The Shopping Mama

Naturepedic & MightNest: A Shout Out

by Shannon on May 7th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

I don’t feel we pay one another enough compliments, so oftentimes when standing in line at the grocery store or at the coffee shop for my morning tea, I’ll let people know if “you look great in that color” or “that skirt is awesome!” I once saw an elderly lady with the legs of a 20-year-old. I told her she had “great gams” and she almost cried. She said I had made her year.

I also feel we don’t give companies enough kuddos when they’ve done a great job. Therefore, I want to take a moment to shout the praises of Naturepedic and MightyNest.

We recently played “musical beds” in our house as toddler boy moved from a crib to a regular bed. We moved preschool girl’s full mattress to his floor (for safety) and she needed a new mattress. I struggled with the decision of conventional mattress vs. organic and, after talking with some amazing folks at Naturepedic, knew that I needed to go with my gut and invest in the 2-in-1 organic cotton ultra mattress. In an effort to make the organic option fit our budget, I was looking for free shipping to our “remote” location and discovered that Mighty Nest is a Naturepedic vendor and ALWAYS offers free shipping on orders over $75.

Because shipping was free, I was expecting a long delivery time, but delivery was so quick (approximately 10 days, if that) I was out of town for the original delivery date. So, while in Florida with four kids under foot, I called MightyNest to reschedule delivery. My cell call was interrupted by either kids or a dropped call (I’m not sure). Approximately three minutes later I called the 800 number again. The wonderful representative answered by saying, “Is this Shannon?”

Never in my life have I called an 800 number and been greeted by name!

Of course, everyone was very accommodating in rescheduling the delivery date. I have the ultimate apology to make in that I don’t remember the name of the amazing representative I spoke with that day, but I have complete faith that MightyNest will always take care of their customers to the highest degree.

The mattress arrived the day after our return from Florida and I couldn’t wait to open the box. When I opened it I found a high quality mattress that was proudly made in the USA, but I was more impressed with what I didn’t find – no odors, no off-gassing, no signs of toxic chemicals. I feel great knowing preschool girl will be sleeping on this for years to come.

In addition to feeling I’ve received a quality product, I also feel good about the purchase and the companies with which I did business (this from the woman who once tried to return a CAR, not because I didn’t like the car, but because the salesman and dealership were so horrible). Both Naturepedic and MightyNest provided immediate, courteous, and accurate responses to my questions and concerns and I will recommend both to everyone I know.

Do you have a business that you praise? If so, leave a comment below to let others know.

Shop RedEnvelope for Mother’s Day

by Kate on May 4th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Reviews

When it comes to mamas (or at least me), you can’t go wrong with a custom gift because everything’s cooler with your name on it. If you’re looking to personalize a gift for Mother’s Day, RedEnvelope is a great online shopping destination worth a look. In case you’re not familiar with it (and you should be!), “RedEnvelope offers a unique and wide-ranging collection of thoughtful gifts for every occasion and everyone on your list — around the clock, all year round.” We love many of the unique Mother’s Day gift ideas and think you will, too.

Mother’s Day Gifts from RedEnvelope

Floral Measuring Cups

Languages of Mom Necklace

Family Tree Wall Art

Seahorse Family Canvas Tote Bag

Personalized Family Name Throw Pillow

Personalized Family Pillow

We had the opportunity to personalize a gift from RedEnvelope so our couch is now featuring a large throw pillow with our names. The pillow comes in two sizes – 18 inch square or oblong at 12 by 18 inches – and a variety of colors. I opted for a neutral ivory cover that has dark (almost black) writing. The top line has our family’s last name and the second line has all of our first names. My kids love seeing their names on the pillow! The pillow cover is made of thick canvas and fit perfectly over one of our pillows. I hope we have a chair or bench in an entry way at our next home because this would be the perfect way to welcome guests.

Undoubtedly one of the benefits of shopping online is the ability to send a gift directly to the recipient without having to step foot in a post office. RedEnvelope sent email updates at every stage of the process so there was no doubt when the package was delivered. I love the “it’s arrived!” email notification. RedEnvelope gifts can be packaged in signature red box with grosgrain ribbon and, of course, a gift message in a red envelope.

Shop! Mother’s Day gifts from RedEnvelope are available in a variety of prices for every budget. The Name Pillow is $49.95.

We received a sample to facilitate this review.

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Fab Find: Senn & Sons Nursery Art

by Kate on May 1st, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

I came across Senn & Sons last week on Pinterest and was immediately smitten. From a California studio, Kimberly Senn creates unique, colorful triptychs that are the perfect touch for just about any nursery. Kimberly creates custom set of three paintings on canvas that together create one bold statement. Here are some of my favorites:

Dandelion

Paper Airplane

Giraffes

Elephant & Stars

I just love these paintings and I’m already brainstorming for Max’s nursery after we move this summer.

Shop! Check out the Senn & Sons website or contact Kimberly directly through the Senn & Sons Etsy shop to collaborate on a custom set of paintings. If you’re in San Francisco, NYC or Chicago you can find Senn & Sons in Sprout.

Skip Hop Introduces Wall Decals

by Kate on March 20th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

The finishing touch for your nursery has arrived! Skip Hop has introduced a new collection of wall decals designed to match their popular Alphabet Zoo and Treetop Friends nursery collection. (Both of these collections are available in the new Complete Sheet bumper-less crib bedding sets.)

The Alphabet Zoo wall decals set includes 76 decals – 42 consonants and 2 or more of each vowel – so you can spell baby’s name or teach ABC’s by displaying the whole alphabet.

Treetop Friends wall decals includes 88 decals to create a full tree design or use separately around the room to create a woodland retreat for baby.

Decal Features

Easy to apply, just peel & stick
Removable and repositionable without sticky residue
Includes 4 sheets
Sheet size (inches): 12 x 36
Wipe clean with damp cloth

Shop! Skip Hop Wall Decals are only $20!

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Like Skip Hop? So do we! Check out more of our Skip Hop products coverage on The Shopping Mama.

Tips & Tricks for Making it Personal {Baby and Kid’s Room Decorating}

by Kate on March 19th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Children's Decor, Shopping

We are happy to share this guest post from our friends at weeDecor, our favorite spot for personalized wall decals for kids’ rooms.

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We’re so excited for The Shopping Mama’s new addition to her family and were honored when she asked us to share some tips on personalizing children’s rooms. As a designer of personalized wall decals for kids’ and babies’ rooms, we see lots of creative decorating ideas and are delighted to share some of our favorite tips and tricks.

We love polka dots. So classic. So modern. So sweet. Taking a theme like polka dots and adding personal touches can bring a room from blah to bright. This mom started with the basics – fabulous lavender paint and polka dot bedding and curtains made by JoJo Designs in the theme of ‘Mod Dots’. She accented her wall with weeDECOR’s personalized dot arch wall decal to crown the headboard. But, she didn’t stop there. This mom took her own childhood furniture and refinished it in a pretty, antique white. She also made the hanging picture frame collage herself. The collage is comprised of Disney princess pictures and a picture of her daughter dressed as Cinderella – the perfect accouterment for her new room fit for a princess.

We love animals, too! Animal themes are also a classic and adding your baby’s name to personalize your animal décor will make your room that much more special. See how this mom decorated baby Nathan’s room? She painted his walls with Benjamin Moore’s Grey Cashmere paint, which provides a striking backdrop for that white Ouef Sparrow crib. Her minimalist bedding provides the leeway desired to jazz up the walls with weeDECOR’s adorable animal wall decals. Mom used weeDECOR’s safari wall decal mural to create an animal parade above the crib. A sweet giraffe leads the charge followed by his other charming safari friends. Mom then personalized her son’s room with our premium personalized monkey wall decal, which has a mischievous little hanging monkey ready to drop in on the animal parade. This room is beyond cute.

Two is better than one. Have twins? Personalized décor is a great way to make each of your little ones’ feel as unique as she is (and maybe help Grandma out as well). This mom put her twin baby girls’ names above each of their cribs creating lovely symmetry in the room. She chose our personalized solo bird wall decal in pretty pale pink and green accents. These furry friends smile sweetly down on Alexis and Olivia all night long. Dad painted the rocking chair (not shown in photo) that rocked him to sleep as a baby boy which adds another nostalgic, personal touch.

Personalized wall décor, refurbished furniture, and nostalgic décor are just a few of the ways to add that personal touch to your child’s room. Tell us your favorite ways!

Buckets = Colorful Storage Solution

by Shannon on March 2nd, 2012 | 5 Comments | Children's Decor

During The Shopping Mama’s 28 Days of Design, I’ve been inspired to find new solutions for design and storage problems in my children’s rooms and playroom. I’m tiring of all the plastic storage available and targeted to children’s design.

Roaming the aisles of a local store, I realized it is the optimal time to find and purchase alternative storage solutions…buckets of all kinds. Specifically, Easter baskets. Whether you are looking for wood, cloth or metal, now is the time to stock up on buckets if they are your preferred storage solution. I found these medium-sized buckets for only $5 each.

We use this size to store preschool girl’s mini-dolls and toddler boy’s cars and trains.

I’ve purchased a number of buckets in various sizes for craft supplies and toys. The small buckets were only $1 each!

So, don’t think of Easter baskets for their single, designed purpose. Think how else you can use them in your home and stock up now; they will not be more plentiful at any other time of year. And the only better time to buy Easter baskets than now? Monday, April 9th…half price.

A Real Toddler Boy’s Bedroom

by Shannon on February 28th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Children's Decor, Nurseries, Bedrooms & Playrooms

I love the look of the very clean, minimalist nurseries that are featured on so many design sites these days. They are beautiful. How to create one totally evades me. With a toddler boy, we have tons of “stuff” and I’m still working on the design of his room. I was thrilled when I saw the nursery featuring an entire wall of picture ledge shelving in the Wall Decorating Ideas for the Nursery guest post by Chic & Cheap Nursery’s Nicole Abbott. This room design doesn’t deny or hide the stuff that comes with children, but embraces it and uses it as part of the design while managing to do so in an incredibly beautiful way. This is the goal.

We have a long way to go.

Because toddler boy (like most little boys) loves Lightening McQueen and Thomas the Train, we have embraced this with framed movie posters and a train table. We will, however, resist the temptation to let cartoon characters explode all over his room. We have calmed the clutter with a large bookcase and made a point to put books and his most sought-after toys within reach. Huge bins under the train table house the remainder of toys.

Toddler boy’s room will be in great transition in the next few months as he will move to a “big boy” bed and get a real chest of drawers. We are fast approaching a tearful good-bye to the crib and changing table that have served both my cherubs. Sniff. Sniff.

During this transition, the walls will get a fresh coat of paint, the new bed will have new linens, and there will almost certainly be a new furniture arrangement. Whew, I’m tired just thinking about all the work.

Until then, we’ll be discovering how this room functions in order to make sound design decisions. How does it function most often? As a play space.

Clean and minimalist design doesn’t seem to be in our future.

City Wall Stickers

by Kate on February 26th, 2012 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Children's Decor

Design: WallCandy Arts City Wall Stickers

Why We Like It: We are big fans of WallCandy Arts removable wall stickers – the quality is great and the design is modern and fresh. This set of City Wall Decals created in conjunction with French Bull, a lifestyle brand devoted to creating new uses for color and pattern in your world, does just that for your child’s bedroom or play room. The bright colors are fun and inspiring and the stickers can be arranged in a cityscape like that pictured above, or create a longer graphic image of one road around the room.

Shop! City Wall Stickers are available from WallCandy Arts for $48 with free shipping.

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