Gugu Guru

How To: Trick or Treat With an Infant and a Toddler (+ Baby K’Tan and Finn+Emma giveaway!)

This month’s Cool Mom Picks Baby Registry Essentials guide features some awesome baby gift ideas for second babies. When you create your personalized registry on Gugu Guru, you’ll know the Cool Mom Pick must-haves in our product recommendations when you see this button:

While Halloween is fun for kids, it can be a juggling act when it’s time to Trick or Treat and you’re balancing an infant in one arm and a wild Halloween toddler in another hand. Today we’re sharing our tips for Trick or Treating with an infant and a toddler and the Cool Mom Picks products to make All Hallow’s Eve night just a little easier on you.

1. Baby K’Tan – This is a must have item for Halloween night! Use this if your baby is a newborn so that you can hold your toddler’s hand while he or she trick-or-treats – major plus – newborn will most likely fall asleep while you’re walking around, so no overtired newborn when you get back home.

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2. Double Stroller – You’ll need a double stroller to push the two kids around in if you’re walking in the neighborhood; we love the UPPAbaby Vista for multiple kiddos.

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3. Carseat – You’ll need a topnotch carseat, like the Britax Marathon Clicktight – consistently one of the highest (if not THE highest) rated carseats in the market.

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4. Baby Brezza Formula Pro + new feeding essentials – You worry about getting the candy and toddler’s costume ready and let the Brezza get bottles ready for while you walk the neighborhood. Dr. Brown’s bottles are easy to grip if baby is self-feeding (plus glass is truly safe!)

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5. Diaper Bag – It’s going to be a long night out on the town with the toddler (okay, maybe twenty minutes, but it will feel like hours) so don’t forget to bring a diaper bag with stroller hooks, like the Skip Hop Signature Diaper Bag. Believe us, you don’t want to be lugging around a bag full of all the necessities PLUS Halloween goodies on your shoulder or back!

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6. Finn + Emma Stroller Toy – Little one waiting in the stroller for the toddler to slowly walk up to someone’s house for candy? The Finn + Emma Stroller Toy is the perfect way to keep baby distracted. They’re organic – so safe to chew on – and come in fun characters for Halloween like Jack the Pirate.

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7. Primary onesies – Preparing for Halloween costumes can be totally overwhelming as a parent of two, so make it easy on yourself and head to Primary where you can pick any solid color onesie and make it a quick costume for the infant – like, a blush pink onesie makes a perfect little piggy!

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8. Baby socks – Speaking of quick costume ideas, Trumpette socks also are easy costume pieces for baby and reusable like the onesies – since it’s a waste to spend money on an infant costume that they’ll quickly outgrow or – worse – be uncomfortable in, and cry through the night when you’re trying to trick or treat with your tot.

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9. Baby book – Don’t forget to record all the exciting events of the night in a baby book – like this one from Lucy Darling.

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10. Miracle blanket – Your toddler might be on a sugar high so get baby to get a good night sleep with the miracle blanket swaddle, which is proven to extend baby’s sleep time. Later you can attack that candy.

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Like what you see? Enter to win a $60 gift card to Baby K’Tan and $150 gift card to Finn+Emma:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Photos from: Mama Bee, Rae Gun Ramblings, and Little Baby Garvin

Gift Roundup for the Mama Who’s Heading Back to Work

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Around this time of year many mamas are heading back to work after a maternity leave, especially teachers. Looking for some great gifts for a mama who’s heading back to work? We’ve rounded up some practical, and stylish, gifts for a working mama – these gifts are sure to make her feel confident and put-together, even when she’s working on very little sleep. These would make wonderful baby shower gifts, or add them to your registry.

Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado: If you’re looking for the ultimate nursing bra which is functional, but also stylish, soft, and feminine, look no further – the Body Silk Seamless Nursing Bra from Bravado is your perfect back to work under garment. The Body Silk Seamless nursing bra is super comfortable, putting you at ease and helping you feel confident when you head back to work. It is the perfect everyday, at home, on-the-go, anytime nursing bra. The luxuriously soft fabric molds to your changing shape, so that you can wear it throughout pregnancy, post-partum, nursing and beyond. Plus, it includes a bra conversion kit so you can convert your nursing bra to a ‘regular bra’ once your nursing journey is complete – no need to spend money on a bra you’ll only wear a few years, the Bravado Nursing Bra will last many years helping you feel put-together and beautiful inside and out.

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The Multitasking Cardigan from goodbodygoodmommy: When the Gugu Guru team came across this multitasking cardigan, we knew we had to share it with you all – especially mamas heading back to work. This made in the USA cardigan is a blend of 90% modal and 10% spandex with 2 on-seam pockets, perfect for storing pacifiers, or nursing pads. The cardigan is the perfect addition to you wardrobe at the start of pregnancy and after you meet you baby, it can continue to be a wardrobe staple as it transitions to both a nursing cover and baby wearing cover (seriously cool!). Dress it up or dress it down, the multitasking cardigan can go with you to the gym, back to work, to a night out, or anywhere your mom-life takes you.

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Wiley Black Sweater from Loyal Hana: Looking for a wardrobe staple to head back to work? We can’t say enough good things about the Wiley Sweater from Loyal Hana. Made from 100% cotton, this sweater features a waffle texture front and discrete side zipper for breastfeeding or pumping. This sweater is the perfect Fall clothing staple for transitioning from dropping baby off at daycare, to working mama, to out to dinner with a client. You’ll feel modern, stylish, and able to easily pump and feed in the Wiley.

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Beaugen Breast Pump Nipple Cushion: These breast pump nipple cushions are a universal fit, soft and stretchy which add comfort to your breast pump. Each package includes 2 nipple cushions which fit breast shield sizes 19mm-36mm. Make your time pumping more comfortable with these soft and helpful cushions!

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Gift Roundup for the Mama Who's Heading Back to Work

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Lisa Frank Inspired Baby Registry

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If you were a child growing up in the nineties, there’s a good chance you had a Lisa Frank binder or two, possibly some stickers, and for sure some pencils. Her iconic rainbow-ed animals and images were all the rage for middle school kids everywhere – and now, it’s back! Today we rounded up our favorite baby registry items inspired by Lisa Frank’s designs.

This Unicorn Over the Rainbows LilleBaby carrier is way too hip and way too cute!

Loving the unicorn garland to hang in a nursery (unicorn theme, fairytale theme, muted colors); and can’t get over how cute that rainbow unicorn mobile is!

This rad rainbow unicorn skirt comes in all sizes from baby to kid! Looking for a perfect Lisa Frank hair bow for your baby girl? This one comes in baby to adult sizes (mama + mini!).

Don’t want to be over the top with your homage to Lisa Frank? Snatch up this paci from Booginhead.

Lisa Frank used all sort of rainbow animals and mammals in her designs, like dolphins – the rainbow dolphins on the simple white onesie makes an adorable statement piece. Hello, how cute is that Lisa Frank inspired cloth diaper? Love!

Trend Report: Velvet

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Velvet reminds us of Autumn – it’s both cozy and glam – for mama, baby, and home!

Sari Velvet Romper, Little Moon Clothing ($49): This sweet little romper is perfect for fall and winter with leggings or tights. Each romper will be unique and different. The top bib is made using a gorgeous wedding Sari fabric with gold/silver woven threading. Has adjustable tie back straps. Two buttons in saddle make for an easy diaper change.
Shelly Round Velvet Pillow, Urban Outfitters ($39): Soft and luxurious round pillow topped with radial stitch detailing we love. Perfect for a vintage-inspired touch to any couch, chair or bed.
Velvet Baby Bow, Mane Message ($7 each): The Velvet Baby Bow Headbands are the perfect simple hair accessory for any little one’s wardrobe. The delicate bow and soft materials were designed to be worn comfortably on baby’s head.
Heirloom Baby Velvet Pouch, Nuraxi ($145): This 100% handmade velvet pouch is hand-dyed and gorgeous – perfect for babies 0-6 months to swathe them in luxurious coziness.
Tall Velvet Pleated Midi Skirt, Top Shop ($100): Velvet look details add a pretty touch to this midi skirt. Sitting high on the waist, the full skirt comes in a pleated texture. Pair with an oversized sweatshirt and trainers for edgy chic.
Wool Felt Hat, Janie and Jack ($24): Adorable crimson colored velvet hat with velvet bow – perfect for the holidays.
Baby Girls Burgundy Velvet Dress, Children’s Salon ($152): Baby girls adorable burgundy dress by Christian Lacroix. Made with soft cotton velvet with a smooth cotton lining for added comfort. It has pretty short puffed sleeves and fastens with a concealed back zip. It has a pleat and pink bow detail to one side and a sparkling pink logo on the hem.
Velvet Bomber Jacket Pink, Misguided ($51): Velvet is a classic throwback wardrobe staple and it’s back! This novelty bomber jacket is the one you need to dress up or down this Fall. Featuring a dusky pink hue, velvet material and a relaxed fit, you’ll be effortlessly chic and casual; style with denim and flats for girl crush vibes.

How to Dress While Wearing a Ring Sling (+ giveaway!)

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Today’s guest post is from Keila of Mommy in Milwaukee – she’s sharing her tips for styling up while babywearing using a Wildbird Ring Sling.

As someone who has been a huge fan of babywearing since my first son’s birth, I’ve had to learn to be creative when it comes to styling this helpful baby gear. If you babywear, then you probably already know that it’s much more than keeping your baby close; it becomes a way of life. In the beginning, it was really difficult for me to find ways to stay true to my style while babywearing. I loved trying out different ways to wear my babies using wraps, carriers and slings. Among these options, I’ve found that slings tend to be the most outfit-friendly. They’re easy to put on and have various ways to be worn. I love the side-carry because it feels like I’m holding my babe on my hip and I don’t have as much strain on my back.

Throughout the years I’ve found a few key pieces that I gravitate towards more often. These pieces are comfortable, stylish and look great with your Wildbird sling! I have to say, though, that the cutest accessory is always my little babe 😉 All of these items are also nursing-friendly and great as layered pieces now with the cooler fall weather!

The shirt dress: A shirt dress is such a versatile piece in every mama’s closet. They work well with leggings, booties and layered with a thin sweater or jacket on cooler days. (Dress on the left; dress on the right)

The open cardigan: This one comes in burgundy and tan! Cardigans are great for layering over a sling especially when it’s cooler outside. What’s great about an open-cardigan is that they usually have a bit more material and you can comfortably wrap it around your baby when worn. It’s also a great way to add a bit of cozy and cute to any outfit.

The go-to legging: If you don’t already own a good pair of leggings, then now is the time to make that happen! Leggings can be layered & are comfy. These also cover your tummy, and that provides extra coverage if you’re nursing. That’s always a plus for me!

The button-down: With the cooler temps, I love wearing warmer button-downs. They’re perfect for the season and layer really well under a sling. An added bonus is that they’re forgiving when it comes to wrinkles!

The jumpsuit: As a mama of 3 under 3, I tend to gravitate towards easy pieces that aren’t a hassle to put together. Enter the jumpsuit. With this piece, you have a chic ensemble that can be dressed up or down with the right accessories.

I hope this little list is helpful. Leave a comment for your go-to and must-have pieces. Happy babywearing!

Like what you see? Enter to win a Wildbird ring sling here:

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Heirloom Quality Gifts

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Today we’re sharing our picks for gifts which will last a lifetime – both in quality and in your heart. These would make wonderful baby gifts, or add them to your registry.

The Wanderlust Plus Quilt, Little Wife Power House: Quilts are so important in a family’s history – they are full of snuggles, warm memories and they only get softer over time! This beautiful, modern quilt has deep brown plus signs stretching across the quilt top and is quilted with diagonal lines stretching from edge to edge. The background of the plus signs is white. Soft, cotton batting is sandwiched between high quality fabric; the finished quilt measures 36″x44″ and is machine bound. The size is perfect for snuggling your little one and is big enough to grow with your toddler, and beyond.

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Lorena Canals Puntilla Beige Rug: Oftentimes, it is the rug which becomes the staple item in any nursery; a soft, quality rug becomes the focus on the room as it becomes a special spot for taking newborn photos, learning to crawl, and a soft space for new walkers. This romantic, lace-inspired design makes any room feel extra special. Its delicate cutouts lend a fancy touch while the neutral colors keep it versatile. This is a rug that feels equally at home in a nursery, bathroom, or sitting area.

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Finn + Emma Organic Footie: Finn + Emma are known for their quality baby clothing which lasts from your oldest child’s baby days to your very youngest baby. Made from 100% organic cotton, these footies are super soft on your child’s skin and wash wonderfully. All-natural, easy-snap fasteners with coconut inserts are lead and nickel free so that they are completely safe to wear even close to the most sensitive of skin. Sturdy and soft, this footie is sure to keep your baby comfortable, warm and absolutely adorable through the first year of their life.

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Tiny Tags necklace: What’s more precious to a mother than her children? Tiny Tags creates gorgeous necklaces, in a variety of styles, which can be personalized with your babies’ names. Tiny Tags mission is to honor and remember life with you – whether the birth of a child, loss of a loved one, adoption of a pet or special date (or even location), Tiny Tags can create a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry which is sure to become a heirloom piece in your family’s history.

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Thank you to Little Wife Power House, Lorena Canals, Finn + Emma and Tiny Tags for making this sponsored post possible.

Bluegrass Baby Registry

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It’s a very exciting week in the world of bluegrass music – the International Bluegrass Awards are this Thursday – so, naturally, we rounded up the best baby items for a bluegrass lovin’ babe. Read on below to check out the adorable music related items and the many, many discounts for Gugu Guru readers. Like what you see? Remember to add it to your registry!

Kisses, hugs, Flatt & Scruggs onesie. Too cute. A bluegrass baby essential item!

Kenny and Amanda Smith, of the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, are both nominees this year at IBMA – Amanda’s nominated for female vocalist of the year, and Kenny for guitar player of the year (as well as his band, Band of Ruhks for emerging artist of the year) – they just released a new album, Unbound, as well. We reached out to Kenny and Amanda to see if they had any suggestions for a bluegrass baby, because they have an adorable little lady together. They recommended their Flatpicker Inside onesie – a perfect onesie for any little one who loves attending bluegrass festivals with mom and dad. You can purchase it on their website.

We are absolutely smitten with these handmade onesies from Evies Gift – your little one can pick the banjo or strum the guitar – these would make a perfect baby shower gift for a bluegrass mama. Evies Gift is offering Gugu Guru readers 15% off with the code MUSIC.

This organic Banjo Baby Blanket from Lulu and the Boys would be perfect in a music themed nursery. Got a little lady who loves bluegrass? These pink and purple guitar bibs and burp cloths are a wonderful accompaniment to any baby shower gift. Burp cloths featuring mandolin, guitar and dobro from Ruby Blue are the ultimate addition to a bluegrass registry – use code BLUEGRASS for 10% off your purchase from Ruby Blue (valid through 12/31/16). Looking for a bib bandana for your drooling bluegrass babe? We love the organic drool bibs featuring guitars from Fynn Baby. Fynn Baby is offering 20% off coupon code with the code BLUEGRASSLOVE20 just for Gugu Guru readers.

Designing a bluegrass themed nursery? Check out this sweet pillow featuring a bluegrass banjo, dulcimer and resonator guitar from Society6. We’re loving that handmade guitar mobile from BabyDecorUA – the colors are all customizable! BabyDecorUA is offering Gugu Guru readers a 15% discount on all baby mobiles with code BABYDECORUA15 and 10% discount on baby mobiles supplies with code BABYDECORUA10.

Lastly, if you’re looking for bluegrass themed artwork for your baby’s nursery, here are some prints we just adore – Forest Frolic from Toad Briar – use code GUGUGURU for 20% any piece of art in the store. The little foxes playing fiddle and banjo is a personalized print. And, if you’re going to learn the ABCs, why not learn the ABCs of bluegrass music with the “M is for Mandolin” and “F is for Fiddle” prints from Society6.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Shelley Suh of Loyal Hana

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It’s no surprise that Gugu Guru is a huge fan of Loyal Hana, so we are thrilled that today’s Mompreneur spotlight is on Loyal Hana’s founder, Shelley Suh.

GG: How and why did you start Loyal Hana?

SS: Having worked in the fashion industry for over 18 years, I understand how having pieces in your wardrobe that look good and fit well can have the power to make women feel confident, capable and beautiful. It wasn’t until the birth of my children that I realized that this could be readily applied to solve an unmet need for tailored designs that flatter the bump and the boob.

When I had my daughter Cybelle in 2009, I returned to work and discovered a missing market in pregnancy and postpartum friendly clothing for women returning to their daily lives. About four or five months after my son Mason was born, I knew that I was not feeling like myself. I started getting the baby blues and on top of this, my father was diagnosed with his second cancer. I decided I needed to put all of my energy into something creative and with purpose.

I had the opportunity to introduce women to my collection in 2014 when Loyal Hana was born. More than just a collection of maternity and nursing garments, Loyal Hana is a reliable friend during a crucial time when the pressure is on to provide it all. The label represents a helping hand when circumstances make it difficult to be discreet; it’s a universal “thank you” and a way for new moms to feel confident and beautiful every day.

For me, Loyal Hana has been a success because it pulled me through a very hard time in my life and brought me back to serve a purpose by making things easier for other women out there.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SS: Balancing work and life is a constant evolution each year. I am lucky to be the mother of two amazing children, Cybelle, who is seven and Mason, who is three.

I am fortunate to have support from my husband to create this line and co-parent the way we do, where we do. I think that when I started my family, I was challenged to redefine how to juggle my time between becoming a mother, being the best wife I can be, and maintaining my identity to have a career. With all this said, when you create something with purpose and passion you find balance and time to make it all exist. One precedes the next and without the birth of my kids, I would have never found my passion or personal challenge to start this collection. With every piece we make at Loyal Hana, I hope that it helps make the process easier for other women and makes them feel beautiful and confident.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SS: Every mompreneur has a voice or platform to create something with purpose. Loyal Hana is my platform to share something, inspire someone, facilitate a process and simply to express who I am. This company has so much meaning to me because it pulled me through a very dark time in my life. This creative outlet inspired me to give back to the other moms that are having a similar struggle and want to return to their lives. The best part of starting this business is when I hear from another mom who loves my clothing and I hear it has helped her feel “beautiful.“

DIY Pacifier Clips

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See Kate Sew partners with Gugu Guru once again to share a fantastic DIY tutorial. This time? A handy and chic pacifier clip!

Pacifier clips are a must-have for germaphobes. They clip to your baby’s shirt and keep her pacifier from hitting the floor. They are also nice when baby is in her carseat because you can find the pacifier easily and quickly just by following the cord.

We modeled these photos on the Uppababy Vista System. We’ve been using this stroller since Mae came home. We brought her home in the Mesa carseat and use the Vista every single day when we’re out and about. I can’t say enough good things about this stroller, it’s been a total game changer for getting out of the house with a newborn! Read my full review at See Kate Sew!

Today I’m showing you how to make this simple braided pacifier clip with just 2 supplies!

Braided Leather Pacifier Clip Tutorial:

Materials: Brass Clip, Leather Cord

Instructions:

1. Cut 2 pieces of leather cord, 28″ and 14″

2. Fold the longer piece in half and hold the loop up to the end of the shorter cord. Tie them in a knot to create a 1.5″ loop.

3. Fold the end of the short piece down.

4. Pull the end of the short piece over and hold it with one of the 3 strands. Use the 3 strands to create a classic braid. The little end piece will be hidden in the braid as you do this.