Little Lamb 1st Birthday Party

I'm completely astonished by this 1st birthday party that Carrie Sellman from The Cake Blog prepared for her daughter Sadie. Here is where she got her inspiration from.

"Sadie absolutely loves everything soft, furry and fluffy. So I decided to embrace this and build a theme around her very favorite stuffed animal.  Her little lamb.  The colors were whites, creams, light caramel and chocolate brown with lots of fluffy, furry, wooly textures.  That meant anything and everything lamb related like wool, yarn, felt and fleece with a touch of burlap thrown in. I wanted it to look and feel cuddly soft with lots of different textures for her to touch.  Just like her little lamb.  Together with good friends, we celebrated this special day with a modern update of an old classic…. Sadie Had a Little Lamb!"

VENDORS & CREDITS:
Party Styling & Decor: Carrie Sellman of Half Baked
Invitation & Paper Goods: Half Baked on Etsy
Decorated Sugar Cookies: Firefly Confections
Painted Canvas: djDecor
Custom Bib & Headband: Bugaboo Bliss
Lamb Pillows: Sadie’s Grandmother {following this pattern}
Cake: Carrie Sellman of Half Baked

Make-up Tips For Pregnancy and Beyond

Pregnancy can gift you with an amazing glow, but it can also bestow a few surprising changes on your skin. 

Whether your complexion's become blotchy, prone to acne, dry or oily, you don't have to grin and bear it. Take the time to dab on a bit of make-up each morning. You may feel tired, bloated or be running late for work, but just a few minutes of clever application can give you a day-long lift.

Perk up your eyes

To reduce puffiness and dark circles from lack of sleep, dab a light but nourishing eye cream under your eyes before your usual moisturiser. Then gently pat or brush on concealer or corrector. This should diminish that drowsy look and brighten your eyes.

Don't worry about concealing all of the dark under-eye area, as you can follow up with a blemish balm (BB cream) or tinted moisturiser for extra coverage.

Pregnancy glow in a tube

Now isn't the time to apply heavy foundation. Pregnancy hormones may have made your skin sensitive. Or you may have developed spots, so try to let your skin breathe.

If you're suffering from a lot of pigmentation, and have patches of darker skin on your face, a tinted moisturiser will combat this. Whatever the temporary changes to your skin, this will even out your skin tone, with no need to wear foundation on top.

BB creams and colour-correcting creams (CC creams) are multi-taskers that can give you a much-needed healthy glow, and perk up your complexion instantly. They even out flaws and won't feel cakey. Many also contain a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Smooth the cream over your cleansed face and neck, paying special attention to any blemished areas. You may want to temporarily use a slightly different shade than before you were pregnant, depending on how much your skin has changed.

Healthy glow in an instant

Blusher is your friend, both now and after your little bundle arrives. No other product can lift your face, brighten your eyes and trick people into thinking you've had some sleep the way that blusher can. 

Choose a cream blusher or cheek stain that can quickly double as a lip tint if you're short on time. Your face will look instantly fresher and your skin more radiant. Apply it directly, or on top of a BB cream or a tinted moisturiser. 

Powders and stains tend to suit normal and combination skins, while creamier or mousse formulations tend to last longer if you have dehydrated skin.

Dab a little blusher on your finger tip, then smile and lightly pat it on to the apples of your cheeks. Blend it in until you have a level of colour you prefer. Post-pregnancy you may want a brighter shade than usual.

Bronzed and even more beautiful

Deflect attention from tired eyes with a face-brightening bronzer. A gentle sweep of highlighting bronzer can lift even the palest of complexions. 

Using a big, soft brush, apply a bronzer to the tops of your cheeks, a little to your forehead and chin, and a little dab on your nose. 

Gently tap any excess bronzer off the brush before applying, as you want this to enhance your make-up, not cover up all your good work.

Eye-opening tricks

However exhausted or bloated you feel, pregnancy gives your eyes a natural sparkle. You just need to enhance that with a bit of clever but quick-to-apply make-up.

A sweep of eye pencil, applied just above your top lashes, will help to define your eyes. Choose a thick pencil, so you don't have to be too precise, and try one with a hint of glitter for an extra boost.

An eyelash tint will define your eyes without the need to find time to apply mascara, though do a patch test first, as your skin may be more sensitive than usual in pregnancy. Or try using eyelash curlers to open tired eyes and give instant lift to your face. 

Choose a black, lash-coating mascara to give you long, fluttery lashes and more defined eyes. Wiggle the mascara wand from side to side while applying to separate and coat each lash.

Lip uplifters

There's nothing more uplifting than a new, bright lipstick. A long-lasting formula will last most of the day without the need for touch-ups. 

The right colour lipstick can lift your face instantly. Choose the shade that flatters your features and enhances your natural skintone. It's usually one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour, but don't be afraid of trying red for a bit of daytime glamour.

If you prefer a more natural look, a lightly tinted lip gloss will perk you up and is easy to apply without a mirror.

Quick facial pick-me-up

For an instant skin refresher, try an unscented facial mist. This will help to reduce puffiness, calm sensitive skin and refresh your make-up. 

Close your eyes and spritz a few pumps about 25cm (10in) from your face. 

Carry a small bottle in your bag so you can refresh whenever you feel the need to perk up your sleep-deprived face. Or pop it in the fridge to soothe you in the summer (or holiday) heat.



Source: Baby center

4 Financial Steps Every New Parent Needs to Take

By: Matt Becker

Having a baby creates a whole new set of financial responsibilities and it can be confusing to know where to start. If you want to give your family the financial security it deserves, here are four steps that will put you on the right track.

1. Talk money with your honey

If you have a spouse or partner, openly talking about money is the foundation of your financial future. You can do almost everything else right and still run into trouble if the two of you aren’t on the same page.

Pick a time that you know you can have to yourselves every week and make it a priority. Talk about your financial issues, but try to keep things laid back too. After all, this isn’t a congressional hearing. It’s just a chance for you two to keep each other informed and stay on the same page. A glass of wine or a pizza can keep things from feeling too heavy.

2. Build up a “mistakes” fund

No matter how good you are with your money, that first year of parenthood can be a little turbulent. There are so many new things you’re responsible for and the truth is that there are moments where it can be hard to keep track of where all that money is going. Even the best of us will make mistakes.

The best way to handle them is to expect that they will happen and be prepared. Having a little extra savings around will help you weather those hiccups without worrying about how all the bills are going to be paid.

3. Make sure you have good insurance

Insurance isn’t anybody’s favorite topic, but it’s an absolute life-saver when you need it.

Whether you’re working or staying home with the kids, life insurance is a must, and working parents are probably going to want long-term disability insurance as well. Both of these will help make sure that your family has the money it needs to live its daily life no matter what.

Don’t forget to add your baby to your health insurance, and figure out what it will and won’t cover. This is also a good time to review the liability coverage on your auto and homeowners/renters policies, and consider purchasing an umbrella policy as well.

If this all sounds like a lot of insurance, that’s because it is. Bringing a baby into the world means you have a lot to protect and insurance is often the easiest and cheapest way to do it.

4. Save some cash for fun too

Having a baby doesn’t mean your personal life has to end completely. Expect that there will be many more nights in than there used to be, but make sure you save at least a little bit of money for some fun too.

Get a babysitter or drop the kids off at Grammy and Grampy’s and get out and enjoy yourself every once in a while. Everyone will be better off for it.

Do you have a financial plan for baby?

Source: The Bump

Modern Baby Cribs

11 crib designs for chic parents and their equally stylish kids.

BY LAURA FENTON

CARAVAN

As its name might suggest, the Caravan Crib was inspired by a circus wagon and brings a welcome dose of color into the nursery. Available six shades, this eco-friendly crib is made in the U.S.

Caravan Crib, $695; kalonsstudios.com

CASA KIDS

Solid, curved panels at the head and foot give the Ola! Crib a distinctive silhouette. The design also takes crib conversion to the next level: Not only does it adapt into a toddler bed, the side panels can become the head- and footboard for a twin bed.

Ola! Crib, $850; casakids.com

DUCDUC

The DucDuc Campaign Crib was inspired by traditional campaign furniture. The earth-friendly crib is made in the U.S. from sustainably harvested hardwoods and water-based, nontoxic finishes. A toddler bed conversion kit is available for $225.

Campaign Crib, $1,795 for white, $1,995 for natural walnut or stained walnut; ducducnyc.com

DWELLSTUDIO

DwellStudio’s empire began with modern bedding, then quickly expanded into nursery linens. Today, the company also offers simple, classic cribs as a stage for their signature sheets. With clean lines, tapered legs, and hardwood construction, the Century Crib has a look that recalls midcentury designs. Parents may add a toddler gate ($195) to convert it to a bed.

Century Crib, $980; dwellstudio.com

LOLA

Leave it to a company with Italian roots to design a crib that bears a resemblance to a chic bar cart. The solid beech-framed Lola Crib by Tulip has cheerful end panels with an inlaid floral motif and wheel-like accents at the base for a spin on a classic crib silhouette.

Lola Classic Crib, $1,100; shop.tulip.juvenile.com

MACLAREN

Arguably the godfather of designer cribs, David Netto sold his eponymous business to stroller manufacturer Maclaren. Now his signature designs are available on a larger scale, including the white lacquer-and-oak Cabine Crib, whose hidden drawer offers extra storage.

Cabine Crib, $1,595; albeebaby.com

NURSERYWORKS

Named for Charles Hollis Jones, a pioneer in Lucite furniture design, the Hollis crib is crafted completely from nontoxic clear acrylic. Fittingly, the clearly contemporary Hollis made its debut at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

Hollis Crib, $3,500; giggle.com

OEUF

The Oeuf Classic Crib is designed with a low platform, making it easy to lift a child from bed. Made in Latvia according to strict environmental standards, the crib features a solid wood base in either birch or walnut with fixed rails for safety. A toddler bed conversion is available for $250.

Classic Crib, $940; oeufnyc.com

OFFI

Modern furniture maker Offi’s Nest bassinet is a cute and compact option for parents who are looking for a bedside sleeping arrangement for their infant. The chrome and bent plywood crib converts into either a play table or a toy bin once the child has outgrown it.

Nest Bassinet, $1,000; offi.com

SPOT ON SQUARE

With a striking silhouette and a chic glossy finish, the Eicho crib fits nicely with contemporary interiors. The affordable piece is made here in the U.S. using 100% recycled/reclaimed MDF. A toddler bed conversion is available for $210.

Eicho Crib, $595; spotonsquare.com

STOKKE

A smart solution for apartment dwellers and families shy on space, the oval Stokke Sleepi crib takes up less room than a traditional crib. Removing a side rail transforms the crib into a toddler bed, and a conversion kit is available to make it a junior bed, as well.

Sleepi Bed, $800; giggle.com

Source: Elle Decor

9 Truth About How Parenting Writers Really Raise Their Kids

Here are 9 things parenting writers say they do, but they really don't.

By Rebecca M Gruber

Do as I say, not as I do doesn't only apply to parenting our children. Parenting writers often appear to be leading double lives as they write about parenting one way and do it a different way. Listen, we're guilty of it ourselves here. We're bombarded with products and studies about providing the healthiest lives for our kids, but when we're pressed for time, sense a meltdown coming on — either ours or the kids' — or just need a break, we don't always practice what we preach. Read on to see nine of the biggest infractions we've witnessed in our office and around the blogging community, proving that we know as little about parenting as the rest of the world!

1. We write about making baby food with hip, organic ingredients . . . But our diaper bags are overflowing with pouches of store-bought food.
2. We write about cool, independent kids' clothing designers . . . But you'll find us shopping at BabyGap like everyone else!
3. We write about the latest parenting movements . . . But we are as lost raising our kids as every new parent!
4. We write about the harm of giving kids screen time before age 2 . . .  But our toddlers play with our phones, watch videos on our tablets, and are parked in front of Sesame Street while we work.
5. We write about all-natural cleaners to create a healthier home . . . But when the flu hits our homes, we turn to the strongest thing we can find to ensure it doesn't spread through the family.
6. We round up and demonstrate the cutest crafts for kids . . . But you won't find Pinterest-worthy finished projects — for that we turn to the experts!
7.We give you tips for organizing all your kids' artwork . . . But we have stacks of it stored under our beds because we're too sentimental to part with it too.
8. We write about the joys of motherhood . . . But we want date nights and moms' nights out just as much as the next mom!
9. We post pictures of smiling, happy-go-lucky kids in our stories . . .  But we have to beg, barter, wrangle, and bribe our way into getting our kids to pose for us.

Source: Pop Sugar

Newborn Lifestyle Photography { Featuring Lora Swinson }

It's been a while since I featured an infant photographer here on the blog, after searching for a little while I found this incredible talented photographer called Lora Swinson from Swinson Studios she is based in Denver, CO.

Black Is The New Black

There is  a new trend in town that is called Scandinavian Style. Actually this style has emerged around the 1950's and is characterized by simplicity, minimalism and functionality. What is new about it, is that this style is trending among moms and babies. It can be easily found in every trendy blog and magazine around the web, and the style doesn't stop with home decor. No, no, no, it is actually really strong in baby clothes too. Here are a few ideas on how this style is spreading like a wild fire, and to be honest with you I'm loving it, and I hope it stays for a really long time!!

1- Farg From Sweden Bedding 2- Freshly Picked Mocks 3- Sketch Inc Nesting Doll Matryoshka 4-Miffy Lamp 5- Little Hip Squeak Romper and Headband 6- Chuck and Taz Bib 7- KaPow Kids Cloud Pillow

It can also be found in nurseries as well.