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Hedvig Bourbon is a new line of stroller totes and accessories designed with emphasis on function and style. The designer was inspired to create the collection after she searched for a chic bag that could double as a diaper bag for her son Lucas. When everything she found seemed unpractical and dated, the Hedvig Bourbon collection was born.

Visually the collection has a touch of whimsical - with fresh colors and bold prints. It currently includes the Lucas Stroller Tote, Judabee Pouch, Amelie Stroller Liner & Santo Clutch.

See below for details:



Hedvig Bourbon's signature product is the Lucas Stroller Tote and is designed for Moms & Dads on the move. It has a unique strap design that hooks around the handles of your stroller and can be easily converted from a stroller tote to an over-the-shoulder bag. In addition, there are several pockets to help you stay organized - a large pocket in the back with a magnetic snap for changing pad, and 2 pockets on the front for other quick access needs. Inside the tote are 2 pockets for diapers, wipes and bottle, a deep zipper pocket, and an interior cell phone pocket and key-ring clip.



Need a smaller pouch for your baby? You will love the convenience of the Judabee Pouch! I received mine a few weeks ago and was immediately drawn to the beautiful interior & exterior colors, the quality of the fabric and the amazing stiching. The pouch had beautiful details and is designed with a wrist handle, magnetic snap closure and opens up revealing two pockets for diapers & wipes. It was really easy to use the pouch on-the-go by just slipping it in my handbag or by hanging it on Brianna's stroller handle when we went out for errands or walks - my favorite!



Looking for your baby to have something comfy to lie on in the stroller? The Amelie Stroller Liner blends function and style creating a clean and cozy environment for your baby in the stroller. The stroller liner is designed to fit the harness of most strollers on the market. The front is in a deluxe 100% cotton terry velour with cotton canvas for the back lining and borders in print fabric matching the stroller tote and other accessories.


The Santo Clutch folds out with 2 built-in pockets for diapers & wipes and has a wrist handle making it a chic and neat all-in-one changing pad. It has a light padding and is soft for your baby to lie on. For easy cleaning, the inner lining is water repellent and stain resistant.

The Hedvig Bourbon Collection colors include Navy Denim, Sage, Fuchsia and Turquoise with matching interior lining patterns. All fabrics and materials are of the highest quality to ensure that the stroller totes and accessories stand up to the rigors of everyday use. You can purchase yours online by clicking here!

Stylish Factor: Stylish Mom Readers will get a 20% discount with coupon code "stylishmoms" - it will be applied as a refund after your purchase by emailing sales@hedvigboubon.com (expiration date is 1/31/08).

Price: Starts at $40

Tip One: Make Yourself a Priority
Liz Lange recommends that you schedule at least one hour each week just for you. Go for a quick trip to the mall or get a manicure, but without the kids in tow. If getting out of the house is impossible, then schedule an hour each week for a hot, relaxing bubble bath.

Tip Two: Shop Online
“A new mother once told me that she found the perfect Prada purse while breastfeeding,” says Liz. “That is the beauty of shopping online.” Liz advises that before you begin shopping online, you should familiarize yourself with the sizes and fits of the designer or brand. Once you know how their clothes fit your body, you will virtually eliminate the need for any returns.
New mom's can also shop online for their baby and any of their other children at www.splendid.com. Splendid Littles have the most cozy, luxe onesis and are available for ages 6-12 months thru 7 years old. That will make you a fashionable mommy for sure!

Tip Three: Fashion Swap
To save time and money, Liz suggests that moms get together once a season to swap clothes, shoes and accessories with their friends and family. “Try swapping kid’s clothes and toys too,” says Liz. “It’s not only practical, but it’s fun.”
The Fashion Swap can be more than just clothing...La Loop also has fantastic necklaces with a function for the mom on the go. The necklaces have a loop for you to hang the arm of your eyewear. Now you will have a place to put your glasses while taking care of the new baby or meeting with her friends for the Fashion Swap!

Stay tuned for Stylish Moms Holiday Gift Guide next week!

I kept seeing advertising for this new playset from Playskool - so I decided to check it out. The Rose Petal Cottage is a place where your daughter can play, imagine and discover. A lightweight cottage that's made just for her with beautiful appliances and accessories that she can arrange however she likes and also easy to store away. A home that's small enough to be cozy...and big enough for a world of make-believe.

Lightweight yet strong, roomy yet wonderfully cozy, the Rose Petal Cottage comes in two halves that nest neatly together after play. Each piece is designed and crafted with premium materials, creating a play environment that looks beautiful in your home. Plus the Rose Petal Cottage includes a little blue play stove with knobs that turn and an oven that really opens.

Best of all, the Rose Petal Cottage can be furnished with a wide selection of the prettiest household amenities from the DREAM TOWN Collection, including the washing machine, kitchen sink and nursery set. And don't forget the DREAM TOWN signature rose print lounge chair and muffin baking set (each sold separately)! The DREAM TOWN Collection gives your little girl the house of her dreams, right next to the nicest neighbor she knows – you!

Stayed tuned to Stylish Moms - we have reviews coming this week for Hedvig Bourbon, MommyMixer, Epson and more!

As I mentioned last month, Stylish Moms is in the process of moving to a new site to serve our readers and partners better. We will make the move very soon and I am extremely excited about it!

We will have a fresh look and offer more features at the new site. Here's a peek at our new logo and I can't wait to show you the rest in a few weeks - Thanks for your patience :)

Pixie Dust is a children’s decor and accessories place that I know you will love! Inspired by classic children’s nursery books, vintage French textiles and 1960’s collectibles, Pixie Dust prints and products are both whimsical & unique.

All of their textiles are designed by founder Stacy McCallum and printed on 100% pre-shrunk cotton poplin making them soft and easy to care for. Textiles are available by the yard and come in the most charming style you will find.

I was able to sample their bib and cloth set recently (see photo). I almost didn’t want to unwrap it. The presentation was beautiful and the products were extremely soft and very durable.

Consider Pixie Dust for your next baby shower gift or for yourself!

I know you are thinking how is that possible – but with the Bath Desserts collection it is!

Bath Desserts is a fun, hip and imaginative company that makes hemp seed oil infused bath and body products and age-defying beauty treatments for the entire body. Hemp seed oil, the key ingredient that makes Bath Desserts unique, contains the perfect ratio of poly-unsaturated essential fatty acids, known for their excellent moisturizing and healing properties.

Their bath collection includes Hemp Seed Oil Sorbet Sugar Scrubs, Fizz Balls, Body Butters, Body Soufflé Lotions, Body Melt Truffles, Lip Butters and Bath Sprinkles – and I will give you the scoop on several of them :)

The first product I used was the Hemp Seed Butter Infused Harvest Sorbet Sugar Scrub. I used it on my legs a few weeks ago and the scrub exfoliated them perfectly. My skin felt very smooth, looked healthy and smelled great.

After the Sugar Scrub, I was ready for the tub products the next night. I filled up my oversized garden tub and tossed in the Hemp Seed Oil Infused Plumeria Fizz Ball. It bubbled away as my daughter and I watched it disappear. As I stepped in and relaxed in the tub, it definitely felt like a pampering session for me. The oil from the ball moisturized my skin and had that great Plumeria fragrance. Another night, I tried the Hemp Seed Oil Infused Plumeria Bath Sprinkles. It also had that great Plumeria fragrance and my body felt like it was rejuvenated.

Each time I had my spa-like bath, I used the Hemp Seed Butter Infused Vanilla Body Butter. It was very rich and a little went a long way. My skin looked healthy, moisturized and refreshed!

My favorite from the collection were the Hemp Seed Butter Infused Mango Body Melt Truffles. They looked exactly like white chocolate truffles (see above), but were loaded with hemp seed butter and mango butter. After my shower, the truffle melted and left my skin deeply moisturized and rehydrated. Each time I used Bath Dessert my entire bathroom smelled amazing and so did I!

All Bath Desserts products are handmade in the United States, are eco-friendly, contain no animal-derived ingredients and are not tested on animals. They are available in spas, medi-spas and on the Bath Desserts website.

While visiting the site, checkout their NEW children’s line called Bath Desserts Hemp Kidz - which includes the Orange Sherbet and Pink Bubblegum collections.

Stylish Factor: You will enjoy a total pampering and beauty treatment with Bath Desserts products – have fun!

Price: Varies

In the spirit of the season and to celebrate babies, Baby Star is giving away 12 amazing gifts throughout the holiday season!

Entering is very simple - just click here and enter your email, along with two email addresses of friends that you think would love to also win.



Good Luck!

With the Christmas holidays around the corner, there will be plenty of opportunities for hosting family gatherings, cooking and entertaining. If you are searching for that stylish accessory to your wardrobe, you must check out Apronique. It is a unique collection of contemporary aprons that reflect today’s fashion trends.


Apronique’s newest apron line is my favorite because it features reversible 2-in-1 aprons constructed from stain repellent fabric in a variety of hip & trendy designs. I recently used my Royal Bouquet apron as I prepared for a dinner party at my home and it remained stain-free. It was very comfortable to wear and draped nicely against my clothes. My girlfriends immediately asked where I found it and raved about how chic my apron looked. The best part is I can reverse my apron and have a new look at my next dinner party :)

Pick out your chic apron today!

Stylish Factor: Each apron is made with high performance fabrics with impressive designs!

Price: Starts at $34.99 and gift certificates are available.

On my recent trip to Whole Foods Market, I had the opportunity to use a skeeda reusable grocery bag. It was very lightweight and had plenty of room for my fruits, veggies and frozen foods. The canvas bag was comfortable on my shoulder as I walked to my car and easy to store when not in use.

It actually felt good to be "environment friendly" by using skeeda's bag because I was one of the ones asking for plastic at the checkout a few weeks ago. As I was doing my research, I was amazed to learn that 96% of all plastic bags end up in our landfills and that the US consumes 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually requiring approximately 12 million barrels of oil. These are alarming statistics and its important for us all to start saving energy and helping our environment.

So, if you haven't started using reusable bags, start today!

Stylish Factor: The bags come in fashionable designs and can be used as a purse or everyday tote.

Price: $15

This list of top 10 unsafe toys on shelves is provided by Don Keenan, founder of Keenan’s Kids Foundation, who is a local child advocate and attorney.



Magnetix 75 Piece Assortment Collector’s Tin $19.99 by Mega Brands Ages 6+ Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Potential for choking injuries. Magnets that are swallowed can connect in the intestines, resulting in tissue damage, infection, and death.

Rocket Pocket Miniature Electric Motorcycle $183.22 by Razor USA, LLC Ages 12+ years Purchased at Wal-Mart HAZARD: Potential for severe bodily injuries or death

Heelys $29.99 - $79.99 by Heeling Sports LTD Ages 5+ Purchased at Kids Foot Locker HAZARD: Potential for severe head injuries and injuries to others

Creepy Crawlers Bug Maker $19.99 by Flying Colors Ages 8+ years Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Potential for electric shock and burn injuries.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End Sensor Sword with Magic Ring $17.99 by Zizzle Ages 5+ Purchased at Target HAZARD: Potential for eye and other bodily injuries.

Disney Princess Small Dolls - Favorite Moments $19.99 by Toys R Us Ages 3+ Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Potential for choking. Small Pieces.

Lil’ Snoopy $7.99 by Fisher Price Age 1+ Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Potential for Strangulation

Elmo’s World: Talking Cell Phone $9.99 by Fisher-Price Ages 18+ months Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Potentially dangerous levels of noise.

Yo-Yo Squeeze Toy $1.29 by Ja-Ru, Inc. Ages 4+ Purchased at KB Toys HAZARD: Potential for strangulation injuries.

Hello Kitty Flavored Lip Balms and Nail Polishes $7.99 by Sanrio & Townley Cosmetics Age 5+ Purchased at Toys R Us HAZARD: Contains the potentially toxic chemical Phthalate. Children can ingest toxins put on lips and fingernails

Here are some quick facts about Flu Shots for kids:

1 - Kids between 6 months and 5 years old need a flu shot every year.

2- Parents, close contacts (anyone who lives with them) and out of home caregivers of children under age 5 should also have a flu shot. This is especially important for those who care for kids under 6 months old.

3 - Children six months to 9 years who are receiving the flu shot for the first time need to receive two doses. The first dose introduces the virus and the second dose provides immunity. The doses must be given one month apart. The vaccine becomes effective two weeks after the second dose is given.

Other Kids That Need Flu Shots:

Any child age 6 months to 18 years with chronic health problems, including:

-Asthma or other lung problems
-Weak immune systems
-Chronic kidney disease or problems
-Heart disease
-HIV/AIDS
-Diabetes
-Sickle cell anemia or other blood disorders
-Long-term aspirin therapy
-Any condition that makes breathing difficult

What else do you need to know?

1 - Kids age 2-5 years are more likely to be taken to the doctor or emergency room because of the flu.

2 - Kids are the biggest spreaders of the flu.

3 - Because they don’t typically practice good hand hygiene and are exposed to many other people, children share the flu germs very easily. Vaccination helps reduce the chances of a flu epidemic.
Just because it is getting late into the season, doesn’t mean it is too late to get a flu shot.

4 - The best way to protect children under 6 months old from the flu is for all members of the household and all caregivers to get a flu shot.
Don’t forget the unborn children! Pregnant women are considered high risk for complications from the flu and should have a flu shot if they will be pregnant during the flu season.

Courtesy of About.com

A few weeks ago, I received the 2008 Hot Mama Calendar in the mail! It definitely grabbed my attention because the cover was pink and appeared to be like no other calendar I had seen. I flipped through each calendar month and saw portraits of 11 beautiful mothers with their children. Each month included the mom’s personal quote of advice.

My favorite quote was from Kathy (December Hot Mama) - "Raise your babies with the most priceless gift, the gift of confidence. Confident babies, grow into confident adults; they will always love you and appreciate that you did so."



The Hot Mama calendar came packed with extra goodies, too. It features large squares to track your daily events, long notes section for each month , fun sticker pages with 378 reminder stickers, 16 tear-off grocery & to do lists, 2008 event reminder page, 4 pages of emergency contacts & phone numbers, large babysitting notes section and one month of space to insert your own photo of your favorite Hot Mama!

So what does it mean to be a Hot Mama – smart, stylish and strong – and that is definitely you!

Stylish Factor: A portion of the calendar proceeds will be donated to Donors Choose which is a charity that provides students in need with resources that public schools often lack. It is also a fun calendar that is perfect for busy moms.

Price: $19.99

My daughter is a big fan of animals because she can identify just about every one of them (Giraffe, Elephant, Lion, Monkey, Zebra, Alligator, Frog and the list goes on). She even decided to be a Lion this year for Halloween and made the cutest roar sound you ever heard. So, imagine our delight to try out a Zoobie Pet!

Zoobie Pets is a mix of creativity and innovation. It is a plush animal, a soft pillow and a warm blanket all in one! Each lovable animal comes with an ear tag and neck collar. They also come in vibrant rich colors and details the essentials of each animal.



Our Zoobie Pet was Mashaka the Monkey. Immediately Brianna gave her red monkey a big hug and cuddled with it for hours. She watched closely as I opened it up to a pillow and then to a blanket. She enjoyed every moment with it in her room, downstairs by the tv, during nap time and on road trips.

Her Zoobie Pet was very, very soft and I know your child will enjoy it for many years. It is the perfect companion!

Stylish Factor: If there is a spill on your Zoobie Pet, don’t worry because the inner blanket is detachable and washable.

See below the three ways you can transform Kojo the Croc:

1 - Plush Animal


2 - Soft Pillow


3 - Warm Blanket

Thanks for your patience as we work on the new site and new features for Stylish Moms!

There will be more regular posts this week and we are adding our newest feature called the "Stylish Factor" to each post going forward. It will be one cool fact that I identify at the end of each post.

Tell me what you think!

According to research, more than 2 million American women have been treated for breast cancer. After treatment, have you ever thought about what you should wear after surgery?

Wear Ease® designs and manufactures post-mastectomy lingerie for women to wear after breast or chest surgery.



The Dawn Camisole is a feminine cotton camisole worn home from the hospital after a lumpectomy or mastectomy. The Dawn camisole undergarment offers unique elastic support for the healthy breast and two drainage pouches (front and back). Made of high grade cotton, breathable for all types of climates, with spandex, makes it easy to step into and easy to pull down for dressing changes and doctor exams.



The Dawn Camisole is lightweight, comfortable, soft and pretty and can be worn layered under clothes. Its feminine features include satin lingerie elastic at the neckline and armholes and a bit of lace in the v-front. Two triangular shaped fiber-fill leisure forms provide a natural shape without the weight of a silicone prosthesis or the restraint of a bra.



*Sizes range from extra small to 2X

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and several companies have teamed up with national cancer organizations to raise money for the cause. By purchasing products below - it allows portions of the sale to be donated charity.

1 - The Exclusive Pink Dyson Vaccuum at Target



2 - Oka b. Spa Thong in Ballerina Pink



3 - Conair's Pink Ceramic Straightener



4 - Hershey's Pink Candies at your area grocery stores.



5 - Lean Cuisine Lunch Totes



6 - Philosophy Shower for the Cure



7 - Campbell Soups at your local grocery stores.



8 - Pink Silicone Bracelets at your local stores.



9 - Casio EX-Z75 at your local electronic store



10 - In Touch Breast Self-Exam Glove

Bugabike, the latest trend in bicycles, has just arrived in the USA and Canada. I was reading this week - studies show that 100% of children who have used a Bugabike, can ride a bike immediately without stabilizers and enjoy the experience.

As we know, learning to ride a bicycle is one of life’s milestones, the first step to gaining true independence. For parents, there is no prouder moment than the sight of their own child pedaling away in the distance having mastered its art :)

Learner bikes, such as Bugabike, are the perfect introduction to the world of cycling for youngsters and help to develop this early learning skill. They have been produced for children who are too young to ride a traditional bike. The simple, pedal-less design of learner bikes means children have to power them by pushing their feet against the ground, and use their feet to restore balance. By separating the steering and balance function from the pedaling, children can learn to balance without any other distractions.

Children are natural learners and constantly absorb new experiences. They love to make independent progress and by having a Bugabike, cycling is something they can learn how to master on their own. They will discover how it works, how to keep in equilibrium and how to make it move faster. Within a short time they will have more confidence about staying upright and will soon be coasting with their feet away from the ground.

Let your child discover Bugabike by clicking here.

I have noticed lately that my 2 year old loves to ask for bananas or grapes as a snack, but she also has a habit of asking for cookies or chips (especially in the grocery store when we are going down the snack aisle). Here are some great suggestions for healthier foods for your child. It includes some classic favorites and fun alternatives:

• Create fresh fruit kabobs on skewers.
• Roll a banana in orange juice and coconut. Freeze and enjoy.
• Wrap sliced turkey or ham around pineapple chunks. Spear with toothpicks.
• Layer fruit on a flat serving dish in colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue & purple.
• Use veggies on a plate to make a face: cucumber eyes, carrot stick eyebrows, cherry tomato nose…anything you can come up with. A slice of cheese can act as the backdrop for the veggies.
• Treat your kids to frozen 100% fruit juice bars or sugar-free fudge pops.
• Make mini ice cream cones with frozen yogurt.

Make sure you are choosing proper portions for your family too! Below is what your healthy servings should resemble:

A 4 ox of beef/pork = size of deck of cards.
1 cup of pasta/cereal = size of baseball
1 medium baked potato = size of computer mouse
2-3 oz of luncheon meat or cheese slice (for sandwiches) = size of compact disc
2 tablespoons of peanut butter = size of table tennis ball

Interested in additional help for your family’s nutrition? Here are some great reads that will send you on your way. All of these books are available on Amazon.com

- The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine. This book helps you get your kids to eat their veggies, include 75 recipes and much more.

- Weight Watchers Family Power by Karen Miller-Kovach. This book gives parents 5 simple rules in creating a healthy-weight home and practical, hands-on advice.

- Conquering Childhood Obesity for Dummies by Meghan Beecher, Michelle Hagen and Kimberly A. Tessmer. This book is packed with helpful advice and effective strategies for getting on the right track to a healthy future.

- The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood: Dr. Sear’s 10 Ways to Get Your Family on the Right Nutritional Track. This book gives parents advice on how to shape young tastes to crave healthy foods in the right portions.

Courtesy of AP

1 - Pop-Tarts Splitz Crazy Good Kid Creative Writing Contest: Get creative and write an essay about the latest addition to the Pop-Tarts family for a chance to win a Dell Inspiron 6400 Notebook laptop, Logitech Digital Writing Prize Pak, Apple iPod (80GB), RCA Small Wonder digital camcorder or Amazon.com gift cards. The contest is for kids ages 8 to 12 and the only requirement for stories is that they include at least one mention of the new Pop-Tarts Splitz. Essays will be accepted online at Poptarts. Deadline is October 22 at midnight.

2 – Prudential Financial 2008 Spirit of Community Award: Students in grades 5-12 are eligible for the award and have the chance to win $5,000 at the national level, as well as a trip to Washington, D.C. Students can submit their applications and description of volunteer projects online at Prudential or by calling 877-525-8491. Deadline is October 31.

Good Luck!

For those readers and families in Atlanta, make sure you experience Zoo Atlanta's signature event called Boo at the Zoo. The Halloween event is held each Friday & Saturday in October and the gates open at 5pm. I had the opportunity to go this weekend and your family will definitely enjoy the enchanted experience.

You can purchase your tickets and get more information by clicking here.

***For readers outside Atlanta, find out if your local zoo or aquarium will be hosting any Halloween events for families. If not, there are always pumpkin patches and other family-oriented Halloween events. Have Fun!

We are currently working with the design and content of the new Stylish Moms site which is why we haven’t posted in a week or two. I didn’t realize that the content portion would take so much of my time :) We have tons of stuff on the way so please be patient and stay tuned!

As you know, October is Breast Cancer Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and Halloween time. We will post over the next few weeks around those themes and much more.

The String Doll Gang by Kamibashi is your new must-have accessory this year! Handmade in Thailand, each String Doll is crafted out one continuous piece of string, replete with sewn detail and a keychain.

Children and adults alike will get a kick out of these unique gift items, which exude artistry and are ready to inspire fun wherever they’re hung: key rings, bags, backpacks, you name it! The collection includes 48 pocked-sized pals—priced at $10 each—with styles that run from cute to kitschy, with Cupid and The Princess alongside Sid the punk-rocker and Jo Ninja.

String Dolls are fun for the whole family and make the perfect gift for holiday gift giving. For Halloween - check out the spooktacularly ghoulish Monster Man, Witchy Woman, Punkin’, and Vampire. At Christmas - Santy, Snowy, and Rudy make sweet, simple stocking-stuffers or eye-catching ornaments.

Established in 2005 by Kristen and Chris Daniels, Kamibashi Asian Art is the exclusive North American distributor of the String Doll Gang. The couple spent 10 years as English instructors in Asia, and stumbled upon the dolls while on vacation in Thailand. Inspired by the creative critters, the Daniels’ decided to bring this special art form back to the States, knowing that they would be an instant hit and elicit equal appreciation across the nation.




***Not for kids under the age of 8