Recently in Best of Tot Snob Category

Happy New Year!  As we celebrate a brand new decade, I would like to look back and recap on my favorite products from 2009.  These are things I cannot live without, some are luxuries but all of these make my life as a mommy better!

Beaba Baby Cook

One of the best inventions of all time!  We all want fresh and nutritious food for our tots, but who has the time?  This Beaba Baby Cook does all the work for you, just throw in the washed produce and it will steam and puree it for you.  This is not a luxury, it is a necessity!!  Beaba Baby Cook for $149.

Cares Child Restraint System

Do not even consider getting on a plane with a car seat unless you have a new born under 9 months.  This 5-point harness seat belt will save your sanity and make your travel actually pleasant!  For $74.95.

I thought Pediped Originals were the best things on earth until they came out with Pediped Flex for toddlers.  Super cute and incredibly comfortable.  The best part, the insoles that come out as your tot grows so you get extended wear by one whole size!  That is serious value because we all have barely worn shoes that were outgrown before they made it out the door. Prices range from $39-45 depending on style.

Right Bank Babies

Oh how I love this line!  Original, spunky and more style than my own wardrobe.  My tots always look their best while glowing with their own personalities in Right Bank Babies designs.  I have to stop though, they are starting to look like paid models for the line!

Chasing Fireflies - Best website ever!  You will find so many treasures from clothing to gear to unique toys.  The only problem is, they do not tell you the designers of their products are you are pretty much stuck buying from them.  Luckily, they have great customer service and their prices are great, with incredible sales!!  They take care of me so I just make my life easy by going to them first.

Nalgene Tritan Grip-N-Gulp BPA-Free Water Bottle - Best Sippy Cup!  I don't do spring cleaning, I do new years cleaning.  To start off a brand new year, I have to clear out everything I don't want or need, which includes all the sippy cups other than the Nalgene.  I still love Siggs for the road but for everyday use, this is the only leak proof sippy that does not have a thousand little valves and nozzles.  It has one.  Try it, I promise you will not look back. For $7.70.

Monica Rich Kosann Jewelry

Sentimental jewelry becomes even more special as a mom.  But you have to be careful because there are some really bad cheesy photo pendants and lockets.  Monica Rich Kosann is real precious jewelry, the details are exact and delicate for pieces that are worthy of a Jewel Snob.
Take a look at the collection.

Little Giraffe Blankets

I have a pile of blankets that is higher than the height of my closet.  And that pile pretty much stays untouched because the only blankets I end up using are the Little Giraffes.  They are soft, lightweight, thin and as comfortable as a cloud.  Hands down the best gifts for a baby shower.
At Layla Grayce for $78

Uppa Baby Stroller

I have 6 strollers so I know what I'm talking about.  This Uppa Baby is the best.  The reason I have so many strollers is because there was not ONE that fit all my needs.  Sometimes I'm going for a long walk so I need the performance of the Bugaboo, other times I need my Maclaren Volo for it's lightweight and easy collapse features for the New York subway.  Then there are those days you know your tot will fall asleep so you need one that reclines.  The scenarios are endless but this Uppa Baby seems to handle them all with ease. For $669.99 at Uppa Baby.

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

I am pretty sure most parents already have the Flip but in case you don't, get one immediately.  You will never miss another YouTube moment every again with this tiny 2 oz HD camera that takes up less room in your bag than 2 tubes of lip gloss.  The picture quality is amazing, truly HD and easy easy easy to operate. And for $149.99, it is an easy sell.

Traveling with little ones just got a whole lot easier. If you have ever flown with kids, you know the hassles. Getting through the winding airport security line with the stroller, overstuffed carry-ons, and car seat feels like an obstacle course. No matter how many hands you have you always need one more. Next time check your car seat or leave it at home. CARES Kids Fly Safe is the first FAA approved car seat alternative (they also have certifications from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.) Their safety harness ($74.95) is easy to install. Just watch the video. CARES can be used for children ages 1 to 4 years who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds. Happy travels.

Available at Kids Fly Safe.

A bath apron and bath towel in one. You know this was designed by a seasoned mom! The Coocoose goes around your neck and back like an apron for the bathing part, it keeps the splashing from wetting your clothes and when the baby is ready to be dried, you untie the back and have your hands free to gently and safely pick your baby out of the bath and cradled perfectly in your arms. The towel had a hood on one corner to keep the head warm and dry the hair. It is big enough so it can be used through toddlerhood, which is why I love it. This is when the splashing gets ridiculous and the squiggling gets to be unruly. The large size also accommodates down to the feet for a complete cocoon. It is made from the softest Turkish cotton, at Baby Dagny for $60. Makes the best gift!

SoFine Kids Chevy Sofa - $245

I have to admit I love my sofa. Nothing is better than having a place to relax, read, or chat with friend. While I dream about my life BC (Before Children), I have passed the sofa-sitting torch to my kids. (Please note: sofa-sitting is different from letting them become couch potatoes.) Now, your children can read in style. Throw out your old, tired, monogramed bean bags and buy a retro sofa instead. These miniature sofas from SoFine Kids are so much more eye-appealing in the playroom. There are five fabulously fun fifties inspired couches. Some models were inspired by the seats of 50's muscle cars like the Mustang, Chevy or Trans Am. Each mini sofa is made of vinyl which is very kid friendly. You will enjoy the bright color combos. Available at SoFine Kids.

Custom Victorian House by Alan Mowrer for $23,400

Just to answer your first question, YES, this is a playhouse, as in, for a child. The second answer to your questions is, no I would not spend this much money on a "toy" for my kids, I want this for MYSELF!! Look at this most exquisite, beautiful and quaint little retreat for good quality alone time. It is two stories, has a kitchen, full living room and has the option of cable, running water, electricity, central air and wireless communication system. Hello!! Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes!!! Although my fantasy is to sit peacefully to read, catch up on Weeds or online shop in this house, the reality is that my 2 girls would be banging on the door wanting to evict me. Everything is customized by Alan Mowrer so you can really have anything you want. This house shown is $23,400 but is just an estimate. More details and ordering info at Posh Tots.

Here is a good way to get your Tot to clean her room. Or at least just the dirty laundry part. My daughter goes to a Montessori preschool where she obediently cleans up after herself all day long but when she gets home, it's as if she is making up for lost time with her trail of destruction! I am not sure if bribing her with cute domestic apparatus is the right way to parent but at least she will have fun putting away her clothes while it looks cute sitting in the corner. But I can imagine what my new problem will be; all the clean clothes from her drawers will undoubtedly end up on this hamper as well. What can you do? This works like a laundry shoot, clothes go in from the top and you unload it from the bottom. Assembly is required but what isn't? $145 at The Beans Closet.

Let's just cut to the chase here, this stuff WORKS!! I have heard that this is a favorite among models but how much help do models need really? I need the strong stuff, not the superficial cream for minor blemishes, I've got serious problems here! That is why I haven't tried it until it was given to me to review. After having 2 kids, the skin on my stomach looks like something out of a sci-fi alien movie, it was certainly not the human skin I was born with. I don't mind sporting my pooch but I stop at wrinkly, bunchy, wavy skin. It is enough to make me phone a plastic surgeon. I've tried every kind of cream, very expensive ones, and they had some positive results but none like this one. After 2 weeks of use, the skin on my tummy is visibly smoother. I can't say much for the actual loss of fat but it definitely makes me look nicer and therefore in my mind skinnier. The main ingredient is L-carnitine which is natural in the body and metabolized fat into energy. It comes with dietary supplements that will help this process but I am taking other vitamins already so I did not take these (and I still had results!). Nivea Good Bye Cellulite with 30 day supplements at Amazon for $20.47.

We all love cake but I think there are some new moms who would appreciate not having cake brought over for a while.  Although I loved (and devoured) the Sprinkles cupcakes my sister got for my second daughter's baby shower, now looking at my rear and gut, this might have been a better option!  These amazingly beautiful cakes from Babycakes of Scottsdale are in fact new born essentials make into a cake!  The 2 Tier Girls Set is $350 and includes 1 Blanket, 12 Onesies, 6 Wash Cloths, 2 Sleepers, 12 Receiving Blankets, 1 Skull Cap and 6 Burp Cloths.  There is of course a boy set as well.  If you have someone REALLY special to shop for, the 3-Tier Girl Set  has 1 Sun Hat, 1 Cuddle Blanket, 3 Sleepers, 12 Onesies, 2 Dresses, 6 Wash Cloths, 2 Skull Caps, 6 Burp Cloths, 3 Pairs of Socks, 2 Pacifiers, 1 Pair of Booties and 12 Receiving Blankets for $415.  I know what you're thinking, you are going to try to make this for your best friend or sister, right?  I think it is money well spent to just get the actual piece of art and spend your time fighting with those who want to take over the throwing of the shower with too many opinions.  You know what I'm talking about.

Hello!! Where have you been all my life? Well, at least for the last 2 and a half years of my life. I am the world's most disorganized person, all of my documents are in piles and is moved from kitchen counter to my desk to some box in some cabinet and maybe ends up in the trash, who knows. But now that I have kids, there are things I HAVE to keep safe and put in a place that I can actually find when I need it. I have been using an old folder and I don't even know where it is right now, I am scared to even look for it because I fear I cannot find it. I know I could have used any file system from Staples but special keepsake albums and boxes make them precious to me and I somehow find the ability to keep them in a good place. This is a great gift for new parents, they won't appreciate it immediately but once they are able to pull out their immunization card in an instant while running out to the doctor's office, they will thank you and thank you and thank you. I have a lot of new mommy friends so this takes care of my shopping for them. It comes with folders and charts to log in thank you cards, etc., I doubt I will get that organized but it's a nice feature for the type A moms. BabyBriefcase Document Organizerat Nordstrom for $29.95.

How ingenious is this spoon? You fill the dispenser with baby food and just give it a squeeze. We all know how tough feedings can be, between baby's flailing arms and hands and you trying to keep baby from grabbing at the bowl and spoon, most of the food usually does not end up in baby's tummy. Not that this will solve all your problems but it is one less thing to worry about and that is good enough for me. This makes a great gift for new moms as part of a gift basket. You never know you need these things until you encounter the giant mess! Squirt Baby Food Dispensing Spoon at Giggle for $8.