review - Stuff Parents Need

Getting Ready to Celebrate!

March 3, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Bang on the drums, shake the maracas, rock out on the guitar and tickle the ivories! Make some noise, because we are just days away from my 100th post on Stuff Parents Need!

I’m definitely excited about hitting this milestone. I feel as though Darah has been helping me celebrate, because she has REALLY been getting into making noises and sounds. She has a little drum set that she loves to bang on, and she seems to really like hearing new music. She really loves to try to make noises herself, too (let’s just say that she has discovered the power of her lungs, and she really enjoys YELLING…just for fun…)!

I’m really excited to tell you that I’m going to be working with an amazing company called CSN Stores in the upcoming weeks. This company has over 200 web sites that each specialize in something different and fabulous (ranging from kids bedding to wall art)! I’m thrilled to have discovered all of these sites…this just made shopping so much easier for me! Together, we’ll be taking a look at simplifying the search for quality toys and games. This site has an entire section devoted just to musical toys, something of particular interest to me at the moment. Get excited, and get ready to make some noise about CSN stores!

Using Gold and Pearl Earrings to Transition Your Wardrobe to Spring

February 26, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 184 Comments

Earlier last week we had snow on the ground here in Tennessee, and more snow was getting ready to fall. Old Man Winter was definitely still calling the shots. And yet, this weekend temperatures were hitting the very high 50s, and I noticed that the daffodils in our backyard were getting ready to bloom. This brought me so much joy, because those flowers are one of the very first signs in my world that spring is definitely on the way. In the 9 years I have lived here, we have NEVER had as much snow as we got this year, so those daffodils were an especially welcome sight.

Do you find that when the seasons shift making clothing choices can be a little bit tricky? What do you wear when it is 38 degrees in the morning by 62 degrees by the late afternoon, for example? I always find that to be a challenge. Lucky for you, I have been given the opportunity to give away some jewelry that can help you out right about now. Let me show you the Frances earring, a delicate, yet not unnoticeable gold and pearl earrings piece handcrafted by Lulu by Leah. According to Leah, “This piece is a great versatile earring as we move from winter into spring. It incorporates gold, white and peach which flatters many skin tones.” I couldn’t agree more. I am really struck by the overall quality of this set. Notice the intricate looping on the hooks; such great detail, and yet, still so simple! The freshwater pearls are absolutely beautiful in these shades, too.

Lulu by Leah is a company that I would call a major find for women who want pieces that will go the distance for them. They are classic, but have an updated feel. I personally find that I prefer to wear jewelry that is quality and that is very versatile, as it simply isn’t in my budget to have tons and tons of pieces. I also need my jewelry to look good in many different settings, so things that are cheap and trendy just aren’t for me. Leah goes on to say that the Frances earring, “can really dress up an otherwise simple top and has a great gatsby-esque look when worn with hair up for evening.” Perfect!

There are several other things that I really like about this company. One is that it is relatively small, which means that you won’t find these pieces in every mall in America. I really love owning jewelry that is a little bit different. I also love that Lulu by Leah is a company that has been launched by an enterprising Southern mom, as Leah has two children and resides in Louisville, KY. I can see the influence of the South in her designs, but she takes that standard strand of pearls and makes something much fresher out of them! I also love that her pieces are affordable, especially considering that they are built to last. Finally, I really love that you can shop online. As a working mom, I have very little time to go to brick and mortar stores looking for jewelry. Lulu by Leah gives me the opportunity to get the perfect pieces right from my computer.

It seems I’m not the only one who has noticed how fabulous Lulu by Leah is. The Lucy necklace was featured in the December issue of Southern Living. That is some seriously high praise to receive, and it impresses me a great deal!

Buy It: If your wardrobe needs some updating, consider buying some jewelry that will not go out of style any time soon! Lulu by Leah is certain to have something that will suit you! She has options for every budget, with pieces ranging from $16 to $78.

Edit: This giveaway is now CLOSED.

Win It: I bet you are still thinking about those gorgeous gold and pearl Frances earrings, aren’t you? Well here’s your chance to win a pair! One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a set of her very own. The contest will run until Monday, March 8th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Tell me the piece you love the very most from the classic collection by Lulu by Leah, and let me know where you would wear it if you owned it.

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on your blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to the Lulu by Leah mailing list
5. Become a fan of Lulu by Leah on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
7. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received a pair of Frances earrings in order to facilitate my review. The opinions listed above are strictly my own.

How to Prepare for Childbirth

February 24, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 71 Comments

When Tim and I were preparing for childbirth last summer, one expert we turned to for guidance was Sheri Bayles. Sheri is a registered nurse who has put out a really great DVD series called “Laugh and Learn.” She has a series on labor and childbirth, breastfeeding and newborn baby care. We watched the labor and the baby care DVDs, and they were very helpful to us!

I recently had the opportunity to read the book version of Laugh and Learn About Childbirth. I thought it was simply terrific! One of my favorite things about the dvd was all of the very helpful diagrams she used. Well, those same diagrams (and more!) are in this book. It is so hard to fully understand “pelvic station,” for example, without being able to see a good visual. Dilation is also difficult to fully understand without seeing what the different centimeter amounts actually look like. I’m very glad to see that all of these concepts are illustrated in this book, as well as some strategies for easing pain while in labor and some pushing techniques.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is preparing for childbirth. Sheri helps take away much of the fear that is associated with childbirth by reminding us that, “The key to a wonderful labor and delivery is faith in the body’s infinite wisdom, combined with knowledge and information about the process itself – and a great sense of humor” (p. 17). She also walks you through every stage of labor, and gives you the most important information in a very digestible, and often humorous, format. This would be a book that I would suggest reading a few times throughout your pregnancy (and at 134 pages, it is a quick read) and then taking it with you to the hospital or birthing center.

Buy It: The brand new book, Laugh and Learn about Childbirth is available on the laugh and learn site for $12.95…a terrific price for a book so full of helpful information!

Edit: This giveaway is now closed.

Win It: Sheri wants to give you the opportunity to win your very own copy of her latest book right now!
The contest will run until Friday, March 5th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Check out the Laugh and Learn website, then come back here and tell me something interesting that you learned about preparing for childbirth.
Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on your blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Become a fan of Laugh and Learn on Facebook
5. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
6. Follow Laugh and Learn on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
7. Watch this YouTube clip of a class taught by Sheri, and tell me something you learned!
8. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Rethink What Matters Campaign (Bare Escentuals GIVEAWAY!)

February 20, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 205 Comments

I’ve mentioned before that I really love mineral makeup. I think many of you out there agree with me on that. I actually don’t think I’ve ever personally talked with anyone who tried out mineral makeup and didn’t like it! (Let me know if you are one of those people!).

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that Bare Escentuals, the company that makes the very well-known Bare Minerals makeup, has come out with a really fun and empowering campaign called Rethink What Matters. They are inviting women nationwide to shake up their foundation and sound off on topics that are more than just skin-deep—from going bare in public to discussing what freedom really feels like.

Each week at RethinkWhatMatters.com, a new discussion topic has been featured with five questions for all to answer, share with their friends and have the chance to instantly win free products and other fantastic goodies. New topics and products will be featured weekly, posted each Friday to the site. This week’s topic is, “Rethink What A Revolution Feels Like”! I just took the latest quiz, and it was really fun to see how many women who also took the quiz felt the same way I do! Head on over. The quiz takes all of 2 minutes, and you just might be a winner of a Tutorials: Smoky Eye Kit!

Edit: Contest is closed.

In celebration of this campaign, Bare Escentuals would like to offer one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader a bareMinerals 100% Natural Lipgloss (worth $15.00!). The contest will run until February 27th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How To Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Go to Rethink What Matters, take the quiz, and tell me if you were an instant winner. Also tell me your favorite shade of 100% Natural Lipgloss (choose wisely, as this will be the color you get if you win!).

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on your blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to the Bare Escentuals newsletter (on the bottom of the page)
5. Become a fan of Bare Escentuals on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)

7. Follow Bare Escentuals on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
8. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Current giveaways: handmade lovey (ends 2/24), custom stickers/labels (ends 2/27)

Disclosure: I will receive a lipgloss as a thank you for supporting this campaign. The love I have for BareEscentuals is not influenced by this gift; this company makes really good makeup, and I know because I’m a customer!

How to Create Your Own Stickers

February 17, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 101 Comments

I’m a new member of the UPrinting.com Blog Sponsorship Program. I’m very excited about this partnership, because I will have opportunities throughout the year to tell you more about all the wonderful things that UPrinting offers (such as a way to create your own stickers) AND give you the chance to win some of their terrific products and services. Woo hoo!

Today I have the opportunity to tell you about the stickers and labels you can purchase from them. If you are like me, you could use some updated mailing address labels, and this is a terrific way to be able to customize the look of your labels. If you don’t have a specific look in mind, UPrinting also has a large selection of templates from which you can choose.

Custom stickers and label printing are also helpful if you own a business and would like to put your business name or logo on products or packages. My friend Desi over at Wee Share (who is also hosting a Uprinting giveaway right now) points out in her post that bloggers can even have stickers made to match their blog buttons. That’s a really cool idea! This could also be a terrific tool if you own a small business (like at Etsy shop) and could use labels for the packages you mail out. The size range that they offer is also really impressive, going from 2 x 2.75 to 11 x 17!.

One really cool thing I want to highlight about UPrinting is the fact that they have a low price guarantee. From their site, “UPrinting.com will match the currently advertised price of other online printers for any product configurable through our website.” With this guarantee in mind, there’s no reason not to try them out!

EDIT: This giveaway is closed. Congratulations #25!

Win it!: And one of you is about to get the opportunity to do just that! UPrinting is giving away the following custom sticker/labelpackage to one Stuff Parents Need reader!

250 Stickers/Labels
Sizes: 2” x 3.5”, 2” x 4”, or 3” x 3”
Paper: 70lb Label Matte
Specifications: Full color front, blank back; 6 Business Day printing
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping

The contest will run until February 27th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States.

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Check out all that UPrinting has to offer. Then come back and tell me what you will use your stickers/labels for if you win!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on your blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to the UPrinting blog
5. Become a fan of UPrinting on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
7. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I will receive the same sticker/label package in appreciation for hosting the giveaway.

Current giveaways: awesome children’s cds (ends 2/18), flower arranging dvd (ends 2/19) and handmade lovey (ends 2/24)

How to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

February 16, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 177 Comments

How to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

Some of you may recall that Darah has always been a big fan of her swaddle. She simply will not sleep without being swaddled! It has such a calming effect on her that she will sometimes start to fall asleep while we are in the process of swaddling her. She’s been rolling over for a month, though, and this makes having her arms tucked in a blanket too dangerous. So we’ve been on the (bumpy) journey of figuring out how to stop swaddling (well, actually, we’ve just been getting her used to having her arms out…her legs still get swaddled!). I have to tell you, this was REALLY HARD in the very beginning. Darah’s arms would move wildly about, even though she was exhausted. She simply didn’t know what to do with them. They often made their way up to her face, and she’d pull out her pacifier again and again. This, of course, would keep her awake.

One of my amazing readers, Lisa, sent me a product from her new Etsy store, Leyton Smiles, that really helped us out. She sent Darah a CuddleBug lovey. Darah has been loving her lovey since the day it came in the mail. I often hand it over to her when it is time for bed, and it gives her something very interesting to play with. Her hands stay occupied, but away from her face. She usually falls asleep within just a few minutes after getting her lovey. In my eyes, this makes it a miracle blanket!

Lisa has really put a lot of thought into the design of her CuddleBug loveys. The square shape (12 x 12) makes it just the right size for a little one to tote around. I’ve even it been able to stick it in my coat pocket from time to time! We’ve found that in addition to it being useful at bed time, Darah also likes to have it on hand when she’s in her car seat.
Lisa points out its usefulness, stating, “This lovey is meant to not only serve as a security and comfort item for little ones, but also to stimulate their senses with numerous ways to learn and explore!” We have found that to be the case, for sure. It keeps Darah’s hands busy whether she’s drifting off to sleep or sitting in her car seat. She also likes to rub the minky side of the blanket against her face. All of the ribbons on the blanket (which are VERY securely sewn in) really delight Darah. She love to pull on them, run her fingers through them, and scratch them to hear the different noises that they make. Notice in the picture that the ribbons are different sizes, colors and materials. This makes it more interesting for the baby!

There are a few other features of this lovey that I’d like to highlight. First, I really like is the loop that is attached to the lovey. We can use this and a toy clip to connect this to her stroller, car seat or even her activity mat. Second, we have washed this lovey a few times, and I’ll admit that I was nervous that the ribbons would fray or that some of the stitching might not hold up. This has NOT been the case. Lisa does an outstanding job of preparing these blankies to be washed again and again! Finally, I just have to say that the overall look of this lovey is sooooo cute. The bright colors are so much fun, and everything coordinates together. I have had a few other parents ask me where they can find something this cute for their little ones.

Buy It!: Leyton Smiles is a shop where you can find these beautiful and unique loveys as well as burp cloths, blankets and other fun items. You can even place a custom order to match your desired color scheme! If you need something special for your little cuddlebug to hold so you can stop swaddling, I highly recommend the CuddleBug Lovey. It is a huge hit at our house. Purchase one today for $16.00.

EDIT: This giveaway is now closed.

Win It!: Lisa wants to give you the chance to win a CuddleBug Lovey right now! Awesome! This contest will run until Wednesday, February 24th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected via random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of the United States. Make sure your email address is either in your comment or in your profile or else I can’t let you know that you won!

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Head over to Leyton Smiles and tell me your favorite item in the shop OR tell me something that you’d like to see sold there!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on my blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to Leyton Smile’s Blog
5. Become a fan of Leyton Smiles on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
8. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.

Other current giveaways: awesome children’s cds (ends 2/18) and flower arranging dvd (ends 2/19)

Tupperware Reviews: Plastic Can Be Green!

February 15, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

When you were growing up, did your parents own any Tupperware? Did you ever get to go to a Tupperware party as a child? I have very distinct memories of going to a few Tupperware parties with my mom in the mid-1980s. I remember seeing all the products on display, and all the women oohing and ahhing over them. I didn’t really understand why, but I knew even back then that Tupperware was super awesome. We had a few pieces in our home, and guess what? My parents still have those pieces! After all, Tupperware is built to last. That’s why I’m so excited to bring you some Tupperware reviews today.

You may be surprised to hear that Tupperware is something that I’m highlighting as “green.” After all, what’s environmentally friendly about plastic? Well I’m glad you asked! Tupperware has a special On the Go line that consists of drinking bottles, containers, tumblers and mugs that are specifically designed to get you out of the habit of using bottle water, Styrofoam coffee cups and other disposable items that are taking up so much space in our landfills. I recently had the chance to try out their FlatOut storage containers from this line. They are fabulous because they can collapse or expand, depending on your storage needs. This makes them useful for that small piece of cake or for that big bowl of chili! Since I received these, I decided to donate a few of my other plastic storage containers since these are so multi-functional. Also, these storage containers do a terrific job of keeping your food fresh, which cuts down on the amount of food waste you might have in your home.

I also got to try out the Quick Chef. This is an alternative to an electric food processor. I actually own a food processor, so at first I didn’t think this would be of much use to me. WRONG! It turns out that this is an ideal product to use when preparing meals while Darah is napping. My food processor wakes her up (believe me, I know from experience). This gadget, on the other hand, is extremely quiet. And honestly, it is just as quick as my electric food processor. I’m amazed at just how fast I can dice onions, carrots and even chicken in this thing. It can also be used to make pesto sauce, which we use often in my home. This product gives the earth a big hug every time you use it by not requiring any electricity. In my book, this is a knock-out invention, and I highly recommend it!

A third innovative product that I was given to try out is the Stuffables Mini Set. These award winning storage containers are pure genius! The lids on these containers are flexible, and can expand as needed. This may not make sense at first, but think about all of the times that you have tried to put away your leftovers, and you were unable to get the lid to shut because the food was sticking out a bit. I hate when that happens! These storage containers remove that problem. This product is earth-friendly because it keeps you from having to take the food out of one container and put it in another one, or even in plastic resealable bags, creating even more mess to have to put in the dishwasher. It also keeps you from tossing out a little bit of food just to make the lid fit. I seriously doubt that I’m the only one guilty of doing that…

Perhaps the best example I can offer about what makes Tupperware earth-friendly is this: a company that makes products that will last for decades without needing to be replaced is being an excellent steward of resources. Think about all of the disposable or low quality plastic containers you have probably used in your home. Now think about Tupperware. If you’ve ever owned any, it is unlikely that you have had to toss it for wearing out! You may even have inherited some Tupperware!

Tupperware gets two thumbs up in my book for helping my house go green. If you are looking for some new food storage containers, I think you should look no further!

Do you own any Tupperware? If so, how has it held up for you?

Disclosure: I received product samples for review purposes. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Rock Music for Kids: Three Great Albums

February 10, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 85 Comments

EDIT: This giveaway is now closed.

Since Darah was in the womb, Tim and I have made an effort to expose her to a variety of music. She gets plenty of classical music when her dad is home with her on Mondays. When she’s with me, we like to listen to a lot of Ben Folds. We’ve recently discovered that Darah is particularly fond of a few Michael Jackson songs, especially Smooth Criminal. She loves the quick beat; it makes her giggle when we play it! This got us thinking that we needed to find more rock music for kids.

I’m glad that we are exposing our baby to music that we love. We also need to look beyond our own favorites and expose her to other types of music that she might love all on her own. I recently had the opportunity to try out three bands that are new to me, because they are bands geared toward children.

The first a lbum we listened to was Party Like a Twinkle Star, a double album by Charity and the JAMband. The first cd has 10 songs designed especially for “rocking out,” and the second cd has 10 songs for the end of the day as you wind down. I really love that the music is on two discs, separated by overall mood. We listen to selections from the Party disc at different points throughout the day. We seem to dance the most to “Get Your Booty Out of Bed” and “Row Row Row Your Boat.” We also listen to the Twinkle disc sometime in between her last nap of the day and her bedtime routine. There are several really sweet songs on this disc, with our favorites being “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “So Long to the Day.” So what does this group sound like? From their website, “JAM is a hootenanny, a hullabaloo, a dance party, a shindig-bash, a festival, a family band, a rain dance, a sun song, a fairy frolic, a wander in the park, a race on the beach, a flitting floating butterfly-bop, a blundering thundering elephant-stomp, a twirling-whirling-swirling dizzy-dee fall-down boogie!” The overall sound of this band is what I would call funky laid-back rock. It’s not the type of music that Tim and I already had on our Itunes, which makes it a welcome addition! I was also impressed to learn that two of their four albums have won Children’s Music Web Awards! Check this album out for yourself. Right now you can download “We are Stardust” from the Twinkle album for free and get an idea of what you would be buying! I really think you and your little one will like it!

The second album we have been listening to is Go Waggaloo from Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family. Sarah is the granddaughter of Woody Guthrie, and she is definitely continuing her legacy of gifted singing and songwriting. If you are a fan of his, you should know that this album features three songs with lyrics by Woodie that have never before been put to music. So what does this music sound like? From her site, “The arrangements blend traditional folk music with contemporary lyrics and instrumentation. Among the surprises on Go Waggaloo are a scratching drum machine, songs about Xboxes and DVDs, and a spur-of-the-moment song recorded on a cell phone by the Guthrie family on a road trip.” I really liked the overall vibe of this album, and I have found myself singing some of the songs to Darah even when the cd isn’t playing. “Don’t I Fit in My Daddy’s Shoes?” and “If Mama Had Four Hands” are among my personal favorites, and “Oh How He Lied” makes Darah smile when she hears it. You can really get a good sense for the music by checking out this short YouTube clip about the album.

The third album we have added to our music collection is the self-titled album by Earthworm Ensemble. I thought this was a very interesting cd because if features a lot of different vocalists, which gives each song a unique sound. From their site, “We’re calling it family music, rather than just children’s music. We hope children and their parents can enjoy the songs together, and talk about some of the ideas in the songs. We sing about the earthworm’s role in the plant cycle; about buffalo migration as told by a young buffalo; buying fresh corn at the farmer’s market and taking it home to cook; how to make pizza from scratch; and trains, walking in the woods, birds, and a superhero team of Bear and Dog who’ve come to save the planet!” That pretty much sums it up, folks. With this album, I found myself chuckling quite a bit and tapping my feet right along with the music. If you are intrigued now (and you really should be!) and you’d like to hear some of their tunes, check out their MySpace page.

Buy Them!: If the only music you have in your house is the stuff you know and like, it’s time to branch out a bit and try some sounds that will appeal to kids (and that will surprise you by how much you enjoy them, too!). Purchase Party Like a Twinkle Star (double album) for $20, Go Waggaloo for $11.98 and Earthworm Ensemble for $15.99.

Win Them!: Right now I’m giving away one copy of each of these terrific rock music for kids albums! Three very lucky Stuff Parents Need readers will be winners! The contest will run until Thursday, February 18th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States. Be sure to leave your email address in your comments or have it in your profile or else I can’t contact you to tell you that you won!

How to Enter:

Mandatory entry: Tell me which of these albums you’d most like to win (1 winner will be selected for each album).

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on my blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitte r (include your TwitterID)

Disclosure: I received product samples for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.

Beautiful Homemade Fabric Coasters

February 6, 2010 · by Tiffany Merritt · 122 Comments

Homemade Fabric Coasters

Today I want to talk about homemade fabric coasters. Do you use coasters? If you don’t use them at all, you probably have water marks all over your furniture. Or you may be like my family was growing up and just use a paper napkin or a paper towel as your “coaster.” They are easy to grab, and then you just toss them when you are done. Either way, did you ever stop to think about the fact that you are doing harm to the environment by having these habits? I will fully admit to using both strategies in the past, and only recently did I realize that this produced so much waste! There’s no telling how many paper napkins and towels I have used over the years to put my drinks on, and there’s also no telling how many times I had to clean my desk, table or counter top with a cleaner that in retrospect was actually pretty toxic, just to remove those watermarks.

Coasters are probably not something that you spend a great deal of time thinking about, but I want to encourage you to start using them if you don’t. Think of it as a small way to be a little bit kinder to the environment! And while we are on the topic of coasters, let’s talk about what kind of coasters you should get. If you have children (or clumsy adults) in your home, I would discourage you from getting glass coasters. Those are basically disasters waiting to happen. I would also steer clear of cork coasters if toddlers are around, as the cork could break off while they are chewing on them (and they WILL chew on them).

I do have a suggestion for a specific type of homemade coaster that would be a great choice. Go with fabric! This brings me to my next Planet Earth is My Valentine Review and Giveaway! Let me introduce you to some seriously lovely fabric coasters by K. Ventura Design. These are really special coasters, because the fabric has been screen-printed by hand with beautiful floral designs on 100% linen fabric. The reverse side of each coaster has a striped linen fabric. Kelly, the owner of K. Ventura, sent me a set to try out for myself, and I have to say, they are simultaneously sophisticated and casual, mature and playful, and luxurious and practical. I absolutely love them. I never realized that there was room in my heart for coasters, that is, until the right ones came along! Edited; Since K. Ventura is closed, I wanted to point you to some other great homemade fabric coasters…you can snag them on Amazon!

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These lovely fabric squares can help you kick your coaster-free or disposable coaster habit, and they can help you do it in style! They are also machine washable, so you can use them again and again. While I haven’t washed them, yet, they appear to me to be the type of material that will only get softer with each wash.

Before I close this post, I want to point out some of the other swoon-worthy items that K. Ventura Design offers. I actually learned about this shop because this ruched jersey scarf was featured on the holiday shopping guide at dooce.co m. I flipped over it, and promptly ordered one for my BFF (and she loved it, naturally!). She also has some other divine offerings like these pillowcases and this organic cotton screen-printed shirt.

Buy It! If your home is in need of coaster reform, make a positive (and beautiful) change! The 4 piece coaster set can be yours for $18.00.

EDIT: This giveaway is closed. Congratulations #100!

Win It! Lucky you, you’ve got a chance to snag this set FOR FREE! That’s right, one Stuff Parents Need reader is going to bring the beautiful home made coaster revolution straight to his/her doorstep by winning a set. The contest will run until February 14th at 7:59pm CST. A winner will be randomly selected and emailed, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Open to residents of the United States. Be sure to leave your email address in your comments or have it in your profile or else I can’t contact you to tell you that you won!

How to Enter:

Mandatory entry: Kelly wants to hear from you: What type of products would you really like to see in her shop that she doesn’t currently offer?

Additional entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on my blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Tell me the most lovely item (in your opinion) in the shop
5. Take a peek at Kelly’s children’s shop, The Urban Thimble, and tell me your favorite item sold there
6. Enter another Planet Earth is My Valentine giveaway and tell me you did (1 extra entry per giveaway)

Disclosure: I received product samples for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.