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Giftee Awards Winners Announced!
Hottest Toy for Holiday Winner
The Winners of the first annual 2011 Giftee Awards have been announced! The initial nominations were narrowed down by a panelist of expert gift-giving judges (including our very own Marie Masters) and then the winners were selected by the public. The categories include “Most Wacky Gift”, “Best Gifts under $25”, and “Most Romantic Gift” among others. Voters thought outside of the Let’s-Rock-Elmo and Sing-a-ma-jigs box and selected the LEGO MBA kits 2-6 Month Subscription as the “Hottest Toy for Holiday”.
Presenting: The 2011 Giftee Awards
With the holidays fast approaching, there couldn’t be a better time for Gifts.com to announce The 2011 Giftee Awards. The Giftees consists of everyday people nominating their favorite finds from anywhere on the internet across ten categories. The categories range from: “Best Gift Under $25″ to “Hottest Toy for Holiday”. Nominations will be accepted until October 21st after which the Gift Gurus will determine ten finalists in each category. They will be joined by special judges from around the world including Pronto’s very own Style Editor Marie Masters. If your nomination wins, you’ll be entered to win a $500 holiday shopping spree. For a complete list of categories and to make your nominations visit The Giftees official page.
How To Swaddle A Baby
Photo: Robert Scoble
Toward the end of 40 weeks in utero, there isn’t much wiggle room for a soon-to-be-born baby. Which is why many professionals believe swaddling comforts a baby, making it feels like it’s still inside the womb. Swaddling is the primary method for helping a baby get to sleep, duplicating a cozy environment and eliminating the baby startling himself.
Traveling and Potty Training This Summer
I’m proud to announce that we have an almost completely potty trained child. We started a little later than my daughter’s toddler peers, but as a result it was much smoother and quicker. At first, it was even easy. That was when we were in the house. Taking that first step and leaving your place without a diaper on–or in your possession–can be a scary prospect. And we’re talking about just heading to grocery store. What about roadtrips? Good thing there are a few failsafe essentials to ease the potty training stress (possibly more for you than them).
The PiddlePad protects car seats and strollers from accidents. A soft, absorbent velboa fabric is topped with a waterproof outer layer prevents leaks and contain liquids. Up to a cup of said liquid, actually. That’s heavy-duty.
The Potette travel potty is second on the essentials list. If you’re at the beach, the pool, the park, it’s wise to carry this portable, compact potty. Because sometimes the restrooms are just too far. Place a self absorbing disposable liner, prop up the legs and the On the Go Potty is ready to go. When baby is done, wrap up and throw away the liner, fold in the legs and store the potty into the carry bag.
Voila: Summer fun awaits–even within potty training confines.
Save Your Stroller With A Fabric Stroller Liner
Here’s a cautionary tale: I started using our lightweight umbrella stroller when my daughter was around seven months old. We chose a Maclaren Volo, the lightest stroller offered at the time. I took it everywhere: the zoo, the mall, the subway, the bus, the playground, the park. You get the idea. I’m also not the tidiest or organized person in the world, so oftentimes I could stash wrappers, toys, uneaten toddler snacks et al. in the folded hood. Iced coffee was spilled many times in there.
Add that to the normal messy activities of a baby, and we’ve got one mess of a stroller. Oh, and then add a cat that refuses to sleep anywhere else but the stroller, and you’ve got an even worse (hairy) situation. The result? A stained, dirty mess. I ended up buying a new stroller, but one thing could have saved me that money that I just plunked down: a stroller liner.
Maclaren offers a universal, reversible liner in loads of colors and patterns. Although they’re made by Maclaren, they’ll fit almost any other umbrella stroller–and most regular strollers, too. (Bonus: Change up the look of your stroller for $25.) They’re machine washable and preserve the stroller seat, so you can avoid my mistakes. Minus the ice coffee issue. I bought a cup holder this time around.
If the Kids’ Furniture Fairy Visited Me, I Would Ask For Ecotots
What’s not to love about earth-friendly line Ecotots? Every piece, from beds to art easels to play tables, are constructed of formaldehyde-free, FSC Certified, environmentally-friendly real wood and featuring our durable, 100pct non-toxic water-based finish. Plus, they all have a patented, no tools assembly method. Woohoo!
Above: Big Kahuna bookshelf, Surfin Kids stool set, Sideboard storage unit
We like the smooth lines and modern feel that balanced with a sort of chunky, whimsical feel (translation: your kid will probably like it as much as you do.) Bonus: Ecotot is a member of the Sustainable Furniture Council and all pieces have a lifetime construction guarantee. Our faves are the sideboard storage unit and book case. How about yours? Check out the full range of Ecotots pieces for more.
Guidecraft for the Best Book and Toy Storage
There are the kinds of toys that can be tossed in a bin, stacked in a corner. Stuffed animals, Magnadoodles, puppets: It’s these types of things that are a little more flexible in storage a clean-up department. Then there are the books, games, and puzzles that need shelving or bookcases. That’s why we love Guidecraft.
The kids’ furniture company offers all sorts of products, but we particularly like the brand’s toy and book storage options. They offer a wide range of colors and themes (including lots of boy-friendly sports themes), as well as neutrals that would work in any room in the house.
The choices are sturdy and well-built–and equally imaginative and creative. The book cases that look like doll houses are just as ideal as the well-designed, smart front-book display cases. They can take the overwhelming plethora of toys and somehow turn them all into a neat, organized collection of playthings. Just for your kids to pull off the shelves all over again. But, hey, that what they’re there for, right?
Toddler Bike Seats Mean Fun for Everyone
I’ve recently become obsessed with getting a bike and taking my 2-year-old all over town. It seems like such freedom compared to a stroller or the confines of public transportation, and I am absolutely confident that she would have a blast wheeling around the city. First, I found a nice little three-speed cruiser. Next up: a seat for my girl. In doing the research, I came across two excellent toddler bike seat options.
The Ibert Seat ($95) will keep the kiddie in full view (no turning around every five seconds or yelling back to ask, “Having fun?”). A padded seat and fixed shoulder straps will keep him comfortable and secure. And what a great view he’ll have!
The CoPilot Seat ($135) is a great backseat option. It includes a three-point harness, padded overhead restraint bar and foot straps. The quick-release seat is installed on a rear-wheel base (included)–so can be removed easily (like, 30 seconds) for traveling solo.
However you choose to get around this summer, we wish you happy travels!
