Chic Mums

My daughter has just learnt to sit up and as she’s sadly outgrown her playmat, it got me thinking we needed to cover our hardwood floors with something other than a sheepskin rug!!

Skip Hop’s Playspot interlocking foam tiles are a modern and innovative soft floor surface that keeps your child comfortable and cushioned for endless playing while complimenting your home’s decor. While Playspot is not cheap at rrp $199, Playspot is large in size and large in style! They come in three different colour schemes and you can configure them in endless ways to suit your style. Available from Bebe Online.

What’s better than a funky and stylish cradle? A funky and stylish cradle that comes with a connecting rocking chair, and also turns into a rocking horse. Leather straps join the cradle and chair, so you can rock the cradle as you rock. Then when baby is too big for a cradle you can turn it into a rocking horse. I don’t think it can get any better! Available from Kids Love Design

Looking for a cute chair and table set for your kids? These Eva foam pieces are mega sturdy, as well as practical and look great too. Good enough to be acquired for the Carnegie Museum of Art, why not let your kids sit in style! Available at Modern Nursery.

Every mum knows the value of a light-weight stroller when it comes to shopping and travel. Whilst the big chunky sports models are great for walks on the beach, ease of steering and roomy storage baskets… strollers will always win out when jumping on public transport and wheeling in and around cafes and boutiques! Silver Cross are an institution when it comes to strollers and prams, well known for their classic heritage designs. But new to their product line is the modern looking Dazzle which can also be used from birth when combined with the accompanying carry cot. Apparently the celebs love it! (Think Marcia Cross, Bec Hewitt, and Cate Blanchett). Available at Bebe Online.

When I was a kid I was an avid cubby maker. Whether it be under tables, in cardboard boxes, in bushes, you name it, I’d find a way. Well one might argue that this kind of creative cubby making is good for kids, and I tend to agree, but gee I would have been stoked to have one of these tents to play in (and the envy of all my friends of course!). Made by Haba, I found this one at Cocoon Living.

My Ikea Antilop highchair has just come into its own in my household! My 5 month old has worked out that she can sit in it quite well and feels totally grown up. I have the blow up padded insert cushion which holds her tiny self in place and there is also a safety strap. We also got the tray that clips on the front (don’t know why you wouldn’t really). For the mega cheap price this highchair is fantastic! The moulded plastic make it so easy to wipe down and keep clean, and the simple styling means that it slots in well into our living space. One buy well worth it!

I would have to say the highchair that wins the style and functionality award for me is the Bloom Fresco High Chair (available at Bebe Online). I haven’t got to the stage of needing a high chair yet, and have already purchased the $50 basic one from Ikea, but if I could have chosen any it would be this one! Not only does it look so funky it is suitable from birth to school age! It starts off as a sleeping pod, moves to high chair, and then transforms into an infant chair. Also check out the Loft version which sits up even higher if you want to use at high bench tops.

Bugaboo are synonymous with style when it comes to prams, and their newest addition to their range is no exception. This snazzy little number weighs only 7.7kg, making it easy to carry up steps or toss into your car or a taxi. The comfortable ergonomic and well padded seat of the Bee is reversible, so your child can face toward you or away. It also reclines to 4 different positions making it suitable from birth. The large underside basket gives you plenty of storage space, and the Bee’s narrow width (just 51cm) makes it easy to slide through even the tightest spaces. The best thing… the price tag is a lot easier to swallow than the Cameleon. Available at Baby Bunting.

Now how could I justify getting a second pram…. ?

We have taken to calling our daughter Tallulah the “Tully Monster” (among other nicknames). But if I had have had a son I would definitely be decking him out in gear from Munster Kids. Check out these great little pillows:

I don’t know why Scandinavian design always seems to trump the rest of the world? Maybe because of all the cold they spend more time indoors dreaming up good looking furniture ideas! Many of you will have seen the Leander Cot… but it now also comes in white (original version is birch wood). This great looking cot transforms into a toddler bed with a number of stages along the way… but beware it is on the pricey side! Available from Kido Store.