Finally! Baby Gear That Will Excite Men!

Finally, a car seat that will turn heads! This is not your typical car seat. It is luxurious, premium child seating. When my husband found out that Recaro made child seats, he was really excited! When he found out that one would be arriving, he waited anxiously by the front door, ready to meet our delivery person at the truck! I almost had to laugh! You see, Recaro makes premium seats for sports cars! And you know guys are about sports cars. If you want to get your guy excited about baby gear, this is one product you need to have on your list! The Recaro Signo Convertible Car Seat is sleek and handsome, and it offers the latest safety protection like energy-absorbing EPS foam and deep side wings! It is an excellent fit for children weighing 5 to 70 pounds (up to 8 years of age!) and it can be used rear facing from 5-35 pounds and forward facing from 20-70 pounds. This seat eliminates the need for those bulky, short-lived infant carriers. While I loved using mine, I stopped when Sam was about three months old. My carrier was really too heavy to carry around with a growing infant inside! The Recaro Signo has height-adjustability which offers optimum, customized safety for toddlers and young children. It grows with your child! When your child outgrows the 5-point harness and seat cushion, you can remove them, converting the young Signo into a great booster seat! It has both a rear and forward facing latch system with adjustable harness locations and top tether. It also has side impact protection system and a great adjustable headrest! An extra large side protection shell provides additional support when cornering. The Recaro Signo Convertible Car Seat comes in four great colors which fit in well with any car interior and is gender neutral. The car seat from Recaro is made of a heavy duty microfiber cover material. This plush material is hand washable for convenience! As for the installation, it was pretty simple. I used the latch system and had no problems. After the seat was installed, I was really amazed at how little it moved. I had tried many different car seats. I have purchased four different seats and I have reviewed several. The Recaro seat moved the least amount. I also grabbed the side wings to get them to flex. They were strong and sturdy. Sam really enjoyed sitting in the seat and he didn't slouch in the seat. It held him the way a car seat should hold a child. It was very supportive. The seat sits very high, but so does my SafeGuard. I would recommend this seat to any parent. The design is attractive and the safety features are irresistible! Hmmm, I may need to try one of their sporty adult seats next! Visit Recaro to learn more!

It's Better Than Sleeping On Air!

How would I like to spend my afternoons? With a cool drink and a good book, lounging in the shade on a comfortable hammock. I think my baby would like the same scenario, sans the good book. He's new and hasn't picked up reading! Recently I received the coolest product! The Miyo Baby Hammock and Stand made it's way into my life and I love it so much, I'm thinking of asking them to make one for adults! Gentle rocking and swaying each time your baby stirs will send your little one back to the land of nod, giving you another hour or two of much needed sleep! The hammock is a wonderful alternative to bassinets and traditional infant cribs. It can be used with newborns and infants through 9 months. The hammock is made of 100% natural cotton. The Miyo Baby Hammock is versatile and it can be set up three different ways: with the optional Miyo Hammock Wooden Stand, the optional Love Handle Door Clamp, or the included ceiling mounts. I like the ceiling mount for the nursery and the stand in my room, tucked away in a corner. The door clamp is ideal for use in other living areas! Use it throughout your house or take it with you when you travel. It is ideal for colicky babies and it also helps to relieve reflux symptoms. The mattress is very supportive yet soft. Having a soft bed offers great benefits such as preventing flat heads, encouraging proper spinal development and it ensures that your baby stays on their back as recommended to help reduce the risk of SIDS! The Wooden Stand is elegant and graceful. I was worried that I may trip over it a time or two, but that was not the case. The only portion of the stand that I would deem hazardous is the front "leg" but as long as the hammock is hanging above it, you should not have a problem. The frame is sturdy and secure. The Miyo Baby Hammock and Stand make a beautiful set. Much more beautiful than my Moses Basket or the bassinet that came with my Pack-N-Play. If you are looking for a special place to lay your newborn's precious head, this is what you have been waiting for! The set compliments almost any decor, and it travels well! Pick up a door clamp and take the compact baby hammock to your favorite vacation spot or head over to grandmas for a few hours or an entire weekend. IThe Miyo Baby Hammock is a little pricey, but if you are looking for the best, check it out!

The Greatest Cookie Ever Made

All decorated cookies were not created equally. Some are sweet, some are bland, some are crisp and some are soft. But if you are looking for perfection, this is it. This is as good as it gets. My husband has never liked decorated cookies. Until now. I have always loved decorated cookies, but from this point on, my standards have been raised. This is the cookie that all future cookies will be compared to. Lori's Place Gourmet Delights. Fancy name with a fancy tasting cookie to match! These cookies are hand cut and decorated. They make beautiful favors if you can get them to last that long!

The difference between these cookies and all rest lies in the flavor. Lori has found a happy balance using her time tested and perfected "Signature Shortbread" dough with a hint of citrus and almond that will leave you wanting more. The icing stays on, bite after bite, unlike other cookies that blow their tops. I was amazed at how well they were packaged. I received no broken or cracked cookies. They were as beautiful as the day they were created.

I have never found such a beautiful variety of cookies in one place. Lori's Place is a cookie lover's paradise. Bright icings and perfect cut outs, her cookies are festive and fun! She also has one mean lookin' brownie! One look and you'll be hooked! Moist and chewy, chocolaty and oh so dreamy. They are rich enough to fulfill your strongest cravings. These brownies were created for chocoholics like me. Now, if only they were available in fat free!

For an elegant tea party or shower, order Lori's beautifully decorated Petit Fours! Choose from strawberry, chocolate, pineapple, mango, blackberry, lemon, and coconut fillings! Three delicious layers using made from scratch vanilla cake! Covered with a lite confection, these special treats will be the perfect ending to a perfect party! Visit Lori's Place Gourmet Delights and yield to her beautiful sweet temptations.

New Classics For Little Humans!

I am not a big fan of pinks and blues or any other Easter Egg pastels decorated with cute baby bunnies and "Mommy loves me"sayings emblazoned on a baby's chest. Give me modern. Give me bold. Give me Milalu. Until a few weeks ago, I had never heard of this best kept secret in children's fashion. Tees that are classically styled with a modern interpretation. Milalu takes a soft cotton tee and transforms it into wearable art. We received the Numbers Tee pictured above. The bright white tee with the contrasting orange numbers may be simple, but it makes counting to ten fun and extremely fashionable! The design is screenprinted on American Apparel's 100% rib cotton, and it's combed for softness and comfort. It washes well and the color doesn't fade or peel!

There's more to Milalu than tees and onesies! Pick up a set of whimsical note cards! Four different designs are taken from their line of tees! These cards are perfect for thank you and thinking of you notes! They are always great to have on hand! Printed on heavy white stock, they are sold in sets of eight! Can't choose one? Don't worry! I couldn't either. Their assorted set includes two of each design!

But I must say, it's these adorable aprons that have won me over!!! These retro-inspired, ruffled design aprons are made with designer fabrics. They have that homemade flair that makes them so endearing. Pick up one for your little girl and enjoy time in the kitchen! These little aprons are also perfect for arts and crafts! My only disappointment was that these did not come in my size! Check out Milalu and have fun with their modern designs! Also, be on the lookout for their creative toys coming soon!

I'm MissMatched And Lovin' It!!

Okay. You must admit this is absolutely brilliant. LittleMissMatched solves the problem of the disappearing sock! The tireless colors are perfect pick-me-ups and you just can't help but smile when you put on two very different but complimentary socks. Missmatched on purpose? Absolutely! LittleMissMatched has created a line that lets you express yourself in a fun and quirky way. Yes, you'll draw stares. You may even walk into a room and notice that everyone becomes quiet. Behind those hushed whispers, people will be asking each other, "Why didn't I think of that?"

LittleMissMatched will knock your socks off with these adorable Flip Flops. I am loving mine! They are not your common fall-apart-and-fade-after-a-few-wears kind of flops. No sir! The only flop you will find in these is in the name itself- Flip "Flop!" They are comfortable and well made. Sure to put a little spring in your step, these Flip Flops are available in a variety of fun colors! Sturdy enough to go the distance, and cute enough to take you almost anywhere!

LittleMissMatched offers the coolest bedding ensembles ever! These affordable beds-in-a-bag are ideal for girls that are always changing their mind! You get a reversible comforter, 2 half & half sheets, 3 reversible pillowcases, and 1 bed skirt. These fantastic sets offer your little girls the opportunity to express their creativity! Hundreds of bedding combinations are possible! Now that's budget friendly design! These bedding sets keep things new and fresh. Wild and crazy colors, hip patterns and prints! For children that share a room, buy two sets of the same bedding! Each child can create their very own look! The colors and prints look great in any combination so there is no need to sacrifice style! But it doesn't stop there! LittleMissMatched also has a great selection of pajamas, toys, furniture and more! Next time you lose a sock, don't mourn it! Get MissMatched!

Happiness For Big And Little Feet!

I have recently found a website for anyone in the market for area rugs! CSN Rugs has a massive selection of high quality rugs. I spent hours combing their site for the perfect rug, and I bet I didn't see half of the rugs available! I chose a premium quality wool rug. I can't wait to test it out!

Want to know more about which rug I picked? Well, I'll tell you all about it soon! It is sometimes scary to order products like area rugs online. I will let you know if this rug lives up to it's description. If you want it, they probably have it. At a great price too! Don't forget to look for the review!

A Dressed Up Delivery With Pretty Pushers!

When I had my C-sections, I wore old hospital gowns which were worn out and tired, just like me. My first pictures with each of my children were not that attractive. Of course it didn't help that I was waking up after general anesthesia! If Pretty Pushers had been around back then, I would have had a dressed up delivery. Even though no pushing was involved, I would have delivered in style!

The design is brilliant. It is very simply made. The gown features a comfortable and stylish halter style top and the bottom is generous and flowing. The gown is extremely lightweight. Made of 100% cotton, this gown is soft and cozy. The back is low cut and it will not interfere with your epidural. The front will accommodate electronic monitor placement. The ties are all adjustable. It is really a one-size fits most. I think a size 2 or 4 can wear it as well as a size 14 or 16!

I love the gift packaging! This pregnant mommy profile box is unique and inside you will find a Pretty Pushers Delivery Gown and Matching Headband, Wipe-Out Lemon Water Towelette, Get Ready To Rub-Heated Massage Oil, and a Picture Perfect Pink Sheer Gloss and Mirror!

Some of you may be dreaming of coffee by now! I know that many women ditch their beloved drink when they are expecting! Celebrate your day with I Dream Of Coffee! It is the newest gown in the line up! Same great design, same great style! Hey! I am thinking their next design should include a little bubbly! Visit Pretty Pushers and look for stores and online retailers under their "Where To Buy" Section! Pretty Pushers will help you look your very best when you finally meet your little bundle of joy!

Getting Back To Your Roots

Save yourself some time and check out Elegant Roots the next time you need that perfect gift! Not only do they have the greatest selection of products for just about anyone on your list, they offer meaningful gifts created by true Artisans. The products are eco-friendly and socially responsible! We received the most adorable newborn set from the Dimples Collection. The Dimples Ensemble is made from pure organic cotton. This set is very soft and a pleasure to touch. The fine details ensure that this set will be treasured long after it is outgrown! The set includes a delightful baby gown (playsack) featuring an embroidered rose or bee. It is available in chocolate, sage, and pink! A matching cap and wrap are included! Don't look elsewhere, Elegant Roots is the first to offer this set in the USA!

Don't forget to pick up a few toys for baby or an older sibling! Elegant Roots has a wonderful variety of unique products that will capture the attention of the most active toddlers! Beautiful Hand-Knit Puppets and Dolls by Dwelling are ready for play. I adore the cute Handmade Wool Police Toy Bin by En Gry & Sif. Fill it with the matching Handmade Stuffed Wool Car Set! The police car and ambulance will provide hours of fun!

I love exotic wood and this spectacular Hand-Carved Olivewood "S" Bowl is calling my name. I have a few Olivewood pieces at home and this bowl would easily be a favorite. Carved from one piece of Olivewood, it is sanded to perfection. The grain is exquisite. It's beauty is only enhanced by the natural finish. This graceful bowl would be ideal as a serving bowl or a simple accessory for any table. Fill it with nuts, candy, or even potpourri. Or better yet, leave it empty and admire it's natural beauty!

I often have a tough time shopping for the men in my life. My husband and my dad seem to have everything. When I stumbled upon the Blackstone Wool Laptop Bag by Ectetera Media, I was shocked. This laptop bag is affordable luxury. It is elegant in it's simplicity. It is made from thick German wool felt and it is naturally water-resistant! The interior has room for all those extra gadgets. While it's perfect for men, women will appreciate this sophisticated bag too!

Spice up your wardrobe with a bit of color! Kakadoo Jewelry, by Dori Csengeri-internationally renowned designer, is unique. It's beautifully hand embroidered jewelry art featuring a silk cord and Parisian glass beads, lined with a soft leather backing. The hand sewn needlework make this wearable art worthy of the price tag.

After all that shopping, curl up with a Hand-Woven Baby Alpaca Throw by Marcel Miller! This throw has old world quality and features intricate modern knit design. It is woven using traditional looms. It is natural-free of chemicals and dyes. The soft fawn color is neutral and compliments any decor. Measuring a generous 4'2"x 5'10"it naturally resists pilling, wrinkling, and stretching. This heirloom quality throw will make life a little sweeter..and softer!

Elegant Roots believes in beautiful presentations. Complimentary gift boxes are available for most items. Your gift will arrive in a custom green and black box tied with an organic cotton ribbon. For oversized items or nicely packaged gifts, free gift wrap is offered using eco-friendly green paper with an organic cotton ribbon. The tissue paper is 100% recyclable featuring the Elegant Roots logo in water-based and soy inks! Elegant Roots will give you the royal treatment and make you a lifetime customer with their superior service. They make gift giving and receiving the experience it was meant to be!

Zero Water-It's As Pure As It Gets!

Do you drink a lot of water from the tap? How about expensive bottled water? I have found a great product that gives you the purest water possible. And guess what? It doesn't cost a lot! I recently tried a Zero Water Pitcher and I love it! If you didn't know, ZeroWater is the only filtered water from a pitcher that meets the FDA definition for purified bottled water. The Pitcher comes with one ZeroWater filter cartridge that removes contaminants that cause water to have an unpleasant taste. It also comes with a really cool, independently made TDS Meter to give you peace of mind that your ZeroWater filter cartridges are working properly! I used it to test my own tap first. My levels were 102-not too bad, but far from zero. Next I tested the filtered water from my ZeroWater Pitcher. Yep, you guessed it! 0!!!! I can't say that I tasted a big difference, but I did feel better about the quality of the water I was drinking. The meter is very useful and it lets you know when it's time to replace the filters. When your water starts reading “006” it’s time to change your filter! The transparent one-chamber Pitcher with lid has a pour spout, exclusive in-fridge push button dispenser and a special storage compartment for the TDS Meter. The filter features more complete filtration than ordinary carbon filters and it leaves your water with a clean, crisp taste! This purified water would be ideal for mixing with baby formula! For those of you with heavy water coolers, they also have a lightweight option for you!!! Check them out and see how great your water can taste!
Please note:
Filtered potable tap water is tested by an independent lab (not the FDA) to meet specifically the water quality requirements for using the label “purified”.

All-Clad Redefines Slow Cooking

All of the slow cookers that I have used in the past pale in comparison to the All-Clad Slow Cooker! This slow cooker is unique. It features a heat-responsive cast-aluminum insert that functions as a piece of premium cookware in itself. I used it to make chili the day after I received it and it was such a valuable time saver since I was able to brown the meat in the nonstick insert right on my stovetop! I did not have an extra pot to wash and it drastically cut my prep time! Next, I returned the insert to the cooker, with all the flavorful caramelized bits retained! Then I set the timer and let the machine do the rest. Somehow, low always seemed the same temperature as high with my other slow cookers. My food boiled either way. All-Clad features gentle uniform heat which perfectly cooks pot roasts, braises, soups and stews, then keeps the finished dish warm until serving time. When you’re ready to dine, simply lift out the attractive black insert and take it right to the table for serving. The heavy duty insert can even be used on its own to cook and serve your favorite dishes, whether in the oven or on the stovetop. The attractive stainless-steel exterior features riveted handles and the slow cooker has an easy-to-read digital display. The insert is dishwasher safe, but after cooking messy chili all day long, a gentle spray with water completely rinsed everything clean! This sturdy unit is very well built, yet surprisingly lightweight. I only wish that the lid was see through. I am a nosy cook and I like to check my food often! The slow cooker has an impressive 7-qt. capacity! The Slow Cooker is a bit on the expensive side, but it has made it to the top of my list of kitchen must-haves! It looks good enough to leave out on a permanent basis! But why would you ever put it away? I have used mine several times this week! The All-Clad Slow Cooker really lives up to it's name and it is worth every penny. Order yours from Williams-Sonoma!

The Fountain Of Knowledge

Want to know the truth about certain "biodegradable" plastics? Does Twitter reduce human contact? How about some really good advice on helping your children gain independence? The Elegant Roots Blog is a fountain of knowledge, featuring useful tips and practical advice. It's full of variety. The blog is written by a very observant Rob Favole. He raised 4 children, taught in elementary school, trained developmentally delayed, tutored in law school, and he has taken graduate courses in Ed. In his latest post, he describes child development. Children want their independence and parents have the instinct to protect. We may not see our children as we should. They are individuals trying to make their own mistakes and make their own choices. We have a responsibility to let them grow. Rob tells us how to cut the strings, little by little. Visit the Elegant Roots Blog. I can't wait to see what he will write about next!

A Is For Airplane!

I love alphabet tees! My newest find are the adorable tees from Luvloo! We received a bright orange tee featuring a bold S (for Sam of course!) with a cute little submarine! Not only will you find the picture, but you will find the word submarine within the letter S. These tees are educational and fun! The tees help establish letter and word recognition in a playful way! The tee holds up well to washing. The print doesn't fade or chip, and it gets softer with each wash!
Luvloo has a great collection of long and short sleeve tees and onesies. I love the dinosaur and bunny tees. Made from 100% cotton, each unique garment is individually silk-screened in the US in sweatshop-free facilities! For added comfort, each piece has a woven satin label ironed on to the inside. Most onesies are available in sizes 6-12 months and 12- 18 months. Tees are available in 2T and 4T! Luvloo was created by a mom, and the name Luvloo was borrowed from her little boy Owen. "Luvloo" was the way he pronounced Love You! Share the love with your child and get a Luvloo tee! Help them look great and learn at the same time!

Get A Grip...A Very Soft Grip!

I hated carrying around infant carriers. I usually rested the hard handle on my arm and by the time I walked a few steps, I could feel the handle digging in. I was ecstatic to find a painfree, inexpensive solution to my problem! Nuzy. Plush and lush, a comforting wrap that Velcros around the handle! It features machine washable faux fur that is so luxurious and soft. It is fully lined and it closes with heavy duty Velcro. The beautiful fur is edged with grosgrain ribbon, or you can go glam with decorative Swarovski® Crystal edging. For a personalized touch, monogramming is offered! Nuzy comfortably fits all standard infant car seat carrier handles! Nuzy can be used on shopping cart handles, car seat belts- so they do not dig into your shoulder, and stroller handles! Nuzy offers a non slip grip and you can really get creative when it comes to using one! Buy a pair and use on walkers or other home care assistance products with handles. My favorite use is wrapping Nuzy around the handles of several heavy plastic shopping bags. Instead of the plastic digging in, All I feel is the weight of the bags and the soft faux fur! Nuzy will help eliminate sore arms and hands! Don't leave home without it!

They've Been Listening! Here's The Proof!

Yeah! Kudos to Huggies for listening to moms. The majority of the moms that I meet want natural and organic products. They want healthier products for their children! If you have ever gone into a store to pick up diapers, your choices may be limited. Most stores carry two or three major brands and usually a store brand. Now I was never fond of store brands, and I thought the other brands were pretty much the same. Since I use cloth diapers primarily, I don't hang out in the diaper section that often. Recently, I was given an opportunity to review Huggies Pure & Natural. Huggies has not only listened to our concerns, but they have created a product that is superior to most diapers that I have tried. After using these diapers I was pleased with the fit. There were no leaks and no irritation. The inner liner is infused with Aloe and Vitamin E and the outer cover contains pure organic cotton. The diapers are hypoallergenic and free of irritating fragrances, they contain less ink than Huggies Supreme, and the packaging features 20% post-consumer recycled materials! Huggies has made it possible for moms like me to buy wisely. When I use disposables (traveling) I will be picking up a pack! If you would like to try a sample, visit Huggies and make your request! Try them out and put them to the test!

Green To Grow

During the past year, I abandoned BPA. I became aware of the dangers of these products while pregnant with my youngest. When I gave my son a bottle, it was glass in those early days. But as the months passed, I slowly added in a few adorable Green To Grow Bottles! The bottles are easy to hold and they are very durable. I used Green To Grow for most of my son's first year. I can honestly say that I love them as much as the day I unpacked them. Recently, I discovered the perfect gift for new moms! Green to Grow’s Welcome Home Set has everything you need to start nourishing your baby with confidence: two 5 oz BPA-free baby bottles, two 10 oz BPA-free baby bottles (all of which come with Beginner nipples, 0 – 3 months); one package of Intermediate nipples (3 nipples per pack, 3 – 6 months); one package of Expert nipples (3 nipples per pack, 6+ months); and a super soft, organic cotton baby cloth, good for burps, slurps, baths, and splashes! The set arrives in a cute house shaped box. It's the perfect way to start your baby on the bottle! These amber colored bottles are easy for tiny hands to hold. No phthalates and they are free of bisphenol A! Grab some Green To Grow and feel good about what's missing!