Month: August 2013

First Birthday Gift Ideas

Sorry for the weeklong hiatus!  Things have been hectic around the house with our baby girl turning 1 last week and planning and hosting a party for 50 people at our home!  Now that is out of the way, I can get back to blogging! 🙂

So my husband and I looked around our living room and realized that we barely have any toys at home for our baby girl.  So I’ve been thinking about what toys would be age appropriate to mark this big birthday.

Personally, toys with a lot of noise drive me crazy but she seems to enjoy them.  We have a Leapfrog Musical activity table that we got as a hand-me-down, so it had no batteries for the first few weeks we had it at home.  I finally decided to put some batteries in it and C now LOVES IT.  It’s currently one of her favorites!  The nice thing though is that there are 2 volumes — loud and super loud. 🙂

Here are a few toys that I’ve been scoping out.  I think she might be a little too young for some of these but she’ll get there soon.  Right now, she’s crawling and cruising with no problems.  I think she’ll start wobble walking without a walker pretty soon.

Ride On Toy

Little Tikes Cozy Coupe ($44.90)
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe ($44.90)

This looks really fun for my little one to ride around in, Fred Flintstone style!  I showed this to my friend and she mentioned that babies also like to be pushed around so she suggested this one as another option to consider.

Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer ($27.28)
Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer ($27.28)

Both of these have tons of great reviews on Amazon so I’m sure either of them would be great. I’m kind of leaning towards the Push & Ride since we will soon be upon our winter months in the Pacific Northwest which means a lot of indoor playtime and I think that one would work better inside our home since its a little smaller.

Sand/Water Table

Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay ($29.99)
Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay ($29.99)

This looks really fun and I like that it includes an independent cover for each side so if you have a child that likes to chuck water in the sand or vice versa, you can prevent that. However, it also looks like it is a bit small.  You can’t really launch a big boat in the water side.  It is one of the more affordable sand and water tables.

Kitchen Set

KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen ($129.99)
KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen ($129.99)

A play kitchen is really high on my wishlist but my little one is probably still too young for this right now.  From my friends who parents of older children, they say this is one of the most played with toys in the home and will last for years.  I like that this one has gender neutral colors.  It also looks way nicer than our real kitchen. 🙂

Train Set

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Railway Set ($89.82)
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Wooden Railway Set ($89.82)

When I told my husband that I wanted to get our daughter a train table he was surprised since it’s something he’d LOVE to play with, with our daughter.  This wooden set has gotten some great reviews and includes 100 track pieces as well as 30 accessory pieces.

Right Track Toys - Wooden Rail Pieces - 52 pieces ($29.99) or 100 pieces ($46.95)
Right Track Toys – Wooden Rail Pieces – 52 pieces ($29.99) or 100 pieces ($46.95)

Another option would be to get the tracks separately from the trains. This one claims to be compatible with all major systems including Thomas the Train sets.

These are the big items on our wish list.  In the next post, I’ll post some smaller items that (a) don’t take up as much space and (b) are more budget friendly for gifting to friends and family.

Do you have any other great 1st birthday toy ideas?  

Rebecca Minkoff Baby Bag Reviews – Kendra and Logan Diaper Bags

I was in Neiman Marcus last week and I stopped by the children’s section to take a peek at what was new and I found 2 new Rebecca Minkoff baby bags there that I haven’t seen before.  Here’s some quick thoughts after close examination of the Kendra and the Logan.

Btw – Neiman Marcus is currently running a promo through August 19th on children’s purchases.  With the code KIDSGIFT, you will get $50 off your $200 purchase!  What great timing for these brand new bags!

The Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Baby Bag

Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Baby Bag ($295)
Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Baby Bag ($295)

First up is the Kendra baby bag.  This bag was made of nylon and includes a change pad.  When I saw the bag last week, it wasn’t up on the Neiman website yet so I think it is brand new.  Nordstrom also carries this bag in a plain black nylon, also for $295.

I liked that the bag had a top zipper to keep items inside from falling out.  I also love the elasticized and non-elasticized pockets that Rebecca Minkoff puts on all her baby bags. They are laid out in the same way as the Knocked Up bag.  If I remember correctly, there is a horizontal zip pocket across the back and 4 pockets on the inside.  There are also 2 exterior side pockets and an exterior horizontal zip.  Because the bag is made from nylon, it is easy to wipe clean and it makes it very lightweight.

Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Diaper Bag Interior
Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Diaper Bag Interior

I didn’t love the size of the bag.  The website lists it as 13 1/2″H x 17 1/2″W x 7″D and I just thought that the 7″ depth of the bag wasn’t enough.  It just seems too narrow.

The Rebecca Minkoff Logan Baby Bag

Rebecca Minkoff Logan Baby Bag ($325)
Rebecca Minkoff Logan Baby Bag ($325)

What initially drew me to this bag was the leather trim.  You really don’t see too many baby bags that have any leather, which is too bad… because while nylon is very practical, I think leather is more durable.

The straps shown are just faux, as the closure is actually a magnet behind them.  At first, I didn’t realize this and struggled to get the strap out and thought “this diaper bag is useless if I can’t get anything out of it!”.  Thankfully, the designers realized that a magnetic closure was much more practical for Mommies and Daddies!

The bag also includes a change pad and has multiple wall pockets.  If I remember correctly, they were in exactly the same configuration as the Kendra bag.  There are also 2 exterior bottle pockets.  What I really like about this bag is that it has a long strap.  I find those to be so essential when you are trying to juggle your diaper bag, the car seat and open doors. When the car seat weighs about 10 lbs and your baby is 15 lbs… you start needing 2 hands to lift the carrier.  You really start to appreciate the long cross-body straps during those times!  The bag also has a hook closure for keeping it together, though I suspect things could still fall out even if the top flap is folded over.

Rebecca Minkoff Logan Diaper Bag Interior
Rebecca Minkoff Logan Diaper Bag Interior with the hook closure

I would say the size is the main negative for me.  I prefer a larger bag and this one was a smaller bag with dimensions listed as 13″W x 12″H x 7″D.

Here’s a comparison on the same model.

Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Diaper Bag
Rebecca Minkoff Kendra Diaper Bag
Rebecca Minkoff Logan Diaper Bag
Rebecca Minkoff Logan Diaper Bag

Hope this quick review helps you decide if one of the Rebecca Minkoff diaper bags is right for you!  

Mark your calendars – 3.1 Phillip Lim is coming to Target on September 15th!

Another Target and designer Phillip Lim are teaming up to put together a 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target collection to be released September 15th!

The collection is for Fall and is comprised of a mostly neutral palette with a few items in bold prints.  There are 100 pieces ranging from $19.99 to $299.99 for apparel and $19.99 to $59.99 for accessories.  The collection includes apparel for men and women, shoes, bags and travel gear.

I just saw the first ad for the collection and it looks like a mini Pashli-like satchel might be coming our way!  This one is priced at $34.99.  I’m *sure* this is one of those items that will sell out instantly.  There is also a larger tote that is similar in silhouette to the Pashli as well, priced at $54.99.

3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli ($895)
3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli ($895) – Gorgeous details and materials
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Tote ($54.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target Tote ($54.99) – A familiar silhouette!
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target ad - Mini Pashli-like satchel
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target ad – Featuring a mini Pashli-like satchel

Here’s a few selections from the lookbook that I will definitely be checking out as well.

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Look No 7
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target – Look No 7 – Love the entire look!
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Mini Satchel in Black ($34.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target – Mini Satchel in Black ($34.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Mini Satchel in Gold ($34.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target – Mini Satchel in Gold ($34.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Look No 2 Sequin Dress ($74.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target – Look No 2 Sequin Dress ($74.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Tote Bag ($54.99)
3.1 Phillip Lim for Target – Tote Bag ($54.99)

Here is the complete 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target lookbook!

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

3.1 Phillip Lim for Target - Complete Lookbook

 

Are you a 3.1 Phillip Lim fan?  What do you have your eye on for this collaboration?

Gap Friends & Family Sale

It’s time for the semi-annual Gap Friends & Family sale!  Everything on the website is 35% off and everything in store is 30% off with code GAPFRIENDS.  If you are lucky enough to have received an invite with a unique code, you can get 40% off both online and in store.  However, my understanding is that those codes were given to employees to hand out personally.

Sale ends on Sunday, August 11th.  There is free shipping for orders over $50 and free returns if anything doesn’t work out!

I think I might be all shopped out for myself after the Nordstrom Anniversary sale, but my little girl is growing out of all of her 6 and 9 month clothes, so she’ll need some new things for the Fall.  🙂  Here are a few of the items I’m thinking about ordering!

Bow Print pleat body double (Sale: $12.97 after coupon)

How cute is this bow print onesie?!  I also love that it looks like a regular shirt rather than a onesie that is tucked in.  I like having my little one’s tummy covered so these are perfect.

Bow Cuff Leggings (Sale: $8.42 after coupon)

I don’t like putting my baby in real jeans yet, so I love the look of leggings and jeggings.  These are made a little more special by the cute bow at the bottom.

Owl Print Shirred Top (Sale: $16.22 after coupon)

I love the whimsical owl print on this top!  The sleeves are also cute with a bit of shirring and a seam at the elbow to make them almost like a bell sleeve.

Will you be shopping the Gap F&F sale?  What are your picks?