Even mothers want to make a stylish statement when pushing their prams and if they're going to be lugging around all of that baby gear it might as well be in a designer bag. I knew that more affordable designers like JP Lizzy and Vera Bradley made diaper bags but honestly until today I didn't realize such iconic names like Prada, Juicy Couture and Burberry were brandished on baby totes.

Saks Fifth Avenue has a large collection of designer baby satchels for the fashion forward mama ranging from $158 to $1,100. These bags don't look like any ordinary diaper bag and they definitely don't portray any pastel colored or yellow ducky themes. They are sophisticated yet functional and will blend into everyday life without shouting 'Baby on Board'! Peruse the gallery to select a fantastic baby bag for some lucky mom you know.

Designer Stella McCartney has formed a new partnership with Gap Inc. The popular designer will create a collection of children's clothes to be carried by select GapKids and babyGap stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Japan. The collection will also be online. McCartney, known for higher priced clothing, says that now is the time to create affordable clothing for children.

This move is just part of Gap's plans to revitalize the company which has been suffering lately. Today the company, which also operates the Banana Republic and Old Navy stores announced plans to remodel about 50 Old Navy stores in 2009 and open about 40 new franchise stores internationally. The company also plans to expand offerings for the online shoe and handbag shop, Piperlime adding 50 new contemporary apparel labels later this summer.

Aspiring kid architects can learn from greats with the Lego architecture series. Bright and Spacious has a gallery of the Lego's Architecture Series by Adam Reed Tucker that includes the Empire State Building and the Seattle Space Needle and now has a couple of offerings by Frank Lloyd Wright. The NY Guggenheim Museum model is shown above. I'd love to see Lego interpret the works of Frank Gehry, now that would be a challenge. Each set sells for $45.

In our technology driven lifestyle, I can't remember last I sat still and played a boardgame that had no rings, buzzers, computerized cash register, credit card swiping sounds or batteries to it. When I was a kid I could play a board game for hours on end. I remember when my dad first taught me how to play chess and backgammon and even though I had no idea what I was doing, it was fun just to play with my dad. Or when I got Monopoly and Life and my "too cool for anyone" older brother and sister actually played with me. Or when my friends taught me how to play the card game Spit and we would have fierce competitions during recess. Dominos was the best to play solo because you could build with them or line them all up in a pattern and watch them fall one by one.

Don't get me wrong, I am a strong supporter of video games, so much so that my husband and I have been training our 8 year old daughter for the past 3 years on how to play all the video game systems possible, but nothing beats the old school board games that have created fond memories from your childhood. If I could have the ultimate gaming room with no thought to cost, this chess set by Grahame Fowler ($1,725) would be the first purchase. It's made from 6061 U.S. Aircraft-grade aluminum and has such a sleek and modern design aesthetic that you might as well have this displayed as a piece of art. Take a look below for other memorable board games.

Barbie turned 50 this year, and in true diva style it seems she just can't stop celebrating. Her latest "gift," a bright pink Fiat 500, was unveiled last month in Milan. The car was created with the help of Mattel and features crystals on the hubcaps and trim, Barbie silhouettes on the pillars, and a 60's-style retro car cover to keep it all shiny and new.

Sounds great, right? Not really, as apparently Barbie won't get to drive it, she'll just get to be a passenger. Fiat reps were quoted as saying "Barbie will be aboard and she'll have her own special driver: Ken, of course."

What's that about???

Via Autoblog

Sometimes, the hardest part of choosing a vacation spot is balancing between your wants and the kids' needs. Sprawling out on the beach or sipping a cocktail by the pool works for you, but children need distraction ... constant distraction.

In perhaps the most creative travel offer I've seen this year, Eden Rock – St. Barths is offering an easel, a paint brush and a palate of watercolors. Rather than splatter aimlessly, each kid will receive a one-time lesson with the Eden Rock Artist in Residence (the next is still to be announced).

Even for the caliber of guest that you find at Eden Rock, this can only be described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

During the lesson, kids will also be exposed to the gallery's exhibitions in progress. In the recent past, this gallery has been home to the likes of Richard Prince and Will Cotton. The natural St. Barths aesthetic plus that created by the artists invited to show their work in the gallery yields a unique combination that is sure to inspire any budding artist.

The lessons are only available when the artist in residence is, in fact, in residence, so check with the Eden Rock Hotel when making reservations. The program runs through August 2009.

Expectant parents, especially mothers-to-be, are often anxious to redecorate their baby's new space adding expensive and fanciful decor treating their little one to the same luxury standards they hold dear themselves. This task is easily accomplished by choosing Punkin Patch, a one-stop shop with unique necessities to complete your nursery. The Cinderella Crib shown above for $4,750 exemplifies the opulence available at this online store. From furniture to rugs, lighting to decorative pieces, your baby will be one pampered kiddo. Peruse the gallery for more luxe-inspired items.

[via Lussorian]

It's Barbie's 50th birthday this year (if this is the first you're hearing of it then you've been living in a hole) so of course everything Barbie is popping up everywhere. Maison Goyard didn't want to be left out so the celebration continues with this special limited edition trunk, decorated in Barbie's favorite color (pink!) and complete with a Barbie and accessories inside. Available at Collette for €2880.

I think I'd actually like it better if it came without the random Barbie inside, leaving room to use the trunk for storing your personal favorite Barbie doll instead.

Via ForbesLife

Guitar Hero is a popular game and having all the accessories and latest tunes to play is a real status symbol for kids all across the country. And now it's not just about buying the game and having the coolest guitars -- there's a new arcade version available with a 32" LCD screen, HD graphics, plenty of songs (and the capability to download more), an 8 speaker surround sound system, and over 400 superbright LEDs for awesome rocker light shows.

Although obviously marketed to public venues, an arcade or two will surely show up in some rich kids basement game rooms. $7559

Via acquire

Mickey, Alice and Cinderella are getting a little lonely. As The New York Times reported the other day, Disney is running discounts at its theme parks to stem an ebbing tide of visitors. Attendance began falling in late 2008 at Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California. Traffic was down roughly 5 percent from the year before.

At Disney World, cost-conscious parents can reserve a seven-night package at one of 23 on-site hotels for the cost of four nights. The offer, which is good for trips through Aug. 15, can be applied to even the most upscale accommodations, such as the Polynesian and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Visitors who book stays in early or late March can also receive a $200 gift card. Disneyland, meanwhile, is offering a variety of packages, beginning on hotel stays of two nights. The deals include adult tickets priced at the cost of children's tickets and free flights for kids on Alaska Airlines.

One of the best ways to find these and other discounts is to take a spin through MouseSavers.com, a web site devoted to finding deals on Disney trips.

The "Key of Life" might not open any doors, but it will certainly catch a lot of eyes! What you see above is actually an 18ct white gold charm weighing 18 grams, handset with 2 carats of brilliant cut VS G color diamonds. It is intended to be worn on a chain as a necklace or, if you're very fancy, your finest charm bracelet.

But it's more than just a pretty key. Each $5,000 Key of Life provides 18 patients with HIV/AIDS care for one year in a Keep a Child Alive treatment center in Africa. And yes, your $5,000 purchase is thusly tax deductible.

The limited edition Key of Life charms by Alexander Amosu are available exclusively through Keep a Child Alive. Only 100 keys were made, and the first was presented to KCA Co-Founder and Global Ambassador Alicia Keys.

(who else?)

Halle Berry was recently spotted at Sabrina Sky in Scottsdale, Arizona, shopping for her baby Nahla.

Sabrina Sky is an edgy children's clothing and accessories store with lines such as Juicy Couture Baby, Ed Hardy, True Religion, Joes Jeans and Harajuku Lovers. The store is truly one-of-a kind - there's a life-sized dollhouse in there!

So what did Halle Berry buy, you ask? A Stripe Plum Tunic by SpenldidLeather, a Diaper Bag by Christine Price, and a onezie by Childish Pegasus

The store was created by Angela Clervoix (wife of record producer Sha Money XL), and named for her daughter, whom she sadly lost to SIDS in 2005.

For more information, or to shop, visit the Sabrina Sky website!

If you're looking for a soft and warm gift for a little one, visit Hummingbird Lane, makers of Cashmere Baby Blankets. These hand-loomed blankets are made from the highest quality 100% cashmere and are designed for newborns, toddlers and kids (though I could see Mom or Dad snuggling in one as well). The blankets are reversible, completely knit and finished with a special crocheted scallop trim. Hummingbird Lane uses imported, pure virgin cashmere, dyed using eco-friendly Swiss dyes.

Check out the gallery for some of the adorable patterns. If you're buying a gift and can't choose, you can let the new parents make a selection with a gift certificate.

Each blanket is 26" x 35" and costs $248, gift wrapping included, with free ground shipping. Wish I had known about these when my nephew was born!

If you have kids in your family then having a few sleds in the garage to keep them occupied on snow days and over Christmas vacation is a necessity, and getting this Sportster sled from Porsche Design would be a real treat I'm sure. Built for speed, the minimalistic design is also quite strong and can hold up to 100kg (or about 220 lbs) which means even dad can go for a ride (and show the kids how it's done!). It also folds up for convenience, when all the fun is over. $490

Via DVICE

Although premier brand strollers are nothing new the combination of Juicy's posh style and Maclaren's innovative design makes for a must-have in the baby department. The pink and brown stroller speaks to the fashion-inclined mom who wants her little princess to have luxury labels at an early age. With Maclaren's high standard it is not surprising to find such features as a five-point harness, removable washable seat, compact umbrella fold, foot-operated parking breaks, high performance aluminum frame, and proper weather-proof coverings. For $450 this stylish and safe stroller will surely be a conversation starter at the local playground. (See the gallery for other chic strollers available)

[via Luxury Launches]