My baby girl will be a whole 12 months olds in just a few weeks--a year! I can hardly believe it. I am loving this interactive phase we're in; she's playful and silly and full of mischief and fun; but I have to admit, I'm simultaneously a little sad to see the "baby-baby" stage ...read more
We love babies, bloggers, and brand new gear--so, of course, we adore our annual trip to the Chicago Baby Show. We peruse new products, engage in panels and seminars, and host influencers in our own VIP lounge and broadcast booth. But the absolute best part is trend-spotting the ...read more
MUST-HAVE 1: Love to Dream Swaddles Babies need quality sleep. And, you know, what Mamas do too! Nevertheless, getting sufficient zzz’s when you have a newborn at home can be quite the challenge. Research shows that babies sleep better if they are swaddled and ...read more
September is Baby Safety Month—and as a blogger and mom, I want to do my part to spread the message about keeping infants rear-facing in car seats until they turn two. That’s right, Mamas, resist temptation and keep those bucket seats backwards for as long as you can... But, ...read more
It's pretty obvious that we love discovering the latest and greatest in all things BABY here at Momtrends. It's incredible how quickly things change in that market space. New registry must-haves and gotta-have gear seemingly appear in stores overnight. It's fascinating... even ...read more
My sweet girl might be growing up, but she’s still very much a baby. She was a late crawler and an even later walker, and if my memory serves me right, I believe she measured below the 15th percentile in both weight and height at her last pediatrician appointment. She’s a ...read more
April showers bring May flowers... or, you know, so the saying goes. We're only a few days into the month, and we've already seen some seriously wet weather. And the 10-day forecast? Well, it calls for rain. Lots of it. Bucket loads. Ugh. After a brutal winter, I'm ready for ...read more
I had a baby just a little over two years ago… and yet somehow it feels like it’s been forever—especially when I see all the latest and greatest baby gadgets, gizmos, and must-have gear. How have their been so many game-changing product launches in the 28 months since I was ...read more
I've always loved Nordstrom. It's my favorite store, and also my first place of employment. The summer between my sophomore and junior years of college, I worked in the BP section—and spent my entire earnings on trendy clothes and shoes. (Because, employee discount!) It was back ...read more
If you haven't noticed, we're all about picnic season here at The Shopping Mama. Really, anything that brings us outdoors is a win. Now that the warm weather has arrived, you can find us at the park, playground, or pool most days. One thing that always comes with us: our Monkey ...read more
Baby’s bedtime… It’s my favorite part of the day. (And not just because it means Mama gets an hour or two to herself before hitting the hay.) I just enjoy the tranquility of it. The kisses. The whispered lullabies. The feeding cuddles... It’s pure sweetness. I’ve weaned my ...read more
As if growing a child in your belly isn’t hard enough, expectant moms have a lot of planning and preparing on their plates. There are doctor’s appointments to make, childcare to be sourced, and items to register for. It can be downright daunting for a first-timer. And shopping ...read more
If you asked me what baby product I get the most use out of, I wouldn’t hesitate to answer for a moment. Without a doubt, it’s my Baby Bjorn Carrier One. It’s been a saving grace for us, and both Baby P and I are absolutely obsessed. You see, P likes to be close to me… Like, ...read more
To say that the choice to stop breastfeeding was a difficult one would be a vast understatement. I tortured myself with my own uncertainty. I cringed every time someone asked me if I was still nursing. I rationalized, and I compensated, and I made excuses, and judged myself like ...read more
Few things can motivate me to run—by choice, that is. (Cardio is not my jam.) But a stylish jogging stroller—well, I'll get my sweat on for the opportunity to test out a hot new piece of baby gear. And the brand new Bugaboo Runner might just be the coolest, sleekest, most amazing ...read more
I’m going to admit something that usually earns me some enemies... I don’t like South Beach. Sorry, Miami gals, it’s nothing personal! It’s just that, well, you’re way to fab for me. You ladies can stay up late and party hardy and wear neon crop tops and rock beach hair and ...read more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvGVxJdUYMQ&feature=youtu.be We love a stylish stroller here at The Shopping Mama. And the Orla Kiely stroller doesn’t disappoint. It marries the functionality of a traditional Maclaren baby buggy with Orla Keily’s signature fashion-forward ...read more
My friend used to joke that once she became a mother she stopped noticing other women’s engagement rings and started admiring their strollers instead… Stylish mamas love their Stokkes and their Bugabos and their Quinnys and their fancy-schmancy three-wheeled joggers. We treat our ...read more
We’ve been on a quest to find a high-quality umbrella stroller—one that’s sturdy, offers a smooth ride, provides plenty of storage, and is lightweight, easy to handle, pleasing to the eye, and comfortable for Baby too. That’s not asking too much—is it? … Enter the Baby Cargo ...read more
“It is your editorial duty to write about strollers responsibly.” I may be paraphrasing slightly, but this notion, spoken by Momtrends’ founder Nicole Feliciano, really stuck with me. We have a responsibility to do our research and share the facts—especially when it comes to ...read more
Hard to believe that May is almost over! Before we close out the month, here are a few of the new brands and products that hit my radar this month. From uber-soft teddy bears and adorable socks to an innovative bowl to cool food and fun picnic-ready (and kid-protected) glassware, ...read more
BEST EVERYDAY STROLLER - Baby Jogger City Mini GT Wherever you live, whatever your lifestyle, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT is one of our favorite stroller picks for moms. Let’s start with its patented, one-handed, Quick-Fold Technology. You grab a handle in the seat and pull ...read more
In the market for a stroller? Here are four new and soon-to-be released stylish strollers to keep your eye on. Which is your favorite? Mamas & Papas special edition Donna Wilson urbo2 (available now) Donna Wilson may not be a household name here in the U.S., but this well-known ...read more
Fall is my favorite time to take my family camping. The crisp air makes a camp fire that much more enjoyable, the gold and crimson leaves setting the perfect backdrop for family walks, explorations, and star-gazing. Plus, you skip the summer crowds and get to truly enjoy the ...read more
