It looks like a cross between a stick insect, a golf buggy and a
bicycle baby seat, and lifts baby to dizzying heights. The Metrolla
Strolla won't be clacking along the pavements near you any time soon
though, as it's a concept designed with strictly urban families in
mind.
The seat lifts off and can actually be fitted to a bicycle in order to reduce the stacks of baby gear we tend to accumulate -
multifunctionality is the buzz word in child products, although the question that springs immediately to mind is "Where on earth
is the storage?"
After finally getting a basket for my Quinny Zapp, because it was
either that or sell it, I know all too well the
hassles of having no storage on a pram. Still, it's easily fixed when
brought out as an aftermarket product or added to the
standard specs. It looks like there'd be plenty of room for a good
sized basket under there, although it'd interrupt that stunning form.
Designer
Dan Levin
is fresh out of university and designing all kinds of weird and wonderful things. Imagination such as this should be encouraged
as parents hunt for increasingly unique products. I urge someone high up in strollerland to give this young man a job now,
designing strollers for us of course!
This weekend I was jucky enough to witness the unboxing of a shiny new Bugaboo Bee! A friend of mine recently managed to get one into the country and was thrilled to unpack it. I was very interested to feel the build quality and see how it would hold up in the real word (I had my 2 year old and 6 month old on hand).
After some initial complications assembling it (mostly caused by the men in the room refusing to read the instructions) we had it up and checked out all the features. I must say, even having seen all the promotional pictures and the video, there were a few surprises. The canopy is huge and when fully extended is almost like a tent - far more sun protective than Bugaboo's other models.
The pram is definitely light. It's not as sturdy as a Cameleon (they had to cut the weight somehow), but the combination of solid tyres and 4-wheel suspension seems to work quite well. The pram feels very nible and is easy to control, even with a 2-year old.
This one was yellow and it is a great colour. It's a very bold shade and really stands out. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of this one.
There's still no confirmed date for local availability (and rumor has it that they are delayed until at least August) but we'll keep you updated on any news we hear.
Weary of lugging around a truckload of baby products for just a short
trip? We don't always need heaps of stuff to accompany baby to
the local shops or make a quick dash in to see a friend. That where the
Skip Hop Pronto really
comes into its own. A chic little nappy kit, it's got an extra wide
zip-off changing pad for super wriggly babes like mine.
It features a
padded head area and is lined in a range of groovy
patterned laminates. The head pad is even removeable so you can fit
more nappies in if the need arises.
There is also a see-through wipes case so you're reminded when it
needs a refill - there's nothing worse than being caught without
wipes. The front zipper pocket will hold your keys and other
essentials. When it's all packed and ready to go, the Pronto attaches
neatly to your wrist or stroller handle with the sturdy strap.
I just don't know how Skip Hop manages to think of everything
when they design a product, but they leave no stone unturned in their
quest for baby product perfection! I have the Duo bag in red
and love it to bits. There are always just enough pockets of the right
size and depth, as well as super-sturdy construction from
quality materials. No wonder it's lasted two children and still looks nearly as good as new.
Available in a variety of colours, the Pronto is $94.95 and available from
Urban Baby or The Hip Infant.
Bertini have
done it again with the Z1 series. Another funky pram that suits a modern mother’s
lifestyle, not to mention the baby’s!
The Z1 looks like it ticks all the boxes, being ultra lightweight (at 7.1kg), easy
to mix and match and compact when collapsed. The thing I love about this pram is the combination of the 5 products it transforms into – a pram that turns
into a carry cot, bassinet, rocker, highchair and stroller.
Available in
five great fashion colours (Blackberry, Cherry, Lime, Tangerine and Blueberry) this chic and stylish accessory is both practical
and fashionable.
The Z1 compact frame, seat and bassinet cost $1,117. The ‘extras’ to complete the set are the Multi
Function Stand and rocker frame, which cost $378.
Other matching
accessories such as a Nappy Bag, Portacot, Baby Cradle and matching pram
blankets are also available. The Z series is not currently available to purchase online, you can call 1 300 809 526 for
stockists.
Silver Cross prams are about to set a new benchmark in “luxe” living for Australian babies. Think the world’s most endearing nanny, Mary Poppins, and you’re thinking Silver Cross.
The Dazzle was researched on the streets of the world’s style capitals London, Paris, Tokyo and New York, making it appealing to modern day parents. It’s a stylish and lightweight pushchair minimalist in design. New to Australia in 2008, the Dazzle is ultra lightweight and was voted
the most innovative product of 2007/08 by the readers of Mother and
Baby magazine (UK).
This stylish and lightweight pram that combines with a soft
carrycot to give you the perfect urban combination, suitable from birth
all the way through to toddlers. The pram is ultra lightweight at only
7kg.
Clean lines and minimalist design give it a distinctive modern look but
without compromising on comfort, safety or ease of use. The carrycot
provides genuine support and protection from birth and is rear-facing –
giving you clear eye contact with your newborn. It’s stylish,
fashionable and beautiful. It’s practical, functional and
intelligent.
It’s stylish, fashionable and beautiful. It’s practical, functional and
intelligent. It also comes in a gorgeous selection of colours – Black,
Silver, Blueberry, Grape and Pumpkin.
RRP is only $395 and $599 for the complete set from birth. Now I'm just waiting on the double version of the Dazzle!
Favoured by British royals for over a century, Silver Cross’s Balmoral
pram is the Rolls Royce of prams and even has a princely price tag of
$3999. This pram is billed as the must-have accessory for the baby who
has everything.
Weighing 37kg, each steel bodied Balmoral pram rides upon a
hand-sprung chassis, cushioned with leather suspension straps and
hand-spoked wheels. The ride of this iconic pram is unsurpassed - the
freely suspended body glides as it moves along the ground. It comes in Black, Navy or White and has a fine grey pinstripe lining.
A
favourite of parents of posh tots in the UK and USA, it’s about to
become the new glam pram in Oz too. Famous mums who have used the pram
include Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Catherine Zeta Jones, Liz Hurley and
Sarah Jessica Parker. Australia’s well-heeled mums and dads are
expected to join the push when the Silver Cross stock hits the nation’s
baby boutiques this month.
Visit Silver Cross for stockists. You can pre-order the Dazzle now and they will be in sotres by the end of March.
Image of Michael and Lindy Klim with daughted Stella and the Balmoral, courtesy of Crocmedia
