What is Houzz?

Have you heard about Houzz? If not, you're definitely in for a treat. If you've heard the buzz, you may have checked it out, or perhaps just wondered in passing if you should... well, wonder no more. We say YES, you should!

Houzz is essentially social media for design. They say they're, "a collaborative platform for home remodeling and design, bringing homeowers and home professionals together in a uniquely visual community." We say they're just plain fun. It's a pretty comprehensive website, which houses (ha!) the largest database of design photos and ideas in the world. Yes, larger than Pinterest, because that's all Houzz is - just awesome design.

So, why would you bother? There's Pinterest, and Facebook, and lots of design if you just Google it... what's different about Houzz? Well, to start with, design professionals post there - you can find great rooms designed by your favorites, or discover new ones! You can also ask them questions about their work and read reviews, so if you're considering a designer it's a great place to check them out. Who else posts their portfolios on Houzz? Oh, only everyone. People who designed rooms in their own homes, people who find design cool, even shops like Daisy Baby and Kids. In fact, go check out our album... and if you've done a room with us, please send pics we can add! We love showing off your spaces!

Did You Know We Have a Crunchy Mom on Staff?

Are you in the market for a baby carrier or sling? Do you need information about cloth diapers, or natural childbirth? Are you just curious who actually writes this blog? Some weekends you can catch crunchy hippie mama Christina in the shop. Mostly, though, I write the blog and do the behind-the-scenes research and writing! 

I moved here in 2011 from California (and I've been working at Daisy Baby and Kids ever since!) My two littles are turning five and three in March and April, respectively. They inspired me to trade in my 10-hour-day-office-sitting-number-typing ways, and now my obsession is all things baby and green living.  I homeschool the babes, work as a birth and postpartum doula and childbirth educator in my "free time", and write! 

In addition to all that, I love travel, reading, hiking, and exploring with my family. My writing has appeared in various blogs (everywhere from my personal blog to Everyday Health - aka What to Expect) and in  From the Heart: A Collection of Stories and Poems from the Front Lines of Parenting. And yes, I can still help you pick out a car seat with the best of them. 

When to Transition Car Seats (and How!)

Car seats are such a tricky topic, and with the "new rules" you  may have heard about, they might seem even scarier! So, let's break it down and make it as simple as we can.

Mico AP infant seat - don't carry it when it gets too heavy!

Before the baby is born, most people buy an infant car seat (like this one from Maxi Cosi!) You can take it out of the base in your car, and put in into your stroller with the right attachments. (Maxi Cosi recently announced a partnership with Baby Jogger, actually, so you can buy your car seat, stroller, and the adapter to fit them together at a discount!) While you can use that until your baby outgrows the height or weight restriction, most babies get heavy enough that carrying the baby and the car seat together is pretty heavy around six months... don't hurt yourself! Stop carrying it! You can either leave it in the car, or...

Maxi Cosi Pria - this one faces rear or forward!

Transition to a rear facing convertible car seat, like this one from Maxi Cosi or this one from Diono. All car seats in the US pass the same standards, so the difference is ease of use. Make sure you know how to use it, and get it checked by a NHTSA-Certified Child Passenger Safety technician. If you're really super totally into car seat safety, check out this awesome blog. If not, just know that your child should be rear facing until at least age 2 (legally), and you can keep them rear facing until they reach the height or weight limit for your seat. Once they've reached that point, it's time to...

Diono Radian RXT - this seat will rear face, forward face, and can be used as a high  back booster. Pretty cool.

Turn them around forward facing, or use a forward facing seat (we can order these for you!) When they are around age 5, outgrow the weight or height restrictions on that seat, and they can sit still enough for the shoulder/lap belt to stay on correctly in a booster, you can...

Transition to a booster (some forward facing car seats are also boosters!)

Diono Santa Fe - this is a backless booster.

 When your child reaches 57" tall (4'9") - congratulations! It's seat belt time! Got all that? How about a quick recap?


tl;dr version: Get your car seat installation inspected, each time you install a new seat. Keep your child rear facing at least to age two, preferably longer (their legs are fine! It is not uncomfortable, just safer!) Keep your child harnessed to age five, preferably longer. Keep your child in a booster until he's 4'9" and the lap and shoulder belt sits correctly. All car seats in the US follow the same safety rules, so pick one that you like the ease of use and the look!