Archive for decorating;

New discoveries…!

Hi there! It’s Mama again…popping in for an appearance! While yes, one of Mama’s resolutions was to get back to daily updating…so far, it hasn’t happened because well…you know…the poop, the feeding, the carpools, the napping (not Mama, them!), the other styling job and the other writing jobs have all gotten in the way but soon enough you’ll have Mama back…soon enough. Then you’ll wish that Mama just went away again (HA!). Not for lack of ideas though…boy, does Mama have a ton of them!

But first let Mama do one little rant…just one Mama promises! Why is it that every time Mama turns on the news or the Internet to find out what’s happening in the world, in Mama’s country and around the city we dwell…why is it that there is another baby, toddler or child gone missing? Stolen in the night from their home or disappeared into thin air? WHY IS IT? It’s not only heartbreaking that Mama can’t really do much to help when they’re across the country but it’s depressing too. Has our society gone mad crazy to steal and kill these babies? Mama doesn’t remember hearing about all these stolen babies when Mama was growing up. We just played in our neighborhood and didn’t really worry about strangers stealing us off the street. The other day Mama explained “stranger danger” yet again to Lily-girl, who is now old enough to be dropped off by herself at dance, gymnastics, etc. but in the end, Mama is petrified to leave her there alone. Last week she decided not to wait inside for us but OUTSIDE! EEK!! Mama was a’ freakin’! Mama is contemplating a cell phone for her that calls only Mama, Daddy and one other emergency number for when she does get dropped off. It’s called the Firefly Phone, $49.99 — is Mama being overly dramatic about this or are you a little petrified too? Is six too young for an emergency cell phone?

Okay, now that Mama has gotten that out…let’s do some sharing of some FUN new finds that Mama has found that are just fabulous and that Mama needs and you need too. Happy Wednesday Mamas!

Mama has TONS of friends with new little babies (and a lot that don’t) but this, this my friends is just an awesome gift that will last and last in either a nursery, home office or just as everyday decor with a purpose. Green Your Air is an eco-friendly plant company that helps Mamas create clean spaces in their home with air-filtering plants. Not only that but they come in CHIC little pots (with chevrons…swoon!) and are a super budget-friendly gift, $35, and it will last forever…not like that onesie that only lasts a few months (but Mama loves onesies TOO!!). There is NASA research behind each of the plants that they actually do filter out chemicals from the air you breathe. Right now they’re offering a limited time discount at 25 percent off using the code: MILKFRIENDLY, it expires January 22, 2011. What a great way treat for yourself or someone you love for the new year!

Speaking of cleaning, Mama is on a mission to get this house in tip-top shape for the new year. So far, it’s slow-going but we’re getting there. So Mama is getting in the mood to get some more storage bins for the toys and everything else that seems to make it’s way to the floor. Mama is loving the new storage designs at Serena & Lily but they are a little pricy at $24 each (Pandan Bins) but The Container Store also has some adorable ones for $7.99 right now and they’re Polka Dot! Now that is enough to get Mama started on her organizing…

Okay so this is something that Mama has never seen before and can’t wait to try…because you know how much Mama loves accessorizing…have you heard of Origami Owl Custom Jewelry?! Why, yes it’s something of a home jewelry party but it’s better than that…you can do it with your kids! You start by choosing from a ton of charms that tell something about your life, your personality…really anything! Then you choose a locket — they even have vintage-styles and ones with diamond bling. Then you choose a chain, some dangles for extra bling and style or even a hand-stamped plate…and, viola…custom jewelry that tells the story of YOU. How adorable and a great idea to do with the littles. If you’re an Origami Owl rep in Mama’s area — look Mama up — let’s do a PARTY! You can also order online but Mama doesn’t think that is as fun as doing it with a bunch of girlfriends and their kiddos. Check out: OrigamiOwl.com.

Now that Baby Boy’s birthday is done and gone (although, Mama is still cleaning up the aftermath…), it’s time to move onto Lily-girl’s party planning! Mama is thinking of a Candyland theme this year…you know a BIG Candy Bar (Amy Atlas style of course), Lollypops hanging down…just one big sugar high! In the search for everything perfect, Mama has happened upon Layer Cake Shop — an awesome site with cute decorating items and baking. Mama is thinking these striped bags…are a must-have because they’re only $4.25 for 24 and they come in black and yellow too! SWEET — a must PIN!

Speaking of jewelry…the spring 2012 Stella & Dot spring line is out…it’s cute and very springy…who’s ready to party with Mama and wear some beautiful baubles?! There’s even a necklace named after Pippa Middleton (look left, $69)…AWWW!

Do you have a favorite find? Do tell!


Mama’s Activity Wreath…

Okay crafty Mama’s…now’s the time when you should be strutting your stuff and making all kinds of homemade goodies and presents for the holiday season. While we’re almost half-way through December, Mama couldn’t let the month go by without sharing Mama’s one idea for the month that we actually managed to make. Mama will also say that while this is great for December and doing activities surrounding the holidays…you can almost do this any month of the year by using different shapes to match the season to write down different activities to do for the month. So without further introduction….here’s Mama’s December Activity Wreath…TA DA!

It’s super easy to make using a wire wreath, clothespins and any shape of paper you want to write down the activities. For the holidays, Mama wrote things like: watch a Christmas movie, make popcorn, make hot chocolate, go for a drive and look at the lights, make ornaments, bake cookies and deliver to a neighbor, buy a toy for a child in need, sing Christmas carols, wrap Christmas presents, make candy cane reindeer…

Really you can add any activity that your family enjoys doing together during the holidays or perhaps would like to DO but never get around to doing.

Here’s the supplies Mama used: Paper Source Bookboard Wreath Form, $5.95 for 2; red and white construction paper; and clothespins (you can paint them if you want to…Mama did!).

The kids love taking a look at the wreath and choosing an activity a day to celebrate the holidays!

What will you add to your activity wreath?

 

Decorate it already…!

Mama will officially admit this to you (and only you)…Mama is in complete denial that this baby is coming any day now. Clothes and baby gear can currently be found in every room of the house and are still sitting in boxes waiting to be washed, sorted and put away. There are still some items to be purchased but for now, Mama thinks the basics are covered — diapers, wipes, a bassinet to sleep in and a few pajama onesies to get her through those first six weeks. In fact, when Baby Boy was born…Mama didn’t change his clothes until there was a blowout or he started to stink…literally. It was too exhausting to wash everything and change him everyday…plus, what’s more comfortable then PJS?!

On the other hand, Mama has found time to clean out the other two kids rooms to try and make space for #3′s items and find things that they’ve certainly grown out of. With the holidays and their birthdays on the horizon, it’s that time to try and purge…in fact, Mama likes doing this at least twice a year. Also while cleaning out the closets, I find never opened NEW items that can be donated to all those kidlets that don’t have anything — Mama loves when that happens!

So back to the room and getting a place for #3 to call her own…well, in the end Mama decided that she wasn’t going to get a room of her own FOR NOW. Sharing isn’t so bad, is it? Mama was an only child growing up so Mama always had her own room. However, plenty of people didn’t and you now what, Mama is pretty sure they all survived it. The only problem now is…she’s going to be sharing it with her older brother. His room is blue and has many, many cars in it. She will for sure be a Tomboy…or not.

In order to make a little space of her own in the room, Mama is going to get new bedding for the crib…girl bedding to fit in the boy room. Here’s the choices that Mama has narrowed it down to…help Mama decorate and tell Mama which one is your favorite, pretty please?!

Mama has been coveting this set since the beginning of summer…then they sold out of it. Now, it’s back but Mama can’t decide if it’s just too out of season. Lily Nursery Bedding, $18-$99, at potterybarnkids.com. P.S. Mama also wants that crib but that’s a different story…

This set is another one that Mama has been eyeing for awhile and it’s such a modern departure from the first one. Thumbs up? Rows and Rows of Roses Crib Set, $360, at landofnod.com.

Mama saw this set on sale at a local boutique for about half the price — is it worth it just because it’s a deal at $150? Taj Crib Bedding Set at rikshawdesign.com. Another bonus…it goes great with that Calypso St. Barth for Target pouf that Mama hunted down too!

Is there anything better than the designs of Serena & Lily? And the name Lulu is on Mama’s short list (although, it’s a little close to Lily-girl and might drive a Mama of 3 nuts!). Like? Lulu Crib Bedding Set, $325, at serenaandlily.com.

Well…it is a blue room and you know how Mama feels about NYC…is this one? Skyline Crib Set, $360, at dwellstudio.com.

Ready, set, go and decorate the crib — which one will it be??? Have a great Halloween weekend! XOXO, Mama

Faux crazy…

Really is it Monday again?! Whatever is Mama going to do when this baby arrives…maybe we should go buy some diapers at least…you know…to be prepared. But what’s the fun in that — buying diapers. It’s just so mundane. No Mama rather spend time dreaming about how to decorate the nursery or shopping for what the kids are going to wear in this year’s holiday photo. It’s all about priorities these days…

So as much as Mama has been obsessed with Poufs…Mama has also been obsessing over fauxidermy for the walls. It’s everywhere! While some people may say it’s a bit morbid and disturbing to see animal heads hanging from the wall, Mama much prefers to see a fake head made of newspaper or plaster than a real one stuffed to the gills with its glass eyeballs staring you down. Mama agrees — that’s just downright creepy. For now, let’s just go with the faux and see which one would make you swoon…!

This is Mama’s top pick for the nursery…what do you think — too hunter vs. nature for a little one?! Zebra Sky Paper Mache Head, $76, at dwellstudio.com. It also comes in PINK!

Oh, but this one is PINK and it’s stuffed and adorned with pretty, pretty fabric. Do you love? Faux Taxidermy XL Buck Snow White, $75, at etsy.com.

Here’s one that Mama bought earlier this year and L-O-V-E-S. Has it been hung yet? Mama is not telling you that (let’s just say the hubs and the hammer don’t get along!). Moose Head, $49.95, at zgallerie.com. This is the small one at 15″ but the BIG one is amazing at 39″.

Who doesn’t love Giraffes?! Mama loves this one for the playroom — kids love animals! Savannah Story Animal Bust, $68, at anthropologie.com.

Needle in a haystack…

Today one of Mama’s besties is celebrating a wedding anniversary — the big five year! Congratulations by the way because in this day and age…who knows what could happen, especially if you live in Hollywood (which they do not). Anniversaries are one of those celebrations that sometimes people really celebrate and go all out with gifts and weekends away or in the land of parenthood — often go by unnoticed or celebrated with a simple card and perhaps a bouquet of flowers (if one is lucky).

When Mama picked our wedding date almost seven years ago, Mama didn’t think twice about making it one week after Mama’s birthday and then only about three weeks before Christmas. In hindsight, it probably would have been better to push it up a few weeks but Mama wanted a “winter white” wedding in December — and that is exactly what it was. Gosh, Mama needs to find that wedding album — haven’t seen it in years! Have you looked through yours lately or shared it with the kids? What a great weekend activity!

Most Mamas are probably in the same boat as Mama in that with a joint checking account that the hubs seems to monitor much more frequently than you…not to mention that they probably make most of if not all of family income, so when it comes to being him a gift…you don’t want or have a whole lot of money to spend. So Mama was thinking that this year, it would be something more sentimental than expensive and nothing beats handmade — something like embroidery to be exact.

Before you snub the idea, just take a look at these finds that say “I love you” like nothing you’ve ever seen before…!

So simple it’s beautiful and also check out the ones in the shop for new babies. Embroidery Hoop Wedding Anniversary, $35, at Etsy.com.

Is your love on the move a lot? This is a great way to capture your love together — throughout all the states! Personalized Anniversary Wedding Art Print, $32, at Etsy.com.

Are you “tweet-hearts”? Then this is a great gift. Anniversary Gift, Personalized Love Birds in a Tree, $16, at Etsy.com.

Mama has a wedding to go to in a few weeks — this is what Mama is ordering. Who wants another pot and pan set when you can have THIS?! Personalized Name Embroidery Hoop, $65, at Etsy.com.

This looks amazing…no?! Custom Heart Tree Pillow, $34, at Etsy.com.

Mama sure wishes that Etsy was around when we got married…so many things to choose from! What’s your favorite anniversary gift?

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