Stylin' Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

How cute are flower girls and ring bearers?  Right?  Sometimes they cause a bit of unwanted drama (think screaming, flailing tantrums), but mostly they cause a collective "awwww" from all the wedding guests as they slowly, awkwardly, adorably make their way down the aisle.

Not everyone welcomes babies, toddlers, children...anyone under 18... at their wedding for a plethora of reasons (including the screaming, flailing tantrum potential), but that's a whole different post.  Today, I'm focusing on wedding fashion for the mini members of a wedding party.  It's not wedding season, but it is the season of wedding planning for all those folks who will be getting hitched in 2013.

All the clothes, shoes and accessories below are for infants and toddlers (0-2 years) ...aka babies...but many come in larger sizes (and alternate colors), so be sure to click on the hot links below each image to get product details.  Also, most of the Etsy shops featured in this post specialize in infant/toddler/child formal wear, so check out the entire shop for other adorable products.

For the Flower Girls (ladies first)

White knit and tulle dress by Ralph Lauren ($175)

Tulle ballerina dress by Us Angels ($146+)

Jeweled collar by JCrew ($48)

Lace bow headbands by Little Blooms Handmade ($12 each)

Barefoot baby sandals by Happy Threads ($18)

For the Ring Bearers

Sage boys jumper by Beane & Company ($70)

Two button school blazer by JCrew ($158)

Alexander baby boy shoes by Pink2Blue ($32)

Elephant bow tie by Olive and Vince (~$16.44)

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Blue Boy Baby Shower

Maybe I created today's mood board because I love Jones soda, maybe not.  Either way, here are a bunch of fun and yummy items to pull together a classic, blue baby shower.  

Clockwise from top left

Cupcake toppers by Apple Candy Design ($2 digital file)

Blue gummy bears ($10/1.5 lbs on Amazon.com)

Jones blue bubble gum soda ($55/24 on Amazon.com)

Blue polka dot paper straws by Back to Zero ($4/25)

Lucky star origami by Origami Delights ($13/100)

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Supporting Friends (GIVEAWAY!)

Happy Monday and Happy Columbus Day!

Regular NSB readers may have noticed that a certain "Jessica" posting comments all over the place.  If not, you will now that I mention it.  Not only is Jessica a friend of NSB, but she's also an amazing crafter and the lady behind Little Partridge.  First check out some fun stuff available on the Little Partridge Etsy shop and then (keep scrolling down) check out details on an awesome GIVEAWAY.

Burp cloth cupcake sets

Personalized trick or treat bags

Diaper cake

Today through Thursday, Little Partridge is hosting a major giveaway ($75 gift certificate!) to celebrate the launch of its new, spiffy website.  Here's a screen shot of the website:

So, how do you enter this awesome giveaway?  Head over to the new Little Partridge website (click here) and follow the instructions.  Good luck!!!

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Diaper Bags for Everyone

Choosing the perfect diaper bag is a highly important choice in a mom-to-be's life.  A diaper bag is a handbag (of sorts) and deserves the same consumer consideration as a leather boho satchel, a sequin evening clutch or a waxed canvas weekend duffel.  Yes, practicality plays a part that it probably wouldn't with an everyday bag, but that doesn't negate the need for style.  Oh no. 

So, where do you start your search?

Factors for Choosing the Right Diaper Bag:

Cost - Hello.  This is always a factor.  You likely have a budget.  Arguably it's okay to spend a little more on a diaper bag because it will get a ton of hardcore usage and you want it to last.  On the other hand, some (not me) would say that it's purpose is not for style so it's not worth wasting the money on.

Practicality - This factor has many subfactors.  Will it stain easily?  How do you clean it?  Is it well made or will the seams come lose after one big trip to the in-laws?  Are there enough pockets to organize all the baby accoutrement?  Are all those pockets easily accessible or will you be fishing around for a pacifier for 10 minutes while your new infant screams her beautiful head off?

Style - Some may disagree with this factor, but even if you think style is frivolous when it comes to diaper bags, no one wants to carry a hideous bag (diaper bag or otherwise).  Perhaps the newest Marc Jacobs diaper bag isn't for you, but you don't necessarily want a Winnie the Pooh, vinyl disaster. 

Each of the following diaper bags have the trifecta of goodness: cost (everything under $150), practical (multiple interior and exterior pockets) and style (oh yes).

Versa diaper bag by Skip Hop for $70.

Baby bag by Vera Bradley for $99.

Waxed canvas diaper bag by Barnacle Bags for $112.

Satchel diaper bag by JJ Cole for $70.

What diaper bag do you have/want?  How much would you be willing to spend on a diaper bag?  PS - check out an old post (here) that features two other Etsy crafters who make affordable, cute diaper bags.

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Pretty in Pink Baby Shower

Today's post was inspired by this sweet baby shower invitation from TinyPrints.com (below).  It's slightly non-traditional in that there are no bunnies or giraffes or pregnant lady cartoons.  It's a little cool and a lot sweet.

I'm typically resistant to sharing gender specific baby shower ideas.  I think it's easier to plan a baby shower for a girl or a boy than it is to plan a baby shower for a surprise.  So, I prefer to assist the surprise gender baby showers with my creativity (and uncanny ability to scour the world wide web).  But, it's been a while since I've posted girly girl baby shower ideas and then I came across that cute pink heart invitation.  Hence, today's post about a PINK baby shower.

The Decor

Hot pink cupcake liners by Bakers Bling Shop ($6.50/100)

Spring showers party banner by GFetti ($6/six foot banner)

Polka dot paper plates from Posh Party Box (matching napkins available)

Pink umbrella party picks by Below Blink ($3.50/two dozen)

It's just so easy to find pink decor.  Check out Etsy.com, check out Target, check out Michael's craft stores and dollar stores.  Check out anywhere that party decor is found.  Where party decor is found, pink party decor is found.  Don't be afraid to mix pinks, all shades of the highly feminine color get along nicely.

The Treats

Pink Champagne Cupcakes 

(recipe from Betty Crocker/The Cupcake Blog)

Strawberry cheescake jelly bean by Jelly Belly (consider all the pink Jelly Belly flavors: bubble gum, cotton candy, strawberry daiquiri, pink grapefruit)

Neapolitan lollipops by Sweet Lollipop Shop ($14.95/five)

It's A Girl lollipops by Liquorish ($18/dozen)

Heart cookie by EdibleGiftsPlus.com ($4.99/six)

Some of these treats are beyond the average kitchen mavens ability.  But not all.  The pink frosted heart cookie is an easy DIY with the help of a sugar cookie recipe (here) and a heart cookie cutter (here) and some pink frosting, which you can either find at your local grocery store or make by adding a couple dashes of red food dye to a basic white frosting.  Or, just frost your cupcake with white frosting and decorate it with some delicious, pink jelly beans.  

The Game Winning Prize

The pink umbrella above is from Debenhems, but just google "pink umbrella" and you'll find tons of fun choices.  Baby showers tend to feature cute (and sometimes embarrassing and sometimes annoying) games.  A pretty pink umbrella would be the perfect prize for the game winner (and it would make the embarrassing, annoying game worth the embarrassment and annoyance). 

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Rainbow Nursery Decor

Today's post is in celebration of gay pride week.  If you didn't know it was gay pride week, you probably don't live in NYC.  Now you know.  Enjoy the mood of the week and the mood of the board below - a rainbow themed baby's nursery.  I'm thinking white walls and white sheets to compliment the bright, bold, fabulous decor ideas below.

(Starting at top left, going counterclockwise)

Elephant wall print by Alpha Bino ($24.12)

Fabric wall art by The Old Pink Porch ($35)

Origami garland by All We Need is Origami ($19)

Rainbow stacker by Land of Nod ($49)

Ribbon pillow cover by The Red Pistachio ($27)

Braided rug by Green at Heart Rugs ($125)

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A Name Before a Baby

I seem to know more and more parents-to-be who choose and publicize a baby name before the baby is born.  Do you know any of these folks?  Are you one of these folks?  Is it a recent trend or am I just noticing it now that I'm baby crazed?   

Forty years ago (maybe even thirty), sonograms simply weren't standard parts of prenatal care.  Without a sonogram or two, the gender of the baby can't be discovered.  And, in most cases, without knowing the gender of the baby, a single name can't be settled upon.  So, relatively speaking, it is a trend for parents to decide on a single name before the baby is born thanks to modern technology.  But, if I'm considering only the last five years (the years when my peers started to become pregnant), it's really the last two years that I've noticed this naming habit.

While I won't choose this route, I don't think it's wrong or bad.  At all.  Quite the opposite, I understand the fun in it.  I imagine that it's fantastic to call him or her a real name rather than a nickname or...a pronoun.  Using a name (the name) might make it feel all the more real?  Choosing a name as early as possible hopefully prevents pregnant friends, acquaintances and coworkers from scooping up your jewel before the due date.  But I don't think any of these reasons are why people do it.  My theory on this seemingly newish trend is that people have been taken by all the amazing baby swag that requires a name or initials.  Below are a few examples of these desirables.

Pottery Barn has a bunch of personalized books, like the one below.  In fact, Pottery Barn has an entire section of their website dedicated to personalized baby stuff (here) with everything from blankets to toys to furniture.

The wall decal below by Stephen Edward Graphic ($35) is one of many that you can find on Etsy.com.  Personalizing a nursery can be nearly instant.

Two blue peas has a slew of awesome, inexpensive (!) baby gifts that can be personalized with a name or initials, like the giraffe and raccoon blanket below.  Check them all out here.

While I just realized this name picking trend, I have known of the general love for personalized gifts since the start of NSB and written about it twice (here and here).  So, was it the chicken or the egg?  Did personalized gifts become popular because people were choosing names before babies arrived or were people choosing names before babies arrived leading savvy retailers to capitalize?

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Orange You Excited for a Gender Neutral Baby Shower?

Yes, this is a recycled title, I'm using "orange" as "aren't" again.  I posted about an orange nursery last November, entitled Orange You Excited to Decorate a Gender Neutral Nursery?  It featured the mood board below.

Go to the original post (here) for product details

Today I'm pulling together ideas for an orange themed baby shower.  Color themed parties are extra easy to pull together because necessities (decorations, invites, etc.) are readily available and they allow for creative party planning because the elements don't have to be matchy matchy.  After all, matchy matchy is a big NO, as Giuliana Rancic would say on E! Fashion Police.

I'm pleased to present some of the coolest Etsy born baby shower products that I've ever found.  I'm kicking it off, as always with invitations.

From top to bottom:

1. Chevron umbrella invitation by Executive Creations ($20 for set of 10)

2. Modern blue and orange invitation by Sophisticate Suite ($10 for digital file)

3. Elephant and peanut invitation invitation by Swanky Press ($30 for set of 20)

This banner by Parker Prints ($15.50) is unique and sweet.  It's perfect to hang over a refreshment table.  And, if you're not going to find out the gender then the banner can read "welcome baby".

Before coming across these raffle tickets by Middle Before ($6 for digital file) I had never heard of a diaper raffle.  I like it.  I'm into practical baby shower gifts (more on that here) and this is a fun way to encourage that.  

Orange (or tangerine or clementine) flavored macaroons would be baby shower perfection.  Here is a recipe for orange hazelnut macaroons from Cookstr.com.

This beautiful box is full of cupcake mix as a favor for shower guests.  It's made by Favor Box Bakery ($40 for 12 boxes) and I love it.  The colors are customizable.

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Sheep Themed Nursery, Baaaahhhhh

Today's post features adorable items for a gender neutral nursery.  It's all about sheep.  The colors are as soft as can be.  The vibe is as peaceful as can be.  I got sleepy just putting the images together.  

image links below - clockwise

1. Plush sheep toy by Aurora ($12.99)

2. Sheep bookends by The Company Store ($59)

3. Smiling sheep photograph (8"x10") by Dreamy Photo ($25)

4. Sheep mobile by Pingvini ($56)

5. Mama and Bebe sheep art (8"x10") by Heavenly Creatures Art ($20)

6. Counting sheep crib bedding by Land of Nod ($24-$199)

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Lemonade Themed Baby Shower, Pucker Up

I was paroosing Etsy last week (as I often do) and came across these adorable lemon shaped bookends.

By Design Atelier Article ($44)

So, I pinned it.  I'm trying desperately to pin more.  I've been a member of Pinterest for a little while now (HERE is my pinterest page if you'd like to take a peak), but I'm pretty delinquent at keeping up with my boards.  The bookend was a good add to my "A Colorful Home" board.  It is the "pop of color" that Brad Goreski won't shut up about and it reminds me of summertime, which I am so looking forward to.  

I decided to let this beautiful bookend inspire a mood board for a lemonade themed baby shower.  I immediately loved the idea, which was reinforced by all the fantastic stuff I found. 

1. "Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy" T-shirt by Vicarious Clothing ($17)

2.  White and yellow paper straws by Bab's Giddy Gappers ($0.75/straw)

3.  Lemon cake truffles by Cocoa Confections ($36/box of 18)

4.  Invitations by Totful Memories ($15 for digital file)

5.  Bunting by Fresh Squeezed Baby ($30)

6.  Tumbler of lemonade image and recipe at Delish.com

7.  Pink lemonade cupcakes image and recipe at Sweet Tooth 

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Just a Light Sprinkle

We all know what a baby shower is, yes?  I'll answer the question anyway.  A baby shower is a party in which a mom-to-be is showered (get it?) with gifts for the unborn baby.

Traditionally, a baby shower is reserved for a woman's first child.  It's a one shot deal for the first in line.  But wait, nowadays there are a couple exceptions: when it's been a long time between babies and when a baby of a different gender is expected.  In both cases, a second baby shower is kosher.  No, you're not crazy if you're thinking that I've mentioned this concept before - I did (here).  What I didn't know in July 2011, when I briefly wrote about the modern second baby shower, is that there is a special name designated for this second baby shower - Sprinkle.  That's right, a Baby Sprinkle.

Those colorful little dots are also sprinkles.

Today's post is dedicated to the Sprinkle.  The basic difference between a Shower and a Sprinkle is exactly what it sounds like, one is more and the other is less.  At a Sprinkle, the gift giving (and entire event) are more humble.  Unlike Showers, mothers-to-be don't typically register for gifts for a Sprinkle.  The mother-to-be is lightly sprinkled with a few special gifts rather than showered with everything a woman could possibly need or want for herself and her baby.

A Sprinkle is shorter, smaller (less guests) and informal.  It's more of a casual breakfast with your closest friends who give you blue onesies for your first son.  It's less of a formal brunch with all female members of your extended family who give you breast pumps, bottles and a strollers for your first child.  An evite is sufficient, no fancy letter press invitation necessary.  A Sprinkle is fun (obviously) and mellow.

So, when you're co-worker offers to throw you a mini Shower for your second child, don't turn her down.  Just tell her to keep it simple and...ahem...it's called a Sprinkle.

In case you are theme happy and can't bare to throw a party without cohesion of centerpieces, food, drink and music, check out this old post on ice cream sundae themed baby showers (all above images are found in this post).  Where there is ice cream, there are sprinkles.

Have you been to/hosted/had a Sprinkle?  What did you think?  Is it faux pas or perfectly acceptable?

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Fortune Cookie Baby

And now, for a random post of fortune cookie themed baby products.  There's no deep (or not deep) explanation.  Enjoy.

Fortune cookie slippers by Sushi Booties ($28)

Onesie by OVELO Design ($15.99)

Fortune cookie cupcakes by Pink Cake Box

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Tree Inspired Nursery

I've pulled together some ideas for a tree themed nursery.  I know, TREE themed?  I started with the more general idea of nature themed, but I kept finding tree items that I loved.  The natural colors are good for a boy or a girl and the overall feel is mature even though these are baby products.

1. Tree of Life crib bedding by Poids Plume ($425)
2. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein ($12 on Amazon.com)
3. Organic wood tree teether by A Summer Afternoon ($12)
4. 3-D Personalized Tree Art by Domestic Notions ($64.80)
5. Lumbar tree pillow by Classic by Nature ($30)

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Giraffe Nursery

Last November I wrote a post about elephant themed nurseries (here) and it was a hit.  I'm not always great a predicting which posts will get especially great readership and the Elephant Nursery post is an example of that.  Don't get me wrong, I found some pretty adorable nursery decor, but I didn't realize how many people are into elephants.

Today's post is part two (an unplanned sequel) of safari animal nursery decorating - Giraffes.  Below are my favorites that come from a variety of sources. There were truly too many items to include, so I had to leave a few out including Sophie.  I figured that if you're going with a giraffe theme for your nursery, then Sophie is a given that needs no plug.  Plus, she's already gotten far too much face time on this blog.  If you don't know who Sophie is, shame on you and click here.

Bedding set by Pottery Barn Kids ($19-$229)

1. "One day I will be tall like a" print (8x10") by Printed Inc. ($15)
2.  Personalized name print (9x13") by Leo Little Lion ($20)
3.  G is for Giraffe pring (8x10") by Delivered by Danielle ($14)

1.  Faux leather giraffe bookend (left) by Serena and Lily ($58)
2.  Ida the Giraffe bookend (right) by Zuny ($49)

Set of 2 security blankets by Aden + Anais ($20)

Set of 3 flannel swaddling blankets by Pottery Barn Kids ($34)

Minky baby blanket by KdBuggie Boutique & Designs ($35)

1.  Giraffe silhouette lamp by Giggle ($175)

2.  Nightlight by Jonathan Adler ($48)

3.  Head's Up Lamp by The Land of Nod ($199)

Animal print rug by Pottery Barn Kids ($149-$699)

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