Believe it or not, the holiday season is upon us and the elves have been busy sourcing new and exciting gifts for your little ones this year.  Be they celebrating their first festive season or their third, we’ve got a little something, and a few BIG somethings, to get those gleeful giggles decking your halls. Check out our list, and check it twice! It’s full of Stocking Stuffers, Must-Haves and Fab Faves!

You can find all of these great products and more on our website: www.fabbabygear.com

 
FAB: Your story, Tawna, is amazing and inspiring. One thing in particular that you write on your website really struck me. You say of your daughter: “having battled through everything with me and ultimately (I feel) saving my life. I felt I owed it to her to be extremely safe about what I was going to use on her.” In what way do you feel that Olivia saved your life?

Tawna: Good or bad, I’m of the belief that things happen for a reason – Olivia was a part of me when I was diagnosed, so she gave me the strength and power to face all of the treatments I (we) had to go through, she was like an incredible source of light within me, giving me the spirit  to be brave, strong and  to survive. She gave me the ultimate reason to live!

FAB: Being a brain cancer survivor has clearly and drastically changed how you feel about chemical use in products that we use in or on our bodies. Can you give us a little insight into the perceived connection between the cancer you fought (and beat!!) and the lifestyle decisions we make on a daily basis? How did your experience with cancer and pregnancy lead you to create the Tawna Hill line?

Tawna: It’s so clear that everyday products are chock full of chemicals and toxins, just by reading the labels and not knowing how to pronounce half of the words… Having worked in the beauty industry for 17+ years, I was always around these strange ingredient names. I really knew in my heart after experiencing my illness, that I wouldn’t be able to go back and promote items containing toxic ingredients. I also felt I was extremely lucky to have given birth to a healthy little girl and wanted to search out a way to shield her from toxins from the start. She clearly is my angel and I wanted to give her a life free of chemicals, as I was given a this incredible second chance. Now I definitely read every ingredient listing I encounter and make buying decisions much more wisely for my family and our future.

FAB: Tawna Hill is different from some other “organic” skincare products. How so? 

Tawna: First of all, I have to say Tawna Hill Baby does not claim to be ‘organic’, I guess we could claim that if we felt it necessary, as we do have several ‘organic’ ingredients in each of our products. The laws are very loose on how things can be and are labelled… my belief is that if a product is labelled  ‘organic’ or ‘natural’, every single ingredient in the product should be ‘organic’ or ‘natural’. We are a Natural safe luxury baby skin care line. No Chemicals, No Preservatives, No Carcinogens.

FAB: At Fab Baby Gear we notice that your labeling is particularly clear and easy to read and understand. Why was it so important for you to use ingredients that are familiar and uncomplicated?

Tawna: Thank you for saying that! I think it’s important when looking for any product, that you should be able to make sense of the label as soon as you pick it up. Once again, ingredients should be reader friendly. I know every ingredient we have chosen is natural and toxin free, for the sake of parents who care about what they use on their babies. Parents shouldn’t need to have to have a scientific degree when searching for products for their family.  

FAB: Something that everyone seems to notice about Tawna Hill Baby products is the lack of strong fragrances. There is definitely  a  pleasantly detectable “aroma” when you open a container, but not a loud, pervasive, olfactory invader. What gives your products their   delicate bouquets? And why did you choose such subtle scents?

Tawna: It was important to me when creating the products that the smell be clean, natural and soft. I find some natural products to be just too “natural “ smelling, I know that sounds funny, but some are way too obvious with lavender, eucalyptus, calendula etc… I didn’t want my little girl to smell like a lavender bush – babies should smell delicious! Therefore, with Tawna Hill Baby we created a signature essential oil blend of Roman Camomile, Lavender, Neroli and Vanilla which creates a soft delicate smell, the results of which are also calming and soothing on the skin.

FAB: Two of your products that we particularly love are the Super Smoothie Cream and the Comfy Soft Talc-Free Powder. Both are incredibly soft and delightfully pleasant to touch and feel. Can you talk a little about the importance of this quality in cosmetics for babies and why you chose to focus on the soft and smooth?

Tawna: Quality is of the utmost importance when you think of how delicate a baby’s skin is; you really need to consider products that deliver a sense of ease in both application and results. I believe babies should  be soft and smooth not sticky! The experience of applying our products on your baby should be of sensory enjoyment, ease and satisfaction for both parent and baby. I believe that we have achieved this, not only with our Super Smoothie Cream and Comfy Soft Talc-Free Powder but with all of our products.

FAB: For all those mama’s out there who might be curious about balancing a new baby, a really scary health experience, and a new and booming business, can you tell us a little about your experience developing your company and being a mom at the same time? Do you have any advice for those of us who might aspire to something similar?

Tawna: Wow, that is a good question… I can’t say it has been easy, as you feel pulled in many directions when trying to prioritize everyday – I find purposeful breathing makes everything do-able!  For me, it’s always important to remember WHY we started Tawna Hill Baby. Most important is making sure my little girl has what she needs, and is learning and experiencing new things everyday. For THB, having strong people around me has helped grow the business, as no one person can do it all. Everyone has different talents to contribute to the success of our business. I feel very fortunate to have these talented people working with me! My advice would be, if you truly believe in something and are willing to put the time and energy into researching and developing what you are  interested in, then take the physical steps towards it! Turn your dream into a reality:)

The artistic eyes of the Aussie team are clear in their unique designs, subtle colour palettes
and classy retro feel. Aside from being adorable and child-friendly, these decals might
just leave you feeling ok about transforming your treasured reading room into a diaper zone!As if what we’ve already shared isn’t reason enough, environmental responsibility is also part of the
(love) mae philosophy. Using recycled materials whenever possible and sourcing everything
within 100km of their studio, these ladies strive to be as conscious as they are creative.

Come by our stores to check them out!!

During this past holiday season, the elves were busy changing our windows here at Fab once at week. We’ve had larger-than-life Gingerbread men baking over a hot Educo oven; the ever-popular 4Moms MamaRoo surrounded by ADZif Canvasses and Happy Horse plushies and now, finally, the bar-none favourite!

Our Wellington window featured our stuffed Deglingos hosting a 7-animal wrapping party in Santa’s Workshop. With lots of ribbon and a TON of great gift ideas, the scene is pulled together in a riot of colours and activity!

Follow along as we journey through the Glebe Store’s transformation. We went from MamaRoo Mania to a glorious North Pole Scene in one afternoon! (Including a visit from our very own Santa Claws!)

We started our morning with a giant Monkey and his little buddy- both from Happy Horse. His adorably colourful sweater reminds me so much of the whimsical misfit toys from classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He went quickly this holiday season, but will be making a triumphant return soon!

This giant sack of snow is going to help us create a winter wonderland! Crokos Deglingo checks out the props- a vintage Gloria camera, hand-wrapped gifts and a large North Pole (craftily put together with receipt paper!). It’s a well-known fact that all Deglingos names end in “-os” so of course they’d want to take a picture with Santos!!

We’ve got a blank canvas! So let’s make some magic!!!

First things first- the North Pole literally requires some snow! And Santa will need something to sit on… why not a festively coloured Monte Cubino chair?? Let’s set up the camera as well, to make sure we’ll get the perfect angle for some Santos shots!

Next let’s add the big guy himself! This year a giant version of Ratos will play the part of Santos with his beard of snowy white and his belly that would, we presume, shake like a bowl full of jelly! Gotta get those claws mittened-out! It’s getting cold up here in the North!

After interviewing many a candidate, we filled the photographer position with the Bigbos. Our reasons were twofold- One, he showed up wearing a spiffy tie, and two- his arms were long enough to reach the shutter button!!

Before long, a lineup had started to form! We had to work quickly to add a giant mountain of presents for all the waiting Deglingos!

Direct from Santos’ Workshop- a pile of the most FABulous toys on offer this year! Imaginative books, Wonderful wooden toys and the most popular of nightlights. Our Deglingo friends were in for a treat! Making the window at Fab is always fun- where else would you get paid to play with such beautiful toys all afternoon? We added one more finishing touch- A naughty and nice list of the staff and their fave Deglingos. Which side of the list did we make it onto??

Now that the holiday season is coming to a close, be on the lookout for Santos to take his vacation! A new window full of great products to discover will soon be unveiled!

Whether you’re watching Kate Middleton announce her engagement, tagging along with TMZ as they hound starlets or gazing longingly at the dresses in the Glebe and Wellington West shop windows- it’s hard to avoid it. Jewel tones are IN. All the richness of this beautiful time of year, tonally rendered in a timeless shade for all seasons. And some of our fave stroller brands have definitely taken notice. Just like in the automotive industry, every January we see new models and colours introduced to the wide world of strollers. This year’s over-riding trend is a veritable celebration of the colour purple. Baby Jogger, i’Coo, and Peg Perego are all featuring beautiful shades of purple in their new lines. We have nature-inspired shades like Amethyst and Iris heading our way on the functional and popular strollers we already love! As a (poorly) closeted purple fanatic, I can’t wait to check out the new shades. But even more so the great innovations these creative companies have come up with.

Arguably the most talked about stroller this year, the Baby Jogger City Select leads the trend adding a gorgeous shade of Amethyst to their lineup. This easily upgraded stroller converts seamlessly from single to double and features sturdy rubber tires with serious gripability. (That’s a word, right?) With a super-extendable handle, single-button seat recline and easy-peasy fold, the elves have been busy year-round keeping these beauties in stock. Strolling around with the 2011 model in Amethyst will surely make you the envy of other Neighbourhood Mom’s!  The I’Coo Pacific is so versatile. It converts from bassinet-style pram to a proper toddler seat with the ease of snaps and buttons AND includes the universal car seat adapter upon purchase. The foam wheels lock in the front, helping us Canadians on our snowy treks to the Timmy’s. And finally, Peg Perego. This Italian design house is the provider of one of Canada’s top-rated car seats (owned and loved by many a FAB staff member) as well as a large variety of strollers. Their chosen shade of Iris, will be joining their large stable of colour choices this January.

So what IS up with the colour purple?? It’s the colour of royalty. It stands for luxury, sophistication and romance. I also think the fact that it’s so rare to find purple in nature gives it a certain mystique amongst it’s fellow greens and oranges. From a painter’s perspective purple is the bridge between warm and cold shades- a perfect mixture of reds and blues. No matter why you like it, purple is indeed the new black. And I daresay it would hide those unexpected stains just as well!

Being a mother, I have a new-found association between November and Snot. There may have been a time when I might have called some poor kid (most likely my kid sister) “snot-nosed” meaning that she was an irritant who had no idea what she was talking about. But those days are long gone. Now when I use that term I am likely gazing lovingly at my own cold ridden tot or the literally snotty-nosed child of a friend. Poor November seems to be the height of cold and flu season. A few tips to help you make it through:

First, get a humidifier and plunk it squarely in your little one’s room. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and in so doing, they ease the uncomfortable feeling of dryness that plagues our noses, lips, and skin during our lovely Canadian winter. This added moisture also helps to thin out the nasty mucus that plagues our noses when we catch a nasty cold. Cold mist humidifiers are particularly safe for little hands.

Next, load up on the fruits and veggies! The anti-oxidants found in the most brightly coloured foods (blueberries, sweet potato, spinach) will help keep your immune system in tip-top shape. For some fantastic suggestions for making veggies both delicious and desirable, check out Jessica Seinfeld’s hip cookbook.

Catch Some zzzzz’s. Sleep is important, really important for our children’s health. Studies have shown that less then 7 hours of sleep per night increases our risk of ‘catching’ a cold, forget fighting off an already ‘caught’ bug in a reasonable amount of time. Snuggle your bundle up in a cozy sleep sack and rub a little mentholated balm on their chest to help open the nasal passages and induce minty dreams. At FAB we recommend Dimpleskins Naturals Sniffles Rub.

Prop up the bed to prop up the head! There’s nothing worse than waking up at night because you can’t bweeth oud yo dose… except waking up at night because your baby can’t breathe out hers. Combat these wretched night wakings with a healthy dose of Space Baby Bed Blocks. Safely stack ‘em up to raise the head of your baby’s bed helping to keep their airways clear and free for a restful night’s sleep!

You may not always be able to avoid a cold, but you can certainly put up your dukes and fight!

Strongly influenced by a passion for the rich colours and textures of Inca textiles and the lessons in fiber arts that she learned at her Bolivian abuela’s knee, Gisela Voss has developed a line of childrens’ playthings that is like no other.

Owned and manufactured by a 100-year old, family-run, Canadian company , Battat, the B. brand is growing by leaps and bounds – just last month B.Toys appeared on both Ellen and Regis & Kelly. All of this is very big and yet it is still very much a family affair. Gisela’s own teen and tween children even wrote the witty kitty lyrics that the Meowsic sings. Somehow Gisela manages to put her personal touch into every aspect of B. creating an atmosphere of joy and exploration at every turn. B.‘s website is a maze of inspiration; click the ‘Explore’ button at the top of their page and become lost in wonder in their new imaginary toy worlds.

“The paper waves in the Mountain world are hand-cut from the press-proofs of the Wheeee-mote Control car boxes. The falling snowflakes are beads from Pop-Arty! The coral reef in the Ocean was built, in part, by my daughter’s hand. Toy photos don’t just sit there in look-at-me fashion. They allow you to play with the toys as if you held them in hand…

Every rotating base has been hand-painted. Origami animals hand-folded. Every world first hand-sketched. Every font and color and hand-cut cardboard sign touched. By human hands the old fashioned way, not just digitally.”

I am not even that artistic and I am itching to join B. and be a part of the fun.

An interactive kids’ quote gallery, beautiful enough to frame and hang. A vivacious B.log by Gisela herself. An active partnership with a global initiative called Free the Children. This website is so charged and fascinating you will lose yourself in it. You cannot help but reconnect with your inner child when visiting B.

Lots of new B. coming to FAB in time for the Holidays! Get your Christmas pre-orders in by November 25th and receive 10% off special order items.

The leaves are changing and the winds are picking up! The weather keeps alternating between nose tingling chills and bursts of hot sun. Confused as to how to dress your tot on days like this? Emile et Rose knit duffle cardigans are double lined to provide great warmth in cooler weather, yet are easy to stuff in a bag if Mother Nature can’t make up her mind.

As we move into colder weather, let us offer a little reminder regarding car seat safety: bulky layers and coats can compress in an accident leaving your child’s car seat straps far too loose to offer protection. A fleece one piece, like the MeToo Terry Wholesuit strikes the perfect balance between warmth and safety.

All set to Trick or Treat? Your wee monster’s costume is not complete without a pair of Huggalugs for warmth beneath!

Last month’s Beaba Babycooking Seminar was a great success! A special thank you to our local Herb & Spice and Saslove’s Meat Market, who generously provided the all natural ingredients used. Congratulations to our door prize winners who went home well equipped and grinning.  Stay tuned to this section for pics and video from the event… coming soon!

In case you missed it, we were on A-Channel this month showcasing the innovative mamaRoo and the ultra-functional and customizable Baby Jogger City Select. Check it out here: FAB on AMorning

Many people react differently when faced with an emergency or crisis. When it is your own precious child who is involved, that reaction is intensified.

This fall, while visiting my parents farm, our 4 year old daughter was stung by a wasp for the very first time. I am not the type to fuss and muss, and so after checking quickly for a stinger and applying ice I fully expected to be able to return to getting our turkey dinner on the table. Ah, the best laid plans…

Children are for the most part mirrors of our own emotional states. While they do have their own, independent spectrum of emotions we are the emotional ‘alphas’ in their lives; their emotions are vulnerable and highly susceptible to influence. This is particularly true in infants, as they are often in close physical contact with us and are affected by our involuntary functions as well, such as heart rate and respiration. What a scary thought when we think of the number of times in a day that we are stressed or frustrated and at our wit’s end! No need to dismay though, because the flip side is also true… when we exert an influence of calm it can have an equally dramatic effect.

One key factor in achieving a state of calm, is confidence. The need to ‘do’ something is overwhelming, so don’t underestimate how effective it is as a tool. A well stocked, child friendly First Aid kit like the me4kidz Medibag will certainly keep you prepared. Or for the common cold or flu, a soothing ritual of a calming bath soak, a mentholated chest rub and some lullabies in front of a humidifier can work wonders. Whether it is administering some ointment and a bandage, a therapeutic bath or chest balm for a sick child, or simply breathing and singing with a frightened/injured mite, the act of ‘doing’ can be reassuring to everyone. Keep it simple, calm and loving and you will be surprised by how quickly everyone (yourself included) feels better.

*It is always important to actively tune in to what your child is feeling and use reflective listening. The intention is not a forcible override of their feelings but to model for them the next step in emotional state.