Gugu Guru

Books Before Baby: Suggestions From Our Favorite Writers and Bloggers

Being pregnant can be totally overwhelming, so it helps to have a slew of books to read to help ease all of your fear and anxiety! We reached out to some of our favorite bloggers and writers and asked them what books helped them prepare for pregnancy, baby, and beyond!

Heather Brooker, host of Motherhood in Hollywood Podcast – book recommendation: Baby Day By Day

“Before Chan was born I had no idea what I was doing. My experience with babies was limited to a few babysitting jobs as a teen and that’s it. So I really felt like I needed a book that gave me practical advice on the day-to-day experience of having a baby. So I read “Baby Day by Day” (DK Publishing) which gives a chronological outline of what to expect from day 1 of your baby’s birth. It was written by a panel of pediatricians, child psychologists, nutritionists, and complementary medicine experts, to provide an unbiased approach to baby care that gives the pros and cons of various approaches, including sleep training, managing crying, and breastfeeding issues. I have such an analytical mind and this was a huge source of comfort for me knowing what to expect and how to handle it.”

Also seen: Overcoming Obstacles with Heather Brooker

Ellie Knaus, host of Atomic Moms Podcast – book recommendation: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

“I have so many book recommendations based on the dozens of delightful and brilliant parenting experts I have interviewed on Atomic Moms podcast. But the book I would recommend to every single mother is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown. As a new parent, I felt overextended and overwhelmed. The more I dug into my role as mom, the more it felt like there was zero time for pursuing my goals outside of keeping my baby alive. And that was not a happy place for me to be. This book addresses the pressure that we put on ourselves to do it all and encourages us to get clear about our priorities. Once I was able to get intentional about where I was focusing my limited energy and resources, I could feel less guilty about declining the “non-essential” opportunities or distractions that pop up in the day to day. This book has helped me make decisions much more easily and without the guilt trip. I am more present with my child and more focused on making what matters most to me a reality. Toddlers love saying “no”, and it’s time moms say it more often too.”

Also Seen: Atomic Moms Hot Mama Summer Must Haves

Jordan Reid, author and blogger, Ramshackle Glam – book recommendation: Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy

“I read What To Expect and The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy, of course, but if I’m being honest the book I enjoyed the most was Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy. She’s just kind of…a mess. And it was refreshing to hear someone not know what they were doing (I certainly didn’t), while maintaining a sense of humor about it.”

The Gugu Guru Team highly recommends Jordan Reid’s two parenting books – Ramshackle Glam: The New Mom’s Haphazard Guide to (Almost) Having It All and Carrying On: Style, Beauty, Décor (and More) for the Nervous New Mom; as well as Jordan Reid and Erin Williams’ newest creation, The Big Fat Activity Book for Pregnant People

Also seen: Mompreneur Spotlight: Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam

Jill Simonian, author and parenting expert – book recommendations: The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy and The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp

“The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy scared the you-know-what out of me — the way it described all the ways women change, not necessarily for the better, during and after pregnancy. I loved the funny and conversational writing style, but my fear of becoming a mom was amplified after reading that book… which was a partial motivator for me to write my own book addressing all the way women get better and more focused after babies (f-a-b) instead of falling apart. The Happiest Baby on the Block — This book was my FAVORITE! It gave me a road-map for taking control of a newborn and gave detailed instructions for how to comfort babies and control crying by swaddling infants in a specific way. Anyone that tells you swaddling doesn’t work to calm a fussy newborn, by they way, did not properly follow the steps and instructions in this book. The how-to details (and science behind the method) in the book were fascinating and effective. I loved it so much that I continue to compliment and ask author Dr. Harvey Karp about it every time I see him now (we often speak at the same Los Angeles events). I even recommended reading Happiest Baby in my own book too — it’s that life-changing.”

The Gugu Guru Team highly recommends Jill Simonian’s book, The Fab Mom’s Guide: How to Get Over the Bump & Bounce Back Fast After Baby; The FAB Mom’s Guide is a unique, must-read for first-time pregnant moms with practical motivation to tackle the ‘bumps’ of new motherhood — because bouncing back after baby is not all about the body. It is a fast-paced, unfiltered telling of personal choices, tactical lifestyle tips and unexpected celebrity lessons to lead first-time moms on a distinctive path to build CONFIDENCE and RESILIENCE (mind, spirit and a little bit of body) from mid-pregnancy through the first year with baby.

Also seen: Mompreneur Spotlight: FAB Mom Jill Simonian

Amandine Liepmann, founder of Mitz Accessories – book recommendation: Bright from the Start: The Simple, Science-Backed Way to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind from Birth to Age 3

“I love this book because it’s all backed by neuroscience and isn’t filled with any sort of parenting guilt/opinions. It’s a very no nonsense approach to what’s worked for child development through studies from around the world.”

Also seen: Gender neural baby style; A Post-Consumer Recycled Baby Registry; Foodie Find, Mitz Children’s Clothing

Paige Wolf, author and activist – book recommendations – The Parent Trip: From High Heels and Parties to Highchairs and Potties and The Second Nine Months: One Woman Tells the REAL Truth About Becoming a Mom. Finally.

The Gugu Guru Team highly recommends Paige’s book, Spit that Out!: The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy Kids in the Age of Environmental Guilt

Also seen: Sustainable Nursery: Splurge or Save

Top 5 Tips for Photographing Your Kids from a Momtographer

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It’s the perfect time of year to capture photographs of your children which you will always remember as “summer memories,” but…wait a second, why won’t the baby smile? Why won’t the toddler stand still? Gah! Don’t worry, mama – we have you covered! Seasoned photographer Alex Mooney is here with her very tried and true Top 5 Tips for Photographing Your Kids! You can see Alex’s gorgeous photos on Instagram.

Ahhhh, so the time has come for you to snap a quick pic of your kiddos. What do you do?! How do you manage to capture that cute little memory you’re looking at so you can share away with your social media family or take advantage of Shutterfly’s free print promo they’re currently (always) running? Well, I have a few tips for you in your momtog ways to hopefully allow you to capture the best possible pictures of your kiddos that you can.

I’m a mom of three little ones myself (three kids four and under keeps me real BUSY) and am a photographer here in St. Louis. I snap everything from births to weddings to pets; however, hands-down the most challenging subjects to capture are kids! These tiny humans have their own little personalities, and unlike babies that just lay there and adults who are usually quite cooperative, kids definitely make me work hard to earn my paycheck. Besides the daily onslaught of pictures of my own children, I’ve been taking pictures for others for almost four years and I’ve gotten pretty good at managing to get some decent snaps of kids I’m photographing. I’m sharing with you my top 5 tips and tricks for photographing your kids — these work wonders for my own kids and kids I photograph, so hopefully they’ll work magic for you too! And whether you’re snappin’ with your iPhone or a DSLR, all of these tips can apply — they’re less about the equipment you’re using and more about capturing the moment (and capturing it well!) your kids are creating.

1. Know your camera, lighting, and surroundings

Get to know your camera — whether it’s a DSLR or smartphone, know how to use it! YouTube is a wonderful FREE resource for any tutorial on any kind of camera out there. I whipped up this iPhoneography tutorial a while back about how to take good pictures with your iPhone (or really any smartphone). Once you are relatively comfortable with your camera, it’s time to snap! You want to make sure you are aware of your surroundings and lighting — you don’t want to put your kids in direct sunlight and try to get them to look up at you for a picture while being blinded by the sun. Not-a-one of these tricks will help you combat that complete photo-taking resistance that’ll come from your kids! You want to make sure you’re putting them in a spot that is well lit (only use your flash if you have to; embrace natural light always!) and isn’t blinding them (hint: shade always is a good choice!)…I always like to have the sun behind my subjects. Obviously candid pictures happen sporadically and the beauty of candid is that they aren’t posed; however, if you are going for a posed picture, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings — try and eliminate any distractions in the picture (aka make sure there isn’t a random person in the background or a distracting sign) so you can focus just on your adorable kiddo subjects!

2. Bribery

I am most definitely not above bribery at.all. This is my number one go-to when photographing my own kids and any kids I have for a photoshoot. My favorite bribes are Dum-Dum suckers or bubbles (if you don’t want to load your kid up with a potentially sugary sticky mess). When I want to get a picture of my kids, I tell them that if they cooperate for a picture (or 70) that they’ll get to pick a sucker out of the sucker jar — or they’ll get to play with bubbles in the front yard. This trick works nearly every single time and I can usually get a few good snaps out of them before they realize that I promised them something tasty or more fun than sitting for a picture.

3. Props

Kids like holding things — my kids always seem to have something in their hands. However, when you’re trying to take a picture of your kids, they’re usually more cooperative if they have a prop or something to hold. Even a stick or flag or tiny toy works wonders, and totally illustrates the reality of having a kid too (they always have something in their grasps!). I like to toss in pets as well as props; our dog Scooter makes a wonderful prop and I always end up getting some great snaps of the kids with him because they love hugging and petting him and I just keep snapping away! In addition to letting your kids hold something, you can also use props to get your kids’ attention for the picture. Bubbles (seriously, bubbles work magic when it comes to kids and pictures!) are a great prop and make for some awesome pictures. Other things like a stuffed animal or a toy that you can hold and shake to get your kiddo’s attention works well to get their eyes geared towards you.

4. Being silly

Kids respond SO WELL to anything that they think is funny and makes them laugh (and laughing = great smiles for a picture!). Do something silly, something you wouldn’t usually do or say, and this will instantly get your kiddo’s attention. I look ridiculous 99% of the time when I’m trying to snap a picture of my kids because I’m dancing around, singing (I NEVER sing otherwise!) crazy loud, and saying anything (usually involving the words poop or butt; I have no shame in my silly game) that will elicit a smile, laugh, or grin out of my kiddos. You can also bring a helper too to have them sing/dance/scream/whatever behind you while you’re snapping pics as well. You can then focus on the pictures and they can focus on being silly and gathering attentions.

5. Embrace the chaos and candid moments.

This is my number one tip for photographing your kids: you have to realize that most kids have the attention spans’ of a gnat and you may only have mere minutes of cooperation out of them before they’re DONE and want nothing to do with your picture taking. This is okay! Embrace it — if the ‘posed’ picture you’re trying to achieve timing is over, let your kids play, explore, giggle, chat, and keep snapping away. Some of my most favorite pictures of my kiddos are the candid, unposed, raw and real images of them just having fun — or not having any of your photo antics and have the most disapproving faces on you’ve ever seen! Stand back and just keep snapping. Try not to get frustrated if your kids aren’t cooperating or are totally over having their picture taken (easier said than done, I know!) and instead let them be kids and capture the chaos and realities of them being kids and I’m sure you’ll be happily surprised with the candid moments you capture.

Alrighty! So these are my top 5 tips for photographing your kids. All of them are tried and true by yours truly and really have made all of the difference in the world when photographing kids — my own to complete strangers! Kids sense your sentiments, so if you’re stressed and pressing them for a good pic, chances are you’re not going to get one. However, if you’re relaxed and having fun (back to number 4!) and embracing the moment (back to number 5!), you most definitely are going to get some good snaps of your kiddos that you’ll want to share so fast on Instagram and Facebook so everyone can see your adorable kiddos and what an amazing momtog you are.

Toddler Tuesday: Lublini Custom Bedding

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When I first set eyes on the Stokke Sleepi, I knew I had to have it. It’s sleek, modern, smaller-scaled, wheeled, and convertible up to a junior bed (that’s 10 years of use!) However, if you own a Stokke Sleepi, you know that buying stylish bedding for it is not as easy as popping into your local baby super store or ordering on Amazon Prime. It takes EFFORT. Combine that with all the feelings that come with converting the crib to a toddler bed (your little one suddenly seems so…grown up) and buying new sheets can make for a not-so-easy time.

Black and White Raindrop Sheet

Enter, Lublini Custom Bedding. Like many of the other great brands that I love, I stumbled upon Lublini on Instagram. They were launching a black and white collection that caught my eye because I’ve been obsessed with black and white decor since I was in middle school. They are clearly THE oval bedding experts. Their bedding is made to order and handcrafted in Austin, TX, using only natural and organic fabrics. In addition to their custom bedding, they offer a ready to ship collection. Note: Babyletto Hula, Ubabub POD, and Nursery Works Gradient mamas, their new “Hula” collection has those oval cribs covered too!

Polka dots, bunnies, hearts, stripes, and more, their Stokke collection is clean, graphic and modern and you can mix and match the patterns and colors for your sheets, skirts, and rail guards. Plus, when it’s time to convert your Sleepi to a junior bed (welp!) they’ve got sheets for that too.

Organic Goodnight Sheet

*Black and White Art Cards by Wee Gallery.

By Shana, Gugu Guru Director of Content Marketing

Nursery Inspiration: Black & White Patterns

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Black and White nurseries are super trendy right now, and for good reason – they’re gender neutral, so you can set them up long before baby comes and they transition really well to toddler/kid rooms. However, when you’re working with two strong contrasting colors such as black and white, you’re going to want to throw some patterns into the mix to make for a stylish room. We rounded up nursery essentials for your black & white pattern inspired nursery – plus, head to the bottom of the post for some inspiration help.

Want to see more nursery inspo posts? Check out Gray Nursery Ideas, Gender Neutral Nursery, Botanical Nursery; Buffalo Plaid Nursery Inspiration; Princess Bride Inspired Nursery; Red, White, and Blue Nurseries

Crane Drop Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier, black: We have posted many times about why Crane Humidifiers are a nursery essential, so we had to include a plain black Crane Drop Humidifier black and white nursery. Humidifiers are especially important for Newborns because they are Obligate Nasal Breathers, breathing only through their tiny noses for their first 4 – 6 months. Any congestion can make breathing, feeding, and sleeping incredibly difficult for your little one. Why not grab this nursery essential in black to match your black and white nursery?

Also seen: Gray Nursery Inspiration; Top 5 Must Have Essentials: Baby’s Nursery; Mama Wellness Nursery; Nursery Essentials, Penguin Humidifier; Well Home: Crane Humidifiers; New Mom Series, Preventing Congestion; Minimalist Baby Registry; Budget Baby Registry; Red, White, and Blue Nursery

Black and White Swaddle Blankets: We love the variety of designs and patterns on these cotton swaddle blankets; plus, the velcro makes for an easy time swaddling baby.

Sea Team Foldable Mini Square Storage Containers: These eco-friendly and durable storage containers are ideal for your black and white nursery. They can hold everything from diapers to toys to clothes. We love the variety of patterns on them, they’re pretty enough to display on a shelf.

How You Can Use: See Hint Mama’s tips on using canvas storage containers for organizing baby clothes.

Black Cloud Changing Pad Cover: This cotton sateen changing pad covers adds black and white whimsy to a drab diaper changing station. Fabric is 100% cotton sateen, a weave that results in a bright satin-like appearance and feel, providing the optimal mix of durability, beauty, breathability, and ease of care; machine wash and dry.

Brooklyn Born Organic Knitted Blanket – Breton Stripe, Black/White: This handsome GOTS certified organic cotton adds sophistication to your black and white nursery. We’re big fans of the Breton Stripe; this blanket is mature enough to transition to a big kid room, as well.

Also seen: Red, white, and blue nursery

aden + anais silky soft swaddle 3 pack, midnight: These silky soft muslin swaddle blankets combines breathability and versatility with oh-so-soft rayon made from bamboo, making it the most luxurious fabric to use on your baby’s delicate skin. And, as if off-the-charts softness isn’t enough, the silky soft swaddle can also be used as a stroller cover, burp cloth, nursing cover and more. The black and white patterns add to the overall theme of the nursery, not to mention, they look great in photos.

Also seen: Minimalist Baby Registry; Comfy Baby: 7 Soft Baby Essentials for Your Little One

Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail, Black Triangles: An Ubbi Diaper Pail is a must have for any nursery; with a modern look, you can add efficiency with an essential nursery item to your nursery decor and not break from the theme of the nursery’s style. The Ubbi Diaper Pail holds up to 55 diapers, and with its powder-coated steel interior, it keeps smells far, far away. We’re loving the ultra-modern look of the black and white triangles, perfect for a black and white patterned nursery!

Also seen: Gray Nursery Inspiration; Top 5 Must Have Essentials: Baby’s Nursery; Mama Wellness Nursery; Spring Cleaning Must Haves; Gift Ideas, a Touch of Gray; Gender Neutral Nursery Inspiration; Red, White and Blue Nursery Inspiration

IKEA black step stool: A step stool is an often overlooked nursery essential, but there are many times you may need to reach the top of the closet or shut off a smoke detector. Plus, this transitions really seamlessly into a big kid room.

Also seen:

Seeing Spots Dalmatian Baby Bedding, Caden Lane: This adorable gender neutral Seeing Spots Dalmatian design in a black and white style is perfect for an eclectic nursery. We love the fun look of the animal spot design mixed with a fur looking texture which also makes it a perfect choice for a gender neutral room!

Also seen: Gray Nursery Inspiration; How To: Pick Baby Bedding For Your Registry; Mama Wellness: Nursery Wellness

Looking for black and white nursery inspiration? Check out our inspo-board below and don’t forget to check out our Pinterest boards for nursery inspiration, too!

Sources: (top-left) Cool Mom Picks; (bottom-left) Project Nursery; (mid-top) Sweet Sloan’s nursery from Hello Cedar; (mid-bottom) Project Nursery; (left) Project Nursery

*Featured photo from Project Nursery

6 Jogging Strollers for City Living

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Jogging and running in an urban environment is a great way to stay fit and healthy, but when you throw a stroller into the mix, things can get hairy. Between narrow sidewalks, potholes, public transportation and people traffic, finding the perfect jogging stroller for city living can be a challenge. After chatting with many parents, and lots of research, we rounded up our top picks for urban environment jogging and running strollers.

Do you have any on this list? Are we missing any? Leave a comment and let us know!

Budget Pick:

Urbini Avi: If you are looking for a quality “budget-friendly” jogger, the team at Gugu Guru recommends the Urbini Avi. Why? It’s a reliable, good quality jogger complete with great features like a cup holder, ample storage and a compact fold – and it has a super price tag.

Best Storage Pick:

Bumbleride Indie: This is an absolutely gorgeous stroller with great features – a wide canopy, compact fold and ample storage. We also love that the stroller is manufactured with eco-friendlier textiles. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend this stroller for hard core runners, but it’s a high-quality option for your one and only day-to-day stroller and jogger.

Learn more: A real mom’s review on the Bumbleride Indie

Best versatile pick:

Bugaboo Runner: Parents who have a top of the line Bugaboo stroller already can rejoice that they only need to buy the frame – it’s compatible with other Bugaboo seats. Designed with active parents in mind, the Bugaboo Runner comes in two versions; as a complete jogging stroller and as an accessory for existing Bugaboo owners, offering an easy, click-and-go jogging extension. The large under seat basket will hold your essentials and most accessories are compatible with the stroller. In characteristic Bugaboo fashion, you can choose to have the seat facing you, or facing the world. What are you waiting for? Run free!

Best for everyday use:

Baby Jogger 2016 Summit X3 Single Jogging Stroller: With its patented quick fold technology, you can fold your stroller with one hand, which means if you’re hopping on and off the subway and there’s a possibility you’re going to have to fold up the stroller, this is the one for you. This 3 Wheel Stroller has 16″ rear and 12″ front air filled tires with front wheel lock mounted on the handlebar for easy conversions between jogger and stroller mode, meaning you can use for jogging and everyday use. All wheel suspension system soaks up road bumps making it the perfect all terrain stroller, especially for going over cobblestone streets or cracked sidewalks. Plus, the hand operated rear brakes make for more control on hilly or uneven terrain. And, it features a large adjustable sun canopy with peek a boo windows and side vents.

Best lifespan:

Mountain Buggy Terrain Premium Jogging Stroller: If you’re looking for a space-saving stroller, the Mountain Buggy Terrain Premium Jogging Stroller is your pick, as it is not only can double as an every day stroller, but is able to be used from newborn to 70 pounds. The newborn perfect reclinable seat, compatible with the Mountain Buggy Carry Cot+ in matching fabric (sold separately) and infant car seats from most major brands (sold separately) allow you to use the Terrain from birth. Plus, the Terrain offers a new, extremely easy one hand fold offers ease and convenience. Now a full size jogging stroller fits everywhere a standard stroller will.

Best for Avid Runners:

Thule Urban Glide Jogging Stroller: We know how hard it can be to find time to work out, so when running is your only option, you’re going to want your stroller to keep up! At 22 pounds, the Thule Urban Glide is super lightweight and aerodynamic; this is perfect for winding through crowded sidewalks and around tight corners. The front wheel swivels for easy maneuverability, and locks into place for jogging. As an added feature, the padded ergonomic handlebar has a range of heights for parent’s comfort, so you can run comfortably. Plus, the seat reclines almost all the way, so baby can nap while you get your groove on.

Also seen: An Avid Runner’s 6 Baby Registry Picks

Still not sure which jogging stroller is right for you? Don’t worry, we have a quiz for that! What are your top features in a jogging stroller? Head to this post to find out what won the vote. Looking for some tips? We have top ten tips for running while pregnant!

Maternity Style: Urban Boho Mama

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We’re sharing our favorite maternity looks for mama style; today’s look is the Urban Boho Mama! What does that mean, exactly? The term boho comes from bohemian which refers to the retro hippie style like you’d have seen on dreamers, activists, and artists from the beat generation. However, the urban boho look refers to a little more of a polished twist on the boho look – still comfortable with lots of flowers and flow, just a little more cleaned up and streamlined. The urban boho trend is super popular all across the country right now, so we rounded up some style ideas for maternity looks.

1. Navy Paisley Tie Front Maternity Maxi Dress; 2. Peach Floral Off Shoulder Maternity Maxi Dress; 3. Grey Floral Off Shoulder Maternity Maxi Dress; 4. Heather Grey Off Shoulder Ruffle Trim Maternity Maxi Dress; 5. Teal Floral Chiffon Long Sleeve V-Neck Maternity Maxi Dress; 6. Light Blue Rose Off Shoulder Maternity Maxi Dress

When it comes to shoes, you’re going to want something cute (duh), but also without straps, laces, or ties, as it’s pretty hard to bend over and see your own feet when you’re super pregnant. We love these urban boho shoes because they’re sturdy, beautiful, and neutral colors.

1. Brown Faux Leather Cutout Overlay Boot; 2. Olive Strapped Ankle Boot; 3. Black Faux Leather Cutout Bootie; 4. Black Solid Faux Suede Boots

1. Babymel Grace Faux Leather Satchel Diaper Bag, Tan; 2. Arrows Weekender Bag by White Elm – Large Diaper Tote (budget find!); 3. KF Baby Bohemian Diaper Bag Value Set (budget find!); 4. timi & leslie Charlie 7-Piece Diaper Bag Set

Need some inspiration? Check out these helpful posts from What I Wore!

*Featured photo from the wonderful Lindsay Kujawa Photography

Gift Ideas: For the Coffee Loving Parent

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It’s no secret that new parents love coffee; not only does the caffeine help keep them up after a long night of no-sleep, but it provides a warm cup of comfort to make the long days just a little more bearable. We rounded up some fun coffee-themed gifts for any parent; these would make great baby shower gifts, and many of them are from Amazon, so you can ship directly and quickly to your new parent friends and family.

Mom Life Mug, Pearhead: A cute mom life mug is a must-have for any parent! We love this social media inspired mug for a new mama from Pearhead, one of our favorite places for gifts.

Mommy Needs More Coffee Mug, Pearhead: It’s true, mommy always needs more coffee. We love this oversized mug; it would be perfect for a working mama’s desk.

Also seen: Hot Dad’s Gift Guide

I’m The Reason Mom Needs Coffee Onesie: This funny onesie would make a great little gift for a new mama who not only loves coffee, but needs it after a long night of lullabies, too!

May Your Coffee Be Strong Shirt, Sweetees: If you’re going to send a blessing to a new parent, this would be the one! May your coffee be strong and your kid’s nap be long!

Fisher-Price Coffee Cup Teether: Functional and cute, this Fisher-Price coffee cup teether is an adorable gift for any new baby.

Latte Wooden Teether: If you’re looking for a wooden teether for baby, check out this “grabbing my first latte” wooden teether.

Funny Mom Is Awake Mug: We love this hysterical mug for moms which helps work you through your morning cup o’ joe!

IKEA Kids Picks on Amazon

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We have some earth-shattering news for you all: Ikea is now on Amazon. What!? To be clear, not every (or even close to every) item from Ikea is on Amazon, but a lot of the smaller, easy-to-ship items are available on Amazon, and with Prime, it’s free shipping. And yes, this is amazing news all around, because while we love Ikea and their meatballs (and ice cream), it’s almost undeniable that an Ikea trip with a little one in tow is going to end in disaster (just ask our friend Jordan Reid about that one). So, cuddle up in your pajamas and start shopping at Ikea from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of our top picks you can order on Amazon right now!

CIRKUSTÄLT Children’s tent; IKEA Children’s Kids Table & 2 Chairs Set Furniture; Ikea MALA Easel; IKEA BEKVAM Wooden Utility Step; Flisat Children’s Book Display; Forsiktig Children’s Stool

The IKEA Poäng chair is a budget pick of ours for a comfortable chair for the nursery. It’s neutral in color (comes in a few colors), easy to match in any room of the house when you’re done with it in the nursery, and really good for a parent’s back as they rock and bounce a baby to sleep.

Need some IKEA inspo?

A great list from Amanda Macy Hall on IKEA budget finds for baby under $50
10 things your baby needs at IKEA from The Wise Baby
IKEA Montessori children’s finds from How We Montessori
Ramshackle Glam’s top 10 best IKEA finds

YZ Light Up Shoes from Lighting Shoes Review

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We were fortunate enough to recently receive YZ Light Up Shoes from Lighting Shoes to review. You may remember them as a craze from the nineties but if you haven’t heard of LED shoes, you’re in for a fun surprise — especially if you’re the parent of a toddler who is just learning to walk. LED stands for Light Emitting Diode and LED shoes are shoes that light up. This fun footwear promotes dance, art and movement all around. Read on to learn more and check out the promo code for Gugu Guru fans at the end of the post!

Unlike original LED light-up footwear, Lighting Shoes’ line of cutting-edge sneakers light up the whole sole rather than just the heel. One of my kids’ favorite features of these LED shoes is that you can select from a variety of different colors for the sole. The YZ Light Up Shoes have seven static color modes, one strobe mode, or three color changing modes that you can customize based on your outfit or mood. My kids often expressed their individuality and changed the color of their YZ Light Up Shoes to mismatched colors for each of their feet.

Another very cool feature is that these shoes are USB-rechargeable. Each LED shoe is equipped with an easily accessible USB rechargeable battery that takes only 2 hours to charge the LED shoes and lasts up to 6 hours. One thing I was questioning was whether these shoes are waterproof and durable. Well, a recent trip to Adventureland and several trips on the “Crocodile Run” and “Little Dipper” water rides, proved without a doubt that these shoes can get soaked and still light up like a charm.

Overall, I highly recommend these shoes for toddlers, kids and even teens. We have really enjoyed them. Visit lightingshoes.net to grab LED kicks of your own and use code guguguru15 for 15% off any shoes and free express shipping. No expiration date either!

Steals and Deals: 4th of July Edition!

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We are SO excited about this EXCLUSIVE deal from QuickZip Sheets for Gugu Guru readers! QuickZip Sheets are having their annual clearance sale – everything in clearance is already 25% off – and…Gugu Guru readers will get a chance to shop the sale ONE DAY EARLY (today!) and using code GGSNEAKPEEK, you will get an extra 25% OFF – the deal is good on July 3rd (today) ONLY – so head to the sale collection and start shopping now – everything will sell out very fast!

Some other amazing deals today:

We are huge fans of the baby memories and milestones books from Polka Dot Print Shop – and they’re offering an EXCLUSIVE deal for Gugu Guru readers this week! Use coupon code GUGU20 for 20% off through 11:59PM CST on Wednesday.

baby mama sew shop makes amazingly gorgeous clutches, bags, keychains and more! They’re offering 20% off with code Happy20.

NappieSack is a minimalist must have item for us – and now you can get 30% off your order, with 50% off any monogram with code GG+NS.

It’s no secret that Lane Paper Works is our go-to for custom illustrations, and this week you can get 30% off custom work with code SUMMER! This is an amazing deal – get stocked up for the holidays!

Chrome Classic makes beyond beautiful clothing for toddlers, tweens, and mamas, too! Use code FIREWORKS for 25% off!

Bow and Anchor Co makes adorable bows for babies and girls (mamas, you can wear too!). Use code USA20 for 20% off!

Solchan Covers are multipurpose stretchy covers, for carseats, nursing, and more! Use code FIREWORK for 20% off.

Loving these boho inspired dresses from Viva la Jewels, and you can get 40% off with code WEEKEND40!

Maks Chic Design makes adorable toddler jewelry – use code HOLIDAY for 25% off!

Funky and Little make unique and adorable children’s clothing – use code Holiday for 20% off!

Deloom makes awesome clothes for mama, and even has curated boxes to help you! Use code 40OFF for 40% off summer items.

We are obsessed with the rompers (and other clothing) from Lot801 – use code RedWhiteBlue for 20% off site wide.

We think the birthstone jewelry from Cadorah is a great new mama gift! Use code USA20 for 20% off your order.

We’re big fans of Little Adi and their cute and edgy apparel – use code JULY2017 for 35% off the entire site (few exclusions). (valid until 7/5)

Your go-to shop for cute Mom Life Tees is Mom Life Must Haves! Use code FIREWORKS for 20% off.

Super low prices on these adorable little lady apparel from Matilda Jane Clothing at the Good Luck Trunk for Back to School!

If you’re looking for toys, check out The Lovebug Co – use code USA20 for 20% off!

We are huge fans of Bizy Belle’s blankets and snack bags – use code FLASH20 for 20% OFF plus their whole “ready to ship section” is up to 50% OFF (you can use 20% off in additional to sale prices).

We’ve written about White Loft Growth Charts a bunch, because every house needs one! 15% off with code USA15 Monday ONLY.

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