Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Personalized Stacking Rings: Two of My Favorite Things!

September 4, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Thanks to

Thanks to Ginny and CentimeGift.com for sending the beautiful rings for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

A few weeks ago I posted this on my Instagram account, and got a lot of positive feedback about it:

Darah and Layah are my two little girls; the sparkles in my eyes. They are both in school now (one for half a day, and one for 7 hours a day…I still can’t get over how long that is!) and while I’m really enjoying having the extra time to get work done, I do miss them both. So it was the perfect time to get a little something special to remind me of them, and there’s no better place than on my hands, since I’m at the computer typing for the majority of the time while they are gone.

Aren’t these personalized stacking name rings just beautiful? They are so dainty and delicate, and while they are large enough to be read easily, they are also small enough that you can wear more than one at a time.

Ginny, an awesome fellow Stuff Parents Need reader (hi, Ginny!) and a fellow small business owner, has put her creative skills to work making amazing pieces like these rings for other moms out there and offers them, along with a lot of other awesome options, at Centimegift.com. Her prices are very reasonable (a personalized stacking ring is just $29). To order a ring, you simply need to provide the names you want and a ring size.

And let me just speak from experience for a moment! PLEASE have a professional size you if you aren’t sure of your ring size. I was running errands at Walmart recently and just swung by the jewelry counter to see if they had a ring sizer. The lady put only one ring on me, and then declared me a size 7. I just assumed she knew what she was talking about, but NO.

When my rings from Ginny arrived, perfectly sized at a 7, they were too small for my ring finger. The fault was 100% mine, and yet Ginny requested that I send them back so that she could make them larger. That is beyond wonderful customer service, friends! But as it turns out, I actually quite liked the rings on my pinky, so I asked to keep them as is. It all worked out! But seriously, learn from me. Don’t have your ring sized by someone who doesn’t really know what they are doing.

The ring I was sent is sterling silver, as are all the pieces on the website. She can make any name for you (child, spouse) or even do dates that are significant to you (birthdays, anniversaries). I absolutely LOVE mine. The quality is outstanding, the customer service is unbeatable, and the fact that you are supporting a small business owner and artist, while still paying very reasonable prices.

So friends, post this on Pinterest to your “wish list” board (if you don’t have one of those yet, you should make one!) or send your family and friends a link to CentimeGift.com to drop a not-s0-subtle hint that these would make awesome gifts for you! 🙂 Don’t forget to offer them a discount to encourage them along, either! Use code STUFF20 at checkout between now and October 15, 2014 and you’ll save 20% on your entire cart! Limit one coupon used per transaction.

And there’s no shame in just placing an order for yourself, too! Go get what you want, girl! 🙂

Does Jewelry Confuse You? Me, Too (That’s Why I Love BaubleBar!)

September 1, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Thanks to BaubleBar for sending along a gift card for me to use and the sweet discount code for my readers. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always. Affiliate links may be included.

Friends, I don’t meant to sound like an octogenarian, but I just can’t keep up with what’s hip these days when it comes to jewelry. It’s all I can do to grab a few pieces from each season’s clothing line at Target, and if you request that I accessorize myself in addition…well you’ve just gone too far.

Jewelry just overwhelms me.

But I still like to look put together on any day where my standard uniform of a t-shirt and yoga pants isn’t going to cut it. That’s why I’m happy to have found BaubleBar, which is an online site devoted to bringing you a carefully edited collection of on-trend jewelry pieces that will work for you, whether you are in a corporate setting, a more laid-back environment, or even if you can push the style boundaries with really edgy looks. There’s something for everyone there, for sure!

Take a moment to look around on the BaubleBar site, friends. You’ll find amazing curated collections, ideas for ways to wear different pieces, and you’ll even see instagram photos that other shoppers have taken with their purchased pieces (this is one of my very favorite things about the site…seeing this jewelry in real life on other customers!).

I recently did some shopping on the site and took a video of my unboxing. Check it out to hear more of my thoughts on BaubleBar and to see the pieces!

Ok, so the question I said I would answer for you is whether or not you have to pay shipping on your returns. If your item was on sale, it is a final sale, so that’s important to know first and foremost. The return label that I had in my package was one that would NOT require me to pay postage, so that’s good!

Ok, so here are closer looks at each of the pieces I purchased. The photos are hyperlinked to the website, so feel free to click on them to check out the piece on the BaubleBar site.

1. String Fling set ($25)

2. Amethyst Sea Glass Drops ($62) (no longer available, sorry!)

3. Neutral Foliage Studs ($38)

4. Tiered Crystal Pendant ($34)

5. Silver Bojangles Bracelet Set ($48) (no longer available…stuff goes fast on BaubleBar, I guess!)

6. Gold Bolt Collar ($36)

So what was your favorite piece from the items I selected for the fall? So far, the piece I’m wearing out like crazy is the fall foliage earring set. I’m still warming up to the collar necklace…it’s just so different for me! But I love its simplicity, so I think once I find the right neckline to pair with it, I’ll definitely be wearing it.

If you are ready for some updated looks, I’ve got a coupon code just for you! Use STUFFPARENTSNEED at checkout and you’ll score 20% off the bill. And don’t forget to check out the sale section before you check out, as they have stuff staring at $10. AND…shipping is FREE! 🙂

Go get yourself some pretty baubles for the fall!

Brace Yourselves: Cold and Flu Season is Coming (So Cube Up!)

September 1, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This post brought to you by Huggies and Kleenex. All opinions are 100% mine.

The school “crud” has already arrived at our house, a mere two weeks after school began. We are using our essential oils to keep the germs to a minimum, but even with their help, we are literally blowing through our stash of tissues.

So I headed out to Sam’s Club on Friday to get cubed up for the season. Kleenex Ultra Soft is the brand our noses love and appreciate the most, and Sam’s Club is currently offering it in the biggest bundle available of the very popular cube box.

I have 2 main reasons why I love the cube version of KLEENEX® Ultra Soft. The first is that it takes up less space than the rectangle tissue boxes. We live in a small home, and honestly, every square inch needs to count in this place. We like to go vertical instead of horizontal as often as possible, for everything from big to small. The cube is a better design for a space-conscious dwelling. Since these packages take up less space, I’m able to get stocked up on them without worry that I won’t have enough room in my closet where extras like this go.

The second reason is because the cube version is really easy to tote around. The package at Sam’s Club makes it easy for me to give every individual in this house his or her own cube. Not only can they have a home base in each person’s room, but they can also travel with them on those sniffly days when they just need to use a lot.

And friends, those sniffly days are already upon us. I’m seeing a whole lot of this around my house right now:

And there’s not a raw nose in the bunch, thanks to KLEENEX® Ultra Soft.

Convenient Pick Up

Here’s a tip for my fellow Sam’s Club shoppers: use the free online order pickup at Sams.com to get your KLEENEX® Ultra Soft and you’ll be in and out of Sam’s like a flash. If you are like me, it’s hard to walk in there without dropping at least $150, so that little tip might save you some money by way of avoiding temptation!

Three Simple Changes I Have Made to My Routine (for a Happier Morning!)

August 29, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

I’ve written about my oldest starting kindergarten this year over and over and OVER again (I had a lot to process, y’all!). But I’ve been much more quiet about my little Layah starting school. Her adventure started just yesterday, and I sat in her classroom to help her feel more comfortable with the transition (school rules, not me trying to be a helicopter mom!).

layah first day

I’m so glad I was on hand to observe her first day, because my suspicions about how Layah would handle going to school were spot-on. Every single time her teacher introduced her to a new lesson, she SQUEALED with delight! This kid is ready for a few hours of Montessori education, and some fun with new friends, too. I teared up a bit while watching her, but those were happy tears because I knew she was so ready.

But as it turns out, our morning routine is about to get even trickier as we have to get both girls packed up and ready to go (and I just learned that Layah will be eating lunch at school before heading home at noon…gotta go get another lunch box!). I’ve been doing some experimenting with our evening and morning routines to figure out what simple changes make the biggest impact on our routine. As much as I’d love to make 15 changes that all promote efficiency, that isn’t going to happen. But here are 3 that are sticking for us:

1. Laying Out Clothes the Night Before

There are 4 people in this house who need to be dressed and ready for the day by 7:45 am. Two of those people need some form of assistance getting ready (our 5-year-old can’t reach some of her clothes in her closet, and our 2 year old, when left to dress herself, puts on an owl costume, so there’s that…). Now that I know this routine is going to stick, I’m going to get some extra hooks for the girls’ rooms so that their clothing options don’t go on the floor. You may be able to get away with laying out just one outfit for your kiddos, but my girls MUST have choices. 🙂

2. Cleaning the Kitchen Before Bed

This is really a huge gift to myself, even though I grumble about it after dinner while cleaning up. I get up REALLY early and do my early morning work at our kitchen table, which boasts a million dollar view of our kitchen. It is very deflating to start my day off by staring at a pile of dishes and junked up kitchen counters. I’m left feeling guilty that they are dirty, and conflicted about whether I should spend my precious morning time doing my job (the blog) or doing housework. A dirty kitchen also makes breakfast prep and lunch box prep more difficult. Starting the day with a clean kitchen has been truly wonderful, friends. And I aim for about 90% clean…if I insisted that it be perfect, I’d just give up!

3. Washing My Face with Something Invigorating

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit helps get me going in the morning in a major way. I skip right over waiting for the water in the faucet to warm up and go for a cold wash. The scent and the little scrubbies in this cleaner leave me feeling so fresh and so clean, clean! Whatever you choose for your morning face care routine, know that there are some wonderful products out there to meet specific needs, whether it is spot treatment, wake me up, or make me glow (or all of the above!). Healthy Essentials can make for easier morning routines, and right now you’ll find more than $40 in savings on Neutrogena products, as well as a whole host of other items. So go get something to help you wake up a little easier in the morning, and save some $$ in the process!

I’d love to hear about routines you have in place (evening or morning!) that help your family get out the door faster and with less stress!

Babies on the Move – What’s Your #MovingMoment?

August 28, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This post brought to you by Huggies® Little Movers. All opinions are 100% mine.

by Alanna Peters

I always hear people talking about how sad they are that their babies are growing too fast. I get it but, in all honesty, I’m kind of looking forward to the time when my baby doesn’t need my constant attention. Don’t get me wrong…I adore my sweet, chubby baby and I love that I’m the one she wants – that I’m the one that can solve all her problems and make everything right in her world. But at the same time, Mama needs a break! I’m having so much fun watching her grow and become an independent little person, and it’s so exciting watching her move and find her way around in this big, big world.

I know you’re not supposed to compare your children to one another, but it’s so interesting to see how they are the same and how they differ. When my girls were born I felt like they were duplicates of each other – same coloring, same length, and only an ounce difference in weight. The similarities have really stopped there though. They look COMPLETELY different from each other. Their personalities are totally different. And my little one? HUGE. I mean really, she is growing SOOO fast! She’s totally surpassed where her sister was at this age. She’s already got two teeth (at 5 1/2 months), where her sister didn’t even start teething until over 10 months. My oldest didn’t crawl until 8 1/2 months but started walking at 10 months. I’m so curious to see how the little one gets moving!

Right now my little baby is a master at spinning a 180, either on her tummy or her back. She also sits like a champ and is starting to propel herself forward in an attempt to crawl. She will even occasionally roll (or at least try to) when the urge strikes. She’s SO excited to start exploring her world!

One new concern with a baby on the move is finding a diaper that moves with her. Over the past few months we’ve tried several diaper brands and with some of them we get leaks. LOTS of leaks. Every baby is shaped differently so obviously different diaper brands are going to fit babies’ legs and waists differently, but they are all pretty much the same when it comes to the grippy tabs. That is, until the new Huggies® Little Movers diapers came along!

These diapers are awesome – I was impressed right away. Those grippy tabs? TWO layers, guys. Two! Take a look at this. That extra level of soft, Velcro grippiness keeps the diaper in place on my baby, even when she’s spinning in a circle.

The waistband is stretchy and makes for a nice, snug fit with the protection of the Huggies LeakLock system. They even have new colors and graphics! I’m not a big character fan but I actually love these new Mickey Mouse designs. The colors are so bright and fun!

Want to try Huggies Little Movers? (I know you do!) Right now you can upload a photo or video of your baby’s Moving Moment and get a $2 coupon! I uploaded a photo of my little cutie sitting unassisted for the first time. She was SOOOO proud of herself. (And isn’t she totally adorable?!)

You can also check out my moving moment on the Huggies site.

Not sure which moment to share? Get inspired by these fun, exclusive movements and activities designed by Huggies and celebrity fitness instructor and mom, Nikki Glor. They will get baby and parents moving! Our favorite is the Patty Cake Crunch and BackRoll. It helps to build her lower body strength and balance, and it works my core. (And believe me, I need that right now!) The Huggies Little Movers waistband stretches as my baby balances and flips. We also like to Act Like Animals together – she LOVES it when I’m down on the floor enjoying tummy time with her (and we are both working our cores)! We aren’t ready for all the exercises yet, as they are geared for babies of all developmental stages. I’m looking forward to doing more and more of these activities with her as she grows – not only do they get her moving but they help me stay fit too!

Now, head on over to Huggies.com/moments and Share your Moving Moment. Along with your coupon, you’ll also have a chance to be featured on the Huggies Facebook Page!

“OnTheMove”

After School Snacks: 12 Great Ideas!

August 28, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

Thanks to Foodie.com for partnering with me today to form this curated collection of AWESOME school lunch recipes! All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.

We’ve been back at school for a week and a half, and we are starting to get in our lunch groove, which is good. But we haven’t figured out this after school snack business AT ALL. It only make sense that my child would be hungry after 7 hours of work and play, but I have NO plan for what to offer her that will give her a boost but not spoil her dinner (especially since we have dinner at 5…we’re bringing early bird back, friends).

So check out my 12 ideas for simple and good snacks on Foodie. Then let me know what you are serving up because I could use some more ideas!

Simple Lunch Box Idea: A Picnic and an “Ant” Invasion with California Raisins

August 26, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Three cheers for all you Bento box mamas out there. I used to sort of hate you because I felt like your creativity indicated some inherent flaw in me that I really didn’t care to have pointed out. But I’ve come to realize that most of you who are crafty and are able to create full scenes worthy of a magazine spread in your child’s lunch box every day really do get a lot of joy out of it. It’s not about me, or how decidedly lacking in skills it makes me feel. It’s about bringing a smile to your kid’s face. And so I say to you, rock on, mama!

As for me, my child will not be eating food items that I turned into panda bears or the ocean floor. But I haven’t given up on creativity altogether. Sometimes you just have to re-think it a bit and take an easier approach.

Wanna hear my fun lunch box idea? Go with a picnic theme (hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.) and to add a bit of flare and to make your child giggle, your picnic needs to get invaded by ants, big-time.

Enter California Raisins!

My daughter is more partial to hot dogs than hamburgers, so I went in that direction. She’s only 5, though, so half a hot dog is going to be enough for her. Half a hot dog is not cute in a picture, though! 🙂

What’s a picnic (or a hot dog, for that matter) without some slaw? I’ve left it to the side so that the bun doesn’t get soggy. You could switch this out for potato salad, relish, or whatever you think might appeal most to your child. Also include a few carrot chips, because they are fun to pair with the slaw to turn it into a dip.

The problem with this picnic definitely started with peanut butter that was meant for the apples. You can see that the “ants” (yummy California Raisins!) are going to town on it! All you need to do is cut your apple into slices and put them in a bag with a bit of water and a squirt of lemon juice (this keeps them from browning). The ants won’t be able to get inside the bag to the apples, but they should be covering the peanut butter. And let me just tell you, apples dipped in peanut butter and raisins is SO good. I’m keeping it in mind as a snack for myself, too!

Depending on how old your kid is, and therefore, how much food they need in their lunch box, you can add other elements (watermelon comes to mind as a picnic-worthy addition). Once you have your lunch complete, it’s time to add those extra raisins all around. I think kids will have great fun finding raisins all over the place as they eat their meals. Raisins are such a fun, naturally sweet snack, and so I think kids will have no problem “exterminating” them on the spot! They will also be very easy to take off the food (to each his own, but a raisin hot dog is not really my jam).

California Raisins, whether you turn them into ants or not, really are a great item for the lunch box. They fall in line with clean eating practices, which is what we strive for. Go ahead and check out the ingredient list on the box of raisins in your pantry, or the next time you are in the store. It likely says, “raisins.” That’s it! Woo hoo! They are also the most economical dried fruit out there, and they are fat free, cholesterol free, and have 9% of your daily fiber and 6% of your daily iron in 1/4 cup. They are also a wonderful option for anyone who doesn’t have a way to provide temperature control for their lunches. Hot, cold, or in between, raisins don’t mind! If you want more ideas about fun ways to incorporate California Raisins into your lunches or snacks, check out the California Raisins Facebook page (you can sign up to receive a California Raisins prize pack, there, while supplies last!).

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Building Confidence, One Brick at a Time: LEGO JUNIORS Sets

August 26, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Ever since we took a trip over to LEGOLAND in Atlanta, Darah’s interest in all things LEGO has been building. Until now, she and Layah have only played with the LEGO DUPLO sets for younger children. They are larger, easier to work with as a beginner, and they aren’t choking hazards, so they are definitely the right fit for the 3 and under set.

But Darah is now 5, and after seeing the smaller LEGO pieces at LEGOLAND and all the absolutely amazing things that could be built with them, her interest was piqued.

But was she ready to upgrade? I wasn’t so sure. Building LEGO structures can be quite a complicated endeavor, and I didn’t want Darah to get frustrated and too quickly declare that LEGOS weren’t for her. And this, my friends, is why you need to check out LEGO JUNIORS, if you have a little one that might be ready to graduate from DUPLOS.

Darah first started working on the two sets we were sent with her grandparents. But over the weekend she asked to get the sets back out and do some building with her daddy.

I wish I could go back in time to record that moment, friends. The look of sheer delight on Tim’s face when his child asked him to play LEGOS with her was priceless. He promptly sacrificed his beloved Saturday afternoon nap to get down on the floor and do some building with his daughter.

Before I opened the LEGO JUNIORS sets, I assumed that they would be smaller than DUPLO pieces, but bigger than traditional LEGOS. Perhaps they were an in-between size? I was definitely wrong: they are the same size as traditional LEGO pieces.

I think a key difference with the JUNIOR sets is the instructions. They are beautifully simple, and they walk the child through the process, brick-by-brick.

One of the fun things about LEGO sets is that building is only part of the fun. Once you have created what you want, it’s time to play with it! Darah enjoyed having her horse leap over fences (he’s more of a flyer than a leaper, as it turns out) and brushing him in the stable.

She also really loved sending LEGO figurines flying through the air thanks to her catapult. I’m pretty sure every member of the house spent some time playing with this creation. 🙂

After Tim and Darah wrapped up their LEGO projects for the afternoon, Tim shared with me about just how impressed he was with how the sets kept Darah’s attention, and how well she was able to follow the directions. She even worked ahead a few times, which shows a growth in her confidence level, as the very first time she played with the sets (with her grandparents) she gave up more quickly and left the work to them to finish. When I sat down with Darah to admire her work, she was eager to show me the other things that she could build with her sets, and we agreed to tackle those projects in the near future. It only took 2 sessions of building for her to go from shy and slightly reluctant to fully engaged and confident in her skills as a builder.

LEGO® JUNIORS is designed to give children age 4-7 a great first experience with LEGO bricks through iconic, fun and easy to build models. LEGO JUNIORS sets contain quick start elements and numbered pre-packed bags that can be built without help from Mom or Dad – which makes any small builder extra proud.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Splendies Underwear Subscription Box Review

August 24, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

Referral links included. I only promote what I love! Thanks to Splendies for sending along a package for review.

I just love this whole subscription box trend that is going strong right now. I love gifts, I love surprises, and I love learning about new-to-me products. You tend to get all of those things with a subscription box service.

Today’s subscription box is different from other ones I have reviewed in the past, though, because the items you receive are actually underwear!

Check out Splendies. For $12/month ($17/month for plus sizes) you get 3 surprise pairs of underwear. Want to see what came in my first package? Check out the “unboxing” below!

Pretty cute, right? For the record, the XL size totally fit. Not too big, at all! I guess my rear is smaller in my mind than it is in reality. Ha! And based on the other reviews I have seen, it does seem to be the case that most everyone gets 1 thong in each package…just something to keep in mind in case you are decidedly anti-thong.

I think Splendies is a really fun treat and a great way to breathe a little life into an area of your wardrobe that may be lacking. Don’t forget to use the coupon code SPLENDIES at checkout to get $4 off (if you want to plus size, use code VOLUPTIES to get $5 off your first month).

What do you think Is this the kind of thing you would go for, or not so much? I’d love to hear your thoughts!