The Shopping Mama

Family On the Go: Stylish Picnic Essentials

by Kate on March 6th, 2013 | 5 Comments | On the Go

If you’re anything like us, you have a major case of cabin fever. We are itching to get outside and can’t wait for spring to arrive. Even if the weather isn’t cooperating at the moment, we’re helping you shop for essentials for your adventures. We’ve rounded stylish gear for a family picnic so you can make the most of your life on the go.

1. JJ Cole Collections All-Purpose Blanket ($30). Durable fabric goes on the ground and the inside (where you sit) wipes clean easily. Folds compactly with a handle so it travels easily. Lightweight and perfect to keep in the car or toss in a stroller basket.

2. Vera Bradley Large Colorblock Tote ($65). The colorblocking trend has reached the floral world of Vera Bradley – and it can be monogrammed so there’s never a doubt about who owns this beauty. Even with the dainty color details, this is a workhouse and perfect to carry along your essentials for a family day out.

3. ZoLi Stuck Suction Bowl Feeding Set ($19). Everything your little one needs to eat a very civilized meal on the ground at the park. Who are we kidding? That’s never how it actually plays out for us! But, hey, this awesome ZoLi set does include a bowl, a divided plate, spoon, fork and a top to contain it all.

4. PackIt Large Insulated Cooler Bag ($24). This bag IS the cooler so you don’t need separate freezer or ice packs to keep food cool. Fold this up, place it in the freezer and then pack it up when you’re ready to go. It keeps food cool for ten hours – plenty of time for a family outing.

5. 2 Red Hens Studio Snack Pack Set ($17). We love snack bags, but we hate digging in them to get food and then clean them out. The 2 Red Hens set zippers on 3 sides so it can open flat for easy access.

6. Classic Babiator Sunglasses ($35). Hopefully your picnic will be sun-soaked so protect your little one with fabulous Babiators. Available in infant and child sizes.

7. Skip*Hop Zoo Straw Bottle ($6). The darling Skip*Hop Zoo collection has made its way to functional straw cups. The straw flips down to stay clean and the handy strap attaches to keep the cup near.

8. Skip Hop Pronto! Changing Station ($34). We love the Pronto! because it contains everything you need to change baby’s diaper on the go, and most importantly a clean place to lay baby (or squirmy toddler).

9. Urban Baby ModBonnet ($36). One of our summer favorites, the Urban Baby Bonnet is fabulous. Available in a variety of fabrics, this reversible bonnet can be worn with the bill extended or folded.

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Get the best sun protection for your little one. Check the list of safest sunscreens for children.

Bathroom Art for Kids

by Kate on February 20th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor

This month we’ve been focused on children’s design and decor, covering everything to make your child’s space unique and complete. We can’t forget about the bathroom. If you’re lucky enough to have a separate children’s bathroom we have rounded up some adorable bathroom wall prints to reinforce manners and bathroom rules. And we won’t tell anyone if you decide to hang them in your bathroom and not the kid’s.

Bathroom Manners, Niko and Lily (4 for $40)

So Fresh and So Clean!, TicTacToesies ($5)

Bathroom Art Prints, Just Bunch Designs (3 for $50, 6 for $78)

Children’s Bathroom Art Print Set, 7 Wonders Design (4 for $45)

Kids Bathroom Art with Animals, freshline (4 for $60)

Children’s Bathroom Art, Paper Llamas (4 for $45)

Now, go wash your hands!

Big Bang for Little Buck: Light Switch Covers

by Kate on February 19th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor, Ten Dollar Tuesday

Designing any child’s space involves big pieces (crib and bedding, for example), but we think the details matter, too. And we’re happy to report you don’t have to spend a fortune to get big impact for your buck. A few weeks ago we shared some of our favorite dresser drawer knobs – another inexpensive detail – and now we’ve rounded up some fun light switch plates.

In addition to totally custom options like these we found on Etsy, you can also change the look of a wall with a quick (and inexpensive) trip to the hardware store. A simple upgrade from standard white switch plates to brushed nickel or a shabby chic finish makes a big difference.

Giraffe Light Switch Plate (Modern Switch, $8)

Bright Rainbow Chevron Light Switch Plate (Modern Switch, $8)

Gray Baby Elephant Light Switch Cover (The Little Nursery, $14)

Pink and Green Stripe Double Light Switch Cover (The Little Nursery, $18)

Pink & White Damask Light Switch (Dressumups, $9)

Dinosaurs Switch Plate (Cathy’s Crafty Covers, $8)

Do you buy special switch plate or outlet covers?

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

Framed Chalkboard

by Kate on February 14th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor

Design: Framed Chalkboard from Shugabee Lane

Why We Like It: The delightful shabby chic details of the handpainted and hand distressed frames adds a custom touch to every child’s room. While they flourishes are distinctly feminine, we also think a bold colored frame would look fab in a boy’s nursery. Of course, one of the best things about the frame is that it will grow with your child. As a baby, you can write special notes on the chalkboard, your toddler can decorate it and then your tween can use it as a proper doodle board.

If you’re new to Shugabee Lane, make sure you read our Shugabee Lane Magnetic Board review.

Shop! There’s a vast price range for Framed Chalkboards at Shugabee Lane. Smaller boards (like those pictured in this post) are about $32. Larger frames are more than $100.

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

Jasper & Ruby Watercolor Prints

by Kate on February 12th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor, Ten Dollar Tuesday

It’s no secret that we love to cover the walls of children’s spaces with unique art. And to find that art at an amazingly low price? That’s even better. Jasper and Ruby offers 5 x 7 prints of gorgeous watercolor paintings for only $9. The paintings are available in adorable collections like Under the Big Top, Forest Friends and Safari Babies.

Here are a few of our favorites.

Shop! Jasper & Ruby has watercolor prints in various sizes, starting at only $9. Visit the shop on Etsy to see the entire collection of original watercolor art.

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

Personalized Desk Planner Calendar

by Kate on February 11th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Mama Monday, Shopping

Still trying to live up to that “be more organized” new year’s resolution? Yes, me, too. We may be six weeks into the new year, but it’s not too late to take control of the chaos. We love these functional and personalized desk calendars from The Preppy Pickle.

The desk planner is an 11 x 17 pad of 52 weekly pages with room to mark appointments, daily tasks, meal plan and important reminders. (Think of the 52 pages like a bonus – you’ll already have a jumpstart on 2014! Or, most likely, if you’re me, you’ll have some spare sheets when you mess up and mark teacher’s conferences on the wrong day.)
The desk calendar is completely customizable: you pick the colors, background, monogram and even the outline frame color.

Shop! The Desk Planner is available for $38 from The Preppy Pickle on Etsy.

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Want something for on the go? Check out 6 Stylish Planners for Moms.

Finny & Zook: Modern and Whimsical Nursery Wall Art

by Kate on February 7th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor

When decorating your child’s space, wall art is a great way to make a big bang for your buck. Etsy is an awesome source for unique, affordable and personalized art for your wall and Finny & Zook is one of our favorite shops. The prints are extremely affordable – finish them with a frame from Target and you have something special for your space. We love the colorful and modern designs from Finny & Zook and managed to pick our a few of our favorites to share.

Alphabet Typography Print: a very feminine twist on an alphabet print.

ABC Alphabet Typography Print: love the little items representing each letter throughout the print.

First We Had Each Other Print: I must have this for my son’s giraffe themed nursery!

finny and zook giraffe print

I Love You To the Moon and Back Print: so sweet; perfect for a gender-neutral space.

finny and zook love to moon and back

All You Need is Love Print: another perfectly simple and sweet sentiment for baby.

Let Her Sleep for When She Wakes Print: a must have for every girl’s room!

Shop! Finny and Zook is currently reorganizing and has two shops to visit on Etsy: KZukowski featuring finny and zook and Finny and Zook. 11 x 14 prints are $20 and 8 x 10 prints are only $14.

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

Safari Animals Nursery Art Prints

by Kate on February 4th, 2013 | 5 Comments | 28 Days of Design, Childrens Decor

Design: Jungle Safari Nursery Art Animals Set from Alley Kids

Why We Like It: These colorful animal graphics add a modern punch of color – any colors you like, in fact – to your child’s space. With nearly 60 colors to choose from you will easily find the best fit for your room. We love the simplicity of the animal silhouettes and think a set of these graphics. Each is professionally printed on heavy lustre archival-safe paper. The 8 x 10 prints are ready to frame!

Shop! Alley Kids on Etsy offers the Safari Animal Prints in a set of 3, 4, or 5 – ranging in price from $42 to $70. We also love the single personalized prints!

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