Mint.Com has an interesting article on 15 Baby Money Traps To Avoid. Here’s a run-down:

Infrared baby monitors
Bed in a bag
Convertible cribs
Diaper wipe warmer
Bottle sterilizers
Baby videos
Vinci tablet
Baby knee pads
Color changing spoons
Thudguard
Walking wings
Baby TV
Baby perfume
Baby food processors
Baby gates–Pet gates are cheaper.

Read their reasoning here.

I hadn’t even heard of some of these things. Perfume for babies? Huh?

The only thing I’m not sure of is convertible cribs, which seem like they could save some money.

What do you think are the biggest baby money traps?

How cute are these Child’s Menagerie Chairs and Table? I particularly like the table, but the chairs are cute too:

From the site:

All pieces are finished with a water-borne, non-toxic natural varnish to protect the wood and ensure that the pieces can be easily wiped clean of fingerprints (and peanut butter & jelly).

This set is on the pricey side–$198 for the chairs and $238 for the table, or $598 for the table and two chairs. Pretty adorable, though. [Ohdeedoh]

I recently stumbled upon the idea of using a Dynamic Frame for displaying kid’s art. The frame has a latch that easily opens so that you can insert a new drawing. That way you can change out the artwork whenever there’s a new creation ready to be displayed.

On top of that, the Dynamic Frame acts as an album, storing up to 50 drawings at a time. So not only is this a good way to display the child’s art, it reduces clutter too.

Dynamic Frames start at $25 and go up, so they aren’t the cheapest products out there, but they definitely beat slapping the kid’s art up on a refrigerator.

Straight out of Chronicles of Narnia, this homeowner used a wardrobe as an entrance to a secret playroom for his child.

This is brilliantly simple–just cut a hole in the back of the wardrobe and push it against the door to the playroom. Voila! All that’s missing is the fur coats.

This is one lucky kid. Design Milk pointed out this awesome pirate bedroom by Kuhl Design Build.

Normally I’m not that into overdone kid’s rooms, but this room is like a bedroom and a fort.

Like I said, that’s one lucky kid.

Here is a brilliant idea from Kidtropolis, which specializes in transforming kid’s rooms–a wall inspired by alphabet blocks. Not only does it look great, there’s lots and lots of storage there.

Being a practical type, I do have to wonder how a permanent-looking structure like that is going to fare once the kid outgrows the nursery phase, but I suppose you could always paint over the blocks and keep the storage. Either way, that’s one lucky kid. (Via Design Milk)

I guess it is mustache week around here because I think this Mini Mustache Sweater from Paperama is adorable. If you are a fast knitter, this would make a great Christmas present. The pattern costs $3.50 and might be sold out, but it doesn’t look too hard to reproduce if you know how to knit.

(Via Craft)

The other day I was telling someone that I thought making your own Halloween costumes brings out creativity. Here’s a perfect example from Filth Wizardry: a Star Wars Storm Trooper Helmet made from two milk jugs.

Here it is before the paint:

I know some Star Wars geeks who would love this. Too bad this will only work for kids. (Via Craft)

Here’s a good idea from ohdeedoh–a car travel game using recycled bubble wrap. Each time the kid sees a corresponding object to the one drawn on the game, s/he pops a bubble. Simple and cute. (Via Craft)

Wendy from Obsessively Stitching is making toy spaceships out of what she calls “junk”–bits of plastic from toys, electronics, and other things.

First she pries the objects apart:

And glues them together to make spaceships like this one:

Great idea. With a coat of silver spray paint, they look as good as any spaceship in the toy store.