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Categories
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Ali's A-List
Get the inside scoop on all things giggle from our very own CEO and Founder, Ali Wing.
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9 Months
Expecting? We've got some great advice to prepare you for your pregnancy and the birth of your child.
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Nursing Know-How
Start your breastfeeding off right with helpful information from non-profit Best for Babes.
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City Mom
Learn strategies for navigating public transportation, crowded streets and small living spaces from Manhattan mom Monica Storch.
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Healthy Home
Build a healthy environment for your baby with practical and easy tips from national nonprofit Healthy Child Healthy World.
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Parent Talk
Get tips from the trenches with this information-packed blog from the authors of The Rookie Mom's Handbook and Stuff Every Mom Should Know, Heather Flett and Whitney Moss.
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Hip Baby
Get fun fashion advice from blogger Nadia Carriere for the 40 weeks before and after your baby is born.
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Grab Bag
What's happening at giggle? Get the latest, learn about promotions, and read posts by some giggle friends and special guests.
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A-List Interview: Dipali Patwa, Masala Baby Founder & Creative Director
I love Masala Baby’s kids’ clothes, with their bold colors, global inspiration, and eclectic styles handmade by artisans in India. (Check them out, if you haven’t already. They make great, unique gifts!). So when I had the chance to sit down and chat in-depth with the woman behind the designs — founder, creative director, and mom of one, Dipali Patwa — I was thrilled. After speaking with her, it’s so clear that the contemporary global feel of her brand is a direct result of the places Dipali has traveled, the people she’s met, and the experiences she’s had. And after hearing a bit of what inspires her, it’s easy to imagine that at the heart of each piece of clothing is its own story. More
My 4 Favorite Spring Cleaning Essentials
Spring has officially sprung! Which means lots of clear skies, fresh air, and sunny days are hopefully ahead. However, it also means that inevitable, yet not-so-fun activity of spring cleaning is upon us all. (Not always so easy when you’ve got little ones running around!) When it comes time to roll up my sleeves and get to work, I’m all about using cleaning essentials that are healthy, smart, and practical — three themes that definitely inspired our giggle Better Basics cleaning line.
Here are some of my personal go-tos that make it a little easier for me to keep a healthy, clean, and organized living space for the whole family. More
Ask Ali: Sun-Safe Products for Babies and Kids?
You’ve got questions – Ali’s got answers! Our “Ask Ali” series features some of the questions we hear most from our customers.
Q: I can’t wait to take my kids outside more now that it’s getting warmer! Have any suggestions for summertime products that are sun-safe?
A: I can’t wait for the warm sunny days either! Spending time outside in the spring and summer with family are some of my best memories. And, like any parent, the last thing you want to worry about when you’re outside having fun is whether or not your kids are getting the sun protection they need. Here are some of my favorite no-fuss summertime products — all of which offer premium protection from the sun’s rays, so you won’t have to think twice before heading outdoors for some summer fun. More
Spring Sprucing: Colorful Décor Picks to Brighten Up Any Kids’ Room
Spring is right around the corner, and you know that means… time to bring in some color! Whether you’re designing the nursery or looking to add a pop of color to your playroom, here are some of my favorite key pieces that I hope will inspire you.
Alex Marshall Personalized Banks, $70 – only at giggle
How cute is this giraffe-shaped bank? Designed by Alex Marshall, handmade, and personalized with the child’s name and birthday, it brings a fun pop of orange (one of my favorite colors!) into any room. But the best part: this sweet little bank teaches little kids the value of a dollar early.
Drew Kids Chair, $150 – only at giggle
This pint-sized throne is perfect for any little prince or princess — and it’s comfy, too! With a bold color and stand-out look, it works in any room of the house. Plus, kids love the feel of its soft velvet fabric as they curl up to read their favorite book or catch a movie.
My World Jumbo Wood Panel, $220
I love that this wood print is both a work of art and a great educational tool. (Plus, it’s pretty fun to look at.) Each continent features happy animals roaming from place to place, and has its own unique color so kids can tell each one apart. What better way to teach kids about the world they live in?
Oopsy Daisy Décor Collection, $25-159
This bright and cheery décor collection from Oopsy Daisy has everything you need to add a splash of color to an otherwise colorless room. From personalized growth charts to bold bedside lamps to creative wall decals you can apply yourself, each piece features the unique artwork of Gale Kaseguma.
Chalk Table & Benches, $100 – only at giggle
More than just a place to do arts and crafts, this giggle-exclusive table and bench set features a reversible chalkboard top that offers little artists their very own blank canvas. My favorite part: remove the chalkboard top, and you’ll find a hidden storage compartment underneath —so you can easily stash all their art supplies out of view.
Milk Moon Kids Creative Growth Charts, $44
These fun and colorful growth charts from Milk Moon Kids keep track of every inch your little one sprouts — making them one of my favorite gift ideas. Tack one on the wall, hang it from the back of their bedroom door, or roll it up and keep it as a keepsake to look at later.
Trend Report: Soft, Lush, and Textured
At the trade shows last fall, I noticed all sorts of textures, from glossy and metallic to more natural ones like leather and corduroy. One notable trend within the trend was shearling (AKA sheepskin) which has a soft, luxurious feel and a sophisticated style. Here are some of my favorite takes on the trend:
ERGObaby Winter Edition Carrier, $195: Great for parents who like to get outdoors during the winter months, this cozy carrier will keep your baby toasty.
Longwool Soft Rug, $85: Use it as a rug, or use it to line your baby’s stroller or car seat. Either way, this 100% natural lambskin rug has a super luxurious feel.
Xplory Winter Kit, $300: Fans of the Stokke Xplory can warm up winter walks with sheepskin lining for your baby and sheepskin-lined hand muffs for you!
Cuddle Bear, $50: This cute little bear, made of Australian sheepskin, is an extra-cuddly companion that feels silky soft.
Sleep Sheep Pouf, $15: It’s not made from actual sheepskin, but it’s a cute and affordable way to tap in to the trend.
Trend Report: Staying “Neutral” — in the Nursery and On-the-Go
Baby trends come and go, but a neutral color palette never goes out of style. When you lay a foundation with neutrals, you can swap out accent colors to keep the look fresh. Plus, neutrals offer a sophisticated alternative to traditional baby colors and blend perfectly with grown-up style.
“Greige” is among the hottest neutrals right now—and our exclusive Bugaboo Cameleon C3 fits the trend beautifully. (In this case, I use the word “trend” loosely, because the sophisticated combination of charcoal grey and off-white will never look dated.) We love this all-utility stroller, and are proud that this color combo is a giggle exclusive.
Neutral colors look great in the nursery, too. From accessories like the wonderful Jonathan Adler Elephant and Lion Nightlights and the School of Fish Bamboo Mobile, to wall art like the Elephant Baby Wood Print or the My World Jumbo Wood Panel, neutrals play well with other colors and help create a soothing environment.
For some grown-up examples of neutral, see Lonny magazine’s recent feature about New York’s own Haven’s Kitchen. Or, to get inspired with greige, check out my recent greige blog post and our greige Pinterest board!
Ali’s Crush List: Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Whole Family
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like heart-shaped gifts, splashes of red, and a whole lot of love. And because it’s never too early to start showering your little one with some V-Day-inspired gifts, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites for tiny tots — plus some for parents, too!
Emerald Green: Pantone’s 2013 “Color of the Year”
What color will be taking over in 2013? I have a feeling you’ll be seeing a lot of green this year!
According to the color experts at Pantone, the new “it” color is Emerald Green. Lively, radiant, and lush, it’s “a color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”
From emerald to olive to malachite, here are a few pieces from the kids market to get you thinking green!
Ali’s A-List: Best of 2012
Each week, our CEO and founder Ali Wing brings you insider knowledge and tips about what you need to know when preparing for your new baby. This week’s round-up includes a look back at some of her top tips from 2012.
Ask Ali: How Do I Choose a Stroller?
Strollers are a big-ticket item, so it’s no wonder parents really take the time to do their research. The best place to start? Knowing your options. First, figure out what type of stroller you want, then decide which features will matter to you most.
Back to Basics
One good thing about the economy: everyone seems to be embracing the trend of “less is more.” This new minimalism means smarter shopping — and not just buying fewer things, but expecting more of them.
Ask Ali: How Do I Choose Products That Will Last Longer and Do More?
By shopping smart and investing a little more up front, you can expect more from your purchases. That might mean buying a sturdier brand that won’t need to be replaced, or it could mean buying something that grows with your baby, which will save you extra purchases down the road.
Ask Ali: The Best Toys for Toddlers
I love wooden toys for healthy play because you never have to wonder what’s in them, as long as the wood is untreated or painted with nontoxic paints. And there are a lot of great wooden toys that offer new takes on the classics, keeping the category fresh and contemporary.
Must-haves for Summer Travel
Make your family travels more enjoyable for everyone with these travel must-haves.
A-List Interview: Lisa Mahar, Founder of Kid O
This week I’d like to introduce you to Lisa Mahar the founder of Kid O. I love Lisa’s clean designs and smart aesthetic, including a great line of giggle-exclusive toys in our signature “giggle orange.” Lisa is a super hard worker who has slowly but surely built Kid O into the company it is today, from her first tiny store in the West Village into a distributor and wholesaler of smart, modern toys. I’m excited to bring you this A-List Interview so you can learn more about her!
