Baby Luxe Blog

Babies tend to go through many outfits a day and their clothing tends to get very dirty.

 Here are some tips on taking care of your baby’s skin and his/her fine clothes.

1. Use a mild baby detergent like Dreft, Ivory or Woolite.

2. Treat stains as soon as possible with a toothbrush, detergent and a soak in cold water.  I keep a small basin on top of my washing machine with all the supplies.  Cold water is supposed to be better than hot water, because the heat can bake in proteins and make the stains harder to remove.

3. Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.  They have perfumes and can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin.

4. Wash at the hottest temperature a fabric will tolerate.  This insures that germs and bacteria are killed.

 For more information on stain removal, go to www.fabriclink.com/fabricstains/home/html.

I have been shopping for a car and have been having a hard time finding out what the safest cars are…I finally found an article that’s on Kiplinger.  The surprise for me was that Mercedes, Volvo and Lexus did not make the list.  These were three of my top choices, but I will have to reconsider that now.  The other concern in purchasing a car is fuel efficiency…I like the concept of the Hybrid Lexus 400h that fuses luxury with something environmentally friendly.  What are your major concerns in buying a car?  Do you think your car made the top ten list?  Here’s the link to the Kiplinger article as well as text.

http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/car/archive/2005/car1216.html

Ten of the Safest Cars on the Road

New safety awards by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety make it easier to determine which cars are the safest. See which ten 2006 models earned the organization’s gold and silver safety awards.

By Mark Solheim

December 16, 2005

Which are the safest cars on the road? The answer hasn’t been easy to determine.

But now the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the insurance-industry-funded group that conducts a battery of crash tests, has combined its ratings into “gold” and “silver” safety awards. That should make it simpler to pick a truly safe car.

Different methods

The confusion comes from too much information. IIHS conducts frontal, side and rear crash tests and rates them good, acceptable, marginal or poor. The government’s safercar.gov National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also conducts crash tests — frontal and side but not rear — as well as a rollover test and rates vehicles with one to five stars.

Besides different rating scales, the two groups test for slightly different things.

In the IIHS front crash test, a vehicle travels 40 mph into a barrier, and only one side of the front end, not the full width, hits it. The front end on the struck side crushes more than in a full-width test, and you have a pretty good idea how much damage there would be to your lower extremities in a similar crash.

But NHTSA crashes the full width of the vehicle into a barrier at 35 mph. Vehicles usually survive such crashes with less damage, but the seatbelts get a thorough workout. Translation: It’s a good test of potential for head and chest injury.

On side-crash tests, IIHS simulates crashes by SUVs and pickups, which tend to hit other vehicles higher up. In such crashes, your head is most vulnerable. NHTSA’s test more closely simulates crashes between vehicles of similar height and thus is a good test of potential for chest injury.

The tests are conducted throughout the model year, so it often takes a while for new designs or redesigned vehicles to be tested. Plus, neither group tests low-volume cars — mostly higher-priced luxury or sports cars.

The winners

IIHS looked at 2006 model small, midsize and large cars, as well as minivans, for which it had a complete set of test results. SUVs and trucks were not included because side-impact tests haven’t been conducted on most models.

Four cars won the gold award, meaning they received good ratings for front-, side- and rear-crash tests. Six cars were awarded silver, meaning they earned a “good” for front and side crashes and “acceptable” for the rear-crash test (designed to see how well the seat and head restraints protect against neck injuries).

Among large cars, the only gold winner was the Ford Five Hundred (and its twin, the Mercury Montego) equipped with optional side airbags. For midsize cars, the Saab 9-3 and Subaru Legacy earned gold. And the lone small-car gold winner was the new Honda Civic.

Silver winners among large cars included the Audi A6. Among midsize cars, the Audi A4, Audi A3, Chevy Malibu with optional side air bags, Volkswagen Jetta and VW Passat scored silver. No small cars earned a silver award, mostly because they didn’t meet the standard for side crashes — with or without side airbags.

No minivans met the standards for either gold or silver, mainly because their seat/head restraints are rated marginal or poor.

Awards are sorted by size and weight because crash-test scores are designed to compare vehicles of similar weight. All the winners have head-protection side airbags.

One surprise: No Volvos made the list. That’s because the models tested received “good” on front and rear tests but only “acceptable” on side-impact tests (the S80 has not been tested for side crashes).

Hello there…hope you had a nice weekend.  I was busy with household stuff and chaufering my 7 year old from parties to playdates.  On Mondays, there will be a new feature to this blog.  It will be called, “BabyLuxe Deal of the Week”.  This will be on a bargain that I have found on the Net or at a boutique.  If you come across a good deal and would like to share, please email me at shop@babyluxeboutique.com. 

I have not quite figured out how to add picture to this blog, so here’s a description of a deal on slipper socks found on www.OldNavy.com:

Sweater-Knit Slipper Socks for Baby

Traditional sweater-knit slipper socks come in a host of cheery colors and festive patterns that are perfect for the season. Fluffy pompons at each leg opening add a playful touch. Soft fleece lining keeps baby’s tootsies toasty. Features contrasting suede-like midsole and bottoms.

• Ankle-length
• Size 5 slipper socks do not include pompons
• 87% acrylic, 12% nylon, 1% spandex. Machine wash. Imported.

These are great because babies cannot pull them off and they keep their toes cosy as they crawl or run around the house.  I love Nowalis for Sarah, but at $2.99 these can’t be beat as a deal.  I am going to order as many as possible.

Here’s the direct link:

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/product.do?cid=6299&pid=419710&scid=419710012

There is confusion sometimes when it comes to the law on childseat safety.  Here’s the law from the California Highway Patrol’s website:

“

New law beginning January 1, 2002 It says… Children MUST be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. Remember: All children under 16 must ride properly buckled up. The cost of a violation is a $270 fine and a point on your driving record. Child safety seat tips Best place for a child is in the back seat. Babies ride rear-facing and reclined (45-degree angle) until 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Toddlers ride forward-facing and upright with a harness until 40 pounds. Children who are over 40 pounds or have outgrown the harness system use a lap and shoulder belt-positioning booster seat. When You Choose a Safety Seat or Booster Seat Select a seat that fits your child. One type does not fit all. Be sure the seat fits in your vehicle. Choose a seat that is easy to install correctly. INFANT SEAT Infant seats are installed rear-facing only. Designed to recline at a 45-degree angle. May be used with or without the detachable base. WHEN YOU INSTALL ANY SAFETY SEAT Always follow the child safety seat and vehicle instruction manuals. Never install a rear-facing infant seat in front of an airbag. Be sure the vehicle’s seat belt is routed correctly. Do you need a locking clip? Consult safety seat and vehicle manuals. Fasten the safety seat tightly with the vehicle seat belt. Fit the child safety seat harness snugly to the child. BOOSTER SEAT Booster seat raises the child so the car’s lap and shoulder belt fit properly and child’s knees bend naturally. Child should use booster seat if: Weighs 40-80 pounds. Seat belts don’t fit properly until children weigh about 80 pounds and are 4′9″ tall. There are two common types: High-back Booster Seat Protect’s child’s head and neck. Use if car’s seat back is lower than child’s ears. Backless Booster Seat Use if the seat back is higher than child’s ears. Never use a safety seat or booster seat if you don’t know its history or if it has been involved in a crash. Assist the CHP in educating motorists who don’t buckle up their children. Report unrestrained children by calling 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247). Need help with your safety or booster seat? Call your local CHP office – telephone numbers are available at www.chp.ca.gov. For additional information visit: www.carseat.org www.aap.org/family/cps.htm www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/ CHP 932  (1/2002)

There’s a ‘Mommy and Me’ Group in my neighborhood called Stroller Strides.  The great thing is that they exercise and play with the kids at the same time.  I’ve noticed that this particular group has most 1-2 year olds.  The other interesting aspect is the opportunity for a mother to create a business and franchise the group.  

Here’s what it is: “Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for new moms that they can do with their babies. It includes Power Walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller.”

Healthy living and playing with my kids is something to support!  Go to www.strollerstrides.com for more information. 

I am not always the best at making baby food for Sarah.  Carrots have burned in the pot as distractions from two little ones and our dog supersede watching the stove.  Still, it’s important for me to strive to at least buy organic babyfood at Gelsons or give her fresh and healthy treats.  With all of the health problems in our nation today, I believe that starting early is key.  Not only is obseity an issue, but I worry about allergies.  Giving my family a healthy lifestyle is one of the best gifts.

A great and simple way to get healthy and reasonably priced fruit and veggies lately for me has been at the Farmer’s Market.  I love that their blueberries are a fresh snack and don’t cost $4.99 a box.  That’s what I paid oftentimes at the market.  Not only is it much cheaper ($1.99), but the girls and I have fun walking around and shopping in an outdoor setting.  The Farmer’s Market in Monrovia has child-friendly activities like pony rides.

The nostalgia and small town feel of a Farmer’s Market amid the hustle and traffic bustle of Los Angeles is comforting.  To find the Farmer’s Market near you, click on the following links:

http://www.farmersmarketla.com/

http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/map.htm