Coral and Teal Nursery

A Project For: Sloane

Age: 1 month

Location: Southern California

Description: This coral and teal nursery was a labor of love that I designed for my sister who was due with her first child in March.  I couldn't wait for my niece to arrive.

Design Inspiration: We wanted a light and bright color scheme consisting of shades of coral and peach, with touches of gold and teal.  The inspiration piece really became the "Love is Spoken Here" print from The Painted Arrow.

Decorating Style: When I style a room I always try to make sure the pieces I chose will transition from the baby stage, beyond.  I like to keep a balance between patterns used as to make sure each one is special and not overpowering.

Project Details: The beautiful photography provided by Gilmore Studios!!
The source list for this room is as follows:
Crib
Dresser (craigslist find, visit my blog for details)
Chair
Rug
Bookcase
Basket (TJ Maxx)
Lamp
Ombre Wall Art (its actually a framed piece of wrapping paper)
Ribbon Swag Garland (DIY instructions on my blog)
Coral Pillow
Apple Pillow
Bla Bla Doll
Crib Sheet
Changing Pad Cover
Love is Spoken Here
Watercolor Abstract
Flower Art
Brushstroke Art (created by me)
I Love you Print
Gold Mirrors
Capiz Mobile no longer available through Pottery Barn Kids
Dip-Dyed Wood Stool
Dresser Knobs from Hobby Lobby
Frames from stores like Aaron Brothers, TJ Maxx and IKEA

Favorite Items: My favorite item surprisingly is the way the framed ombre print makes such an impact on the space.  Close behind is the transformation that the dresser went through and how special the knobs are.  There are so many personal touches through out this space, I could go on and on.

Advice: To recreate this space it is just about keeping your furniture pieces in a cohesive color and allowing the main color to be spread throughout the space in all different shades i.e. what we did with the coral.  Then allow a few pops of another color, teal, to add some depth to the room.

Source: Project Nursery

How To Sleep During Pregnancy

Being pregnant isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. It’s a magical time in your life, but there are so many things that happen to our bodies when we are growing another human being, and a lot of it can be pretty uncomfortable.

Sleeping on your side is best while you're pregnant. In particular, sleeping on your left side may benefit your baby by improving blood flow – and therefore nutrients – to the placenta. It also helps your kidneys efficiently eliminate waste products and fluids from your body, which in turn reduces swelling in your ankles, feet, and hands.

It's a good idea to start training yourself early in pregnancy to sleep on your left side whenever you can. Of course, staying in one position all night isn't likely to be comfortable, so turning from side to side while favoring your left side is probably the best strategy.

As for sleeping on your back, avoid that position throughout pregnancy, especially in the later months. Here's why:

When you're sleeping on your back, the weight of your uterus lies on the spine, back muscles, intestines, and major blood vessels. This can lead to muscle aches and pains, hemorrhoids, and impaired circulation, which is uncomfortable for you and can reduce circulation to your baby.

Back sleeping can make blood pressure drop, causing some expectant moms to experience dizziness. On the other hand, in some moms-to-be it can make blood pressure go up.

Finally, back sleeping can cause snoring and, with increased weight, could lead to sleep apnea.

Well, you won’t be sleeping very well in the last few months. It could be the crazy raging hormones or it could be that you are just too uncomfortable to sleep (thanks to reflux, gas, constipation, back pain, Braxton Hicks…. must I go on?) Let me just preface this post with the fact that it is all totally worth it, a million times over. I would give up sleep forever to be able to make a little miracle. Thankfully there are people out there that want to make us preggo mamas as comfortable as possible.  One such company is ….Bump Nest. 

It's unique crook shape runs along the curve of your back supporting it's arch, up over your shoulder and under your head at the perfect height, then down along the front to support your arm and shoulder and a heavy baby belly, and between your knees all the way to your feet. It keeps your hips and spine aligned, relieves pressure on your joints, and increases blood circulation so your limbs have stopped falling asleep and causing charlie horses in the middle of the night.

Sweet Sheep Boy’s Christening Party {Baptism Ideas}

Precious, delicate detail ideas in happy shades of yellow make this sweet sheep themed boy’s christening party, by Julia of Festa com Gosto, extra beautiful. Planned for a very special boy, Jose, Julia wanted joy reflected through the styling. With her use of bright yellow tones in the decorations and cake, drinks, flowers and various party details, Julia effectively achieved a bright, happy atmosphere. Sweet little lambs accented the event space, making this boy’s christening party a beautiful reminder of the sweet innocence of childhood. 

Beautiful dessert tables and place settings are not reserved just for girls.  Julia loves showing that boy’s events can also be lovely, as evidenced by her gorgeous dessert table with white flowing fabric, accented by pops of cheery yellow fabrics, ribbons, hanging poms and display boxes.  Gorgeous desserts incorporated more of the yellow, white and light brown color palette. 

Height was added to the dessert table by displaying an adorable two-tiered lamb cake, with edible ribbon detailing, on a stand.  It provided a nice focal point to the table and helped tie the details of the theme together. Chocolates and an assortment of candies flanked each side of the cake in clear glass vessels.  Additional desserts, such as cake pops created to emphasize the lamb theme, were displayed for guests to enjoy. 

Beverages are another wonderful way to bring in some color to your event.  A classic beverage dispenser was filled with a color coordinating drink, bringing more bright, cheerful pops of color to the dessert table.

I love the understated elegance of the guest tables.  Decorated with white linens and simple yellow rose centerpieces, they provide a nice place for guests to enjoy the party.  And those little lamb picks peeking out of the flowers are so sweet, aren’t they?
Visit Julia’s Facebook page to see more of her work.
Vendor Credits:Styling: Julia, Festa com Gosto


Source: Spaceships and Laser Beams

Kids’ Thanksgiving Table

Remember being assigned to the kids’ table at Thanksgiving? We don’t know about you, but there was nothing exciting about our seating arrangements other than that we got to be silly with our cousins!

Make this holiday one to remember by setting a fun and interactive kids’ Thanksgiving table decorated just for them!

Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Keep the little ones occupied while the turkey is basting and the pies are baking by covering the table in brown craft paper and setting out crayons or twig colored pencils so they can doodle.

2. It isn’t Thanksgiving without the sweet smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven. Let the kids (pretend) make their own pies with pumpkin pie play dough. Package it in cute paper containers with a lid, and add fun Thanksgiving stickers and ribbon.

3. Brighten things up with fresh, fall-colored flowers in mason jars and real mini pumpkins.

4. Make waffle cone cornucopias for each place setting—these are so easy! Buy waffle cones at your local grocery store, and fill with your choice of trail mix for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner snack.

5. A fun “Fruit Gobbler” turkey can be a centerpiece, appetizer and craft idea to keep the kids busy. It’s simple to make with this tutorial using only eight ingredients. Plus, it’s healthy to eat!

This is a kids’ table they’ll surely be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Source: Project Nursery

Little Pumpkin Fall Baby Shower

 By: A to Zebra Celebrations