And the Cribsie goes to....(cont.)

Stroller Traffic, A-List Mom and Diapers.com are hosting a fantastic Awards program right now. I've been listing my votes and commenting on the selection. But as I said before, the list is loooonnng.  So I had to break it up.  Here's the rest:



GEAR:
Ultimate Do-It-All Stroller - Baby Jogger City Series
 
Chicest Diaper Bag That Doesn't Look Like A Diaper Bag - Timi& Leslie {great if you are going incog-mommy and don't want your bag to advertise it contains nappies and milk and wipes and things}

Best Way To Recycle Used Baby Stuff - BrightZoo

Comfiest Infant Tub - Puj Tub {Best infant tub hands down}

Most Necessary Car Seat Accessory - Safe Fit Baby-In-Sight Mirror

Coziest Winter Must-Have - JJ Cole BundleMe

Best Diaper Pail - Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Pail

Coolest Stroller Add-On - Think King Mighty Buggy Hook {these make mall shopping a breeze}

The One Thing You Can't Leave Home Without - gogo Kidz Travelmate {soooo much better than buying a travel car seat or having to rent one at your destination}
 
Most Comfortable Way To Wear Your Baby - Sleepy Wrap {a life-saver when your newborn just won't settle}

FASHION:
Cutest Socks To Build An Outfit Around - Trumpette {a better description would be the cutest socks for every outfit}

Gentlest Detergent For Baby Togs - Dapple

Best Shoes For Developing Feet - Pediped

Loveliest Layette Essentials - Pixie Lily {they make the most beautiful and softest layette...love them}

Most Darling Dress-Up Duds - Ralph Lauren {for boys, but my real vote goes to Matilda Jane, who should've been nominated}

Ultimate Street-Cool Appeal - A For Apple {their clothes for boys are actually cool and not just....strange looking}

Best Way To Score Mad Deals On Luxe Labels - Gilt Children {for the bargain fashionista in us all}

Comfiest Pajamas - Hanna Andersson {their PJs are amazing. they are super soft and last FOREVER even after many many many many MANY washes in HOT water. love love love them}

Most Durable Basics That Don't Look Like Basics - Mini Boden

Best Inside Track On Kids' Wear Trends - Child Mode

WEB:
Best Place To Connect With Other Moms - MomsLikeMe 

Most Addictive Celebrity Baby Site - Celebrity Baby Scoop

Top Go-To Resource For Expecting Moms - The Bump

Coolest Design Ideas For The Nursery - Nursery Notations

Yummiest Toddler Recipes - Weelicious {this has been such a big help for me because I have such a hard time coming up with new meal ideas for my little ones}

Sleekest Family E-Zine - Babiekins magazine

Best DIY Announcements And Invites - Tiny Prints {there are lots of imitators now but Tiny Prints is still the best}

Most Trustworthy Product Reviews - CoolMomPicks

Smartest Family Travel Tips - PoshBrood

Easiest Place To Spend A Paycheck - Giggle  {their store is so soothing an easy to shop in. and I LOVE that their CEO is a woman!}

 *   *   *

Phewww......now that's a lot of top picks.  Happy shopping!

Boutique Magnifique

I recently moved to Washington, DC and while I was born and raised in this area, I have been in New York for so long now I feel like a New Yorker.  So, returning to this area has been a huge adjustment.

 Like any good New Yorker {read snob}, I think every other city is just not good enough.  The restaurants are not as good. The shopping's not as good. The people aren't as interesting {read rude}. 

For an urban-mom like me that includes the baby boutiques, activities and Mommy and Me groups.  Will they be as trendy?  Will there be tons of activities to choose from?  Will I even want to join any of the groups?

Well the answer to the first question at least is a resounding Yes!  I know that Georgetown has always been a generally cool place to shop, but I didn't know Capitol Hill was so fab!  I particularly love the row of family-friendly shops near Eastern Market and especially Dawn Price Baby.  They have all of the best baby gear, clothing and gifts that you could want.  Her taste is impeccable.  I strolled through their Capitol Hill shop thinking "I like that, and that and that and that, ooh and that too!"  So, of course, I had to pick up a few things that I needed {eehhm yes needed} for my little ones -- French flash cards, mitten clips and an über cute cable knit outfit. 

If you are a NYC-transplant in the DC area, be sure to check out Dawn Price Baby.  And for a few minutes you may forget that you're strolling the shops in our nation's capital and think you've just stumbled across a cute new baby boutique in SoHo.

My absolute fav newborn item...

Sleepy Wrap

I am a big fan of babywearing {because it's great for baby and perfect for multi-tasking moms} so when baby #2 came along, I knew I had to find a better sling.  With my first little one I tried the conventional slings, the custom-sized slings, and of course the Baby Bjorn {which I still love, but is better for older babies}.  And nothing worked for my newborn.  They were either to rough or he just didn't enjoy being in them.  When I stumbled upon Sleepy Wrap I knew I had found a keeper.

Sure enough, when my little one arrived and I popped him in, he was instantly in heaven {and asleep}! Whenever he is tired and fussy, and can't be soothed easily, I just slip him into my Sleepy Wrap.  When he was just a few weeks old and we were ready to be out and about, I would carry him in the Sleepy Wrap and he felt so protected and content.  I love love love this product...especially because it comes in the best shade of my favorite color!

Update:
I just decided to look at these videos on how to use your Sleepy Wrap and they are fantastic! They make using the wrap even easier.