spelling article were from her own line of baby clothes, Little Maven, available in department stores and boutiques this fall!

You or your child can upload a photo to the Baby Couture editors for a chance at modeling in an upcoming issue! Head over to their website to register.

Proud Body

I wish I had known about this belly-casting kit when I was pregnant with my son. I loved being pregnant and was even brave enough to wear a bikini on the beach when I was nearly six months pregnant (and unable to see my feet).

Proud Body is the original creator of these pregnancy art kits which are keepsake works of art which capture that precious time when baby was lovingly carried inside mommy's belly.

The Belly Cast Kit comes with everything you need including detailed instructions. It takes just 30 - 40 minutes and, after its dry, you can decorate it in any way imaginable!

You can also purchase the Belly Painting Kit to turn your pregnant belly into a work of art by painting right on your belly. Or you can easily apply one of the Tummy Tatts, and show off that expecting belly!

Visit the online gallery to find inspirational ideas for your own creation.

Purchase your belly cast, painting kit, or temporary tattoos today!

The Baby Planners™ Seal of Approval

I received an official Seal of Approval today from The Baby Planners™ | a Consulting Service for Expecting Parents!

In case you've missed it, they've had some wonderful press these past few months, from Daily Candy to The Washington Post to People Magazine! Check out their press page to read all about it!

They're also going to be working again with Babies R Us. They'll be featuring items from their stores when they showcase The Baby Planners' Five Essential Items for Bringing Home Baby tomorrow, Wednesday, June 25th on the KTLA Morning Show. Of course if you don't live in the Los Angeles area, please check out the link on their site in the coming days to view the segment.

They've also announced that they are now featured columnists on one of the most comprehensive social networking sites for new and expectant parents, The Cradle. Their monthly column "An Inside Look with The Baby Planners" started this month - visit them for the inside scoop on all things fabulous in babydom!

Pregnancy Pact

This saddens me:

Teen Girls Make Pact to Get Pregnant

I can't even begin to comment. But, The Blogess did a great job and pretty much covers everything I would've said, were I not drinking decaf espresso (I'll save that story for another day).

Baby Cravings

Are you looking for chic maternity style, quality & individuality? Look no further than UK based Crave Maternity - now available in the US!

With an impressive feel for fashion and quality, the collection offers the best in wearable maternity apparel helping moms-to-be to look fabulous seven days a week with key pieces that work for any day, any occasion.

Its flagship boutique is located in the heart of London’s Chelsea and is the best place to find the latest maternity style on the high street.

New styles designed to grow with you during each stage of your pregnancy will be arriving throughout the year both online and in-store to keep your maternity wardrobe as fresh as the season.

To help celebrate its U.S. launch, Crave Maternity invites all readers to take advantage of the 25% online discount code which also provides free shipping from the U.K.! All orders are taken in U.S. dollars. Shoppers should use code USA25 at checkout to receive this special offer.

Babies In Bloom

This morning I attended a networking event put together by the owner of Babies in Bloom, a family owned business dedicated to helping new parents by providing products, classes and resources on breastfeeding and lending support to growing families.

I am pleased to announce that parenting workshops will be scheduled at their location this summer and beyond, so check back often for view their calendar of events.

There were several wonderful women-owned businesses that I also was able to discover, including MKP Images, a photographer who has beautiful images, secret locations for unique photo shoots and fantastic products such as purses, handbags and photo cards that are quite unlike anything I've come across so far.

Three Sisters Jewelry Design (by zoe) had their beautiful pieces of wearable art on display, as did Jack & Jill Cards, creator of custom greeting cards, invitations, announcements and thank you cards.

For new and expecting parents, several women were there offering their services, support and educational opportunities: HypnoBirthing, The Real Diaper Association, CrunchCare, and Not to Worry.

Please check out these local businesses when looking for quality, independent resources that support and cater to growing families.

L.A. Baby

I spent this last weekend in Los Angeles during one of the warmest weekends of the year (so far). Inside the convention center, hundreds of exhibitors crowded the hall for Baby Celebration L.A. as parents with babies and toddlers, moms-to-be, new dads and grandparents walked the aisles, no doubt just as overwhelmed as I was.

Here are several of the companies that were there with products or displays that caught my eye:

Yoga Hub

Obli Organics

Chicks-N-Chickens

Ochanga

Blueberry Diapers

Baby Butter Clothing


Blessence Maternity


Manny & Simon



Baby Cha-Cha


Sassabies

Heritage Makers: Stories From the Heart

Mixed Baby Greens

Lollypop Ink


Urban Youngster


Seada: Children's Footwear

Snobby Babies

Pomme bebe

Paper Mama

Hot Moms Club

Hugablocks

Summersky

ChicaBoo

Innovative Baby

Baby Swags

Nabi Baby

Zoobies

Sticks 'n Stones

Bella mama

Cricket & Monkey

Baby Jakes

new


Cat Bird Baby

L'oved baby

LAF

Sweet Shoes

Slick Sugar


Sandbox Rebel



Baby Spare Wear


Chez Shea Baby

Modern Me

These were just a few! More to come...

Mother Earth

It's just been brought to my attention that the many brands behind Mothers Work produce many eco-friendly products and organic clothing - Made with the Earth in Mind.

Palmers Organic
Massage Lotion


Organic Cotton
Flannel Receiving Blanket


Otopia Bump To Bub
Pre/Postnatal Stretch Mark Oil


The Complete
Organic Pregnancy

Organic Hoodie

Raising Baby Green

Onesie/Pant

Gift Set

Great Goods

This is long overdue since these companies were actually discovered back in September at the ABC Kids Expo held in Las Vegas every year.

While there are many trade shows and conventions dedicated to children's furniture, fashions and toys throughout the year, the ABC Kids Expo is by far the must-attend event for companies looking to promote their products to independent retailers.

Kid's Hooded Towel by American Terry Co.

Supercharged Pillow by Pixel Organics


Kid's Messenger Bag by Fleurville


Diaper Wallet by Pineapple Cove Baby


Dazzle Stroller by Silver Cross


Picadilly Car Seat Cover by Pure Joy Collection


Cashmere Blanket by Jesse Walker


Bounce-A-Bye-Baby from Luna Lullaby




Blankie Bungee by Z.Daisy


Metro Hooded Towel & Washcloths by Baby Dry Goods


Twin Shoppers by Clean Shopper


Tooth Fairy Pillow by Petunia Petunia


Ruby Janes by Pedoodles


Children's Bookholder by Jack and Jill Furniture


Savannah Nursery Set by Sozo


"I'm Pooping Right Now" Onesie by Rebel Ink Baby



Dinosaur Rubber Boots by Hatley


Toad Stool by Levels of Discovery


Maternity Shirts: Astrology by Little Baby Signs


"Couldn't Wait" Preemie Onesie by Fig Leaf Baby

Flo Water Deflector by Boon


Munchlers by Built NY

More to come this September...

Baby Love

Just when you thought I had gotten over baby fever, the situation gets worse. I find out in less than a week if I will be welcoming a new neice or a new nephew. I am so in trouble, either way. I'm planning an all-out shopping spree once I get the word.

2-cute
9 Months to Grow
Addys Closet
Adriana Primadonna
All About Savvy
A Sweet Pea
Avannabel Baby
A-Sweet-Life
Baby Bendiksen
Bare Babies
Babies Buddies
Baby Bella USA
Baby Browns
Baby Center Store
Baby Island Boutique
Baby Oliver Boutique
Baby Splendor
Beautiful Wishes
Bebe Cakes Boutique
Bella and Blue
Belly Bump Maternity
Birth and Beyond
Blue Moon Gift
Bosom Buddies
Bumble Boutique
Busy Bodies Boutique
Busy Mommi
Buttercream Baby
Carlapie
Charlynn Belly n Baby
Chic Baby Gift Baskets
Chic Blvd
Childrenz Corner
Ciao Bella Baby
Cloth Babies
Cozy Babies
Craftsbury Kids
Cutiepie
Dedes Doodles
Diaperbags
Diapergrams
Doodles by Diane
Doody Baby
Embellished Mom
Fairies Frogs
Gift Habits
Gifts n Creations
Hands Free Baby
Hip Mom and Baby
Honeydew Babies
Hotsie Totsies
Innovative-Baby
Inventive Parent
Itty Bitty Ideas
Jennie Jean
Just Multiples
kbmac
Kismet Maternity
Lets Go Strolling
Little Buttercup
Lollipop Kisses
Mama Gaias
Mama i bebe
Marriage and Carriage
Maternal Secret
Melina J
Missfitz Inc
Mod Mama
Mom and Baby Sport
Mom 4 Life
Mommy 2 Reese
Mommys Thinkin
Mom Ready
Monkeemoos
Mothers Joy
My Letter Design
My Retro Baby
My Sweet Dreams Baby
New Mother New Baby
One Red Hen
One Stop Baby
Pincinella
Polkadot Whale
Polka Tots and What Nots
Poshie Tots
Precious Personalities
Puddle Ducks
Rubys Kids
Sassy Tots Boutique
Scribble Scrabbles
Shop 61 West
Shop Planet Kids
Shower Your Baby
Snazzy Tots
Starlight Baby
Stay My Baby
Stone House Boutique
Stroller Mama
Super Momz
Super Kid Smart
Swanky Slings
Sweet and Simple
Sweet Baby Boutiques
Sweet Noelle
Sweet n Sassy Boutique
Takeout Baby
Tattletail
The Bag Lady
The Blissful Baby
The Organized Parent
Tikesville
Two Funny Girls
Two Hip Moms
Two Little Elves
U the Mom
Vitas Boutique
Waddle and Swaddle
Whateverz
Whimsy Baby
Y Not Shop

Zack and Zoe

More to come later.

Maternity Madness

Maternal America