Best Baby Products to Invest In & Reviews

I don't want to sound obnoxious but after shopping for #1, #2 and now #3, I like to recommend moms-to-be some of these great items.

Of course you need the baby essentials:
Baby layettes - Kicky Pants from US are great. They are super soft and organic. Get the newborn set to try. Zutano has cute prints too. #1 wore mainly organic but #2 wore from gifts.
Toiletries - Recommend California Baby Calendula and diaper cream.
Feeding - You can read here
Formula - Holle and Babynat (tried other organic ones)
Carseat - Aprica and Britax
Breastpump - Avent and Medela

These are my new investments for #3

Arm's Reach Original

I used the mini version but found that baby quickly outgrew it and it was just stored in the storage room until I decided to give it away. I liked the original size better and it can transform into playard later on. With Arms Reach, I just easily transfer baby into the cot easier than Graco ones and I can see how's baby doing when I'm lying down. I had to have it shipped from US, HK only carry the Mini version. 4years ago, the Mini was found in some baby stores..

Brest Friend

#1 and #2 was on Bobby pillow but I gave it up. Brest Friend offers more back support and I like it how baby can do her flash nap before remembering that she's hungry. #3 sleeps in between so I lay her down on Brest Friend and continue on the next when she shows signs of hunger. You can find it in Metro and Baby Empire in Jakarta.

Medela Freestyle

#1 I used Avent Isis and that time only the polycarbonate was available. #2 I bought the new BPA-free Isis. #3 I decided to invest in duo pump and after getting good reviews from friends, I bought the Medela from Takashimaya Baby Fair and its great. It does the auto switch to different rhythms and I find it very soothing. I had thought the cups compared to the silicone petals of Avents will be uncomfortable, but it isn't so.

Simple Wishes

Buy this if you have duo pump! I use Pigeon standard neck glass (hand-me-down from #1) and Avent glass bottles (use the converter rings) and it still hold up. Of course I wouldn't want to have heavy bottles to weigh my chest down but if you use the plastic bottles, you can walk around the room freely.

Little Giraffe Swaddling Cloths

#1 used Kiddopotamus swaddle and a lot of from ITC local made Nary brand swaddling cloth, which #3 still uses them too. However, Little Giraffe's swaddling cloths are so beautiful, soft and versatile, I smile when I swaddle and carry #3. Of course, the blankys and blankets are equally divine. #1 and #2 cannot part with the 'Pekys' (nickname of the blankys by my adorable niece, whom is same age as #1). Even my husband loves to cuddle up with the XL throw. They are expensive but its a worthwhile investment.

Avent Natural Comfort Pump

I haven't receive this item yet but will send my review after receival and usage.

Bag The Picture

The Anya Hindmarch bag trend of customizing the bag by putting your favorite pic on it continues. I had resisted to get one Anya bag but was glad to know someone made a business about the picture bags.

For 1/3 of Anya's price, you can transfer images on selected bag shapes. I just ordered for a friend from the company, D'tush, and hope she likes it!

image source: D'tush

Baby Shower Inspiration

I can't resist to post another from Hostess. This idea is so cute for a baby shower! The rubber ducks will definitely be a take-home souvenir for the guests.

all images from Hostess

I think these will be a great gift for the mommies with babies who attend the baby shower party. Maybe have to get slightly bigger children's bath robe so that its more gift-friendly for mommies with older children. Keep a note of invitees and their children... Wouldn't you like to attend a party as cute as this?

Click here to view more adorable duck and bubble theme party.

Tag this cute number of the invitation cards. Picture via Patisserie Cards

Bridal Shower Inspiration

images from Hostess

While I was reading Style Me Pretty's blog, I came across this pretty layout and items inspiration for hosting an upcoming bridal shower from Hostess.
I love the color theme turquoise color, very refreshing (something not pink and ivory), and the 'bling' in the blue box is very unique. How so Tiffany dream-like... awww. I do hope the single recipients wouldn't be offended by the 'bling'... Any take on that?
Do you have any good entertaining ideas for bridal showers ?

Click here to view more of the blue themed entertaining idea.

For Harmony and Longevity

I received this pair of intricate Chinese decorative from my mother's friend a day before my wedding. He wished my husband and I blissful and harmonious life together and told us to hang it on the corners of our bed.

It was a lovely thought and a beautiful gift. Although I dont know what the design of the head of the decorative is supposed to be, it looks so fancy and I love how it hang on our bed corners.

The Souvenirs

I searched for the guests’ souvenir for quite some time. On many American websites, showed a lot of favors but they are mostly candies and chocolates. I prefer something guests can use or display and remember the wedding they attended.

There were many choices that I thought of: pens with dragon engraved, photo frames, digital photo key chains, accessories box and the list goes on.

I finally found what I deemed as the best choice, it was enameled dragon wineglass made in China, I saw the company listing, called Roro Craft, in alibaba.com and went ahead to contact them with my splattering Chinese.

To further check their quality, I went to their booth in expo when I was traveling with my family and husband in Hon Kong. It was to our satisfaction.

Since I don’t have the budget to give a pair of dragon and phoenix wineglasses to guests, I asked them to custom make for me a double symbol- dragon & phoenix. I made thousands of pieces and they came packaged with the boxes.

They were then ocean freight from China direct to me. The timing was very tight but we manage to get the souvenirs a week before the wedding.

To make my souvenir more personalized, I went further to put my husband's name and mine as a metal plate for the bottom of the glass.

I had never bought such big quantity from China for my own purposes and I had heard so many first-hand bad experiences from other people. It was a good thing that those news didn't deter me to order from Roro Craft, else I wouldn't be able to give my guests these pretty glasses.

I was satisfied on how professionally the Chinese held my account.

Souvenirs for Overseas Guests

We wanted to give a nice package with local Indonesian products for our overseas guests to thank them for flying long hours to attend our wedding. Not only has it have to be 'nice', we wanted our guests to keep the souvenirs so candies favors were out of the picture.

image from Artichokes & Co

The idea was from a basket to be placed in the hotel rooms but we felt that basket may be too bulky for our guests to bring back home. This gift box from is from artichokes & co. You can view more of the cool gift items by their website. Thus, a bag was a better option and easier on my budget, which is not to spend more than USD20/ souvenir.

I made 4 colors of these rattan bags from a nice young lady whom also made these lovely chopsticks too. If you are interested more of their products, you can email them and request catalog. These rattan bags were a great hit, the ladies who received were proudly toting the bag to gold courses and shopping centers!
The gentlemen dutifully brought the bag back to their wives and girlfriends.


To fill up the bag, we bought batik-print kimono from a wholesaler and have our initials embroidered in gold. We also had a small souvenir box filled with tea-light candle, local candies and cookies. All of them supposed to have meaning, but I had no time to spare for the details of the meanings...All is to be in pairs as in the auspicious number for wedding.
I'm very happy to know guests not only brought back their souvenirs but are using them too! A friend told me that she use the kimono in her daily life.

Gifts For The Ladies

I always like a flower crystal pinned on the hair and since I could not wear for myself (I had to wear our family heirloom tiara), I thought it would be lovely to see it on someone else’s hair.

And also, since I wanted to make gifts for my sister who was also my maid of honor and my sister-in-laws to show my love for them, I thought why not give them hairpins to wear on my wedding.

This beautiful crystal flower is made by Singapore-based company who specializes in making Swarovski components accessories. The accessory designer made the flower pins so delicate and beautiful and I hope my sisters love them as I do!