If you shudder at the thought of looking matchy-matchy with your toddler, but would like to share something that says: “We’re a family”, you’ll love the collection of bags from Taiwanese label Cipu.
If you shudder at the thought of looking matchy-matchy with your toddler, but would like to share something that says: “We’re a family”, you’ll love the collection of bags from Taiwanese label Cipu. They come in totes and backpacks of different designs and sizes for yourself, Hubby and your tot – all cut from the same cloth.
We love how lightweight the nylon bags are. They’re waterresistant, as well, and boast other functional features, such as a diaper mat and up to 15 pockets. Its smallest size for tots even comes with a removable harness strap to help you hold on to your wandering child in a busy mall. Prices range from $89 to $245. Get them at www.babyken.com.sg and Isetan Nex.
Bring your own
A Year of the Monkey must-have: this insulated stainless steel food jar from Skip Hop Zoo. It keeps Baby’s porridge warm for seven hours, so she can still have her comfort food when the family goes for festive visits. It comes with a handy built-in holder for a spork. Get it for $34.90 at leading nursery retailers.
Baby’s first bath
We remember feeling nervous about bathing our newborn – is the water too warm or too cold? Will he slip out of our hands? We wish we had this Okbaby Onda Evolution bath tub. It features a built-in digital thermometer, a maximum water level indicator and a rubber seat with resting points for Baby’s armpits and legs. Get it at $98 from Mothercare.
Haven’t you heard?
Black is one of the auspicious colours for your Monkey baby. (Turn the page to read our interview with a master geomancer.) So, for once, Grandma will approve of Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature Essentials kit, which comes in this special edition colour. It retails for $299 at Mothercare, Kiddy Palace, Mustafa and www.agapebabies.com. (For more hip bottles, see page 46.)
Bag for more
We’re going bananas over how adorable this cheeky monkey is. Perfect for Chinese New Year visits, your little one can stuff many hongbao in this backpack from Balloon. Made from polar fl eece fabric, it’s so soft and huggable, she will want to take it to bed, too. Other animal designs are available, including a lion, an elephant and a bear. It retails at $69 from www.babyken.com.sg.
Bump and beyond
Where else can you shop for maternity and nursing wear? Add Mayarya (say “Ma-ya-ari-ya”) to your Web page bookmarks. The Hong Kong-based online store was founded by a Japanese mummy, who named it after her two girls – Arya, aged four, and Maya, two. It’s not cheap – this viscose fl ora print shift dress (pictured), for example, costs $196 – but the brand calls them “investment pieces” that you can wear before, during and after pregnancy. Shipping is free and takes two to fi ve days to deliver. Visit www.mayarya.com.
