Fashion & Gear - Summertime

Little Marc Jacobs Swimwear Line

Winter is looming large on the horizon, but if you’re already daydreaming about fun in the sun with your little one next summer, Marc Jacobs just might play a part. The world-famous fashion designer’s Little Marc Jacobs line is expanding to include swimwear, with a scheduled launch in 2010.

Make no mistake, these suits and beachwear are a splurge — boy styles range in price from $40-$80 while girl styles retail for $72-$88! But if high fashion is a soft spot for you and your tot, you won’t be disappointed.

While the kid suits won’t quite mirror mom and dad’s, they’ll draw from the Marc by Marc Jacobs apparel and accessory line for inspiration, including the use of Little Miss and Mister Marc signature cartoon graphics as well as the designer’s fun “kissing fish” print.

The items will be available in sizes 2-10.

Look for the Little Marc Jacobs new swimwear line in specialty stops and better department stores, as well as in Marc by Marc Jacobs stores, nationwide.

– Missy

The main ingredient in Green Toys is recycled milk jugs, so I’m thinking there must be an incentive program for toddlers there. “Drink your milk and they’ll make more toys!”

The Recycling Truck ($19) is a favorite of my two boys. Manufactured without metal axles, the truck opens and dumps and has recycling compartments in the sides. It’s tough and has held up great when my kids play rough with it.

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Transitioning from babyhood to toddlerhood is no easy feat. Among potty training, bottle weaning and beginning preschool, children also tend to change their taste in toys, with many graduating from their ride-on cars to the toddler-friendly tricycle. That said, while independence is generally encouraged, occasionally a little help — or push! — from mom and dad goes a long way!

In addition to parents having the ability to semi-steer with a push trike, the consistent motion of the turning pedals also assists kids in understanding the connection between their feet and the forward motion. An added bonus? For those little legs that are low in muscle tone, a push tricycle is a great — and fun! — tool to strengthen their lower limbs.

When Geri Halliwell stepped out last week in London with 3-year-old Bluebell Madonna, they made quite the determined-looking duo! The former Spice Girls songstress helped her daughter maneuver her way down the sidewalk with ease. For Superstars’ David Charvet, the Kettler Junior Tricyle with Pushbar ($87) was a great way for him to take a leisurely stroll with Heaven Rain, 2 ½, in Malibu. With the hot sun shining, Rain was likely grateful for the extra push!

Other celebrity kids who have been spotted out riding their push trikes? We saw Kingston James McGregor last fall on his Radio Flyer Steer and Stroll Deluxe Trike and more recently, Poet Sienna Rose, who opted to go sans the handle and instead hauled younger sister Jagger Joseph Blue around the park.

Bauer Griffin; Benassi/Splash News Online

Steal That Style: Bluebell and Rain Hitch a Ride with the push trikes below!

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Pichichi/Splash News Online

Nahla Aubry was recently spotted having some fun in the sun in Miami Beach, Fla., with mom Halle Berry and dad Gabriel Aubry, enjoying some surf, sand and bubbles! The 15-month-old was captivated with the bubbles mom was blowing at her, and as it turns out, they’re from one of our faves: California Baby!

The Calming Aromatherapy Bubble Bath ($13.99), which uses a no-tears formula, works both in the bath and out for play. (In fact, the blend of essential oils includes French lavender, which promotes sleep.) Personally, we prefer play time over bath time!

Teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini! With the temperatures rising, summer can be a particularly uncomfortable season for expectant mothers. Hot and humid weather is tough for most people, but add a burgeoning belly to the mix and the day can quickly take a turn for the worse. Fortunately, clear skies and plenty of sunshine provide the perfect opportunity for mamas-to-be to head to the nearest beach (or pool!) and let gravity work its magic.

The hot weather looked like it was the last thing on Kendra Wilkinson’s mind when she posed for a picture at the Pirate’s Booty Beach House! The former Girls Next Door star — who now headlines her own reality show, Kendra — was happy to show off the beginnings of a belly in her hot-pink bikini. Unlike Kendra’s barely there bump, a heavily pregnant Nicole Richie couldn’t hide hers! The proud mama — in a black bikini top matched with swim shorts — let the world catch a glimpse of her growing tummy when she visited the Malibu shores with boyfriend Joel Madden.

Although Kendra and Nicole didn’t mind baring their bellies, many designers often lean toward the two-piece tankini style for their maternity lines. While still offering the flexibility and comfort found in a bikini, the tankini also provides women with a bit more coverage. That isn’t to say traditional bikinis are unheard of for expectant mamas, but be prepared to put in extra effort in your shopping search!

Michael Williams/Startraks; Cleyton Vitalino/Splash News Online

Steal That Style: Kendra and Nicole’s Bikini Bellies with the two-piece suits below!

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There are times when leaving your house with kids seems downright impossible. There is just too much to consider.

When my twins were infants, it was formula, diapers, change of clothing, small toys. When I had potty-training toddlers, it was extra clothes and underwear, a potty seat. For all ages, it’s water, and snacks, and — heaven forbid — anything that I might actually have to carry for myself!! And that is when I am leaving the house to head to the playground!

I was recently panicking when I had to consider how to manage a five hour plane flight with my now 3 ½-year old-twins… by myself. Admittedly, the task might be more daunting with twins, but alas, I suspect that all of us have gone through the “how in the world am I going to carry this” dilemma at some point (or many) since they became parents.

And now there is an answer. Ju-Ju-Be, maker of designer diaper bags of all sizes, as well as bags dads won’t whine about carrying, now has a bag for traveling: the WannaBe travel and overnight bag ($160).

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We’ve seen the girls, now let’s hear it for the boys…and their animals! This summer season, when it comes time to purchase baby boy’s swimsuit, the look has gone to the dogs (and their friends!) quite literally. Across the board, designer’s swimwear collections for boys showcase adorable yet trendy animal prints, with a clear focus on ocean life.

shaRRp/Splash News Online

Attending a birthday party in Malibu, Calif. last week, Zev Isaac, who turns 1 today, was all smiles as he tested the waters with his Broadway star mom, Marissa Jaret Winokur! The pair made quite the splash of color — while Marissa opted for a deep red cover-up, Zev went loud and bold with his orange rashguard top paired with his Circo Shark Attack Swim Shorts in Navy ($6) from Target.

As we mentioned last week, purchasing a swimsuit so late in the season can either be a great way to plan for the future while saving some cash or a complete disaster!

For parents who are able to think ahead to next year, now is the time to take advantage of some great deals as the summer winds down. That said, waiting to buy a child’s bathing suit the week before the family heads out on an August vacation will undoubtedly leave the buyer short on options.

Steal That Style: Zev’s Shark Attack Swimsuit with the animal-print trunks below!

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This is the third summer we’ve been in our house and so far we’ve resisted a sandbox or sand/water table because we wanted to avoid the maintenance and mess of sand. However, when I saw the Step2 Arctic Splash water table ($32-40), I knew I could provide Anya with some non-pool water fun while skipping the sand.

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The Diaper Dude Dude Blanket ($54) is a water-resistant picnic blanket with a removable shoulder strap and a pocket that attaches with Velcro. It is ultra lightweight and is easy to fold back up–no road-map origami required.

The blanket measures about four feet by five feet and is large enough to accommodate my family of four. I leave it in the car and pull it out for picnics, soccer practice and concerts in the park. We’ve even used it as a back-of-the-SUV changing station or a bleacher seat cushion in a pinch.

Frustrated by other blankets’ poor performance in soggy conditions, I ran a faucet over this one and it never soaked through. Of course, it is machine washable, too.

On the Fourth of July alone, we used the blanket at a parade, a party, and the fireworks!

– Kristen, NJ mama to energetic 1 and 4 year old boys, loves hot designer goods (but appreciates a good bargain even more) and believes strollers should come with cup holders and toys should have volume controls

When it came to a summer-time water table for my twins I had three criteria in mind: small enough for the porch, convenience for me and fun activities for the kids.

The Sand & Water Transportation Station by Step2 ($50) meets all three requirements and then some.

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