The baby will be sharing our room for several months until we move so for all intents and purposes, the Joovy Room was the extent baby’s nursery. We’ve since acquired an actual wooden crib, but I have to tell you the Joovy Room has everything we need to serve as a small, organized space for a baby. The Joovy Room Playard sets the bar very high for playard travel cribs.

Meet the Joovy Room

The Joovy Room has elevated the playard to a new level. This premier, full-feature nursery center is a bassinet, changing station and playard, all in one. The Joovy Room has exceptional good looks while offering supreme functionality. Parents love its convenience and multi-purpose usability.

Room Playard Details

• Playard Weight: 34 lbs.
• Playard Dimension Folded: 10.5″ x 15″ x 31″
• Playard Dimensions Unfolded: 34″H x 35.5″ W x 49″L
• Playard Minimum Age: Birth
• Playard Maximum Height: 35″
• Bassinett Maximum Weight: 15 lbs.
• Parent Organizer Maximum Weight: 9 lbs.

Joovy Room Review

The Joovy Room Playard is a full-feature travel crib that has everything you need to create a mobile baby nursery. The Room is a good size without being overbearing or dominating the space its in. It unfolds and folds easily and you can arrange for the Room to be used as a bassinet. Unlike other playard bassinets I’ve used, the Room has a very sturdy support system when in bassinet mode, including metal braces that supper the length of the mattress. The official bassinet maximum weight is 15 pounds, but I have to admit that my kids have tested this by climbing in the thing by themselves. I’m happy to report my 42 pound 5 year old didn’t break the thing when he climbed in to “play baby.” But, seriously, that is NOT recommended.

One of the best features of the Room is the attached parent organizer with 9 compartments for storing baby essentials. There are six large pockets on the end and three smaller containers on the top of the organizer for smaller must haves. In addition, there’s are storage pockets on the end of the Room near the changing table. Honestly, when we got a wooden crib to use in our room I was disappointed to lose all the storage and organization the Room offers.

The changing table is VERY sturdy. Far more stable and secure than other playard changing tables I’ve used. It holds up to 25 pounds and includes a belt to secure your child. The changing table secures on three sides of the playard, which creates a very stable surface, but it means that you can’t remove it casually when you’re not changing a diaper. The Room is large enough that you still have plenty of access to baby sleeping in the bassinet but it would be nice to be able to fold the changing table out of the way when not in use.

The Room has a built-in nightlight and music system which plays sweet nursery tunes. Or, you can plug in your MP3 player and soothe baby with your favorite tunes. The playard moves easily on two wheels and comes with a very nice travel case.

We’ve moved the Room to a common family area where it will serve as a bassinet for day time naps, a place to set baby out of the reach of curious siblings and a convenient place to change baby. I know we’ll get a lot of use out of it when baby arrives and look forward to having a safe place for baby to rest.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Room is a great Playard and Mobile Crib. I absolutely love the clean, modern look of the Room and the parent-friendly features like tons of storage and a safe and secure place to change baby. The Room has impressive safety features and feels far more sturdy – from the bassinet to the changing table – than comparable products. We give the Joovy Room an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

Or Not to Buy… The only inconvenient feature of the Room is that the changing table doesn’t easily move when not in use, blocking access to the bassinet. (Of course, this fact is also part of what makes the changing table so sturdy.)

Shop! The Joovy Room is available in Black, Blueberry and Orangie for $270. Its on sale directly from Joovy and also our affiliate Amazon. Make sure you follow Joovy on Twitter and like them on Facebook to keep up with the latest product information.

Thanks to Joovy for providing a sample.

Design: Chevron Storage Baskets – Set of 3

Why We Like It: There’s no denying that chevron patterns are HOT. And, there’s certainly no question that storage is a must-have in children’s space. So the fabulous combination of chevron and storage in a variety of colors and an affordable set is a winner. The baskets are made of handwoven polypropylene and nest to save space when you’re not using them. If you, for some reason, can’t find a use for them in your nursery or play room, we love the decorative factor of seeing them stacked.

Shop! The set of 3 Chevron Baskets is available for $49 from our affiliate The Land of Nod. The baskets are available in a number of colors: black, aqua, blue, green, pink and yellow.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor & Design picks in the 28+1 Days of Decor.

The Primo Viaggio has been great for us, so I was excited to hear that Peg Perego is introducing a new modular system for 2012. The 2012 Switch Four Modular System is a stylish and functional all-in-one for parents to be. And we’re super excited here at The Shopping Mama to be one of the first to review and giveaway this awesome system.

Switch Four Modular System

The Switch Four Modular System includes everything a new baby needs and more. Are you ready for this list? It’s impressive. The following are included in the Switch Four Modular System package:

• Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 infant car seat with latch system base
• Navetta XL bassinet and stand for home use
• Recently updated Switch Four Stroller with its own set of impressive features (see below) (notice the stroller seat is included but not pictured in the photo to the right)
• Borsa Diaper Bag
• Coordinating Foot Muff
• Snack tray
• Rain cover

The Primo Viaggio SIP 30-30 Infant Car Seat

As I mentioned, this seat is one of the top rated car infant seats. It has impressive side impact protection (exceeds the most stringent test in the world), an easy to use Latch base (also works with seatbelt), “Comfort Dry” microfiber cloth on headrest and padding (great when you have a serious spitter) and has a 5 point harness with neck padding. We used this seat for my son until he outgrew the height and are now using it for my daughter. This seat makes me feel confident in my baby’s safety and looks great even after regular use. It’s easy to install with the Latch system or a seatbelt and the seat goes from car to stroller seamlessly. My only complaint is that it’s a touch heavy, but from what I’ve heard that’s a pretty standard complaint with infant seats and I’ll trade a little weight for top rated safety. Plus, isn’t that why God created strollers? Speaking of, the Primo Viaggio is easy to snap securely into the Switch Four stroller base or the bassinet stand (great for when you have a toddler who is obsessed with pointing out baby’s eyes).

Navetta XL Bassinet and Stand

I’ve never owned a stroller with a bassinet feature before and I LOVE it. The system comes with a stylish bassinet and foot-muff that attaches easily to the stroller and can also be used with the included stand or placed on the ground and rocked or stabilized with fold away feet. My little girl often falls asleep during walks. I know she’s comfortable in the bassinet and can keep napping even after we get home.

My son helping me unpack the stroller and showing how large the bassinet is. Of course he’s too large to actually ride in it safely. The weight limit is 20 pounds and the bassinet should not be used once baby can push up.

Switch Four Stroller

I could take up a whole rest of your day just talking about this stroller. This is one of the best designed strollers I’ve ever used. All the features function smoothly and it’s clear the designer really thought about how moms want things to work. There’s no jerking or pounding or cussing that is sometimes associated with opening or closing a stroller and the seat, car seat, or bassinet can be securely attached and removed with ease.

Stroller Features

• Seat can face forward or backward
• Weight limit 45 pounds and 43 inches
• Fully reclining seat that easily transforms into a carriage
• Adjustable leg and back rest
• Large, handy storage basket that holds all the necessities
• Telescoping handles for taller adults
• Adult cup holder
• Large hood with peek-a-boo window that unzips to become a sun canopy
• Built-in rear footboard that provides a safe ride for a second passenger
• Included foot muff and rain cover

I have thoroughly (and unintentionally) reviewed how easy this stroller is to push. For some insane reason, I decided it would be a good idea to load a fussy baby into the stroller and head out with my toddler (walking) and yellow lab for a walk to the park. Half way there the baby had not calmed down and I remembered that dogs were now banned from the neighborhood park. Unsurprisingly, little man did not want to turn around. Cut to me pushing stroller with screaming baby with one hand which is also holding the dog’s leash while carrying a 30 pound screaming toddler under the other arm. The only one not having a bad time was the stroller. It was actually possible to maneuver thanks to its four large wheels, ball bearings and suspension system. With two hands, or heck one dedicated hand, it handles like a dream. It’s the first stroller I’ve had that handles as well as my jogging stroller.

I can’t say enough about how great this stroller folds. You know how you always imagined a stroller should fold? Yeah, this one folds that smoothly. A quick squeeze of a trigger on each handle (these can be done independently if you are operating with one hand because HELLO when are you not working with one hand?) followed by a tug on the folding handle and you have this:

It’s a free standing, super compact stroller. It also folds with the seat attached forward or rear facing.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… This stroller system is the cream of the crop in modular strollers. It has everything a new parent needs to get started. With the bassinet baby even has a place to sleep for the first few months.

Or Not to Buy… The Switch Four Modular System is so complete that it may be more than a repeat parent needs.

Shop! The Peg Perego Switch Four Modular System will be available in Zaffiro, Pois Grey, or Geranium for $1099. It currently has limited availability at Amazon.com, but expect to see this system at respected retailers around the country soon.

Win! A Peg Perego Switch Four Modular Stroller System!

How to Enter: Visit the Peg Perego Ciao Mondo blog about the new Switch Four Modular System and leave a comment with your favorite feature.

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

• Visit Peg Perego and comment here with another product that you’d like to have in your house.
• Like Peg Perego USA and The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share this post on Facebook and tag @PegPeregoUSA and @TheShoppingMama.
• Follow Peg Perego USA AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Meet the brand new Peg Perego Switch Four Modular Stroller System and enter to win @TheShoppingMama  - $1000 value! http://bit.ly/xikBkH
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 24. Open to US residents only.

Thanks to Peg Perego for providing a sample and the giveaway prize.

Lipton Green Tea Superfruit is available in three varieties:

• Purple Acai and Blueberry
• White Mangosteen and Peach
• Red Goji and Raspberry

I’m not sure what a Mangosteen is, but it’s tasty in a tea. My favorite, though, is the Purple Acai and Blueberry. Of course, with a nice healthy spoonful of honey and a pour of milk.

When imagining my ideal way to enjoy the Green Tea Superfruit tea, I picture sitting around the kitchen table with girlfriends enjoying great conversation, warm tea and a tasty little snack. The ideal playmate, if I can say so myself – kids playing together and entertaining themselves, moms engaging in uninterrupted conversation. I immediately imagined pairing the tea with baked brie. Can you imagine the fabulousness that is that  play date. Yes, please!

Fruity Baked Brie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 large sheet of puff pastry dough or 1 tube of refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1 round or wedge of Brie cheese (do not remove rind)
• Raspberry Jam (or Apricot Jam or some other yummy berry jam)
• A few spoonfuls of brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. On a non-stick cookie sheet or oven-friendly serving dish, lay out the puff pastry or the crescent rolls flat and put brie round or wedge on top.

3. Spread a generous layer of jam on brie. And I mean generous. Fold dough over top. Some recipes recommend cutting the extra dough, but I happen to love it so I leave it on. Spoon brown sugar on top – you can also put brown sugar directly no top of the jam inside the dough, if you prefer.

4. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes, pastry should be golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Serve with good crackers (i.e. not the ones you give your kids) and apple slices.

Now that I have shared what I would pair with these refreshing Lipton Green Tea Superfruits, I want to know, how do you enjoy your tea?

Share your tea time must haves for a chance to win a year’s supply of Lipton Tea, a tea kettle, a tea box, a mug/saucer set, a travel tumbler and a $50 gift card to Amazon.com!

Plus, the first three of you to leave a comment in the conversation below will receive a box of Lipton Green Tea Superfruit.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Lipton Green Tea Superfruit. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

After debating whether to buy one gender neutral hat OR a girl and a boy hat, I decided to get one of each. No surprise, really. I mean, I’ll use any excuse I can find to order some sweetness from Etsy.

I discovered Prairie Blossom Boutique and ordred a Crochet Baby Boy Hat with Button and a Baby Girl Hat with Flower. The boy hat is light blue, white and jute with a tan button. I had a little more trouble with the girl hat. I didn’t want it to look exactly like the one my daughter came home in – all pink and white – so I opted for soft violet, white and pink. It is definitely girly – almost too much for my taste, but I’m sure it will look perfect on a newborn baby girl. And, if I have a boy, it will make a darling new baby gift for a friend!

The hats are now safely packed away with the kimono outfit in the hospital bag, just waiting to see which hat will be the lucky winner to grace the head of my sweet baby.

Design: Swoop Bags

Why We Like It: Created by a mom frustrated with no simple solution for containing and cleaning toys with a million little pieces, the Swoop Bag will save sanity and time. And, likely, your vacuum cleaner as it won’t accidentally pick up rogue Lego pieces or other annoying little toy bits and pieces. Swoop Bags are 44 inch diameter circles made of cotton canvas. Simply cinch the sides using the nylon cording and the flat surface becomes a storage bag.

Shop! Swoop Bags are available six colors for $48 each. 

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Check out all our Children’s Décor & Design picks in the 28+1 Days of Decor.

To learn more about Seraphine Maternity, you can check out the full review of the fab Knot Front Dress and Breastfeeding Sweater. I actually wore the Knot Front Dress again this past weekend and it was just as comfortable and chic at 8 months pregnant as it was at six months along. And, I’m not the only pregnant mama who loves wearing the Breastfeeding Sweater – Jennifer Garner was recently photographed wearing it!

Seraphine Spring Collection

Seraphine recently released its spring look book and the stylish clothes are about the only thing that could make me want to be pregnant for much longer. Thank goodness they also have some nursing tops to satisfy my desire to shop! Here are some of my favorites from the new spring and summer preview collection.

Short Sleeve Wrap Dress

Panel Tie Tunic

Ruched Sleeve Jersey {Maternity & Nursing} Dress

Pleated Nursing Top

Shop! Save big at Seraphine Maternity with our exclusive discount code. Use TSM25 for 25% off your order. Shop now because code expires February 15.

About Mod Mum Maternity Gowns

After giving birth to my son, and loathing all of the photos from the hospital, Lisa wanted to design something beautiful that moms would be proud to wear on such a life changing day. She says:

“I have designed our hospital gowns to make your feel comfortable and also covered! The design includes snaps all the way down the back to ensure you will have full coverage from behind. I have also included snaps at the breastbone to help you breastfeed discretely and comfortably right after giving birth. Our ribbon sash can be tied in the back or the front to accent that beautiful belly. After you leave the hospital, use your gown as a nightgown. It is beautiful and comfortable as well as easy for breastfeeding in the middle of the night!”

Mod Mum Maternity Delivery Gowns

My two previous deliveries I wore the standard hospital-issue gown. It was fine, but certainly nothing special. Mod Mum delivery gowns are something special. Designed specifically for the needs of a maternity gown – Lisa’s husband works in Labor and Delivery! – Mod Mum gowns have all the function of a hospital gown with the style a modern mom wants.

Mod Mum Gown Features

• Snaps all the way down the back to ensure you will have full coverage from behind.
• Snaps at the breastbone to help you breastfeed discretely and comfortably right after giving birth. No need to have half of you showing when visitors pop in!
• Ribbon sash that can be tied in the back or the front to accent that beautiful belly.
• Designed with the hospital in mind. Your doctor and nurse can easily access anything they need, without you having to disrobe.

The gown is clearly functional and it looks great, too. I adore the fabrics and you an pick a coordinating ribbon color to customize the look you want. I’ll be wearing the Olivia gown pictured below with a gray sash. I pretty much squealed when the gown arrived because it’s really, really pretty. Certainly not a term that comes to mind when you think of hospital gowns! The gown feels soft and comfortable and I definitely appreciate the buttons up the back. I can’t wait to put this pretty gown to use in the hospital – stay tuned for personal photos and more info after I get to war this pretty thing for its designated purpose.

Mod Mum Baby Slings

In addition to Maternity Gowns, Mod Mum also offers gorgeous baby slings. How pretty is the Lola Reversible Sling pictured to the left? Mod Mum offers reversible slings, organic slings and slings designed for dads. You can even get a newborn support pillow to make a more appropriate fit for the littlest babes.

Shop! Mod Mum Designer Hospital Delivery Gowns are available in a variety of colorful, modern fabrics. The gowns are priced between $54 and $58. Save 20% on Delivery Gowns with the code YOUSHOP through February 29! Baby Slings range in price from $24 to $64.

Thanks to Mod Mum for providing a sample so I can have pretty photos in th hospital.

Design: Personalized Toy Caddy

Why We Like It: First, if are in need of a new Easter basket, this is a sweet personalized container that you’ll be able to use far round. And, of course, we really like it because what family can’t use more storage? The caddy is 12 x 8 x 9 inches in size so won’t take up too much space, but it provides a great way to contain and move around toys.

Shop! The Personalized Toy Caddy is available for $40 from Chasing Fireflies.

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Check out all our Children’s Décor & Design picks in the 28+1 Days of Decor.

Even toddler boy loves them. Yes, he will kill me for these photos in the future.

He compensates for the tutu with a manly Lightening McQueen “hunk-o-burning love” shirt.

And even the dog wears tutus. Featured here inside out around her neck.

It is sad to have to retire some of our favorite tutus. However, they are tucked away for future reminiscing and children who may wish to wear them. So how about a tutu that can grow with your child?

That’s exactly what Trinkets and Tutus makes. These shabby chic tutus are made in a variety of color combinations from dozens of materials and ribbons attached to a coordinating adjustable waistline ribbon.

Because they are made from so many varieties of ribbon and fabric, no two tutus are alike (say that three times fast!). At their Etsy shop, trinkets and tutus features adorable fashions for all the upcoming holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day and Easter.

My daughter loves her (trinket and) tutu! The first time she put it on she said, “It makes me feel like singing!” And sing she did.

As a mama, I’m very pleased with the Trinkets and Tutus product. I love that the product is handmade by moms who have put great thought into their pieces. I like the adjustable waistband (to a point, trinkets and tutus makes them for age ranges) that you can simply tie looser as the child grows. I love that a variety of ribbons and fabric have been used. Preschool girl spent almost an hour one afternoon looking at all the fabrics and ribbons to pick her favorite. Additionally, both children have used the tutu in their imaginative play. This tutu has been a lion mane, a door for their clubhouse and a rug on which their pet store pets (stuffed animals) can sleep.

Upon wearing the tutu to preschool for the first time, preschool girl received a million compliments which made her heart very happy. She loves to be the center of attention (what girl doesn’t?).

We have had some fraying of the satin ribbons in the tutu. I solved that with some fabric scissors and a quick “V” snip.

Our Trinkets and Tutus tutu is great fun!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… With an adjustable waist, variety of colors and textures and the “swing factor,” a tutu from trinkets and tutus is a great gift for that special little one (I would say “girl”, but have proven that my boy likes tutus as well!). On their Etsy site, Trinkets and Tutus also features doll-size tutus, bows, specialty shirts, themed tutus (Hello Kitty, pirates, Dora and Minnie Mouse to name a few). Starting at $22.50 for a newborn size, trinkets and tutus are competitively priced with other homemade and mass-produced tutus on the market. And, should you not find exactly what you are looking for in their Esty shop, trinkets and tutus will make a custom tutu for you.

Or Not to Buy… Our tutu has seen some fraying with the satin and cotton ribbons, but that was quickly and easily solved with a pair of scissors and a “V” cut. If you have a tremendously active child, you may wish to place a dab of fabric glue at the end of the ribbons.

Shop! Find Trinkets and Tutus on Etsy and have lots of fun browsing their unique offerings. Tutus range in price from $22.50 to $42. Remember, if you don’t see just what you need, customized options are available.

Win! A Trinkets and Tutus Tutu!

How to Enter: Visit Trinkets and Tutus and leave a comment here with your favorite style.

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

• Like Trinkets and Tutus and The Shopping Mama on Facebook.
• Share or Like this post on your Facebook or give us a shout out on our wall.
• Follow Trinkets and Tutus AND The Shopping Mama on Twitter and tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do.
  Enter to win a unique, fabric handmade tutu from Trinkets & Tutus @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/ynv4rP
• Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.
• Sign up for the The Shopping Mama Newsletter.

Giveaway ends February 17. Open to US residents only.