Cat and the hat

As the 'owners' of two cheeky munchkins of the male persuasion, it's not surprising that some of our finds tend to be a little boy-centric.

But every now and then we satisfy our blog's girlie side with something that catches our eye. Like this adorable Catriona the Cat playsuit by UK designers Olive & Moss. We're especially taken with Catriona's dinky little handbag and sweet mouse ears on the hat that comes as part of the set.

The romper is available in sizes 0-12 months in 100%, machine-washable cotton. Visit Olive & Moss to check out their range of playful characters and products.

Bus boy

Our Mr. Cheeks is a typical boy, in love with all things that go and particularly the iconic London bus. So this adorable hand-knitted Red Bus Hat from Stealing Candy immediately caught my eye.

It's only available in sizes 3-12 months, so sadly His Cheekiness would have to sit back and watch baby bro double-decked out in wintry fashion.

This hat might not stop traffic but it's guaranteed to turn the heads of any toddlers in transit. Visit Stealing Candy for more sweet finds.

Back in Shape

When scouting around for Xmas gifts for the young 'uns, it's easy to feel bombarded by the big name brands and the cookie cutter toys.

One great alternative to major department stores is checking out museum gift shops for something quirky and stylish. We love this brightly-coloured Shape Caterpillar Backpack, by design duo Zoe Miller and David Goodman. The bag is part of a range of kids' accessories to mark the publication of their children's book exploring the concept of shapes.

Pick up the pack on a visit to the Tate Modern with your tots or if you can't face the crowds, swing by their online shop for more gift ideas.

Yo Bubba Bubba

So I know Hype Baby has been sleeping on this one, but I just rented out the Yo Gabba Gabba It's Time to Dance DVD and I have to admit I'm hooked. The intro sounded hectic but, within minutes, I was grinning insanely and ready to boogie down with my bubbas.

The popular Nick Jr. show features zany characters, juicy colours and positive messages (e.g. 'eat your fruits' and 'brush your teeth') set to a crazy-funky-cool soundtrack blending old-school hip hop beats, dance pop and even electronica.

The first DVD from the series, It's Time to Dance features cameos from Elijah Wood and Tony Hawk. This Halloween, Mr. Brangelina himself gave the show some extra stardust by dressing up as central figure DJ Lance Rock.

Yo Gabba Gabba mania continues to sweep the States with the release last month of the soundtrack Music is Awesome and the live show hitting the road nationwide. Whether your kid's already a fan or, like ours, normally restricted to ad-free kids TV, the Yo Gabba Gabba DVD should make a much-played prezzie this Xmas. For more of the mayhem, check 'em out on their web site or on YouTube.

Angel baby

She may keep you up all night feeding and drive you crazy all day crying, yet one gummy smile from baby and she's transformed from tiny fiend into cheeky little cherub.

Make her look the part with this angel wing bodysuit by Marie Chantel. The babygrow is made of 100 percent pima cotton and comes with the sweetest set of angel wings sewn on the back. It's also available in pink or blue, but we think you'll agree white looks most celestial. Browse for more heavenly finds at the Gift Library online store.

All wrapped up

Although the baby boom is no longer quite as intense as when I was expecting (funny how that happens), I just found out yet another relative is due in a couple of months. Always an excuse to hunt for new baby gifts.


I've fallen in love with the soft throws, wraps and nursery bedding by the Atlantic Blankets company. I'm particularly swayed by these Moss/Salmon striped blankies made in Ireland. These 100% lambswool babywraps are just designed for snuggling a newborn and will make both new mama and little bundle very happy indeed. Find your own perfect style at the Atlantic Blankets web site.

Buzz off

After our recent travels, we were horrified to find our Cheeky ones covered in scabs and scars from insect bites. I had prepared for the African scourge but the worst offenders turned out to be in the South of France.

If only I had known about Green Baby's Deet Free Mosquito Patch beforehand. This fantastic little product packs a powerful punch of 100% pure undiluted Citronella and Eucalyptus Citriodora - essential oils that have been used for years to keep those buzzers at bay. Simply take a patch, give it a friendly squeeze to release the fragrance, and slap it on for up to 10 hours protection.

The patches are not only environmentally cool, but totally safe for everyone even babies since the product never touches the skin. You can stick them on practically any area you fancy including clothing, furniture, pushchairs and bedding. Each packet comes with 24 patches designed to repel midges, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and even headlice.

Being partial to his stickers and plasters, Mr. Cheeks was especially keen and proud to display his Deet patch while playing in the woods. I was just thrilled that I didn't have to cover either of my babies in smelly, possibly rash-inducing gunk. Now when are they going to come out with a sunscreen patch?

Visit Green Baby for the lowdown.

Babbling over

I literally laughed out loud when I saw this onesie with 'Oh Crap' so aptly placed above the rear. And strolling through Covent Garden the other day with Little Big Cheeks in his 'Fuel' bodysuit, I was stopped time and again by people wondering where we got that cute t-shirt.

The answer is Babble Babywear, a line of bodyhugging onesies with witty captions and logos that are bound to make you do a double-take. Check out the 'Chunky' onesie with peanut butter jar logo or the 'Recycling Centre' for the eco-conscious parent with a sense of humour. Each bodysuit is made of 100% ringspun combed cotton with reinforced three-snap closures and available in sizes 0-12 months.

And if you think you can do even better, Babble Babywear are running a contest for new slogans. Visit the web site for more details.

Just kicking it

Finding cute yet affordable clothes for kids in a recession can be headache-inducing. So we're pleased to share an extra special offer from online superstore Kicky Pants. Normally only available to wholesale customers, the site is offering a massive 50 percent off retail orders for a limited time only. Simply head to the site, click on Our Products and then select Seasonal or Maternity to see the sale range. Their adorable ruffle dresses and romper suits are perfect for lolling around in the long, hot summer ahead. Visit Kicky Pants for further info.

Bootie-licious

Snow season's over but it's all about style with these rocking Baby Chestnut Crossbone Skull booties by Las Vegas line Penelope Wildberry. Those teeny toes will feel oh-so-cosy wrapped up in sheepskin boots that look a bit like baby Uggs, but with attitude. Snap them up via the Gift Library and let everyone know your kid's a real wild child.

ABC, easy as 123

Even though Little Big Cheeks has a wardrobe crammed with 'vintage' onesies from the year 2006 (i.e. his older brother's cast-offs), it's hard to resist adding some fresh duds now and again. We're recently addicted to the sleek, stylish clothes and accessories shop, Milalu.

And our boys are almost too cool for school kitted out in two Milalu designs: a hip, higgledy-piggledy Numbers bodysuit for our little Buddha and an Alphabet toddler t-shirt that's le dernier mot in cool calligraphy. Screenprinted on American Apparel's ultra-cosy combed cotton, these are high quality pieces that (after a few washes) seem to survive the fade factor. Visit Milalu to scope out more hype gear for the little people.

Yellow Baby!

We at Hype Baby are proud to announce that our babe-in-waiting, Little Big Cheeks (as he shall be blogged about) is finally here. He's been with the Cheeky family for two weeks now and already we can't imagine life without him.

And we can think of no better way to greet him on this blog than with a sun salutation from one of our top shops, Nordic Kids.

This Yellow Smiling Sun bodysuit design by Mini Rodini is simply hot to trot. The sweet smiley face and funky, graphic print rays on sunshine cotton are irresistibly cheerful. It's the perfect way to inject a little summertime spirit indoors while we yearn for warmer days ahead. Check out this and more designs at the Nordic Kids web site.

Swing high, butterfly

Summertime and the living is easy... So the deep freeze from Siberia may be heading to the UK, but this swinging baby makes us think of those lazy, hazy days we can only dream about. The Fisher Price Butterfly Garden Papasan Cradle Swing not only looks ridiculously cosy but it also comes with a variety of sound and music settings and plenty of good vibrations.

For playtime, the bubba can relax to bird song and 8 happy tunes while nap time mode features a soothing brook, chirping crickets and 8 lullabies. Along with the detachable butterfly mobile, there's a butterfly light show that projects onto the canopy and at the flick of a switch the cradle will swing from side to side or back to front. Order at Kiddicare, an online superstore with excellent deals for new parents.

Baby it's cold outside

In these chilly conditions, all I can think about is snuggling down with the little one. And I can't envision wrapping up in anything much more comfortable and stylish than a Quilt Baby blanket.


This indie design company run by a mama of two boys makes modern, chic textiles and accessories for babies, including bedding, clothing, bibs and burp cloths. You'll find gorgeous reversible cotton quilts in unique prints that make fabulous heirloom gifts. Even order a pillow to match for when your bubba's old enough to appreciate throw cushions. Check out more Quilt Baby designs on their web site or at their Etsy store.

How does your garden grow?

We're a long way from Spring but babies and big kids of all ages can still enjoy a spot of gardening with this psychedelic Play Garden by Kushies.


It features a host of crazy creatures and colourful plants that are all magnetized so they can be stacked together or simply arranged decoratively on the window box base. When playtime's done, the base can be zipped shut allowing you to take the garden wherever the sun shines (or not) and giving your little ones endless opportunities to exercise their green fingers.

The Play Garden makes a great gift and is just one of the fantastic selection at Revilo Toys, a shop that focuses on premium quality toys with that added cool quotient. Order latest from Revilo Toys by noon today (Tuesday December 23) and you might just sneak in a last minute Xmas gift.

Hot Roddlers

Auto freak daddies and mamas are already going ape doo doo for a fine piece of design known as the "Roddler". Possibly the most tricked-out stroller on the planet, the Roddler combines the safety and comfort of a traditional stroller with the sleek good looks of a classic Hot Rod. Not only does this ride boast one-of-a-kind features like its iPod docking station and integrated LCD screen, but it can be customised with chrome trims, flash colours and smoking accessories. You can even add your own graphics (e.g. flames) for seriously hot wheels.



Coming in 2009, Kid Kustoms are cranking things up with their highly covetable Roddler Trike, the world's first convertible trike. It comes available both as a stand-alone and as a conversion kit that replaces the front end of the Roddler stroller. Strictly for high rollers. Get the lowdown at the Kid Kustoms web site.

Well spotted

If you're already shopping for a teeny outfit with a little Xmas cheer but you don't want to come over all Santa, check out this adorable Red Spotty Kimono Babygro. The babygro can be bought with a matching hat for some added ho ho ho. Made by Organics for Kids who use Fairtrade organic cotton, the onesie is just part of the delicious range featured by Stealing Candy at the London Baby Show.

Stealing Candy is an online store run by a mum of two who specialises in 'scrumptious' baby clothes and products from leading brands like Bob & Blossom, Green Eyed Monster and Petit Pea. All orders from the shop come exquisitely wrapped with a handwritten gift tag making this an ideal stop for your holiday shopping. Visit Stealing Candy for more treats for your little sweetie.

The Show must go on

The Baby Show, the UK's biggest exhibition for new and expectant parents, came back with a bang (shake and rattle) at London's Earl's Court arena last weekend. This three-day event features all the top baby and toddler brands like Mothercare, Maclaren, Graco and Avent, along with indie retailers and mumpreneurs eager to share their wares.


With live fashion shows, parenting experts on hand to guide you and row upon row of stands, the Baby Show is a great place to try out loads of gear and finally whittle down what you'll really need for those 0-3 years. The sheer range of goodies on offer can be exhausting and after what seemed like miles of trekking I was ready to nap in the giant bouncy chair set up at the Fisher Price stand. Mr. Cheeks was having a fab time scoping out toys and other toddlers - apart from being totally freaked out by a super-sized Bob the Builder. Luckily the kid was soon worn out leaving mama free to wander/shop in peace for another hour.

Sadly we weren't able to bring you live reports from the show, but over the coming weeks Hype Baby and our sister blog Brand New Mama will be featuring some of our favourite products and exhibitors. If you missed the weekend gig, you can catch the Baby Show in Manchester on November 14-16 or plan ahead for 2009 outings at London's ExCeL on March 1, Birmingham on May 15-17 and Earl's Court on October 16-18. For more info check out the Baby Show web site.

Buggy warmers

We're barely halfway through September and already summer (or what passed for summer over here) is almost a distant memory. The air is getting chillier and it's time to start shopping for winter warmers for our precious offspring.

You'll be hard pressed to find something more luxurious for your little one than the Moore and Moore buggy blankets in faux fur or faux sheepskin. Available in irresistible colours like toffee, latte and truffle, these gorgeous blankets are guaranteed to keep any buggie snug through the coming months. The faux sheepskin versions also come with a cute Pocket Pal animal toy that nestles within easy reach to keep baby company as you stroll. All Moore and Moore products are made in the UK and can be found at a variety of online stores or visit their web site for more information.

Scoot Along

If you read our recent post on balance bikes, you'll know that Hype Baby is quite caught up in the pedalless revolution. There are many new versions to choose from and one of the coolest we've stumbled upon is the Skipper Balance Scooter, based on the Vespa model. This funky little mover features rubber wheels, a lacquer finish and comes in racy red, hot pink, baby blue or black. And for extra retro appeal, you can even add a furry seat cover to pad your teeny one's tush. Get these stylish wheels at the Skipper Toys web site.