Simple or Swank

Every parent wants to raise their child to be the next Einstein by surrounding them with stimulating toys, bright colors, and tactile objects. Play mats can entertain tots while also helping them learn how to reach, grasp, and roll over in their early months putting them on the track to Geniusville.

Simple: The IKEA play mat is a steal at $25 and has aerial toys dangling from foam arches.
Swank: For twice the bucks, the $65 Tiny Love Gymini: Super Deluxe Lights & Music Play Mat literally offers a few more bells and whistles with flashing lights, crinkly fabrics, textures and four musical selections.

Memorial Day weekend signals the beginning of Summer — a season filled with pool parties, beach outings and lakeside barbecues. For expectant mamas, it also means shopping for a bathing suit that will take them through the warm months as their tummies expand. Tankini style suits flatter almost every body shape and provide pregnant women with the added benefit of being able to easily use the restroom without completely undressing.

Simple: The hardware-detailed Motherhood tankini is sold as two separate pieces ($37 total), allowing mamas to select the perfect top and bottom for their body. It also gives you the option to purchase additional tops that match the bottoms to create more options at a fraction of the price of entire new ensembles.

Swank: The Prego Black Ring-Kini ($70) has a supportive cross-over style bra top and also includes decorative hardware on its straps.

Which do you prefer?

Many mamas expecting baby number two are stuck with the dilemma — to move their tot into a toddler bed or purchase another crib? Not wanting to deal with the transition of the former, many mums decide to bite the bullet with a second crib but don't have to break the bank with another high price model. She can settle for something safe, stylish and affordable.
Simple: The fabulous designers from Dwell partnered with Target to create a line of sleek and economical cribs. For $250, mommies can drool over the Silver Lake in a natural finish.
Swank: Much like the Silver Lake model, the Netto Collection Studio Crib has fixed rails and bonus storage space below. For $954, the swank model has a reverse color palette.

When babe's nursery is cramped with a crib, dresser, rocking chair and bookcase many parents think they can do without a changing table. Certainly families can deal without one by changing diapers on the floor or in the crib, but when the nappy runneth over, it's nice for the mess to be caught on a washable pad instead of the carpet. When space is an issue, wall mounted changing tables may be mum's answer.

Simple: The IKEA Antilop ($70) table is simple and white making it easy to decorate around and disguise on a wall.
Swank: For 10 times the IKEA option, Bo Ekstrom's wall mounted changing table ($750) offers a more modern look with bent wood and built in shelves.

Which option do you prefer?

One way to keep mama's purse from getting too full of her mini-me's knickknacks is to give princess her very own tote. Instead of marking my wallet up with crayons, my daughter carries her wares with her wherever she goes. Spring into Summer with one of these delicate, white pocketbooks that is sure to go with any flouncy dress in her armoire.

Simple: Instead of treating the tot to an ice cream cone, use the $4 in the wallet for the zippered eyelet Children's Place purse that is reminiscent of Jackie O.

Swank: Shaped like a large coin purse, the $16 lace adorned Janie and Jack option has a clasp closure and a large bow for the tiniest of divas.

Whether it's for her own baby shower or a Summer wedding, baby mama has got to outfit that beautiful bump in something comfortable and flattering. The little black dress does the trick and will work for more than one occasion. The wrap function will take her into her postpartum nursing days, too!

Simple: The cotton and Modal blend Old Navy dress is machine washable and hardly looks like a $25 bargain.

Swank: The polished DKNY cap-sleeve frock has a more fitted look thanks to the spandex and viscose components. The $345 garb may turn heads, but unfortunately it's dry clean only.

When I'm not playing with my kids or hanging out with my husband, I am usually attached to my laptop. So it is no surprise that my daughter is crazy about her own computer. She likes to put it on her lap and tap away on the keyboard while saying, "I'm jus' checkin' my wubsite Mom." If she wants to look like me, I need to get her one of these bad boys.
Simple: Meant for children age five and up, the Vtech Nitro Notebook — Original is quite a deal at $50. The chic, geek gear has games and activities that encourage wee ones to read in two different languages!
Swank: Much like its simpler counterpart, the Vtech Color Blast Notebook ($130) also engages youngsters in games, activities and foreign languages. For an extra $80, kids can look like mini Mac users while enjoying a sizable color screen and learning more subjects: math, science, and history! Perfect for budding Einsteins age six and up.

If you weren't taking a prenatal vitamin before getting pregnant, it is likely the first change you will make after discovering you are expecting. Flip through a baby magazine or browse the aisle at your local drugstore and you will find a number of vitamins on the market, all with various claims. While some doctors recommend patients take prescription vitamins, many over-the-counter versions feature similar ingredients.

Simple: Over-the-counter prenatal vitamins, like Nature Made Prenatal Multivitamins ($11 for 90), are preservative-free and high in a mama-to-be's necessary nutrients like folic acid, iron, and zinc.

Swank: Prescription prenatal vitamins, like Duet DHA ($43 for 60), contain higher doses of key vitamins, such as folic acid, iron, and calcium, as well as a separate pill containing omega-3 fatty acids. The extra dosage is believed to help mamas-to-be produce new red blood cells faster.

Moms who have procrastinated on getting their dears dapper Easter duds may be in luck with sales on some of the most traditional looks. Seersucker shorts are perfect for egg hunts and practical for the rest of the warm season. Paired with a chick-chic yellow polo, your son will look like a ray of sunshine Sunday morn.

Simple: Get the look with a pair of blue and white Chaps ($14) and a Children's Place ($10) knit polo.

Swank: The orange belt might make the Ralph Lauren Roundhills ($45) splurge worthy. Add the pale Janie and Jack yellow polo ($24) and let the festivities begin!

When baby looks like he is ready to take his first steps, mama may turn to a walker to help steady her lil guy. While some of the push toys feature flashing lights and music to encourage tots, more traditional wooden versions are making a comeback. Unfortunately, the fewer the frills, the more expensive the items seem to be.

Simple: Melissa and Doug's Chomp and Clack Alligator Walker ($30) is made from hand-sanded, painted wood to create a colorful push toy with three clacking alligators.
Swank: Plan Toys' Woodpecker Baby Walker ($76) reflects the company's Eco-friendly mission. The natural wood colored toy is made from recycled rubberwood trees and has three nature-inspired animals that move as the walker is pushed.
Which one do you prefer?