Creative Baby Shower Decorating Ideas for the Modern Mother-To-Be

Baby showers are no longer the sappy, overly precious parties they used to be. Nowadays, expectant mothers are keen on less traditional fêtes, where a mix of men and women are invited, silly games have been replaced by wine and snacks, and the shower’s theme doesn’t hinge on girl pinks or boy blues. If you’re planning a shower for a modern mother, here are some baby shower decorating ideas that are sure to be a hit. All of these objects are gender neutral, yet still totally adorable and sure to be loved by all. As you go through your party planning, be sure to use our Amazon discount codes and Kohls coupon codes 30% to keep costs reasonable. Taking care of the newborn will be the expensive part!

The number one thing to remember when planning a baby shower is that the purpose of this party is to create memories for the new parents to share with their child. A guest book left open for others to sign is a physical reminder of that day. Encourage shower-goers to write their name, along with memories of the mom and dad and wishes for the newborn. The words written inside will become treasured by the new family for years to come. You can buy this book online at Amazon, where you can use our Amazon discount codes to save some cash.

Talk about multifunctional! When you buy this set of toys and décor from Merry Go Round, you’re buying for both the party and the nursery. These multicolored, geometric-patterned items can be used as a unifying theme for the baby shower, then put up in the nursery afterward. Made of durable earthenware, they’re meant to last a lifetime. Between $18 and $30, these pieces, found at Kohls, are already very reasonable. Add to this our Kohls coupons, and you’ve got a great bargain.

If you’re desperate to inject a little of that traditional frillyness into the baby shower, these sweet little measuring spoons are the best way to do so. One of the best baby shower decorating ideas you can remember is that subtlety is key, and these stainless steel heart-shaped spoons are a small detail that go a long way. Nestle them in bowls of sugar, coffee, or tea during the party to give a hint of girlyness. Mom can keep them as a keepsake later on. Like any keepsake, these spoons run a little expensive: $4 each at Kohls. Using our Kohls coupons, though, means you can stock up without worrying about price .

Be sure not to forget the party favors! Popular items to give as gifts include small toys, personalized sweets, or homemade keepsakes. Whatever you choose, tuck them into these favor boxes that look like little owls. Design powerhouse Kate Aspen’s inventive, minimalist graphics are fun for children and adults alike. These favor boxes come in packs of 24. If you’re expecting a bigger party, go to Amazon and use our Amazon discount codes to save in bulk.

As mentioned before, focusing on gender is becoming less prominent in baby showers. More and more parents are opting for a party that focuses childhood in all its shapes and forms. This tablecover from Creative Converting, who carry a full line of gender-neutral baby shower decorating ideas, is sure to be a hit with boys and girls. Because it features a large, multicolored design, use it as your centerpiece, and accent the rest of the party with the greens, pinks, yellows, and blues found on the tablecover. (The owl favor boxes would match perfectly, too.) You can buy all the decorations you need on Amazon, and have them shipped straight to your door. When you use our Amazon discount codes, you can buy even more within your budget.

No baby shower is complete without the standard party banner. Sticking with the gender-neutral theme, this banner is perfect for all parties, and its neat graphic design is sure to appeal to modern mom and dads. Hang it up outside to indicate where the party is, or on a blank wall inside to make a quick and easy photo background. Amazon carries these and other banners at a steep bargain, which becomes even better with our Amazon discount codes.

This last item is admittedly a bit of a splurge, but it would make a great group gift and statement piece. This high-end spin on the traditional diaper cake comes stuffed with skincare items made by Burt’s Bees, who are known for crafting soothing, all-natural lotions and creams for babies’ sensitive skin. Parents are sure to use these items – along with the diapers they come wrapped in – so why not have guests chip in for this practical gift? Mom and dad will be happy to receive something different from the usual slew of baby clothes and toys, and the “cake” will make for an eye-catching centerpiece at the shower. Though it retails for almost $100 at Kohls, splitting the cost among the group and using our Kohls coupons can make this gift and centerpiece within reach.

A modern baby shower is great in that it can be whatever you want it to be. You don’t have to stick with tradition and go for the standard pink and blue, and all of these baby shower decorating ideas prove that. You’ll have a lot of fun thinking outside of the box and coming up wit a unique baby shower perfect for kids and adults of all ages. Just remember to focus on small details, create a unifying theme, and keep costs low. Our Amazon discount codes and Kohls coupons can help you with the latter.

5 Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes

Most of us have a slow cooker. Either we inherit it from family or get one as a wedding gift. But few of us know the true power of a good slow cooker. You can make a ton of delicious, healthy meals with very little prep. Using a slow cooker means you don’t have to slave away over the stove. Below are some popular slow cooker recipes to help you get started, along with some suggestions on which slow cookers and accessories to use. All of these items can be bought online, and come discounted with our Amazon discount codes and Target promo codes. We couldn’t make it easier if we tried!

Read more: 4 Ways to Wear a Denim Jacket This Spring

Barbeque Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a satisfying Southern-style favorite that is sure to please the whole family. It’s easy to cook and easy on the wallet, too. All you need is a cheap cut of pork large enough to feed everyone (a 4 lb. pork shoulder is standard), your favorite barbeque sauce, and a slow cooker. Place the pork in the slow cooker, add one cup of barbeque sauce, then add enough water to cover. Set the slow cooker to low, and let it do its magic! It should take anywhere between 8 and 10 hours for the pork to cook. You’ll know it’s ready when the pork falls apart easily with a fork. To shred, transfer the cooked pork to a heat-resistant bowl, then use two forks to shred it into small pieces. Add more barbeque sauce before serving.

This recipe makes a ton of food, and pulled pork works great as leftovers. For lunch the next day, toast a hamburger bun, fill it with reheated pulled pork, and garnish with a dill pickle. With this recipe, you’ll want to invest in a slow cooker that as big as it is versatile. This massive 8-quart model from Hamilton Beach ($39.99 from Amazon) is perfect for the job, as it can easily be stored in the fridge, and it’s dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Before you reach for your credit card, remember to input our Amazon discount codes. Otherwise, you’re simply throwing money away.

Traditional Pot Roast

Cooking a pot roast can seem like a daunting task for home cooks. It has a reputation for taking lots of time and energy, but using a slow cooker makes pot roast an effortless favorite. When you cook pot roast in a slow cooker, you don’t have to worry about roasting the vegetables and making the gravy separately. Just toss everything in the pot and you’re good to go!

First, you’ll need a beef roast large enough for the family, a large onion, 3-4 carrots, 4-5 red potatoes, a can of beef broth, and an envelope of French Onion soup mix. Add the roast, broth, soup mix, and enough water to cover the roast. Cook on low for around 8 hours. Two hours before serving, chop the onion, carrots, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces, then add to the roast.

Pot roast also makes the perfect traveling meal. Invest in a slow cooker with a locking lid, like this 6-quart model from Crock-Pot ($39.99 at Target) to put your mind at ease while traveling to visit family or friends. Slow cookers are a great investment, but with our Target promo codes, they become an easy one as well.

Hearty Black Bean Soup

Most people think all slow cooker recipes involve meat, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Slow cookers are the ideal instrument for cooking beans, which are notorious for taking forever to cook. This black bean soup is perfect for the vegetarian family wanting to warm up on a cold night.

This recipe uses 4 cups of dried black beans. Dried beans need to be soaked before cooking, or else they will be indigestible. The night before cooking the soup, put the beans in a large bowl, and cover with water. Drain in the morning. When you’re ready to cook, add the beans to the slow cooker, along with 4 cups of vegetable broth. Next, chop a small onion, 2 cloves of garlic, and a serrano pepper. Add to the slow cooker. Season with cumin and chili powder. Cook on high for the first hour, then on low for 3 hours. Garnish with grated cheese and/or sliced avocado.

5 Family-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes

This recipe is also perfect for lunch. You can pack up your soup in a Crock-Pot Lunch Crock ($19.99 at Target), which not only makes it easy to bring your lunch, but also to heat it up. When you use our Target promo codes, you can stock up on lunch crocks for the whole family!

Spicy Queso Dip

Don’t want to stay holed up in the kitchen during game day? Make a big pot of queso, buy some tortilla chips, and you’ll have a satisfying snack made in a matter of seconds. The great thing about queso, too, is that it can be customized to fit anyone’s taste. Having guests over? Chop up some green onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, and onions, and brown some ground beef. Now you have a make-your-own-queso station!

Instead of using cheap processed cheese, this recipe uses traditional queso blanco. Start by shredding 3 cups of Monterey Jack cheese and 2 cups of queso blanco, which is a soft, white Mexican cheese that is usually found in the ethnic food aisle. Add the cheese to the slow cooker, along with a cup of half and half. Add additional ingredients as desired. This can include ground beef, chorizo, hot peppers, whatever you want. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring frequently.

Be warned that queso is notoriously sticky, and can be difficult to clean out of traditional slow cookers. We recommend a nonstick model like the this West Bend slow cooker ($48.99 at Target), which also comes with a tote, so you can carry your queso to your friends’ football parties. It’s the perfect slow cooker for entertaining, and you can buy it at Target at a very reasonable price. But you can make this deal even better with our Target promo codes.

All-Purpose Pasta Sauce

Pasta sauce is one of those secret slow cooker recipes. Unless passed down by family, most people don’t know that this method allows the tomatoes’ sugars to break down slowly and meld with other flavors, making a sweet, complex sauce.

Start with a lot of tomatoes – up to a pound. Chop each into rough quarters and add to the slow cooker. Finely dice a large onion and 4 cloves of garlic and add to the tomatoes. Season with 2 tablespoons of salt, one bay leaf, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of basil, and 1 teaspoon chili powder. If you want to add meat (sausage, beef, or veal), add it uncooked to the slow cooker. Cook the sauce on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Like any other red sauce, this one pairs well with any Italian fare – meatballs, lasagna, or your standard spaghetti. Be sure to use a slow cooker liner ($34.08 on Amazon) when cooking this sauce. Tomatoes can not only stain your slow cooker, but the sugars can also make it extremely difficult to clean. A liner means you don’t have to worry about either. As you can see, they run a little on the pricey side, so use our Amazon discount codes to make them more reasonable.

It’s clear that you that any kind of dinner or snack can be made in a slow cooker. The possibilities are endless, and simply depend on using the right tools. We hope that these slow cooker recipes will encourage you to experiment with others and see how slow cookers can make breakfast, lunch, and dinner so easy. And as always, remember to use our Target promo codes and Amazon discount codes to save some cash.

4 Ways to Wear a Denim Jacket This Spring

Spring is here and it’s time to ditch your faux-fur jackets, trendy coats, leggings and boots, and other winter accessories. Enter denim jackets, the one fashion item that never seems to go out of style. There are countless of ways to wear your denim jacket. You can use it to add zing to your spring outfit or you can dress down a sophisticated ensemble, it’s all up to you.

Read more: Cute Prom Dresses for a Night to Remember

What’s good about denim jackets is that they look good on almost every body type. Are you on the slim or plus side? Are you short or tall? Denim jackets don’t care a bit. Just go online and you’ll see images of women of different body types looking fashionable with their denim jackets. Of course, to rock this style, you need to know what kind of jacket to wear and which clothing items and accessories will complement the jacket and vice versa.

We’ll help you decide which look you want to nail with pieces from Kohl’s, Shoes.com and Vera Bradley. We have Kohls coupon codes 30%, Shoes.com coupon codes, and Vera Bradley coupons to make sure your spring time will be a fun time. So, check out these denim jacket ensembles for spring 2014.

Keep it casual

What’s so good about denim jackets is that they make everyone look approachable and down to earth. Also, they don’t overpower your outfit like many other items might. So we advise you to go for the usual light blue denim jacket for a more casual look. The frayed denim jacket by Princess Vera Wang ($39.99) sold at Kohl’s will give you an edgy style. It has roll-tab long sleeves, gold-tone buttons, and a scoopneck.

Wear a black basic T-shirt or plain white for maximum effect. LC Lauren Conrad Embellished Mixed-Media Top ($19.20), also at Kohl’s, will add a fun and feminine touch to your getup. This embellished-neck top features a peter pan collar, long sleeves, and a lightweight sheer chiffon construction.

Pair this with a dark blue or any colored short skirt. The LC Lauren Conrad Floral Skirt ($32.99 at Kohl’s) might do the trick. The flowy circle cut and textured design, which give you a fabulous and feminine feel, match beautifully with the denim jacket. You can also be more daring and choose a bold red or orange skirt according to your preference.

Of course, you’ll need a cute pair of shoes. The blue Michael by Michael Kors Women’s Fulton Moc ($99 at Shoes.com), with metal logo emblem at vamp, will put you up high in the fashion echeleon. Finish the look with Vera Bradley’s beaded bracelet in blue bayou (28$). Kohl’s, Shoes.com, and Vera Bradley offer great deals, but you can have more savings with our Kohls Coupons, Shoes.com Coupon Codes, and Vera Bradley Coupons.

Go Floral

OK so what’s the most classic look for denim? The most favorable choice must be to accompany a denim jacket with any clothing item with floral print on it. You can simple select a cute floral dress from your closet like this adorable LC Lauren Conrad Floral Fit & Flare Dress ($47.99, Kohls). The cutout detail on the chest gives a sophisticate look for the piece while the fit and flare around the waist really bring out the feminine side in every girl.

For this dress, you would want to pair it nicely with a denim jacket in dark blue with small front pockets to appear more energetic for any outdoor activity or simply an intimate gathering with your best friends. Check out this stylish Mudd® Denim Jacket Girls only $23.99 at Kohls, which is no doubt a steal for such a nice denim jacket.

The best thing you can do is to mix and match the whole outfit with the perfect shoes of any existing shade in the outfit. It can either be blue from your denim or the lovely colors found in your floral item. This ankle-strapped Jessica Simpson Women’s Erikk ($55.30, Shoes.com) will not only flatter your body length but also bring the look to a whole new note. Finish this lovely outfit with the right accessories like this rosy Relic Marion Convertible Satchel ($39, Kohls) and this jewelry set from 1928 Cabochon & Bead ($34, Kohls). Now you’re ready to go!

Max it up

Maxi skirts and maxi dresses are the rage right now, and it’s only fitting to have a matching denim jacket. It gives a whole new look and feel to this current trend. Kim Kardashian, Jessica Simpson, Jessica Alba, and many Hollywood celebrities have been seen sporting this look. It goes without saying that everybody will look good with this style. You just have to make sure to get all the mixing and matching right.

Wearing a jacket over your maxi dress just ties everything attractively together. Many celebrities pick denim shirts and denim vests, but a denim jacket looks equally as good. You might want to check out the bestselling Chaps embroidered denim jacket sold at Kohl’s for $74.25. Featuring a classy geometric embroidery on the yoke, this light blue wash jacket gives you a feminine charm.

For the maxi dress, Kohl’s is also offering Chaya ruched maxi dress for $93.50. This dress is perfect for regular or special occasions. The ruched bodice and the crossover design will make you a real standout. Wear it with a denim jacket and it will give you plus points for being fashion-forward.

You can get a lovely pair of sandals at Shoes.com. Project a sparkling aura everywhere you go with the Naughty Monkey women’s pony pass sandal ($69). This thong sandal features rhinestone embellished straps and smooth leather lining that has a lightly cushioning footbed. Keep your costs reasonable by availing our Shoes.com Coupon Codes.

Look like a celebrity and wear oversized sunglasses like the fabulous Elle double-rings oval sunglasses ($17.99 at Kohl’s). As for the bracelet, Vera Bradley has the right one for you: the heart charm bracelet in clementine ($28).

Denim on denim

Is it possible to wear a jacket denim on denim pants? Who will ever forget the outrage over the denim-coordinated outfits of Britney Spears and Justine Timberlake at the 2001 American Music Awards? The former Mickey Mouse Club stars wore everything denim, from the denim tie-dye to the denim studs to the dazzle denim. Oh, the horror! This fashion disaster gave denim a bad reputation.

But can you wear denim on denim? Of course, why not? But please make sure you don’t end up looking like an 80’s or 90’s leftover. It is often a hit or miss fashion decision, but with proper styling, you can be one hot fashionista.

When choosing a denim jacket, it always pays to rely on tried and tested brands. Levi’s is one of the authorities when it comes to denim. Check out the stylish Levi’s crop dip-dyed denim jacket ($29) at Kohl’s. One way to become a fashion diva is by styling denim jackets with denim jeans or shorts. The rule of thumb in a denim-on-denim ensemble is to contrast your dark denim jacket with a colored or wash denim shorts. You can get ELLE™ Cuffed Denim Capris ($29.99) at Kohl’s for a clearance sale of only $8.80.

A plain white shirt or something that has some color accents is the best top to go with your denim jacket and denim shorts. The top-rating Chaps Striped Lace-Up Tee, sold at Kohl’s for only $34.30 will give you fashion and comfort. The smart strips contrast charmingly with the raggedness of the denim jacket. For the footwear, the cute and comfortable Skechers Women’s Paris Slip On ($49.99 at Shoes.com) is the perfect pair to add some girly feature to the sporty look. Finish the look with pretty accessories. The Chain-Link Headband in Petal Paisley offered at Vera Bradley for $22 and Travel Tote in Petal Paisley ($78) give a striking accent to the look. Take advantage of our Vera Bradley Coupons for some incredible discounts.