Stormi Webster was while toddling around in a green romper in her mom Kylie Jenner’s Insta story. As was Mariah Carey‘s twins Rocco and Monroe.
Not to be outdone was True Thompson in a series of fun videos and pics mom Khloe Kardashian shared of her while she wore a pair of green mirror aviator shades, shamrock barrettes and a $550 pair of Giuseppe Zanotti, Jr
This week, I was in awe to see all of the British and American press making a big deal over the fact that Serena Williams, Amal Clooney and Gayle King threw Meghan Markle a baby shower which some are estimating cost close to a $500,000, when you consider the security and private jet to NYC from the UK and back.
My thoughts: first, no one knows if that estimated number of the cost is entirely accurate.
Second: So what?
I’ve been covering celebrity baby showers for as long as this blog has existed, which is over 10 years, and I do not recall anytime that news and gossip outlets discussed the cost of a celebrity baby shower.
Granted, I do understand that baby showers are uncommon among the British, so any shower at any cost may seem exorbitant. However, Kensington Palace had to come out and state that Markle paid for the cost of travel and her stay herself.
They may have pointed out how lavish they were but none reported on the cost, to my recollection.
Let’s take a look at other celeb showers because, what does one expect from people who are rich and/or wealthy and have resources and funds to throw lavish affairs?
For example, Cardi B‘s shower featured a 16-foot topiary floral wall, room entrance ways that resembled a 6-car subway train, and several rooms draped in 26,000 pink and white flowers.
Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant‘s shower featured a floral wall.
In June 2016, Nicky Hilton had a baby shower at The Towers at the top of the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City.
Honestly, I think this young woman is getting more criticism than her predecessor non-royal wife, Duchess Catherine, Kate Middleton.
It reminds me of the criticism Michelle Obama received to the cost of her clothing, hullabaloo which was not similarly made over the cost of Barabara or Nancy Bush or Hillary Clinton‘s First Lady clothing prior.
It has been 10 years since I last posted the annual Bellyitch Most Expensive Strollers post. It was a yearly blog post staple and used to get tons of traffic because, honestly, I think people, generally, are obsessed with knowing what baby items are used and coveted by the super wealthy and celebrities.
Since the last post, a few stroller companies have gone out of business. RIP to Orbit, Maclaren and newer brands 4Moms and iCandy, which were once considered “it” strollers in their day but no longer manufacture luxury strollers.
In 2013, I published the list as part of the Bellyitch 100, a book of the top crib makers, maternity wear designers, stroller makers and baby clothes brands.
Anyway, so I used to publish the Most Expensive Strollers list at a time when I was raising a young family and brands would boast that they were on the list.
My social circle at the time included professional working women, stay-at-home moms, and mom bloggers, several who were affluent and looked at the stroller as a status symbol.
Here is another secret about what happens among moms at the park, at the school pick up lot, in the mall and other social places where mommies congregate. They check out what strollers they’re pushing a baby or child in and make judgments.
Yes, there is a definite hierarchy in quality of strollers and believe me when I tell you that certainly check out what stroller another mom’s child is being pushed in and make judgments.
When I was raising my children as a young lawyer, I went through 6 strollers, which is a low number considering many of my friends at the tiem had way more.
Our first stroller was a Peg Perego which converts from a baby carriage or pram to a push stroller. At the time, it was among the best. Then, when my first born turned into a toddler, we ordered theInglesina Swiftumbrella stroller from the Italian stroller manufacturer. It had a great run!
To pair with the Inglesina, a sturdy Italian brand, we got a lower cost Combi umbrella stroller for travel, a stroller we could beat up which was so much less that so that we wouldn’t mind if it got lost by the airline or damaged during travel.
Then, when I was expecting baby #2, I got as an amazing shower gift from my co-workers at my old job: a Peg Prerego Aria doublestroller!
By the time baby number 3 rolled around, the Inglesina had hit the dirt, we left the Combi on some island we visited for vacation once and we had loaned out the Peg Perego Buggy to relatives who didn’t take good care of it.
The wheels on the double gave out and we opted to give to Goodwill rather than try to fix it or get the company to repair it.
B.O.B.
We opted for a lesss expensive Graco Snug Ride for Baby #3 and aB.OB. jogging stroller (the air-filled jogger stroller with hand activated rear wheel brakes that can ride smooth on any terrain) when I was ready to get back in shape.
Now, while we didn’t get any of them to make a statement, I have had many moms and dads comment on the pricier high end ones while walking in the parks, malls etc. People are always looking for a status symbol and there is a preconception that most expensive means the best!
It’s no wonder, you can see celebrities strolling their children in many of those on this list. The celebrities know that too. That is why Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony sued Silver Cross from publishing on their website an unauthorized endorsement which featured a People magazine photo of them pushing their twins in two Silver Cross prams.
People flock to buy whatever celebrities purchase and that stroller companies know that endorsement mean lots for their bottom line.
Anyhoo, on to the list. Of course, as a disclaimer, this list is not exhaustive. As usual, this list is based on my own personal research and I urge readers to point out other vehicles that should grace this list. Certainly, I would amend the post to reflect corrections.
In the meantime, check out this year’s list of “it” strollers pushed by the most Poshest of moms and celebs out there (I’m updating this list with a few more after the initial post so come back and ping me on Twitter if you don’t see one you think should be on this list)
SILVER CROSS
DESCRIPTION: For over 128 years, Silver Cross has been handcrafting traditional prams in Northern England. This hallmark company is known for being pushed by Royals in the UK and across Europe and beyond.
The Silver Cross Balmoral Pram model boasts three coats of high shine lacquer, English leather and is painted by hand and individually numbered.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Geri Halliwell Horner (“Ginger Spice”), Nicky Hilton
MIMA
DESCRIPTION: Mima® is an established Dutch designer and manufacturer of strollers and high chairs and a favorite brand for European new parents that want high-end design, functionality and a very chic aesthetic. This relatively new entrant to the market makes a very functional and innovative stroller that features a patented “carrycot inside” system.
The popular Xari Black Chassis Stroller can be used as a carrycot or as a stroller and comes with a reversible seat that allows your baby to face you or the world ahead. It has one of those super fancy simple fold mechanism. It is very stylish and chic and has a design that grows with your child and provides enhanced convenience for parents.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Kourtney Kardashian, Alex Curran Gerard
CYBEX
DESCRIPTION: CYBEX delivers Versatile, elegant and convenient line of top-notched quality strollers, many that features a reversible seat, one-hand seat recline, and a quick-fold chassis usually in an ultra premium, lightweight design that adapts to your growing family’s changing needs. This American-made Massachusetts company makes renowned products.
The Cybex Priam Cherub Stroller is part of the Cybex Platinum Priam range in collaboration with renowned designer Jeremy Scott, this 3-in-1 stroller has been made from high-quality fabrics with a smart, luxe appearance. Its flexible frame can be turned into a travel system with matching carry cot, combined with one of the brand’s award-winning infant car seats, or transformed into a luxurious stroller sporting a reversible seat unit. A vibrant cherub print and golden wing attachments offer a heavenly touch to suit your little angel.
DESCRIPTION: The StokkE brand of stroller is an “it” stroller indeed. And about a decade ago, this Norweigian company’s strollers slowly replaced the Bugaboo as the favorite or wannabes, posers and the nouveau riche. The babies inside these strollers are decked out in mini-adult Designer clothes. The diamonds on the hands of the moms pushing these things can put your eye out, I mean the shine is that bright. And they are being folded and thrown in the back of Land Rovers. Pretentious? Naaaah! Their owners just appreciate a gorgeous quality crafted stroller, that’s all (wink).
The Stokke™ Xplory® Complete baby stroller is the only stroller you’ll ever need to buy! The Stokke Xplory Complete is an innovative urban stroller that adapts to your changing needs.
DESCRIPTION: This Dutch company has had a major mark in the business since the early 1990s. The strollers Bugaboo manufacture guarantee a full of smooth ride, no matter the surface, city street or bumpy park. The brand has long been considered a posh status symbol and continues.
The classic Donkey buggy is fully loaded with push handle to shift the wheels to tackle any terrain, 5 harness straps, multiple recline position, a spacious under carriage bassinet, as well as a reversible, fully reclining seat.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Leelee Sobieski, Amy Poehler, Julianna Marguiles, Jon Stewart, Matthew McConaughey and Gwen Stefani
PHIL & TED’S
DESCRIPTION: Phil & Ted’s is a small New Zealand company that has made children’s products for over 20 years and about a decade ago was known for its super sturdy brand of tough terrain buggies and strollers for the rugged athletic and sports enthusiast parent who takes baby out on jobs and mountain hikes. It is still the market but has retreated to a smaller share given new competitors on the market.
Its Sport Stroller line feature a smart handle with one touch brake, smart fold, aluminum frame, and top quality tough, washable cloth.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Jessica Alba and Cash Warren, Liev Schreiber and Naomi Watts
JOOLZ
DESCRIPTION: Joolz is a very new entrant to the market. This Australian company hinges its products on sustainable and eco-friendly renewable design and materials.
The Joolz Geo² Studio Complete Stroller features a modular design that offers 3 different configurations that make it the ultimate stroller for any family adventure. The award-winning design captures ergonomic comfort, ease, style, and maneuverability. It can be used as a toddler stroller, a modern pram for newborns, and an infant car seat carrier
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Harry Judd, Carey Mulligan
UPPA BABY
DESCRIPTION:
Another American company is Boston, Massachussets-based UPPAbaby which makes innovative, high-quality strollers and car seats that fit the needs of parents, while appealing to the sense of style they’ve always had.
The VISTA convertible stroller allows for multiple configurations to transport up to three children, making it a great choice for growing families. The included bassinet features a longer, ventilated mattress, while the toddler seat is perfect as your little one grows. It has a telescoping handlebar and a large, easy-access under-seat basket that holds up to 30 lb. make the VISTA fuss-free for parents.
DESCRIPTION: When I started having a family, the Peg Perego was the it stroller. It is an Italian family-owned brand which makes baby strollers, car seats, high chairs and kid-sized riding toys for children and babies all over the world.
The versatile and agile Duette Piroet inline double stroller by Peg Perego can easily pass through narrow places, folds compactly, and is travel system ready. Comes with two independent adjustable seats with reclining backrests and two-position footrests. Peg Perego Duette Piroet features a versatile and extremely agile Italian inline double stroller design that can easily go through narrow pathways and allows various seating configurations for twins or different age siblings
DESCRIPTION: This is another relatively new arrival for city dwellers and traveling families. Babyzen manufactures and markets baby products and designs, produces, and sells collapsible baby strollers. Babyzen offers its produces to retailers throughout Europe and internationally.
The BABYZEN YOYO+ comes ready to roll, complete with the YOYO Newborn and Seat Color Pack Fabric Sets. The YOYO+ is an incredibly lightweight, compact stroller and steers easily even with one hand, allowing you to navigate corners and tight spaces. An underseat storage basket makes a convenient spot for on-the-go items, and an included travel bag is perfect for storage.
DESCRIPTION: Yet another Dutch stroller manufacturer whose name has been synonymous with top quality is Quinny. This company is among Europe’s most respected stroller brand and set the standard for engineering, design and trendsetting style.The Quinny line offers clever solutions for the confident parent of today; solutions that are made with parents and their lifestyles in mind. Stroll with ease and in stylish comfort with the rugged and innovative
The Quinny Mood Stroller features a unique hydraulic system that automatically unfolds stroller, plus never-flat, all-terrain tires that allow you and baby to conquer any terrain.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Allyson Hannigan, Ali Landry
AUSTLEN
DESCRIPTION: This is another American baby product company. The Austin, Texas company boasts a staff of in-house engineers, mostly made up of parents, that make products to accommodate the daily lives and frustrations of new moms and dads. They’ve stopped at nothing to create intuitive, purpose-driven, well-made products that make family life easier and more fun — giving parents more freedom to live in the moment without being overwhelmed by more and more.
The flagship model, the Entourage, is perfect for families on-the-go. This one-handed expandable frame has three positions, 5 recline positions, a market tote and expandable lower storage area, giving you the freedom to travel anywhere in comfort.
THULE
DESCRIPTION
Thule is an established Swedish outdoors and transportation products manufacturer that is a leader in cargo carriers for automobiles. It recently expanded to get into the stroller biz.
The Thule Sleek is a stylish stroller for on-the-go travel adventures with the ever-innovative, marvelously multifunctional which features a ventilated canopy, a convenient window, a reversible seat, generous seating options and more.
MAXI-COSI
DESCRIPTION: Another Dutch company is Maxi-Cosi which started in the 1980s as one of Europe’s first permiere car seat manufacturers. It has since expanded and updated its quality of strollers to the point that is competes with the other exquisite brands out here.
Travel everywhere with ease with the Lila Modular Stroller is a convenient, compact and extra comfortable, making it great for dining out, shopping or vacation that is good with maneuverability and can accommodate an infant seat. It’s perfect for a growing family because it can easily turn into a dual stroller.
BABY JOGGER
DESCRIPTION This Richmond, Virginia-based company launched one of the first jogging strollers in the 1980s. It designs and manufactures jogging strollers and all-terrain strollers and offers strollers and joggers, such as urban use and three wheeled all-terrain strollers; and accessories. The company also provides dependable push chairs for children and adults with physical disabilities.
The City Select LUX is a rugged yet streamlined stroller features an extra seat with a telescoping handlebar adjusts to just the right height, while the hand-operated decelerating and parking brake provides additional peace of mind.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Toby McGuire, Ellen Pompeo, Elizabeth Banks, Miranda Kerr
NUNA
DESCRIPTION: This Dutch company started out as a baby furniture maker and expanded to strollers. Today, it is a premiere must-have stroller for the upper echelon. I love the logo.
The Nuna MIXX Travel System includes a stroller and the company’s featherlight PIPA Lite LX Car Seat which makes one superb travel system. An ideal set for you, but especially for your little one.
CELEBRITY OWNERS: Gwen Stefani, Molly Sims, Jaime King
There you have it! Good luck stroller shop or social climbing, whatever floats your boat!
A new study states that fathers are happier parents than mothers.
A recently published study of 18,000 people conducted by the University of California, Riverside found that fathers experience more well-being from parenthood than mothers.
The research, published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, takes off from past surveys that have determined that non-parents are happier than parents. But with this one, researchers analyzed three separate analysis of the happiness, well-being, depressive symptoms, psychological satisfaction, and stress of male and female parents and non-parents.
Relative to peers without children, fathers reported greater satisfaction with their lives and feelings of connectedness to others, and they reported greater positive emotions and fewer daily hassles than mothers.
The study also found that men were happier while caring for their children, while women were less happy.
The study authors tried to explain the difference and it has to do with play. I
“Fathers may fare better than mothers in part due to how they spend their time with their children,” said study author Katherine Nelson-Coffey, who worked in UCR psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky’s lab as a graduate student and is now an assistant professor of psychology at Sewanee: The University of the South.
In other words, when men are caring for their children, they are more likely playing with them also where moms are just getting the job done!
Lyubomirsky said the study carries a suggestion: perhaps all parents will benefit from finding more opportunity for play with their children.
The research paper, “Parenthood is Associated with Greater Well-Being for Fathers than Mothers,” in addition so Lyubomirsky and Nelson-Coffey, was also authored by UCR graduate students Matthew Killingsworth, Kristin Layous, and Steve Cole.
Even though the Duke and Duchess of Sussexhave confirmed in October that they are expecting their first child and that their baby would be born in spring 2019, they had never revealed how far along she was until recently.
At an event, 37-year-old Meghan Markle reportedly shared the news that she is, in fact, six months pregnant, and due at the end of April or the beginning of May.
According to multiple sources, Markle shared her due date with royal onlookers while chatting about motherhood during a visit to the English town of Birkenhead on Jan. 14.
Emily Nash, the royal editor at U.K.’s Hello! Magazine, tweeted the news.
Meghan has told wellwishers in Birkenhead that she is six months pregnant – due end of April/beginning of May! Lots of baby chat today! #dukeandduchessofsussex
Kensington Palace has not confirmed Markle’s exact due date.
Per royal protocol,Global News Canada reports, if they have a boy, he will be called Earl of Dumbarton -— the secondary Sussex title — before inheriting the dukedom, and a daughter would be Lady (her name) of Windsor unless Queen Elizabeth issues a change to call them Prince and Princess as she did with Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s kids.
So the over and under is that Meghan Markle, the brand new Duchess of Sussex is a taste maker and trend setter.
Several fashion outlets reported last year that whenever the mom-to-be was seen out wearing one of the up and coming designers’ clothing the former Suits star likes to wear they sell out quickly after. It’s called “The Meghan Markle Effect.“
In August, Meghan stepped out in London for a charity performance of Hamilton in a black tuxedo dress by Judith and Charles, which resulted in a 800 per cent increase in the UK for the style. Similarly, her recent white sleeveless Maggie Marilyn tuxedo dress worn during her royal tour of New Zealand resulted in a 74 per cent surge in searches for the brand.
E! did a rundown on some of Markle’s most impactful & influential outfits since she married Prince Harry last Spring. A lot of it is pretty straight laced but a mixture of structured jackets, A-line dresses, mixed with solids and patterns, which I like. Her taste and style these days are a bit straight laced yet still very very chic but I guess since she is a Royal now, it’s best to stick to the script and the less over-the top and more non-descript!
But I love conservative leaning looks anyway. Here are my faves.
The Club Monaco trench coat over an all black everything look with some lace up Stuart Weitzman Veruka boots that she wore during a stop in New Zealand last October is fire!
Finally, this burgundy peplum top over black cropped skinny pants and black Sarah Flint Jay Pump platform shoes are chic, stylish yet relatable and comfy.
I don’t think sis can go wrong and there is a multi-million and maybe billion dollar/pound fashion industry that is banking on it too!
We’re halfway through the school year yet there is still a lot of earning to do! One thing that schools traditionally do NOT teach children and that’s personal finance.
Studies show that teaching finance is not a top priority of the U.S. education system. Fewer than 20 percent of teachers report feeling competent to teach personal finance, according to a Council for Economic Education Survey, and only 17 states require students to take a personal finance course in high school.
“The majority of your kids’ financial education will come from you,” says Kathy Longo, the author ofFlourish Financially: Values, Transitions, & Big Conversations. “Because we parents have such a great influence on how our kids spend, save, and invest, it’s critical that we teach them early and often how we want them to value money.”
Longo, who is also president and founder of Flourish Wealth Management®, provides a list of ideas and discussions that can help your kids learn about finance at different developmental stages:
Learning wants versus needs. Longo believes the foundation of a child’s finance education begins with learning the difference between wants and needs. “Asking kids whether they want or need something before they make a purchase really gets them thinking about their own money values,” Longo says.
Using a three-slotted piggy bank. In grade school, Longo says it’s important to teach kids about money in a tangible way. Three slots to separate dollars for saving, sharing and spending can help them understand the connection between the money in their piggy bank and the new toy they bought, Longo says. Some states in the US allow parents to open up savings accounts for them on their behalf like like these banks in South Carolina and there are others in other states as well.
Giving back. Teaching your kids the importance of giving, such as by donating toys they no longer use, is a lesson that can stick with them for life. “You can strengthen that by talking about charities you support with dollars and time,” Longo says. “This is a great way of showing them that valuing money also means helping those less fortunate.”
Making a budget. By middle school, Longo thinks children should have an idea of what it costs to keep the house running each month. “Once they have a concept of a budget, get the kids involved in spending decisions for big-ticket items, like a car or family vacation, and the considerations that go into the purchase,” Longo says.
Explaining college. We all know it’s expensive, and Longo says teenagers should know early on in high school how loans, grants, and a college savings plan work. It’s also important to educate students about the additional financial opportunities they’ll have in life if they earn a college degree.
Getting a job. Is there a better way for your high school student to learn financial responsibility than by working part-time and paying for their gas, fun activities, etc.? “This is a good time for them to get a debit card, to learn the importance of a good credit history, and to see how staying within a budget requires discipline,” Longo says.
“Helping your children develop healthy money habits today,” Longo says, “will increase their chances for a happier life.”
First it was “vampire” facials and now affluent women and celebrities like Kate Beckinsale, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett are going to spas to have the foreskin of circumcised babies applied to their skin for cosmetic reasons.
How it works is: Dermal fibroblasts–skin cells that are responsible for generating connective tissue–are taken from the circumcised foreskin of infant penises and then used as a culture for growing new stem cells.
Those new cells are then used to make a serum that is applied to the face as part of a specialized facial.
The procedure costs $650 and is offered at the Georgia Louise Atelier in New York City, and has become a go-to among celebrities.
In a recently deleted Instagram post, actress Kate Beckinsale reportedly admitted she got one of the penis facials.
“After a long flight I do like to lie down and be covered in a mask of liquified cloned foreskins-frankly who doesn’t?” People magazine reports the captioned an Instagram photo “Thank you @georgialouisesk for an amazing facial. I especially liked you reassuring me it would be ‘light on penis’ as it was my first time x.”
Yikes! The reply and backlash was swift and probably is the reason Beckinsale removed the post. You can read Cafe Mom’s round up of some negative social media commentary HERE!
Earlier this year, Bravo TV scripted television star Jill Kargman tried out the procedure and penned her experience for Hollywood Reporter and even starred in a smiley photo after the treatment. Eeek!
Your thoughts? Let’s connect on social at Bellyitch at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.
Today is Cyber Monday! It’s a day when online retailers offer deep discounted prices to internet shoppers, and traditionally occurs the first Monday after Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year and named so because it’s what causes a lot of shops to go into the black, from an accounting perspective.
While I am usually not a big proponent of guilt -tripping or “shaming” parents, I make an exception when it comes to books.
Reading is very crucial to a child’s success in school and life. From knowing vocabulary words in context when taking a test to simply appreciating the value of words and prose, giving a child the gift of books and instills in them a love and appreciation for reading. This is paramount!
You do not have to be wealthy to expose a child to books as in many communities, cities and towns, library books are free! Online, there are depositories of free classics as well.
For $7.95 a month, there is always the option of signing up for a subscription to Epic! and getting access to thousands of titles that a kid can read online, at the library’s computer, or any digital device like a smart phone, tablet or other screen like a Kindle or Wii –good thing those things are good for more than video game playing!
Here is a curated list of 16 award-winning books that would be great to add to your child’s library if they don’t already have one. These would make great gift books for Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, a birthday, Quinceneara, Bar or Bat Mitzvah and more!
It is very hard to shop for teens and teen boys especially because they’re often times not as vocal as girls about expressing what they want or sharing their wish list. For the male adolescent in your household who loves gaming more than chatting, I did some digging, asking around and research to uncover what are the hottest, most talked-about items that are on many kids’ wish list this holiday season, with some commentary on some items below:
