Our Must Haves For July

It's the news we've been waiting for! Our favorite muslin-blanket-maker (and the one that brought the concept to the US) is finally expanding beyond blankets and bedding and entering the clothing market! Yup, Aden + Anais will introduce a layette collection on July 27, and the pieces are just as adorable as you can imagine. Think kimono onesies with bold blue or pink stars, zippered striped footies, and mini star-covered tanks. And just like everything else Aden + Anais makes, the collection is made with the company's signature soft cotton muslin, so you know babies will be comfortable — as well as cute!

I'd resigned myself to a few years of terrible handbags thanks to the need for a diaper bag. But then came the Jenni Kayne for Pottery Barn Kids collaboration and this gorgeous bucket bag ($269). With its bitonal design and perfect-for-the-season canvas, this is as on trend as it gets in the diaper-bag game.

Even if they're a bit impractical, there's nothing cuter than baby shoes. But baby sandals?! These perfect Summer espadrilles ($20) are worth every penny for the adorable Instagram shot alone.

I love sleep sacks — they allow my little one to sleep with a blankie that doesn't pose a SIDS risk. But in the hot Summer months, I worry her current wearable blanket is too warm. The Nuzzlin sleep bag ($35) is the perfect, lighter-than-air solution. It's made of a new generation of muslin that is both gentle on sensitive skin and breathable for even the warmest nights.

If you went the formula route with your baby, there is literally nothing better than this Baby Brezza Formula Pro ($160). It's completely foolproof. You can be holding a million other things (including your baby) because it's one-touch, it mixes the formula without you having to maniacally shake the bottle, and it saves a lot of time — it's basically a Keurig for your baby.

It's never too early to teach good nutrition, and a smart way to start is with the food groups! Melissa and Doug has a knack for creating classic-looking wooden toys, and this set of four basic food baskets ($20) — one with fruits and vegetables, one with grain, one with dairy products, and one with meats — can help kids learn the differences in the foods they eat.

This just looks like the most fun play set ever, and honestly, it looks big enough for moms to join in the fun too. The Rainbow Ring Play Center ($60) comes with plastic rainbow balls, a ringtoss game, a slide, and a pool area to keep your kiddos cool and entertained all Summer long.

So what if I can't see Jurassic World because it doesn't seem worth the babysitter fee? We can still have some family fun with dinosaurs with this soft rubber Soothasaurus toy ($12). Not only is it the perfect chew toy for my teething baby, but it stimulates all five senses with its natural scent, squeeze sounds, and visually stimulating color scheme.

We're just as guilty of draping a muslin swaddle blanket over our car seats as you are. They're great for shielding an infant from the sun's strong rays, help a sleeping baby remain asleep, and block your little one from the paparazzi's flashes (OK, that may be a celeb reason for doing it, but it does work!). But now you don't have to worry about the blanket flying off thanks to Bebe Au Lait's new muslin car seat covers ($35). Available in four neutral patterns, your sleeping tot will thank you for this one!

You won't have any trouble getting your kids to take their seats with Oeuf's new Animal Ears Play Chairs ($226 for two). The seats — made from Baltic birch bent plywood — are perfectly sized for little ones and come in sets of two (bear or rabbit). Just add stickers to the chairs, and you'll have the cutest seating on the block!

I took one look at this J.Crew embroidered sundress ($60) and lost it a little bit. Though it may not be the most practical or essential buy of the Summer, style it on your little girl with a pair of leggings, a denim diaper cover, or honestly, nothing but chunky, bare baby toes, and you've got yourself a photo op leading to 43 likes on Facebook. #Win.

Baby's first year is filled with fun firsts — first bath, first food, and first Fourth of July. I love the idea of commemorating occasions with photos and Milestone Cards' packs of photo cards make it easier than ever. For Independence Day, the company is offering a free printable card that you can use for baby's first or your big kid's 10th Fourth of July.