Persevering Momma

Taking The Day One Spoon At a Time

It’s a Wrap! Top 3 Picks From The 2018 Chicago Baby Show

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This is a sponsored post for the Chicago Baby Show and MomTrends. All opinions are my own about the show are my own.

Chicago Baby Show

The second annual Chicago Baby Show was a success! Again this year I was able to attend both Saturday and Sunday of the event. I did change things up this year and only brought kids with me on Saturday, which made it possible for me to focus more on the products on Sunday without distractions. As you can see in the picture below the kids were having fun sampling and sharing toddler snacks with one another.

Chicago Baby Show

The focus on Saturday for me was toys; the reason for this was because I had two toddlers in tow that needed to be entertained. This meant I was able to see how the kids interacted with different products and let them enjoy the stuff that was meant for them. We spent a lot of time with Discovery Toys, Safari LTD, and over in the communal play area during the day. On Sunday I was able to peruse the Chicago Baby Show kid free so that I could actually talk with companies and learn about their products without distractions. (Well at least without the worry of a toddler running off.)

3 Best Products at the Chicago Baby Show

GogoVie

My absolute favorite product find at the Chicago Baby Show this year was the GogoVie baby carrier.  This is my number one find because I feel like this carrier might just revolutionize the baby wearing industry. I have been following the company for a couple of months, but this was my first time seeing the product in person.  As someone who is handicapped many things have been problematic or stressful for me when it comes to baby items.

Chicago Baby Show

Baby carriers is definitely one of those things.  I cannot tell you how many carriers I have tried and own in these past two years and half years.  The reason I fell in love with this carrier is because of how easy it is to use. I have struggled with buckle carriers, wraps, and even Mei Dai styled carriers. This carrier I can buckle and then slip on over my head. Once its on like a shirt I can slip baby inside and tighten the carrier up.  The back does not have a chest clip that needs to be clipped instead it is a solid piece offering weight distribution better than many carriers on the market.

This carrier also has 7 different seating positions that you can put baby in.  One of those being a cradle position so that you can have baby lying down for a nap or to allow them a more comfortable nursing position within the carrier.  The carrier is rate up to 35lbs which is great because you can use this from newborn until around 2-3 years old!

RockerMama

RockerMama was my second favorite find at the Chicago Baby Show. The reason behind this is because I love to rock, but many rocking chairs just aren’t comfortable for me to sit in. I need cushion and I need to be able to get up from the chair. Many rocking chairs are very, very difficult for me to get up from because they move and I cannot get enough balance to actually get myself out of the chair safely.

Chicago Baby Show

This device is light-weight and easy to carry. They even have a bag that you can put it in for travel. I wish I had thought to take pictures of it in the bag as well as in a small carry-on style bag as well. This is definitely something that I would be willing to travel with as it would make rocking my son so much easier! When I get my hands on one I will be showing it off to everyone I know.

Stokke Tripp Trapp

My final pick from the Chicago Baby Show is the Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair, while this isn’t a new product I feel like it is a great staple that every family needs. This high chair is more than a high chair to me. It has the ability to fit a little baby in the chair with a tray as well as to grow with you child as they age. This means you don’t have a bulky item laying around the house after only 2 years of use.  Instead this chair changes and can be used as a chair for your big kids, too.

Chicago Baby Show

The picture above shows three different set ups that you can do with you Tripp Trapp high chair to make it grow with your child. The first set up is great for infants and children who are just learning to eat and/or use utensils. You can then move on to the second set up when your child wants to eat at the table and no longer needs a tray, but you still want them contained in their seat so you strap them in for safety. Once you have a “big kid” you can move onto the third stage where your child is able to sit in the chair unaided.

If you can’t tell from the pictures both the seat and the foot rest are adjustable so you can move them around to make the chair the perfect height for your child and table set up.

5 Trendy Ways to Use Pallets as Furniture

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Wood pallets have changed the way we think about furniture. From being earth-friendly to being outrageously stylish, it seems pallets have found a way into our homes and into our hearts. Here are 5 trendy ways to use pallets as furniture to give your home some great style.

pallets-furniture

#1 Coffee Table

Pallets make great, totally customizable coffee tables. You can buy them pre-made or do it yourself for a perfectly unique look for your space. These coffee tables can be colorful, classic, contemporary, beachy cool, or any other style your heart desires.

These gorgeous tables are not only on-trend, but they’re super easy to make yourself. Pallets are cheap and all you really need to make them ready for your home is a bucket of stain, paint, lacquer, or just a stack of sandpaper. Simply finish them any way you want, let them dry and move them where you want them. Furniture has never been so effortless.

#2 Bookshelves

Bring fashion and function together with a pallet bookshelf. Pallet bookshelves come in hundreds of shapes, sizes, and styles to perfectly match your aesthetic. From wall mounted shelves to big bookcases, you can get any book shelving you need with all the endless possibilities of pallets.

#3 Headboards

It might sound simple, but a large painted pallet can make an absolutely adorable headboard. Stain it for a more traditional look, or paint it to match any color scheme.

While you can buy pallet headboards, it’s much cheaper to make them yourself. Besides, if you DIY, it is almost guaranteed to go perfectly with the decor of your room. There’s none of that frustrating shopping around and not finding exactly what you want.

#4 End Tables

Pallets make for excellent DIY end tables. Use reclaimed, or new pallets to create beautiful artwork that will add beauty and functionality to your home. Besides, you’ll have the pride of telling your guests you made them yourself.

Or, you can purchase pre-made pallet end tables for the same gorgeous look with less work on your part. Either way, it’s a lovely win-win situation.

#5 Chairs

Pallet chairs are all the rage for both indoor and outdoor furniture. These simple, hearty chairs make excellent, long lasting furniture that you can customize for color, pattern, style, and trend.

Another great aspect of pallet chairs is that they’re easy to change. If you decide that next year, you’re not so in love with those blue cushions you have been using, then simply swap them out for new cushions. It is so much less expensive than buying a whole new furniture set every time you want to change the look of your living room.

Pallets make great furniture. Either purchase them pre-made or do it yourself to create that perfect aesthetic you have been searching for. Pallet furniture is sturdy, green, and totally cool. The possibilities are endless. Pallet furniture allows you to do something that most other furniture restricts; your imagination.

pallets-furniture

Bio –  

This guest post contribution was made by Challenger Pallet and Supply of Idaho, making everything from new custom pallets and heat treated pallets, to block pallets and crates. 

Interior Design Services from Homepolish

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This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have an interior designer in your home? It’s no longer just a fantasy with help from the interior design start-up Homepolish. They make it easy (and affordable!) to get an interior designer in your home who will help create the perfect space for you. The experience is truly one of a kind so we decided to break it down for you in three easy steps:

1. Let the designer get to know you:


Tell them the bare bones: are you interested in working on a home, office, store or something else? How big is it? Do you have a project budget? Do you own or rent? And then tell them the juicy stuff: What inspires you? What does your ultimate dream space look like? From picking paint colors to gutting a brownstone, they can handle any project, any size.

2. The first date, aka meet your homepolish designer:


Here’s what happens during your initial 1 hour consultation: you and your designer meet, they tour your space, you guys chat. Then your designer follows up with a few design options for improving your home/office/whatever. They start with a one hour consultation so that their designer can understand your goals, needs and wants. Communication is the foundation to every healthy relationship!

Homepolish wants the relationship between you and their designer to be as stress-free and helpful as possible. If during the initial consultation, you and your designer don’t get along perfectly, Homepolish will tweak the matchmaking process and send another on the house. The initial consult is $50 or $80 (Junior and Senior rates). If you’re over it, there’s no pressure to buy hours after the consult.

3. Purchase your designer’s time:


One of the many reasons Homepolish is unique to the interior design world is because you purchase time by the hour. Every hour is spent working on what you need – from picking paint colors to sending you furniture options to renovating your loft. Whatever the size and however complicated your project is, they are there to help! Junior designers’ time costs $100/hour, Seniors’ cost $130/hour and they have two package options: a Single Day session (three hours) and The Design Package (as much time as you want with a minimum purchase of ten hours).

Save time and money, sign up with Homepolish and rework your space with an expert!

15% Off Palu Furiture At Zinc Door

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Are you looking for that perfect piece of furniture that can make a bold statement?

If you are, be sure to check out Palu! Detailed, distinct and effortlessly classic, the Palu furnishing line embraces quality materials, fine craftsmanship and singular design for pieces that truly stand the test of time. Including chairs, beds, dressers and more featuring anything from natural wood to textured materials, the versatile collection is equally as elegant and refined as it is modern and approachable.

Zinc Door Sale!

Plus, now through October 15th, Zinc Door is offering 15% off Palu with promo code PALU15. Don’t miss your chance to save on this fabulous collection today!

Design a Room for Your Child They Will Enjoy Until They Turn 18

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You will need to put a lot of thought into designing a room for your children. Many parents give into their child’s requests to use bright pink wallpaper or Buzz Lightyear furniture. This layout may appeal to your child now but they will quickly outgrow it. You probably don’t have the budget or time to keep redesigning their room. It is a better idea to come up with a timeless design that they will be content with until they are ready to move to college.

 

ella-new-room
ella-new-room (Photo credit: JeremyOK)

 

Talking With Your Child

 

Young children can be very picky about what types of designs they want. Some children will say that they want a room made of ice cream. Obviously, you may not be able to cater to their dreams.

 

You need to have a frank discussion with your child and tell them what they can realistically expect. They may be a little disappointed that they can’t have a room with Ninja Turtle wallpaper or lollipops protruding from the chandeliers. However, you can still come up with a layout that they will be happy with and appreciate as they get older.

 

 

 

Striking a Compromise between Child and Adult Color Preferences

 

A 2001 study from the University of Geneva found that children’s color preferences change over time. Your five-year old may want a room filled with vibrant bright colors. However, they may feel that those colors are too tacky when they get older. You need to keep this in mind and make sure that you don’t use colors that are geared too much towards a young child.

 

Colouring pencils Français : Crayons de couleu...
Coloring pencils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

At the same time, you do need to remember that you are designing the room for a child. You don’t want to use some really conservative colors that a child will easily get bored with. Here are some colors and combinations that tend to work well for children’s rooms:

 

  • Lavender
  • Red and green
  • Red, white and blue
  • Mellow yellow

 

These tend to be colors that children will be content with as they get older.

 

 

 

Make Sure that Childish Patterns are Changeable

 

Pandas and Bamboo Forest Vinyl Wall Decal for ...
(Photo credit: Wickerfurniture)

 

There is nothing wrong with letting your children express themselves. For example, many children want to have their name painted on their room or have a single picture of a character they are fond of. You can easily use find some monogram wall decals that you can remove later. This is a lot easier than having to repaint an entire room.

 

You can find other creative ways to appeal to your child’s specific tastes without spending too much money up front. Instead of buying your child a Buzz Lightyear sofa, you may want to buy them a cover for it.  Sofa covers are a lot easier to replace.

 

 

 

Focus on Calming Design

 

The way that you design your child’s room can have a significant impact on their emotions. You will want to have a room that is free of chaos and makes them feel as relaxed as possible. There are a couple of things that you should do.

 

First of all, you should make sure that the room is a symmetric as possible. This tends to be easiest if their bed is in the center. However, you can use some extra furniture on the other side of the room to create the necessary balance.

 

You will also want to make sure the room has just the right amount of energy. Children need some stimulation, but they are already filled with energy. Try to create a room with only two to three patterns in it. This will keep them from feeling overstimulated with the design.

 

How did you design a room for your child?

 

About the author: Kalen is a lifestyle, parenting and finance writer.

 

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