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The Tomkat Studio is giving away the Silhouette machine!  I have been eying the Silhouette for moths now.  Oh the possibilities!!!  I am crossing my fingers I am the winner.  Please check it out and enter for your chance to win.

I’ve had request about these fabulous book shelfs so here it goes….  you can make them yourself!  With just a few inexpensive supplies, follow the tutorial from Penny Carnival and you will have unique book shelves!

My FAVORITE color scheme!  As a designer, I am intrigued by color and love new color combos.  I am surprised that this has been my all time favorite color scheme for 4 whole years!  I’m sure there are many that would shy away from black and grays as colors for a nursery, but look how gorgeous it looks!

Think outside the box!  You don’t have to design around the stereotypical pink and blue.  Or if you do go with the traditional colors, change up the hue or add another bright color such as orange, green, turquoise, yellow, etc to give it a fresh look.  Here are a few inspirational photos to get your minds flowing this week!

for a comfortable and stylish chaise lounge.  A chaise will give you and your child years of use!  Let’s face it, rocking chairs only last for so long.  Once the “rocking” age is over there isn’t too much use for it, until baby #2 arrives.  A chaise is great for those late night feedings, comfy for you to sleep on when the little one is sick and you want to be within arms reach(or let’s face it, when you are too sleepy to walk down the hall to your bed), and wonderful to cozy up on for story time every night as he/she gets older.  If you stick with a neutral fabric, a beautiful chaise can be used as the bedroom decor changes.  You can give it a fresh look as your little one transitions from nursery, to toddler room, to child’s room, even the teenage years by adding new pillows and possibly a throw.  If  the room doesn’t allow for another large piece of furniture, a different option is an oversized arm chair.

If you still love the idea of a rocking chair in the nursery, think outside the box.  I LOVE this modern rocking chair from Fawn & Forest. Isn’t it beautiful?!?!

The trendy color in design right now, orange!  The best part is that orange is gender neutral.  You can do a monochromatic color scheme or combine orange and hot pink for a baby girl or orange and aqua/blue for a baby boy.  There are so many possibilities for both genders!

Happy Monday!  To get your creative juices flowing this week, check out this nursery…

Different huh?  I kind of love it!  A mix of traditional and modern elements.  There isn’t much fuss, yet it is very interesting to look at and creates a calm room for baby.  Modern Cribs are now available at every baby furniture store, at every price range, and every wood finish.  Does Grandma-to-be or Great Grandma-to-be have an old, beautiful, traditional chair laying around?  What a great heirloom to pass down!  If not, search some antique shops or even thrift shops.  Spruce it up with a fresh paint finish.  A high-gloss paint(metallic silver or gold, crisp white, or a bright color not usually seen in traditional design) would be a great choice and will add a modern twist to the scroll designs.    Re-upholster the chair(s) with a modern pattern or bright fabric, keep bedding simple, and add a chic light fixture.  Play with traditional and modern elements to get a good balance in the room.  Guest will be in awe when they see your nursery!

The holidays are just around the corner!  While some of you are excited to get the decorations up and start the hunt for perfect presents for family and friends, many of you are cringing at the thought of what presents to get on a budget.  I know myself, I am going to stick to a budget this year.  I say it every year and then find an extra something(or 2, 3, 4, or 5!) that “she will just love.”  I guess the key word is, I will *try* to stay on budget.  When it comes to your kids, you are always willing to drop a little extra cash to see their little smiles on Christmas morning.

Stocking stuffers don’t have to be expensive but at the same time, I don’t like to waste money on cheap things that will be tossed in the trash soon after the holidays.  Last year I found some great finds!  Adisten’s stocking was filled with a play food set , a rolling pin, a baking apron and hat(Santa brought her a kitchen so I was going with a theme),  2 books, pacifiers, crayons, and a coloring book.  Sounds like a lot but it cost no more than $15.  The pacifiers were the most expensive items, but they were needed.

My favorite store is Target!  My favorite section for stocking stuffers, the dollar section!  They have great little finds that are perfect for filling stockings.  Start looking now, they are constantly changing the products and it’s not all junk you will want to toss out.  I just picked up 2 Disney books and play dough for Adisten’s stocking this year.  I also like putting practical items in her stocking such as a new toothbrush, sippy cups, forks, spoons etc.  At  2 years old, opening any present is exciting.  That may change in a few years but for now, I go with it.

I also love Pottery Barn Kids.  They have a “Stocking Stuffer Shop” full of perfect finds for kids of all ages.  Miniature dolls, puzzles, art sets, bath toys, and adorable beach balls that are on sale for $6.99-$9.99.   I know my 2 year old would love them!

The Land of Nod also has fantastic stocking stuffers, most of which are educational!  Tons of puzzles, flash cards, games, stencils, and books.

Some other inexpensive ideas- stickers, marbles, warm socks, mittens or a scarf in his/her favorite color, card games, chalk, a dvd(there is a $5 section at Target), baby doll bottles or diapers, mini lego sets, a jump rope, bubble bath, bath crayons, race cars, books, bubbles, puppets, hair bows, nail polish, lip gloss or chap stick, or any of their favorite cookies or treats.

Everyone goes straight to the Britax car seats for their excellent safety reviews but have you seen their new stroller?  If you are in the market for a double stroller in particular, check out the Britax B-Ready modular stroller available in black, green, red, and silver.  This stroller has 14 different configurations!!!  I LOVE all the options you have to configure the stroller to meet the needs of the outing, if you have a sleeping child(ren), and age of the children.  Plus, it is a tandem stroller so you don’t have to worry about fitting through doorways.  I haven’t actually seen this stroller in person, but it is stylish and the price is much more affordable than  it’s competitors.  Take a look at the options!