I don’t know about other areas of the country but with all the rain we’ve had in Texas, the mosquito population is out of control. Our daughter has a pretty severe swelling reaction to the bites and I just don’t really like itching all the time. My wife and I try to avoid pesticides and chemicals as much as possible and had been going through large amounts of Off! I just recently ran across the Don’t Bug Me Patch that’s just intriguing enough to try. Imagine a world of not smelling like deep woods pine, or feeling perpetually sticky. This will be an item that I will review and post back a rating in a few days. In the meantime, check it out.

The good folks at Nurseryworks just sent me a heads-up about their new partnership with TRUCK, a product and architecture firm. As a designer, this really appeals to me to see that a noted furniture company has adopted a design-centric model in both aesthetics and function to produce some truly beautiful and functional furniture. Below is an excerpt from their email…

Nurseryworks, the noted specialist in handcrafted contemporary furniture, bedding, and rugs for the kids of design-savvy parents, is now working with TRUCK Product Architecture. The up-and-coming design firm, founded by architects Jennifer Carpenter, Jonathan Marvel, and Rob Rogers in 2000, turns heads and enlivens interiors with its sleek, smart furniture for adults and kids, and its distinctive modern housewares. Like Nurseryworks, TRUCK emphasizes designs that make the modern home more fun to live in. Its clients include, among others, Kate Spade, Pure Design, and Studio Nova.

Nurseryworks, which concentrates on beautifully made and highly adaptable designs that can evolve from the nursery to other areas of the domestic landscape, has commissioned an initial introduction from TRUCK Product Architecture that consists of the Loom Crib, Studio Crib, and Goodnight Glider and Goodnight Ottoman. These designs fit neatly into the Nurseryworks family of products: numerous options allow customization to suit individual requirements for utility and style; in addition, the pieces are detailed and manufactured to suit a visually informed adult aesthetic. Forms and colors are both modern and contemporary, and materials are unusual, durable, and sophisticated.

While walking through a Starbuck’s in Dallas, my wife came across the card of a photographer specializing in infant and child photography. I work in the Ad/Design industry so I’m pretty skeptical of photographers but I have to say that she is the best photographer for kids I’ve ever seen. Great shots, wonderful repoir with the kids and just an all around great person. Take a look at Andie Hamilton Photography.

Although located in Dallas, Andie does travel for shoots (quite often to NY and LA) and will shoot in the Hospital at birth and has several packages that are extremely affordable for sittings throughout the first year. The pictures above are of my daughter at her 1 month and 6 month shoots respectively.

Taken from www.spillingthebeans.net

http://spillingthebeans.net/?p=560

Technorati Tags: Bath, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous

Retail chain Restoration Hardware is planning to launch Restoration Hardware Baby & Child later this year as a catalog and web site, with about 150 actual stores to open at a later date.

“This is a severely under-served category in the top shopping centers,” said Gary Friedman, president and CEO. Noting that the top 100 centers “have only one offering – Pottery Barn Kids,” he said. Restoration Hardware Baby & Child will be positioned slightly higher in pricing strategy.

Look for the catalog/website this fall/winter.

Technorati Tags: Bath Toys, Clothing, Miscellaneous, Toys, Travel

The Safeway Gate has been rated number one for use at the top of the stairway by a leading independent consumer organization. The easy to adjust hardware has an exclusive directional feature that prevents the gate from swinging out over the staircase.

The gate offers the extra security of being permanently mounted, and the hardware is quick and easy to install. The Safeway Gate has the most flexible installation options for the top or bottom of stairs or doorways. The hardware also allows the gate to be quickly released from its mountings as desired. Adding to its versatility, the hinges can be mounted on most railings and angled walls. The mounting instructions include a template to eliminate the need for measuring tools. This gate offers the most flexible and versatile installation options. As a swinging gate, the Safeway will open in either direction easily with a simple one-hand adult release. It can be mounted as a swinging doorway gate or a permanent window barrier.

The Safeway expands to fit openings from 24.75 inches to 43.5 inches. The 30.5-inch high gate is great for children or pets. Available Separately: Model Number G24 24-inch Gate Extension for openings 43.5 inches to 66 inches wide. Only one extension per opening is recommended.

http://www.babyuniverse.com/pro/baby/5185/SafewayGate-Metal.html

The Austin Crib by the ducduc team is designed with high-functioning versatility in a refreshing modern vocabulary. Solid, durable and elegantly simple, the crib adapts to your child’s changing needs with a sleeping platform that progressively lowers in four stages to keep the growing child safe and secure. Inspired by the 1945-66 Case Study Houses that included designs by Richard Neutra, Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames and other modern giants, the Austin Crib combines simple iconic style and honest, durable materials along with a subtle palette.

http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=7744

iny Love’s award-winning Take-Along Arch gets a musical boost for an even more sensory-stimulating experience!

Bright colors, plush animals and a baby-activated musical feature make this activity arch a favorite for stroller and car seat rides.

More great features include:

* 3 soft plush animals - one with a rattle, one with a mirror and one with the fun music

* 3 playful tunes are easily activated with a touch

* On/Off switch lets you manually activate music for baby, too

* Adjustable height lets you attach the arch to baby’s stroller, car seat or bassinet easily

* Adjustable loops let you vary the height of the toys

* Adjustable angle for baby’s comfort

* Extra loops let you attach other favorites toys

A great way to promote creative play as well as hand-eye coordination, sight recognition and motor skills, this is one toy you won’t want to travel without!

http://babystyle.com/common/dProductDetail.asp?pmid=17504&dept=37&sc=140