Children Inspire Design (And Discounts)

 Baby Gear  1 Response »
Dec 172009
 

In this info-oversaturated world, sometimes we need to see something over and over before it sinks in.  Such has been my relationship with Children Inspire Design.  I’m always looking for creative ways to use scrap paper or fabric, and have this Zinnia print saved in my inspiration files:

I’m also obsessed with peacocks, and keep saving this Peacock to my Etsy favorites.

I’ve admired this bird print on other blogs.

I even entered a contest on the Children Inspire Design blog.  Yet somehow I never realized that all these artists are, in fact, the same artist.  Until today, when I received email notice of a 50% off sale at her store.  And suddenly, Elsa’s nursery-to-be is ready to decorate!  We got the Zinnia, the Peacock, and a few other pretties, including this set of number prints in Chinese:

The Children Inspire Design 50% off sale is going on until December 19 (discount code: HappyHolidays).  Alternatively, her Etsy shop, Art and Philanthropy, is offering buy-2-get-1-free with free shipping, also through December 19.  She promises to deliver by the 24th, so hurry over if you need last-minute gifts for yourself or your loved ones!

 Posted by Tara at 7:18 pm

The Fun Part of Having Kids

 Baby Gear  7 Responses »
Sep 282009
 

In fact, there are lots of fun things about having kids.  See, e.g., experimenting with genetics, warping their little minds, and making them laugh that tinkling giggle.  But today I wish to discuss purchases.  Specifically, “purchases intended for the baby, but … OMGthat’sawesomeIwantitnow!!”

Want it for the baby, that is.

Our baby is ready to move from her bucket to an actual bathtub.  But it turns out that inflatable baby tubs use less water (read: buy us more time to avoid bathtub re-glazing).  Sure, it means another purchase of another bathing item, but … OMG,thisone’saDuck!

Also, babies in the tub could receive spout-based injuries.  Parents should be responsible and purchase a spout protector, and …

OMGthisone’saWhaletheshowerthingishisspout!

Have you ever bought a “children’s product” because YOU wanted to play with it?

 Posted by Tara at 9:49 pm

Displaying Favorite Baby Keepsakes

 Baby Gear, Good Ideas, Home Design  3 Responses »
Sep 232009
 

I’m having one of those weeks, and I want very badly to whine.  Seriously.  Badly.  But in the spirit of Marisa’s “bright side” month, I won’t.  Instead, I’ll share a really fantastic idea for cherishing cast-off baby clothes:

Image from Designing Moms, via Ohdeedoh.

It’s a baby’s first shirt from the hospital.  Could you die?  I definitely plan to give this a try with some of our favorite baby clothes.  And what a great reminder that framing works well for anything sentimental.  If it’s too thick for a regular frame, just use a shadowbox!

Have you ever framed anything unusual and/or sentimental?  Do you have any other suggestions for showing off beloved baby items?

 Posted by Tara at 4:51 am

When You Can’t Decide on a Formula….

 Baby Gear  6 Responses »
Sep 142009
 

We really wanted to give Elsa organic baby formula, but her lactose intolerance didn’t cooperate.  In her first few months, she was gassy.  Really, REALLY gassy — like, “college boy the morning after a beer party” gassy. (Which was hard because of her discomfort, but also pretty funny coming from such a tiny creature!)

And then there’s the spitting up:

We started her on Gentlease, a low-lactose formula, for her gas.  But we couldn’t bear to give up the organic (Earth’s Best), so we mixed them half-and-half.  Then, last week, the pediatrician gave us a formula with rice starch (Enfamil A.R.) to combat the constant spit-up.

The trouble: each has its benefits, so we can’t let any of them go.  But we can’t decide how to manage three different formulas, either.  We end up with conversations like this:

“What’s in this bottle?”

“Two-thirds Gentlease and one-third A.R.  I was worried about gas.”

“The mix in the fridge is half A.R…. No, wait! I used up the Gentlease, so it’s one-twelfth Gentlease, one half Earth’s Best, and five-twelfths A.R.”

Today I did half Gentlease and half A.R., while Mr T mixed all three in even thirds….

In other words, if this kid learns nothing else in life, at least she’ll know her fractions!

 Posted by Tara at 3:38 am

Bubble Wrap

 Baby Gear, Baby Pics, Bargains, Motherhood  6 Responses »
May 162009
 

As you may recall, we were a bit … casual … about outfitting Wallaby before she was born. Case in point: her changing pad is a big ol’ double layer of bubble wrap.  Say what you will, but it pads well, it’s easy to put through Level Three Decontamination when necessary, and it was free.

But it does raise this question in my mind: Do you think that, in later years, Wallaby will find herself inexplicably but inescapably fond of bubble wrap?? (I’m guessing “yes.”)
 Posted by Tara at 4:38 am

Adorable? Tragic? A Little of Both?

 Baby Gear, Covet  5 Responses »
Jan 312009
 

I think this drain stopper is completely adorable.

At the same time, it reminds me of the scene in An Inconvenient Truth where an animated polar bear was half-dead and swimming, swimming, swimming because global warming meant no more ice floes on which to rest.  I almost cried during that scene.

So, what do you think?  Is this a happy item because this particular polar bear has found her floe and has a smile on her face?  Or would it turn bathtime into a constant, tragic reminder of the plight of the polar bears?

(image from Industrial Design Asia; product by Propaganda)
 Posted by Tara at 10:11 pm

Breaking News on the CPSIA

 Baby Gear, Tidbits of Interest  2 Responses »
Jan 312009
 

Have you been following the saga of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and its effect on those who make and sell children’s goods?  If not, here’s my original post and first update. And if so, here’s some big news:

Earlier today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission granted a 1-year stay of enforcement of the CPSIA’s testing requirements.  New limits on lead and phthalates in children’s goods will still take effect on February 10.  However, makers of children’s items won’t be required to supply independent testing certifications until February 2010.  (See CPSC Press Release.)


This little fella can LIVE! (Image from the Endangered Toys Flickr pool)

What does this mean in practice?  As with secondhand sellers, small businesses that make children’s items won’t have to test their items for lead and phthalates but will remain legally liable if they sell products whose lead and phthalate levels exceed the CPSIA limits.  Luckily this isn’t quite as scary as it sounds because most small manufacturers are comfortable that their products fall within the legal limits — they simply can’t afford the testing to prove it.

In the longer term, something will have to change before 2010 to ensure that devastating effects on small makers haven’t merely been pushed back to a later date.  Though the current CPSIA language requires testing by the manufacturer of each finished product, a statement by CPSC Commissioner Thomas Moore suggests that smaller businesses may be able to rely on testing by suppliers showing that all component raw materials (fabric, zippers, dyes, decorations, and whatnot) meet the legal limits.**

Some of the problems with the CPSIA stem from the way the law was written by Congress.  However, a lack of clear guidance from the CPSC has contributed to the confusion and panic that spread in certain quarters over the last several months.  In another of today’s developments, several consumer groups wrote to President Obama to request that he appoint more competent leadership at the top levels of the CPSC.

Between the added time and (hopefully) a new approach by regulators, I have every hope that our children can be protected while our favorite Etsy sellers and secondhand shops remain in business…. Many thanks to everyone who wrote your congressional representatives or otherwise helped spread the word — looks like sometimes the little guys can make a difference.  I’ll see you all on Etsy!


** Commissioner Moore’s statement provides useful guidance for small businesses worried about how to proceed under the CPSIA.  Though I personally found the tone a bit condescending, I highly recommend his statement as required reading for anyone affected by the new laws.  The other CPSC Commissioner, Acting Chairman Nancy Nord, also provided a statement with additional detail.
 Posted by Tara at 12:36 am
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