Mel Blume

Meet bblüv: It’s Love at First Light

As we all know, sweet dreams and cloudlike comfort go hand-in-hand. It’s essential to make sure babe feels safe and snuggly when bedtime and naptime begin. We scoped out the latest and cutest in the market to see what we’ve been missing—and can’t wait to share our favorites from the innovative, European-inspired brand bblüv.

With Canadian roots, modern styles and a mission to bring peace of mind to parents with young babes, bblüv has developed quite the fan base across the globe. When you see our ah-dorable picks, you’ll, of course, know why.

First, we’re spotlighting the Hibü – Silicone night light, because we don’t know hoot wouldn’t love it. Made of soft, baby safe and shock-resistant silicone, this ridiculously amazing night light features nine different LED colors with touch control, 3 auto shut-off timers, 10 levels of brightness and more. And bonus, with its rechargeable battery, this beyond-cute owl moonlights as a take-everywhere friend!

If your babe drifts into dreamland with the help of soothing sounds and a lightshow, this next find is for you. Meet the Kübe – a sound-activated musical nightlight with projection. With 15 different sound options including 10 lullabies and 5 nature sounds, this ultra-smart light is voice activated and the music and/or projection will begin in the middle of the night at the onset of a cry. It reassures babe and helps them fall asleep on their own.

As you can see, bblüv is a brand worth knowing about. Check out the array of innovative, awesome gear on the brand’s website or Amazon and let us know what you think!

Thank you to bblüv for making this post possible.

The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook Review

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Check out our The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook review and what we think of Jenna Helwig’s latest cookbook that is ideal for the busy parent.

Time. The whole idea of it changes form when you’re a parent. It becomes a seemingly unattainable, highly-desired luxury. Your appreciation for it grows to new dimensions. When you have time to finish that book, or catch up on that TV show, or do your nails, it’s kind of…magical.

For the reasons listed above, we couldn’t be happier to stumble upon THE cookbook for parents who have 25 hours of their day booked AND cherish quick-and-easy, nutritious and delicious meals for their kiddos. Here’s our The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook review of the latest masterpiece written by Jenna Helwig, Food Editor at Parents and Health magazines. This is her fourth family-focused cookbook; you may have heard of her others: Real Baby Food: Easy All-Natural Recipes for Your Baby, which remains one of the most popular items on Gugu Guru, and Toddler, Smoothie-licious: Power-Packed Smoothies and Juices the Whole Family Will Love and Baby-Led Feeding.

So, why do we love this one over the many other parenting cookbooks available in the market? First, the all-inclusive recipes in this book provide options—so many options, which we depend on to keep things interesting for our ever-changing, opinionated eaters. From pressure-cooked veggies to slow-cooked meats, your kiddos will never get bored, while you get the opportunity to introduce new, healthy meals on a regular basis. Speaking of healthy, an amazing bonus: the recipes are vetted by a registered dietician and include all nutritional information.

Next, we love how it neatly fits into the lifestyles of parents whose juggles are real. Whether you prefer the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of a slow cooker or a quick pressure-cooker experience, all 100 recipes are easy to prepare and offer that much-needed flexibility. When the clock ticks dinner time, it’s hard to imagine standing over your stove with multiple pots and pans. Jenna’s ideas remove that time-consuming act entirely and gift you more time to spend with your babe…and your book (possibly).

And lastly, the ingredient we love the most: minimal effort. You can slide The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook into your routine, and after a few weeks, it’ll feel like you’ve been cooking quick and healthy meals for your family your whole parenting life. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for making this sponsored post possible.

Larktale Strollers: Gear Up for Endless Adventures with Babe

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If you haven’t heard of the award-winning baby gear brand Larktale already, your on-the-go life is about to change. It all starts with the name. According to the brand’s innovative founders, Larktale’s mission is embedded into their name: ‘Lark’ means adventure and ‘tale’ is a story. They want users of Larktale products to continue to write their story, and embark upon new adventures—with their little one in tow.

With this philosophy in mind, Larktale’s team of parents created a lightweight, safe, high-quality product line that lifts the confidence of first-time parents and gives them access to an out-and-about lifestyle without the anxiety. Not only are the strollers reliable, functional, fashionable and easy—they are also highly affordable when compared to the options available in the market.

Winner of Best-All-Around Stroller for Urban Parents, the Coast Stroller is celebrated for its full-sized features designed in a compact, easy-to-navigate size. The quick trigger release lets parents and caregivers fold and unfold in seconds. While in use, parents can easily navigate through crowds, shopping aisles and the subway. Then, the ultra-compact folded stroller can be carried without superhuman strength up long stairwells and stores easily in apartments and trunks.

If you’re looking for a green-friendly stroller, Larktale’s Chit Chat Stroller won the 2019 Eco Excellence Award for its recyclable design. Weighing only 14.5 lbs, it’s easy to maneuver and can be picked up by parents and caretakers with ease. Its luxurious look, convenient build and awesome colors make outings enjoyable—for everyone. Plus, it makes impromptu park visits and coffee dates oh-so possible in that first year. An added bonus: if you don’t pass this stroller onto another family, it is recyclable! So, you can responsibly dispose of it.

When we learned about Larktale and their dreamy mission around new stories and adventures, we couldn’t wait to share it all with you. When your little one comes, it doesn’t mean the fun has to come to a pause. Keep your journey going, keep writing your stories, never stop exploring. Your family will thank you.

Use code LKTL-GUGU for an exclusive discount at checkout.

Best Cool Mist Humidifier: Crane

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Why do you need the best cool mist humidifier? Three words: that first cold. Oy. Poor little babe is sniffling, coughing, being introduced to devices that go up their nose—it’s not really fun. For either of you. But, the amazing part of that first cold? You learn about a laundry list of items that become your go-to sniffle staples.

One of these essentials is a cool mist humidifier, and luckily, we found the best one. Say hello to the Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier—the genius, filter-free option that is the key to peaceful Zzz’s.

Moist air is essential for stuffed baby nostrils (and adult nostrils for that matter). It makes it easier to breathe, especially when you’re congested and not enjoying that new-to-you annoying feeling. It helps babes sleep better and eat with a little less frustration. Humidity also makes it easier to clean mucus-filled noses—anything to make that job easier, we’ll take it.

Since the goal is to promote sweet snoozes, the Crane’s quiet-as-a-whisper sound doesn’t interrupt babe’s favorite lullaby. Plus, unlike many other humidifiers that require a great deal of cleaning to prevent bacteria build-up, the anti-microbial material reduces mold and bacteria growth by up to 99.96%. It also shuts off automatically when the water level gets low—one less thing to worry about at 4 a.m.

We love the incredible range of colors and styles that beautifully complement its aesthetically pleasing design (a next-level stylish option that outdoes the bulky tank). In addition to the rainbow of awesomeness available, you can also choose from Hello Kitty, an elephant, frog, monkey and more.

Crane just released their top fill humidifier, which is easy to fill, dishwasher safe and super easy to clean. It comes with an aroma diffuser and optional color changing nightlight.

If you don’t yet have a cool mist humidifier, you might want to purchase one ahead of the first cold—to avoid that midnight trip to the pharmacy. Good luck! Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms + Giveaway!

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

You are a miracle worker, mama. Caring for a babe, working AND producing milk are not easy jobs—especially without a full night’s sleep. We know that each day requires the energy of a superhero, so we assembled a list of tried-and-true tips that can hopefully give you many more minutes and moments with your little one.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #1: A great bottle with a high acceptance rate

When your caretaker is home with your precious babe, having peace of mind is…everything. You want to know your babe is calmly drinking the breastmilk you work so hard to produce.

Gugu Guru loves: The award-winning bottle from nan obébé and could not recommend it more for working mamas. Designed to preserve breastmilk nutrients, this all-in-one bottle feeds your little one, while letting you pump, store and warm as well! Its special mom-like shape keeps feedings comfortable for babe and prevents nipple confusion, while easing the transition from breast to bottle.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #2: Convenient, travel-ready transport / storage products

Since your pumping may occur in the car, office or bathroom, convenient, travel-ready products come in quite handy.

Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s Breastmilk Storage System is a game-changer for mamas on the go. Its leak-free bags with a cutting-edge design enable quick cooling and even thawing to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk. It comes with an organizer that lets you easily stack and manage your first-in, first-out method from work to home. Plus, the double zipper keeps every drop of your liquid gold secure.

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #3: Reliable, on-the-go refrigeration source

Speaking of liquid gold, transporting it requires a reliable cooler—and we found one you’ll love.

Gugu Guru loves: Nanobébé’s sleek cooler. Featuring three layers of insulation, it has space for up to three bottles and includes a compact ice pack to keep your milk cold for hours. You can also fit nipples, pacifiers, pump parts and more. Did we mention it’s also machine washable?

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #4: Cute and practical nursing clothes

Since pumping happens when your body asks for it, it’s helpful to be prepared with a cover you feel comfortable in.

Gugu Guru loves: Milk Snob’s breathable and stretchy nursing cover—that also moonlights as a car seat cover! It’s cozy, stylish and easy. The Larken X Bra is also a comfortable addition to pumping on the go. A completely hands-free pumping bra that doubles for everyday use and support is a must!

Pumping Tips for Working Moms #5: A bag to carry it all

And lastly, this is for the mama who wants one bag to carry-it-all.

Gugu Guru loves: The jay elle Breast Pump Bag by J.L. Childress. This is the best bag to carry your breast pump, spare parts, and work necessities. With great storage pockets, you’ll easily be able to tote everything to and from the office.

These expertly-crafted items truly change the life of a busy, working mama. They give you the gifts of time, organization and peace of mind. Truly priceless—especially at this time in your life. Enjoy those extra moments, unforgettable hugs and dreamy cuddles.

Feeding & Nutrition Giveaway

Top Mama Must-Haves from Soma

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As mamas, we’re superheroes 24/7. We never clock out and always have to be ready to respond. So, how can make our always-on-call lifestyles easier? By owning quick and cozy gear that’s versatile and functional: essentials we can turn to at a moment’s notice. We scoped out the soft and stylish scene by Soma, and found game-changing items that can help you master this heroic task.

Around-the-clock comfort starts with ultra-cozy undergarments. If you’re nursing, Soma’s selection of bras is the breast. Designed with a one-handed release cup for easy access, these nursing bras make it super simple to feed babe without any extra stress. Our favorites are the Wireless Unlined Nursing Bra, the Embraceable Full Coverage Contour Nursing Bra, and the Embraceable Wireless Nursing Bra. If you’re interested in barely-there bras that offer the ultimate support, check out Soma’s Enbliss Bralettes. Their second-skin feel is epic—you’ll forget they’re even on.

Since our bodies transform and stretch during all stages of pregnancy and beyond, you might want to try the SOMAINNOFIT Bra to find your new perfect fit. Designed for fit purposes only (not as an everyday bra), this innovative measuring bra provides your exact measurements through your smartphone!

Speaking of the perfect fit, easy, go-to leggings are always essential during a mama’s journey. These two-for-one Reversible Leggings are the most convenient solution when an outfit change is needed—but there’s no time to think about your next ensemble. For a slimming option, try these leggings on for size. They’re designed to take up to 1” or more off your waist.

Top off your can’t-live-without leggings with one of these ultra-soft tunics. Their wear-everywhere silhouettes, with a cloud-like feel, are perfect for layering. Throw on a denim jacket, a blazer or sweater to get through the colder seasons without effort.

When you’re not out and about, relax. And take a deep breath with the help of Soma’s Cool Nights Pajamas and Robes. Instead of dreaming about sweet Zzz’s, make them happen. With long sleeves, short sleeves, and colors and patterns galore, you can easily find sleepwear to live in, season after season.

The most amazing thing about our Soma finds? The price points. These day-to-night luxuries come without the price tag you’d expect. Treat yourself, mama. You deserve it all.

Baby Toothbrush: The Finger Toothbrush

by Mel Blume 1 Comment

Teaching the art of tooth brushing could be challenging even for the most patient parents—with dental degrees—but when you introduce the concept with the SmileFrida Finger Toothbrush, it becomes totally doable. Even at 3 months old!

Chomping down on anything feels amazing for teething babies, so we love this must-chew, massaging baby toothbrush, and think it’s great for many reasons. Firstly, it’s a perfect way to build twice-a-day brushing into your mini-me’s routine.

Secondly, the soft, textured material makes it a must for little teething monsters (a.k.a. cutie pies). Their little mouths have pain popping out of various spots throughout the feels-like-forever teething cycle, and this baby toothbrush has a way of alleviating some of it. Any natural relief is worth a try!

Plus, the silicone baby toothbrush is BPA-free and bacteria resistant. The double-sided design lets it massage the top and bottom gums, while the triple angle cleans all sides. And, since parents matter too, the double-sided design also acts as a protector for the finger going into that unpredictable, desperately-need-to-chew-on-something mouth.

It also comes with a hygienic storage solution that lets it stand on its own with a lid—so you have one less thing to worry about. Teething times can be hard!

The SmileFrida Finger Toothbrush is recommended from 3 months to 17 months, and then it’s time to graduate to the Toothhugger, an introduction to the solo toothbrushing world. If you’d like to learn more about SmileFrida’s product line, check out the website for helpful how-to videos and guides.

Has your baby tried the SmileFrida Finger Baby Toothbrush? If you still have your finger (couldn’t resist), let us know what you think!

Maternity Clothes for Working Moms: 5 Must-Have Pieces

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

While a bump is the best accessory ever, sometimes it’s hard to dress. Getting ready for work can become a massive undertaking, one that could require some help. We scoped out the maternity clothes scene and found five pieces that can take you through various stages and seasons with ease.

Must-Have Piece #1: A go-to top

A top you love is always essential.

Gugu Guru loves: This classic flutter-sleeve top that mixes a feminine vibe with timeless style. Featuring vintage-inspired polka dots, it effortlessly keeps you feeling fashionable without compromising comfort. Easy to pair with a simple necklace (like one from Tiny Tags) or a great work-friendly backpack. Finish it with black pants, boots and a blazer for the office, or keep it casual with a denim jacket and easy flats for the weekend.

Must-Have Piece #2: A versatile dress

It’s helpful to have a dress that’s a stylish option for every occasion.

Gugu Guru loves: This sophisticated dress that’s elevated with a wear-everywhere vibe. Not only does it look and feel really good, it can dress you through all three trimesters—and beyond. With patterns galore to choose from, you can find one for meetings, weekend outings, your baby shower and more.

Must-Have Piece #3: Cozy, stylish pants

Find a pair that are effortless to make mornings ultra-easy.

Gugu Guru loves: These skinny ankle pants. Smooth, stretchy, versatile and flattering, we can’t get enough of them. Available in colors for every mood, this insanely popular pair will get more use than you can ever imagine. They’re stylish without effort and oh-so cozy—you cannot go wrong with at least one pair of these perfect pants.

Must-Have Piece #4: A chic, multi-functional diaper bag

You might want to save the big, bulky backpack for an all-day outing, and opt for something more chic-mama-friendly for days you want to feel like…you.

Gugu Guru loves: This desk-to-dinner-to-brunch-to-endless-kiddo-destinations cross-body diaper bag by Anjie+Ash. It’s sleek, vegan leather finish organizes all essentials while lending your looks a fashionable finish.

Must-Have Piece #5: A snug-as-a-hug sweater

And lastly, since it’s fall, we thought we’d round out our list with a beautiful, cooler-weather essential.

Gugu Guru loves: This beautiful and cozy v-neck shaker stitch sweater. From your couch to the corner office, we have no doubt will come in handy. Pair with Ilado’s beautiful maternity necklace as an effortless accessory. Hope this list helps, mama. Keep calm, dress on.

Thanks to Destination Maternity for making this sponsored post possible.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Skin & Makeup techniques for working mothers are important to master because, well, mornings are an…adventure. Since we never know how long we actually have in front of the mirror, we need to think fast. And act faster. So, how do we figure out the simplest makeup routine? By starting with our skin.

Pretend you’re about to paint a picture. You have your paints lined up, your brushes ready to go. And then you take a look at your canvas. If it’s clean and smooth, you want to paint it. It’s simple. On the other hand, when there are bumps and specs of dirt that add unwanted textures, it gets a bit more complicated.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #1: A reliable cleanser

So, first, let’s master the cleansing and caring for our skin.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Anti-Blemish Facial Wash, an award-winning cleanser. It leaves skin clear while fighting blemishes and signs of aging—without over drying. Plus, it uses all-natural ingredients, making it ultra-safe for prenatal and postnatal women.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #2: On-the-spot acne treatment

Life could be stressful (the juggle is real!), and sometimes we see it come out on our face. It’s best to be prepared with a way to combat these breakouts.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Acne Control Spot Treatment. It reduces redness and provides some extra love to problem areas. And, bonus, it’s a non-greasy, non-drying blemish fighter.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers #3: A spa-like moisturizer

If you’re after that gorgeous glow (who isn’t?), you might want to find a moisturizer that leaves you looking and feeling like you just enjoyed an in-spa facial.

Gugu Guru loves: Belli’s Healthy Glow Facial Hydrator. The super-hydrating moisturizer provides anti-aging, skin-firming effects that can be seen and felt instantly. Once you look and feel good without makeup, you can get ready for work in minutes.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #4: Easy eye makeup

Start with an eyeliner that doesn’t require a ton of touch-ups. Then, reach for your go-to mascara and give those lashes some love.

Gugu Guru loves: Maybelline’s Eyestudio ColorTattoo. It’s smooth, soft and creamy, and lasts for up to 24 hours.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working Mothers Tip #5: Alternative to foundation

You might want to skip the heavy foundation and opt for a tinted moisturizer. It lets your skin breathe, while evening out the tone. And it feels really good.

Gugu Guru loves: The best-selling Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It hydrates and is infused with SPF 30 sunscreen. Lather it on, enjoy its lightweight feel, and top it off with a bronzer for a sun-kissed effect.

Skin & Makeup Techniques for Working MothersTip #6: A lovely lipstick

Choose a fall-perfect hue for your lips (nude to brown and every peach in between).

Gugu Guru loves: Dior Addict Lacquer Stick Lipstick. This high-shine, moisturizing lipstick comes in an array of rich shades to give you a smooch-worthy finish.

Health & Wellness Giveaway

Thanks to Belli Skincare for making this sponsored post possible.

Out + About with Evenflo: Innovative Gear You’ll Love

by Mel Blume Leave a Comment

Outings with your little can contain struggles and juggles—but they don’t have to. Evenflo developed a line of popular products that are replacing those moments with ease and comfort. A pioneer in the baby market, Evenflo’s innovative gear perfectly fuses security and comfort with high-tech designs to deliver safe and enjoyable out-and-about experiences for you and your babe.

Evenflo’s patented SensorSafe™ technology connects you to your little one the entire time, in real time. It’s built into the clip of their car seats and strollers and alerts you, through the app, if babe gets unbuckled or if the temperature is too warm. When verbal communication doesn’t yet exist, this connectivity to babe’s needs is invaluable—and it is found in the products below.

One stroller we absolutely love is the Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon. It easily transforms into an adventure-ready wagon—with the flip of a handle. This change lets you stroll with up to two kids, up to age five! The terrain wheels make sandy, beach day strolls simple and joyful, while the UPF 50+ canopies are an incredible add-on (one less thing to worry about).

We also found the Evenflo® Gold Shyft™ Modular Travel System to be a game-changer. This versatile, infant-to-toddler stroller offers six different modes of use and a three-position reclining seat to keep babe smiling through adventures, big and small. Forward-facing or parent-facing, this sleek, functional Shyft rolled onto our list as soon as we learned about it.

Road trip? Whether you’re getting groceries or going to Grandma’s, it’s essential to find a car seat that’s secure and safe. The built-in security aspects of the Evenflo Gold SensorSafe™ SecureMax™ Smart Infant Car Seat caught our attention right away. Along with the SensorSafe™ to keep you at peace while you’re behind the wheel, the ultra-simple harness makes it easy to adjust babe’s constantly-changing size. Another tremendous feature to note: the SafeZone Load Leg Technology. It stabilizes the car seat and reduces rotation by 50%.

Lastly, this all-in-one convertible car seat features a grow-with-me design that can stay with your kiddo from 4lbs to 120lbs! Designed for 10 years of use, the Evenflo Gold SensorSafe™ EveryStage™ Smart All-in-One Convertible Car Seat has an in-seat reclining feature to offer extra support and comfort, and more importantly, has EasyClick™ installation. This feature makes your little one’s car seat 3X tighter than the competition—ensuring a wiggle-free, protected journey.

Wherever you go, Evenflo has a pioneering product to lead you down your path with ease. Check them out (Use code GUGUGURU10 for 10% off any of these items) and enjoy the ride.

Thank you to Evenflo for making this sponsored post possible!

Mel Blume

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