Nest by Phil & Teds

I can't even begin to explain how much I wish this travel bed had been around when my children were babies. With all of our weekend trips, play dates during a baby's nap, long days/nights spend at grandparent's houses, and even just to have downstairs for the baby to nap in when older children were playing upstairs, this would have been a dream!

The Phil & Teds Nest bed folds flat for easy storage and pops open in an instant. So not only is it lightweight while taking up vertually no space, but it's job isn't done there...this travel bed can also be used as a travel bag! You can pack your baby's things right in the bed...it's the baby's weekender!

This amazing bag can be purchased at giggle.com for $100 and it ships FREE!

Hi Height

Children grow fast...especially in the first year. And they're squirmy and difficult to measure. At least they used to be.

Taiwanese designer Clare Chen has created Hi Height, a graphic crib sheet with concentric circles that allow you to measure your baby's height, regardless of how they're laying in the crib.

The circles are printed directly on the 100% cotton sheet using eco-friendly ink in pink, blue, green, yellow, lavender, or black. There are even footprints that allow for measuring baby's shoe size!

The Hi Height fitted crib sheet is available at supermarkethq.com for $40...and they ship worldwide.

Baby Gardner Mobiles

I'm gearing up for vacation tomorrow morning but in my packing break I came across this lovely piece and had to share!

Baby Gardner is the talented hand behind this handcrafted mobile and I'm simply in love with it's old school charm, sweet colors, knotted button detail, and apron dresses...I'm a sucker for apron dresses!

I wouldn't mind one of these hung over my and my husbands' bed so I could stare dreamingly up at it as I drift off each night! But because I don't know how Mr. Mugga would feel about that, I'd certainly settle for a life-size apron dress for myself!

The Vintage Doll Dresses mobile along with three other lovely designs (scotty dogs, pink pigs and bluebirds) are available at thebabygardner.com for $43.99-49.00.

Snugglebum

I'm very picky about what my children sleep in. I steer clear of anything containing even a smiggen of polyester because I want them to breathe and I only buy soft, soft, soft pajamas because I want them to be as comfortable and heavenly as they look all snuggled up with their lovies in bed. Snugglebum meets all of these requirements...and they look great doing it!

Snugglebum pajamas and loungewear/playwear are so well made and thought out that they fit for longer than most competitors. They are snug enough to ensure the pieces won't ride up or wrap around you child so as not to make them uncomfortable...and at the same time, they are the perfect length in the body, arms and pants allowing for easy movement and growth! You and your child will love these!

One more thing, this post wouldn't be complete without mentioning how adorable little ones look in these stylish and fitted PJs...you'll surely want to take their picture!

Snugglebum products are available at snugglebum.com.au where their warmer clothing lines are currently on sale since winter is half over in Australia! Use a currency converter to see how far your US dollar will stretch...you'll be surprised! Stock up now!

Lovell Designs

If you've read this blog before, you know I appreciate color, form and function. And so does Alison Lovell, the creator of Lovell Designs. So it is no surprise that I'm a fan of her work! The idea behind her products is this: "Take an everyday household item that has a purpose, like a storage bin or a hamper, and transforming it into a decorative piece that stands on its own."

I was having trouble with my son remembering to put his clothes in our hamper. He now has a Lovell Designs hamper in his room and voilà, the pride in having a hamper of his own coupled with the fact that the red print "looks like stitching on a baseball" has apparently motivated him to keep his room clean...for over a month now!

And the great fabric bin in my kitchen looks stylish and like it belongs, all while hiding my baby's bibs and face cleaning supplies! Walk around your home and find a place where you need some organizing (or masking of a mess), and I'm sure Lovell Designs will have a stylish solution!

See all of the lovely prints and learn more about Lovell Designs products (including bins, hampers, pillows, bags and breastfeeding pillows) at lovelldesigns.ca! Products may be purchased at goneshopping.ca and funkymonkeybaby.com.

Alphabet Art: Part 1

With my daughter Martha now singing the ABCs on a daily basis (thank you Super WHY!) and trying to read like her big brother, we've got letters on the mind in our house. I recently came across these great ABC posters on Etsy while looking for some tools to further her new found literary love.

First up is the Alphabet Art Print in Letter Fest's Etsy store. It is available in pinks, blues, or yellows, as shown here. All are soft, subtle colors that won't distract from your other nursery decorations...although the print is sure to make a statement on it's own!

Most of the illustrations shown to correspond to each letter are my favorites for each letter...I love butterflies, elephants, stars, and whales...and who doesn't love a good yacht?!

Available in Letter Fest's Etsy Store for $20.00.

Alphabet Art: Part 2

This is the Animal A-Z Poster from Tara Hogan's Etsy shop. This poster is made using 100% post consumer recycled paper and soy inks. It comes packaged in a recycled kraft tube mailer.

This poster is just stunning, in my opinion. I fancy the use of animals, great illustrations (particularly the birds), and lovely colors! I appreciate that it showcases both capital letters as well as lowercase letters for children to learn.

The Animal A-Z Poster is available in Tara Hogan's Etsy Store for $60.00. And spend a few minutes browsing the rest of her work...it's all simply stunning!

Cloud B

"What color should the turtle be tonight?" I ask my son each night when I'm putting him to sleep. Seventy-five percent of the time he requests blue and the other nights are split between green and amber, the other two color options.

Both of my children love the Twilight Turtle...he has even been on family vacations since our children are unable to sleep without him. We even bought rechargeable batteries for him because he gets so much use!

But this turtle may not be for everyone. It works best in rooms that get quite dark and with lower ceilings. I've had friends purchase one after seeing ours in use and then be disappointed that the stars didn't show on their child's ceiling...be sure to take note of your child's room measurements before you purchase.

Visit cloudb.com to see all of the Sleep Sheep and friends, including Dozy Dolphin, Lavender Lab, Twilight Turtle, Ladybug, and Sea Turtle.

Merino Kids

My 9 week old daughter, Hazel, is one strong girl...she first rolled over at 2 weeks old...at her well visit so there was a witness! So you can imagine how she laughs at my attempts to keep her swaddled at night...silly old me trying to keep her comfortable and cozy in this brutal Wisconsin winter.

But I've found that a combination of a Merino Kids Baby Sleep Bag and a swaddle does the trick: she's kept warm, and she's kept safe from her loosened swaddling blanket inching up to her face...it grips to the Baby Sleep Bag. Problem solved...take that my smart cookie!

Merino Kids Sleep Bags are sized for babies up to two years and toddlers up to four years...good news for children like my daughter, Martha, who sleeps sideways on her bed no matter where I put her in, and how well I cover her. And like babies, toddlers too will sleep comfortably in their Sleep Bag...all Merino Kids products are crafted from 100% natural, renewable, biodegradable and unbleached merino wool...New Zealand's finest! And the bag's outer layer is all-natural fine Pima cotton for extra durability to withstand wear and tear.

Merino fabric has the remarkable ability to regulate a baby's body temperature...it captures and circulates air to insulate your baby when the room temperature falls, and releases excess body heat and moisture as the room temperature rises...it creates the perfect micro-climate around your baby's body. Merino fabric will readily absorb perspiration and release it into the air to help prevent your baby from overheating (and waking up damp)....much safer than synthetic sleep sacks and blankets. Overheating is a possible SIDS contributing factor, and risk of overheating is an important consideration when choosing nursery bedding!

Available to purchase at babysleepbags.com. Prices start at $119.00.

Peke Moe

What do you do when your baby can break even the strongest of swaddles but is still too young to sleep with a blanket? You purchase a Peke Moe!

Unlike other baby sleep sacks, the Peke Moe provides your child with a sense of restriction which is comforting for little ones! But your child is also snug all night in 100% brushed cotton...a warm fabric that breathes (or you can choose the summer weight muslin...but in Wisconsin where it is -8, I'm months away from even thinking of summer!).

Peke Moe sleeping sacks are wonderful for developing a baby's ability to sleep unwrapped. They're great for preventing children from scratching themselves. They are unbelievably soft! And they allow your child to self-soothe by finding their thumbs through the corner of the fabric!

Available at pekemoe.co.nz for approximately $40.00.

Monkey Door Hangers

No monkeying around, these over-the-door hooks are seriously cute. The metal monkeys swing from the tops of your child's bedroom, closet, or bathroom door.

Their feet and tails provide a handy place to hang necklaces, clothes, jackets, umbrellas, towels, or backpacks and purses. And they'll grow along with your child: hook them together while your child is young, and then separate them as your child grows taller!

These monkey door hangers are practical, cute and fun...maybe they're just what you need to entice your children not to leave their jackets on the floor. Maybe.

Available in lime, brown, or pink at giggle.com for $16.00!

Swigg Critters

I'm in love with these creatures from Swigg! Each critter is made from vinyl making them animal-friendly, durable and easy to clean...and then they're stuffed with poly-fill and poly-pellets for weight.

Swigg Critters are silkscreened on the front and back so they're cute from any angle. There are three graphic animals available: Beverly the beaver, Ricky the rhino, and Harold the giraffe. And to personalize them even further, there is a variety of colors to pick from...sure to please your child and their room decor!

Available for $28.00 at thisisswigg.com.

Natural Mat

Children log a lot of hours in their beds making organic mattresses and bedding logical. And although there are a few brands on the market that use organic materials, Natural Mat is one that is 100% organic...quite a feat!

Natural Mat mattresses are handmade in Devon, England from 100% renewable and sustainable raw material sources that comply with Fair Trade policies. And each product arrives in packaging that is 100% biodegradable and 100% recyclable.

The mattresses are made from natural rubber latex foam, organic coir, horsetail hair, mohair and lambswool. And these natural and organic materials are put together without the use of glues or bonding agents making your child's mattress synthetic-free...wonderful for the growing number of children suffering from allergies and asthma. The lambswool is bathed in a mixture made from essential oils of lemon, lavender and eucalyptus which renders it anti-dust mite!

But if you're not able to afford an organic mattress, an organic mattress protector and bedding are your next safe and eco-friendly step. They are also handmade in Devon, England from luxurious soft flannelette and crisp cotton percale making the perfect bedding for all seasons and climates.

Amazon.com has a wide selection of Natural Mat products currently on sale...bedding starts at $45.00 and mattresses start at $305.00.

Shi Shu Baby

Great Gift for Baby!

When my Shi Shu Style baby blanket arrived, I instantly was in love with the soft lemon yellow color I can only compare to butter. And coincidentally enough, that's the texture of this 60% cotton and 40% bamboo blanket as well...it's as soft as butter! And silk...like a buttery silk! When my husband came home, I greeted him at the door, blanket in hand, and said, "Feel this. But wash your hands first." He too was impressed.

Shi Shu Baby blankets are a generous 30" by 40" and are handwoven and trimmed in sateen. I love the antibacterial and eco-friendliness of the bamboo...and it's breathability. And I love that there is also a larger Shi Shu Home version for me as well...which I can't wait to purchase!

Shi Shu Baby blankets are available at amazon.com for $88.00. There is also a snuggler/lovie size for $29.00.

AeroBed for Kids

A few weeks ago we were on a family trip and realized that our daughter was about a week away from outgrowing her travel crib. When our son hit the same milestone we began booking business suites so that he could sleep on the pullout bed (and my husband and I could stay up past 8:00 pm and watch a movie). When our daughter came along her crib was simply set up alongside the couch bed.

But as I set up the travel crib for her for the last time, I questioned where they would sleep in the future seeing as they are unable to share a bed...they both roll and kick and move way too much! And regardless of our daughter's growth, we have a baby on the way who will require the crib. So I was thrilled when I found the AeroBed for Kids!

When it arrived at our house, the family gathered around to watch the new travel staple get set up for the first time. Without reading any instructions, I was able to set it up in 3 minutes...seriously. The included electronic air pump works in a snap (60 seconds to be exact) and the sheet (also included) is secured with elastic straps under the mattress.

The mattress is large measuring 50" by 25" with a 4" elevated surround safety cushion that will keep children from rolling off. My son who is an average-sized 4 1/2 year old was really comfortable on it as well and would probably fit in it for at least another year...making this an investment that will last a few years.

Available at thinkaero.com or amazon.com for $67.00.

Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow

I'm now in my third trimester of this pregnancy with 10 weeks to go...and my sleep has been suffering! I know it's best to lie on my left side, but it's hard to stay in that position. And when I wake and realize I'm on my back, I panic. And then last week I received an Utterly Yours Pregnancy Pillow that has me resting much more smoothly.

It comes in three sizes to accommodate each woman's baby belly and keeps you safely on your side...the best position for mommy and baby. It folds up neatly for storage and comes in six great fabric choices. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles and you don't have to wrestling yourself in and out of it like the wrap-around kind. It's just straightforward and simple...and allows my husband to still fit in the bed!

Available at utterlyyours.com for $39.95-$54.95 depending on the size.

Mini Moderns

This Color Me Wallpaper is from Mini Moderns, a London-based company specializing in fantastic interior pieces for both children and their parents. What child wouldn't love to color on the wall and not suffer consequences? I know mine would!

In addition to some of the best wallpapers I've found, they also create some wonderful dinnerware, pillows and fabrics which all feature inspiring designs and subtle color that can flow effortlessly from child to adult world. They're adding new products to their collection quite often so be sure to check their site periodically.

See all of their wonderful offerings at minimoderns.com.

Babystyle Dots/Stripes Bedding

I've always wanted to find out the sex of my babies when I've been pregnant...even after they told me my first was a girl and I bought clothes I had to return four weeks later when they revealed he was a boy at my next ultrasound! But for those of you who don't choose to find out the sex, I have a very cute bedding option for you that isn't settling on gender-neutrality! It's the Babystyle Dandy Dots and Fresh Stripes line!

Both options are cute (and I'd suggest purchasing at least two sheets since you end up washing your baby's crib bedding quite often) and both options are gender-neutral without being the usual soft yellow or green bedding most purchase when decorating a nursery. I love that you can add a solid crib skirt of your color choice as well!

And if you do decide to go the Fresh Stripes or Dandy Dots route, Babystyle also offers many other room accessories that match from a hamper to a changing pad to a bib/burp cloth set to storage boxes. One stop shopping!

Visit babystyle.com to see all of the product options. Prices start at $12.00.

The Snuggly Blanket

Let me introduce you to The Snuggly...a blanket that will grow with your child!

The Snuggly is part of Cover Me Collections and is made of 100% Merino wool and edged in French ribbon. Merino wool is one of the softest and finest fibers in the world...and this wool just happens to come from New Zealand high country farmers. The blankets are really soft and snuggly (it's not just a clever name) and quite luxurious!

Measuring over 47" x 59", The Snuggly is large enough for a toddler to sleep with in a twin bed. And because Merino wool is light weight and breathable while simultaneously being warm, it can be cuddled year round. It's also machine-washable, non-allergenic and asthma-friendly. Sounds like an heirloom-quality blanket to me!

Available starting at $149.00 at covermeblankets.co.nz.

FunQuilts: Many Hands Blankies

Many Hands Blankies are colorful, soft, machine-washable and feature animals your child is sure to love! They are made in small batches by an enthusiastic workforce of developmentally disabled adults at CARC, an organization that provides training and jobs to special needs clients in Chicago. Each blanket's hangtag explains the blankie's origin...that "your purchase provides meaningful work for many hands."

All Many Hands Blankies are reversible, made of 100% cotton flannel and measure 30" by 40". The blankies are available in two colorways for each of the animal patterns: Herd of Elephants, Troop of Chimpanzees, and Pod of Dolphins. They are a great gift for a baby shower or for your own little one you're looking to start down a charitable path.

To learn more about the blankies, including watching a video of how they're made, visit funquilts.com. To order a Many Hands Blankie for $75.00, call FunQuilts at 708.445.1817.