{dwell studio}

DwellStudio was founded by Christiane Lemieux in 1999 with the idea to bring modern textile design to the world of home. The company quickly established itself as a leader and innovator in the bedding market and expanded to a fuller offering of home furnishings products, including table, baby, kids, travel, and toys. With a unique sense of color, an unwavering commitment to quality, and always remaining a step ahead in design, DwellStudio continues to create its own distinctive interpretation of home furnishings design.

This "Charlotte Weekender" bag is a great example of their scrumptious products.  It's intended purpose on their site is to be packed with sweet little one's belongings as they head off to Grandma's house, but we think that many mamas could tote this on their own getaways.  It is a large bag perfect for a "weekend" away for children or adults.  We love this print, the detachable shoulder strap, the luggage tag, and the easy to wipe clean interior (good bye crumbs)!  

Go and visit their site, you will get lost amongst all the fresh and fun designs for bedding, home decor, stationary, baby gear...  Just remember to wipe the drool off your face if you hear the doorbell ring!

over the moon for boon

When we saw the company "boon" and their tagline "innovations for modern parents", we knew we have to investigate.  What we have learned is that is a company that is creating some fun and innovative stuff for parents to use with their kids.  They are also working hard to create products that are safer for our kids, and we are big fans of safer stuff in our kids' world!

Here is what we LOVE:

• These bath toys do not absorb water, reducing mold and mildew. Their contemporary colors and funky forms look great in the modern bath. The mini-scrubbies are designed to fit little hands perfectly. The funky shapes inspire great free-play and creative stories during our kids' baths.  They are all phthalate and PVC free.

• The Squirt baby food dispensing spoon allows for convenient feeding. The easy-to-fill bulb holds up to 3 ounces of baby food and attaches firmly to the spoon end. Simply squeeze the bulb to dispense just the right amount of food. Squirt comes with a protective cover to seal food in and keep the spoon clean between feedings. By combining the spoon and food container into one product, Squirt makes one-handed feeding a snap.  You know what this means - mama can feed the baby and catch the food the cheerios your toddler is rolling off the table!  This handy dandy tool is also BPA, phthalate and PVC free!

• The Fluid No-spill Toddler Cup is a streamlined no-spill toddler cup that has an ergonomic, two-handed grip that is perfect for small hands. The angled spout requires less head tipping, making it more comfortable to use.  It really seems so easy to hold for little hands.  It is BPA, phthalate and PVC free!

• The Catch Bowl is a toddler bowl with a built in spill catcher attached.
  The built-in food catcher extends toward the child, funneling runaway food back into the bowl. Made from easy-to-clean soft material, the food catcher flexes when bumped. To help avoid bigger spills, a suction cup bottom keeps the Catch Bowl firmly in place.  Unlike many of the other "suction bowls" on the market, this one actually stays put through the entire meal in my home.  I have been thrilled with the fact that my son can now shovel apple sauce, tomato soup and cereal w/ milk into his mouth without creating a work of modern art on his t-shirt.  This product is also BPA, phthalate and PVC free!

• The Groovy Interlocking Plate and Bowl Set looks a bit wacky, but we are total believers!  This interlocking plate and bowl set includes a toddler-sized plate with two separate compartments plus two small bowls that attach to the edge of the plate in a variety of positions. The small bowls are perfect for dipping—always an engaging activity at mealtime—or for serving small portions.  This product is also BPA, phthalate and PVC free!

Best Bibs

Gone are the days of running a load of cloth bibs through the washer and dryer. These days, the best bibs can be wiped down at the sink with some soap and water, and reused at the next meal. My favorite bib is made by IKEA for the wallet-friendly price of $3.99. It is 100% polyester, and the fabric feels like a swimsuit. The best part: it has little armholes that cover the child's sleeves so that a) their entiure shirt stays clean, and b) they can't pull the bib off mid-meal. Along with a great catch-all pocket, this makes for one great bib.

Our runner-up bib is a colorful little number by

Baby Bjorn sold at Target. At $9.95, these are a bit more expensive, but their durable silicone design means that you really only need two (one for the diaper bag, of course). The neck is designed like a necklace with continuous fastening, so it can be adjusted to fit your child perfectly. They are also dishwasher safe, and feature a hard pocket that keeps any stray food from falling in baby's lap.

-kh