Don’t accuse me of sacrilege by pushing babies as mere accoutrement, but I see so many adorable baby slings out there, who needs a pretty purse with a pet chihuahua?

In fact, I’m almost ready to ready myself (and my uterus) for one of my own just so I can pick out a cute baby carrier. Almost.

With all the hoopla about attachment parenting and the positive potential for better everything if you carry your baby in a sling – how could I resist? But seriously, holding your little warm and cuddly close to your heart does sound sort of sensational, does it not?

It makes perfect sense that mommas everywhere are wearing their babies up close and personal. The benefits of babywearing include baby crying less and learning more – because living at mom and dad’s eye-level can’t help but involve and stimulate a baby more than laying or sitting in a crib or stroller.

Mod Mum Sling (above) – fawn&forest, $54.

How many times have you leaned down to interact with a baby? And if you aren’t leaning down, what does said baby experience? That’s right, your legs and a whole lot of nothing else. Being in a baby sling engages a baby rather than leaving it lonely.

And yes, I’ve read about the recalls and all I can say is tragic and troubling but please don’t throw away a wonderful way of connecting and being present for your baby without serious thought.

I believe being present is the best way to prevent such accidents from occurring, so please, if you plan to wear your baby in a sling, pay attention and stay connected, which is really the point, isn’t it?

Okay, now let’s have some fun and pick out the perfect accoutrement for your most precious accoutrement.

Market Sling (above) – Serena & Lily, $129.

Maya Wrap Ring Sling (above left) – Maya Wrap, $65.95.

Hemp Baby Ring Sling (above right) – Pretty Momma Sling, $92.

Mod Mum Sling (above) – fawn&forest, $54.

If the sling thing isn’t for you, ERGObaby makes a slew of front-carrier options that achieve the same positive effects as the sling.

ERGObaby Organic Carrier (above) – ERGObaby, $120-$148.

Moby Organic Stretchy Wrap (above left) – Peppermint, $59.95.

Beco Gemini Carrier (above right) – Peppermint, $129.

Market Sling (above) – Serena & Lily, $129.

Whether you fancy a ring, pouch, sling, wrap or front carrier, attaching your precious cargo to your body, leaving your hands free and fully focused, is simply smart and very present parenting. Try it with care.

The post Baby Wearing: Do You Sling? appeared first on EcoSalon.

With their luxurious ambiance and versatile allure, tufts are back! James Merrell has dotted his photographic portfolio with inspired spaces adorned with elegant upholstery tufts. I am completely involved in a reverie about a charismatic blue tufted sofa; this image has captured its likeness perfectly. By the way, Mr. Merrell’s portfolio is a horizontal slide show of pure pleasure.

There is a tuft for every space – from Bohemian to Urban and feminine art nouveau curves, to masculine perpendicular edges and from silken aqua velvet to raw grey linen, there is absolutely a sofa, chair, bench, ottoman, or pillow with lovely tufts calling your name (I hear a chorus of tufts beckoning me). Here is an amiable gathering of tufted places to rest your derriere.

Clockwise from top center: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Chester Collection Sofa, Serena & Lily Lucille Ottoman, Cisco Brothers Reina Chair, Cisco Brothers Nell Sofa, Cisco Brothers Goodman Chair, Serena & Lily Piccadilly Chair, and Crate & Barrel Azure Sofa (Looking for a few accessories to pair with the Azure Sofa? These suggestions will charm you).

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I’m tickled pink that the Bay Area company Serena & Lily – which names its collections with offbeat girl and boy names (Maggie, Hazel, Rye, Lulu) –  has now introduced a new organic line, climbing on the green bandwagon and responding to what customers want in the nursery.

“It’s about making healthy, responsible choices for us, our children, for our families, and for the planet,” says the growing home design company. “People need to know the story behind each product – where it comes from, how it’s made and why it’s made that way.”

The highly successful duo promises that the organic options will contain the same signature quality and style, which really is unparalleled in the baby decor market. That’s why the company that began selling out of  a small warehouse has moved into major department stores, including Bloomies, where it caters to the grownup bedding market.

The certified organic cotton products thrown into the lovely variety of kids’ bedding include a quilted innerspring crib mattress $425, a spring shaded Maggie Collection of crib linens ($569 for 3p set), an ultra chic, hand-embroidered, Market Sling, $129, in earthy shades of grass, cloud and flax; and a 5’x7′ Potholder rug, $589, made from 100% recycled clothing and other textiles, available in grass or oatmeal.

If these organics are too green for your nursery, check out the other new organic collections, including Hazel (orchid and brown florentine-pattern) or Rye (blue bandanna print), at the site. All of the collections have coordinating low-VOC paint in 20 shades, as well as matching rugs, slipcovered gliders, and lamps with fabric shades. It’s basically one-stop shopping for the nursery, and now shopping that is sustainable for the price.

The post Serena & Lily Organic appeared first on EcoSalon.