A Yeni is a patent pending, decorative apron that can be worn by parents who are bathing (or feeding) their babies or toddlers, to keep their clothing clean and dry; or by pet owners, when bathing a pet. This is a neat idea that I’m surprised no one thought of before. We all know how wet parents can get when trying to bathe baby - sometimes it seems like you’ve taken a bath, too! The bottom part of the apron is a towel, to help dry baby at the end of bath time. The Yeni comes personalized with your name (or your child’s name, if you prefer) or plain, and is available in a variety of colors/styles. You can view the Yeni at Yeni.com, where you can purchase it for $40 with personalization ($30 without). It would make a unique gift.

If you love the look of all the hip screenprinted shirts for kids that are out there, but aren’t fond of some of the prices, check out these fun tees from Crywolf Clothing. The line is designed by Toronto artists Rose Change and Stephanie Drabik. Their clothing is fun and often a bit quirky–what more could you ask for? Their kids’ line features a number of bold animal prints. My eye was immediately drawn to this rhino. It is available in either yellow or white and in sizes from 2-12. It would be great on either a boy or a girl. It has that hip look that will work with just about anything from jean to khakis to a bohemian skirt.

Best of all, these shirts are very affordable. This tee retails for $12, but it looks like tees from much more expensive brands. You can purchase one at CrywolfStoreUSA.com. Check out the other designs as well. I know my girls would love the penguin design. At $12, you can afford to buy more than one. They would also make great gifts for animal-loving children like my own.

JCPenney.com is currently having a Baby Sale, with savings of 15% to 50% off regular prices. This is a great time to stock up on clothing, furniture, bedding, gifts, even maternity clothing. Items such as the Cherry Finish Toddler Bed by ABC Company, shown above, which normally sells for $149.99, is on sale for just $119.99. If you shop the Baby Clearance section, discounts are even deeper - 50% to 80% off, and you can get items like a 4-piece Magical Moon crib bedding set for $49.99 (originally $99.99). Colors, styles, and sizes are limited, so if you are interested in finding a great bargain, shop now!

I recently stumbled upon this unique vest in Parenting magazine and just had to read more about it. The Peekaru Original Vest is a new way to “wear” your baby. Different from a baby sling, the Peekaroo  is a fleece vest that fits over any traditional baby sling or wrap and provides extra warmth for both you and your baby. It is supposed to fit comfortably over all brands of baby carriers. It’s made of 85% recycled Polartec fleece, with each Peekaru vest saving 25 plastic bottles from heading to the landfill. It is also Okeo-tex Standard 100, so you know it’s eco-friendly. The vest comes in black, blue, gray, green, or lavender, and in sizes appropriate for mommies and daddies. This seems like a must-have winter accessory to me, if you have a baby that you routinely carry in a sling. It costs $79.95 at TogetherBe.com.

I am absolutely in love with this Maternity Ponte Jacket from Olian.  Available in either black or red, it features a rounded collar and a five-button closure.  I love the shape of this jacket, which is what immediately caught my eye. It has an empire waist, which is about as flattering a cut as you will find during pregnancy. Darts above the waist provide a more tailored, professional look.  The flared sleeves are also quite attractive.  This would be great for the office and would look great with either slacks or a long skirt.

The jacket is made in the USA from a blend of polyester, spandex, and rayon.  It is available in sizes from XS to L.  You can purchase one for $104 at anntaylorloft.com.

These Western Trail Booties are handmade by Posh Tots. Cowboys are a natural theme for children, even little ones who are just starting to join the round-up. These booties look soft and comfortable and are a collage of fleece, corduroy and ribbons. They are available in size 0-3 months and the manufacturer recommends hand washing only.

Because these booties are custom made by hand, you may notice that the booties vary slightly, which just adds to their originality and charm. Make these Western Trail Booties part of a “cowboy” themed baby shower gift. You could fill a child’s cowboy hat or cowboy boots with a saddle blanket or two. Visit  poshtots.com where you can order this item for $50.

LittleMissMatched offers all kinds of fun items for children.  Their clothing is quirky and bright, with “mismatched” patterns that come together perfectly.  My oldest daughter is a master of putting together non coordinating outfits, but much to my chagrin, she is never so successful in making it work.  I am thinking that some of these looks might be a compromise we both could live with!

My eye was immediately drawn to this cute little infant kimono set.  I always love kimonos becuse they are easy to get on an off and they will fit just about any size baby with a little sleeve and cuff rolling.  The bright combination of stripes and dots is very appealing.  It will definitely compliment your little one’s personality.  It is made from 100% cotton and comes in 3 month, 6 month, and 9 month sizes.  You can purchase one for $25 at littlemissmatched.com.

Packaging is almost just as important and appreciated as the gift. Yes, this is another Teddy Bear, but it’s the little extras that make this an exceptional baby shower gift. The Beary Special Delivery Plush Bear and Bodysuit Gift Set comes boxed in a 7″x7″ x7″ special delivery gift box. The cuddly bear inside comes dressed in baby’s washable white body suit with a “Beary Special Delivery” decal on the front and  “This Side Down, Handle with Care” decal on the bottom.

You can also personalize the bodysuit with baby’s name and birthdate. Visit the Web site at TheCornerStork.com where you can order your special delivery for $24.99 (personalization included). Now that’s a good deal.

When I first encountered a different brand of “bring your own hospital gown” a few months ago, I was surprised.  Suddenly, this seems to be a booming industry, with multiple brands and styles to choose from.  I even saw a long thread about them on a pregnancy board recently, and it seems that many women are investing in them.  I personally have resigned myself to taking less than stellar post-birth pictures, and tend to jump into my own pajamas as soon as hospital staff will let me out of bed, so this isn’t a trend that’s for me. When I look at some of the available options, though, I can understand why they appeal to many women.

I do very much like the print on this hospital gown from Girlie Gowns, a company whose products have received a lot of very positive press.  It is definitely much more attractive than what hospitals provide.  I also like the fact that different sizes are available, so it will actually fit properly.  That alone may make it worth the $55.

You can check out the available prints, purchase your own gown, and read the company’s very straightforward FAQ (you may not be able to wear this for a c-section, for example.) on their Web site at GirlieGowns.com.

When you start shopping for cooler weather choose fabrics that have what they call “breatheability”. Little bodies can easily become overheated from all of their activity. This Orangic Jeepers Creepers by Hanna Andersson is made from organically grown combed cotton that should keep your child comfortable. It also has smooth flatlock seams to avoide skin irritation. The creeper features shoulder snaps and two rows of leg snaps for extra room to grow.

I like that they put long sleeves on these onesies. It makes them easy to wear  under a jumper or with a soft pair of jeans or sweats. This creeper is available in infant sizes to toddler and comes in a variety of colors. Visit HannaAndersson.com to view the color choices, where the creeper is priced at $24.50.

There are a lot of neat items inside this Suitcase Gift Set by Wooden Toys, but I would purchase it just for the case. It has a vintage look that is reminiscent of the days my parents took me and my siblings to the “Greatest Show on Earth” - the circus.

This four-piece set includes a yellow snap-suit onesie with a vintage elephant design, a yellow cap with a wooden block design, a matching thermal cotton blanket (30″ x 38″), and a white baby tee with a wooden horse design. The set comes in sizes Newborn 0-3 months, Small 3-6 months, and Medium/Large 6-12months.

The travel stickers that come on the suitcase can be personalized with baby’s name. How cute. I want one and I can buy one (and so can you) for $60 at poshtots.com.

This soft organic, fair trade kimono has been plant-dyed by hand and has a felt wool accent. Each accent on the Organic Plant Dyed Kimono by Barefoot Crafts is completely unique, making each shirt one-of-a-kind. The organic cotton is very soft and lightweight and great for wear all-year round.

Organic, good. Plant-dyed, excellent. Each with a unique wool accent - now that’s the feature that would make me purchase this organic product over all other organic kimonos. If you’re giving this Kimono as a gift, be sure to include that bit of information on the gift card. It will make your gift just that more special and appreciated.

The kimono is made of fair trade organic cotton, plant-dyed and screen printed in Canada, by Fiona Duthie, Barefoot Crafts. It comes in sizes 2, 6, and 8 for $21.95 at naturalpod.com.

This Ivory Cable Hat and Booties Set from Egg Baby will make a charming gift for baby. The hat has cute puffy ears, and the matching booties have ultrasuede traction. Every mom wants to dress her baby in something luxurious and elegant for those special occasions: christenings, weddings, holidays, baby’s first visit out.

As elegant as this set looks, you won’t have to worry too much about keeping it in pristine condition. The matching hat and booties are made from  100% cotton and are both machine washable on gentle cycle. Best to dry flat and avoid scrunching in the dryer. There are additional accessories to this set (sold separately) at BellyDanceBaby.com. The Ivory Cable Hat and Booties Set is priced at $56.00.

I have yet to see a product from 3 Sprouts company that is less than adorable.  I love the simple lines, many of which have a handmade or vintage look about them, and I love the designs that the company has to offer. This great Bundle Up Sleep Sack is no exception.  Available in either pink or blue, each bag is appliqued with three cute little circled of colored felt.  The inner layer is quilted for added warmth, while the bag itself helps to reduce the risk of SIDS by eliminating blankets from your child’s sleep environment.

The bag is constructed from a blend of cotton and polyester and is available in two sizes: 0-6 months and 6-12 months.  It is completely machine washable.  You can purchase one for $55 at LandofNod.com.  The company also makes an equally adorable organic version of this bag.

If you have a baby shower to attend this fall, this Tight Rope Girl Hatbox Gift Set by You’re Such a Baby would be a very charming, vintage gift. The style is not trendy or nouveau, it’s traditional and reminiscent of a simpler, more innocent time. I like the hatbox because it gives the whole set a little more fun, almost like being a part of a circus show on the road.

The Tight Rope Girl Hatbox Gift Set Includes: Tight Rope Girl snapsuit,  Circus Cap, Deluxe Bubble Jumper (100% cotton, inseam snaps), Warm Up Bubble Pants (Rip Stop nylon Pull-ons), and Mary Jane Socks. It is available in size 0-6months only.

You can purchase this gift for $80.00 at You’re Such a Baby™.