Babygadget

The Taga: a new concept in baby travel

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:31:59 PDT

This is the Taga. I saw one on my way home from work the other day, and tried to catch sight of its make so that I could look it up and report back. Having failed to, what do you know but a few days later I'm on the Mothercare site, and there they are as a big promotion - online only.

So it's a new concept in pushchairs and/or bike baby-carriers, the defining characteristic being that you can cycle someplace before reconfiguring it into a stroller.

My take? It's a nifty idea, but perhaps best suited to some Dutch-style idyll where cycle paths are the norm and you're not nosing into the traffic baby-first.

Looking at bike trailers and even babyseats, my thought was always that I wouldn't want my child behind me where I couldn't see them. Now I realise I wouldn't want them in front, either - not in my busy city, anyway.

It's a shame, because I'm 100% behind anything that gets folks out of cars, but just now I can only see it as something for the type of world I aspire to live in, rather than the one I do live in.

Less vitally, the colour scheme perturbs me slightly. A colleague rather crassly said that it looked like 'specialised medical equipment' (well, truth be told, she put it even more crassly than that) and that did make me wonder why anyone would launch a product like this in grey rather than a wealth of colours that would either appeal to kids or to their design-conscious parents (just like you and me, oh Babygadget readers).

The other consideration is the cost. A pushchair's going to cost you anywhere between £100 and £600 (that being the going price for an unreduced Bugaboo with all the accessories). This little baby will set you back £1,695.00. Admittedly, it converts into a bike that will last kids into adulthood; with added accessories, it can also be used for two children or for carrying shopping, apparently. But boy, that's quite a price commitment.

I've rather focussed on the negatives, though I recognise they may not apply to everyone. As I say, I'm really glad to see people giving thought to new, less car-dependent ways to travel - and I'm glad to see a mainstream retailer like Mothercare give them space. But I guess it's not for me (although, you know, if anyone would like to donate me one, I'm open to having my mind changed...).

Dragon dress

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:33:27 PDT

Hmm. Clearly I'm rather drawn to dragon-inspired costumes for kids. I never would have realised, but that this one - from Indian Summer Company - reminded me of the tracksuit we wrote about in July 07. And I'd still be happy with either. Well, there's nothing like adding a bit of feistiness to a soft velour outfit, is there?

Donna Wilson BirdWalk rug

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:30:44 PDT

It's cute, it's humourous, it'd be as happily welcomed in the living room as the nursery. And a kid near you would be happily entertained for hours by following those trails. Yes, Donna Wilson has done it again with her BirdWalk rug. My only question is whether those three spare footprints come with the rug, and if so how on earth you'd ever keep them from going spinning across the floor only to be lost forever underneath the sofa.

Great swaddle for summer babies: Aden & Anais does it again!

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:59:13 PDT

A couple of years ago, we discovered the Aden & Anais muslin swaddles. Now this Australian company has gone and done it again with their soft pre-washed sleep sack in the same great patterns and material as their swaddles. This wonderful gauzy fabric is so smooth and lightweight that it won't stifle your little one in the summer heat (meaning you can feel safe knowing that baby is covered but not sweltering).

For me, this is key, since blankets are not an option for babies and air conditioning can sometimes be too cold. Besides, most sleep sacks are made of heavier cotton and simply are not as cute as these. I just bought the fish version of this sleep sack and my son wore it last night. I probably like to snuggle it on him more than he does! Available here for $29.95.

Claesen's Summer Romper

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:16:06 PDT

Being raised in the (original) age of Marimekko, nothing says summer to me more than orange and pink floral prints. Now, I can't wait to put Claesen's, updated, contemporary classic on my little daughter. I can just picture it: a shock of summer color running against the green grass, wisps of sunshine hair blowing in the breeze. Now, you can get your own summer memory, on sale for only $12.50!

What is...Zzzidt?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:24:58 PDT

Designers love their multi-functional objects, don't they? It must be amusing to throw something out there and leave it up to the user to decide precisely what it's for or what it does.

The Zzzidt is a case in point - and the name certainly isn't going to give you any clues. Apparently functioning as 'a stool, an occasional table or a toy', and available with or without a light inside, this object leaves the rest up to the imagination. Judging by the picture, above, of them in situ at an airport (?), it looks as if they appeal as much to the adult as to the child. Fun.

Ikea Mobile (that baby can actually appreciate!)

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 07:17:27 PDT

I've had it with mobiles that are designed more for the parent's perspective and less so for the baby. Fortunately, we here at babygadget are always on the look out for mobiles that baby can actually appreciate. I recently purchased this wonderful Korall mobile for $7.99 and it is hanging playfully over my infant's crib.

From my son's point of view, he can see the googly eyes and delightful expression of each little fish. I was nearly tickled to hand over my $7.99 plus tax (whereas one can often find him or herself shelling out between $20-$50 more). All you need to supply is a piece of string and a hook from which to hang the mobile. You can't purchase it on-line, but you can check it out in person at the Ikea near you. Also check out the zoo crew Korall mobile.

Neerle Amrein

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:22:36 PDT

I admit it: I'm a sucker for all those online companies out there - usually Dutch, it seems - who take vintage fabric and repurpose them into cute little baby clothes. I've certainly featured a load of them here on Babygadget.

Bear with me one more time, won't you, as I point towards Neerle Amrein, another of the same breed. To my mind, the bonnets are the cream of the crop, but be sure to check out the little baby tops and one-off dollies made from vintage scraps, as well.

Sweet bird hooks

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:53:25 PDT

Just a very simple cut-out shape in bright-coloured metal, I know, but I really like these delicate hooks. This Dutch website happens to be the first place I've seen them online, but I've also seen them available in all sorts of independent interiors and gift shops, so I am sure a search of your favourite online emporia would find you a stockist closer to home.

Save time and water with the Baby Dam

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:51:42 PDT

Normally at Babygadget, we're all about the aesthetics, but when we see a useful or ingenious piece of kit, we can't help reporting on it.

So the Baby Dam isn't going to bring gasps of admiration from your design maven friends, but it'll save you time and water. Effectively fencing off part of your bath, it allows to you apportion just as much water as a baby needs, ie, not much.

Like the Bibabath we featured last October, I guess this is just one of those products that was waiting to be invented: common-sensical, and probably improvised in households across the land.

3D puzzle furniture

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:50:19 PDT

Hot on the heels of the Baby Flash Chairfix, I now discover 3D puzzle furniture from Elin Basander André. Why, one might almost sense a trend.

This kit allows you to make a rocking chair, shelf and table. There is no need for any tools, making it an ideal parent and child project, and you can choose from red, white and black.

Little wish boats: sweet thoughts cast upon the sea

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:48:53 PDT

Of course paper boats fall into the category of toy you'd never dream of paying for: they tend to be fashioned out of chewing gum wrappers or old pieces of newspaper to while away boring train journeys or fill a need at the local pond.

But these paper boats are in a different category. Do you ever have paper quite this beautiful hanging about waiting to be used - and even if you did, would you waste it on something as ephemeral as a boat?

These are paper boats that raise the game. They're for special occasions such as gifts and parties. They beautify tables and can hold small treasures. I think it's permissible to splash out under those circumstances.

€11,95 gets you the makings for four large boats and four small ones, with every design different, from Bijzonder Mooi.

Ekobo Mini Mello - the seat that looks like a sweet

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:15:33 PDT

The bright colours of these candy-like seats look a lot like plastic - but believe it or not, they're made of bamboo, with a high lacquer finish on the outside. When flipped over, they can be used as super-sized tubs for toys, although in my opinion they're nicest as seating.

The cost is fabulous for furniture, as well, but might be considered steep just for storage: 49.00 € from Kids Love Design. Wouldn't it be lovely to get five or six to keep in a stack until friends come round?

Endless mealtime fun - with Foodface

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:46:20 PDT

The Foodface plate has a very familiar look to it: is it reminding me of comic strips from my youth, or perhaps those games where you used a magnet and iron filings to arrange the facial hair on a really rather old-fashioned looking face?

Either way, if you are not one to admonish your child for playing with his food, this plate could provide some fun at mealtimes. It'd be great to have a set for parties, if $11.00 apiece doesn't seem too much of a stretch.

Is your kid a top banana, a sweet pea or a treehugger?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 07:43:23 PDT

Not all the plates available at Hunkydory Home call to me, but these three examples certainly do. Very cute.