Need some accessories for your stroller? Check out Prince Lionheart’s Click ‘n Go Stroller Accessory System ($20). It includes two adjustable clips, one swivel cup holder, one snack cup, three bottle holders, a mesh carrying bag and 4 “S” hooks (for carrying shopping bags)! Just mount the two clips to your stroller and attach any Click ‘N Go accessory in or out as needed.

I really liked how all the accessories were interchangeable and simple to switch in and out. The cup holder was sturdy enough to handle any beverage I put in it. My daughter loved being able to snack when she wants (the lids slide open easily). The mesh carrying bag hangs off your stroller’s handles and is great for trips to the park/beach, when you run out of room in your stroller basket.

– Nancy

Posted in CBB Faves, Fashion & Gear, Fashion & Gear - Strollers, Main

Got bottles or sippy cups? Whichever way you clean/sterilize, you’re going to need to air dry them, and you might like Prince Lionheart’s The Complete Drying Station ($15). This drying organizer accommodates all sizes of bottles, cups, nipples, spoons, forks and cup parts. It also has accessory hooks for pacifiers, teethers and toys and an extra compartment for sippy cup valves/parts. It’s also treated with an EPA additive to inhibit the growth of microorganisms that can cause odors and mildew.

I liked the way The Complete Drying Station was set up — the organization was terrific. There was a place for all the bottle and cup parts that I needed to dry. I also liked that the flange on the bottom of the rack tilted down into my sink (giving even more drainage for the rack).

– Nancy

After two blocks into my first jaunt with the Radio Flyer Pack & Go Canopy Wagon I could see why moms have been toting kids in wagons for so many years. It’s a breeze to cart two kids (and their stuff) around in this amazing wagon. And to say the kids enjoy the ride would be an understatement.

At first I was hesitant about a plastic wagon, thinking the classic steel and wood ones more to my liking. But the plastic has proven itself worthy again and again. Rain, spilled drinks, muddy feet… nothing gets the Radio Flyer Pack & Go Canopy Wagon ($150) down. And the wheels, though not air-filled, are miraculously quiet (unlike some other wagons that you can hear coming from a mile away!).

With folding seats, seatbelts, cup-holders for both kids and adults, a UV-protection canopy and a storage bag (including an insulated compartment) that fastens right onto the wagon, the folks at Radio Flyer have thought of everything to make this a perfect ride for children and parents alike! As excellent for quick trips to the park as it is for a day-trip to the zoo, the Radio Flyer Pack & Go Canopy Wagon will be the ride of choice for my children everywhere we go this summer.

– Stephanie, crunchy, urban Canadian mama to a 4-year-old contrarian son and a 1-year-old philosopher daughter loves all things green, gadgety and glam

Prince Lionheart BoosterPOD ($50) is a booster seat with a soft insert, stable base, a three-point harness and a dual strap system — so it secures underneath and behind a chair. It wipes clean easily and can be used indoors and outdoors with children from 12 months to 4 years who are able to sit up by themselves. It does not come with a tray and lets your child sit at the table with your family. Don’t use it in the car, bath or any surface other than a 4-legged chair.

The BoosterPOD worked perfectly for my younger child. She was safely secured with the three point harness, which was safely attached to her chair in two places. My child loved being at the table with the rest of the family. I liked that it took seconds to attach, was a breeze to clean (after our messy eater was done) and didn’t scratch our chairs. The soft insert made it much more comfortable to sit on than a hard plastic booster seat.

– Nancy

We take lots of walks on the trails around a no-longer-active stone quarry, so I knew my sons (ages 1 and 3) would love Step 2’s Water Rush Quarry ($90). It is a combination sand-and-water table that comes with a plastic dump truck and a die-cast tractor, as well as a bucket and a spade. A clever digger with large, easy-to-use handles is a nice addition, too. My kids splash with it and move the water and the trucks around. The red portion flips over to become a lid and that really helps keep the whole thing clean.I found the assembly simple and got it together in 15 minutes. Though you can use it with sand and water, we chose to use water only and my boys play together happily! I just think the sand-plus-water combo is too messy and I’m too lazy to clean it up! (They don’t know that you can use sand so they don’t know what they’re missing.)

The one complaint I have is that the tunnel and bridges don’t fasten tightly to the table. They tend to fall off a lot, but my boys don’t seem to mind. I really like that it folds up and doesn’t take up a ton of room on our patio. It does have small parts and is recommended for ages 3 and up.

$90 is a lot to pay for a sand box, but this one’s design is pretty clever. My kids are spending their summer soaked to the skin!

– Kristen

If your kids love to help you cook and long to travel, the Handstand Kids cookbook series is made for them. Three wonderful cookbooks — Italian, Chinese and Mexican ($28 each) — will inspire you and your children to try new foods and experiment with international flavors while teaching interesting facts about the countries that inspire them.

Though each book comes with a little something extra (the Chinese cookbook comes with chopsticks, for example), Handstand Kids also sells fun accessories, including fabulous multi-purpose mats ($8) that can be used as everything from cutting boards to place mats, plus hats and aprons to give your little Jamie Olivers a true feeling of kitchen authenticity.

– Stephanie

CBB Deal: Save 20% with coupon code CBB (expires 7/15/09).

The Maxi-Cosi Loola Stroller ($430) is a reversible seat stroller with a telescopic 3-D compact fold, adjustable handles, a generous sun canopy and a large shopping basket.

The Dorel Juvenile Group USA recently brought it to the US from Europe, where it was sold under their Bébé Confort brand.

Want to use it as a travel system? Just take off the seat and attach the Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat (sold separately).

Putting It Together
The chassis comes with the wheels attached and the seat comes folded accordion-style. Open the seat by pulling the sides outward. Undo the shoulder straps and put the seat pad on, then re-feed the straps into their correct position and snap on the seat pad. To finish putting it together, attach the sun canopy and child bumper bar.

The Loola comes in three colors: Oxygen Red, Oxygen Black, and Choco Mint, which has a reversible seat pad (chocolate brown and mint stripes on one side, solid chocolate brown on the other).

The Ride
The Loola is a very smooth ride, due to a spring-loaded suspension. You can steer it one-handed and there are three handle position: facing up, downwards and inward. The wheels can be used in either a swivel or fixed wheel setting. To use the Loola into a swivel wheel position, click the swivel locks upward; to use it in the locked wheel position, push the swivel locks downward until you hear a click. When compared to similar strollers, the suspension of the Loola is outstanding.

The Seat
The seat is recommended for children over 6-months-old and has a 5-point padded harness. The weight limit is 50 lbs. The seat is very padded and there are four recline positions. Even in its most upright setting, the Loola’s seat is slightly reclined. The Loola is very sturdy; no matter what I hung off the handlebars, this stroller did not tip in the least.

Storage
The storage basket is a great size. If the seat is forward-facing, access it from the back. If the seat is rear-facing, access it from the front.

Sun/Weather Exposure
I was pleased with the sun canopy. There is a dark mesh window so you can see your child (but the sun stays shaded) and the canopy goes down pretty far. The rain cover is included and zips onto the sun canopy.

The Fold
The fold is pretty simple and compact. If you are folding the stroller with the seat forward-facing: first, lock the wheels in the fixed/straight position, then press the buttons on both sides of the handles and push the handles down, pull the fold release  handle (above the basket) upward. Then push the handles down until you engage the fold lock (the lock on the left side). If you are folding the stroller with the seat rear-facing, fully recline the seat, so you can access the fold release handle and pull it upwards. To make it more compact, take the seat off first and fold the chassis the exact same way you folded the whole stroller. Then fold the seat into itself (accordion-style).

To unfold: First, unlock the fold lock on the left side of the stroller. Then stand behind the stroller and push the foot pedal down while pulling the handles upwards. Push down on the handles to make sure the stroller is locked open.

Parents will like that the Loola can stand folded.

Accessories
Adapters for the Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Seat and rain cover are included.

Parking Brake
Push down the red pedal to engage the brake. Push down on the blue pedal to release it.

Pros: The seat is reversible, it will take the Maxi-Cosi Mico Infant Car Seat, seat, has heavy duty shock absorbers, adjustable handlebars and a compact fold.
Cons: At 26 lbs, it’s not a lightweight ride.

Final Verdict: The Maxi-Cosi Loola is wonderful for long walks and errands, but it’s too heavy for public transportation. The Loola’s price tag is not cheap, but keep in mind the price is less than other reversible seat strollers like the Peg Perego Switch Completo (now around $499) and Bugaboo Bee ($529) — click to read our reviews.

– Nancy

Safety 1st’s Nature Next line is made with eco-consciousness in mind – the products use bamboo (a renewable resource), recycled plastic, and bio-plastic (a durable plastic developed from renewable plant resources like corn and tapioca, instead of fossil fuels).

Safety 1st Nature Next Bamboo Booster Seat ($40) is an eco-friendly feeding booster seat, made from bamboo. Features include a 3-position dishwasher safe plastic tray (not shown), a 3-point harness and a safety bar, which flips down when the tray is attached. The seat height is not adjustable.

You’ll have to put it together with a Phillips head screwdriver — it ships as flat as possible to lessen the carbon footprint. Add the arms, by attaching the wooden dowels underneath and fasten the screws. Then add the seat back to the seat bottom, add the wooden dowls (on the bottom and into the arms) and fasten the screws.

My 16-month-old daughter loves this booster seat because she can sit right next to her big brother. I like it because it’s eco-friendly, looks great and most importantly, works well!

– Nancy

Back in the day, pregnant women were advised to avoid strenuous activity, let alone exercise, but now doctors recommend moderate exercise for most pregnancies.

In addition to 2 ½ hours a week of low-impact aerobic activity like walking, swimming, biking, golf, yoga, etc., simple stretching exercises done throughout the pregnancy keep muscles limber and warm, while Kegel exercises — strengthening the muscles that support the bladder, uterus and bowels — will aid in the birthing process. Once you have delivered the baby, these exercises not only promote the healing of certain tissues, but also allow women to regain control of their bladder. For specific routines, and information on how to stay safe while pregnant and exercising, check out some tips and tricks from Health.com.

Ramey; Fame; GSI Media ; Flynet

We’ve seen quite a few celeb mamas continuing their workout routines while looking adorable in both maternity and non-maternity fitness garb.

The day after announcing she was expecting her first child, Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo was spotted on her way to the gym.

Since her bump debut, we have seen her — more often that not! — in her workout clothes: in April she followed up her normal gym routine with a treat to the spa, later she opted for a pair of black spandex capris for a trip to the gym, and just last week we caught a glimpse of her growing bump hidden under a blue workout tank top and black spandex while out running errands.

Maintaining a workout regimen can be a challenge in and of itself for an expectant mama, so finding comfortable and breathable active wear should be no sweat!

With more stores offering maternity clothes that are suitable for workout sessions, prenatal yoga classes, or even to just run errands, the future of pregnancy-friendly options looks promising.

Steal That Style: Ellen Pompeo’s Physically Fit Pregnancy with the workout combinations below!

lululemon athletica In Motion Crop

Breaking Bank: A favorite among celebrity moms-to-be, A Pea in the Pod does not disappoint with their maternity active wear line. For a look similar to the Isabella Oliver top Alyson Hannigan sported during her pregnancy, check out A Pea in the Pod Elbow Sleeve Hooded Maternity Tunic ($125), which can be matched with A Pea in the Pod Jersey Knit Maternity Crop Yoga Pants ($75). Made from a combination of cotton, modal, and spandex, the breathable fabric offers easy mobility during those tough months.

While not technically a maternity line, lululemon athletica certainly grabbed Tori Spelling’s attention when she was expecting her daughter Stella. The adorable lululemon athletica In Motion Crop ($84) comes complete with a roll down waistband, which can be pulled up over the belly or worn low, making it a great option for both during and after the pregnancy. The capris can be matched with the lululemon athletica Movement Tank ($42), an extra-long tank top made up of flat seams to prevent sensitive pregnancy skin from chafing.

Fit2BMOM Maternity Active Cami Top

Not Pinching Pennies: FIT2BMOM’s website is full of reasons to stay fit during pregnancy, and their clothes make expectant mothers want to experience each and every one of them! Their Fit2BMOM Maternity Capri Pant ($65), boasting a roll down waistband to accommodate both over and under the belly preferences, guarantees comfort for yoga routines, hiking trails, or even a lazy day on the couch. The look can be paired with FIT2BMOM Maternity Active Cami Top ($57), a great option for busty pregnant mamas with its 360 degree shelf bra. (Look for our upcoming review of the line.)

Having to purchase a new maternity wardrobe can come with a hefty price, but with Doce Vida I-Back Maternity Top ($48), the possibilities both during and after pregnancy are endless. Made up of mostly nylon, with a bit of spandex, the racerback tops are said to keep moisture off the body and will easily expand along with the belly, but will later return to your pre-pregnancy size as you work off the baby weight. Complete the look with BornFit Maternity Capris ($56), which provide a double thick waistband for women who prefer under the belly support.

Motherhood Maternity’s Jersey Knit Maternity Crop Yoga Pants

Bargain Buying: While soft spandex can be the perfect choice during pregnancy, for women who prefer more room to breath or suffer from itchy skin, Motherhood Maternity’s Jersey Knit Maternity Crop Yoga Pants ($20) are a great option. Falling below the knee, the yoga pants are made from a cotton blend and offer a roll waist. To complete the look, try Motherhood Maternity’s Sleeveless Scoop Neck Side Ruched Maternity Tank Top ($22), a stylish tank that offers a longer length with its illusion layered look.

It’s a complete package! The Buddha Belly Maternity Capri Yoga Set ($50) includes both a tank top and capri-style yoga pants. However, if you shy away from belly rubs, then beware! The tank has an image of a Buddha and the saying, “Rub my belly for good luck.” Perfect for a brisk walk, the set is made up of 100% cotton.

We also like Beyond Yoga’s capri pants. The sale styles are available for $31-33.

– Anya

You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but an old diaper bag? That’s a different story entirely. The designers at Storksak have given their popular Emily bag ($198) a makeover just in time for the warm weather ahead, and the end result was worth the wait!

Click below to learn which celebrity mom totes the Emily bag.

Two of the three new prints — Rococo and Bloom — are covered with florals and scrolls, in tastefully muted shades of chocolate and charcoal. Emily (the same bag that Angelina Jolie reached for after welcoming daughter Zahara Marley) also now comes available in a luxurious taupe leather, as well as its old standby shades of black, pewter, bronze and chocolate.

With its hip hobo styling, Emily in a solid color can and does easily pass for a large handbag at 11″x18″x6″. For women who like to see a distinct difference between their diaper bag and their handbag, however, Emily in either Rococo or Bloom make a great choice. All the features you would expect in a bag of this price are present: dual-side zip thermal pockets for bottles, a change pad, a make-up bag, cell phone pocket, a wipeable interior and exterior, and more.

– Missy