droolicious : one step ahead

Looking for the Perfect Sandbox?

elizabeth leach — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Nothing makes my toddler happier than sitting in her sandbox. This sandbox, from One Step Ahead, is a great size (4' x 6'), ideal for her and a couple friends. Made of red cedar, it looks great in our backyard. There's even a little place for me to sit and watch.

The clip-on, mesh cover, sold separately, lets in air and rain water. I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first, but then I was told you shouldn't put the cover on your sandbox if the sand is still wet. Since our sand is always wet, from all the water my daughter dumps in it, I'm glad I can put the cover on. The sandbox is bottomless to help with drainage which also keeps the sand fresh. And when your child grows out of the sandbox you can turn it into a vegetable garden!

The Cedar Sandbox is sold exclusively at One Step Ahead for $199.95. The cover is $79.95. Happy sand playing!

Bathing Suits with UPF and Diapers

elizabeth leach — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Sun Smarties bathing suits are the cutest bathing suits with sun protection that I've seen. Not only do they have UPF 50+ and built in diapers, but they are adorable. These bathing suits have it all.

This ultra fashionable line of bathing suits are mix and match so scoop up the tankinis, swim skirts, t-shirts, swim shorts and hats and enjoy the sunshine!

Sun Smarties can be found at One Step Ahead.

Go Outside and Play with this Sand and Water Table!

elizabeth leach — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

If you live in the north east, then you're probably feeling like I do right now. It's a beautiful day and I can't wait to go outside and play with my daughter. This is my favorite sand and water table for so many reasons. I love the fun, bright colors and the adorable sand and water pouring mills. (Photo after the jump...)

Table comes with five toys: a rake, shovel, boat, crab sand mold and starfish sand mold. The cover has a recessed roadway so the table can be played with even on those not so nice and sunny days. The table folds up flat for storage.

Find this Sand and Water Table at One Step Ahead for $79.95.

Can't Shake It: Loopa Spill-Resistant Bowl by One Step Ahead

Aaron Burgess — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:30:00 GMT

One Step Ahead promises that kids won't be able to topple over its Loopa Spill-Resistant Bowl, but we've seen a lot of crazy eaters here at Babble, so you tell us: Could your kids defy the Loopa?

Frankly, our money's on the Loopa: The weighted bowl sits inside a gyroscope, so provided Junior is past the point of turning his tableware into frisbees, odds are good that he won't be able to keep the Loopa from staying upright. It also includes a snap-on lid for keeping leftovers fresh, and as the picture above shows, the Loopa also works great for car trips.

$8.95 at Shop.com. [Craziest Gadgets via Gizmodo]

Natural Cold Remedy: Nasal Clear

elizabeth leach — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Now that cold season is in full swing (my baby has a cold at this very moment), here is a great alternative to the bulb aspirator. With this battery-operated aspirator, you barely have to touch it to your baby's nose for it to work. It's painless, very effective and super quick so baby doesn't have time to protest. It even plays songs to distract!

Find Nasal Clear at One Step ahead for $21.95.

3-in-1 System Jacket

elizabeth leach — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This jacket from One Step Ahead is a fantastic deal. It's a winter parka with Thermolite (which is warm without being puffy) that has a removable fleece liner. Wear them together on cold days and separately on warmer days. It's a jacket for all seasons!

The girl's jacket has a hot pink fleece liner that is perfect for chilly spring days and the boy's jacket has a navy blue fleece liner. Jackets are from One Step Ahead's Cozy Cub Collection so you can find coordinating pants and accessories to match the jacket. Find the 3-in-1 System Jacket here for $49.95.

Plush Marionettes

AmandaHill — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Marionettes were never my thing as a child, but that was mostly because all of the marionettes tossed my way had big scary clown faces that categorized them as super creepy. However, these marionettes are a fabulous new take on the old classic. These toys are great for sparking creativity with their capability to be used in storytelling and small plays. Made from stuffed animal material, the bodies of the marionettes are unbelievably soft and easy for play. You can choose the knight, fairy or dragon for $19.99 from One Step Ahead.

Easy-On and Stay-On Mittens

elizabeth leach — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT

The Cozy Cub Collection from One Step Ahead is a fantastic collection of fleece winter wear. I'm a big fan of the Cozy Cub Easy-On Mittens. They are very affordable (only $9.95) and the quality is superb. Mittens open wide so you can slip your child's hands in easily and the stay put tethers make them hard to lose.

Choose from blue, slate, blue multi stripe, hot pink, light pink and pink stripes. Shop One Step Ahead.

Traveling to Grandma's for the Holidays?

elizabeth leach — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:28:00 GMT

We've written about the gogo Kidz Travelmate before, but after using one for the first time I have to sing its praises. The gogo Kidz Travelmate transformed my experience of traveling with my daughter. The airport portion of our trip was a breeze. (The flight was not so hot but getting around the airport was easy!) If you're traveling alone (like I was) or with your partner, this is the best invention for traveling with a toddler.

Find the gogo Kidz Travelmate at One Step Ahead for $89.95 and worth every penny!

New from One Step Ahead: Play Mats and Play Time

elizabeth leach — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:53:00 GMT

Tummy Time Safari is the cutest tummy time mat I've seen. It's also bigger than most tummy time mats and cushioned so it's comfortable for those sensitive tummies. Baby can practice tummy time while surrounded in a land of brightly colored, safari friends. An activity panel attaches onto one side of the mat where there is a lion hiding behind peek-a-boo, crinkly bushes, a mirror framed in palm trees, a plush parrot, an elephant, and a crinkly butterfly. (One more play mat and a sensory toy after the jump...)

I can almost hear the safari sounds now! Purchase the Tummy Time Safari for $49.95.

The 3-in-1 Stepping Stone Play Mat (below photo) comes in six triangular pieces that can be configured in many ways. As a hexagon, it's tummy time and play mat for an infant. Toys are in easy reach to amaze and entertain. Fit the pieces as a curved lane and baby can crawl from piece to piece to examine the toys. And then the toys can be fitted together as two pyramids while baby sits or stands and plays. This toy literally grows with your child! Attached toys include, plush and crinkly octopus, house with peek-a-boo door with mirror, rotating and squeaking plush sun, plush rattle fish, peek-a-boo sailboat, mirrored flower, and crinkly leaf. Each triangular piece is a different bright color and is made of soft and washable fabric. Purchase the 3-in-1 Stepping Stone Mat for $49.95

What's Inside Toy Box (below photo) is ingeniously designed because instead of a lid there is fabric on the top so baby can't see inside. He has to put his hand inside the box and feel around to grab something. And what's inside? Eight adorable sensory toys, decorated with satin accents. Your child will delight in pulling these toys out of the box: an octopus, house, rocket, monkey, polka dot animal, sun with mirror, sailboat, and lion. Cute images and satin tags decorate the outside of the box. Purchase What's Inside Toy Box for $34.95.

7 Days of Feeding: This Could be the Best High Chair Ever

elizabeth leach — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:00:00 GMT

I think I should get a trophy for finding this high chair or maybe I'm the last to know, in which case a big DUH for me. In any case, I feel slightly giddy about the Euro II Highchair, which looks like a less expensive version of Stokke's Trip Trap, minus all the funky colors.

My main gripe with my high chair is all the grooves that food gets stuck in and I have to practically hose the thing down after every meal. The Euro II Highchair is so simple that it avoids the grooves. Your child can sit at the table with you or you can purchase the attachable tray for the more conventional high chair approach. This chair is sturdy enough for an adult to use, not that I can see why that would be important. The price is $99.95 and the tray is $29.95. Buy it at One Step Ahead and choose from cherry or natural wood.

I admit, I haven't tested the Euro II, but there are comments on One Step Ahead from people who have. There seems to be a few issues with strapping in an infant who is on the large size, which would have been mine, so that leaves me a little deflated. I would like to think that this is still a near perfect high chair. If not, One Step Ahead offers easy returns.

7 Days of Water Games: Li’l Squirt Baby Pool

elizabeth leach — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT

Treat your baby to an underwater fantasy world that’s just the right size. A mini water park with soft spraying water, pat mat area with floating 3D fish, and colorful under the sea graphics. It attaches to your garden hose and since the water is shallow it won’t take as long to warm up as a baby pool.

I love being outside with my baby but she’s at the age where she has to explore everything. This baby pool is a great way to keep her entertained and away from dirt and grass and everything else I don't want her to shove in her mouth. For $19.95 at One Step Ahead.

Big Deal: Car Organization Solutions at One Step Ahead

Mir — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:01:00 GMT

You've got the diaper bag and the stroller and the bunting and your purse and theoretically, you've got it all together. But woe betide the person who pops the lid to your trunk -- everything else you need has been tossed in there to deal with "later." Am I right? Right now at One Step Ahead you can choose from either their trunk organizer duffel or trunk cooler bags for just $3.75 apiece. (Heck, at that price, you can get one of each.) The best part is that once baby is grown, you'll still be using them without apology. Hooray for a baby product not covered in teddy bears!

Big Deal: Save 20% at One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds, Today Only

Mir — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:00:00 GMT

Still shopping? For 24 hours only, shop at either One Step Ahead or Leaps and Bounds and save 20% off your entire order using coupon code ONESAVBE. This sort of coupon is very rare for them, so this is a great time to buy a larger item or one that is available exclusively from their sites. For example, the Rainforest Pat Mat (pictured above) is already marked down to $55.95; with the coupon, it'll be just $44.76.

On the Go Booster Seat Keeping Kids One Step Ahead

chrisjordan — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:19:00 GMT

Top ranked inflatable booster seat plumps up to a cushy 2-4" with a single touch and then compresses for ease of carrying.

With a storage pocket, shoulder strap, and wipe-clean vinyl cover this booster seat is perfect for traveling.

Available at One Step Ahead for $24.95

Go Anywhere Table and Footrest from One Step Ahead

chrisjordan — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:21:00 GMT

Attempting to make long drives in the car with your kids slightly more enjoyable than stabbing yourself in the eyes.

Footrest relieves pressure points in the legs, while the versatile snack/activity tray keeps little passengers occupied. At least until they drop their markers, or paper, or their snack rolls away.

But for those 5 minutes it occupies them... pure bliss.

Available exclusively at One Step Ahead for $49.95

Luxury Baby Bouncer with Remote

chrisjordan — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:01:00 GMT

Cozy and comforting this three-position adjustable seat has removable toy bar with soft toys. Soothing vibrations, calming music, heartbeat, and bird sounds. (Really? Bird sounds? Because that is not at all annoying. Or creepy.)

The best part is that you can operate all of it with the remote control. No more getting up off the couch.

Now if it could just change the diapers.

$59.95 at One Step Ahead.