Nursery

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.

Top Natural Baby Picks from a Fit Mama

by Christine Swearingen Leave a Comment

Looking for natural baby products? You may have seen our last post with popular fitness influencer, Dasha Anderson (founder of Kettlebell Kickboxing) and her husband Dan where they talked about their favorite products for active parents! Dasha and Dan also love all-natural products that are safe for both Mom & Baby and below are some of their top baby picks.

Natural Baby Mattress Pick: Colgate Natural I Mattress: The Colgate Natural Mattress is our go-to mattress! Baby will rest easy on this all-natural hypoallergenic mattress with a certified organic cotton cover. We love that parents can rest easy knowing this mattress is GreenGuard Gold certified for zero harmful emissions and chemicals.

Natural Baby Feeding Pick: Dr. Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Wide-Neck Glass Bottles:

Say goodbye to colic with Dr. Brown’s bottles! This special system offers a flow that supports breastfeeding and decreases the frequency of spit-ups and gas. The amazing, soft silicone nipple will help breastfed babies latch naturally and is shown to preserve nutrients in both breastmilk and formula. Plus all of the bottle’s plastic parts are made of thermoplastic polypropylene and are BPA, PVC, Lead and Phthalate free.

Natural Baby Monitor Pick: Evoz Vision Wi-Fi Video Baby Monitor: We love the Evoz Monitor Camera for the sustainability factor! If you’re anything like us, you probably have a spare iPad or smartphone lying around your home. What’s great about the Evoz is that it can leverage your old device as a monitor so there’s no need for extra equipment. The Evoz camera connects directly to the free Evoz Baby app, allowing you to view your little one anytime with Wi-Fi, directly on your smartphone or tablet. As a special bonus, sleep help is built right into the Evoz Baby app with The Sleep Lady®!

Natural Baby Toy & Teether Pick: Mochi Toys Maraca, Teething Ring, Blocks, and Teething Plate: We love that Mochi Toys are both fun and functional! Mochi makes the most adorable toys that are not only cute but 100% safe for little ones to chew and drool all over. These teething soothers are made from rice and bring soothing textures to playtime.

Natural Baby Skincare Pick: Matrescence Rose Glow Trio: With the combination of hydrating, protecting and revitalizing, the all natural Matrescence Rose Glow Trio is a must! This three-step skincare system nurtures the skin from bump to beyond, providing a high-performance skincare routine in a simple 3-step system that is safe for Mom AND Baby.

Natural Baby Stroller Pick: BOB Gear Revolution 3.0 Jogging Stroller: The BOB Jogging Stroller is a classic favorite! The amazing design of the stroller adapts to provide the smoothest and safest ride for baby while you run, jog, or even walk, on almost any terrain. It’s lightweight and the 2-step fold system that makes it easy to transport and take your little one along on your adventures out into the world. The cherry on top is that the manufacturers of the BOB stroller do not treat the strollers with any harmful chemical flame retardants.

Natural Baby Bedding Pick: Carousel Crib Sheets: The amazing Carousel Crib sheets are 100% organic and so lovely with their incredible softness and adorable designs that can be created to match any nursery. Carousel went the extra step and add extra deep pockets, which makes it easier to change sheets but also eliminates the fear of sheets slipping off in the night. Did we mention how absolutely soft these sheets are?!

This post contains affiliate links.

What’s New on Gugu: October 25, 2019

by Abby Ludwig Leave a Comment

While we took a brief hiatus due to our Working Mother Registry + Giveaways (if you haven’t checked them out, there are some AWESOME giveaways on our blog), we are back at it in full swing this week for What’s New on Gugu. Instead of highlighting 5 new items this week, I’m back with 10 items that have launched (or will be launching) in the baby market. From strollers to nursery gear and everything in between, take a look at some of our newest finds!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Gooselings: Gooselings was inspired by ‘Hygge,’ the Scandinavian lifestyle leading to feeling calm and content. All of Gooselings products have been created to help add calm to our hectic daily lives with kids. These high-quality duvets and duvet covers are the perfect thing to bring your family together during playtime and add that sense of calm to the end of any work day. Plus they are easily packed for plane or car travel.

4moms mamaRoo Sleep Bassinet: The newest product to hit the market from 4moms will launch early next year and moves like you do! With movement patterns similar to the mamaRoo, this sleep situation will be perfect for keeping your little one close for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes.

Nuna Triv Stroller: Triv is the newest stroller option from our friends at Nuna! This lightweight, easy-to-push stroller allows you to easily change between seat and car seat. It has a large storage basket and spring suspension, giving you a smooth push. Plus it’s one-handed fold can’t be beat!

FORMERLY YAN: We love this new maternity clothing line, which is designed specifically for changing silhouettes. Check out their Little Black Dress with Side Zippers or their Jogger Style Trousers, two of our favorites! These pieces are great for a day in the office or a night out on the town!

UPPAbaby Vista V2 and Cruz V2: UPPAbaby has updated their classic Cruz (single) and Vista (convertible) strollers for 2020! Both strollers are getting updated suspension –hello easier push!—as well as new colors/fabric options. The Cruz is also getting bigger wheels, a downsized fold, and a larger seat while the Vista will be seeing a no rethread harness and a larger canopy. These are expected to be released in February 2020!

Skip Hop Feeding Line and Convertible High Chair: Skip Hop has launched both their feeding line and their Sit-to-Step High Chair! Great for infants and toddlers alike, this high chair reclines for easy bottle feeding, slides right up to the table, and turns into a toddler step stool. The feeding line is full of must have essentials, great for feeding at home or on the go.

Tranquilo Products: Looking for a solution to help soothe baby when nothing seems to be working?! Look no further than Tranquilo! Their portable vibrating mat helps mimic the sounds from mom’s womb, instantly helping calm baby. The baby soothe massager is also great for use at home or on the go. All of these products are perfect for travel!

Finnbin: In Finland, parents are actually given a free cardboard baby box, which will provide their little ones with a safe sleeping environment from day one. Finnbin has stepped up this theory, providing high-quality Baby Boxes filled with all sorts of newborn necessities. Easy to move around the house and much more affordable than today’s standard bassinet, the Finnbin can definitely be your go-to baby gift!

Crawligator: Make tummy time fun with this JPMA Innovation Award Winner! The Crawligator helps your little one strengthen all of those muscles needed to begin crawling. Simply place your babe on top of the Crawligator and begin to move them forward slowly. A great way for parents and little ones to complete play time together!

Drinking for Two: A great gift for your girlfriend who just announced she is pregnant, Drinking for Two, is an adorable mocktail book aimed at combating pregnancy-related symptoms. Featuring 45+ non-alcoholic, plant-based mocktail recipes that are high in nutrients and low in sugar, this is the perfect coffee table book throughout pregnancy and beyond!

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 21, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: Chicago Baby Show Edition

What’s New on Gugu: September 12, 2019

Best Baby Cribs: Take a Walk Down Milk Street

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

We’ll tell you how to get to Milk Street (a.k.a. the home to the best baby cribs). It’s one of our favorite destinations—and here’s why.

The look and feel of the Milk Street furniture finish is one of a kind—literally and figuratively. Due to the hand-waxed look and patina process (up to eight layers of glaze), no two pieces are exactly like. “Each layer of finish is individually tested above and beyond the most stringent coatings standards to assure you that your baby is protected from any harmful chemicals.” The top-quality craftsmanship and attentive care given to each and every piece can be seen and felt.

Another amazing feature? The grow-with-me design. A crib is an investment, so it’s nice to know that this is money well spent. The convenient convertibility factor lets you get attached to these beautiful pieces (because you will, no doubt). The cribs can convert into a toddler bed, a day bed and a full-size bed, so your mini me can continue sweet snoozes in style for years…and years.

And, while we LOVE the magazine-worthy look, the safety elements make these the best baby cribs. Surpassing the highest standards, their innovative team of experts stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving changes taking place in the baby gear industry.

Just when you think it can’t get any better, the next-level warranty lets you know it’s the real deal. Milk Street is so confident in their products, they offer an extended five-year warranty upon purchase against all manufacturing defects. That’s a long time…

Speaking of timing, unlike most handcrafted furniture companies, Milk Street does its best to deliver within two to three weeks (depending on location). So you won’t have to wait the typical eight weeks—a major bonus if you take time to make décor decisions. We can relate.

Owned and operated by empathetic women, Milk Street takes extra steps to ensure that each piece makes life a little easier for parents. You can sleep soundly knowing your babe is safe and snuggled in a nursery that’s dreamy.

Nursery Trend Report: Small Space Inspiration

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s nursery trend report is from the fantastic Little Crown Interiors; you can find more about them on their website, Instagram, or Facebook. Do you need some small space nursery design inspiration? Read on for ideas and a special discount below! Don’t forget to check out Little Crown Interiors’ post on minimalist nurseries and gender neutral nurseries.

Over the years, I’ve worked with over 200 clients. In all that time, I’ve only worked with a handful that didn’t have space challenges in the nursery. Typically, the nursery is the smallest room in the house—a guest room, office, or even a corner of the master bedroom that needs to be converted. Even in rooms that are a good size, placement of doors and windows can cause floor planning problems, especially since there are added safety concerns in nurseries.

Luckily, there are so many great options to help make a small space nursery feel bigger, more open, and functional. Here are some of my top tips:

Max Wanger’s Nursery by Sarah Sherman Samuel via My Domaine

Mini Cribs

Mini cribs are fantastic for smaller spaces. They are still large enough to use for quite a while, but are small enough to save space. As an added bonus, a lot of mini cribs have casters on the feet, so you can roll it around the house and use it in different rooms. Because of their smaller size, you can also use it in the master bedroom in place of a bassinet, and then simply move it to the nursery when you’re ready to transition. Regular size cribs are too large to fit through the door, so that’s not an option. Do make sure to measure your doorway if you plan to do this, even for a mini crib!

Emerson Mini Crib from Pottery Barn Kids

Keep It Light and Bright

Dark colors make a room feel smaller, so if you’re working with a small space, keep the walls a light color. There are also things you can do to enhance the brightness of a space, such as harnessing the natural light. If you have a window, keep the curtains open when you can. Add a table lamp or a floor lamp if your natural light isn’t great, and add a nice wall mirror to bounce the light around.

Vertical Storage

Use your walls for storage! There are a lot of products now that are shallow enough so they don’t stick out into the room, but still provide much needed storage. Book ledges are a great option if you don’t have room for a bookcase. You can also make use of wall hooks, small wall cabinets and floating shelves.

Acrylic Book Ledges

Use the Nursery For Sleeping Only

If your nursery space is really tight, you can always put the changing station in the living room or bathroom. It’s not the most convenient, but it works in a pinch. You can also keep toys in a storage bench in the living room—I particularly like this idea because is accomplishes two things: 1. It keeps playtime in the rooms where you are more likely to be able to supervise, and 2. It provides the opportunity to teach your baby how to clean up and put toys away since they are in a shared area.

Nash Changing Table by Serena & Lily

Keep It Organized

Clutter makes a room feel smaller. If you have a small space, keep it organized and clean! You can use boxes and bins to store toys and clothes, and keep things that are out folded and neat.

Maximize The Closet

Squeeze every last drop of storage out of the closet. Many closets are not designed specifically for nursery needs, so add in an extra wardrobe bar, get some storage bins, and plan out the type of items you need to store (and keep in mind that it will change with baby). Flexibility is key!

About the Author:

Naomi Alon is the owner of Little Crown Interiors, a design studio in Southern California offering local and nationwide e-design services just for nurseries and children’s spaces.

As a special promotion for Gugu Guru readers, Little Crown Interiors is offering 10% off nursery design services when you mentione “Gugu Guru”, and 10% off anything in the online shop with code GUGUGURU.

Nursery Trend Report: Minimalism

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s nursery trend report is from the fantastic Little Crown Interiors; you can find more about them on their website, Instagram, or Facebook. Have you ever thought about doing a minimalist nursery? Read on for inspiration and a special discount below!

Check out Little Crown Interiors’ guest post on Gender Neutral Nurseries, too!

Minimalism in interior design has gone through a variety of interpretations. It’s been viewed as very modern, sometimes cold, often with hard lines and angles. Over the years, it has come and gone with the trends in design. For nurseries in particular, minimal design has been gaining popularity again, but not the type of cold and uber-modern minimalism.

Minimalism for today’s parents means much more than just a design style. It means keeping things simple, functional, and convenient. It means not having more furniture than you need, and clearing out the clutter to make more space for play and family time. It means investing in a few quality pieces that you really love, and not going overboard with every little thing.

Minimalist design also has a reputation for being extremely expensive, but really it just has a focus on quality pieces that will last. There is so much available now in the nursery world that finding quality pieces doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars.

Neutral Modern Nursery via La Chateau Style

I love how this nursery uses a bold accent wall to bring contrast and interest into the space, but when you really look at it, there’s not a ton of furniture and decor. A simple crib and changing table, a few pieces of art and a few accessories. There aren’t even any visible toys! The dark accented wall gives the whole room added dimension.

Simple Minimal Nursery via DucDuc

Minimalism also works so well for nurseries that are tight on space. If you’re only purchasing the essentials, you will have more room to move around in a space. In the nursery above, you can see how minimalism doesn’t have to mean overly modern. By pairing simple modern furniture with the more traditional wallpaper and side chair, the room feels warm and soft.

Monochromatic minimal nursery by Little Crown Interiors

Of course, you could still go with the lack of color that minimalism has been historically known for. In this all-white nursery, the pieces are all simple, monochromatic, and modern. The few small gray and silver accents give it just enough contrast, and the rug and throw blanket add some texture. Including pieces with rounded edges and shapes also helps the room feel less sharp and angular.

Minimalist Girl’s Room by Sissy & Marley

OK, so this isn’t a nursery, but the minimalist whimsy of it is adorable! There isn’t a lot of furniture or decor in this space, but all the pieces are intentional and serve the overall design. Clutter is hidden in the drawer under the bed, and the space feels fresh and relaxing.

About the Author:

Naomi Alon is the owner of Little Crown Interiors, a design studio in Southern California offering local and nationwide e-design services just for nurseries and children’s spaces.

Baby Room Ideas: Introducing NoJo, a Sweet One-Stop-Bedding-Set

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Decorating a nursery is one of those getting-ready-for-baby projects that warms your heart (cue tears!), but it can also be a little stressful and overwhelming at times. We want to build a calming, peaceful palace, but we also hope it captures their budding personality! Since the goal is to get it just right, we found this adorable baby room décor that is sure to sweeten any nursery.

If scouring baby décor sites and Pinterest for days sounds exhausting, this starter kit is perfect for you. This eight-piece baby décor set by NoJo includes one comforter, two crib sheets, one crib skirt, one decorative pillow, one diaper stacker, one coral fleece blanket with a coordinating appliqué (that’s so sweet), and one contoured changing pad cover.

With 19 styles to choose from, the extensive selection of prints ensures there is fairy-tale cuteness for every baby room: Check out the woodland animals, dinosaurs and florals—just to name a few. Crafted from silky soft 100% cotton sateen fabrics, your little babe will enjoy cloud nine cuddles and sweet snoozes morning, noon and night. Super soft, snuggly and stylish? Check. Check. Check.

It is the one-stop-set for baby room decorating. We know your to-do list is miles long at this point, so if you can cross off eight items with one purchase, it might feel really good. When you feel the softness, and see the adorable details, you’ll understand the quality behind this product. We’re really excited about this nursery décor and couldn’t wait to share it with you.

Wishing you the most precious, beautiful moments in your new baby room. Have fun with the decorating—no luck needed. It will be perfect.

Do you have any baby room ideas to share? We’d love to hear them! Feel free to share them in the comments section below.

Find awesome nursery décor and so much more by visiting NoJo on Amazon, here.

Thank you to NoJo for making this sponsored post possible.

Nursery Trend Report: Gender Neutral Nurseries

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Today’s nursery trend report is from the fantastic Little Crown Interiors; you can find more about them on their website, Instagram, or Facebook. Have you ever thought about doing a gender neutral nursery? Read on for inspiration and a special discount below!

Gender neutral nurseries are the darlings of social media right now. Neutral color palettes have been getting more popular, and the trend of waiting to find out the gender of the baby is also making a comeback. Designing a gender neutral nursery isn’t as daunting as you might think—there are so many options available nowadays!

The nursery above was designed for Instagram Influencer and rainbow baby mama, Jenna Kutcher. Jenna had tried to get pregnant for years and suffered multiple miscarriages, so when she finally got pregnant again, she wanted the gender of the baby to be a surprise. To make sure the space wasn’t boring, we pulled in a warm wood crib and dresser, a geometric patterned wallpaper and added lots of greenery.

Keep in mind that gender neutral doesn’t have to mean a lack of color. This nursery above has colorful animal wallpaper and a hunter green chair paired with gorgeous neutral furniture. Pretty much any color in the blue/green spectrum will work beautifully in a gender neutral space.

If you love the neutral-on-neutral look, that of course always works for a gender neutral space! The best thing about an all-neutral design is that you don’t have to worry about matching neutrals. Whites, ivories, tans and beiges all layer together to create a cohesive look. The key here is texture—lots of different textures create depth and interest in a room that doesn’t have a lot of color. The area rug adds so much to this space, and you can see how it works so well with the details on the wood dresser and woven pendant light.

What do you think of the gender neutral nursery trend? Is it here to stay?

About the Author:

Naomi Alon is the owner of Little Crown Interiors, a design studio in Southern California offering local and nationwide e-design services just for nurseries and children’s spaces.

As a special promotion for Gugu Guru readers, Little Crown Interiors is offering 10% off nursery design services when you mention “Gugu Guru”, and 10% off anything in the online shop with code GUGUGURU.

Milk Street Baby Father’s Day Promotion!

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Are you on the market for a new crib or furniture for your little one? If you’re the type that likes something unique and totally one of a kind, we really suggest that you check out Milk Street. Read on to learn about their Father’s Day promotion and what makes this brand so special.

Milk Street Father’s Day Promotion: Buy any 3-piece furniture set and get $50 back.

That’s right! In honor of Father’s Day, and the amazing men in our lives, Milk Street Baby is offering a $50 check as a thank you to any father or grandfather who purchases any Milk Street 3-piece set from one of their partner stores. (Set to include a crib and dresser plus either a changer top or rails.)

Here is how to redeem:

Email the following to fran@milkstreetbaby.com:

Proof of purchase with date and content info directly
The name and location of where you purchased your furniture
Be sure to include in your email, a few sentences as to why you chose Milk Street Baby and a bit about your family

It’s as simple as that!

We’ve written about Milk Street before and the brand’s pieces were also featured in the spectacular nursery of Parker Young and Stephanie Weber.)

So what makes Milk Street so special?

1. The look. AKA cribs and furniture that are more like art. The depth and tone of Milk Street’s exclusively mixed pigments offer an exquisite hand-waxed Patina that gets better with age. Each piece is glazed by hand, which means that no two are exactly alike.

2. Safety. Each layer of finish is individually tested above and beyond most stringent coatings standards to assure you that your baby is protected from any harmful chemicals.

3. Practicality and longevity. The materials and construction processes ensure that the investment you make in your nursery furniture will serve you for many years. Moreover, the cribs convert into a beautiful adult size bed.

4. The details. Automatic drawer lights, USB ports, nightlights, soft-close drawers, and a killer hutch/bookcase with lights for you to mount wherever you like! Plus, the hutch can be used in tandem with the changing tray. You can also create a very versatile open-air armoire for your nursery by combining shelves with a clothing rod.

5. 5 year warranty. Enough said.

6. Minimal lead times. Unlike most handmade furniture companies that can take up to 8 weeks to ship your furniture, most of Milk Street’s pieces can be at your doorstep in 2-3 weeks.

Baby Crib Mattress: The Dreamy zenBaby

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

Ah, sleeping. It’s the ultimate goal, but sometimes a tad difficult to attain. We found that the right baby crib mattress could be an amazing partner when it’s just you…and your sleepy-but-sobbing babe. If you haven’t heard about Colgate, here’s a quick 101.

With 60 years of crib mattress expertise under their belts, they’ve developed quite a trustworthy reputation throughout the U.S. Colgate is one of the first members of the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), an organization for enhancing child gear safety—and hold themselves to the highest standards in the industry.

One of the reasons we love Colgate is their dedication to an eco-friendly mindset. They are a conscious manufacturer and do their best to minimize their carbon footprint. From using natural and recycled materials to relying on energy-efficient equipment, their green strategy is woven throughout their thoughtful process.

And, now for the must-have mattress: The zenBaby™ 2-Stage is a part of Colgate’s award-winning zenBaby™ Collection. It is a five-inch lightweight plush mattress made of “dual-zone certified ecofoam with KulKote® technology on the infant side for optimal temperature regulation and comfort.” Babe’s snuggles and snoozes are regulated like a personal cocoon…a lovely way to be introduced to sleep outside of the womb. Engineered for the most peaceful Zzz’s, neither you nor your babe can go wrong with this sleepy-time essential.

Since parents matter too, the food-grade waterproof backing is such a bonus—as we all know, accidents happen. Frequently. Plus, all Colgate products are hypoallergenic, odorless and GREENGUARD® Gold & CertiPUR-US® certified safe.

Pretty dreamy company, right? We know how difficult it is to decide on the right crib mattress. There are endless options, and endless questions. Is it firm enough? Comfy like a cloud…but not too soft? Is it safe? Hopefully this will help you take a few hours of research off your very full plate.

As you can see, we’re big fans of the zenBaby™ 2-Stage Baby Crib Mattress. Do you have one? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments below!

See more posts about Colgate here:

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Milk Street Father’s Day Promotion: Buy any 3-piece furniture set and get $50 back.

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