One of the most important items you will need when you have a baby is a stroller. Whether walking the streets of Europe, or simply going around the block, a good stroller is something you’ll need and be using constantly for toting your little one around. But how do you choose? There are so many options out there and it can be totally overwhelming! I, luckily, was able to consult my friends and family and decided on three strollers that should take me from now until my youngest has grown out of them {we hope we are blessed with several children!} Below are three strollers that I registered for and why!

Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller with Base

Any new mom will tell you that the Doona is a game changer. It is a car seat and stroller in one and makes moving your baby around so much easier. No more lugging your sleeping baby around in a super heavy/oversized/bulky car seat while moving to/from! The Doona attaches to a base in your car and then pops out and immediately becomes a stroller once ready to get moving. The wheels just from flip underneath as shown above! I can’t tell you how many of my mom friends say this is their number one baby must-have/splurge. I’ve also heard that it is amazing for restaurants (not as bulky; same height as typical tables, no need to place baby on the ground or flip over a highchair to place car seat in to get it to table height – this always looks so unsteady and makes me nervous!) It’s also a great options for travel (fits well in an airplane seat, and you don’t have to bring a stroller AND a car seat!) Make sure to buy an extra base for your significant other and/or anyone who will be driving baby often.

UPPAbaby VISTA Stroller {also here}

The Uppababy Vista is our ‘all-purpose’ stroller. It does it all, and will be perfect for everyday activities like visiting the doctor or walking to the park. The best thing about the Uppababy Vista is that it grows with your family – it conveniently converts to a seated double and even has an attachment for a 3rd to stand! So, if you are planning to have more than one child, the Vista stroller is ideal for you. This means that you won’t have to buy a second stroller once you’re ready for baby number 2 {or 3!}  It also comes with bassinet that attaches to the stroller, which is great for going on walks in the early months AND can also be used as a bassinet for next to your bed using this stand. You might also want to purchase the stroller organizer and the cup holder {these are sold separately but total must-haves IMO}

BABYZEN YOYO Travel Stroller {also here & here}

This is our lightweight stroller option. With how much travel we do, I know this stroller is a must have. The main reason why it is above and beyond the rest is because it folds up small enough to fit in the overhead compartment. You don’t have to gate check this stroller!!! My sisters-in-law swear by it and say it is a total travel game changer. Luckily for me, they also did some legwork and tried out the main travel stroller competitor, the pocket, and said the Yoyo was lightyears better and well worth the larger investment.

To summarize, below are some of the key features that you need to check off before deciding on the right stroller for you.

• Make sure your stroller can accommodate a newborn {many don’t} Even though the newborn phase lasts for such a short amount of time, it is still crucial to have a carrier that is suitable for an infant so this is something important to double check.
• Make sure it is easy to open/close. You’d be surprised how complicated a stroller can be – make sure you can easily collapse your choice before bringing it home.
• Babies are messy, so make sure you are choosing a stroller that has washable fabric. Whether it’s spit up or crushed up goldfish, you want to make sure you can remove it and clean it when needed.
• Make sure your stroller has a proper sun canopy – there is nothing worse than being on a walk and having the direct sunlight blind your baby. The sun canopy will provide ample shade, and also a little quiet if you decide to pull it all the way down.
• Stroller basket – where else are you supposed to put your purse?? Make sure the stroller you choose has a basket you’re happy with.
• Last but not least  – accessories! I registered for a clip on fan, the Uppababy organizer, the YOYO footmuff, and a cup holder. There is also the Uppababy stand {for toddlers}, the rain guard {for YOYO, for Uppababy}, and the YOYO travel bag that a lot of people love as well!

Ok! So that’s it, I hope that’s helpful for everyone! I know three strollers is kind of a lot, but I’m hoping that these are the only strollers I’ll ever need as we grow and transition as a family. Let me know in the comments which strollers you have used and loved and why! Always curious to hear other people’s experiences.

I’m back with one of my most frequently asked questions on Instagram, and that’s how I got rid of my dog-related stains based on this weblink, on my sisal carpets. If you don’t know, I have two puppies – Biscuit and June – who often get sick and/or pee on my sisals when they aren’t feeling well. Unfortunately, this sort of thing just goes with the territory of being a dog mom, so I’ve gotten somewhat used to it, and found what works best for cleaning it up. And trust me, from dry vacs, to host carpet cleaner(learn more about Fresh Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care) , I’ve tried it all and it is best to take advice from the link for professional help. The experts also suggested that the dogs must be trained under the board and train program through Ridgeside K9 which tunes up their behavior to obey your orders. Below is what has worked best for me {+ scroll all the way down for before/after photos!}

Step 1: If you don’t have time to go carpet cleaning san jose, follow these easy steps. Remove as much moisture from the spot by dabbing with an old washcloth or paper towel. Some people will tell you that this will push the urine/vomit/etc deeper into the sisal, but I try and get anything loose up before I start dabbing. DO NOT USE ANY SORT OF LIQUID. This is where so many people go wrong – our basic intuition is to put water or club soda down on a stain, but I can tell you from experience that this is a huge mistake. Sisals are natural fiber rugs that like to absorb, absorb, absorb – and that includes water which will discolor the natural dyes of the fibers. Our main goal is to remove all liquid from the carpet and disinfect later.

Step 2: Put down a thick layer of kosher salt and pack it into the sisal. Place a bowl on top {so your pets don’t try to lick it up and get sick again} and check back in 24 hours. After 24 hours, vacuum up the salt and check the stain. It is usually looking much better by this point, but I typically put another thicker layer of kosher salt down and repeat. By day 3, things are starting to look much better. With little dampness left, I sometimes put a light layer of baking soda down {this helps to disinfect} but be careful because I’ve heard baking soda can bleach sisals depending on the type so maybe do a test patch first. If you can’t go the baking soda route, put white distilled vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the spot from high up, lightly misting the area. That will also help disinfect.

Step 3: Wait! Feel free to put a fan on the spot to let it really dry {avoid a hot blow dryer, because heat can set a stain!} However, you could use a hairdryer on the cool setting as well.

Like babies who spit up all over your brand new shirt, or pee on the wall when you’re changing them, you can’t reason with your pets – you’ve just got to get over it and keep on movin’.  Plus, they’re so sweet and s dang cute, that I just can’t stay mad at them! Let me know if you have your own miracle solution to getting tough stains out of your own sisals – I know there are lots of different types of sisals, so curious to hear what works for you!

From left to right: Day 1 after blotting as much liquid up as possible // Day 2: After 24 hours of kosher salt // Day 3: 48 hours of kosher salt, and a sprinkle of baking soda

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Below – the same spot today! Completely gone. Can’t even tell there was ever an issue! 

Entertaining in Texas takes on a whole new meaning in the spring and summertime when the temperatures soar into the hundreds and going outside requires an ice cold beverage. We love having friends and family over to hang in our backyard, shoot hoops and swim in the pool, but realized we mostly had ‘indoor’ entertaining items. We had cups, but none that were insulated to keep drinks cold in the heat. We had ice buckets, but none that didn’t ‘sweat’ and leave pools of condensation on every surface. We had beautiful wine glasses, but none that were stemless and good for around the pool. We needed a refresh, and I thought there was no better place to look than The Home Depot.

With entire categories dedicated to entertaining on their site, The Home Depot has thousands of entertaining options to choose from. Also, did I mention that their prices are incredible?! I got a set of 12 {!!} glasses for under $20, and a cocktail shaker {to make margs!} for just $10. All in all, I was able to get two sets of 12 glasses, a 5 piece insulated pitcher set, a cocktail shaker and an insulted party tub for under $200. Especially since we just got married, I wasn’t too interested in spending a ton on more homeware, so The Home Depot was the perfect place for us to look.

So, to break it down, here’s why I chose what I did. I lovvvveee that these glasses are mini as they’ll hold the perfect pour of rosé before getting too warm. This insulated pitcher and matching glasses will keep everything from water to iced tea to bloody marys cold, and I love how much liquid they hold! These larger glasses are great for margaritas {this is my favvvvvorite recipe} which calls for a cocktail shaker – obsessed with the one I got for just $10. Last but not least, this party tub. Man oh man, this will be so great for setting out and filling with anything while we entertain. It’s such a nice big size and love that the ice doesn’t melt immediately {the insulation not only keeps the condensation off my table, but also keeps the ice from melting at lightning speeds} #hallelujah Ain’t nobody got time for a water ring.

I ordered everything online and it couldn’t have been easier – the items showed up in a matter of days, and everything looked great. All in all, the process of ordering my items from The Home Depot website was so easy, and I know that I will do it again next time I’m looking for something specific for my home. If you are looking to update your entertaining barware, then definitely check out The Home Depot! You can’t beat their prices, or their selection!

Photos: The Retro Penguin

thank you to The Home Depot for sponsoring this post!