Center Stage

I've seen so many beds (both adult and children) set apart by focal point canopies here lately.  The right blend of textiles will visually draw the eye up, making the space appear taller.  Acoustically, fabric on the walls (even certain window treatments) it will help buffer the tiny, gleeful voices coming from a child's play place during the day.   This would even make a neat reading nook in a bedroom corner.  If you try to incorporate this look at home, consider hiring a handyman for a careful, secure installation.  I would also suggest having them pinned back with a fun drapery tie back during sleep hours.   It's not a good idea to try this over a crib, unless the fabrics are very far out of reach from baby!

A traditional approach, with a touch of whimsy!  Thank you Elle Decor.

The four-poster bed provided an existing foundation for panels.

Don't forget your playroom!  What a great way to ignite your child's imagination.

Is your child truly safe in his carseat?

We all want the very best for our kids, but with the plethora of products on the market for children & babies, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the market.  At Shower Me with Love, we work hard to hand-select only the best in children's products.  Consumer Reports is a reputable source for parents to turn for decision-making.  However, when it comes to transportation, we turn to the most reliable and accurate!  The International Institute of Highway Safety...and indisputable source for keeping your precious cargo safe & secure.

In a vehicle crash, the actual child booster seat will not protect your child quite as much as the seat belt's positioning.  IIHS rated, tested, and criticized many of our nation's leading booster seat products.  They neatly placed 21 models in the top best bets category, 7 in mid-range, and only 8 as not recommended this year. 

Our products that made the 'BEST' cut are the Clek Oobr, Recaro PRObooster, Recaro PROsport, Recaro Vivo, Recaro Young Sport, & Graco Turbo Booster Crawford.

Who didn't make the cut?  Eddie Baur Deluxe, Eddie Baur Deluxe 3-in-1, Evenflow Express, Evenflow Sightseer, Evenflow Generations 65, Safety 1st All-in-One, Safety 1st Alpha Omega Elite, & Harmony Baby Armor.

Recaro is famous for producing the racecar seats for NASCAR, aircraft, marine, mass transit, heavy truck, stadium, commercial seating...and oh yes...our carseats!  They are our best recommendation.  Recaro has combined their seating and safety expertise and miniaturized it for your child.

"HEAD: The pronounced head wings protect your child from the likelihood of serious head injuries caused by the side-to-side crash forces common during side impact collisions. 

FACE: Intruding objects, such as the door of a vehicle can cause harm to your child’s soft facial tissue. Pronounced head wings provide a barrier between your child and intruding objects.

NECK: The proprietary head restraint and ergonomic shell limit lateral movement of your child’s neck during a side impact collision, reducing the risk of neck and spinal cord injuries."

"If the booster isn't doing a good job — if the lap belt is up on your son or daughter's tummy or if the shoulder belt is falling off your child's shoulder — then find a replacement booster seat as soon as practical, but you'll probably want to keep using the old one until then," McCartt says.

Read the IIHS full article here.  Food for thought!

Why didn't we think of this?

While designing nurseries & kids' room at SMWL, I inadvertently see a lot of FABUOUS baby products come through our doors. Whether it be prototypes from small businesses for us to consider or our best sellers, I'd love to share some of my favorite picks with you.

I'm sure some of you are oozing with creativity and need some encouragement. Let me tell you. LOCAL. SELLS. Each time I assist a customer in gift-buying, I try to mention which products are made here in North Carolina. Moms support other moms! If you are trying to make your own prototype come to fruition and be successful, consider these companies' marketing strategies.

#1 is the Padalily! You all know how those little infant carriers can be deceivingly heavy...these Padalilies will SAVE your arm from torment. And the truly are as soft & plush as they look, especially with the microfiber dot fabrics in the center. They velcro on and are reversible. The only carrier they might be a little small on are Orbits, but most others are a 'go'. Best of all? They are made in the tiny town of Waxhaw, NC

The 2nd is Bella Tunno.  I haven't met the owner yet, but some of her employees have been in before and are wonderful.  We love that she is a Charlotte local!  They're famous for their fabric binkers, colorful bibs, diaper bags, disposable bibs, & play smocks.  Her newest product is the 'Little Linkers', which keeps a sippy cup or snack trap attached to your stroller.  Here are a few of my favorites!

Another favorite is the Pee Pee Tee Pee by Beba Bean.  The golf and dachshunds are our most frequent sellers.  I hope the use is obvious, but they are awfully handy when changing baby boys!

Last, but not least, is Diapees and Wipees.  This one will really make you knock yourself on the head because it looks so simple to make.  However, we can't beat these adorable fabrics!  These were made in Texas by a mommy.  She also came up with a matching blanket called the 'Cuddly Wuddlees'.

 

 

Drumroll, please...due to high demand...our soft muslin aden + anais stock has arrived!  Moms swear by these blankets and swaddlers.  They make burp cloths that turn into bibs later on...awesome!  A neat Aussie mommy named Reagan Moya-Jones invented the brand (we have her book, too).

 

 

Tell us what you think...do you have a favorite?  Have you tried any out yourself?

Let's hear it!