Saturday, 13 December 2014

It's all about the Pram about the Pram


Ok let's talk about Prams, these are no doubtbly big statement item for bubs. I've own Steelcraft, Love N Care and Quicksmart for my other two boys but when picking a pram for Lennox I went with style and functionality and feel in love with the iCandy Strawberry. I initially had one on order at MBW but read the nursery blog for the delimma in that fiasco, so had to look around and found this beauty priced well and great condition from Gumtree but also join Facebook groups that Buy and Sell baby items to get a great deal on excellent used condition stuff.


My strawberry is in Assam black and also bought an Earl Grey flavour pack (changeable liner and hood) but got the customised Marvel reversible liner and hood from Emma at Baby Moo Maa and she also done reversible carseat liner in colourful Owl and Moustache reversible. There are many pages on Facebook that make customise pram liner but be careful as you get what you pay for, BMM quality is remarkable and she was the only willing to take accurate measurements for the iCandy as not anyone else made them on Australia (UK have a few but the postage kills the purchase total)

In regards to the carseats we have a Babylove and Safe n Sound in my mums car for Lennox and they are both hand me downs from the older boys as being the youngest of 3 we aren't shy of seconds and I think your better looking at 2nd hand as the resale of items can be tricky (think will blog about that as that's another pet hate of mine ppl wanting Brand items but not willing to pay a descent price for them). However it is recommended to buy new carseats as to ensure the item has not been involved in an accident but really just inspect the item and use common sense when purchasing as if it's too good to be true than it probably is. Got the carseat liner for my mums car from Nat at Stylish baby bits in colourful Foxes and Black and White arrows as BMM hadn't replied to my email about another liner, since Emma can be hard to get a hold off at times being so busy, so get in quick if you want custom Baby Moo Maa items.
https://www.facebook.com/StylishBabyBits

Then we come to the decision to also go with a Bugaboo Donkey as my 4yo Quade decided he too wanted to be in a pram too (guess middle child syndrome kicked in) so I was lucky enough to purchase my friend's Donkey as she too was getting ridiculous offers for a great pram. It's started off as an All black tops but since we acquired it, it has had a transformation to a more suitable colour pallet that hubby liked since his the one that pushes (technically it's his pram apparently) as when it's in Duo it's a bit hard for me to push the chunky 4yo and baby around.
It was a Red and Blue tops whilst the football season was on for the Newcastle Knights but at the moment I have gone with the Jazz set of Jewel blue and Sunny gold, again all sourced from FB buy and sell groups.

Also got the leather pram handles and bumper covers from Nina at Yatmanova leather crafts but found her recommended by Kateryna from Bugaboo I'm in love (she makes gorgeous Bugaboo liners and bibs)

I got Tan leather covers for my Donkey and Black leather with red stictching for my Strawberry and a couple of Red bag handles, not only do they protect the handles foam but the unique style is gorgeous.
https://www.facebook.com/NinaHandMadeBagsAustralia

I guess I should include some specs on both prams on why I choose them other than the look and style. The iCandy strawberry was the only pram I looked at and knew I wanted immediately even compared to Bugaboo single prams, as not only the style but the functionality of being able to reposition the seat to parent or forward facing is convenient especially when you don't want the bassinet extra (which is available for all iCandy models) and I found the strawberry can hold my 4yo well as it's weight limit is 15kg and without making him look like a giant like the Peach or Bugaboo Cam did. The pram has a cleaver One Step & Stand fold mechanism but again like with all prams it can be a pain to get use to and workout, like my hubby and I did looking like a couple of fruit cakes trying to fold the pram by pushing and pulling, all sorts of new yoga poses to get this thing down but once you take a deep breath and re-read instructions it makes simple sense to press two buttons simultaneously and push the handle forward and the pram just seemlessly folds itself and then you just attach latch and it's locked easy to pick up and pack in the boot one handed as I've had to do when Nox is feeling extremely clingy after a day at the shops. This pram is in my boot as it's the one I prefer to use when it's just Nox and I as the basket is big enough for storage of shopping and other bits and bobs but it's a great pram for walking as it's sturdy and I'm just not a fan of pumping tyres, lol. 

Where as the Bugaboo donkey is amazing when used as Duo as even though it's weight 17kg per seat and our time with it will be coming too a close soon, I don't think my Quade really cares as he loves being pushed around and being able to torment his baby brother by constantly waking him up whilst he sleeps or taking toys off him just because. It's a pretty straight forward extension function and really the best on the market single conversion with it being in Mono makes numerous storage options but personally it's too bulky looking for me when it's in single pram mode. I didn't feel the need to get customised liners and hoods for the Donkey as the original Bugaboo tailored fabric options are countless and extremely stylish as they also have collaborations with Andy Warhol and recently with Deisel to make unique covers. The Donkey comes with bassinet and seat fabrics all depending on what model options you purcahse on how many frames you get, with a Mono only one frame with a bassinet and seat fabrics, a Duo comes with 2 frames and 1 bassinet and 2 seat fabrics and the Twin comes with 2 frames, 2 bassinet and 2 seat fabrics and all come with storage basket for when you choose to have it in Mono.

Both my prams are in Silver chaise but I do drool over the All black frames for the Bugaboo and iCandy new range but know you can vinyl them yourself but I don't have patients for that, found it a task to just put on new iCandy decal for the strawberry and that was a like a 5 min job, bhaha

So again hope this has given some mummy's ideas for that unique styled pram but always looking at Instagram and trolling through FB pages for a good pram liner seamstress will ensure you get the pram you dream of...


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