LilSugar

OnSugar Blog: Bugging Out About the Bugaboo News!

OnSugar Blog — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:16:20 PST

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and MiaFT is one of them. This is an excerpt from one of the latest posts on her Baby Love blog.

I'm so excited! Bugaboo has finally come out with a snack tray! I'm thrilled!

As you can see, it doesn't attach to both sides of the stroller as the bumper bar does. I am a little disappointed about that because there are many times I will just seat Audrey in her stroller without belting her in, but she stays put because of the bumper bar. So I will have to make it a point to belt her in always. But it will be worth it. Audrey likes to snack and have her cup when we are out shopping or at the zoo for the day. It keeps her from getting too hungry and cranky. We are able to stay out longer, and have more fun! I've found it online for prices ranging from $39-$52, but I haven't found it available until January. I have been eagerly awaiting this! I just wanted to share the news in case you were too!!

Want to see more? Start following Baby Love or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just may feature your content on our site!

Kate Hudson Pushes Baby Bing in a Missoni Bugaboo Stroller

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:01:58 PDT

Move over baby Skyler, there's a new tot in town strolling around in the year's most fashionable stroller. He may only be 6 weeks old, but Kate Hudson and Matthew Bellamy's son, Bing, is already showing his stylish ways. While Mom and Dad grabbed a bite of lunch in North London today, their lil one rested in Bugaboo's Cameleon stroller with a Missoni fabric package. Currently back ordered, the $270 Cameleon Missoni Accessories Package, which also includes a cotton blanket in the designer's signature chevron pattern, is quickly becoming the fabric of choice for this year's crop of new moms. The stroller is a bit fancier than the Bob Revolution and Silver Cross umbrella strollers Kate pushed when Ryder was little. Also adorning the baby's ride was one of our favorite baby blankets, Aden and Anais' Jungle Jam Swaddle ($50 for four). Looks like Kate and Matt's son is starting out life with some popular choices!

Strollin': 8 Strollers to Keep an Eye Out For This Spring

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:04:56 PDT

Like fashionistas await Fashion Week each season, new mamas look forward to a new crop of strollers each year. The Bugaboo Donkey may be the most talked about new pushchair this year, but it isn't the only buzzworthy one to hit the streets. I've rounded up seven hot strollers worth keeping an eye out for this year – several of which are scheduled to make their way into stores over the next few weeks. Check them out!

Bugaboo Partners With Missoni For Haute Couture Stroller

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:11:16 PDT

Bring on the patterns! You'll never look at your plain old stroller the same way again now that Bugaboo has joined forces with Missoni. The Dutch stroller company (who recently stole the carriage spotlight with its introduction of the Donkey convertible stroller) and Italian fashion house are partnering on a special collection of brightly patterned fabrics. For the Cameleon, the design house has created a bright block print for the sun canopy and bassinet apron ($270), while the Bee's zigzag design is limited to the sun canopy ($200). Both sets include a swoon-worthy knit blanket that mama may want to turn into a scarf for herself (just a suggestion). The collection will be sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus beginning in July. Check out these photos of the runway-esque designs.

Lil Community: Should I Get the Bugaboo Wheeled Board?

Lil Community — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:00:03 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud and ReadyWhenUAre is one of them. She recently posed a question in our The Mommy Club group.

I'm debating whether or not to purchase the Bugaboo wheelboard and was wondering if any other moms out there have any opinion on whether or not it's worth purchasing. I have an older Bugaboo Bee that I used for my oldest child who's now three and I have a soon to be 6-month-old for whom I use the carriage. My 3-year-old is pretty good about walking, but sometimes he gets lazy. So I was wondering if the wheelboard is worth spending the money?

Thanks!

Do you have a treasure trove of parenting suggestions? Start sharing your advice and tips in our The Mommy Club! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Bugaboo's "Donkey" Double Stroller Packs a Double Punch

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:01:00 PST

How do you compliment a donkey? "Hey, nice a**!" When Bugaboo announced its first foray into the world of double strollers, the news was met with cheers and a collective sigh of relief from mamas who are already fans of the Dutch company’s popular pushchairs. But when they saw the side-by-side style, when so many other companies are shifting to a rumble seat style, many worried about the unwieldiness of such a large-looking pram.

Well, after spending an afternoon pushing the stroller in its many forms, Bugaboo flew me there to test out the Donkey, I’m here to say that the innovative stroller (it easily converts from a single to a double with three quick clicks) is narrower than it looks, moves just as smoothly as its older siblings, and maintains the company’s signature design features throughout.

Keep reading to see the features of the new Donkey, what I liked best, and how much it will cost you when it makes its debut in April!

Bugaboo's Lead Designer Discusses How Fatherhood Has Influenced Stroller Design

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:30:27 PST

Being a designer is one thing, but being a father is another. When Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga, Bugaboo's lead designer, first joined the Dutch stroller company, he was creating pushchairs without the benefit of any first-hand father experience. Now, with two tots at home, his perspective, and the features he focuses on, has changed.

During my trip to Amsterdam, (Bugaboo flew me there to test out the Donkey - look for my review next week!), I sat down with Aernout to discuss the changes.

LilSugar: How has becoming a dad changed how you design strollers?
Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga: I was trained as a designer to get into the minds of other people and to design some really strange objects in a style that is personally not mine. When I started working at Bugaboo, by talking to people, observing people, and seeing how they act with their children. Of course you can never understand until you have children.

So what has changed? Not much in big things, but more the small detailed things: the noise a stroller makes, once your child is asleep, you do not want it to wake up. The use of the carrycot as a stand-alone. I thought, "OK, this is a nice feature." But actually, it is a very nice feature. You just drive into your house, you don’t have to drive the whole stroller into your house, you just carry your carrycot into your house, into your living room and (the child) stays asleep, it's wonderful! But you also have to be aware that the way I use the product is not the way you’ll use the product.

Bugaboo's Lead Designer Discusses Cultural Differences in Stroller Use

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:00:21 PST

Ever wonder why strollers have certain features? A parasol here or a snack tray there? When designers set out to create a new pushchair, there are regional and cultural differences that come into play. Sometimes they aren't recognized until after the stroller hits the market, and that's where accessories come into play.

During my trip to Amsterdam, (Bugaboo flew me there to test out the Donkey - look for my review next week!), I sat down with Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga, the stroller giant's lead designer, and asked him about requests he sees from around the world.

LilSugar: Stroller use is very personal. What differences have you seen around the world?
Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga: In the accessories you see it. The cup holder (is one). I was amazed the way you American people travel with your coffee. I had to see it before believing, and then I (thought) OK, you do need a cup holder!

It also has to do with climate and weather. In the northern countries, they use snow wheels and the footmuff; where the people in Italy, not so much. It's also one of the most difficult things, because the total product has to fill all these needs around the world.

For the American people, the carrycot or the bassinet is quite a strange, European thing. They probably transport the children more in a car seat because everything is about the car and getting in and out of the car. Maybe that is also why the one-piece folding (of the upcoming Bugaboo Donkey) will be used more in the US, getting in and out of the car.

I noticed during my user sessions in the US, American people want everything going easy, with one button or no buttons - as easy as possible. The Dutch people don’t mind doing multiple steps, so it’s a cultural difference.

We see it as well in Europe. If you look at the German market, they usually have much bigger strollers than Holland or Spain; even within Europe there are cultural differences.

Bugaboo users who've been asking for a snack tray will be happy to know that the company has heard you loud and clear. They'll be introducing their own snack tray accessory this Spring. Stay tuned for more of my interview with the Bugaboo Donkey's lead designer, and check in next week when we share our review of the new stroller!

Bugaboo's Lead Designer Discusses What Men Want in a Stroller

Rebecca M Gruber — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 06:00:00 PST

When the Bugaboo made its US debut as the stroller of choice for Sex and the City's Miranda and Brady, it caused nothing short of a pushchair revolution. The pram, which was Max Barenbrug's final design school project, aimed to appeal to both moms and dads, with a modern unisex feel that caught on fast.

Today, Bugaboo's design team is comprised of seven designers – six men and one woman. Leading the team is Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga, the man behind the soon-to-release Donkey convertible stroller. While in Amsterdam, (Bugaboo flew me there to test out the Donkey - look for our review next week!), I sat down with the father of two to learn more about the design process.

LilSugar: Bugaboo was founded to create a dad-friendly stroller. What elements go into such a stroller?
Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga: I think over the years, you’ve seen the whole stroller industry change. It's a little too much to say it's all because of Bugaboo. I think we set a tone of voice there. When Max graduated, the stroller industry was completely different. It was more about fluffy fabric and little teddy bears. (Max's design) was more outdoor and aesthetic and very minimalistic. Currently, there are so many strollers out there that have that look and that feel that we don’t consider it (anymore). We don’t take typical man aspects in the stroller. Women like it also now.

LS: What differs in the way moms and dads handle a stroller?
ADH: To generalize a little bit. Moms are much more worried about the safety and well-being of the child, whereas dads are more practical. I read a nice article about the role of a dad. He should take more risks with a child. It's good to have the balance as a child, so they can learn both things. What I do think that dads like about the Bugaboo is that dads can talk about it, like the way you talk about a car. Guys like to talk about specifications. "My stroller can do this, and this, and this, what can your stroller do?" Maybe a mom is more like, "My child sleeps so wonderfully in a Bugaboo, and it's such a smooth ride," to generalize.

Stay tuned for more of my interview with the Bugaboo Donkey's lead designer, and check in next week when we share our review of the new stroller!

Ensuring a Safe Ride: How Bugaboo Strollers Are Tested

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:05:00 PST

Parents aren't the only ones concerned with their child's stroller safety. Before the pushchairs ever hit store shelves they are put though rigorous tests. While in Amsterdam, (Bugaboo flew me there to test out the Donkey - review to come!), I learned that the company's strollers undergo more than 200 safety assessments to evaluate a pram's functionality, response to operating forces, and overall stability before the buggy can get its safety certification. From flip-flop tests to treadmills runs, check out the process!