New Bugaboo Bee Stroller – Review
January 19th, 2010
The New 2010 Bugaboo Bee Stroller
The new Bugaboo Bee Stroller will be coming soon. The official date has not been announced, but it will be sometime in the Spring of 2010. Our best guest is sometime between May and July. We are all anxiously awaiting its’ release.
The new 2010 Bugaboo Bee Stroller will look very similar to its’ predecessor, however, there have been a few significant changes to improve the overall performance of the stroller. It looks like the designer, Jaap Der Boer, and the development team at Bugaboo listened to what customers had to say about the old Bugaboo Bee and worked hard to improve the already popular stroller. The seat is much larger and more aerodynamic and the knobs are easier to adjust and turn.
Some of the noteable changes are:
New Backrest
The new Bugaboo Bee features a height-adjustable backrest that simultaneously adjusts with the sun canopy and 5-point harness to four different height positions; a ground-breaking feature that has not yet been seen on any stroller in the market. This feature extends the height of the seat from 20 to 23.2 inches.
Backrest Shape
The new ergonomically shaped backrest has been redesigned to mirror the natural shape of a child’s back making the new Bugaboo Bee more comfortable for the child.Reversible Seat
The reversible seat has been re engineered with a circular joint system that allows the seat to be easily reversed so the child can either face the parent or the world.Wheels and Suspension
New rubber material and signature Bugaboo open star wheel design combine with less rigid, shorter springs for better driving Brakes
Optimized brake system. The way the brake works is the same, but the mechanism has been optimized to keep the brakes secure at all timesAccessories
The new Bugaboo Bee will now be compatible with the Maxi-Cosi Mico and Graco Snugride car seats. There will also be a new breathable seat liner, designed to whisk moisture away from your child keeping them dry and comfortable all year long. With a few improvements, Bugaboo kept the popular sun canopy and footmuff as well. Realizing that many Bugaboo customers have a Bee and a Bugaboo Cameleon or Bugaboo Frog, they decided to make a universal footmuff to fit all Bugaboo Strollers. With all the changes planned for this new 2010 Bugaboo Bee Stroller, this should be a great upgrade to an already popular stroller. It will retail for $649.
What Stroller Should I Buy?
January 15th, 2010
Trying toe find the right baby stroller?
This is always a difficult question to answer, and usually ends with 2 stroller purchases rather than one. These days, one stroller doesn’t seem to do the trick anymore. We are spoiled and used to the conveniences that are out there nowadays. Parents are looking for a lightweight, compact, full featured, all-terrain do-it-all stroller. While many strollers succeed in providing most of the functionality you need, you still might want a backup. After all, a jogging stroller is never a top choice when wheeling your kids onto the plane…Conversely, you wouldn’t want to jog with a lightweight compact stroller with wheels the size of your palm.
So, when selecting a stroller that’s right for you, try not to make it a brand-driven decision. Ask yourself what you’d like it to do for you, and make your choice around your lifestyle. Your stroller will be with you for a while. So, if it doesn’t work for you, it will be a frustrating and expensive mistake that you will be reminded of every day for the next 4 years.
The most important question you should ask yourself is “What am I going to use it for?”. If you are a jogger, and enjoy the outdoors, you may want a stroller built specifically for that. Then opt for a “family” stroller as your backup. If you are constantly in and out of the car, go for something more lightweight, compact, and easy to fold. Your back will be thanking you later…
Whether you choose a Bugaboo, BOB, Stokke Xplory, Quinny, Maclaren, Peg Perego or an Orbit Baby, it’s going to set you back a few bucks. So, before shrugging your shoulders and turning away from the $200 to $1200 strollers, try to look at the purchase as a long term investment. No, you won’t be able to sell it for more than you paid for it, but it is the single most used piece of baby equipment that you are going to buy. If it costs you an extra $200 to get the one that’s right for you, just do it. You won’t regret it, trust me.
If you need some help choosing a stroller that is right for you, let us know and we would be happy to help!
Buggy Baggs – Review
January 5th, 2010
Buggy Baggs Shopping Cart Cover
I love the Buggy Bagg – so convenient. My son hates the infant car seat, and I always had to carry him around the grocery store in a baby carrier, which works, but can be cumbersome when reaching for heavy items. I always felt like something would fall on him. Now that he is 6 months and can sit up on his own, I decided to try the Buggy Bagg Shopping Cart Cover. I had always heard great thing about it and thought I would put it to the test myself.
I have used it twice in two days and I love it. First of all, you can position the Buggy Bagg shopping cart cover into the shopping cart using only one hand if necessary – which always comes in handy when holding a baby or extra large coffee. The Buggy Bagg unfolds into the cart with the release of one large and very smooth zipper. Once opened, it is like a little padded oasis for your baby. I have the jungle pattern which is very bright and colorful (but it is available in more subdued prints). There is a storage compartment which hangs behind the “seat” of the shopping cart – which can be used for wipes, toys or snacks. Also, the Buggy Bagg extends over the handle of the shopping cart, which creates a resting place for a child’s toys or snacks. The Buggy Bagg is extremely convenient, hygienic and fun. I recommend it for anyone who regularly shops with an infant or toddler.
Skip Hop Toolbox Diaper Caddy – Review
December 18th, 2009
Skip Hop Toolbox Diaper Caddy
Our family uses most of the products we sell. That’s how we seperate the great from the not-so-great. The combination of having 3 floors in our house and a 6-month old baby made me realize just how great this item really is. The Skip Hop Toolbox Diaper Caddy is a rather simple product, but its the simple things that are often the best and most useful.
The box itself is made of hard plastic, totally maintenance free and easy to wipe down. It’s got 2 handy side slots and 2 little drawers for the small stuff.
I spend most of my weekends up and down the stairs, going from room to room in a never-ending quest to entertain my kids when we aren’t at the beach or the park. With all that moving around, the ToolBox is a great lifesaver. It’s got enough space to hold everything you need for a diaper change and/or a cleanup. We’ve got our wipes, diapers, changing pad, baby powder, cream, swabs, nail clippers, and a few other things that I can’t think of because my wife’s the one who fills it up! Of course, if you are looking for a great stationary storage organizer, this Skip Hop Diaper Caddy is great for the nursery as well. So whether you leave it there, or carry it around the house, I highly recommend it to organize and simplify your diaper changing “experience”.
Holiday Gifts for Mom and Baby
December 17th, 2009
Serena & Lily Take Me Home Gift Set
So, it’s the holidays and it’s really time to get shopping. While we seem to busy from Thanksgiving Weekend until December 23rd, nothing beats to crazy rush starting today until Christmas Eve. It’s tough to find the perfect gift for expectant parents and their kids. So I thought I would share some of our favorites and best-sellers for this season with you.
If you are looking for great quality and great packaging, the Serena & Lily Market Sling and Take Me Home Gift Set are two big winners for us this year. They both come in great looking pale blue boxes that look like you spent way more than the $129 and $68 price tags respectively.
If you are anything like we were when our son, Dylan, was born, you’ll want to keep a daily record of sleep and feeding times and quantities to help with scheduling. The Skip Hop Day To Night Baby Log Book is a great way to do that. This is a really useful gift that’s great to look at as well. It comes with a little time capsule with a flash light, timer and clock. At $44.95, it won’t break the bank, but certainly look like you did. It also shows that you put lots of thought into your gift. A great keepsake…
If you are looking for toys, we always recommend anything from HABA. These wooden toys are crafted in Germany (not China), using non-toxic paints. The craftsmanship is excellent. With lots of options and multiple price points, there is sure to be something for all developmental levels and age groups.
Skip Hop Day To Night Log Book
If you are opting for something on the useful side, Aden & Anais have the bst swaddling blankets we’ve found. Made with cotton muslin, these blankets are ultra lightweight, yet very durable. They come is sets of 2 or 4, with lots of fun prints to choose from.
One of my favorite items is one that I’ve already written about earlier this month, the BEABA Babycook. This food processor is really cool. It’s tiny, good looking, and very useful. If you have the inclination to make your own baby food, this is a must have. This is also our best selling item of the season so far.
Of course, the natural choice in baby carriers, after you are done with your baby sling, is the Ergo Baby. The company came out with lots of new colors this season. Most notably, they added several new Organic baby carriers to choose from. My wife and I use the ergo religiously. It’s a great carrier and super comfortable for us and our kids. Although mom is usually seen using one, you might want to consider a neutral color just in case dad wants to give it a try.
Think Baby Complete Feeding Set
A relative newcomer to the baby products industry, Think Baby is making waves with their line of BPA free feeding products. Again, a product that we currently use with our kids, the Think Baby Complete Feeding Set is a real winner in our house. It’s great for feeding and food storage (each piece comes with a lid so you can take it with you). When you combine food safety with convenience, this gift set is at the top of our list. It’s really great looking too…
If you are ready to pull out the big bucks, Stokke seems to be the real winner for cribs, strollers, and high chairs this season. Partially because of their looks and commitment to quality fabrication (almost everything is made in Europe). However, in this economy, I think it’s also their commitment to building smart, long lasting, adaptable products that is winning over our customers. The Tripp Trapp Chair can be used from birth to….well…forever? Yes, that’s right, I sit on my son’s Tripp Trapp sometimes. It was designed for the kitchen table as a high chair, as well as a desk chair for homework 10 years down the road. The CARE changing table converts to a desk, and the Sleepi Crib to a set of 2 chairs. It might be pricey stuff, but in our view (and in the view of almost all of our customers) it’s well worth it. Now they just have to figure out how to convert their Xplory stroller to a bike or a scooter….
BOB Jogging Strollers – Review
December 14th, 2009
BOB Revolution Stroller
BOB is, arguably, the best jogging stroller brand on the market today. The question is not whether or not to buy one, but rather which one is right for you and your lifestyle. As a retailer that sells tons of these strollers, we get this question every day. So, here’s what you need to know about BOB and how to go about choosing the right jogging stroller for your needs.
If you are a hard core runner, the BOB Sport Utility Stroller (SUS) or the BOB Ironman Stroller will be a popular choice. What matters to runners is weight, stability and durability. The stroller needs to roll smoothly, be able to stand up to the hundreds of miles that you’re going to put on it over the next few years, and be as lightweight as possible. Both of these BOB Stroller models have these features in spades. The 16-inch aluminum wheels help keep the overall weight down to 20.4 pounds on the Ironman and 21.1 pounds on the D’Luxe SUS. They both have fixed front wheels to add much needed stability, a necessity when using the stroller primarily as a jogging stroller.
The BOB Revolution was a welcomed addition to the BOB family a few years ago. It’s the swivel-wheeled version of the Sport Utility Stroller that BOB is best-known for. It was created for parents that want the performance of a jogging stroller combined with flexibility and versatility of a standard everday stroller. If you like to walk on the beach, through the park, up a mountain, and through the tiny aisles at the supermarket, then the BOB Revolution Stroller is a great choice for you. The front swivel wheel enables you to maneuver just about anywhere. Lock it in place and you’ll have the stability needed to go for a long walk and a light jog.
BOB Ironman Duallie Stroller
The BOB Revolution also comes in a 12″AW (All-Wheel) version. Instead of the 2 large 16 inch back wheels on the standard Revolution, the AW features 12 inch aluminum back wheels, to match the front swivel wheel. The result is a lighter stroller with increased maneuverability. Simply put, a smaller wheel means a smaller turning radius. So, it takes less space to turn, allowing you to steer through even tighter spaces. The smaller wheels also take up much less space in your car trunk.
All BOB stroller models are available as Duallies (double stroller) as well. You will compromise a bit on performance, but with 2 kids you must be used to compromise by now! All BOB Duallie Strollers fit through standard doorways, making it just as easy to get around with two kids as you were accustomed to with one. BOB is one of the very few stroller brands to offer such versatility.
So, remember, the scale from hardcore runner to casual stroller starts with the Ironman (large, fixed wheels), and follows with the SUS, the Revolution, and finally the Revolution AW (small wheels with a swivel).
Kushies Shangrila Activity Mat Review
December 10th, 2009
Kushies Shangrila Mat & Arch
This was the best Activity play mat on the market (according to our customer reviews and sales volume figures), but then the Kushies Shangrila Acitivity Mat took a 6 month hiatus…Even though the mat was a top seller, there were numerous reported defects. Mostly, it was the mat arches that kept braking off. Kushies took it off the market for a little while to iron out the manufacturing issues. Now the mat is back and it’s better and stronger than ever!
My younger son, Hudson, has been looking at, and crawling all around this thing since he was born. What makes it such a great mat, and better than all the others is its versatility and simplicity. First off, the mat is reversible. On one side, it features a black and white pattern of shapes and other designs. The black and white contrast is great for early childhood development. Also, babies are color blind at first anyhow. The other side is a soft plush mat filled with various colors and detachable toys (secured with Velcro tabs). This side is great once your child becomes more interactive.
The mat can be used on it’s own or with the arches, giving you the option of limiting the amount of stimlulation your child gets at one time. It also allows you to use the mat in the park or at the beach (don’t worry, it’s easy to clean).
Kushies Bobble Teether Toys
The Arches get attached with Velcro on all four corners as well, making it really easy to put on and take off. Kushies includes a few teething toys as well. these can be clipped onto the arches through the plastic ring at the top, or simply velcroed to the arches around the mat. As I’m writing this, I am realizing that Kushies really loves Velcro! Joking aside, we prefer it over hard snaps. It provides a smoother surface and a stronger hold.
Kushies also sells a few clip-on teether & toy sets that can be used with the Shangrila Mat & Arch, making it an even better buy.
Beaba BabyCook Food Processor Review
December 8th, 2009
Beaba Babycook Food Processor
Our youngest son, Hudson, is finally ready for solid food, so we cracked open the Beaba Babycook box last weekend and started making our own baby food. This thing is great!
You might be asking yourself why you’d shell out $149 for another version of the food processor you have sitting in your basement or tucked away behind the pots and pans in your kitchen. I know I did… All I can say is that it’s worth the money and is much different than the blender you’ve already got.
Taking it out of the box, it’s pretty easy to assemble. There aren’t many parts to it, just the blade, splash lid, cover, spoon/spatula, and steaming basket. It took 2 minutes to put together. It comes with a cooking guide/Recipe book which is very basic, but gives you a good idea of how to steam and blend as well as some ideas on what to cook for your little one.
What makes the Beaba Babycook so unique is that it steams and blends your food in the same blending bowl. The steaming feature can be used to soften raw vegetables to prepare them for blending, or to defrost baby food that you have already made. Steaming time is determined by the amount of water you put into the Beaba. There is a chart in the recipe book to help guide you with that. We started by steaming raw carrots in our Beaba, then blending them…all with the flick of a switch! The Babycook has one dial, with 2 settings; “Blend” and “Steam”, so it’s hard to screw it up.
Beaba Babycook Multiportions Tray
Beaba also makes the Multiportions Tray, a soft plastic tupperware tray with air tight lid to store and freeze your baby food in seven 1/4 cup portion sizes. Once frozen, the soft plastic compartments make it really easy to push and pop each portion out. If you opt not to get the tray, any household tupperware will work just fine.
Overall, this is a great machine. It will save you money by not having to buy all that expensive baby food. It’s also much heathier for your child and comforting for you to know exactly what you’re feeding them.
Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller Review
December 7th, 2009
Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller
Pampered Tot is one of the largest Bugaboo Retailers in the USA. As a Dad to two young boys, I have had a 2006Bugaboo Cameleon for 4 years, and a 2009 Bugaboo Cameleon for the past 6 months. With my experience as both a parent using one, and a retailer selling them, my goal is to give you enough practical information to help you decide if the Cameleon is right for you.
Let’s start with the version or model, since so many of our customers seem to be worried and confused about getting the latest Bugaboo Cameleon on the market. The significant model change was in the 2008 model year. In 2008, Bugaboo added foam wheels (replacing the air filled ones) and easier height adjustment clips for the handlebar (previously a fly-nut that you had to twist). They have not made any changes to the stroller in 2009 or 2010 (aside from the Bugaboo RED Special Edition Stroller which has a black Chassis). So, any Cameleon made in 2007 or before is an older model. Anything made in or after 2008 is the new model.
The Bugaboo Cameleon comes in 4 Standard Base Colors (Sand, Red, Dark Grey, and Dark Brown) and one special edition Bugaboo RED Denim Base. These 5 Base colors can be matched up with any of the 9 Tailored Fabric Set colors to provide 45 possible color combinations.
Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller with Accessories
What about functionality? Well, there isn’t much this thing can’t do. The stroller seat and bassinet can be placed on the stroller chassis in either direction, so you can have your child forward or backwards facing. Although, with the movable handle bar, there’s no need to move the seat. Unique to Bugaboo, the Cameleon (and Frog) stroller handlbar can flip forward or back, allowing you to change your child’s position and view without having to remove them from the stroller! It’s a bit harder to push when the larger fixed tires are in front, but it’s a nice feature to have when you want to change your child’s position without disturbing them. Shocks on the front wheels makes for a really smooth ride, not matter where you are. Large rear tires allow you to take this stroller anywhere. We take ours to the park, beach, and on unpaved terrain. It performs well on all surfaces. Add a height-adjustable handlbar for those really tall parents, and you’ve got a complete and comfortable ride for both child and parent.
There are so many accessories for this stroller, so you have to break them down into want vs. need. What you really need is a Cup Holder and, most importantly, the Car Seat Adapter. The cup holder is pretty self explanatory; It’s great for a coffee or a baby bottle. For the car seat adapter, you have 3 choices; The Graco SnugRide, Maxi Cosi Mico, and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP adapter. Bugaboo created all 3 so that parents could choose from amoung the best selection of car seats on the market.
Bugaboo Cameleon Footmuffs
The footmuff is essential if you live in a cold climate. We thought we could get away with blankets instead. However, even in Southern California winters, the footmuff is a great item to have. The bottom half of the footmuff stays on the stroller seat like a seat linner (the seat straps poke through it, so they can be used with the footmuff), while the top half just zips up around the seat, creating a warm sealed sleeping bag.
The Sun Canopy is a great add-on; not a neccessary purchase. However, if summer days are stiffling, your child will appreciate the extra ventilation of the side and top mesh windows. They’ll also appriciate being able to look through them, as it brings in some light and a provides a bit of a view! They come in 9 different colors, so it’s also a relatively inexpensive way to change the look of your Cameleon.
The Sun Shade and Parasolare both meant to do the same thing; block the rays. However, they do so very differently. The Sun Shade is great because is blocks/protects your child no matter where your stroller is facing. It encloses your child in a cacoon-like pocket, completely sheltered from the
Bugaboo Cameleon Sun Canopy & Sun Shade
elements. It’s a little hard to see into the “caccoon” to check on your child, but easy for them to see out. The Bugaboo Parasol is great at shielding your child from the sun, but requires constant adjusting if you are moving in different directions. So, the sun shade is great because it doesn’t require any adjusting. However, if you want to see your child and have better airflow for them, I would recommend the parasol. We used the sun shade when our kids were born (they slept all the time, so it was great to have full coverage), and the parasol when they got a little older and wanted to look around.
The Wheeled Board is great if you have 2 kids, or if your child gets restless and wants to stand up. Bugaboo just came out with a Universal Wheeled Board, which can be used with any Bugaboo Stroller. Installing it is really easy (2 plastic brackets, no screws). When using it, your child stands in back of the stroller and through the handle bar. The Wheeled Board gets in the way of your walking stride, so you will have to walk with a shorter stride or a little off to the side. When not in use there is a bungy cord draw string to pull it up, much like a draw-bridge so you are able to walk normally behind your stroller again.
Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller (Folded without wheels)
So how big is it, really? Well, it’s not small, but it will fit into most 4-door and even hatchback car trunks. The 2-piece fold is a little frustrating at first, but shouldn’t deter you from buying one. After 2 or 3 tries, you won’t even notice it anymore. It’s easy to open, easy to put away, and rolls through the tightest spots at the supermarket and small retail shops. The underseat bag looks tiny, but is deceivingly massive. It’s a little tough to access, but has enough room to store just about anything you need for a quick stroll or a long day away from home.
Hopefully, this has answered many of your questions about the Bugaboo Cameleon. In the 4 years that we’ve had ours, we’ve never had an issue with it. It’s a stylish workhorse. However, if you do have an issue, the stroller comes with a great 2-year warranty (and the customer service is excellent).
Overall, the Bugaboo Cameleon is a great stroller. Very expensive…but worth the $979 price tag (I can’t believe I just wrote that…).
Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair Review
December 3rd, 2009
Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair
The Tripp Trapp Chair from Stokke is not your typical high chair. In fact, it hardly looks like one at all. If you’re looking for the tray you will looking for a while, and that’s because the Tripp Trapp doesn’t have one! The whole idea behind the design of the Stokke Tripp Trapp is to bring families closer together, by enabling everyone to eat at the dinner table. That’s right, even your 8 month old baby will be part of the dinner conversation, as the Tripp Trapp pushes right up to the table, much the same as any dinner chair. If you think it could get a little messy, make sure to get a Table Top, Stokke’s version of the ultimate child placemat. It comes with 6 printed plastic inserts featuring different patterns, designed to enhance your child’s developmental skills. It also provides a topic for fun dinner conversation. The Stokke Baby Set allows children as young as 6 months old to join the dinner table.
At $249, it’s pricey for a high chair. However, what most parents don’t realize is that the Stokke Tripp Trapp is weight tested up to 200 pounds. Therefore, it can be used by parents as well! The stength of the chair allows kids to use it as a desk chair when they’re done with it at the dinner table. It can be used with the Stokke CARE Changing Table (which turns into a desk). When you weigh these benefits, it actually a bargain!
Stokke Tripp Trapp Table Top
The Tripp Trapp comes in 10 cool colors to match your dining room, or to provide contrast to make a bold statement. Parents can also choose from several fun chair cushion choices, making the Tripp Trapp the most stylish high chair we’ve ever seen.
There are several height adjustment options for both the seat and the footrest, accomodating the growth of your child for years to come.
At Pampered Tot, we sell hundreds of these every month, and for good reason. It’s built well, made in Slovenia of solid wood. It has more uses than just a typical high chair. It’s also really easy to clean. There are no plastic parts with hard-to-clean and hard-to-reach nooks and crevices. It’s also not a huge eye soar. The chair blends into the decor of your home, instead of created a whole new theme.
Sleak, stylish, and unbelievably practical, this chair gets high marks from us. As a store owner and as a parent with 2 kids and 2 Tripp Trapp Chairs, I give this product and the Norwegian company that designed and built it very high marks.
