hip baby news

Book Month: A zeal of zebras.

2012-01-26T13:30:00.000-08:00

Book Month continues here at Hip Baby. Buy your first book and get the second of lesser value at 25% off! Today it's all about animals and collective nouns. Have you ever heard about an embarrassment of pandas or an implausibility of gnus? Well, I hadn't but 'A zeal of zebras' marries beautiful art with the quirky collective nouns for animals and adds a little story too. Makes a perfect gift for parents who are lovers of design and wordplay and want to pass it on to their children in a fun and engaging way.

Book Month continues with: Wave.

2012-01-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

A wordless book? Yes! 'Wave' beautifully illustrates a child's day at the beach. With great joy and followed by a flock of seagulls, a girl runs toward a breaking wave and begins a silent dance. She chases the wave, runs from its surge, splashes and finally gives in to the inevitable crash of the water and discovers some unexpected treasures from the sea. This book is equally perfect as a shared experience or for the solitary enjoyment of a child's imagination.
'Wave' won the New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book in 2008. And remember, until the end of January at Hip Baby, buy your first book and get 25% of the second (of lesser value). A great time to give the gift of books.

Owl Babies!

2012-01-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

Book Month Continues with another new title to Hip Baby (but not new to me): 'Owl Babies'. This was one of the top three books I read to my daughter and still a go-to title after two years. Three baby owls discover their mother has gone and they can't help thinking about what she might be doing or where she is. The three baby owls stick together and keep their cool as the world gets a little dark and scary around them. But it's a celebration of joy when mama finally swoops into to feed and comfort her babies. Beautiful illustrations accompany this simple tale of three baby owls who miss their mama.

I want my hat back!

2012-01-20T12:56:00.000-08:00

It's Book Month at Hip Baby until the end of January. That leaves you 10 more days to take advantage of buying your first book and getting the second at 25% off (of lesser value). And today I'd like to tell you about 'I want my hat back', a tale of a great big wonderfully goofy and loveable bear who has lost his hat. I guess you could call it a 'quest' story told completely in dialogue and beautiful illustrations. A simple repetitive tale plays out to the delight of kids and adults alike, and with a great ending that will entertain over and over again. If I had a red hat like that one, I'd want it back too.

Original Sprout at Hip Baby!

2012-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

We get lots of samples here at the store but once in a while a product comes in and kinda knocks our socks off. We heard and read about this product but until we tried it... well, you get the idea. I have a 4 year old daughter that often wakes up with a spider web of hair that is nearly impossible to detangle so I gave the Miracle Detangler a try and wow (I've even caught my wife using it). Now we carry all their products including the Face & Body Sunscreen SPF 24+ which was named Best Sunscreen for the Entire Family at Babble.com. Come check out Original Sprout at Hip Baby!

January Cloth Diaper Workshop!

2012-01-10T16:59:00.000-08:00

Next Workshop: Tuesday January 24th, 7:00 - 8:30

Curious about cloth diapering your child but overwhelmed by all the brands and systems now available on the market? At Hip Baby we've created an engaging and informative 90 minute cloth diapering workshop to help you navigate the waters and leave you fully prepared to take on the challenge. And the best part is that you'll be surprised by how easy it really is; it's a healthy, environmentally friendly and an economical alternative to conventional single-use diapers.

Join Michael, The Cloth Diapering Dad (co-owner of Hip Baby), as he guides you through today's cloth diapering world.

Hip Baby - Vancouver

Tuesday January 24th 7:00 to 8:30pm

All Cloth Diapering Workshops are:

$15 per person or $25 per couple

each person receives a $15 gift card (including couples) toward diaper purchase of $100 or more.

Hip Baby's new Winter Hours.

2012-01-08T16:30:00.000-08:00

Now that the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season is over and there remains about three more months of wintry weather here in our lovely city, we've decided here at Hip Baby to adopt winter hours for both the Vancouver and Victoria locations. Please take note of our new hours above. Once the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer once again, we'll be sure to return to our regular hours. And we apologize in advance should this cause any inconvenience to our customers.

It's Book Month at Hip Baby!

2012-01-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

We love books so we've decided to dedicate the first month of the year as Book Month at Hip Baby. It's a good way to start the year off with one of the most precious gifts we can give our children; the gift of language and story. And we all know that kids love a good story. Come to Hip Baby during the month of January and buy 1 book and get 25% off the 2nd book you buy (of lesser value). And we've got lots of titles arriving to keep the shelves stocked. It's story time!

Offer is available in both Vancouver and Victoria locations (not on the website).

Lullaby League returns to Hip Baby!

2012-01-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

"It's like speed dating... only it's for parents and babysitters."

And way more fun than searching the web and notice boards! The $50.00 registration fee (payable to Lullaby League in cash, chq, Paypal) includes the mixer, a list of all the babysitters, and the chance meet a dozen or so babysitters and other parents in your community. You will also receive a 15% discount card for shopping at Hip Baby.

Receive $10 discount by booking online now with code: HIP10

Hip Baby is happy to host our fifth Lullaby League. Click here to register

Join us Tuesday January 17th from 7pm to 8pm!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T17:12:00.000-08:00

From all the staff at Hip Baby: we wish you a happy, safe and healthy 2012. And would like to thank all our Hip Baby customers for your support over the last year and beyond. As seems to be the case every year, the past year seems to have gone by in a flash but it's been our pleasure to bring you what we think are some of the best, safest and coolest products available for kids, backed by great customer service and a smile. And it's our plan to continue to make coming into our store an enjoyable experience. And a big welcome to all the new babies coming into the world in 2012. Now go out and have a great New Year!

Boxing the year away!

2011-12-23T20:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day is just around the corner, and just around the next corner is, you guessed it, Boxing Day. But let's be honest, it's really become Boxing Week. Come to Hip Baby beginning on Monday December 26th until Saturday December 31st for our Boxing Week SALE and enjoy savings of up to 70% off on many of your favourite products on the Hip Baby shelves. And look for other savings like 25% all Diaper Bags! There will also be bins with $5 and $10 items and everything clearly marked for faster checkouts. More than likely, something that you love is on sale in our store.

Last minute Holiday Shopping?

2011-12-22T12:03:00.000-08:00

Don't fret! We've got some great gift ideas in our gift guides. Have a look and come to the store or call us, we got you covered! Simply click on the links for each category, it's like downloading ideas right under your tree! If you've got newborns to 3 years old in your life click here. Maybe it's the older 3 to 6 year old crowd you're having trouble with, click here. Stocking stuffers you seek? click here. And don't forget mom and dad, you can find ideas with a simple click here. And be safe out there! Lots of icy roads and hectic traffic.

Katie's Holiday Staff pick: the teepee!

2011-12-21T16:49:00.000-08:00

Usually I blog about great Hip Baby items that are new to the store and items that for which we've got plenty of stock, etc. But this blog is about an item that came and went rather quickly due to this Vitamin V Daily post on December 3rd. We couldn't pack them fast enough to get them out the door. Today's blog is not only Katie's Holiday Gift pick but also to let you all know that we only have three units of the Dexton Teepee left. So don't delay! There's still time to get a teepee under the tree.

Great for either indoor or outdoor play. The teepee is easy to assemble (I did it and I have trouble with Ikea!) and is over 6 feet tall leaving enough of a footprint for endless hours of activities. And if you want to get creative, you can paint the canvas with whatever cool design suits your fancy with either oil or latex base, magic markers or spray paint. I think a Jackson Pollock teepee would be cool!

The elves are still hard at work!

2011-12-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

We're entering the "I've waited until the last minute" zone of holiday shopping. But rest assured that we've got you covered here at Hip Baby. We've filled the shelves one last time before the big day. Lots of toys from Janod and Melissa & Doug and stocking stuffers of all kinds, as well as practical items for new moms and dads. So don't despair if you haven't found the right thing for the little ones in your life. Just come to Hip Baby and our staff will guide you to the gift that's right for you and your budget.

Taylor's Gift Pick: ARTastic!

2011-12-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

Another installation of our Staff Holiday Gift series. Today Taylor has picked her favourite new art book at Hip Baby. ARTastic is a fantastic book of drawings and is much more than just a colouring book for your child. It is chock-full of over 200 art based activities that will fuel your child's imagination with puzzles, drawings, games, mazes and connect-the-dots. There are endless hours of artastic activities waiting for you and your child in this book. Makes for a great Holiday Gift.

A little DIY Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

2011-12-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

Depending on how quickly you knit you could probably have these ready to get them under the tree. All you need is some groovy balls of wool, some bells, and, yes, some time. With these beautiful ankle bells, you're guaranteed a lot of foot-stomping fun on Christmas Day! If you're not a knitter, this blog post on Minieco offers a non-knitter version with some velcro (I think velcro is to textiles what duct tape is to household repairs). Either way the kids will love them! And makes a great gift.

Holiday Gift Guide: Part 4: for Mom & Dad.

2011-12-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

We all know there is a baby boom going on but that also means there is a mom and dad boom going on too! So when you're out there shopping for all those new kids in your life, you might want to think about those new parents too! Here's our Holiday Gift Guide: Part 4: Mom & Dad. A little practical stocking stuffer (new parents like 'practical') to make their lives a little easier.
I won't kid you though, there are way more things for mom when it comes to this sort of gift; dad doesn't need nursing pads and belly cream and Bella Bands and nursing pillows. But hey, we still love you dads!

Taylor's Gift Pick: the Wheely Bug

2011-12-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ah, the Wheely Bug. Likely one of the best buys in our store as far value to fun ratio. Once your child figures out how to ride these wonderful little vehicles, they will have hours of endless play. But it's not all just fun, they are actually learning how to balance and will make the jump to a balance push bike with the greatest of ease, and from there likely go to a regular bike without needing training wheels. There are two sizes: small is for toddlers from 18 months to 3 years and the large for kids 3 to 5 years.

My daughter is on a large now and still enjoys tearing around the house on her bug. First she picked the ladybug in the small size then she switched to the bee for the larger size. Hmmm, I never asked her why she switched, might be that time we visited our friend's beehive and dressed her in a bee suit and stood a foot away from about 60 000 bees! Happy bug riding!

Gift Ideas: Stocking Stuffers!

2011-12-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's probably safe to say that everyone loves opening gifts during the Holiday Season but in our household, stockings are where it's at! And we go all out. My mother-in-law has hand-made and decorated our entire family's collection of stockings and if I were to give them a size, they would be called 'Magnum Size'. That means that there's a lot of space to fill. It also means I'm constantly on the look-out for stocking stuffers. Here is part three of our Gift Guides: Stocking Stuffers. Happy stuffing!

Gift Ideas for the newborn to 3-6 yr old crowd.

2011-12-12T11:46:00.000-08:00

Today we're featuring some ideas that might help you find some great gifts for the 3-6 year olds in your lives. Our Gift Ideas series of blog posts and links make it easy for you to shop for all the little ones in your life. Wondering what to buy a 9 month old boy or a 22 month old girl or a 4 1/2 old set of twins? All you have to do is browse our Gift Ideas or come into the store and ask one of our helpful staff to assist you in finding exactly the right gift that suits your budget. Happy shopping!

Gift Ideas for the newborn to 3 year old crowd.

2011-12-10T15:32:00.000-08:00

From now until Christmas we are going to post fabulous Gift Guides for the kid set. Why? Because we like to make it easy for you! Here's our first instalment: Holiday Gift Guides: Part 1: 0-3 years. And keep an eye out for our staff picks of their favourite gift choices; they've got their finger on the pulse of all things hip for the holidays.

Still looking for a Christmas Tree?

2011-12-10T12:46:00.000-08:00

We highly recommend Aunt Leah's Place. That's where we went yesterday to buy our beautiful Fraser Fir. They have 16 years experience in Christmas tree sales and offer a great range of fresh cut premium trees and other seasonal products, and with knowledgeable staff ready to assist you. But here's the best part: ever wonder where a boy or girl coming out of foster care goes? Out into the world, that's where. And they're sent out to start their new life with not much else but their possessions and some money to get them started. What they need is continued support and assistance to give them the start they deserve. 100% of the profits from the sales of Aunt Leah's trees goes to providing housing and programs for foster teens and young moms and their babies. And that's a great service to them and our community at large.

And it's easy to get to Aunt Leah's, go south along Granville just past 54th Ave. to St. Stephen's Unite Church to get your tree. Don't have time to do it in person? No problem, at Aunt Leah's you can now purchase online.

Get yourself a great tree and help people in need of support, all at the same time.

Free Gift Tags Download

2011-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some ready-to-print gift tags for your Christmas presents. Click here to download, print on 8.5 x 11 card stock and cut out. Use a hole puncher on the top so you can add some ribbon or just tuck them under the ribbon with a little tape.

Katie's Holiday Pick: Magnatab!

2011-12-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Katie pointed this one out as her #1 Holiday Gift pick but I'm pretty sure we'd have all picked this one. And for two very good reasons: it's both fun and educational, and you can't go wrong with that. On the Magnatab from KidO, your child will practice writing the lower-case alphabet and have fun with magnets at the same time. It's a tactile alphabet experience!
Simply trace each letter with the magnetic stylus and erase with the tip of a finger. Another bonus is that it only has two parts, the actual board and the magnetic pen. And as parents we all know what that means, less time trying to find parts for toys!

Spiced Caramel Corn Recipe

2011-12-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

Here is a great holiday recipe to make with the kids. Jar it up, wrap it in a bow and you have the perfect gift for your friends & family. Click here for the recipe from one of our favourite food blogs Everybody Likes Sandwiches. And don't forget to make some for yourself!

Free Colouring Page Download!

2011-12-05T19:46:00.000-08:00

Click here to download this little angel and her stars. Print on 8.5 x 11 paper and get out the crayons!

In-store reading with author Shane Janssens!

2011-12-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

This Thursday December 8th is the West 4th "Holiday Shopping Party" and we're celebrating by having local author Shane Janssens join us for an in-store book signing and reading from his book 'Walter the Wandering Wave'.
Walter has been a big success since we started stocking it on our shelves and the kids will no doubt have a blast listening to Shane read. Please join us at 5, 6 and 7pm for readings and signings of the book.

We also have some great deals for you that night. Receive 20% off any purchase when you spend $75.00 or more between 5pm-8pm. As well as 20% off all diaper bags during that same time period.

As always, there are Hip Baby balloons for all the kids!

West 4th will be THE place to be for Holiday shopping on December 8th! With great discounts and events throughout the evening. Make it your place to go!

DIY Christmas ornaments to make with the kids.

2011-12-02T11:21:00.001-08:00

Our friends at Ohdeedoh have gathered some great DIY projects for you to make with your kids for the holidays. We made the felt birds last year for our tree and they are beautiful...and pretty easy to make. Click here to view their blog posting with all of the individual links to each project. Happy crafting!

Free Colouring Page Download!

2011-11-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of Santa's reindeer to get your little one in the holiday spirit.
Click here for the free download, print on 8.5 x 11 paper and colour!

Mothering Magazine lists Earnest Efforts on Top 10!

2011-11-24T12:42:00.000-08:00

The most important part of our business is without a doubt our customer. But there's another part that we often don't get a chance to talk about as much, and that's our suppliers. We have great brand names that we buy through reps and distributors but we love to deal directly with the smaller (and often local) manufacturers, it makes for a more personal and direct relationship. So, when a small supplier gets accolades, we like to celebrate it!

Earnest Efforts are a husband and wife team from Southwestern Oregon and have been supplying us with handmade rattles for a couple of years. We've been big supporters because not only are they beautiful but they are made entirely from sustainably harvested wood and are safe for kids. They also create gentle tones and can be used for musical accompaniment.

Mothering Magazine has just released their picks for the best Natural, Eco-Friendly Baby Toys and Rattles and Earnest Efforts made the list. Congratulations Earnest Efforts for being recognized for the work you do!

Free Colouring Page Download

2011-11-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

It's getting close to that time of year. Click here to download some partridges in a pear tree for your little one to colour.

Over and Under the Snow

2011-11-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

In this lovely book author Kate Messner takes readers on a cross country ski trip to discover the magic of winter and the secret world of squirrels, bears, bullfrogs and many more animals living safe and warm under the snow. Beautifully illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal you will want to bundle yourself up and take a walk, or ski, through the snow.

Win a $250 Shopping Spree!

2011-09-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

We have partnered with one of our favourite web sites - Yoyomama - to bring you a contest that could win you a $250 shopping spree at Hip Baby. This contest began on September 26th and will end on October 26th. This still gives you plenty of time to enter. So you must be asking yourself: how can I enter?
Well, it's easy. Head over to our newly launched Hip Baby web site and simply sign up for our newsletter (you'll find the 'Newsletter Sign-Up' link near the top of the page by clicking on the Purple Giraffe). And make sure to say 'Yoyomama' in the notes section of your sign up. For extra entries, go to Hip Baby's Facebook page, click on 'like' and let us know Yoyomama sent you.

And if you go to the Yoyomama contest page (you'll find it in the archives on September 26th) there's an extra bonus at the bottom of the post.

The shopping spree will be available to the winner until December 31st, 2011. Imagine all the Holiday gifts you could buy for that much!

Good Luck!

*Please note: the $250 shopping spree can only be used in the Vancouver Location or online and must be spent during one purchase.

Pumpkins that don't rot!

2011-09-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

From our favourite DIY dad, Made by Joel, here is a fun way to decorate the house for Halloween without pumpkins rotting in your stairwell. And it's easy enough for kids to help with. We know that Halloween is over a month away but it's one of our favourite holidays. It's by far the most creative holiday of the year so let your imaginations run wild and enjoy!

Handmade Bird Wings

2011-09-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

With Halloween just around the corner we start to scour the internet for great costume ideas. These DIY wings were found here at Llevoel Invierno, a beautiful blog from Italy (instructions also come in English). Not only perfect for Halloween night but a great addition to any tickle trunk.

Great DIY Bird Mobile

2011-09-24T10:21:00.000-07:00

This design comes from one of our favourite bloggers: Made by Joel. A simple & elegant DIY design to decorate your nursery or kids' room. Click here for full instructions.

Free Colouring Pages!

2011-09-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some Free colouring pages for your little one. Designed in-house by co-owner Jen MacCormack. Simply click on the links below, print on 8.5" x 11" paper and colour away!

Download the Owl

Download the Submarine

Download the Animals

Download the Nesting Dolls

Upcylcle old felt markers!

2011-09-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

I just love this post that I saw on Mini Eco UK. Take your child's old, dried up felt markers and soak them in water overnight to create beautiful water colours. Genius!

Vote for Hip Baby at CityHUB!

2011-09-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Do you love supporting local businesses? Show your love by voting for your favourites at CityHUB Victoria. Visit CityHUB and vote for the best stores, services and restaurants that Victoria has to offer.

You'll find Hip Baby listed under 'Specialty, Lifestyle and Life Stages'. Vote often! - you can vote once a day in each category and each vote is a chance to win a prize from participating businesses! Create an account by logging into CityHUB and you can use the 'Autovote' feature (just below the Facebook and Twitter icons on the right side of the screen) to automatically vote each day.

Thanks for voting!

hipbaby.com is now live!

2011-09-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's true, our store is now live online: hipbaby.com

It's taken some time to get it just the way we wanted it to look and function but the job is now done and we're letting everyone know. Not all the wonderful products we carry in our brick and mortar stores (in Vancouver and Victoria) are available during this "soft launch" phase but with time we will populate the web store with as many great products as we can; as well as add any new features to create a better shopping experience for our customers.

So go to our new website and browse and see for yourself and make sure to spread that word that one of Vancouver's favourite kids stores is now online to the whole world.

Beco Sale!

2011-08-11T10:36:00.001-07:00

Ever since Beco introduced the Gemini Carrier there has been a mad dash for them and we're barely able to keep up with the demand, or so it seems. But don't dismiss the tried and true Beco Butterfly 2 Carrier.
My guess is that you'll soon see a subtle shift back to it as the excitement of the Gemini wears off. What we love about these two products is that Beco now covers all bases with both. The Gemini has its advantages (forward facing option) for sure but so does the Butterfly 2. And if you're lifestyle suits it best, it may be the better choice for you. And now is a great time to buy one because we have them on sale for $139.

This carrier will hold a child up to 45 lbs. (the Gemini only 35 lbs.) so if you're like us and go hiking or take long walks where your 3 1/2 year old (38 lbs.) might get tired, into our Butterfly she goes; can't do that if we had a Gemini. And the Butterfly 2 acts more like a backpack for a kid making it much easier to get the child on your back when alone and has the added safety feature of an infant insert (included) to make the wee ones super snug and safe.

Come into Hip Baby and we'd be happy to show you which one works best for you!

Post-Khatsahlano Festival Sale!

2011-07-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

This will likely be the shortest blog post I ever write for Hip Baby. Because the image above says it all!

We had such a great time on Saturday during the inaugural Khatsahlano Music Festival that we decided to keep the sales items for that event available to all our customers that might not have made it out on that day.

Enjoy discounts on clothing, stuffies, toys, etc. up to 80% off! There are even some Fig garments for as little as $10.

(Okay, so the blog wasn't as short as I thought).

Amber teething necklaces.

2011-07-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

I've been blogging at Hip Baby for over 2 1/2 years and this is the first blog post for which I was uncertain on how to approach, and since I believe honesty to be the best policy, I decided to stick to the truth yet express both sides of the coin.

Ok, that said, first let's tackle the science. Well, there isn't any; there are no independent scientific papers out there that can prove the efficacy of amber for the relief of teething, but, there are none disproving it either. One of the reasons we hesitated carrying these necklaces is that no producer or distributor could actually supply us with a study that backed their claims. And like all things we sell at Hip Baby, we like to do our research in order to provide our customers with reliable and safe products.

So that leaves us with anecdotal evidence, and of that, there is plenty. All over the internet you can easily find claims from moms and dads saying how much the necklaces helped to relieve their child's pain during teething. And I'm a firm believer that, although not scientific, anecdotal evidence can be powerful and sometimes may even trump what science can provide for us. Perhaps the answers live somewhere in between.

The requests for amber just kept coming. And something else we like to do here at Hip Baby is listen to our customers, so we did. We are now happy to carry 100% Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces, buy them online and at our Vancouver and Victoria locations.

And guess what? We're already on our second order. Maybe that's where the truth lives, parents simply trying to provide some relief for their child, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that.

Kitsilano becomes Khatsahlano! - July 23rd!!!

2011-07-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is going to be the biggest car-free day of the summer! (yes, it is summer) Plenty of FREE music, street sales, special events, lots of food and (did I say it already?) lots of music!
5 stages will be featuring some of Vancouver's buzz bands like Yukon Blonde, Sun Wizard, B-Lines, No Gold, and many more; as well as local faves who have been on the scene for years like Veda Hille, Rich Hope and The Evaporators. And that's just the tip of the iceberg (maybe I shouldn't use that word around this summer). This is a rare chance to see and support many of our city's finest talent and enjoy 4th avenue free of cars and traffic. All your favourite stores will be having their own special sales and events. There's going to be lots to do for the whole family!

Gone are the Hippie Days of yore as we move into a new era for West 4th. Kitsilano is THE place to be on July 23rd from 11am to 6pm!

And come by Hip Baby for some fun for the kids, a shaded area with plenty of chalk to draw and some special give aways. We'll also have some items on sale at the store.

Hip Baby Victoria: business as usual!

2011-07-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a long three months for Hip Baby - Victoria - but as of Saturday July 16th, we are back! Although the store was closed for over 12 weeks, Mary was busy behind the scenes receiving all the new stock and preparing it for the eventual re-opening. And all the staff also waited patiently and have now returned to work at the store.

"After three long months, I couldn't wait to open the doors and welcome all our friends. And even with the rainy weather on Saturday, so many families showed up to say hello." Mary said. "The response to our situation has been unbelievably generous, and we are so grateful for the support we received from our customers, friends, family, and fellow business owners in our neighbourhood." Then Mary added: "The days of fire and smoke are now behind us and we look forward to a terrific summer!"

I couldn't have said it better!

Hip Baby is back and better than ever and ready to serve Victoria with smart choices for your kids from Newborn to 6 years old. And we, of course, still have our change table and nursing area available to local moms and dads.

40 years of Janod toys!

2011-07-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

Since 1970, Janod has specialized in making wooden toys in the beautiful region of Jura in France. Jura is known as "le pays du jouet" (the land of toys), and after 40 years of making toys, they must have gotten something right! The brainchild of Louis Janod is now distributed in over 30 countries around the world and their slogan of "Jouer par Nature" (Play Naturally) really fits in with our mandate here at Hip Baby. Smart, sturdy and contemporary toy designs that ignite a child's imagination and made with integrity from FSC certified wood and non-toxic paints so parents can trust them.

Come and check out these beautiful toys at both Hip Baby Vancouver and Victoria or buy online here.

Now that summer is here...

2011-07-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

... It's time to protect your kids from the damaging effects of the sun. And when the sun shines in BC, we all know how powerful it can be. At Hip Baby we are always trying to find natural options (or as natural as possible!) for our customers and their treasured kids and Derma Soleil's Natural Sunblock for kids is one of them.
It's an effective sunblock against the harmful rays of the sun while at once being non-irritating for a child's delicate skin and easy to apply. We offer Derma Soleil for kids in both 30 SPF and 45 SPF. And Derma Soleil isMade in Canada; we like that too!

Apply 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure and reapply after prolonged swimming, heavy perspiring, washing or toweling. And, like anything we apply to our skin, discontinue use if there are any signs of rash or irritation.

Protectively available at Hip Baby!

Hip Baby Victoria to re-open July 16th!!!

2011-07-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Hip Baby Victoria has been closed since April 21st due to a fire that began in the restaurant beneath us. Thankfully nobody was injured, and with the sprinklers and the quick response from the Fire Department, the fire was extinguished before it could do more damage to Market Square. But that did not stop the smoke from destroying all our great products.

It was hard on Mary and all the staff to lose touch for so long with all our valued customers in Victoria, and to be closed at such a crucial time for all the visitors and tourists in Victoria, but we can now see the light at the end of the closure tunnel. And we are pleased to announce that Hip Baby Victoria will once again open on July 16th!!! And we're having a Sale!

As a thank you to our customers, both old and new, for their support during our closure, Hip Baby Victoria welcomes you to our Re-Opening Sale. Everything, we mean everything, will be discounted by 25% for this one day only! Or just come by and say hello!

Mary and her team have been hard at work making sure that the store is re-filled with all the wonderful and eco-friendly products Hip Baby is known for. We're also happy to announce that our entire pre-fire staff is returning to greet all the familiar faces (and the new ones!) once the store opens once again.

We are truly looking forward to re-opening our doors! And we all thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Topozoo means fun!

2011-07-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

Topozoo was created by two dads who wanted to bring imaginative, eco-friendly toy making back to the US and specifically to their home state of Ohio. Each Topozoo Playset includes 15 sturdy pieces that can build three animals but since all the pieces are interchangeable, there are literally thousands of possibilities!
And since all Topozoo pieces from different playsets are also interchangeable, the options for your child's imagination suddenly leap into the hundreds of thousands. That's a lot of room for play! These sturdy animals are entirely made from recycled materials and the paints are actually made from whey, a natural by-product of cheese making. Made in the US for safe, fun, and imagination-driven play.

Playsets currently available at Hip Baby: Dinosaur, Monster and Safari. For ages 3+

Summer time means concert and event time!

2011-07-04T15:18:00.000-07:00

And what better way to protect your child's sensitive hearing than with EM's 4 Kids protective ear muffs. We started putting these ear muffs on our daughter at the age of 6 months when we took her to her first rock concert and she slept through the whole thing. Bottom line? They work. And at 3 1/2 she still asks for them when it's time to go to an event where noise will be a factor.

Em's 4 Kids was created by a couple in Brisbane, Australia, concerned about their daughter's exposure to high levels of noise. They offer a colourful and effective way of protecting your child's hearing. Em's 4 Kids are available in Blue, Silver and Pink for kids 6 months and up and Em's 4 Bubs in Blue and Pink from newborn to 18 months.

Perfect for the concerts on car-free day in Kits on July 23rd! More on that soon...

Vote for me and I'll set you free!

2011-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! Time to let the people know how you feel about your city by voting in the Georgia Straight's 'Best of Vancouver' 2011 edition. Who do you think is the bee's knees? Let your fellow Vancouverites know!
And make sure to check out the results when they're published in the September issue; it's always a great read and you're guaranteed to learn about new restaurants and shops and getaways that might not be on your radar. And don't forget when you come to the section entitled 'The Best Baby/Toddler Store'. Type in the box 'Hip Baby' if you like what we do in our city! You only need to answer 30 questions to make your ballot count, it takes no more than 5 minutes in your day.

Click here to vote today!

2009 #1 in Best Baby/toddler category

2010 #2 in Best Baby/toddler category

2011... well, we'll have to wait until September

"Babywearing" workshop at Hip Baby.

2011-06-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

There are so many things about being a parent that need your attention and it often feels that being a modern parent also means being a research specialist. The birth, breast feeding, diapers, food introduction, safe toys, safe feeding; then comes pre-school, then school, then... well, you get the picture. At Hip Baby we like to bring you some engaging workshops to help cut the time of research by connecting you with someone who knows the subject at hand.

This coming Tuesday June 28th from 7pm to 8pm, join Dr. Sabrina Chen-See, BSc, DC, BCAO, CACCP, to hear what you need to know about Babywearing. Find out how easy it can be and why it's so great for both parent and child. Learn to "do it right" for baby's comfort and for the sake of your back and spine. This workshop is FREE and recommended for all new parents and parents-to-be. In her intimate and interactive workshop, Dr. Sabrina will show how babywearing builds important bonds with your child and ensures optimal brain and physical development. Dr. Sabrina will also talk specifically about some of the great carriers we stock at Hip Baby, like Beco, BabyBjorn, Maya Wrap and Moby.

This is a FREE workshop! Light refreshments will be provided and all participants will receive a small gift as well as a 15% discount card for Hip Baby.

Room is limited so please call the store at 604 736 8020 or email us at info@hipbaby.com to reserve your spot.

A drool bib with a difference.

2011-06-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Drool bibs seem to have exploded onto the market in the last year. Many companies have added them to their product line and some creative momterpreneurs have also produced some pretty cool variations on the idea. But one brand that stood out for us is BB Bandana, made by Electrik Kidz in Montreal.
They've cleverly added a soother clip holder; it functions at once as a drool bib to save your child's clothing from the ever present drool of a teething baby and saves soothers and small toys from hitting the dirty ground. Oh, and did I mention they're made from Organic Cotton and come with some pretty cute screen prints? And that's just our style: sustainable, functional, and stylish. It's a modern alternative to the traditional bib and a great accessory for a teething child.

Come into Hip Baby and check out our BB Bandanas. Machine washable. Made in Canada. And comes in various colours and prints.

Fun for planes, trains and automobiles!

2011-06-21T17:03:00.001-07:00

Today is the first official day of Summer, the Solstice. And that means it's time to travel with the kids. Maybe it's a car trip to the Okanagan, maybe it's a flight to Winnipeg to visit the family, maybe it's a train ride through the Rockies, either way it means keeping the kids busy while you're traveling.
Well, the clever people at Mudpuppy just made your job easier. They've created play scenes, like the 'Fun and Dance' scene above, in book form with an easy to carry handle built right in and comes with 50 removable stickers. Your child can create an endless amount of scenes over and over again. And no need for recharging or batteries, just pure old-school fun. So if you're looking for an added solution to keeping the kids busy while you drive, come to Hip Baby and see our Mudpuppy Play Scenes.

'My Brest Friend' now at Hip Baby.

2011-06-20T14:54:00.000-07:00

In the world of Mom related products, everyone has a valid opinion about how well this or that product worked for them. And our experience is that Moms are one of the most informed consumer groups, and for many good reasons. But some products really stand out against other brands in their category. As retailers we know this because the same brand gets requested over and over again, and as parents we know this because we've actually tested them. This is why we now carry My Brest Friend.
It is the breast feeding pillow that is most requested and suggested by moms. The design helps mom maintain good posture to help prevent sore back and neck; it wraps around and secures to the body to create an ideal latch-on position; a sewn-on pocket for accessories; one-handed adjustable strap; a firm and flat front cushion keeps baby from rolling in or away during feeding; with a washable plush cover (hang dry to avoid shrinkage).

See why My Brest Friend has become the #1 choice of Lactation Consultants and millions of moms worldwide.

Bobs & Lolo's release another album!

2011-06-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

It's no secret than we love Bobs & Lolo here at Hip Baby. And now they have a new album "Connecting the Dots", released fittingly this past Earth Day in April, to add to their growing catalogue.
Bobs & Lolo are Robyn Hardy (Bobs) and Lolo (Lorraine Pond), are energetic performers who both grew up on Vancouver Island where they developed their love of the natural world and musical stories turned out to be the perfect medium for them to combine their educational background, their love of teaching and the creative arts with their passion for working with kids. Their songs inspire children to take care of themselves, their neighbours and their planet. What a great way to engage our children about the future of their home!

Everything in our world is connected and "Connecting the Dots" features 14 wonderful new songs that inspire kids to observe, explore and connect to all the unique people, animals, places and things our world has to offer. Get connected today!

You can purchase a single CD, all of the CD's, and even bundled with a t-shirt included. Lots of options here.

The Snotsucker.

2011-06-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

Full Disclosure: My wife and I gift this product to all our friends about to have a baby. And even the most squeamish of our friends suddenly became converts.

Nosefrida's snot sucker is one of those products that unless you try it, the assumption of what it's like to use it will get the better of your imagination; because let's be honest, the idea of sucking snot out of your kid's nose does not make you want to run out and buy it.
But here's the good news: the snot rarely gets near your mouth and even if it did, the nifty little filter would catch it all. Safe and sanitary to use. The beauty of this device lies in how you can easily regulated the sucking force making it painless for baby, unlike the turkey baster variety which actually made my daughter cry the moment she saw it coming toward her nose. But with the Nosefrida, it was never a problem. Perfect for when your child is so stuffed up that it makes breathing difficult.

June Sale at Hip Baby!

2011-06-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

In appreciation of our hometown team and all the Hip Baby fans that are weathering this crazy hockey storm (could it be more dramatic???), we're having a little sale.
So come in and break free from the nail bitting anxiety and you'll find many great products on sale, and in many departments. From potty's to toys to stuffies to books to clothing, and much more. Come take advantage of some great pricing during this final burst of hockey mania. Sale will end after the Canucks win!

Kids have Canuck fever too!

2011-06-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

There simply is no reason to fight it any longer, Vancouver is officially hockey crazy! And here at Hip Baby we have the team jersey that everyone is looking for. We have sizes ranging from 12 months, 18 months, 24 months and 3 years. Only while supplies last!

Our staff loves the Canucks so much, we've decided to shift to "Hockey Hours" here at Hip Baby. Until the Stanley Cup is over (and Vancouver has the Cup!) we will be closing at 5pm every game day.

Game days are scheduled as follows: Saturday June 4 - Monday June 6 - Wednesday June 8 - Friday June 10. If, and it's a big IF, there are games 6 and 7, well, we'll put up the schedule then.

Go Canucks Go!

Good Food Baby authors at Hip Baby.

2011-05-31T16:52:00.000-07:00

Join us at Hip Baby next Tuesday June 7th at 7pm to learn some great dietary tips from the authors of Good Food Baby. Ali Chernoff is a registered Dietitian and Chantal Canessa has her Masters in Nursing and is involved in community programs helping individuals improve health and well-being. They wrote Good Food Baby because they found that new parents frequently asked questions on how to feed their babies, so they created an easy-to-use book filled with basic tips on breastfeeding, food introduction, allergies and how to make baby food and much more

Do you have some unanswered questions related to the feeding and health of your child? If your answer is yes, then join us at Hip Baby for this informative FREE workshop and have your questions answered by two health care professionals. Other topics that will be discussed are current guidelines on Vitamin D and Iron. And plenty of time for your questions.

$1 from the sale of every book is donated to the BC Centre for Ability. Books will be available for purchase at the event.

Please call Hip Baby at 604 736 8020 to book your spot. Space is limited to 14 people.

Love Your Brain!!!

2011-05-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

Full transparency: I am a committed cyclist. I cycle for pleasure; I cycle to commute; I cycle for health and I cycle for the planet. My wife also likes to ride her bike and now that we have a child, we're hoping to pass on our love of cycling to her. She's been riding in a trailer since she was 18 months and now rides on the front of my bike in a great device called an iBert. And the one constant in our biking life is the helmet; we simply never ride without one. And the helmet we ride is the Nutcase because we love our brains. The Little Nutty from Nutcase is the helmet for kids as they can start wearing them at around 18 months (head circumference must be 18 inches min.), and up to 5 years old or whenever they outgrow them. Not only are they safe but they come in a great selection of colours and graphics.

At Hip Baby we just got in all the new designs. Come and check them out and get your kids started early on loving their brains and they'll never leave home without it. And give you some piece of mind.

Lullaby League returns to Hip Baby!

2011-05-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is the last Lullaby League at Hip Baby until the Fall! There are two spots left. This is a great opportunity to set yourself up with help over the summer.

Ever have a last minute appointment? A great event you don't want to miss? Your nanny is sick? Just need a break but none of your regular care givers are available? As parents we've all been there, and now Lullaby League is here to help you out. The Lullaby League is a one hour mixer where parents get a chance to meet a dozen or so fun and fabulous college and university students looking for babysitting jobs. It's a perfect opportunity to meet, chat, see resumes, and generally get to know the person you will be trusting your child with while being a cost-effective way of interviewing multiple candidates. And way more fun than searching the web and notice boards! The $50.00 registration fee (payable to Lullaby League in cash, chq, Paypal) includes the mixer, a list of all the babysitters, and the chance meet a dozen or so babysitters and other parents in your community. You will also receive a 15% discount card for shopping at Hip Baby.

"It's like speed dating... only it's for parents and babysitters."

Hip Baby is happy to host our fourth Lullaby League. Click here to register

Join us Tuesday May 31st from 7pm to 8pm!

Local Businesses We Love - part 1.2

2011-05-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

I like business names that speak immediately to the consumer and Two Chefs and a Table is likely on of the most direct names for a restaurant out there. Karl Gregg and Allan Bosomworth collectively have many years of experience in both fine dinning and high volume restaurants and they've taken those skills and produced a great little bistro at the three corners where Railway St. meets both Gore and Alexander. My wife and I have been enjoying their weekend brunches for a few years and we were delighted to hear that breakfast is now an every day affair starting at 9:30am. Dinners are Monday to Saturday and brunches Saturday and Sunday. Their menu concept is simple: "We make food for the way Vancouver lives... and will focus on creating menus which will satisfy all sides of this fantastic city." I'm sold! Oh, and did I mention they use only quality ingredients and strive to offer locally-sourced regional products? And where else can you get a Sunday Ceasar for $4?

Check out their catering business too, might be just what you need for your next event!

Little Jots at Hip Baby.

2011-05-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that I'm a lover of all things text and stationary, check out this post to see what I mean, so it's no surprise that Little Jots is now available at Hip Baby. Little Jots notepads makes it easy to connect with your child by sending them a love filled or funny note to remind them how much you care, and in this age of texts and emails and 140 word essays, that's a good thing. You can either write something special or if you're in a rush just choose one of the many pre-written notes, fold it up, put a sticker on it and place it anywhere you like. It comes as a hard-cover book and includes a pen along with 20 blank notes and 20 pre-written ones and hug and kiss stickers to seal the notes. And when the pads are empty you can order re-fills. Lunchbox notes might not be new but Little Jots makes it fun, and easy!

All purchases support the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.

I'm actually trying to think back if my mother put notes in my lunch box, hmmmm.

The Wizard Uno is now at Hip Baby!

2011-05-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

With one of the largest in-store selections of cloth diapers in Vancouver (maybe even the largest!), we like to keep bringing our customers the most up-to-date innovations in cloth diapering. And from time to time something new pops onto the radar that is worth adding to our repertoire of brands and systems. Introducing the Wizard Uno from Mother-ease. This diaper combines the best of a two-step diaper and an All-In-One in "Uno" diaper. A super absorbent stay dry liner which is separate from the waterproofing layer in the places that really need two elasticized lines of defense against leaks but attached at the waist, making it, essentially, a one-step diaper. Mother-ease needs no introduction in the cloth diapering world, they produce quality products from diapers to covers, doublers to liners, and the Uno will no doubt find its rightful place among these great products. Mother-ease is not only a Canadian company but manufactures their goods right here in Canada. We like that.

And in a few weeks we'll introduce the Wizard Duo! Stay tuned.

Congratulations to Nicole Bridger!

2011-05-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

We've been big fans for Nicole Bridger for a few years now. Her unique style is elegant, modern and effortless. And best of all, she's been a leader in sustainability in the clothing industry both here in Vancouver and beyond. Her philosophy is simple: "Do what is right for the Earth, its People and Spirit." For the Earth; fabrics are sourced sustainably. For the People; ethical manufacturing practices. And for the Spirit; I AM LOVE is sewn into every piece of clothing. We think that about covers everything that should matter. Nice work Nicole!

And now you can visit Nicole's new store right here in Kitsilano at 2151 W4th just one block west of Hip Baby.

Welcome to the neighbourhood and congratulations from all of us at Hip Baby!

The Joy of Music.

2011-05-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the 2nd annual 'Joy of Music' on June 12th, 2011, 7:30pm at the West Point Grey United Church. A wonderful night of music "that will dazzle and delight, inspire and excite." Enjoy listening to the sounds of Bach, Schubert, Handel-Halvorsen, Paganini, Stanick and more. Performed by a variety of violin soloists under the artistic direction of Toni Stanick. This event is supporting the incredible work of the BC Children's Hospital.

Tickets are $25.00 and are available at Hip Baby!

Cloth Diaper Workshops in May.

2011-05-06T14:14:00.000-07:00

Curious about cloth diapering your child but overwhelmed by all the brands and systems now available on the market? At Hip Baby we've created an engaging and informative 90 minute cloth diapering workshop to help you navigate the waters and leave you fully prepared to take on the challenge. And the best part is that you'll be surprised by how easy it really is; it's a healthy, environmentally friendly and economical alternative to conventional single-use diapers.

Join Michael (co-owner of Hip Baby) as he guides you through today's cloth diapering world. Come to Hip Baby or call us at 604 736 8020 to book your spot.

Hip Baby - Vancouver

Tuesday May 10th 7:00 to 8:30pm

Hip Baby - Victoria

No workshop in May due to closure from fire damage

All Cloth Diapering Workshops are:

$15 per person or $25 per couple

each person receives a $15 gift card toward diaper purchase of $100 or more.

Our gift to Mom's.

2011-05-04T15:04:00.000-07:00

With Mother's Day coming up this Sunday, we decided to give a little something back to all the moms and moms-to-be by putting all our diaper bags on sale. Save 20% on all Ju-Ju-Be, Matt & Nat and Storksak diaper bags. And to make it easier on everyone, because who wants mom doing on anything on Mother's Day, the sale starts Thursday May 5th and ends Sunday May 8th. Come and get your new diaper bag while supplies last. A diaper bag is a necessary but big expense, and depending on what brand you buy, you will save anywhere from $30 to $38. That's a money in your pocket, mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sweet deal from Sweet Pea.

2011-04-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

Today is the day to go to SocialShopper and get a revolutionary deal on the Sweet Pea Glass Baby Bottles. For just $19 (includes tax) you will get four Sweet Pea BPA-free glass bottles - two 5oz and two 9oz bottles - regularly valued at $38.04. That's a 50% savings! Glass means that your child is only drinking what you put in the bottle, no leeching chemicals from eco-unfriendly sources.

Please note that the colourful Pea Pod neoprene shells seen in the picture are not included in the offer but can be purchased separately at Hip Baby or online here. With the Pea Pod cover you don't have to worry about baby falling asleep and dropping the bottle because the smart grown-ups at Sweet Pea created these bouncy neoprene shells to help protect the bottle from damage, and it's grippy too!

Hip Baby is happy to support this deal on SocialShopper by being the place to redeem this voucher. Just purchase online, then show up at Hip Baby with your voucher starting on May 4th until August 4th, 2011 and pick up your bottles. It's as easy as that.

Deal ends Monday night at midnight!

Great event for Women Entrepreneurs!

2011-04-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

As alumni of the SVI (Social Venture Institute) conference at Hollyhock, Jen and I can attest to the incredible power of this event. SVI is a haven to established and not-so-established entrepreneurs trying to bring change to the way we do business by offering wisdom, support, humour, networking, and much more. To be completely frank, we would not be the business we are today without this event and the people we've met over the years. And now, inspired by SVI, Women Entrepreneurs for Social Change is happening right here in Vancouver May 13 and 14, 2011. This will be a great opportunity for "women from small and large organizations to explore their business challenges in an intimate and inspiring environment." Think of it as an alternative to business school, intense, interactive, and supportive. It might just be what you and your business needs!

We highly recommend this event and we've just received word that there are only a few spots left. Don't hesitate!

Live Beautifully.

2011-04-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

After 15 years Matt and Nat is now a well-known brand and maker of beautiful quality bags for and amazing that it all started with an exercise for school in business plan writing. He got a 'B' on the paper and both banks he tried to get 'pretend funds' for the project turned him down. That's history, and now Matt and Nat continue to lead the way in innovation and sustainable practices. All the things we at Hip Baby love to support! We're very picky about the diaper bags, we like them to be durable, functional and good to look at. Matt and Nat covers all bases.

Come check out the newest additions to the Matt and Nat line with their 'Cedar' Diaper Bags. Tone on tone, either in Camel or Black, the stitching and lining is made from recycled bottles, and features 2 side and 2 front pockets with magnetic closures. The interior features zip, and cell phone pockets along with a portable change pad.

All to help you Live Beautifully.

Easter Egg Hunt in Victoria is still on!

2011-04-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

The Hip Baby Easter Egg Hunt and First Anniversary Party is still happening despite this week's bit of bad luck. Early Tuesday morning around 4am a fire broke out in the restaurant below our Victoria store and caused extensive smoke damage. We have to close until we're able to clean up and re-stock the shelves. But this is not stopping our plans for our big event and it's going to be fun, fun, fun!

Hop down to Market Square on Sunday April 24th at 12pm for Hip Baby's 1st Year Anniversary Celebration and Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Featuring eggs by Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, face painting, egg decorating, music and more. This is a FREE event and all kids 10 and under are welcome.

This event coincides with the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society's first summer Farmer's Market, adding fresh local food and plant starts to the mix.

You can RSVP the event on Facebook

For more information contact Hip Baby Victoria at 250-216-6661 (temporary number) or email at mary@hipbaby.com

Happy Easter!

A very special Lullaby League mixer.

2011-04-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

It's no secret that we're big fans of Lullaby League here at Hip Baby. So much in fact, that we happily host the mixers here at our store every few months. It's a well organized event and an incredibly effective way for parents to connect with the right babysitter. And now they have announced a very special mixer: Lullaby League has assembled top notch sitters who have prior experience working with children with special needs. Kids Physio is opening their beautiful studio for this much in demand Vancouver event. Please note: although there will be sitters with special needs experience, this mixer is still open to all parents.

Wednesday April 27th - 7:00pm

Kids Physio

210-3369 Fraser Street (at 18th)

Celebrate Earth Day!

2011-04-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

A group of youth from Windermere Secondary School called Y4CJN (Youth 4 Climate Justice Now) are holding the first youth-led Earth Day Vancouver Celebration on Friday April 22, 2011 (Good Friday). And the Y4CJN is in great company since this event is backed by the City of Vancouver, The Wilderness Committee, other schools in the VSB, The Suzuki Foundation and many others.

FIRST - Meet at 11am by the Commercial-Broadway Skytrain on North Grandview to join the colourful parade to celebrate our planet and meet inspiring youth who will one day be the leaders in climate justice.

SECOND - Party with fellow earth-lovers at the Brittania Oval (just down the hill from the Brittania Community Centre) from 11:30am to 3pm. With live music and more.

Let's celebrate and help make this a history making event! Our youth have inherited our world and feel the need to make this earth a healthier and better place to live, and with good reason! Show your support for our youth and their future, after all, it's their world now.

email: youth4climate@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like ideas on how to get involved.

Girl Gotch power.

2011-04-12T10:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a new product in our store that is getting great response from customers (and my daughter too!): Girl Gotch Underwear. These wonderfully bright coloured underwear for girls are the brainchild of a Canadian mom who could not find underwear to fit her daughter. One day after an "accident" at her cousins house, she ended up borrowing one of his pair of boy "gotch" and suddenly the problem of riding-up was gone and the Girl Gotch was born. True entrepreneurial spirit!

Girl Gotch won a PTPA media award for product excellence and is available in boxes of three pairs, both boxer and brief styles.

Local Businesses We Love - part 1.1

2011-04-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

Full Disclosure: I love words and text and everything else that has to do with our written language. So, when I first walked into The Regional Assembly of Text in 2006, I fell in love with this place immediately, and I've been returning regularly ever since. At our home we always have a pack of their beautiful cards ready to be transcribed for an occasion and for those special gifts, I go to the store and create my very own personalized cards. And if your gifts are small, I highly recommend their beautifully screened cardboard gift boxes. I also get to gaze nostalgically at their great collection of old-school typewriters (you can use them too!) and filling cabinets, but that's my thing. They even host a letter writing club that meets the first Thursday of every month.

The Regional Assembly of Text is another great reason to support local businesses that add something special to our city's retail landscape. They also happen to elevate the written word to the noble place it belongs, but again, that's just my thing.

Visit Brandy and Rebecca at their store at 3934 Main St. (just North of 24th Ave.) and you'll see what I mean. If you happen to be a client of The Midwifery Group (3980 Main St.) just walk a few doors North along Main and you'll be there!

3Sprouts on Oprah Magazine.

2011-04-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

So I'm not usually one seeking celebrity approval for products, but we just learned that the 3sprouts storage bin made it on the cover of The 'O' List edition of Oprah Magazine. If it wasn't for the fact that this amazingly practical and irresistibly cute product is one of our favourite in-store items, and that it's a Canadian company, I wouldn't be writing this blog about it. But here at Hip Baby we think it's worth celebrating when we see a Canadian company hit the big times and one that we've witnessed grow over the last 6 years since we first met the 3sprouts people at a New York City kids trade show. It reminds us that even humble beginnings can result in entrepreneurial success with perseverance, a strong vision and patience.

Congratulations to 3sprouts! And hope that this brings them the recognition they deserve.

Nursing and diapering at Hip Baby.

2011-04-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

Back in February, Granville Magazine (a great online portal to all that is good about our city) did a much-needed piece about public diaper changing facilities and listed eight places you can change your kid in Vancouver. There was one problem with it, they forgot to mention Hip Baby. Although it's a great online magazine, I don't expect them to be psychic and all-knowing. So I thought I'd set the record straight and let Vancouver know about both our change facility and nursing area.

When we opened Hip Baby part of our mandate was to be part of the community and one step in that direction was making sure moms and dads had a comfortable and accessible place for diaper changing their child. And no need to purchase something! It's here for you. And for moms that need to nurse, we've got you covered too. Stop in and sit in our semi-private nursing area and feed your baby to it's belly's content.

And if you're in Victoria and happen to be on Lower Johnson, our Victoria location also has an accessible diaper changing area and cozy couch for nursing.

We take baby-proofing seriously!

2011-03-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Great minds create great ideas and the people at Rethink have plenty of great ideas. And here's a cheeky Hip Baby business card that speaks for itself. I love it when the medium for marketing or advertising actually (and easily) tells the story; it's narrative in its purest form. Your baby can 'bonk' into these corners all they want, and they won't hurt themselves because we've got you covered!

At Hip Baby we take the safety of all our little customers very seriously, which is why we thoroughly research all our products and do our best to get carry the most earth-friendly as well. Both Jen and I (co-owners of Hip Baby in Vancouver), and Mary (our partner in the Victoria store), have children, so we know first hand the concerns of parents and try to keep those in mind when purchasing our products without ever forgetting that kids also need those same products to spark the imagination, teach and encourage fun.

Movie watching and your child.

2011-03-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Recently our 3 year old daughter got her first opportunity to watch a movie and since we had not seen the movie in question, we weren't sure if it was appropriate. Then we discovered 'Kids in Mind', a wonderfully thorough website that lists a great selection of movies and gauges their appropriateness in three categories: Sex and Nudity; Violence and Gore; and Profanity. And every movie has a fairly detailed description of why those ratings were made. So now if we hear about a movie from another parent, we can go to Kids in Mind and make a more precise and objective decision, because what one parent deems appropriate for their child may not be for yours.

That first movie our daughter watched turned out to be a great choice and Wall-E (rated a mild: 1-2-1) is part of her small repertoire of movies we keep on our computer. We also find it helpful to sit with her during the first few viewings of a new movie in case there is anything upsetting or if she has any questions about what is going on.

Enjoy the movies!

Local Businesses We Love - part 1.0

2011-03-24T15:27:00.000-07:00

I think the weather in March really affected my blogging. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. But I'm back with the first installation of 'Local Businesses we love'.

My first pick is a company that is dear to my (local) heart and to my whole family's feet because it's a rare morning when my wife, daughter and myself don't all have our Padraig Cottage slippers on our feet. In fact, it's a rare day when we don't have them on our feet at some point. The reasons are simple, comfort and warmth. Padraig Cottage had humble beginnings when back in the winter of 1977 Helen made a pair for her son. Now Padraigs can be found all over the world keeping people's feet warm and cozy with crocheted wool, sheepskin liner and leather sole. Here at Hip Baby we sell a lot of them so not only are we making happy feet all over the city but we are supporting a great local business. Padraigs are made just over the bridge in North Vancouver.

Padraigs are especially great for kids because you can tie them up and they don't fall off their feet. And makes one of the most useful shower/baby gifts around.

Good Nutrition at Hip Baby!

2011-03-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Come to Hip Baby on Tuesday March 15th from 7pm to 8pm and meet the authors of 'Good Food Baby'. Ali Chernoff and Chantal Canessa are two healthcare professionals that noticed how many new parents had questions surrounding nutrition and babies. So they created a book called 'Good Food Baby' to help parents navigate a course through the abundance of information and misinformation. Included in the book are basic tips on breastfeeding, formula, food introduction, making baby food, food label interpretation and allergies. This is an ideal book for new parents and also makes a great gift.

This is a wonderful opportunity to meet two well informed and engaging health care professionals and discuss hot topics from low iron in babies to vitamin D to allergies and much more. And this event is FREE!

Ali and Chantal also care about the community they live in and $1 from every book sale goes to the BC Centre for Ability.

Tuesday March 15th from 7pm to 8pm

Good Food Baby will be available for purchase the night of event.

Pomme d'Api Preschool open house!

2011-03-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

Full disclosure: my first language is French. I grew up in a charming place called Quebec City, and one of the greatest gifts my mother ever gave me was preserving her mother tongue by making sure her three kids went to French school even though our father is an anglophone; i still speak french to my mother. The gift of language is one that lasts a lifetime and opens many doors along the way. Now that I'm a father, I hope to pass that on as well, it might not end up being French but hopefully my daughter will develop a thirst for other languages in this incredibly diverse world we now live in. We began that journey by sending her to Pomme D'api Preschool. There will be an open house on Saturday March 5th! An excellent opportunity to meet teachers, have your child participate in activities and learn about the school and the new space. There will be refreshments. I will be there the whole day helping out at the open house, come by and say hello! A bientot!

Saturday March 5th from 10am to noon.

2551 East 49th Street, just West of Elliot on the North side of the street.

Pomme d'api has both immersion and francophone programs

Fresh Air Learning.

2011-02-23T16:51:00.000-08:00

Who has not heard someone say to them "the fresh air will do you some good."? I'm guessing nobody. And who doesn't want their child to gain an appreciation and knowledge of our great outdoors? As a lover of fresh air, and of learning, I was happy to discover a great local non-profit outdoor learning program from The Fresh Air Outdoor Learning Society. And I can't wait to see my daughter after a stroll through our North Shore woods or a visit to a farm. The parents and teachers who started this society were inspired by the outdoor learning movement created by the Forest Kindergartens of Europe. Curriculum includes hands-on-nature activities, hiking, free play, stories, songs and crafts.

Children are genuinely curious about nature but often spend most of their time playing indoors, and let's be honest, we have one of the most beautiful outdoors in the world! With The Fresh Air Outdoor Learning Society you can help connect your child to nature.

2011-02-22T15:29:00.000-08:00

Ever have a last minute appointment? A great event you don't want to miss? Your nanny is sick? Just need a break but none of your regular care givers are available? As parents we've all been there, fear not! help is on the way and Lullaby League is here to help you out. The Lullaby League is a one hour mixer where parents get a chance to meet a dozen or so fun and fabulous college and university students looking for babysitting jobs. It's a perfect opportunity to meet, chat, see resumes, and generally get to know the person you will be trusting your child with while being a cost-effective way of interviewing multiple candidates. And way more fun than searching the web and notice boards! The $50.00 registration fee (payable to Lullaby League in cash, chq, Paypal) includes the mixer, a list of all the babysitters, and the chance meet a dozen or so babysitters and other parents in your community.

Hip Baby is happy to host our third Lullaby League.

February 23rd from 7pm to 8pm!

Unfortunately this month's League is sold out. Please watch their website for upcoming events.

10 more days to save on cloth diapers!

2011-02-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

Hip Baby's official Cloth Diaper Month has been a great success. Two sold out workshops in Vancouver and one sold out workshop in Victoria; we've now reached out to over 200 people through our workshops giving them the information they need to get started and to make sensible purchases that suit their commitment to cloth diapering. As well, many parents have smartly taken advantage of the amazing discounts on cloth diapers this month. Come in and see and feel for yourself why so many parents are deciding to use cloth diapers on their kids. It's much easier than you ever thought. Easy on your pocketbook, the environment and your baby's bum.

Don't miss out on adding to your stash or getting a new one started. Only 10 days left until all cloth diaper pricing returns to normal.

A lovely new local product.

2011-02-17T13:05:00.000-08:00

kathleen m is a local business woman and designer who has created over 100 graphic designs destined for an array of products from greeting cards to tote bags to fabric boxes, linen and cotton tea towels, napkins and gift bags. And all the products are hand made right here in Vancouver. We now have available small totes for kids and mini storage boxes with various playful prints. It was great to be able to pick the designs we wanted for the totes as well as custom design what we thought would make a great mini storage box for your change table or bathroom.

Come in to Hip Baby to see these wonderful new additions to our store. At Hip Baby we're trying to make it easy for you to shop local.

Cloth Diapering Dad makes first TV appearance!

2011-02-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

February is Hip Baby's Official Cloth Diaper Month and what better time for the Cloth Diapering Dad to make his first televised appearance. Ok, I know it's not the big time, not yet anyway, but our local Telus TV was interested in what we had to say and this spot now airs on their cable channel. So we thought we'd share it with you this month.

And only 12 more days to enjoy amazing savings on all things cloth diaper at Hip Baby! You can check out the savings waiting for you right here.

Sunday bird watching fun.

2011-02-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday, a friend of mine took my daughter and I to The George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, BC. It was our first time and we loved it. My daughter is three and it's the perfect age to get them started appreciating nature. There are over 280 species of birds that have been recorded at the sanctuary and there are many well-groomed trails as well as platforms from which to see over the marshes. We saw Mallards, Pintails, Coots and Cranes and Geese, Wrens, Chickadees and many more. We really kept our eyes peeled for Owls, my friend is an Ornithologist and she knew what to look for on the ground that might indicate an Owl above, but no such luck. Next time we plan on returning with lunch for a picnic.

I have never put a picture of a friend or my daughter on this blog but I couldn't resist with the one above. My daughter, of course, has the binoculars backwards, she kept saying she saw better that way.

Hip Baby highly recommends this great local spot for the whole family!

Photography contest!

2011-02-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a chance to win a portrait session with local photograher Vivien Kereki! It's not too late, so follow instructions below and enter for your chance to win some lifelong memories.

"Vivian has a special talent for capturing images of people, and your photography collection isn't complete without some of her work! Winner receives a 1.5 hour session (anywhere on the Lower Mainland, Greater Victoria, or Vancouver Island), 15-20 beautifully edited, high-resolution, print-ready images on disk, plus a 4x6 softcover album ($250 value). Your session could be a maternity portrait, newborn session, family photo, or more! "

Want to enter? All you need to do is "like" the Vivian Kereki Photography Facebook Page, then comment on the Vivian Kereki Photography blog to let her know you want to win! To get additional entries and increase your chances of winning, check out full contest details here: http://www.viviankereki.com/blog

Contest closes 11:59PM PST on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

The winner will be announced Sunday February 13.

Flubber, Glurch, Putty, Gak and Slime!

2011-02-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Sounds like a horror film waiting to happen. But those words are all about DIY fun around the house with your kids. Click here and see what I mean. There's a whole world of homemade art supplies waiting to be made in your own home just by following some easy-to-follow instructions and a bit of inspiration. And this type of activity will not only spark your inner DIY'er but will show your kids that it's not always necessary to go out and buy everything ready made.

ohdeedoh is one of my favourite sites for kids on the net because it's always a reliable source of fun, imaginative and clever products and ideas for your kids. And is often the little boost of inspiration I need to start a great project.

This particular post sparked some ideas and hope it does for you too! And has great links to other DIY art sites.

Spring Fashions are starting to arrive!

2011-02-08T15:14:00.000-08:00

Always seems early to be talking about spring fashion when we're still in early February. But it definitely gives you a warm feeling when you see shorts and tees and bright colours, knowing that in just a few months spring (and then summer!) will be here. As the new spring fashion arrives we'll be working fast at getting the product out on the shelves and filling the racks. Some of the early arrivals are Fig, Quiksilver and Imps & Elves.

And there are still lots of great discounts on some remaining fall/winter clothing that we're leaving out on the racks until they get replaced with new arrivals.

As well, our Cloth Diaper Month continues with lots of great savings on all cloth diapering products. It's a great time to add to your existing stash or if you're just starting out. Sale will end at the end of the day, February 28th. Many items are being bought up, but we are restocking as we go.

2 Day Clothing Sale!

2011-02-04T16:12:00.000-08:00

This Weekend only enjoy another 10% off the already discounted prices on all clothing!!!

As we await the arrivals of our Spring clothing, we have had every Fall/Winter item on sale by as much as 40%. And for this weekend only, enjoy an additional 10% off the reduced price! There are sizes from newborn to 6 years old.

And combine that with the cloth diaper sale (February is Cloth Diaper Month!), well, there's simply a lot of money to be saved.

Hip Baby wishes you a great weekend, and in case you don't know what to do with the kids, you can always go to Yoyomama for the most comprehensive very kid-friendly 'What To Do' guide in Vancouver.

28 days of Cloth Diaper Savings!

2011-02-01T17:15:00.000-08:00

The month of February has begun, and that means that Hip Baby's Official Cloth Diaper Month is here. And so are the savings!

If you are thinking of using cloth diapers or need to replenish your stash, now or in the near future, now is the time to do it. With Vancouver's largest selection of in-store cloth diapers and a well-trained staff to help guide you in your decisions, Hip Baby is your one-stop cloth diaper shop!

And don't miss The Cloth Diapering Dad's monthly workshops. This month there are two (Feb 1st and 15th - call store for details) and they are FREE, all attendees will receive a promotional $15 off coupon (when you buy $100 worth of diapering products).

Check out the savings:

• Buy 6 diapers of any brand and receive 15% discount

• Buy 12 diapers of any brand and receive 20% discount

(1 six-pack of prefolds counts as 1 diaper)

• Buy 4 covers of any brand and receive 15% discount

• All Kissaluv size 2 & 3 are discounted 20%

• All Bumgenius sized diapers (not AIO one-size) are discounted 20%

• Buy 6 liners or doublers of any brand and receive 20% discount.

• Buy 2 Snappis and receive 20% off

This is a great time to join the cloth diaper revolution, and help create a better environment for your child both inside the diaper and out!

Cloth Diaper Month starts in 4 days!

2011-01-28T12:25:00.001-08:00

It's official! In celebration of our second anniversary, we've decided to make the month of February 'Cloth Diaper Month'. So for all the soon-to-be moms and the moms looking for their child's next diaper or just plain curious about it all, now is the time to come in and see us.

Hip Baby has the largest in-store selection of cloth diapers in Vancouver and ourstaff is well trained in answering all your questions - and the Cloth Diapering Dad is never far away.

Not sure about cloth diapering? Don't miss our popular workshops! We will have two cloth diaper workshops in our Vancouver store (Feb. 1st and 15th) and one workshop in our Victoria store (Feb. 8th). All workshops are from 7pm-8:30pm and will leave fully prepared to conquer the world of cloth diapering. All workshops are FREE this month! And as an added bonus this month, participation also gets you a $15 discount (on purchase of $100 or more) per person.

Whatever stage of diapering you are at with your child,

this is the month to SAVE!

• Buy 6 diapers of any brand and receive 15% discount

• Buy 12 diapers of any brand and receive 20% discount

(1 six-pack of prefolds counts as 1 diaper)

• Buy 4 covers of any brand and receive 15% discount

• All Kissaluv size 2 & 3 are discounted 20%

• All Bumgenius sized diapers (not AIO one-size) are discounted 20%

• Buy 6 liners or doublers of any brand and receive 20% discount.

• Buy 2 Snappis and receive 20% off

This is a great time to join the cloth diaper revolution, and help create a better environment for your child both inside the diaper and out!

Tegu is now at Hip Baby!

2011-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Since we're big fans of design, as well as simplicity, imagined play and sustainability, we were ever so please to discover Tegu. These beautiful blocks somehow bring together all of the above; a rare feat! They have magically embedded magnets inside the wood blocks so they can be made into virtually any imagined shape and disassembled just as quickly to make something entirely new. As fast as your mind can think of a shape, you can create it. All the wood comes from sustainably forested hardwoods and only water based inks are used.

And you can start small and build up as you go because all the sets are interchangeable. There's a great starter kit of eight blocks with a felt pouch or the larger 26 block Discovery Set, and when you're ready to build your own city there's the 52 piece Original Set. And soon we will have the industrial felt Carrying Case so you can store and transport all the blocks.

This is free play at its best!

No batteries, no screens, no instruction manuals, no bleeps and tweets, just limitless imaginative play.

For ages 3 years +

Special Prenatal Yoga class with Insiya.

2011-01-26T14:56:00.000-08:00

Insiya is a friend (and fan of Hip Baby!) and although I have lots of lovely things to say about her and her yoga practice, I thought it best to post this blog in her words:

Preparing for birthing and mothering can be intense and transformative. Yoga can be an incredible tool to help intuitively honour your body-mind on this journey, whether you're a first time mama to be, or if it's already second nature. Join lululemon ambassador, vinyasa and certified prenatal yoga teacher Insiya Rasiwala-Finn for an empowering, strengthening and restorative prenatal yoga class on Sunday January 30th at lululemon W. 4th. We will focus on breathing exercises, preparing for birth and a special sequence of asanas to help you cultivate awareness, mindfulness and joy at this exciting time in your life.

Hip Baby thinks this is a great opportunity to learn from an amazing teacher. And full disclosure, Insiya is in the last trimester of her own pregnancy! So what better way to be guided through a wonderful prenatal class than by a mama-to-be.

And it's FREE!

Join Insiya:

9am Sunday January 30

@ lululemon W.4th and Arbutus

(just across the street from Hip Baby)

Newsflash! First update in 2011.

2011-01-20T15:14:00.000-08:00

Ever since the ringing of 2011, I seem to have developed blogger's block. But it's time to change that and get back into the groove of letting all our wonderful customers about what's happening at the store.

The biggest news flash is, of course, the birth of Charley Mae Nesbitt on the evening of the Winter Solstice just one month ago. Jen, her partner Smiley, and Charley are all happy and beginning their new life together. Jen is not only my business partner but has been my best friend for 14 years so it's a real joy to see her as a mom. Now my daughter Ibi, who will be three in February, has another new friend. And there is no doubt that Jen's new found motherhood will bring a fresh eye to the way she buys for the store when she returns after her maternity leave.

As far as the store? We're getting lots of new products coming in every day as we restock our shelves after a busy Holiday Season. You'll find a great mix of all the products you've come to trust in our store alongside new additions to lines and altogether new products. Also, look for Spring/Summer clothing arriving in the coming weeks. We will be blogging about them as they arrive.

And in celebration of our second anniversary coming up next month, we've decided to make February the "Official Cloth Diaper Month" at Hip Baby. There will be two of our popular workshops instead of just one (the January workshop sold out!), and there will be many savings to be had in all things cloth diaper. It'll be a great time to stock up on your favourite diapers and accessories. We'll update you with details next week.

We hope your 2011 is off to a great start!

Boxing Day Sale at Hip Baby!

2010-12-22T16:01:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again; Boxing Day's mad rush for great clothing and products at your favourite stores, and at favourable prices! It's been a busy Christmas season here and we'd like to thank all our wonderful customers for their support during 2010. Please join us on December 26th from 10am - 5pm and take advantage of year-end pricing on most of our remaining stock.

70% off Fig (our favourite in-house organic clothing), 30% off Katvig, Minymo, Appaman and Red Thread. 15% off ALL books. 20% off ALL blankets and sleep sacks. 15% off ALL dishes. 40% off Hip Baby brand organic cotton diapers. 20% off Melissa & Doug and Voila toys. 20% off tights, mitts and hats. And there will be more deals announced on Boxing Day.

Boxing Day hours are from 10am to 5pm.

We hope to see you there! And wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season!