Travel Gear

“At Little Marmara, we believe in simple things. That we should treat the environment as we would treat ourselves. That nothing should go next to our children’s beautiful skin that we would not place next to our own. That clothing for little people can and should be as artful and well made as clothing for big people. And that at no point from the cotton fields to our customers should the earth or any of its inhabitants suffer in the slightest for our cause.”

I included the site’s mission statment because it speaks of the thought and caring that is apparent in their organic products. One good example is this Yastk (Pillow/Bag) which they suggest can be used as a naptime companion for daycare, extended day pre-school, and kindergarten.

Personal items from home are so important to children at naptime. Children in daycare have a little more to deal with then stay-at-home children. Whenever we can make any part of their day a little less stressful we should definitely do it. A pillow is a small thing but it fits snugly in a child’s place.

The Little Marmara Yastk (Pillow/Bag) measures 11.75″ x 10.5″. Made from 100% organic Turkish cotton and low-impact dyes, it comes in Moss, Natural, and Eggplant. You can purchase one of these unique and thoughtful pillows for $28.00 at LittleMarmara.com.

This is a good item to have handy when your baby drops or throws his pacifier. I never know what to do with it right away. With these quilted Pacifier Holders by Petunia Petunia, you can store the pacifier until you have a chance to rinse it.

These pockets can also be used for cell phones. One for pocket for mommy’s phone and one pocket for baby’s pacifier — how much more organized could you be?

Petunia Petunia Pacifier Pockets come in your choice of Crimson, Navy or Tangerine and cost $16.00 at PiccoliniOnline.com.

Most car seats are so bulky even if they’re lightweight, making for an awkward time trying to secure the seat and keeping a hold of your children at the same time. Just going on a routine outing to the park can become a hassle. You must take time to pack the stroller, then secure the car seat. While you’re busy doing all of this, how can you keep aware of your surroundings? With the Christmas shopping season just ahead of us, all the time a mother must take to do these things can leave her feeling very vulnerable.

This Dakota Backless Booster Seat is for older children (33-100lbs), but it takes time and attention to get our older children situated in their car seats too. With a weight under 4 lbs and compact design, this ultra-comfy booster seat with help you spend less time struggling and have everyone safely secure in less time.

This booster seat has a machine washable cover and sells for $29.95 at OneStepAhead.com.

I always think it is fun to have a cute piece of luggage for each of my kids.  I also think it helps them be more responsible for their things when we travel.  This adorable rolling suitcase from Room Seven is sure to be a favorite for any little girl.

The outside of the case is made from a shiny red vinyl with polka dots.  That in itself is awfully cute, but the added touch of the silly little kitty makes it irresistible.  It is cute enough that it can be disguised as a gift, even though it also benefits the parent.  The vinyl material is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Right now this suitcase is available only for pre-orders.  It is expected to ship sometime in August or September.  If you want one, however, the time to buy one is now.  This brands tends to sell out quickly, and this is a very cute item.  You can order one for $198.95 at thesillywagon.com.

Most beach tents are usually too big, bulky and heavy to carry across the sand. But this pop-up tent looks very family-friendly and it’s quite attractive. The Sun Smarties Family Beach Cabana Tent provides plenty of view space for keeping an eye on your children, yet it’s private enough for diaper changing or napping.

A feature I really appreciate is that instead of using stakes to secure the tent, it has pockets that you can fill with sand (stakes are also included). This tent adds a touch of “tropical vacation” to the normal day at the beach.

The Sun Smarties Family Beach Tent measures 86½”L x 49¼”D x 47¼”H and costs $79.95 at OneStepAhead.com.

My husband and I loved the idea of an easy-on sunscreen when we first heard about it through a TV ad. Of course, we grabbed a bottle of the kind we thought seemed best for our family the next time we were out shopping.

Coppertone Continuous Spray has proven to be easy to apply and effective. It’s not overly expensive, as sunscreens can be, and really takes the time out of slathering our son when he’s about to hit the beach or play outside. With easy instructions, and even a warning not to spray it on your face but to spray on your hands and then rub on the face, it’s a simple solution for the mom on the go with little time to mess around with squirting bottles and sticky stuff.

Happy moms (of children over 6 months) everywhere can get it for $9.99 at Drugstore.com.

The Hable Construction Canvas Picnic Tote can be used for more than just picnics.  It’s great for beach towels, extra clothes, toys, books, anything that can go anywhere when traveling with kids. I’m sure this would have been a standard item in our family car. And I’m sure it would be just fine as a Picnic Tote too.

The Hable Construction Canvas Picnic Tote comes in this bright and springy Lime Stripe and costs $165.00 at PetitLuxe.com.

You’ll get plenty of oohs and ahhs when you and baby are out and about with this very stylish Messenger Diaper Bag by Gucci. If you’re a Gucci shopper then add this to your collection. Practical as it is extravagant, this bag has a fold-out changing pad and adjustable strap.

It measures 17.3″L x 5.1″W x11.8″H and costs $935.00 at Gucci.com.

The Gucci Baby Carrier, a favorite of celebrity parents such as Gwen Stefani (above), is shaped to snugly fit baby’s body (up to 20lbs). It has adjustable shoulder straps and comes in the signatory beige/ebony GG fabric with dark brown or white leather trim.

This is a bit extravagant for the casual buyer, but if you have the means, you can purchase this item, priced at $850.00 at  Gucci.com.

I have two Fleurville bags and love them, so I was extremely delighted to discover that the company has started making bags for kids.  I just ordered the Fleurville Kids’ Messenger Bag for my daughter this morning and I cannot wait to receive it.  In fact, I am going to have a hard time keeping my own hands off of it!

The bag can be used as either a messenger bag or a backpack, and the backpack straps can be stowed out of the way with ease.  The bag also comes with an insulated lunch bag.  Like all of Fleurville’s bags, it is well designed to hold a lot and use space effectively.  Most of all, it is extremely eye-catching. I hope that my daughter enjoys it as much as I do.

This bag would be great for a small child or also for a busy mom who needs to keep her hands free. You can buy one for $49.95 at Giggle.com.

Mamma’s Milk has sold its famous baby carriers/baby slings to celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and Naomi Watts. This particular design is promoted as a “fabulous combination of function and style.”

At one time, the baby carrier was considered to be a novelty item. Now, it’s become a must-have accessory for all parents, not just celebrities. Mamma’s Milk offers its baby carriers and slings in many fabrics and colors, ranging in price from $45.00 to $85.00. You can view the many styles available and photos of celebrities who have purchased them at MammasMilk.com

The Moses Basket comes in a variety of materials and sizes. I like this particular style because it’s simple, roomy, and comes with an Organic Pad. This basket provides a safe, roomy, cool environment for babies to play and sleep.

This Moses Basket by Pure Beginnings comes with an organic cotton pad that is natural and more breathable for delicate skin. You can purchase it for $69.99 at Purebeginnings.com.

This play mat is the signature item of Plain Mary, an upscale children’s retailer that has become popular with celebrity parents such as Brooke Shields and Kelsey Grammar. At 36 x 56 inches, this is one of the largest play mats that I have ever seen. Each mat is made of quilted micro-suede that is padded for added comfort. This mat would be especially great on hardwood floors–it will make tummy time and learning to crawl much more enjoyable (and fruitful).

There are a number of colors to choose from, although I am very partial to this bright green. Each mat can be customized with initials or a name. The mat is machine washable, and comes with a travel bag, so you can provide your little one with a clean and safe place to play. You can purchase one for $190 at PlainMary.com.

The Blabla Hand-Knitted Backpacks by Designer Florence Wetterwald are perfect for sleepovers or for carrying those extra items from home to day care. Averaging 10 inches x 14 inches, this backpack is just big enough for pj’s and a favorite toy or an extra set of clothes without being bulky or oversized. Your little girl will appreciate the fun character designs–there are plenty to choose from, including blue bunny, frog, and ladybug. The company also makes handbags.

Everything is crafted from natural fibers of exceptional quality grown in Peru, and is hand-knitted by Peruvian artists and lined inside. These are priced at $45.00 at BagLadyofBeaufort.com.

The GR8X Baby Traveller Deluxe might sound like a sports car, but if speed is your need this backpack and changer is made for you and yours. You can see how easily it will fold back into a backpack. Just look at how everything spreads out for easy access when it’s time to change baby. This product saves you time from setting up a sanitary changing area and scrounging around in a packed diaper bag for needed items.

The changing area measures 36 cm high x 33 cm wide. Closed, the bag measures 36 cm high x 39 cm wide. The GR8X Baby Traveller Deluxe comes with removable stroller straps, adjustable backpack straps, removable change mat, insulated bottle traveller, mobile phone pouch, and plenty of pockets for everything you’ll need to change your baby. It is machine washable for easy care.

Price: $79.95 at BabyEarth.com.