Oh, how we love a good sale from our very favorite Tea Collection. The clothes are stylish, modern and unique and just perfect for active kids. The quality is so fab that the clothes worth the full price tag, which is why we get giddy at the chance to stock up during great sales like this one.
For three days only – from now through Wednesday evening – save an additional 20% off all sale items. Plus, get FREE SHIPPING on orders over $50! (It’s normally $7 or free if you spend $150.)
Shop! Use the code TSALE20 to save an additional 20% off already-marked down sale items at Tea Collection. Offer valid Monday, 6/27 through Wednesday, 6/29 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
This post contains affiliate links – a great way to support bloggers.
I have been a Graco car seat fan for many years. In fact, I purchased a SnugRide for each of my children before they were born and each used the seat until they outgrew it. Graco is always working on car seat technology and one of the newest seats, introduced on the market earlier this year, is the Signature Series SmartSeat All-in-One Car Seat. The SmartSeat is a unique car seat system that allows one seat to grown with your child from birth (5 pounds) through 100 pounds. Yes, the seat transitions from rear facing to forward facing car seat to booster seat.
SmartSeat Height & Weight Limits
REAR-FACING: fits infant 5 to 40 pounds and the top of the child’s head must be at least 1 inch below the top of the headrest of the seat
FORWARD-FACING: fits toddler 20 to 65 pounds and up to 50”
BOOSTER SEAT: fits youth 30 to 100 pounds and up to 57”
Graco SmartSeat Details
SafeSeat Engineering – Engineered & Crash Tested to Meet or Exceed US Standard FMVS213:
Side Impact Tested* (*In addition to meeting or exceeding all applicable US safety standards, the SmartSeat™ car seat has been side impact tested for occupant retention with the built-in 5 point harness system and with a standard vehicle harness system when in high back booster mode. Please consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more specific information on the performance of your vehicle’s safety belt system.)
New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) – peak crash force approximately 2X Car Seat Standard
Extreme Car Interior Temperatures
Convenient, stay-in-car base with belt lock off for one time install (LATCH equipped)
Steel-reinforced frame & car seat base provides strength and durability
Locking indicators on seat & stay in car base to help ensure proper installation
Integrated harness storage compartment holds the harness straps that are not in use while in the belt positioning booster mode
Easy-to-read level indicator on the seat, helps eliminate installation guesswork
No Re-thread harness for quick & easy harness adjustment
One-hand, 6 position adjustable head rest for your growing child
On-the go, 5-position recline so you can recline child while in use
EPS, energy absorbing foam liner
Flip-up armrests makes it easy for child to get in & out of car seat
Child’s cup holder keeps child’s drink close by
Graco SmartSeat All-in-One Video
SmartSeat All-in-One Car Seat Review
SMART BASE: One of the key features that sets the SmartSeat aside is the Smart Base. The steel-reinforced base is used with the Smart Seat in both the rear and forward facing position, so you install the base one time and it’s in position for use for, literally, years. It can be placed in the car using either a LATCH or the car seat belt. The base has a unique belt lock-off system that makes it easier to install it securely with less tugging and pulling. Having installed many a car seat, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the base was to install in both our SUV and our sedan.
It’s quite easy to transition the SmartSeat from rear to forward facing (or back again). There’s a knob on either side of the seat that you turn to release the seat from the base. Large, very noticeable red latches come through the seat to unlock it from the base. To re-attach it you simply adjust the knobs on the sides again. If the red things sticking out of the car seat aren’t indication enough, there is a very easy to read base locking indicator on the Smart Base to let you know when its locked. (In the photo below it’s in the locked position.)
REAR-FACING USE: The SmartSeat can be used rear facing with infants from 5 pounds through toddlers who are 40 pounds. Graco recommends using the seat rear facing as long as possible. The generous 40 pound limit and six position head rest definitely extends the likelihood and ability to use the seat rear facing, which we really like. My two and a half year old daughter is average height and weighs about 30 pounds fits comfortably rear facing.
Installing a car seat can be stressful and intimidating, but there’s a level indicator on the side of the seat that easily lets you know whether the seat is at the correct angle when rear-facing.
The SmartSeat has a one-handed recline that helps to get the rear-facing position correct. The seat may not be at the appropriate angle in all recline positions in all cars; for example, in our Honda Accord the seat was installed correctly according to the indicator in 2 of the 5 recline positions.
Using convertible car seats rear facing often presents a “fit challenge” in cars. Because of the recline position and the size of convertible seats, they take up a lot of space. In the photo below you can see the seat rear facing in a four door Honda Accord. It actually fits better than other convertible car seats we’ve used so I’m rather impressed with how it fits. Now, a very tall passenger in the front seat might disagree as the seat cannot extend back all the way.
Like all convertible car seats, the SmartSeat is not an infant seat that you’ll remove from the car and carry with you. Even if you could, you wouldn’t want to because the steel reinforcements in the seat make it rather heavy. If you plan to use this seat with a young infant I recommend keeping a baby wrap or carrier in the car for use when you’re on the go.
FORWARD-FACING USE: Toddler will ride in style in the SmartSeat forward facing from no less than 20 and up to 65 pounds. One of the best features is the 6-position adjustable headrest. Parents can easily adjust the height of the headrest with one hand, and the Seat automatically adjusts the length of the harness. I just love this no stress, no re-thread adjustment which makes it particularly easy to switch between use with my 4 year old son and my 2 year old daughter.
Because the SmartSeat sits on the Smart Base, it has a higher profile than other convertible car seats we’ve used. The flip up armrests on the side help kids get in and out of the seat slightly easier, but it was still difficult for me to help my children in the seat when it was installed in our SUV.
BOOSTER SEAT USE: When your child is at least 30 pounds and ready to switch to a booster seat, there’s no reason to purchase a new seat. The SmartSeat can be used as a high-back booster with your car’s seat belt restraint. Neither of my children are appropriate to ride in a Booster Seat yet, so we haven’t put this to a road test yet. To use, you remove the Smart Base and take advantage of the Smart Seat storage compartment to stow the harness you no longer need.
Aesthetics & Fabric: The SmartSeat is available in two fabric options: Larkin (in this review) and Jessica (a pretty brown and pink with floral). The fabric is different from other car seat we have – in a good way. It’s almost silky lending to an overall really nice looking seat.
To Buy or Not To Buy
To Buy… The SmartSeat puts the three car seats your child needs (a rear-facing infant seat, a forward-facing toddler seat and a booster seat) into ONE Seat, making it a good investment that will grow with your child for years. Seriously, how great would it be to purchase one car seat and use it until your child outgrows the need for it? I found the seat relatively easy to install, and I like the easy-to-read safety indicators and notations throughout the seat. The seat, arm rests and cup holder provide a very comfortable ride for kids of all ages. Parents are comfortable knowing both the seat and base are steel reinforced and side-impact tested.
Or Not to Buy… Using a base makes the forward-facing position very high profile and more difficult to get in and out of. I like the idea of the “install it once” base, but am not sure how realistic it is to install it and leave it there for years.
Shop! The Graco Signature Series SmartSeat All in One Car Seat is available exclusively at Babies R Us for $299.99
Disclosure: This is a personal review based on our experience with the car seat. It is not intended to be instructional – that’s what the thorough manual is for. Thanks to Graco for providing a sample product.
Gilt Children is celebrating summer with the Summer Spectacular. They are gathering the best advice for summer with kids – everything from fashion to family traditions to family fun – on the Gilt Children Facebook page.
If you’re new to Gilt Children, let me just tell you: it rocks. But, because that doesn’t really explain anything, here’s how they describe themselves: Gilt Children offers hand-selected luxury brands at member-only prices. I’ve been a fan for a while and have scored some amazing deals. They really do curate beautiful deals of high-quality products. Think Maclaren, Skip Hop, beautiful boutique clothing lines you will fall in love with. If you haven’t yet, it’s worth registering so you get updates on the latest sales.
As a Gilt-y Mom I’ll be sharing my best tips and advice on the Gilt Children Facebook page over the next month. I’d love for you to join me there and chime in – I know you have great things to share! Right now you’ll find lots of great ideas for summer celebrations from all the Gilt-y Moms.
Now, for the best part. (Okay, almost best. The best will be the upcoming $100 Gilt credit giveaway.) Gilt Children is providing members of Gilt-y Mom’s Summer Spectacular with a special limited-time offer: Get $10 off when you spend $50 or more on Gilt Children! Offer expires July 18.
So, what are you waiting for? Click through to automatically take advantage of this awesome Gilt Children discount.
I am a compensated Gilty Mom. Opinions are my own.
What do you get when you combine the sublime fabric of our favorite diaper bag company and the ergonomic comfort of a beloved baby carrier? Pretty much the best baby carrier ever. The collaboration between Petunia Pickle Bottom and ERGObaby carriers is a match made in baby mama heaven.
Do I sound a little too excited? Well, I’ve seen them in person at the ABC Kids Expo and they are every bit of fabulous in person as you would imagine. See?
Even the combination of the companies’ logos is perfection.
Petunia Pickle Bottom ERGObaby Carrier Details
Combining the proven ergonomic fit and durability of the ERGObaby Organic Carrier with the uniquely trendsetting fabrics that have made Petunia the first name in baby chic, the ERGObaby Carrier sets a new standard in style, care and comfort for both baby and parent.
The collection features three Petunia fabrics: Evening in Innsbruck, Heavenly Holland and Peaceful Portofino.
We all LOVE BabyLegs here at The Shopping Mama – the Newborn leg warmers even made it to our Baby Shopping Guide. And for good reason. The baby leg warmers are darn cute and even more practical. The clever folks at BabyLegs are always adding new designs and the newest collection might take the cute diaper cake. Say “Hello” to the new Hello Kitty BabyLegs.
The new collection includes six individual collections and the Five Lives set(below) – a pair of BabyLegs for every day of the workweek.
My daughter is slightly obsessed with Hello Kitty. Honestly, not sure how that happened, but luckily this kitten is pretty cute. I am totally going to snag a pair for her to wear with skirts this fall.
Shop!Hello Kitty BabyLegs are now available online from our affiliate for $15 a pair. The Five Lives set is currently on sale for $60.
We are so grateful to BabyLegs for donating to our Miracle Mission NICU Care Packages and think it’s another great reason you should give them your business.
Oprah has featured the topic. Martha Stewart has featured the topic. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden continue to work diligently on this issue. Here at The Shopping Mama, some of us live it. What is “it?”
Supporting Our Troops and Their Families
Many high profile celebrities are encouraging Americans to support our troops. Time and time again, the question is HOW?
Here’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to help our troops and their families in the two weeks leading up to the July 4th holiday: Simply visit the new Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe and the magazine will donate 10 cents to the USO for each unique visitor up to $100,000!
Did you click yet?
It’s okay…I’ll wait.
I’m patient because each click provides a two-minute phone call home for a current service member working overseas. In addition to clicking on the Taste of Home Flag Cake Recipe, you can make additional donations directly to the USO. Every $1 raised provides 20 minutes of talk time for service members. And while $1, 2 minutes and 20 minutes are all measurable, the emotional impact of hearing a loved one’s voice is immeasurable.
Now that you’ve clicked, share this information on your Facebook page, email your friends and family, talk about it at work. Get others to click as well. Remember, it’s unique visitors through the Independence Day holiday that help donations grow, so tell as many people as you can about this fabulous flag cake recipe.
In addition to supporting our troops, you’re getting a terrific holiday-themed recipe that will outshine the fireworks on the 4th of July!
Happy Thursday. Thanks for stopping by. While you’re here, you definitely want to enter to win the super craftastic Silhouette SD Craft Cutter. Or at least check out our exclusive code for 25% off everything in the Silhouette online store.
Don’t forget to head over to Baby Loving Mama and enter your giveaways on the weekly linky.
Next Monday marks 10 weeks for Charlie and also my return to my job as a fundraiser for a local university. It seems as if everyone is asking me how I feel about my return to the office and my answer has been the same: I’m excited to get back to a job that I absolutely love but I wish I could just put Charlie in the Moby and carry him around the office with me. Unfortunately, I don’t think I could go into a meeting with a million dollar donor and then excuse myself when Charlie needs a diaper change. But instead of focusing on all the ways that I’ll miss Charlie, I try to see the positive parts of this situation and it makes me feel a little better. Here are what I consider to be the highlights of heading back to the grind.
1. As I previously mentioned, there’s the fact that I get to go back to a flex schedule that allows me to be home one day each week. It’s an extra day to do laundry for cloth diapering, an extra day of direct breastfeeding instead of bottles of breastmilk, and most importantly, it’s an extra day of just me and Charlie time. I foresee lots of mother-son outings on Thursdays!
2. Not to sound like a “Real Housewife,” but I can’t wait to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes again. There are still certain things that don’t fit yet but I have quite a fabulous dress collections, if I do say so myself, and I can’t wait to pull out my prettiest frocks. And wear heels! And makeup! Being both a mommy and a pretty lady will be a nice change.
3. I know that some might disagree with me, but I’m looking forward to Charlie starting daycare. Sure, I’ll be just as nervous as every other mom who is leaving her precious little one with someone new, but when a child goes to a good facility his development gets an added boost. At our daycare, Charlie will get early socialization with other babies, lots of tummy time, and music classes with local musicians. I know I’ll rush there at the end of every day to pick him up, but the extra bonus is that I get to read a full report of all the wonderful things he accomplished that day.
4. There’s this really awesome BBQ place right across the street from my office and I really REALLY miss their pulled pork sandwich.
5. Even though I don’t make nearly as much money doing fundraising as I did in my last couple years as an attorney, I’m still happy that my income has allowed us to do things like buy safer cars for toting our little guy, hire a biweekly cleaning person, and get some projects completed around the house that will make it a nicer/safer place for Charlie. We couldn’t survive without two incomes, but my recent promotion has made it even easier to have a little one and have a few extras.
6. I have an amazing group of coworkers who are supportive, fun, smart, diverse, and dedicated. It’s easy to go back to a job when I’m surrounded by all of that awesomeness. I haven’t worked with a group of colleagues who inspired me this much since I practiced public interest law in my first two years as an attorney in New York City. I don’t know if all the extra income would be worth it if I had to go back the soulless and grueling job I had before this one.
7. My husband and I both work in academia and I’m happy that Charlie gets to grow up on two of the prettiest campuses in the area. And if we’re still employed by the same schools in 18 years, he’ll get to go to either institution for free! My employer even offers 40% of its tuition to pay for a different college. Another reason why my switch from the private sector legal world was a good idea.
8. This is the most important one – Charlie gets to see his mommy going out into the world and working to raise money to help people get a top-notch education. Of course, if I stayed home, I’d make sure he knew how important that job is too!
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