Bag it up

Maybe you’re cutting down on sweet treats for the New Year. That’s no reason you can’t spoil yourself with a little arm candy. Put a little ooh la la in your stride with one of these oh-so-chic bags in Parisian wallpaper design by French designer duo Murval.



Durable, roomy and constructed out of a wipe-clean nylon fabric, these bags seem to have been designed with mamas in mind. The kind folks at Give Simple are featuring a Murval sale through January 16 with up to 30 percent discounts. So you can afford to buy a matching set including travel bag, vanity case and toiletry bag. Life has never been so hectic but thanks to Murval the illusion of organisation is within your reach.

Family planning

One of the more common New Year’s resolutions that the average person makes is to get more organised. It’s an especially tough challenge for new mothers who are juggling the demands of night waking, non-stop feeding and 24-hour diaper duty. Luckily you can find plenty of support online, such as Organised Mum, a web site totally devoted to helping you take charge of your family life.

We recommend their Baby’s First Year Calendar that not only allows you to plan your daily schedule but also lets you record those precious first year milestones and gives monthly tips on what to expect. It includes a pocket to store paperwork, photos and other mementos, and even leaves space to jot down the year’s most newsworthy stories. Order one online at the Organised Mum web site.

Swap shop

Welcome to 2008. With every New Year come new resolutions and the promise of a fresh start. What better way to begin than to clear out all the outgrown baby clothes and gear that's already starting to clutter up your nursery and attic?

Swap Baby Goods is a fantastic and free site that allows parents to register their baby products to buy, sell or exchange. It’s a great place to scout for gently used or second-hand items and also to pass on those Xmas gifts that weren’t necessarily what you were hoping for. Swap Baby Goods features everything from Moses baskets and baby slings to bedding, clothes and books. Brand New Mama cautions customers against buying items like car seats and pushchairs second-hand in case they don’t meet safety standards. Visit Swap Baby Goods to find sites for customers in the US, Canada or the UK.

Back to black

When it comes to choosing evening wear, it's usually best to stick with a classic look. Especially if you're rounder than Santa this year. This twist strap diamante black vest from Fun Mum will take you through the party season looking on trend and feeling super glam. It's cut to flatter expecting mums by gently skimming over your tummy and gathering underneath for a flattering silhouette. Wear it with these elasticated black wide leg trousers and you'll be ready to bump and groove all night long.

Peace on earth - Special Offer

No matter how stressful the early months can seem, becoming responsible for a new life creates a feeling of inner joy and gratitude that’s like nothing else. Now you can wear your emotions proudly on your chest with one of these shirts from PeaceLoveMom. Created by three mums whose motto is ‘a celebration of motherhood,’ the PeaceLoveMom range blends a free-rolling hippy sensibility with a little rock and roll edge.

Oprah Winfrey, Tia Carrera and Cindy Crawford are just a few of the famous fans of their t-shirts and tanks featuring simple, feel-good messages against striking, vintage-look logos. Brand New Mama has partnered with PeaceLoveMom to spread a little peace, love and fabulous-ness this holiday season. They are offering 10 percent off all items including clothing and accessories through January 15th when you enter the code NEWMAMA at checkout. Only available at the PeaceLoveMom web site.

Just done it

Even though we're not currently in the family way, Brand New Mama can't get enough of sassy maternity tops with cute sayings. Our new favourite is the Ruby Fay Done It Thermal long-sleeved t-shirt. It features an upside down Nike style swoosh logo along with the phrase 'Done It' that sits neatly over your bump. Enough said. The shirt comes in flattering chocolate brown or navy and is available at The Cocoa Monkey.

Butter up

It may not be top of your Christmas list but any new mama who's already cracking up from breastfeeding will be beyond thankful to find a jar of Nipple Butter in her stocking. One of the bestselling products from top store Earth Mama Angel Baby, this nipple salve is the first organic, all-natural, plant-based balm that's lanolin-free (so no hint of pesky pesticides). The cream is made from shea butter, cocoa butter, mango butter and healing calendula. And if that sounds pretty edible that's because it's safe for baby to eat so there's no need to wash it off between feeds. Yummy mummy.