Ralph Lauren Create Your Own Collection Review + Giveaway

by Kate on February 25th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, Giveaways, Reviews

The iconic Ralph Lauren pony is now optional. That’s right, the brand is switching it up and giving you the design power with the Create Your Own Collection. Polos, Oxford button downs, cardigans and dresses are now available for customization.

Create Your Own Collection

Available exclusively at RalphLauren.com, every piece is made to order to your liking. The process is very simple with surprising amount of customization available. I personalized a polo for my son – here’s the quick process.

  1. Decide if you want to customize with a Monogram or Pony Color
  2. Pick Shirt Size, Shirt Color and Embroidery Color
  3. Select Your Monogram and Font – there are 12 monogram options!

Before ordering, you can preview your design to make sure it suits your liking. The photo to the right is the preview of my son’s shirt.

Personalized Polo

Creating a Boy’s Polo for my son was very a quick and easy process. I picked a Navy short sleeved polo with white letters for the chest. I was very surprised by how many monogram options were available, but I opted for the Classic 3 Letter monogram.

The monogram replaces the traditional pony on the chest which has moved to the bottom left side of the polo. When the shirt arrived, it did look exactly like the preview, but I was surprised by how small the monogram actually is. I’m not sure if the monograms are different sizes for different shirt sizes, but I wish it was larger on my son’s size 4T shirt.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Nothing beats the iconic Ralph Lauren pony. Except my son’s monogram. I love personalized and customized things for my kids and it’s awesome that Ralph Lauren is making it easy. You get the Ralph Lauren quality made just for your tot.

Or Not to Buy… I wish the monogram was larger and I have to say that when looking up close the monogramming isn’t particularly neat and is almost sloppy looking. But, as you can see in the photo it looks fine.

Shop! The Boys Polo we created is $34.50 (including personalization). Check out the entire Create Your Own Children’s Collection at RalphLauren.com.

Win! A Ralph Lauren Create Your Own Polo Shirt!

How to Enter: Leave a comment and tell us who you want to create a polo for.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends March 11. Open to US residents only.

I am a participant in a Mom Central Consulting campaign for Ralph Lauren and received a Ralph Lauren CYO shirt to facilitate my review.

Lottie Da: Beautiful Children’s Boutique

by Kate on February 25th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Children's Decor, Shopping

As much as I miss the warmth of Florida, I have to say that I LOVE living in a city. Even if it isn’t the biggest, most metropolitan city in the States, Columbus is an awesome place to live. Now that I’m here with kids (as opposed to in high school or surviving law school) I am having fun finding events to attend, activities to enjoy and, yes, stores to shop. One recent discovery is Lottie Da boutique, owned, operated and loved by Amy Routh.

About Lottie Da

A little shop with big ideas. We believe a child’s world should be more than pink and blue. Instead we should surround them with vibrant color, pattern, and designs that match their own unique personalities. We believe it is never too early to teach a child the importance of individuality and creativity.

Custom Bedding

The first product that garnered my attention at Lottie Da is the beautiful custom baby bedding. It’s beautiful. And designed for you. Prices start at $300 for a three-piece set. Amy enjoys collaborating and creating bedding to be the centerpiece in your perfect nursery.

After talking with her, it’s clear it’s not a cut and dry business deal. Amy truly loves the creative process and collaborating with moms-to-be. Indeed, she often finds coordinating design pieces on Etsy and suggests her finds to moms she’s working with. And, after seeing her beautiful boutique in person I can tell you I’d LOVE to receive decorating advice or a shopping tip or two from Amy!

Children’s Boutique in Columbus, Ohio

I had the pleasure of spending a morning chatting with Amy and checking out all the loveliness that is the Lottie Da boutique in Columbus, Ohio. Feast your eyes on the store…

Clothes, clothes and more amazing children’s boutique clothes…

In all the goodness, I spotted the Kemby Sidekick Diaper Bag / Carrier.

Shop! Columbus locals can enjoy all that Lottie Da has to offer by visiting the boutique located on North High in the Clintonville area. If you’re not local, you can shop Lottie Da online and on Etsy. You can also connect with Lottie Da on Facebook and Twitter.

Chalk Table and Benches

by Kate on February 25th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  28 Days of Design

Design: P’kolino Chalk Table and Benches

Why We Want it in Our House: We just adore P’kolino modern children’s furniture – the clean lines, kid-friendly design and budget-safe prices can’t be beat. This Chalk Table and Bench set is no exception. The cut out top is a chalkboard on one side or flips to match and hide the built in storage compartment.

Shop! The P’kolino Chalk Table and Bench Set is currently on sale on Amazon for $75.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor picks.

weeDECOR Playful & Personal Wall Decals Review + Giveaway

by Kate on February 24th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Children's Decor, Giveaways, Reviews

By now you know my love of nursery wall decals. Done right, they are an easy way to add color and interest to any room. weeDECOR is a new favorite of ours because the designs are simple, modern and the decals are made of eco-friendly biodegradable fabric. Yes, fabric!

About weeDECOR

weeDECOR is a new line of eco-friendly, fabric wall decals designed to make your nursery and kids’ rooms look fabulous. Our wall decals look like paint, but without the mess. Our fabric wall decals are created for a baby’s room, a boy’s room, a girl’s room, a playroom, and other family-friendly rooms in the house.

Our artists have designed for top children’s designer brands to bring you modern, stylish, high quality wall decals in colors and designs that match your baby room.

Animal Wall Decals

Most wall decals are made of vinyl, but weeDECOR decals are different and made of fabric. I was so eager to use some of the decals and see how the fabric differs from vinyl. We received a few animals in shades of green and blue and I put the little guys on parade in my children’s bathroom. The decals are thick and sturdy – thicker than vinyl for sure – but didn’t feel like fabric you’d buy at the fabric store. I learned quickly that the decals are easy to place and remove as I literally placed them three or four times before I really liked their placement around the sink.

One of the best parts about weeDECOR decals is that you can pick from a number of colors to match your existing room decor. I picked animals in shades of green and blue to match the shower curtain and towels in the bathroom. The individual decals aren’t particularly big and are definitely better in sets. And, the simple silhouettes are definitely tasteful and not busy or overwhelming. I think I’m going to get some more animals to make a border and continue the animal parade around the bathroom. Aren’t they cute?!

I picked a few animals “a la carte”, if you will, but weeDECOR also offers Murals – sets of coordinating decals to decorate an entire wall. (See the Flower Garden Decal Mural pictured below.)

I also love the simple silhouettes and variety of the tree wall decals.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The weeDECOR decal quality is pretty amazing. The decals are easy to apply and easy to remove and move and place just.so. I love the designs and that, for most decals, you can pick the color you need.

Or Not to Buy… Our three decals are quite cute, but wouldn’t have much of an impact in a larger space because the individual animals are on the small side. I definitely recommend getting a set or mural. Because, really? The more the merrier.

Shop! weeDECOR baby room wall decals are affordable and offer a wide price range depending on your design needs – prices start at just $5 for sweet little animals and range up to $100 plus for wall mural sets. Our collection of 3 animals is $29.

Win! A $50 weeDECOR Gift Card!

How to Enter: Visit weeDECOR and check out the decals. Leave a comment with your favorite decal.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends March 9. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to weeDECOR for providing sample product and the giveaway prize.  As always, opinions are my own.

Oeuf Eco-Friendly Modern Nursery Furniture & Accessories (Giveaway)

by Kate on February 24th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Children's Decor, Giveaways

Oeuf (pronounced UH-F, and means egg in French) operates with a three-pronged mission: Be good designers, Be good people and Be good to the planet. The result is a beautiful collection of eco-friendly modern nursery furniture and accessories. I have spent many an hour admiring Oeuf nursery furniture in upscale baby stores so I’m delighted to share my favorites as well as offer a giveaway for one of the lovely accessories from the line.

About Oeuf

It all started with the birth of their first child in 2002. As part of a new generation of design-conscious and environmentally aware parents they had to consider a cross-section of factors as they endeavored to clarify the modern nursery. Rather than producing a multitude of products, they decided to streamline the accommodations of their new lifestyle into a few essential pieces. Oeuf’s mission has become to make those essentials practical and stylish, without compromising quality and safety – their top priority.

Modern Nursery Furniture

Last week we shared the newest crib in the Oeuf collection – the Robin crib in Espresso – and one of the coolest things about the crib (like others in the collection) is its flexibility. Here’s the Classic Crib to see how lovely it can be in your nursery for years.

Classic Nursery: Crib, Dresser with Hutch and Mini Library.

The Changing Station fits securely on the Crib to save space.

Convert Crib to Toddler Bed.

Goodies

Goodies are Oeuf’s eco-friendly fair trade nursery accessories. Oeuf describes the Goodies and process: “They are all made in Bolivia from 100% alpaca wool (soft, hypoallergenic and eco-friendly as its a renewable resource). We work with group of very talented knitters in Bolivia who mainly consist of indigenous women who work in self-managed communities (rather than a factory). We’re very happy that by working with them, they can afford health care and education for their children, often for the first time.” Talk about a feel good purchase! Buying these sweet little gems will add joy to your nursery and help support a worthy collective. One of my favorites is the Garland – available in Hearts, Flags and Circles. It adds festive color – or monotone accent in black or white – to a nursery, play room or use it for a birthday party decoration!

Shop! Oeuf Nursery Furniture, Accessories and Clothing are available at www.oeufnyc.com. The darling Garland featured here is $56.

Win! Oeuf Circles Garland!

How to Enter: Visit Oeuf and leave a comment with something you’d love to have in your child’s nursery or play room.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do.

Giveaway ends March 9. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Oeuf for providing the giveaway prize.  As always, opinions are my own.

The Best Toddler Upholstered Rocking Chair Ever

by Kate on February 24th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  28 Days of Design

Design: Children’s Rocking Chair

Why We Want it in Our House: Calling this a rocking chair is the understatement of the century. It is to children what Lazy-Boy is to grown men: heaven for your bum. With a wide range of fabric choices – from toile to polka dots to chenille to leather – Toddle Rock chairs will blend with your grown up decor or look at home in a nursery. I first learned of these years ago because they were Amy‘s go to new baby gift. (I’m still bitter that we lived in Germany at the time so we didn’t get one.) But, I’ve seen Monica‘s in person and it’s awesome.

Shop! Toddle Rock upholstered children’s rocking chairs are very reasonably priced – they start at $52.95! Add personalization for $20 more.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor picks.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on February 24th, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy Thursday! Thanks for coming to link up and check out awesome giveaways. Before you leave you MUST vote for your favorite children’s nursery, bedroom or play room in the Real Reader Room series sponsored by The Land of Nod. The competition is fierce, so check out the rooms and VOTE.

While you’re linking up, make sure to head to Baby Loving Mama to share your giveaways there, too. And if you love good kid’s clothes are much as I do, enter to win the $100 Osh Kosh B’gosh gift card giveaway.

Happy linking!

Mister Linky is being crazy so let’s try inlinkz instead. Yes, it’s annoying and takes longer, but it’s better than nothing.


Guest Post by Le Papier Studio – From Nursery to Big Boy Room

by Kate on February 23rd, 2011  |  5 Comments  |  Children's Decor

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Vana Chupp, owner of Le Papier Studio, for our 28 Days of Design Q & A. Vana is back today with a guest post about how she transitioned her son’s nursery into a big boy room. Yet again, we’re in awe of her creativity and talent!

When our son transitioned from the crib to a big boy’s bed it was time for us to update his nursery.  We didn’t want a typical boy themed room, with transportation or large characters, but rather create a room that reflected our overall home style – simple, serene yet lived in. We didn’t have a particular look in mind but rather a few pieces we wanted to preserve and incorporate into his new room decor (ie, the curtains, and throw pillows which were part of his nursery decor when he was a baby).  We stayed with the same color theme, baby blues and whites with pops of color from the wall art.

The full body silhouette decal is the first thing you see when you enter his room. We decided to make the chocolate decal the focal point.

We added the Expedid shelving unit from IKEA to house all his toy collection. It is by far my favorite piece as it helps keep everything nice and organized.

My husband custom built our son’s bed. It’s a very big day bed built out of solid wood pieces and stained by hand. We are hoping to add a trundle bed one of these days for when sleep overs happen.

Resources:
Shelving : IKEA
Day Bed : Custom built
Wall Art : Boy and the Frog (by Sarah Jane Studios), Mother and child praying (by Kerry Brooks), City cards canvas (by The Land of Nod), Silhouette Art (by Le Papier Studio), Silhouette Decal (by Le Papier Studio), Name (by The Land of Nod)
Bedding : The Land of Nod (throw pillows were custom sewing by my mother in law for his crib)

Thank you to Vana Chupp of Le Papier Studio for giving us the inside scoop into how she transitioned her son’s nursery into a big boy room!

Connect! Visit Le Papier Studio to purchase silhouette products. Be sure to visit the Le Papier Studio blog for inspiration and more. You can also find Vana on Facebook and Twitter.

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