Ugly Dolls are Great Gifts!

It all started when every letter that David Horvath sent to Sun-Min Kim (they were friends that lived in different countries.) had a little cartoon of Wage at the bottom of the letter saying "I miss You" next to it. As a surprise gift Sun-Min sewed a doll of Wage, and sent it to David in the mail. They made some more, and the ugly dolls quickly became popular.

As they are handmade, each doll features slight variations, enhancing the dolls' uniqueness. Each doll also includes a small tag describing the character's distinctive personality. Ugly Dolls have their own little world where both children and adults can enter the beautiful world of ugly, collect all the dolls and collect the quirky minis. Kid and adults looking for a little whimsy can attach them to backpacks, gym bags, luggage, diaper bags and lap top bags. I promise they will make you smile.

So don't forget about the Ugly Dolls when there's a birthday coming up and more importantly, don't forget the holidays are just around the corner!

Buy Ugly Dolls at Kustum Kribs either online at www.kustumkribs.com or stop by the store. We would love to see you!

Wet Bag Myths

There is a popular myth going around that wet bags are only for cloth diapering. This couldn't be further from the true. Let me tell you a little about the make up of a wet bag before I dispel any wet bag myths.

A wet bag is a reusable, washable, and eco-friendly bag designed priarily to hold and separate wet items. The outside of the bag is usually made from cotton or a water reisistan fabric. The inside is lined with a soft and durable lining, usually a pvc-free poly-urethane laminate.

There are many closure styles available in the wet bag - zipper, drawstring, Velcro or a fold-over top. Zipper closures are really the only ones that will seal in odors. Wet bags also vary in size. It depends what you are going to use it for - again, wait for me to dispel the myths.

There are many, many other things you may use a wet bag for in the course of the day. For baby - cloth or disposable diapers, bibs, bottles, wet clothes and baby food. For your toddler - potty training, drippy, sippy cups, snacks, wet clothes, and swimwear. Teens, yes teens -an eco-friendly lunch bag, after school sports bag, swim team bag, and beaach wear bag. For adults, see where I'm going with this - gym clothes, cosmetics, toiletries when traveling, swimwear, and hiking and camping gear.

So you see, wet bags can be used by any member of the family. Your little one can use that wet bag for the rest of their life. A really sound investment. To check out the wet bags at Kustum Kribs - stop by our store, call 847-825-5742 or shop online at www.kustumkribs.com.

Kustum Kribs on Mama Source

Kustum Kribs has joined Mama Source! Check it out! The newest online source for all of mom's needs!

The Safe Starter and the Safe Sporter Have Arrived!

We have just received our shipment of the Kid Basix "The Safe Sippy" and "The Safe Sporter". These are the newest additions to the Kid Basix collection at Kustum Kribs joining "the Safe Sippy Cup" and "Safe Sippy 2".

Kid Basix created The Safe Sippy™ series in response to parents’ growing concerns about Bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals present in many plastic bottles. Now, we have expanded the “Safe” brand to include The Safe Starter™ stainless steel baby bottle and The Safe Sporter™ sports bottles to provide safe, reusable drink ware for the entire family.

"The Safe Starter" was developed for babies and sells for $15.00. It comes in green, pink and blue. It comes in 3 nipple flows - slow, medium and fast. "It's been called the coolest baby bottle in the world.!"

"The Safe Sporter" is for older kids as well as adults. Ideal for the lunch box, walks, sport practice or hanging out with friends. Select from blue, green or yellow colors and pay only $16.00. A great deal for a safe, reusable drik delivery system!

"The Safe Sippy Cup" and "The Safe Sippy 2" is available for kids. "The Safe Sippy Cup" has a straw delivery system. It sells for $15.95. "The Safe Sippy 2" has the option of being a sippy cup or you can use the straw. It sells for $14.95. Both are available in pink, blue and green.

Why go with stainless steel bottles from Kid Basix when so many BPA-free plastic bottles are available now? We can give you 300 billion reasons. That’s the approximate number of plastic water bottles discarded around the world every year. Enough to power 12 million cars for an entire year. And that’s just the water bottles! It doesn’t include all the plastic bottles used for sodas, sports drinks, fruit juices and the like. All told, the plastic bottles we throw away each year would reach to the moon and back – 1500 times. So using reusable stainless steel bottles makes sense on every level: personal, local and global.

Order "The Safe Starter", "The Safe Sippy Cup", "The Safe Sippy 2" and "The Safe Sporter" at www.KustumKribs.com or stop by Kustum Kribs and see them face to face before you decide which ones you need for yourself and your family.

All About the Belly Bandit

Have you ever heard of the Belly Bandit? Women across the world swear by them. They help you get back to your pre-pregnancy shape along with a balanced diet and exercise.

The Belly Bandit is an abdominal compression binder designed to help you get your body back to its former fabulousness post childbirth.

Not only does the Belly Bandit help reduce uncomfortable uterine swelling, it aids in decreasing bloating caused by water retention, and gives additional support for Mommy’s weary legs & back. For you breastfeeding moms, there’s a bonus… the Belly Bandit will help you with your posture during feedings, and may help to reduce the all too common back & shoulder pain associated with breastfeeding. Ultimately, the Belly Bandit will aid in getting you back to your pre-pregnancy hotness faster than ever!

Stretch marks – Argh! Although everybody knows what can cause them: stomach growth and the stretching of skin, we really have never thought about the post period and what may be another factor. The excess skin that is pulled and stretched after birth may continue to cause unsightly markings by “hanging around”. Greater support of this loose skin may actually decrease tension which in turn may decrease stretch marks in the post period.

Who knew it could be so easy?Smart women around the world that’s who! The binding of a woman’s abdomen post delivery has been used therapeutically for centuries all over the globe. Increased and constant pressure against the abdominal area has many benefits. It has been known to help flatten the belly and redefine the waistline while helping you keep your back straight, thus minimizing associated pain and fatigue.

This is simply a breathable and comfy exclusively tailored abdominal wrap to assist your body in regaining its former beauty and shape. The Belly Bandit® provides strong support to help relieve discomfort and give you that extra boost of confidence you deserve after childbirth. Our smooth lightweight construction is designed to be worn comfortably under all of your clothes and our tagless design won’t irritate your skin.

The Belly Bandit was even on Ellen! Check out this link to see how it works http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/?autoplay=true&mediaKey=416bceab-a8dc-40f2-8f77-e9542865b85e

To find out how to select your correct size - stop in Kustum Kribs and we will gladly measure you to find out what size you need. Too far away? Give us a call and have a tape measure handy. We'll tell you how to measure yourself and you can order online at www.kustumkribs.com. Kustum Kribs carries the Original Belly Bandit, the Couture Belly Bandit in a fantastic plaid and an Earth friendly Bamboo Belly Bandit.

Wallcandy Smarts Bees and Trees

Wall Candy has come out with a new product that grows as your baby grows and learns. It's called the Smarts Bees and Trees. We have just received our shipment at Kustum Kribs!

Help enhance your newborn and infants’ gross motor skill and eye sight development with our ophthalmologist and pediatrician approved 3 step baby room art program.
Smarts is a collaboration between WallCandy Arts and the Vega Project.

Each kit of nursery wall stickers includes 6 sheets of over 50 moveable and reuseable decals including 30.75” of checker board, 7 small bees, 2 large bees, and 6 frames. Comes flat packed. For a mere $24.99, you can enhance your baby's development as well as provide a lovely and changing decor to his/her bedroom. Buy yours now before they're gone! Stop by Kustum Kribs at 147 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge, Illinois or for immediate gratification shop http://www.kustumkribs.com/.

Sophie the Giraffe has Arrived!

The world famous Sophie the Giraffe has arrived in Park Ridge after a long journey from France! She's tired, but ready to help your little ones make it through teething by chewing on this all natural rubber teething toy painted with food grade quality paint.

Here's Sophie's story. Once Upon a time, a simple story….The Little giraffe was born on the 25th of May in the year 1961…St Sophie’s day! In those days, the only animal toys available were farm animal or pet figures.

That is why one day in France, a certain Monsieur RAMPEAU, who was an expert in transforming sap from the HEVEA tree using the rotational molding of rubber as a toy-making concept, came up with the idea of designing a giraffe. Such an exotic wildlife figure would be a first on the market, and its size and shape would be ideal for a baby’s small hands to grasp. Sophie the Giraffe, who looked exactly the same then as she does today, went into production on a Thursday, May 25th, whence her name. She was an immediate success. Young mothers straightaway saw that she was a must for their children when the first signs of teething appear, Sophie the Giraffe helps baby stop crying! By simple word of mouth, the little Giraffe’s fame spread. From then on in Europe, generation upon generation of children were to love hearing Sophie squeak whenever they pressed her tummy and head!Vulli, a company based in Rumilly in the Haute-Savoie Region of France has continued to keep the jealously-guarded secret of how this wonder toy is made. SOPHIE is still “traditionally” produced to this day, a process that involves more than 14 manual operations. She is made from 100% natural rubber derived from the sap of the Hevea Tree.

Why is Sophie such a huge success?

Sophie the Giraffe is BABYS FIRST TOY, stimulating EACH OF HIS SENSES from the age of 3 months:
• Sight: At the age of 3 months, a baby’s eyesight is still limited and he can only make out high contrasts.The Dark and contrasting attention-catching spots all over Sophie the Giraffe’s body provide visual stimulation and she soon becomes a familiar and reassuring object for baby.
• Hearing: Sophie’s the Giraffe squeaker keeps baby amused and stimulates his hearing. To begin with, the funny sound Sophie makes when she is squeezed helps to stimulate baby’s hearing, and then later, helps him to understand the link between cause and effect.
• Taste: ASophie the Giraffe is made of 100% natural rubber and food paint, and is completely safe to chew, just like a feeding bottle teat. Her soft texture and numerous chewable parts (ears, horns, legs), make her perfect for soothing baby’s sore gums during teething
• Touch: Touch is the first means a baby has of communicating with the outside world. Sophie the Giraffe’s soft feel, like baby’s mother’s skin, stimulates physiological and emotional response that soothe baby and promote healthy growth and well-being..
• Smell: The singular scent of natural rubber from the Hevea tree makes Sophie the Giraffe very special and easy for your child to identify amid all his other toys.
• Easy to grip: Sophie the Giraffe’s shape and 18 cm (7 inches) size are perfect for baby’s small hands. She is very light, and her long legs and neck are easy for baby to grip, even from his earliest days.

Still the same, even after more than 46 years…She hasn’t dated in the slightest..More than 30 million Sophies have been sold…She is an undisputed star for the very young…The archetypal embodiment of the early learning toy,Sophie the Giraffe is a must-have who enjoys widespread popularity and is genuinely loved by every parent and child.Sophie the Giraffe has become timeless and cross-generational..YOUR BABY NEEDS HER!

To by Sophie the Giraffe, shop at Kustum Kribs in Park Rige, Illinois or you can buy her on our website at www.kustumkribs.com!

Do you know Kaboost?

KABOOST is a compact and portable chair booster that raises the height of kitchen and dining room chairs so your child can sit at the table just like a big kid. With KABOOST, the entire dining experience is enhanced for both child and family. Wider base makes chair more stable. We have both the original and deluxe chair boosters in the store and offer them online as well.

Quick & Easy
• Snaps-on chair in seconds
• Engineered to improve chair stability
• Holds up to 300 lbs
• Stays attached even when chair is moved

Debating between a booster chair or KABOOST? Check out this funny video!
http://www.kaboost.com/videos/handyman/

Kaboost demo may be seen by clicking below:
http://www.kaboost.com/videos/demo/

And finally, a hilarious KABOOST video about eating your vegetables!
http://www.kaboost.com/videos/veggies/

To order a Kaboost, stop by our shop! To order online, shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

The Alma Crib from Bloom

We are currently accepting presale orders for Bloom's new Alma crib!

The new Bloom Alma crib is a bit deceiving in its form and function. Alma is made from solid wood and stainless steel. The stand-out feature is the simple patented fold which reduces the size of the crib significantly. The length reduces from just over 38 inches to nearly 10 inches. That amount of space-saving can mean a lot if you live in a small apartment or house. Once folded, the crib is easy to store and transport. The Alma is made with birch from sustainable sources, uses low VOC finishes, comes with lockable caster wheels, and is adjustable to two mattress heights.

It offers two adjustable mattress heights - bassinet height for newborns and crib height for older babies up to two years. Putting it together is a breeze because it does not require special tools for assembly, and the four lockable casters make it easy to move.

The crib is available in coconut white, or for those who like an injection of color, gala green. It is perfect for use at grandparents, in a second home or for co-sleeping. The cost of the Alma crib is $400. Order yours now!

For a complete demonstration of the Bloom Alma Crib, please click on the following link:
http://www.bloombaby.com/collection/feat.php?sID=83

To order the Alma crib - give us a call at 847-825-5742 or shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

Cloth Diapering Classes

Did you know that we offer cloth diapering classes at Kustum Kribs? It can be a little intimidating as there are so many more choices than our mother's had! Our next class will be held on Wednesday, September 30 from 6 - 7:30 PM. You must register in advance for the class. We require a $10 deposit that will be returned to you at the class. Should you not attend, you forfeit the $10.

After the class, enjoy a 15% discount on all of out cloth diapering items. Just some of the brands we carry are: Bummis, Bumkins, Charlie's Soap, Dry Bees, Bum Gemius and Snappi. Give it a try! Bring a significant other or a friend. It's really easy and not more expensive over the long run regardless of what you heard. Of course you can use disposables when you travel and other times when it deems necessary.

By using cloth diapers, you'll put natural fabrics against your babies skin and cut down on the waste in landfills that will be there forever. Studies have shown that the average baby goes through over 5,000 diapers before they are potty trained. 5,000 diapers sitting in a landfill for each baby. That's a lot of diapers! The EPA says that as of 1998, 3.4 million tons of waste in landfills in the US are from disposable diapers. They are even more concerned that the diapers aren't wrapped properly and the excrement is leaking into the local water supply. Be kind to your baby, be kind to the environment and meet up with some really nice people! Come join us at our next cloth diapering class!

To see our line of cloth diapering offerings shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

Have you checked out Kidwinks.com?

Pioneer press had wonderful things to say about Kidwinks.com! We're so excited as Kustum Kribs becasue we're part of Kidwinks, not to meantion that we love recommending the website to our customers. Jean Lemke and Nina Taluc created kidwinks.com, a Web site that lists just about everything parents can do with their kids in the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. Their site is easy to navigate, comprehensive and free.

Those who join the site, free of charge, can take advantage of additional perks -- free e-mail reminders of events and the site's free weekly e-newsletter. Members who supply their street addresses will find they can sort listings by distance from their homes, too. And maps to many attractions are provided, courtesy of links to Google.

Kidwinks.com may be particularly attractive during the current recession -- when children's "We're bored" collides squarely with parents' "We're broke." A hefty percentage of the site's listings are low-cost or free. Members can sort listings by cost.

"Our kids really love the River Trail Nature Center, in Northbrook," said Lemke. "If you're there around 2:30 or 3 p.m., you can watch the naturalists feed the animals. It's all free."
During the first week in August, for example, kidwinks.com lists 317 events, 164 of which are free. Also for the first week in August, the site lists 436 area restaurants, 97 of which offer free or low cost ($1.99 or cheaper) children's meals.

"And we list restaurant parents will actually enjoy," Taluc said.
Click on a site calendar for all of the attractions available on a specific date. Or click, for example, on Ongoing Activities. View them all or browse by category -- Animals (20 activities); Groups and Clubs (196); Indoor Activities (219); Kids' Crafts (20); Landmarks (13); Museums (107); Outdoor Kids' Activities (296); Religion (4); Seasonal Kids' Activities (292); Sightseeing and Tours (19); Kids' Sports (146); and Mini Vacations (6). Check kidwinks.com's featured Ongoing Activities listings, too: Top 10 Most Viewed of the Week; Top 10 Highest Rated of the Week; Upcoming Events; and What's New.

Icons on the site identify Kidwinks' picks, coupons, dining deals, restaurants, ongoing activities, shopping, services and events. Major listings categories include: Ongoing Activities, Events, Restaurants, Shopping and Services. Each is subdivided. For example, the Restaurants category is broken up by Service Type (701 listings), Meals Served (1,332), Seasonal (42) and Cuisine (1,530).

For parents planning children's parties, kidwinks.com offers plenty of help under Services: Kids' Party (203 listings), Catering (16), Entertainers (31), Inflatables (24), Places to Party (109), Party Favors (5) and Party Planners (18).

So check out Kidwinks.com and see where you and your kids mught end up. You just never know what you'll find. To find out what we have in our shop - please stop by or check out our Kustu Kribs website at www.kustumkribs.com

We Have Pocket Dots!

We are now carrying Pocket Dots in black and nude. Pocket Dots are made to work with maternity bands, Pocket Dots clip to your back pockets then to your band. Your backside stays covered and you still get to wear your cute pre-pregnancy pants!

Maternity bands give you the coverage up front to let you wear your favorite pants even when they won't zip anymore. But bands slip up when it comes to covering your backside. Pocket Dots to the rescue! You stay covered and in style. No saggy maternity pants for you! Pocket Dots keep you fashionable and let you show off your pregnancy without showing too much.


Pocket Dots just won the 2009 Outstanding Products award from iParenting Media!!! Also, they will be in Chicago Baby's Fall issue that comes out Sept. 14 (along with Mothering Magazine-Sept and an ad in Fit Pregnancy- Oct/Nov). We're so excited!

Buy Pocket Dots in our store or shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

The New Fall Tea Collection Has Arrived!

The new Fall 2009 Tea Collection has just arrived in our store! The inspiration from this collection comes from the East -block prints and soft comfortable fabrics. The separates are everything that you expect from Tea - mix and match, layer and carry your child from one season to the next in full comfort. Take at look at the new collection by clicking on the link below so you'll know what your missing. We know the anticipation can be tough!

http://www.youtube.com/teacollection

To purchase the new fall Tea Collection, please stop by out shop, or shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

The Tummy Tubs Have Arrived!

The original TummyTub is a unique womb-shaped and sized bath that eases baby’s transition from a familiar, safe place to an unknown world. Enormously popular in Europe, this alternative to the standard baby bath makes bath time stress-free for babies and parents alike!

The Tummy Tub makes baby feels warm, safe, and relaxed within soft boundaries. Eases indigestion, gas, and colic while calming baby. Stimulates cognitive and physical development.
Ultra light weight, easy on your back. Meets the most stringent safety regulations worldwide.
Phthalate, BPA, lead free. Uses less water, energy, and space than traditional baby tubs.
The optional stand raises baby to a comfortable sitting position and doubles as a stool, with clever design for storage inside.

The Tummy Tub is available in clear, pink and blue. Although the tub can be purchased on its own, there is an add-on called the Two Step Stool which raises the tub to allow you to wash your baby from a seated position. The Two Step Stool also come with a washing cup to aid in bathing your baby. The Two Step Stool comes in two parts. When the top attachment is removed you have a child's seat with a storage compartment. This can also be adjusted to provide a step stool which is great for children to use in the bathroom to brush their teeth and during potty training.

To view the use of the Tummy Tub from Start to Finish:
www.trendhunter.com/trends/tummy-tub-experience

To purchase the Tummy Tub and The Two Step Stool, shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com or stop by our shop!

400,000 Cribs Recalled

We do not carry this brand of cribs, but we wanted to make everyone aware of this recall. About 400,000 Simplicity drop-side cribs have been recalled for posing a suffocation risk. Last year the company recalled 600,000 drop-side cribs with similar defects.

"Cribs that were fixed after the 2007 recall to hold the drop side in place are safe, according to the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission). But cribs recalled Thursday ( July 2, 2009) or last September do not have a fix and can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund, replacement or store credit." Chicago Tribune , July 3, 2009

Annual Sidewalk Sale

We have our exciting annual Park Ridge Sidewalk Sale coming up! From Wednesday, July 8 - Sunday, July 12 join us for savings of up to 75% on infant, boy and girl clothing as well as maternity tops and jeans for mom. Need a diaper bag? We'll have those on sale too! Stop by and see what you can find and don't forget to enjoy the Taste of Park Ridge.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:30 am - 7 pm

Saturday 10:30 am - 5 pm

Sunday 12:00 noon - 5 pm

Make Your Own Baby Food

A lot of people think it's time consuming to make their own baby food. It's really not. You have to prepare meals for yourself, so it's only cooking for one more. There's a great website called Babyfood101.com that has everything you need to know about making your own baby food at home, making sure your baby is getting all of the nutrients he or she needs, serving sizes, all about food allergies and anything else you think think you might need to know about feeding your child.

For example, when baby starts eating solid food he or she should be eating three meals a day with two snacks. This should be accomplished by their first birthday. The standard serving sizes are 1 tablespoon of each starch, protein and vegetable plus snacks.

Beaba makes a really brilliant baby food maker. It's a four in one steam cooker. It steam cooks, blends and purees, cooks super fast and includes a recipe book. They have had the hindsight to make a multi-potion silicon freezing and storage container. Cook once, feed seven times!

Fit Pregnancy even voted it "Best Product of the Year". Read more about the products at http://www.beabausa.com/ or stop by Kustum Kribs and check it out in person! You can even stay at home and shop online at www.kustumkribs.com

The Bumbo Baby Seat

Do you have a baby that is old enough to hold its head up on its own? Have we got a great infant seat for you - The Bumbo Baby Seat!

This is the perfect addition to your family. The Bumbo Baby Seat is a snug and cozy environment for your baby. This revolutionary infant chair is uniquely designed according to the baby’s posture. The Bumbo enables babies to sit upright all by themselves! Bumbo Baby Seats are suitable for babies from as soon as they can support their own heads unaided until they can get out of the seat on their own.

The Bumbo is an award winning infant chair manufactured to the highest safety standards from low-density foam material, which makes it lightweight and portable. It is soft and comfortable for the baby, hygienic and nontoxic. The integral outer skin of the material is durable and easy to clean. You can even use it when traveling to grandma's house for dinner, on a trip to the beach or park, or if you've been blessed with twins and can only do one thing at a time. Just buy the handy play tray and, voila, the portable highchair is at your disposal. Everything you can possible ask for in a portable baby seat.

The Bumbo is available in six colors: blue, aqua, yellow, lime, lilac and hot pink. Every house with a baby should have one! To buy a Bumbo Seat and the accessory tray shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com

Strollers for Traveling this Summer

We often get asked what stroller is the best for toting the tots around during the summer. Whether trains, planes or automobiles, you want it not only as easy as possible but as small and light as possible. The answer is plain and simple - The Quinny Zapp 4-Wheel Stroller.

Everyone with a child under 50 pounds should own one of these. The Quinny Zapp is a full-size stroller when open, yet becomes the world's smallest stroller in the world when folded measuring 12" x 27". The wheels not only rotate 360 degrees but also lock. A handy feature when the kids are running wild or you need to stop and take in the sights.

Racing through the airport so you don't miss your flight? The Zapp weighs only 18 pounds!

To top it off, the Zapp is a very fashion forward accessory for both parents and child. It comes in black, strawberry, mandarin, cobalt and citro complete with a travel bag, rainshield, basket, sun canopy and adapters for use with the Micro Infant Car Seat.

Don't forget your Zapp when you travel this summer! Or even just use it around the town. Be seen in style!

To see a Quinny Zapp demo, click on this link http://www.quinny.com/quinny/instructions.aspx?id=29

To buy a Quinny Stroller, shop Kustum Kribs at www.kustumkribs.com