Coochicoos is at the Dwell on Design Show (@dwellondesign) this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  Visit us in the Modern Family Lounge and see the latest children’s books from Chronicle Books, and furnishings from Boodalee, notNeutral, Wallcandy Arts, and Monte Design.

The new Bloom Alma crib is a bit deceiving in its form and function.  It looks like a beautifully built stationary crib, but is cleverly designed to easily fold up for space-challenged living situations.  While I’m not sure of the benefit of folding and storing a bassinet/crib for a new baby that’s always sleeping, I see the Alma as a nice solution for travel and visiting guests.  The Alma is made with birch from sustainable sources, uses low VOC finishes, comes with lockable caster wheels, and is adjustable to two mattress heights. 

Available for delivery exclusively at Giggle.com

Bloom Alma Crib  |  $400 at Giggle

Found this totally cool crib on Mocoloco – the Culla Sinue by Daniela Avaltroni.

image via Mocoloco

As an occasional fan of the world music category, I’m more than a little intrigued with Ziggy Marley newest CD, Family Time, that is self-described as music for young people.  For myself, I’m looking forward to exposing my daughter the the unique rhythms of reggae, just as I’ve watched her enjoy the Brazilian-influenced mixes of Sergio Mendes’ Timeless CD. 

"Growing up music was an important part of my childhood, Marley says. I see it being just as important in my children and all children growth and development. Music helps children to grow with open minds and open hearts and this is my message. This record represents my daily family life and is inspired by my three-year-old daughter Judah and baby Gideon. It was a joy to make and opened up new avenues in my creativity. Family Time is for all families and especially the world family."

Read an interview with Ziggy Marley from the LA Times, and check out a photo gallery of the young audience that showed up for Ziggy’s recent concert in Los Angeles.

Check out the new eco-friendly line by Keds designed by Rogan Gregory and Scott Hahn for Loomstate using their certified organic cotton. 

The shoes are eco-friendly with organic uppers and linings, nickel-free eyelets, recycled insole board and shoe boxes and no tissue paper in the packaging.  Also, a percentage of sales go to the Organic Exchange.  [LA Times]

Available at Barneys.com.

image via Keds/Loomstate

via Car and Caboodle

Last weekend, Ford lent us a Flex for our 5-hour road trip from Los Angeles to Bass Lake near Yosemite National Park.  We’d be “cabin camping,” which is one step below car camping in terms of roughing it:  a bare-bones cabin was provided, so no need for a tent, and meals were served in the dining hall, so no need for the umpteen-million cooking and cleaning supplies.  Still, with a lake in which to frolic and two little boys to outfit for the four-day trip, I knew we’d need some serious cargo room.  The Flex proved itself worthy not only with its ample space, but also with many other perks.

Read the full story here.

Bath time can be tons of fun for baby and parent alike, especially when you’re stocked up on duckies, squirters, and other entertaining tub toys. To keep bathroom chaos at a minimum, you need storage, and the Tubby Storage is one of my favorites is this cool toy holder from Skip Hop.

The Skip Hop Tubby has a clean design, vibrant colors and a cool shape. Plus, it’s made of neoprene (think wet-suit fabric) that dries quickly and stretches to fit your toys. 

But that’s not all I love about it. It’s also well-engineered with a mounting plate that secures to any tile or glass surface with four strong suction cups, which means it’s made to stay put. Skip Hop earns another A+ for great execution of a baby basic.

Ali Wing, baby product expert, is author of giggle guide to baby gear and founder of giggle.  Follow Ali on Twitter and the Giggle Fan Page on Facebook.

Attention Washington DC & Metro Areas Readers:  You’re invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of Giggle’s newest store this weekend, June 20 & 21.  Visit Giggle Events for more celebration details.

coolHausTruck1, originally uploaded by veejaye.

Here in Los Angeles, gourmet food trucks are a growing trend, and recently the new Coolhaus truck is raising the bar on the typical neighborhood ice cream truck.  By following their Twitter feed you’ll find out where to track down Coolhaus around LA, and when you do, you’ll find custom home-made ice cream sandwiches named after famous architects and design movements.  Meet the girls behind Coolhaus in the video below.

Gelatobaby meets Coolhaus from Alissa Walker on Vimeo.

Enter the Dwell on Design Contest to invent and name your own Coolhaus ice cream sandwich.  The winner will be announced at the upcoming Dwell on Design show on June 26.

Now even though Coolhaus might be a bit too upscale for your neighborhood park ice cream truck, who doesn’t think there’s an untapped niche here?  My thoughts for a successful ice cream truck – a cool name, distinctive truck graphics, ice cream (of course), along with a healthy selection of snacks, fruit, juices, smoothies, and more.  And go green by having free filtered water on tap to save on plastic bottles and drinking from questionable park water fountains.

The goal is to be a truck that parents feel good about seeing in the neighborhood, rather than being an eyesore.  Who’s with me here?

Check out our 2009 Father’s Day Gift Guide.  Hint to my wife – in all ways, this is really my gift wishlist good for any time of the year.  For other lucky dads, it’s a gift guide that’s got a equal bits of tech, design, gear, and art that’s just perfect for a stylish modern dad.

Visit the Coochicoos Father’s Day Gift Guide shopping page.

If you gotta have your baby’s name up in lights, then these Marquee Alphabet Lights will make the statement.  Sure, you could be modest with just your child’s first initial, but maybe you’ll want to go all out and spell out their whole name.  Whatever the case, these lights are pretty cool.

Marquee Alphabet Lights  |  $178 each at Urban Outfitters

image via Swiss Miss