Thursday Tips: Baby carriers & cars

If you are a babywearer, odds are you like to leave a carrier in the car. It's pretty handy having a few carriers you can just leave in the car so you always have something on hand, but it can also be damaging to your carrier if you have something with plastic on it (like a SSC).

If you live in an area that experiences temperature extremes, you might want to reconsider leaving a SSC in your car. The extreme heat and extreme cold can really wear on the plastic buckles, and you could weaken them, lessening their life. Worse case scenario, it could break while you're wearing it.

I live in an area that experiences all four seasons, so I tend to leave my SSCs in my car in spring and autumn, bringing them inside during summer and winter. This isn't too much of a hassle for me since I already bring in my diaper bag during winter/summer to avoid ruining my diapers, freezing my wipe solution spray bottle, or melting my little one's diaper cream/stick.

If you have a a mei tai, woven wrap, or a ring sling with metal rings, I'd recommend leaving these in your car over a ssc. Not only will the temperatures not matter, but in cold weather the wrap or ring sling can serve as blankets for your little ones (just unthread the ringsling).

Vanamo wrap - Kide Tuli - as a blanket

Disclaimer: Thoughts of Fluff was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. 

Thursday Tips: Summer Crock Pot Cooking

Sometimes there is a recipe I really want to make, and it's just so darn hot outside that I cringe at the thought of using my crock pot and heating up the house even more. I love that the house smells so great, but the extra heat? Yeah... I could do without it.

Simple problem, simple solution!

We set our crock pot in our mudroom or our garage in the summer time when we use it!

Our mudroom is closed off from the main part of our house via a door, and the garage obviously is, too. Of course, you want to make sure you have the garage door shut, or you might attract pests with the delicious aromas!

Do you have any crock pot tips?

Disclaimer: Thoughts of Fluff was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Post contains affiliate links.

Little Tikes Slam 'n' Curve Slide Giveaway

Looking for a way to cool down this summer? How about the Little Tikes Slam 'n' Curve Slide? Enter for your chance to win!

Welcome to the Little Tikes Slam 'n' Curve Slide Sweepstakes!

Sponsored by: LittleTikes.com - Organized by: Mom to Bed by 8 Please take a moment to read Mom to Bed by 8's Little Tikes Slam 'n' Curve Slide review and see how this single waterpark changed her #summerdreams! Special thank you to our supporting co-host bloggers: Summer That, Finger Click Saver, The Chirping Moms, Our Piece of Earth, Memoirs of a Clueless Woman, Nest Full of New and The Deal Match Maker. The Slam 'n' Curve Slide is the perfect backyard inflatable water slide! This amazing water slide by Little Tikes features a climbing wall, curved slide and large wading pool area. It is large enough for multiple children to use at once, but folds compactly for easy storage. Woot! Little Tikes Slam 'n Curve Inflatable Water Slide:

• Inflatable backyard water slide and pool built from puncture-resistant material
• Fun inflatable rock wall leads to a slippery slide
• Slide with a gentle curve at the end for a ride into the refreshing pool
• Roomy splash pool
• Includes: Inflatable basketball hoop and ball
• Step-down inside wall for easy entrance and exit
• Stakes anchor the bouncer firmly in place
• Large enough for several children
• Deflates and folds compactly for easier storage
• Blower required for inflation
• Heavy-duty blower with GFCI plug included
• Comes with stakes, repair kit and storage bag
• Maximum weight capacity: 350 lbs
• Accommodates up to 3 children
• Connect to your garden hose and turn on water flow
• Dimensions: 10'8"L x 13'1"W x 7'9"H

One winner will receive a Little Tikes Slam 'n' Curve Slide.

Giveaway ends June 30th at 11:59pm, open to US and Canadian residents, ages 18+. Excludes Quebec. Only one entrant per household, per address. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Enter using the giveaway form below. Good luck!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner(s) will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. Contact teri@mompoweredmedia.com if you have any additional questions or comments.

Summer Must-haves from Kelly's Closet

 *Post contains Affiliate links*

With the hot weather upon us, playtime in water is inevitable with little ones! Between water play and summer travel, parents stay pretty busy this time of year! Kelly's Closet has what you need to help get you through the summer!

Kelly's Closet has posted their top 5 summer must haves (follow link in graphic below) here:

Here are a few other things you will want to consider taking with you either on your summer adventures!

A Baby Carrier!

Whether you're heading on vacation or just heading out of the house for a bit, it's a good idea to have a baby carrier with you. Whether you have an infant or a toddler, a baby carrier will get you through the day! 

Easier to pack than a stroller, a carrier, be it wrap or soft structured carrier, will help when your little one just can't go any further. (Any parents that went to an aquarium, the zoo, or even a nice hike will attest to that!) Not only can you keep your little one close to you, but if they want to get back down later on, you don't have a huge stroller to push around, empty!

Onya Baby Cruiser

The Onya Baby Cruiser can hold to 75 lbs, and has a sleep hood you can tuck away. This doesn't have to be just for sleep, though... you can use it to shield baby from the hot sun above if you forget your little one's hat!

MobyGO

The MobyGO is a NEW (from the same company that brought you the MobyWrap) soft-structured carrier that will hold to 45 lbs. This also has a lovely sleep hood (or sun-hood)!

Cloth Wipes!

Yes, cloth wipes! They are great for more than just wiping bottoms! With so many different types of wipes available, you can fit what you're looking for for any occasion! Wiping sand off of your munchkin with wipes can be more convenient than a towel, because you won't be trying to dry off later with a cloth wipe (thus getting sand all over you or your little one!). They are also great for all those sticky messes that popsicles and ice cream can create. On longer car rides, they can be life savers! Everything from drying tears, wiping noses, cleaning up messy faces, and wiping up spit-up... you'll find yourself thankful you packed extra! If you have a toddler like I do, you'll also be thankful you had extra on hand to wipe up what he decided to throw on the floor of your van or into the window (because we all love to see pretty patterns on the window, right?).

Grovia Cloth Wipes

Grovia wipes are great to keep on hand for many uses. They are great for everything from faces to messes. (Terry-fabric)

Thirsties Fab Wipes

Thirsties Fab Wipes are my favorite all-around wipe. I love keeping them on hand because it doesn't matter what the situation is that I need a wipe for, I am always pleased with the results from the fab wipes. (One side velour, one side microfleece)

Itti Bitti Ultimate Wipes

The Itti Bitti Ultimate wipes are by far the largest wipes I have tried, and definitely the softest. They are perfect for faces and hands! (Both sides velour)

For a more detailed comparison and breakdown of the wipes above (more pictures, too!) and of many other wipes you can purchase from Kelly's Closet, check out my Cloth Wipe Review.

Enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card to Kelly's Closet below! Looking to place an order sooner? Take advantage of this special coupon code (you won't find it on their website!):

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and may be different from yours. All wipes mentioned in this post and in the Cloth Wipe Review were purchased by me. Thoughts Of Fluff is not responsible for prize fulfillment from Kelly's Closet.