LilSugar

Name the Famous Baby Brand!

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:00:38 PDT

Whether it's the cute commercials, the catchy jingles or the adorable faces, certain brands become iconic and we continue to see them on the shelves of stores and in our homes. See how well you know your baby brands by taking this lil test!

Take the Quiz

7 Money Tips For Couples Starting a Family

Business Insider — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

Middle-income parents will spend nearly $227,000 in 17 years for children born in 2010, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

But don't let that scare you - saving for a family can actually be fun if you know what you're doing.

"The most important thing to understand is that your priorities are going to change and your spending habits need to change to reflect those changes," says Stuart Ritter, a financial planner at T. Rowe Price.

With Ritter and other financial experts' help, we'll help you prepare.

Invest in a 529 savings plan

Saving for your child's education is crucial to his or her success, and 529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings accounts that are available in all 50 states.

Most are free to set up, while some states require a minimum of $25 to open an account, says Adam Koos, a certified financial planner with Libertas Wealth Management. Anyone can contribute and take advantage of the tax benefits.

Open the plan before your child is born, says Ritter, and name yourself the beneficiary. You can change the name on the account once your child is born.

Read on for more.

Rachel Zoe Adds Jewelry and Cozy Accessories to Her Growing Brand

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:37:49 PST

Rachel Zoe is a busy woman, juggling The Rachel Zoe Project (which has not yet been renewed for season five), her signature Rachel Zoe collection, a line for QVC, 10-month-old baby Skyler, and a new television production company called Rachel Zoe Productions - but that's not stopping her from doing more. Zoe has plans to launch two new categories to her signature line: costume jewelry and cold-weather accessories. Highlighting her love for vintage baubles, Zoe's jewelry line is art-deco inspired, highlighting tassel necklaces and earrings along with a "Love Me Knots” category, with knot-embellished hoop earrings, cuff bracelets, and necklaces priced between $195 and $695.

Zoe's cold-weather accessories are set to include real and faux fur hats, hoods, scarves, gloves, and statement-making stoles. "I have this obsession with what women wear in Russia," said Zoe. "The funny thing is that I don't know because I've never been there. But it's what I dream about." The jewelry collection will be exclusively available at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman in stores and online; availability on the cold-weather accessories is still not determined. Check out the slideshow to see the collection, plus some of our favorite pieces from her latest Spring collection for QVC.

The FunPod: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kate Stahl — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:33:32 PST

I love that my 10-month-old loves watching me in the kitchen. From her highchair, she will happily stuff her face with puffs and blueberries while I chop, mix, prep, and even empty the dishwasher. I've never considered that she might soon need a more interactive kitchen experience, but after seeing The FunPod from Luca & Company, I'm reconsidering. The unique kid product, developed by a mom from England, keeps your child in a safe spot - away from electrical and hot appliances - while you go about your kitchen business, but it also allows them to easily see what you're doing and even help. The pod is adjustable, with five settings to keep it at chest level for 12-month-olds to 5-year-olds.

The FunPod isn't cheap (buy it through BabyEarth for $190), but it's won multiple awards and has a loyal following. So would you invest in a FunPod for your lil one? Weigh in below.

There's a Doll For That: Teaching Kids About Natural Birth, VBAC, and More

LilSugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:49:24 PST

If mama ever wants to explain to her lil one how he was born vaginally, while his big sister came out via C-section, there's now a doll for that! Perhaps one of the odder baby products out there MamAmor has just introduced a VBAC doll ($175), complete with a C-section scar and a Velcro opening through which her new lil one can enter the world. The company recommends the doll for tots over the age of three, but mom may want to wait until her tot is a bit older to explain the differences.

The VBAC doll joins a growing collection of anatomically correct toys on the market that help a mom visually explain vaginal birth. From breastfeeding versions to those that also deliver the placenta, here are six birthing dolls for kids.

Is Going Organic Really Worth It?

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:16:10 PST

Going green has never been quite so hip, but is it worth the cost? Just last week Jessica Alba launched The Honest Company, an eco-friendly baby care line that is not only safe but affordable when compared to other organic diaper and skin care companies. But now one of my favorite organic nursery companies is changing course.

Canada's 3 Sprouts - the maker of adorable modern storage bins, hooded towels, and wall organizers - just announced that due to rising costs, they'll no longer be an organic line. In order to keep costs down - and, presumably, sales up - the company is switching to nonorganic cotton and new packaging for the coming year.

The change has me wondering if more mamas are switching away from organic given the state of the economy?

6 Expectant Models Who Rocked the Catwalk

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:04:51 PST

Is a baby bump a statement piece in the world of fashion? It certainly is the one accessory that never goes out of style. This week Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio strutted her stuff during São Paulo Fashion Week, showing off her five-month pregnant belly in the process. The model, who hid the fact that she was newly pregnant with her second child during the lingerie company's fashion show in November, wore an array of belly-grazing designs and towering heels as she joined the lineup of expectant supermodels who've walked the runway before her. Keep reading to see which other model moms have done the fashion-show strut while pregnant.

Savvy Confessions: Will My Job Be Affected If I Take Maternity Leave?

Savvy Community — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:15:29 PST

This reader posted in our anonymous Savvy Confessions group, asking how her job will be affected if she takes maternity leave. Do you have any advice for her?

I work in a very small office which includes myself, a nurse, an office assistant, and our program director. Before the holidays, the program director took on an additional position within the company, but at another clinic, which now has him out of our office about 50 percent of the time. At that time, there was one other person in the office with the same job as me, but she was fired a few weeks ago, so now, I fly solo a majority of the time until we can find someone to replace her. Two days before my six month review, I found out I am pregnant! My husband and I are SO EXCITED, and had planned on starting a family this year. Initially, when I interviewed for the position, I mentioned that my husband and I were hoping to begin a family soon as well. Now, I am terrified to tell my boss that I am pregnant! He is a really nice person, but saying that he does not handle stress well would be an understatement.

Read on for more.

Good Day, Sunshine: Pottery Barn Kids Plans a Sunshine Baby Shower

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 07:45:27 PST

Put down the umbrella and celebrate the sun! A celebration for a mama-to-be may call for a shower, but it's usually filled with sunshine and bright smiles. No one knows this better than Kim Stoegbauer, a party-planning guru and the founder of the TomKat Studio. She's teamed up with one of the ultimate baby-gear emporiums - Pottery Barn Kids - to share her baby-shower know-how with other moms-to-be. Her Sunshine Baby Shower is featured in on the company's new "Parties and Celebrations" section of the PBK website, along with party-planning tips, how-to videos, and free downloads so anyone can re-create her sophisticated style.

Keep reading to see the cheery party and be inspired to create your own!

Source: Pottery Barn Kids

A Whole Lotta Lil in This Week's Links

Rebecca M Gruber — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:32:54 PST

Get your sweet on for Valentine's Day with these cute Valentine's Day treats for kids.
Weelicious shared her tips for getting mealtime under control in your home.
Did Modern Family commit a no-no with its cursing toddler episode?
We spoke with Jake and the Never Land Pirates's in-house band Sharky and Bones about pirate rock and the popularity of pirates.
Jessica Alba's launching an affordable, eco-friendly baby care company.
Did you have a fetus party?
These one-of-a-kind birth announcements will introduce baby in style.
Tired of the stores at the mall? These online shops are full of really cute kids clothes.
Say goodbye to the Tiger Mom and hello to the Lawn-Mower Mom!
See which celebs have opened up about past miscarriages.

Source: Pizzazzerie