Posts Tagged "Baby Must Have"

We had the opportunity to interview Annalisa Thomas of Oilo.  Oilo is Co-founded by a mother daughter duo, Annalisa Thomas and Dorte Anderson—Oilo offers the modern mom a fresh new approach to high quality, designer-level contemporary nursery and home décor without the designer price tag.  Thomas is a former art director and graphic designer and Anderson, an interior designer with more than 25 years of custom interior design expertise.  The design history between this tremendous duo is outstanding. I love the modern style of Oilo’s collection—the colors are beautiful and the symmetrically shaped designs are just PERFECT!  Annalisa is such a sweetheart– she is sharing nursery tips with us all.

 Love!

Now, I’ll stop blabbing and introduce you to 1/2 of the creative genius of Oilo and mother of two adorable babies…

Annalisa Thomas

You and your mother are both co- founders of Oilo.  How do you make things work considering you and your mother both have a history in design, do you ever differ in design opinion? 

Definitely. But I feel like it pushes us both in directions we probably wouldn’t have explored had we done it alone. And when we both finally love the same design, we know it’s a winner.

Would you attribute the contemporary style of Oilo to your graphic design background?

I think it definitely has influenced me. I studied graphic design in Switzerland for a semester and fell in love with their simple graphics. My mom was also born in Denmark, so I’m not sure if it’s already in my blood, but I love Scandinavian design. Its sleek clean lines have always appealed to me.

Many celebrities love the modern sleek style of Oilo for their baby’s room; Oilo is perfectly priced for everyone to enjoy quality bedding for their children’s nursery.  Do you have a favorite collection that would work for parents who are a bit more traditional but want a little more of a modern edge?

I’ve seen a designer use the cobblestone for a more traditional room. The designer used an iron ornate crib and heavy drapes and the crib set looked amazing. You see many designers doing this right now—adding a modern product with a more eclectic or traditional piece to give it a new vibe. I love it!

One of the first things parents are asked is “What is the theme of your baby’s nursery?” is it necessary to have a theme?  If Grandma just needs you to have a theme how can you work in a theme with a little Oilo style?

When most people hear the word “theme” they immediately think of their great aunts scrapbook pictures of rooms decorated with bunny rabbits or elephants bordered along the ceiling, but a theme does not have to be full of characters. Many people don’t realize that picking a color palette derived from white sand beaches or nautical sailboats can also be a theme. You’re just doing it without throwing cartoons in everyone’s face.

Safety is key when planning a nursery for your baby do you have any tips on making sure baby’s nursery is free of danger and how does Oilo ensure safety?

We have a safety page on our site that informs mothers of crib bedding safety. Although we offer blankets, we made sure to call them “play” blankets so moms know they are only for “play time” not for the crib, where there is a higher risk of suffocation in young babies.

For parent’s who cannot paint their baby’s nursery what suggestions do you have to bring in color and life to plain walls?

I’m not a crafty person, nor do I like to spend the money on hiring someone to come paint, so I rarely paint rooms from the original colors I picked—which is usually a neutral color so I can easily swap a room from an office, to girl’s room, to a boy’s room if I choose. That being said I use art, bedding, contrasting furniture, accessories, drapes and multiple textures to spice up a room. I never let a boring wall color get me down. If anything I feel like it’s an opportunity to do more with everything else.

Oilo has some of the most gorgeous glider chairs I have ever seen, why is it important to have a glider chair for those new parents who don’t know…. yet?

Getting a good glider has been my best purchase yet. When you are a first time mom you don’t realize how much time you will be spending in a glider. My friends and I were just laughing about how 10 hours of each day with a newborn is spent feeding the baby, so it’s no wonder you don’t get anything done! So you may as well come to terms with it and get comfy. Get a comfy, easy-to-clean glider, like Oilo’s and load yourself with books, magazines, lots of water (I never knew nursing could make you so thirsty), a snuggly blanket, and a good nursing pillow, because when that newborn arrives you will quickly realize this spot is your new home! {agreed!}

Then before you know it that newborn is not so tiny anymore, but a busy, busy toddler who won’t sit still for more than two seconds, except at night when they are so exhausted from their toddler exploring day, which then you can squeeze in a few more cuddles while rocking them to sleep.

If you had to give a new parent one tip when planning baby’s nursery what would it be?

Pick three things you absolutely love then slowly build around those items, making sure everything coordinates along the way. It sounds too simple, but it works every time.

What a pleasure to have Annalisa share these wonderful tips!  I encourage you all to please go check out

www.oilostudio.com and connect with Oilo on Facebook and Twitter.

What does your baby's room look like? Theme or no theme?

Were you wondering what to get you sister or friend, who just had a baby?  Okay besides a nice relaxing day.. how about Memories?  You cannot go wrong with sharing memories ever, especially if they are memories of the pride and joy of the recipient.  In comes Board  Book Albums these albums are not like your traditional album they are not flimsy and the pictures cannot be twisted. With these board books you have a chance to personalize too.

Why is the album hard?  It’s baby proof!  Sure the gift intended for Mom and Dad but ABC Board books knows baby will get his hands on it.  I personally know what happens when babies get a hold of photo albums.

However I also know babies love to see themselves and the people they love.  Looking at albums is actually a learning experience for babies,  the Center for Early Literacy suggests looking at photo albums with your baby.  What is better than having your baby sit in your lap and look at pictures and laugh… while you hold back tears?

Board Book Albums have a variety of albums that would be great for any occasion.  These board books make a perfect scrapbook, children will enjoy personalizing their memories.

You can purchase your Board Book Album here as well as you can click here to get ideas of how to personalize.

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”-Garrison Keillor

Baby Swags is making it’s debut appearance at the LA Baby Celebration this weekend, April 12 & 13th. LA Baby Celebration is the go to place for new and expecting moms who want fun, trendy, and upscale products for their new little bundles.

Baby Swags is a marketing firm that specializes in promoting pregnancy and juvenile products to celebrity moms and dads. They have gifted over 200 celebrities and are developing the reputation for finding unique baby products that are becoming must have’s for every parent. Gifted celebrities have included, Jennie Garth, Kevin James, Jeff Gordon, Cocco Arquette, Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling and more. Please note, none of the celebrities gifted endorse any products by Baby Swags clients unless it is specifically stated.

Located in booth #127 you will find 6 Baby Swags clients showcasing their creations. Among them will be baby bib designer and mom to triplets, Claudine, creator of the SnugEase bib. Protects at the neck where other bibs gap. The SnugEase Bib, with its Memory Arms that hold their shape and its gathered extra fabric offers these outstanding features, Absorbs dribble, Never gaps around the neck, Needs no fasteners and Adjusts to any size baby. SnugEase

Ritzy Bitzy will be showing off their upscale line of onesies, Soothie Squares, and Bottle Bibs. Keeping your baby comfy and dry during feedings has never been easier, thanks to their stylish and functional Baby Bottle Bibs (patent pending). Because your baby likes drinking milk…not wearing it!
Ritzy Bitzy

Loving Baby, Inc will be showcasing their award winning swaddling blanket! When you have learned the benefits of this easy to use and unique blanket and how it improves the quality of life for you and your baby, we think you’ll agree that the Loving Baby Swaddle Blanket is truly a newborn necessity! Loving Baby, Inc.

Trebco, Specialty Products, Inc. will be sharing their baby must have, Wubbanub. The WubbaNub™ is designed to keep the pacifier conveniently placed to infant. It is a soft plush that brings soothing comfort and security to baby. It has vibrant colors that are stimulating and captivating. The WubbaNub™ can also be an asset in the development of hand-eye coordination. For ages Birth (Full Term) to 6 Months it is a Latex Free Medical Grade Silicone Pacifier and requires no pacifier cords or clips. Wubbanub

Eaz-Z Wraps offers consumers with their homemade organic blankets. Mother of 4, including twins, Melinda needed a multipurpose blanket for the twins and shortly developed the Eaz-Z Wrap that is a multipurpose cotton blanket large enough to wrap one, two, or three babies. This blanket is not just a baby blanket, but a blanket that your child can grow with. Eaz-Z Wraps

Brianna Babywear is showing off all their special flair with 100% Pima Cotton clothing for infants and toddlers. Bringing easy to care for, high quality with affordable prices to the homes of many new parents. You will enjoy their designs and knowing that your child is wearing the most luxurious soft cotton on the planet! Brianna Babywear

Baby Swags will be giving away 4 baskets at the LA Baby Celebration expo on April 12, 2008 & April 13, 2008. Giveaways will take place at noon and 6:00PM on both days. All entrants are required to visit each vendor for before their entry form can become valid. Winners do not need to be present to win as all prizes will be shipped directly to the individual winners mailing address.

If you are in the area and would like to stop by, we would all love to see you at booth #127 so we can share our business and products with you and your family. Tickets information is available at Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall K – 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015 (213) 741-1151 – www.lacclink.com and can be purchased at the Center Box Office. If you are a member of the media and would like your VIP tickets, please email pr@babyswags.com with your information and we will happily greet you at the door.

For more information on how your business can send products to celebrities, please email info@babyswags.com and be sure to fill out their registration form located at http://www.babyswags.com/registration.htm

For Media inquiries, please email pr@babyswags.com or call 815-577-8459