Big City Moms Best Baby Gear and Accessories: nomie baby car seat covers, 'cozy-up' stroller blankets and strittens are all included

Trying to sort through all the "must-haves" is such a challenge, so it is important to know where to turn for trusted advise. If you are looking for ways to tame your hair, it's best to ask someone who has they hair you wish you had. If you see a pair of boots on the street that you have been searching for, stop that person and ask. I promise they will not think you are nuts. They will be flattered. Similarly, if you are looking for the "must-have" baby gear ask parents who have children just slightly older than yours. They can help steer you things that you can't live without, and those that are a waste and just take up space.

I have found that the second time around having a child, there are now wonderful groups, blogs and websites that make the navigating so much easier. In addition, as an entrepreneur, I have found working with these groups fantastic in not only giving excellent feedback, but also providing a wonderful vehicle for getting the word out to the parents we are trying to reach. One terrific way these groups spread the word is by hosting events with speakers giving advise on topics from what to bring to the hospital to how to find a caring and trusted nanny to recommending gear and accessories you need. I am thrilled that one such event is taking place tonight. Big City Moms is hosting an Expectant Moms Event for "The Best Baby Gear and Accessories." It is rewarding to know that such a trusted organization recommends the nomie baby product line to its parents.

These events are not only great ways to get information on 'must-have' products, but they are also wonderful ways to get out and meet other people. For all of us who are moms, sharing the experience makes the moments that much more memorable!

Strittens: Stroller Handle Mittens for ALL Stroller Types

How often have your packed the diaper bag with everything your little one could possibly need or want for the 15 minute to 2 hour outing, only to realize once you are a block away from home that your hands are freezing, because you forgot gloves for yourself? Well now there's a simple solution. The nomie baby strittens are stroller handle mittens. Cozy, warm hand warmers that Velcro onto ALL types of stroller handles, so they are always there when you need them, and make getting out quickly a snap. They work on umbrella stroller handles as well as jogger handles, so for only $30 no matter whether you out for a stroll, doing errands, or getting exercise, your hands can be shielded from the wind and cold. Since the strittens are only $30 a pair, they are a perfect gift for your strolling mom friends too.

Now you can slip the Strittens on once, and you are taken care of for the entire winter. You and your hands will be warm, and strolls will be so much cozier without adding any more time to your routine!

Nomie Baby Stroller Blankets & Mittens: Mom Gear Musts for Stroller Outings

Winter is definitely here to stay. As the temps dip into the teens and the flurries are swirling around, the thought of being inside for months on end with the little ones seems a bit daunting. The cold weather doesn't have to mean staying inside until the tulips arrive. If you have the right warm gear going outside will be a welcome adventure.

Keeping little ones warm while strolling is now easier than ever. You no longer have to worry about tucking a blanket around your child, and then hoping that there are no gaps for the wind to get in, or that it might slip off and get caught under the wheels. The nomie baby 'cozy-up' stroller blanket is the answer. It is a cozy and warm blanket that completely zips around your child so there are no gaps for the wind or snow, and it won't slip off either! The 'cozy-up' makes getting out a treat.

We have taken care of the little one's comfort, don't forget about your own. We all know that often when we are rushing to get out we have everything for the child, but not always for us. Oops, the gloves are in the other jacket, or while taking one off we drop it in the melting snow. Strittens are the answer. They are super warm stroller handle mittens that stay on the handles and are always there when you need them. You and your hands will love them.

Now that we have you and your little one covered in comfort and coziness, enjoy the winter!

Baby it's Cold Outside

Winter is here to stay, and the idea of hybernating with your little ones for months on end is probably too much to imagine. After all, there are only so many art projects to make, cookies to bake, Legos to construct, or pillow forts to build. Braving the cold temps can be done with the right layers of clothing and gear!

In case you weren't prepared ahead of time, there are ways to gather warm gear and clothing, and have it delivered right to your door through rain, sleet or snow. L.L. Bean, Lands End, Old Navy and Children's Place, Zappos in addition to Target and buybuyBaby are great sites to go to get boots, jackets and snow pants for your little ones. Another must-have for strolls in the cold is a cozy, warm and snuggley stroller blanket like the nomie baby 'cozy-up' stroller blanket, and of course you can't forget about the one pushing the stroller! I pair of warm strittens - stroller handle mittens - will keep your hands toasty when out and about.

To make it easier, nomie baby is offering 20% OFF orders of 'cozy-up' stroller blankets with promo code "warmup" now through Jan. 31, 2011. Simply go to www.nomiebaby.com, enter the promo code, and warmth will ship out to you and your friends! Instead of feeling trapped, gear up and get out! Enjoy the snow and winter wonderland!

In Photo: Getting out and enjoying strolling in China warm hands with her strittens, and her little one is cozy and warm in his own 'cozy-up.'

"Strittens for Strollin' "

Pregnancy & Newborn magazine knows what it's like when you're out for a stroll in the cold weather, you've lost your gloves, and your hands are freezing. No Fun, so they have discovered nomie baby strittens! No more worrying about cold hands, forgetting or losing mittens, and "Strittens stay attached to the stroller when you remove your hands, you don't have to worry about losing them—you know, like you typically would gloves when the tuck-them-under-your-armpit-as-you-reach-into-the-diaper-bag move fails you and one cashmere beauty winds up on the curb, blows into the street, gets run over by a taxi, and never again has the pleasure of keeping your left hand warm. Sigh. Yes, Strittens are most definitely the preferable alternative." Now when you have to zip up or take the top off the bottle to keep your little one happy, it's easy to slip your hands out of the strittens, quickly take care of your baby, and then slip your hands into the strittens. It's one less thing to worry about. Problem solved!.

Good News Brings More - I hope!

I have already mentioned that patience is a virtue, and while some things might be on the top of my mind, they are just one of many things on someone else's to-do list. Therefore, it's important to keep plugging along, and touching base. One of the other things I have noticed is that good news often brings more good news.

As much as people say they want to be the first, or the only..., they also seem to be afraid to be that as well. Therefore, when I am able to show stores that other stores carry the nomie baby line, they seem more interested in jumping on board. It's fascinating to see the interest that has gotten stirred up since buybuyBaby.com, BedBathandBeyond.com and CSNStores.com have started carrying the nomie baby line, and Diapers.com has always been a wonderful partner.

I am looking forward to talking with new retailers who are excited to be a part of the nomie baby family. Now the next piece of the puzzle will be to find sales reps who can help spread the word to their accounts. This has proven to be the most frustrating part. I had imagined that sales reps would be eager to add another line to those that they repped, but it's not that easy. If anyone knows of great, enthusiastic sales reps, I would appreciate an introduction!

Good Things Really Do Come To Those Who Wait

It was almost a year ago to the day that I received an email from the buyer I had been pursuing, not quite stalking, at buybuyBaby. The email very simply said, "Im not sure where we left off the last time we spoke. Can you send me samples of your items. I am interested in these covers." Short and sweet! I was thrilled! That started a process of documents going back and forth, photos, samples, getting set up to handle orders via EDI, and so on and so on and so on!

Fast forward a year, and yesterday my Google alert told me that the nomie baby car seat covers had gone live on BedBathandBeyond.com, which is the parent company of buybuyBaby. I was thrilled, and reassured that all the effort and time did pay off. I posted my news on Facebook, and was overwhelmed by the "likes" and well wishes from so many. Then this morning, once again, my Google alert brought good news. The car seat covers are also up on buybuyBaby.com! Not wanting to rest on this good news, I am now hopefully that this will start the snowball of bringing even more accounts carrying the nomie baby line!

Most important, I never could have done any of this alone without the encouragement of so many from my husband, kids, friends and "Collective-E -LY" from other entrepreneurs who have "been there, done that!"