Great Set of Cutting Boards

For those of us who really care about keep our dairy, meat, fish, and vegetable separate, this set of cutting boards is the perfect gift. These four cutting boards are designed to look like a filing system, they are very neat, don't take much space, and you will always know which board you are to use to cut your food. And when your mother comes over, she won't be using your "vegetable cutting board" to cut meat. The negatives about these cutting boards is their small size and the fact that they are very overpriced. I'd say they are a very nice gift for someone with a very small kitchen, who prefers to use small cutting boards. But if you have space for normal size cutting board, get a nice large bamboo board.

A Beautiful Night Light

I know how important it is to have a night light in a baby's home. So I spent a lot of time looking for the perfect night light. This maple leaf night light is absolutely gorgeous, and gives your room a very soft, natural, and warm feel. The only negative about it is that it is very fragile, so you need to make sure it is out of baby's reach. Also it would be nice to have a beautiful night light with a motion sensor, I'll let you know when I find one. For now if you need a beautiful night light, you might be very happy with this one.

One Day Cloth Diaper Sale

Simple Wonders, my favorite diaper store (the one with the greatest selection of diapers and amazing customer service) is having a one day diaper sale in addition to their regular sale. Today you can get 10% off individual diapers, mama products and baby carriers with discount code "black friday." FLIP, Econobum and Fuzzi Bunz are already 10-20% OFF, and you can use the above mentioned 10% discount on these brands as well.

The Best Down Filled Blanket

A year ago I got very lucky and found amazing goose down blankets on smartbargains.com for the family bed and the guest bed. I have been getting compliments on these blankets from every person fortunate enough to sleep over in the past year. These blankets are incredibly light, but also very warm, and they feel very nice. I even got a crib size blanket for Zoe. And my friend Zhanna got two as well, since she liked mine so much. Today I saw very similar down blankets on a super sale at smartbargains.com, at $34.99 a piece, while their original price is $109.99. I am going to order a couple for my family as gifts.

Submarine Swimsuit Sale

AChildsCloset.com, one of my favorite baby stores, is having an amazing sale on Submarine swimsuits for girls. Many of their swimsuits are being sold for $29.99, which is more than 50% OFF. Check it out and get yours while they still have your little girl's size. This is the cheapest I've seen them since the incredible Garnet Hill Sale I blogged about previously. And don't forget that they run small, so get a size up to be on the safe side.

Beautiful Wall Decor

I have plenty of bare walls in my house, so I am always looking for interesting, beautiful, and cool wall decor. I just love these spirit-lifting geckos from Overstock.com. They are small in size and very colorful, which makes them a perfect little accessory in "empty" places like the kitchen or the hallway. My guests always notice them when they come into my house. And what I like most about them is the feel of the sunny, cheerful and colorful Latin America, reminding me of Mexico where I spent part of my childhood. And since these geckos are very affordable, it's a perfect way to accessorize your walls without spending a fortune. Just keep in mind that the paint contains lead. I did my research before getting them, and it appears that most paintings contains some lead, and that it isn't particularly harmful. Still, I'll probably discard them if they ever begin to chip, just to be on the safe side.

Add Down Baby Sale in Brooklyn

Last week I told you about the absolutely amazing Add Down Baby snowsuits. Well, yesterday I was walking around the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood in Brooklyn and walked into RASCALS, a kids store on Sheepshead bay Road. I was excited to see Add Down Baby snowsuits at an amazing 25% OFF. Their original price is $280. The store carries these snowsuits in many different sizes and colors. I'd say the savings are absolutely worth the trip to Brooklyn. Besides, if you are going to go down there, what will make your trip even more pleasant is having lunch at my favorite Tete-a-Tete Cafe, and taking a stroll down the Canal or walking an extra ten minutes across the Canal to the beautiful Manhattan Beach and enjoying their amazing playground with your little ones. And don't hesitate giving RASCALS a call, they just might ship your purchase to you.

Frye Baby - Cowboy and Cowgirl Baby Booties

These pre-walker baby booties are absolutely adorable. They come in sizes 1, 2 and 3 and in four gorgeous colors: blue, pink, purple, and tan. I only wish they made them in more sizes, so I could get a pair for my Zoe. These Frye Harness Booties are an absolute fashion statement for your little ones. Click on the pictures to get a better look at them.

Create Your Own Playhouse

Over the course of the next month I will be posting many cool gifts for this holiday season. Today I found this awesome playhouse for the little princess in your life. Actually this playhouse is for her to build. She gets cardboard walls, roof and an art case, which will keep her busy making her own little home and decorating it. It doesn't get any more fun that that! Check it out an Neiman Marcus.

Best Winter Boots for Mommy

My brother Filipp just got me the best winter boots you can imagine, and I just want nothing more than keep bragging about them. These are the best mommy winter boots for the cold climate, and I want to pass this treasure along to all of you. So what makes the North Face Nuptse Knee High Boots so perfect for the winter, besides for making my feet feel weightless and as if I'm getting foot spa treatment while walking? Well, they are incredibly warm, insulated with 550-down fill, and have a faux fur lining on the inside for extra warmth and comfort. Being down-fill insulated gives these boots a slender appearance and also makes them incredibly light (they only weigh fourteen ounces!). They are waterproof, so neither rain nor snow can stop you from doing whatever it is you need to do. And they have anti-slip and shock absorbing soles, which makes you feel like you are walking on air. The boots have a very stylish look, and for those of you who have wide calfs, beside for being wide they also stretch and have a rear zipper. However, even though the boots are wide, my skinny calfs still look elegant, stylish, and not big at all. I honestly have nothing negative to say about them and I can't wait to wear them. They come in three colors: black with yellow, white with red, and brown with orange. All colors are absolutely gorgeous. I got mine in white (with red soles and red faux fur lining). My brother got them at NORDSTROM, who have free shipping on orders over $100 with promo code HOLIDAY09. And you can also get them from www.onlineshoes.com, who have free shipping, free exchanges, 365 day returns, and right now they are giving you $20.00 off a $125.00 purchase with promo code: 9GOBBLE.

Stay warm ladies,

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 6

So, I was saving the best for last. The next snowsuit is the cherry on top of our snowsuit cake, and here it is at last:

Add Down Baby Snowsuit

This is the ultimate combination of comfort and style. Add Down is an Italian brand, and the Add Down Baby Snowsuit is filled with goose down (as you can tell by the name of the brand), which makes it incredibly warm. The snowsuit is 100% nylon, so it is very easy to wash. It has detachable mittens, booties and hood. The suit is very light and flexible, so your toddler will have no difficulty moving around. It also offers a very good fit and an elegant look without any bulk. The belt adds to comfort by separating the top from the bottom, and looks just lovely on that little figure.

The one negative thing about this snowsuit is the crazy price tag. In the United States you can find it for $280.00, and it costs even more in Europe, 231.40 Euro to be precise. Also, I'd recommend handwashing the suit - considering the cost you're better off spending an extra 10 minutes rather than take a chance ruining it.

There are a few places in the US where you can get the suit. To find a store near you go to www.adddown.it, select your language, select "stores" at the bottom, click "baby" on the left, and you'll be shown the countries that carry Add Down baby merchandise. Click on "United States" and select your city in the drop down menu. The reason I am describing this process step by step is because any link to the website leads to the main page or the online shopping page. And speaking of the online shopping page, they don't ship to the US, so shopping online isn't an option, unfortunately.

In a strange way, the fact that this snowsuit is so difficult to get your hands on makes it even more appealing. Feel free to write to me if you need help locating a store that carries it.

Add Down also carries a two-piece baby snowsuit, which consists of overalls and a jacket, and also has removable mittens, booties and hood, plus a wonderful goose down baby bag, probably the warmest one out there. That said, I have yet to find out if they're available to us in the United States.

Overall, this is a wonderful snowsuit, though it's probably beyond most mommies' budgets. The good news is that the other snowsuits I've reviewed this week are really no worse than this one. In fact, their smaller price tags probably make for better value. That said, I really couldn't blame anyone for wanting this one above all else. So if money isn't an issue, go right ahead and enjoy your snowsuit. The rest of us will live vicariously through you and your little one :-)

This concludes our snowsuit week, and tomorrow we'll be back with our regularly scheduled programming! I hope I helped you find what you were looking for, and please feel free to share your experiences with me :-)

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 5

Yesterday I told you about a completely waterproof snowsuit by Deux Par Deux. So today I decided to tell you about a similar snowsuit from Patagonia.

Baby Snow Patrol Suit

First, I should mention that the smallest size this snowsuit comes in is 18 months. So this snowsuit is for toddlers, and will not fit a baby.

Now for the review: the Patagonia Baby Snow Patrol Suit is completely waterproof and very warm, and as all Patagonia products it is made with recycled materials. It has a chin flap to protect the little chin from cold (we know, babies drool), and it also has a wind flap. This snowsuit has an additional two inches of material in legs and sleeves, which you can release if your baby begins to overgrow the suit. It even has tie-down loops to attach ski boots, for those of you who like skiing. And as I've mentioned in my previous review of the Baby Reversible Puff-Ball Bunting by Patagonia, this hood will definitely stay on. Also, the snowsuit is completely reversible.

This snowsuit is very similar to the Deux Par Deux snowsuit, in the sense that it serves the same purpose.

How is it better than the Deux Par Deux snowsuit?

It is made with recycled materials for those of you who prefer to stay green. It extends an additional two inches to grow with your child. Starting with size 2T, this snowsuit is $100.00 cheaper than the Deux Par Deux two piece snowsuits. It is a one-piece snowsuit, for those of you who prefer that over two-piece sets. Because it is completely reversible, you get two snowsuits in one. And, of course, there's the Patagonia lifetime guarantee.

How is it worse than the Deux Par Deux snowsuit?

The smallest size of this snowsuit (18 months) is more expensive than the Deux Par Deux one-piece snowsuits. The smallest size does not come with booties, mittens, or a scarf. It is nowhere near as pretty as the Deux Par Deux snowsuits. It is a one piece snowsuit, which makes it harder to potty train a toddler, for those of you who are very determined and intend to take your baby potty no matter the weather. Finally, seeing as sizing was a serious issue with the previously reviewed Baby Reversible Puff-Ball Bunting by Patagonia, it might also be an issue with this snowsuit. I recommend keeping this in mind when buying this snowsuit.

Overall, this is a very nice snowsuit. It has its minuses, but I'm sure there are plenty of moms out there for whom the combination of Patagonia's green stance, quality and practicality, make this suit a definite winner. You have the information, so now you can weigh your options and decide for yourself :-)

Good luck,

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 4

If you live in a snowy climate or enjoy winter sports, you're probably looking for a waterproof snowsuit for your baby. In that case, I've got just what you need:

Deux Par Deux One-Piece Baby Snowsuit

Deux Par Deux snowsuits are among the prettiest and most stylish snowsuits out there. In fact, nearly everything the company makes is like a piece of art. Their baby snowsuits have snap-off booties and mittens that stay connected to the snowsuit with a cord, so you won't ever be losing them. Every snowsuit comes with a scarf and a neck/face warmer. The snowsuits are machine washable, incredibly warm and completely waterproof, so you have nothing to worry about when your baby is rolling in piles of snow; you know, other than the very legitimate question why your baby is rolling in piles of snow :-) Deux Par Deux also makes two-piece snowsuits in larger sizes, starting with size 2T.

The downside: making these snowsuits completely waterproof also makes them quite rigid, which might restrict your toddler's movement some, plus they are heavier than the snowsuits I've reviewed in previous posts. These snowsuits are also pricey. The one-piece suits run around $120.00 and the two-piece suits are about $250.00.


Final verdict: if you need a waterproof snowsuit, and you want something beautiful and stylish for your baby, then this is the perfect snowsuit for you. It may be on the expensive side, but you're still getting good value. This suit is actually cheaper than another waterproof snowsuit from Patagonia that I'll be reviewing here soon. Either way, stay tuned!

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 3

When rating outerwear, Patagonia should always be mentioned at the top of the list. They have wonderful sportswear for adults, so naturally their children's clothing is just as good. After all, the little ones need to be both warm and comfortable following their parents on all sorts of outdoor adventures. Over the next several days I would actually like to tell you about several snowsuits they carry. Today we will start with:

Baby Reversible Puff-Ball Bunting

This is actually my favorite snowsuit, and I can talk about it for hours. Zoe wore it all of last winter (we had our matching mommy and daughter Patagoinias). This snowsuit feels light like down, but at the same time it is incredibly warm. It is designed to preserve body heat, so despite feeling and looking light and slender, your baby is guaranteed to stay warm. And because it is so light and slender, your toddler will not be restricted in movement whatsoever. It is made with recycled fabric, so it's actually good for the planet. Though not waterproof, it is treated with a durable water repellent, and when I did happen to get caught in the rain carrying Zoe in a baby carrier, she stayed absolutely dry. It is completely reversible, so you get two looks in one. The hood is great: I love the look of hoods, but I normally have a problem with the hood not staying on when you need it. Well, this hood stays on without a problem. The bunting also has reversible mittens. And how can you not love Patagonia's lifetime guarantee? You can return your product at any time if you are not completely satisfied!

I have very few gripes about this snowsuit. The one important issue is the sizing. You might want to try it on before getting it. I got it for Zoe when she was 3 months old, so I was looking to get the 3-6 months size suit. I was fortunate to get the advice of a helpful customer service rep who told me to get the 0-3 months size, as his twelve-month-old daughter still wore that size. I got the recommended size, and Zoe wore it comfortably all winter. Before writing this review I had her try it on, and to my surprise it still fits her! She is almost fourteen months old now, plus she's on the tall side, but slender. I don't think it will fit her a month from now, but this still gives you an idea just how unusual their sizing is. Then again, why complain about getting more bang for your buck? ;-)

Also, it would be nice if the smallest size also had reversible cuffs or closed feet to keep the cold air from getting in. Zoe wore baby UGGs, which filled in the openings perfectly, and once she got bigger and the snowsuit fit her better, she was OK wearing knit booties. So basically, you'll need to make do whatever footwear works for your baby. And finally, I wish the colors were prettier, as minor and individual a quibble as that is.

Overall, this is an amazing snowsuit. It's $99.00, which actually isn't much compared to other snowsuits out there. Also, if you can wait, at the end of the season you can get it for half price. This is a purchase you will not regret. A particularly fashionable mommy may prefer something prettier, but when it comes to quality and ease of use (both for you and your baby), it just doesn't get any better than this.

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 2

Yesterday I told you about the Baby Gap Warmest Cargo Snowsuit, which might be too big for some newborns, so today I'll tell you about a snowsuit designed specifically for infants. Introducing...

Juicy Couture Boy's and Girl's Puffy Snowsuits

Just imagine a pair of twins (boy and girl) in these matching pieces. How cute :)

These snowsuits are very nice. They are very light and incredibly warm, all you need is one layer of clothing underneath. The synthetic on the outside and synthetic filling inside makes them easy to wash. Both snowsuits have covered feet, and the very low zippers allow for easy access, so you can get the baby in and out in no time. Actually, my friend Zhanna had the last year's version of this snowsuit for her son Nathaniel when he was born last January.If you follow the link, you will be able to see more pictures and how low that zipper actually is. This season's colors are very nice, and I can't help but love the slight boy and girl variations, such as the pockets on the boy suit and the bell sleeves and ruffles on the girl suit.

My only negative comment about these snowsuits is the price tag. They are $168.00 each. Last year, Zhanna actually found hers for $60.00 on www.smartbargains.com, but she got it in January. So if you have the time to wait, you can try checking there sometime in December or January, there is a chance that they will be on sale then. You can also check your local Loehmann's, as they too carry discounted Juicy Couture.

Overall, we love and trust the Juicy Couture quality, and I know for sure that if you get this snowsuit you will not be disappointed. But if you are not in a hurry, check back every day this week for a new baby snowsuit review.

love,

Serena & Lily Amazing Sale, 25 Percent Off

I know I am supposed to be blogging about snowsuits right now, but I couldn't resist once I found out that Serena & Lily are giving 25% off bedding, fabric, accessories, and gifts!! This is a five day only sale, November 12-16. Just enter FALLFRIENDS25 at checkout. They have some amazing items, like the Gypsy Tote I already told you about. I've also purchased the Maggie Three Piece Crib Set (featured to the left here), and it is absolutely gorgeous. I know it's incredibly pricey, but I also got lucky and got it on sale, and I could not dream of better bedding for my wonderful Zoe. I can't wait to get the Dylan Three Piece Set once I have a boy :-) Or maybe the Wren Collection (naturally on sale only). They also carry the Evolution Bunting Bag, which is incredibly warm and grows with your child, though I've read reviews where people report that the zipper and the drawstring fasteners are not very durable. I myself have not tried this product, so I cannot share my own experience with it, but if you were planning on getting this bunting bag, then this is the chance to save $50.00 on it. I also love the White Moroccan Leather Pouf and their amazingly elegant Sparrow Chair.

The one thing I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND getting from them is the Market Sling. It is very beautiful, but at the same time very uncomfortable. The design is such that it puts all the weight on your shoulder, and we all know how painful that can be. You can even see it on the pictures on their website: all the models are supporting their babies with both arms, because that is the only way you will be able to carry the baby. If you have an infant, you will also need to prop him up, like in the New Native Baby Carrier, but Serena and Lily don't tell you anything about it. If you are looking for a baby carrier check out my previous post: Review of the Best Five Baby Carriers and Slings.

Enjoy the sale, ladies! And be sure to check back often for other amazing deals!

With all my love,

Best Baby Snowsuit Part 1

Hello ladies, since it is getting colder and winter is around the corner, I've decided to do a snowsuit week. Every day I will pick a snowsuit and review it, so that by the week's end you will have a good idea as to which one to get for your little one. So listen up!

Baby Gap Warmest Cargo Snowsuit

My friend Olga has been looking for a snowsuit for her fourteen-month-old Tim for the past several months. There are plenty of beautiful high quality expensive snowsuits, but none of them spoke to her. Luckily, we stumbled upon the Baby Gap Warmest Cargo Snowsuit. This snowsuit is pretty soft and very flexible, so your toddler will not feel stiff wearing it and can actually toddle around in it. It is a beautiful masculine color blue, very elegant, simple but stylish at the same time. It is actually 75% down filled, which makes it incredibly warm. It is polyester on the outside, which is a good thing since it makes cleaning easy. It is machine washable, though personally I would not recommended machine-washing anything with down in it. It will only take you ten minutes to wash it by hand, so why take a chance ruining it? And because it is really warm, you don't really need more than one layer of clothing underneath when wearing it.

Next is the description of the suit from the Baby Gap website:

• Long sleeves with interior storm cuffs and foldover mittens for extra warmth, faux-fur trim at hood.

• Full zip front with a front snap placket, cargo pockets at chest and sides.

• Sizes 0-12 months have a foldover cuff at the leg openings; sizes 12 months and older have an interior storm cuff.

• Snowsuit has cozy fleece lining and topstitching throughout.

• High-quality comfortable down-filled and water-resistant polyester snowsuit.

OK, it's me again. I've saved the best part for last. And the best part is the price tag!!! It only costs $59.50. This is the cheapest high quality snowsuit I have found.

There is also a girl version of this snowsuit.

The downside: If you are looking for a snowsuit for a newborn, and your newborn is small to average, regrettably you might need to keep looking for another snowsuit, since the smallest size this snowsuit comes in is 0-6 months. Because it is meant to fit a six-month-old baby, it might be way too large for your newborn. Another thing is that the suit is not waterproof (though most of them aren't). However, you do not need to worry about your baby getting wet from rain unless it really pours cats and dogs. But if you need the snowsuit to go skiing on a weekly basis, you might need the Doux Par Doux snowsuit I will speak about later this week. And one last thing: the girl version of this snowsuit is not as pretty and elegant as the boy version, though the quality is just as good.

The verdict: I really tried to find something negative about this snowsuit, but as you can tell from my previous paragraph, there's not much to dislike. This is an amazing snowsuit with an equally amazing price tag. My friend Olga is absolutely in love with it, and her son Tim actually refuses to take it off, fighting back when she tries to undress him.

Truthfully, if I had a boy and needed a snowsuit, I probably wouldn't even wait for my other posts this week and just order this one. However, if you're looking for something else, I still have plenty of good ones to share with you.

Review of the 5 Best Baby Carriers and Slings

Hi ladies, if you are like me, in that you enjoy carrying your baby, and you think that BabyBjorn is the only and/or best baby carrier out there, then you are in for a big surprise! BabyBjorn is so huge on the carrier market that when Zoe was born I went straight for it and never even considered my options. Since then I have tried many different carriers, and here I present to you my top five, along with detailed reviews on their strong and weak points. So listen up!

ERGObaby

This is the ultimate baby carrier. It is incredibly comfortable to use and doesn't put pressure on your back or shoulders, so you can carry your baby for hours without feeling strained. You can wear your baby in the front, as well as on the back. You can nurse in it, and it has a sleeping hood to cover the baby when asleep. Durable enough to carry up to 90 lbs, it is also very comfortable for the baby and puts no pressure on their thighs and buttocks. The carrier comes in a wide selection of organic fabrics.

The downside: this carrier is bulky like a backpack, so if your baby doesn't want to be carried, you are stuck carrying the baby and the backpack-like carrier! The side carrying position is also not very practical. Not everyone can adjust to nursing in this carrier, and the color selection is not the most appealing. This carrier is not the most convenient for an infant, it is much easier to use with a bigger baby, two-three months and up.

The verdict: this is a great carrier. I have actually seen Keren's (my friend) daughter Naomi bring the carrier to her mom and ask to be carried in it. And my friend Ilya, who has back problems, carried his twenty-five pound son, Benny, for 3 hours in it without complaining. This carrier is great for anyone with back problems or if you need to carry your baby for long periods at a time. It also adjusts easily, so you can share it with your partner and other friends and relatives. Plus, in cold weather you can wear it over your jacket. This is the sporty mom carrier.

Price range: $105 - $148

Baby K'tan

Parent invented. Voted the best baby carrier for men. This is a wonderful carrier. It comes in wearable practical colors, which includes an organic option. It has eight different positions which are very easy to use, and it provides great back support. You can easily nurse in it, as well as carry a child of up to 42 pounds. Instructional videos are available online. It is also suitable for twins.

The downside: with this carrier you best make double sure you get the right size, otherwise it will be uncomfortable. Mark, my husband, happens to be between sizes. The small is tight on him and leaves no space for Zoe, while the medium is too loose, so he is uncomfortable carrying her in it. My friends, Alena and Zhanna, who fall under the small category, found that the x-small is actually more comfortable for them. There is some period of adjustment, and I still cannot figure out the back carrying position. I don't think you can put the baby on your back without someone else's help, at least I can't. I am afraid to drop her while putting her in the carrier and that she might fall out while on my back.

The verdict: this carrier is for you if you need a carrier that isn't bulky, which you can put in your bag when not in use. It is practical, good for running errands, and perfect for a toddler who likes being on the move, and often gets in and out of the carrier (like my Zoe). It is quite easy to nurse in, and good for both cold and warm climates. This carrier is for the mom on the go.

Price range: $57.75 - $68.25

New Native Baby Carrier

An amazing carrier for warmer climates or summer months. Incredibly easy to use and very light, the carrier is just one piece with a pouch that you put over your shoulder. It is very wide, giving you good back support. Included is an instructional DVD to illustrate all the available carrying positions. The carrier comes in many beautiful colors in 100% cotton and some beautiful organic fabrics. Very easy to nurse in and just about ideal for newborns up to 35 pounds. And when not in use it takes up almost no space at all; just tuck it away on the bottom of your purse and fish it out when you need it. The carrier looks quite beautiful, and I often get complimented on the street when I wear it. Also suitable for twins.

The downside: When I was checking out reviews on this carrier, many women complained of back pains. Personally, I have no problems of any kind when using it, but I can see how somebody prone to having back pains could have difficulty with it. Other women could not figure out how to nurse in it. I think it depends on the size and shape of the breast. It seems that women with large breasts may have difficulty nursing in this carrier. The carrier is a pouch. When you look at the image you need to understand that the back side of the pouch is symmetrical to the front of the pouch, so women with large breasts would need to figure out a way to get their breast inside the pouch. Another thing is that in order for your newborn to be comfortable in it you need to either roll up a towel and place it inside the pouch to prop your baby up or buy a pillow from www.newnative.com. It also takes a little getting used to, but that's true for just about any carrier you get. And one last thing, it comes in different sizes, so you need to get your size right, but the customer service is very good at helping you figure out the size you need.

The verdict: this is my personal all-time favorite carrier, but regrettably I can't use it in the winter. First of all, I would need a different size to wear it over my coat. Second, my overdressed baby would feel very claustrophobic in a pouch wearing layers of winter clothing. Third, if I chose to underdress my baby with the purpose of carrying her in the sling, the carrier is not warm enough to protect the baby from the cold. That said, it's not an impossible endeavor. They do sell a warmer version of the sling with a fleece layer inside, you just need to make sure to get the size right once again, if you intend to wear it over a jacket.

This carrier is for you if you intend to use it in a warm climate, if you need a fashinable carrier that is incredibly light and takes up almost no space in your purse when not in use, and if you have a strong back that can take pressure without a problem. And as I have already mentioned, you can nurse in it if your body shape permits. Personally, I have used this carrier in all of its positions, and I love it. This is the gypsy-hippie mom carrier.

Price range: $42 - $90

DIDYMOS

This is a woven baby wrap. It is made with organic cotton and comes in many beautiful prints. You can use it for as long as you want. It has many different positions, and can double as a hammock, a blanket, or a shawl. The only thing is that you need to practice a lot to learn to use is, but once you learn, it’s a great baby carrier. It is also suitable for twins.

The downside: It is one of the priciest carriers out there. It comes in different lengths, and you need to get your size right. My carrier cost me $160. I am a tall girl and I should have gotten the $180 carrier, but I read some reviews that said that there is no need to get the longest wrap according to your body type, so I chose to save $20, and as a result I am limited in several positions, and the bigger my baby gets the less positions I can use. This is a big mistake, especially when paying so much money. Besides, it requires a lot of practice, and you really need to know what you are doing, otherwise you will be stuck with a crying baby and a lot of fabric on the floor all around you. However, once you overcome these difficulties you will find a very nice carrier on your hands.

The verdict: this carrier is for you if you intend on using many different positions. Or if you enjoy playing with a lot of fabric. Or if you want a carrier that can also be used as a blanket, a scarf, a shawl, a hammock, a playtime tent, and you don't mind having a lot of fabric to work with. This carrier is very thick and durable, and perfect for any climate. And since DIDYMOS is located in Germany, I got mine from The Birdie's Room in Canada, who ship to the US without a problem. This is the nature mom carrier.

Price range: $100 - 200

Ring Baby Carriers: Maya Wrap or Sakura Bloom

Easy to use adjustable baby carrier. Comes in many colors and fabrics, including cotton, silk and an organic fabric option. The carrier is easy to nurse in and holds up to 35 lbs.

The downside: this carrier puts pressure on your back and shoulders, so it may not be a good option for those with back problems. You need to learn how to use the ring in order to adjust the carrier. My friend Jen swear by this carrier and she is very good at explaining how to use it, but I have met girls who could not figure out on their own the proper way to adjust this sling. However, once you learn it is actually very easy to use. The Maya Wrap offers a padded version, but I wouldn't recommend getting it, because it is just extra fabric to carry and really doesn't make wearing the baby any more comfortable for either mommy or baby.

The verdict: this carrier is for you if you have a strong back, and preferably live in a warm climate. The easiest two positions of this carrier are the sleeping/nursing position, and the hip position. It is one size fits all, so even if you and your husband are different sizes and shapes, you only need one carrier, which you can easily share with other friends and relatives as well. Sakura Bloom offers some incredible fabric and color options that include silks and organics that look very fancy, beautiful and elegant. It can run incredibly pricey, but they also have affordable options, offering a great selection and customization. This is the urban mom carrier.

Price range: $50 - $540

So, there you have it - my top five favorite carriers. I actually have three of them, but now that I have written this post, I want all five. I bet Mark will be very happy to hear that ;-) Feel free to share your experience with these and other carriers right here on my blog, and please write to me if you have any questions. Also, if you have any specific issues or concerns, I will be happy to help you find the best carrier for you.

with all my love,