Celebrity Baby Blog

September 26, 2008
http://www.people.com/people/celebritybabies/gallery/0,,20229211_1,00.html

TEN BEST: Cribs

Best Convertible

Name: Bonavita's Metro Lifestyle Crib
Price: $550
Why It's Great: A convertible crib is an excellent way to really extend a nursery budget. When one piece, like Bonavita's Metro Lifestyle Crib, converts from crib to toddler/daybed (just by removing four bolts!) to full-size bed (with the addition of a full size mattress, of course), you're getting a lifetime of investment. (Just be sure your child's room is large enough for a full size bed!) This particular model, with its stylish and cosmopolitan lines, is perfect for parents who want modern and traditional, as well as 18+ years of use!

We also like: Bonavita's La Madre Lifestyle Crib ($430), which combines bamboo veneers with sustainable wood, is handsome and sophisticated. We also like the dramatic angles of Jardine's Rubbed Black Claremont Lifetime Crib ($350).

Best Budget

Name: Graco by La Jobi's Ashleigh Convertible Crib
Price: $170
Why It's Great: Any convertible crib will give you value for your money, but Graco cribs are more than just affordable. They're made by La Jobi, a respected nursery furniture company. The Ashleigh Convertible Crib has a sophistocated sleigh design with wainscot detail, and converts to a toddler bed, daybed and full-size headboard.

We also like: IKEA's Gulliver crib ($99) is a fabulous bare bones modern style crib that is extremely popular among hipsters and belt-tighteners.

Toy-tma.com

September 16, 2008
http://www.toy-tma.com/toys/abc-kids-expo-wrap/

ABC Kids Expo Wrap Up

We didn’t get a chance to attend the ABC Kids Expo last week in Las Vegas, but initial reports are out that the event had a lot of creative new toy manufactures, …. as well as a sluggish attendance.

For a great review of some of the most innovative products, check out Lisa Casinger’s review. She writes that,

As for news tidbits–I learned that Kaloo is now making all of its furniture in Canada rather than
China; Fisher Price has another complete line developed exclusively for independent retailers; Netto is planning on expanding into toddler furniture and a bunk bed in 2009; Crown Craft has the license for Major League Baseball for toddler bedding; LaJobi is moving away from drop side cribs; and more companies are adding organic or eco-friendly products.

Meanwhile, Heather Nolte from Startup Nation commented that sales are low for many manufacturers, which may be why many of them didn’t show up in the first place.

I couldn’t help but notice a reoccurring theme throughout the five day show.Nobody wanted new.The manufacturers I spoke with all commented that sales were down about 35-50% and that the customers that were still buying were existing customers.I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the newcomers that ventured out to the show for their big launch, as many left with no orders written.It seems the economy has left the buyers skittish and I can’t blame them.

Yikes! Well, the economy may not be dazzling, but at least there are still plenty of creative toys being thrust out into the marketplace.

Personally, one of my favorite toy products at the expo that has been the subject of online toy talk is Pilloroo pillows. Each pillow comes with a tiny stuffed animal that lives in the pillow’s secret pouch. It’s so cute I don’t know what do with myself. The pillows are hand-sewn in the United States and available at select toy boutiques.

Do you have any stories from the ABC Kids Expo? Feel free to join in on the conversation about your experience.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

September 14, 08
Circulation: 214,971

Kids Today

September 9, 2008
Circulation: 54,900

http://www.kidstodayonline.com/blog/1670000367/post/100033010.html

Live from the ABC Kids Expo
September 9, 2008

We're halfway through the ABC Kids Expo and it's been a whirlwind week. Saturday we got a sneak peek at new products; Sunday JPMA awarded its 2008 Innovation Awards and we've seen a plethora of neat products. All of the winners were exceptional, but the one that really stood out was 10-year-old Tharon Trujillo (the youngest JPMA award winner ever) for his safety gate from Cardinal Gates.

Though we still have two days to go, I thought I'd share with you some of the trends and products we've seen. We'll have a complete wrap up in our October issue, but so far we're seeing butterflies and monkeys in abundance as well as a vintage design trend emerging.

One thing I've mentioned before that we're seeing even more of is vendors branching out and offering one-stop shopping lines. Bedding vendors are offering everything from coordinating gifts, wall decor and rugs to lighting, car seat covers and more. I think the vendors really are trying to offer everything a retailer might need to woo their customers.

I'd love to be able to say I've seen everything at the show, but I haven't. There are three of us from Kids Today covering the show--me, Gerri Hunt and Tanya Merritte. Our game plan was to divide and conquer, so we each have designated sections we're covering.

Here are just a few of the things I've seen so far that stand out in my mind:

Bloom's new table and chair set, Otto

Creations' Surrey metal crib--it comes in nickel and vanilla (I love the nickel finish)

Bassettbaby's Baybridge collection--the Driftwood finish is perhaps one of the freshest I've seen in awhile

The Bumble Collection's new Honey couture diaper bags--Jenny pulled out all the stops on these bags

Halo's new prints, especially its organic separates, are very sweet

Stokke--finally came out with a pink Tripp Trapp (yeah!)

Delta's Jessica McClintock Cradle Me--it comes in black and off-white finishes, really beautiful

The Rug Market's new graphic print rugs--my fave is the dragon fly in white and turquoise

Baby's Dream's Cube collection--the crib converts to TWO full size beds and you've got to see the changing table/dresser/desk unit

Kids Line--I have a soft spot for bedding and they have so many new, great looking collections

Bananafish's Pixie collection blew me away

Green Frog Art's "exhibit" of its new wall decor is like walking through a local art gallery

As for news tidbits--I learned that Kaloo is now making all of its furniture in Canada rather than China; Fisher Price has another complete line developed exclusively for independent retailers; Netto is planning on expanding into toddler furniture and a bunk bed in 2009; Crown Craft has the license for Major League Baseball for toddler bedding; LaJobi is moving away from drop side cribs; and more companies are adding organic or eco-friendly products.

What did you see at the show that knocked YOUR socks off?

People

September 2008
Circulation: 3,618,718