There has been so much publicity about this new breakthrough stroller, but there are still so many people that are not quite sure what it is or why and when to buy one. So, I wanted to take a few minutes to answer some of the FAQs we’ve been getting in hopes of providing you all with a better understanding of the wonderment that is the Bugaboo Donkey.

What’s so great about this stroller?
The Bugaboo Donkey is a revolutionary product for it’s function. It is a single stroller that will expand into a double. The expansion is made possible by releasing 3 clips and pulling the stroller out width-wise. It’s really as easy as it sounds. It takes approx 15 seconds to expand or contract the stroller.

As a parent of 2 boys and a store owner selling these products, I’m a huge fan of strollers that can accommodate multiple children while still being able to function as a true single stroller. In years past, customers would purchase a large, clunky double stroller if they had 2 kids. However, what happens when you only have 1 of them that morning? Or the older one is now in pre-school. Do you just push your large double around with one empty seat? or perhaps buy a single stroller just for those days? Yesterday, I might have advised you to do one of those things. Today, there are a few stroller companies that have engineered the perfect strollers to accommodate a growing family. Bugaboo is one of them, and the Donkey is the newest and best (to-date).

There are 3 Bugaboo Donkey models. Which one should you buy?
Before I answer that, I’d like to clarify that all 3 models share the SAME stroller chassis (frame). So, whether you purchase the MONO, DUO, or the TWIN version, the stroller frame is exactly the same. The Bugaboo Donkey MONO is for parents with 1 child that are considering having a second in the near future. For those of you that are familiar with the Bugaboo brand, this MONO Donkey is kind of like buying a Bugaboo Cameleon that can expend into something more. Like the Cameleon, it comes with the stroller frame, seat, and bassinet. It also includes a handy side shopping basket for a quick trip to the store or for storing those large cumbersome park toys.

The Bugaboo Donkey DUO is for parents with 2 children of different ages. So, if your kids are a couple of years apart, this model is perfect for you. To make it easy to understand, it’s the Bugaboo Donkey MONO Stroller + a second Seat (seat frame/seat fabric/canopy). With this model, you can have 2 seats, 2 infant car seats (when used with the Bugaboo Donkey Car Seat Adapters), or 1 of each stroller seat, bassinet, or infant car seat. For days when you have both kids, the DUO is great. For times when you just have 1 child, while the other is in school for example, you can convert the frame into the Bugaboo Donkey MONO.

The Bugaboo Donkey TWIN is for parents with 2 children of the same age. So, if you are having twins, this is the stroller for you. This stroller is the Bugaboo Donkey DUO + a second Bassinet. The idea behind this configuration is to have 2 bassinets for your twin newborn babies. If you have 2 kids of the same age and they are already 3 months or older, the Bugaboo Donkey DUO would be the better model to choose.

So, again, regardless of the model you select, the stroller chassis (frame) will always be the same. So, if you are buying the Bugaboo Donkey MONO stroller now, all you need to purchase for baby #2 is the DUO extension kit which is essentially the second seat.

Can the Donkey fit through a normal doorway?
Yes! The Bugaboo Donkey MONO is 23.5 Inches wide. In the DUO/TWIN configuration, it’s 29 inches. A standard doorway measures 30 inches. So, in every configuration, the Bugaboo Donkey will easily fit through the door.

Is it easy to fold?
Yes! The stroller folds much the same way as the Bugaboo Cameleon. In addition to the 2-piece fold, the Bugaboo Donkey can also be folded as 1-piece. It’s a little bulkier and heavier to do it this way, but if you’ve got the space in your trunk it’s a little quicker. The stroller weighs 28.6 pounds as a MONO and 33 pounds as a double (DUO/TWIN). Definitely one of the lighter doubles on the market.

What about accessories?
Bugaboo has updated most of their stroller accessories this season to be compatible with all Bugaboo Strollers. So, whether you have the Bugaboo Cameleon, Bugaboo Bee, or Bugaboo Donkey, you will be able to use the new Bugaboo Universal Footmuff, Seat Liners, Parasols, and Wheeled Boards.

Color Options
The Bugaboo Donkey is offered in 2 base colors, Sand and Black. The canopy (Stroller Canopy) and Tailored Fabric (Canopy + Bassinet Apron) colors are Black, Red, Off-White, Pink, Royal Blue, and Sand. In typical Bugaboo fashion, you can mix and match to create your own unique color pallet.

To sum it up, we think that the Bugaboo Donkey is an incredible product; a definite advancement in the stroller industry. Meeting the demands of a growing family, this stroller will be as popular in its MONO configuration as it is as a DUO/TWIN. It’s been a long time coming, but Bugaboo certainly did not disappoint.  So, when you are thinking of dishing out about as much as you would for a used car, I would strongly consider this stroller.

The Bloom Fresco and Freco Loft High Chairs are relatively new on the scene, and have been gaining popularity. Since many customers are only hearing about them for the first time when they come into our shop, I thought it would be helpful to write about the features and benefits a bit.

There are two versions of this high chair; The Fresco and the Fresco Loft. To the naked eye, they look identical. That’s because they are, aside for the height. The Bloom Fresco High Chair can reach a maximum height of 30 inches (at tray/table level), while the Fresco Loft extends to 36 inches. The decision of which one to purchase can be made when considering the height of your dinner table. While most people dine at a regular table, many families have kitchens bars or islands that are considerable higher. For those people, having a chair that can extend to bar-height (36 inches) is ideal.

Aside from height adjustment, there are numerous other great features. To keep it organized and as concise as possible, here’s a quick rundown.

Weight Capacity
The Bloom High Chairs can hold up to 78 pounds! When it comes to buying these expensive baby products, it’s always good to understand all of the benefits first. At least that way, it will help you get over the sticker shock. When evaluating the $400 to $500 price tag of these chairs, consider how long you’ll be able to use them. In this case, your child can comfortably fit in this chair for the next 10 years!

Age Range
When you buy this high chair, it comes with 2 seat cushions. One is for use from birth with the booster seat (included), while the other larger cushion is for the toddler years. So, technically, this chair can be used from birth.

Flexibility
The Bloom Fresco and Fresco Loft is height adjustable; the seat can rotate 360 degrees (and can lock into place); has wheels on the base to make moving it easy and effortless; and can recline too! The reclining feature is especially helpful during the first few months, and allows you to be able to bottle feed your child with comfort and ease.

The Tray
The tray on a high chair is often a permanent fixture. They all come off, but most require the child to eat on them rather than on the dinner table. I love the idea of your child being able to sit at the table and join in on the conversation. With 2 kids of my own, this feature provided much more engaging family time while eating our meals together. The great thing about the Bloom Fresco and Fresco Loft High Chairs is that the trays are removable. So, your child can eat with the tray beside you or without the tray pulled up to your dinner table. Each chair comes with 2 trays. The larger one that you usually see in all the pictures online is usually used for eating, while the smaller one (which is tucked underneath the larger tray) is a great play tray.

Color Options
The Bloom Fresco Loft comes in two base colors; Black or White. The Fresco comes in white only. However, both chairs offer 10 different seat cushion colors. So, you’ll definitely be able to match it to your home decor. The cushions are also sold separately, so you can change the entire look of your chair for $90. This comes in handy if you are preparing for your second child and need to change it up a little.

Overall, the Bloom Fresco and Fresco Loft High Chairs are as beautiful as they are functional. If you can get over their expensive price tag (remember, you’ll have it for 10 years), the features will be sure to win you over.

There are so many hooded towels out there. We sell many of them, and sell them well. They are great looking and come in a seemingly infinite number of color and pattern combinations. However, I always recommend them for babies that can stand up. That way, when a parent takes their child out of the bath, you can stand them on the bath mat and safely wrap their towel around them. for the first 9 to 12 months, though, I highly recommend the Snuggledry. It’s more functional and safer to use.

Every so often, a product comes along that addresses a real need and a better way of handling it. We try to write about these companies and the products they produce. For teething, my hat’s off to the Bon Bon!

Orbit Baby Stroller Infant System

We’ve been selling Orbit Baby products for years, and have done extremely well with them. I’ve wanted to write a review of their stroller for quite a while, but felt that we needed to experience the product a little longer first to write something meaningful.

As a dad to 2 young boys, I’ve had the opportunity to use several different strollers. For the past year, we’ve been using the Orbit Baby Toddler Stroller for our 2 year old son. We absolutely love it. It’s a phenomenal product for so many reasons. As a general observation, I will say that this company has thought of everything, and managed to solve most of the issues we all seem to have with other leading strollers on the market today. So, specifically, what do I mean? Ok, here’s a breakdown;

For one, there are no adapters! Since Orbit Baby makes their own infant car seat, clicking in from the car to the stroller is as quick and easy as picking it up and putting it down again in one fluid motion. Not only that, but their patented Smart Hub technology allows you to plug any component into any one of the Orbit Baby base products. For example, the Orbit Baby Toddler Car Seat, Infant Car Seat, and Bassinet will all seamlessly snap into the Orbit Baby Car Seat Base, Bassinet Rocker, AND the stroller frame.  Yes, that’s right, you can even take the big, bulky, permanently fixed toddler car seat and stick it on your stroller frame if you need to. While I don’t recommend using the Toddler Car Seat as a Stroller Seat, that fact that it can be used this way is extremely helpful when traveling.

Orbit Baby Toddler Stroller w/SideKick

The most obvious feature to the Orbit Baby Stroller System is the ability to rotate the Infant Cart Seat, Stroller Seat, Bassinet, and Toddler Car Seat 360 degrees. This is a first, and currently the only stroller on the market today that offers this feature. So, what’s the real advantage to it? Well, I can think of too many to write in this entry. However, for me, there are two that stand out the most. The first would be to facilitate ease of entry into the car. With traditional infant car seats, you have to wrench your back slightly to drop it into the car seat base in your car at an uncomfortable angle. With the Orbit Baby Infant Car Seat, you can face the car door, drop the car seat into the base, then rotate it 45 degrees into it’s proper rear facing position. So simple, yet so smart. My second favorite is being able to rotate the stroller seat, creating a number of great new features such as; Turning away from the sun, giving your child a better view of you while still being able to see the world, and being able to use your stroller as a highchair in a restaurant. When your stroller is alongside the dinner table, just rotate the stroller seat and voila! A great high chair is born! Not only is it more comfortable than those nasty restaurant high chairs, but it also allows you to keep your stroller with you instead of the usual mandatory check-in at the front of the restaurant. I hate that.

Aside from these significant advantages, here are a few smaller ones to consider;

Orbit Baby Color Packs

Removable Cargo Pod (Under Seat Bag)
Again, a really simply idea, but solves so many issues. I love it because it doubles as a diaper bag, allowing me to take the bag into the front seat of our car and access the bottles, diapers, wipes, and toys that we put in there. Being able to remove it also allows for easy access to everything in there. It also makes packing up a breeze. We load it up with snacks and toys in the house, then slide it onto the stroller in the garage.

SideKick Stroller Board
This thing is just plain awesome! Every single person stops us wherever we go and comments on how cool it is. The Orbit Baby Sidekick is a stroller board that connect to the back wheels of the stroller frame to allow your child to stand on the back and “hitch” a ride. These types of boards are common with high-end strollers. It allows you to have a second child standing on the back, or your stroller riding child to take a break from sitting for a while. However, what makes this board unique and better than any of its competitors is it’s location. While all other boards sit directly in the back of the stroller (blocking your walking stride), the Orbit Baby Sidekick clips onto the wheels off to the side. This keeps the center wide open so you can walk and push your stroller properly. Since it clips onto the wheel, there is an option for two of them! This means that you have the possibility of having three children on this stroller at once. Very clever.

Orbit Baby Stroller Panniers (Storage Baskets)
For those of us who need a little extra storage (lets face it, we all do!), these detachable Panniers are a gift from the heavens. They are sold in pairs (1 on each side of the stroller), and each provide an extra 8 pounds of unobstructed storage. Easy to access, easy to use, easy to remove. These things are just what you need for that stroll to the market, or down to the park or beach.

Orbit Baby Bassinet w/Rocker

Orbit Baby Bassinet and Rocker
So, every high-end stroller has a bassinet option. What makes this one so unique is its size (the largest on the market), and the rocker that comes with it. Earlier in this article, I spoke about how interchangeable all Orbit Baby products are with one another. So, the rocker that comes with the bassinet can be used at home with the bassinet and all 3 of Orbit Baby’s seats (Infant, Toddler, and Stroller Seat), creating an instant rocker/bouncer.

Orbit Baby Color Packs
These Orbit Baby Color Packs are a brand new addition, allowing you to change the look of your Orbit Baby Stroller Seat. So, if you are bored with the look of your stroller seat, these color packs will offer you 9 different color options. They are also great to consider to make your stroller more gender-specific for your current child or the one on the way!

Double Stroller Adapter!
Although this product has not yet been launched, its pending release has been a huge factor with our customers looking to purchase a stroller that will grow with their family. Orbit Baby has plans to release an adapter to turn your Orbit Baby Stroller into a double! (which will be compatible with the current G2 Stroller Frame). So, come November/December, Orbit Baby customers will be able to purchase one, allowing this popular stroller to carry up to 4 kids! (2 in seats, and 2 on Sidekicks). I think it might be time for a motor!

All-in-all, Orbit Baby is a great company, producing great products that address many of the issues we all face with strollers on a daily basis. There are many phenomenal strollers on the market today. Orbit Baby’s a great one to add to your list to choose from!

In July 2010, we took our first step towards the bricks and mortar world of retail. We acquired a small 4,400 square foot building in beautiful Hermosa Beach, California and started building our first Pampered Tot storefront! It took us six months to complete, but we finally opened our doors on January 15 2011.

It’s now 7 months later, and we couldn’t be happier with the result! We are thrilled to be part of this great little beach community, and have been welcomed so warmly by all of you. for that we are eternally grateful. You guys didn’t stop there, as we were voted the Best Baby Store in both the Daily Breeze and Easy Reader publications. We work really hard to provide great products and great customer service to every customer that walks in the door or lands on our website. However, to get this kind of response was completely unexpected and nothing short of sensational. We want you all to know how touched we are.

For those of you who still have not been in our store, we welcome you to come by for an in-depth consultation or just a quick browse. We have managed to bridge the in-store and online worlds together, so you’ll get to see and purchase the latest and greatest products without having to pay a dime of sales tax! No magic in the formula, we just pay it for you…

Although the store is quite small, we make great use of the space. For the items that we just couldn’t fit in there, we’ve got a 42-inch screen at the sales counter to show you all the colors and patterns from the product pages on our website. It’s also a great way for us to help you build your Baby Registry.

So, whatever your baby needs happen to be, we are delighted to be here to help you out. We love our community and plan to stick around for a long time to come!

The larger than normal shield (the round base) is round and flat, so it won’t leave any marks on your baby’s face. It’s also too large for an infant to squeeze the entire pacifier in their mouths, so they won’t choke. All-in-all, a terrific product. The only down side is that they will need to be replaced often (approx. every 4 to 5 weeks). That’s the price you pay for an all-natural product!

Our mission of planting trees for a better world for our cute little customers cannot be done alone! So, please join us by purchasing a stroller online, refusing a bag in our store, or making a donation to the Carbon Fund directly. Together, we can make a difference!

New Terminology
BOB is abandoning the “AW” or All-Wheel term. Instead, they are classifying their strollers into two categories; CE for City Experience and SE for Sport Experience. For those of you that are familiar with the brand, the AW strollers featuring 3 12″ wheels are now known as “CE“, while the standard BOB Revolution Strollers featuring 2 16″ rear wheels are now referred to as “SE“.

Fabrics
New fabrics provide more technical benefits and bold new colors. The 2011 BOB Strollers are now available in Orange, Red, Navy, Yellow, Blue, Black, and Plum. If I had to try to describe the new fabrics, I’d say that they are more vibrant, lighter, and more resistant to the elements.

Integrated Accessory Adapter
This is perhaps the biggest change for the 2011 line. Brand new for all BOB strollers, the integrated accessory adapter allows for quick and easy installation of BOB infant car seat adapters and snack trays. Instead of having to bring your stroller into a bike shop and having to unscrew your adapter, this new system allows you to install and remove the adapters with the click of a button. Also, instead of a “one size fits all” adapter, BOB came out with separate adapters for each brand of car seat. BOB Single Strollers are now compatible with Graco, Peg Perego, and new for this year, Chicco Infant CarSeats. The BOB Duallie Strollers are compatible with the Graco Infant Car Seat adapter only.

The new and improved snack tray has room for a sippy cup, snacks, and more!

Improved Seat and Harness
With the new seat fabrics, BOB has also re-engineered the stroller seat itself. The ultra-supportive, redesigned seat now features heat press technology for additional padding and added back support. In layman’s terms, the seat has pockets of padding throughout the seat, similar to a pair of well padded bike shorts! Ultra soft and incredibly comfortable. The 5-point seat harness now features more padding to help secure children much more comfortably.

Stroller Lock
The 2011 BOB Strollers all feature a new buckle that fastens the stroller while folded. So, now your stroller will stay folded and safely locked in place.

Suspension System
The award winning (well, I’m not sure if they actually won an award, but we love it!) suspension has been improved as well. We can’t imagine a smoother ride, but BOB continues to improve their already flawless product. 

BOB has really pulled out all the stops with this stroller. They managed to take the best jogging stroller on the market and improve upon it without losing their signature BOB style. We have been huge fans of this brand for years. With these new improvements to their 2011 BOB Stroller line, we are even more enthusiastic about the brand.

For those parents looking for an exceptional jogging stroller, or even a great all around stroller, BOB will not disappoint.   

After playing around with the stroller for a while, I want to share my thoughts with you in hopes of answering most of your questions about it. There are several great blog entries about the new Xplory already on the web, so I thought I would focus on answering the most common or popular questions we’ve been receiving from our customers.

If you have the current Xplory in stores now, it IS possible to upgrade to the new one. For $399, Stokke will be offering a stroller seat package which will include the seat, seat fabric, canopy, and under seat bag. So, if you are getting ready for your second child and want to give your existing stroller a face lift, you are in luck!

So, what’s different about the stroller?

If you have an Xplory with serial number greater than 113464 (these have been in stores for months), the chassis will be almost exactly the same. The only differences are:

Chassis (Stroller Seat Frame)

• Brake pedal is now Red, not Cream colored
• There are 2 clips on the frame to hang your Stokke Changing Bag, or any other diaper bag with a strap
• The under seat bag has been completely remodeled. It’s larger, has a zipper closure instead of a drawstring, and fastens to the chassis much easier than the current model.

Bassinet (available with the Stokke Xplory Complete Stroller Only)
The hard plastic shell that makes up the bassinet is exactly the same. The difference are:

• Textile set (fabric inside the bassinet) is completely different. Stokke replaced the current fabric with a new micro-fiber material. It’s designed to create a softer and smoother look and feel. It will also take moisture away from your child more efficiently, to keep them dry and cool. It’s also water resistant.
• The Canopy now has a visor (2 inch lip on the edge of the canopy). You can extend it or leave it tucked in. When extended, it gives your child more shade from harmful sun rays.
• There is a great mesh window on part of the canopy, designed for better ventilation. It can be opened and closed easily and securely.

  

Stroller Seat
This is where most of the changes are, such as;

• Increased comfort with upgraded textiles (same as the Bassinet).
• Deeper seat for increased comfort and support
• The back of the seat (previously exposed plastic) is now coated with the same color seat fabric for a sharper, sleek look.
• Tighter seat rail fabric padding with easy on/off capabilities.
• The footrest features a one-handed adjustment, as opposed to the current model which features 2 clips.
• The canopy is the same as the bassinet description above, complete with visor and mesh ventilation
• The under seat bag is larger and zips up for added security and convenience

Accessories
So, what works and what doesn’t from the current to new model? The short answer is that all current accessories will fit the new Xplory. Here are the details;

• The new parasol does not need the clip/adapter piece anymore. It plugs right in. However, the current parasol WILL fit the new model
• The Sleeping bag is now only offered in one color, cream. It had been completely redesigned and will match any color stroller. The current sleeping bags WILL fit the new model
• The new Footmuff is softer, and has a drawstring to create a snug cocoon-like fit around your child. It’s also a bit larger. The current footmuff WILL fit the new model
• Car seat adapter have not changed at all and WILL fit the new model
• The changing bag has been completely remodeled. The current bag WILL fit the new stroller
• Also to come, Stokke is planning to add a summer kit (only to fit the New Xplory) and a sheepskin insert.

New Items
Stokke came out with a new Blanket that they refer to as the “Celebrity Blanket”. It’s soft and cuddly, but can also be used as a shield from the sun and wind. With 2 convenient snaps, it clips around the stroller canopy securely so that it won’t fly off. As a parent, I definitely appreciate that feature.

The Stokke Xplory Rider was introduced early this month. Please read our blog entry about it. Make sure to check your stroller’s serial number because it WILL NOT fit all xplory models.

Colors:
The new Stokke 2010 Xplory Stroller will be offered in 6 colors; Red, Purple, Green, Dark Navy, Blue, and Beige.

Price:
The Price will be increasing slightly. The Stokke Xplory Complete Stroller will retail for $1259.99. the Basic (without bassinet) will be $1059.99

Pre-Order Schedule
The New 2010 Stokke Xplory Stroller will be available for pre-order in June for delivery during the first week of July. The dates may change, but this is what it is looking like at this point in time.

PRE-ORDER NOW:  Click Here

In the meantime, if you have any other questions, feel free to contact us anytime.