{nursery for 2} pink, green & gray

Posted on June 8, 2011 by cara

It’s no secret that cost can add up way too fast when preparing for a little one and that can easily mulitply when you’re expecting, well, multiples! This week we’ll be featuring nursery inspiration for two with a budget of $600. We’re talking great style and design on practically any budget! Not to mention – this is all featuring new pieces in the room. If you are able to re-finish or re-purpose pieces from friends, family, or other rooms in your home you can easily stretch the budget even further.

This inspiration board started with an amazing birch tree wall decal from etsy shop NouWall and evolved from there.

Curtains ($10) Birch Tree Wall Decal w/Birds ($70) Pendant Lamp ($60) Cribs ($100 ea) Bentwood Rocking Chair ($90) Sheepskin Rug ($25) Fabric for Crib Sheets ($18/yd) x 4 yds

Total: $527

That leaves just over $70 in the budget. You might notice a changing table is missing. I would use a bookcase like this ($69.99) and turn it on it’s side. Attach a changing pad to the top and use baskets for storage underneath.

Coming later this week: more great rooms for 2 under $600!

Posted in design file, DIY, nursery inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

{party style} rainbows

Posted on June 1, 2011 by cara

Not only is a rainbow theme perfect for a baby shower or a birthday party, but there are SO many possibilities for decor and menu that you have ample opportunity to customize the details. Not to mention – most of it can be handmade! And what better way to welcome your guests than with a rainbow of balloons? See details on this DIY balloon banner here.

a rainbow of yummy (healthy!) snacks. pretty rainbow flowers. a rainbow display of soda.

rainbow cupcakes. rainbow doughnuts. pretty paper banners.

Variations on the rainbow theme:

Carnival: add cotton candy, face painting, & a big top

Superheros: they come in all colors! add framed comics as decor, masks in all colors as favors

Over the Rainbow: add red sparkly slippers & a blue gingham table cloth

Posted in DIY, party style, showers | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

{mama style} wardrobe staples

Posted on May 30, 2011 by cara

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same” ~ Coco Chanel

Fashion is addictive, it’s seductive. It is easy to acquire fashion, to fill your closet only to find that in a few weeks or a few months the pieces you so carefully chose are looking tired and old; the sparkle isn’t quite as sparkly and the look quite clearly has come and gone.

The real challenge in building your wardrobe is to focus not on fashion, but on your own style statement. What pieces are worth investing in to become the staples of a style to last a lifetime?

While statement pieces and fabulous accessories are absolutely a must in developing your own style-savvy, here are my top 10 (admittedly somewhat basic) wardrobe essentials. These are the pieces you should invest in creating the groundwork for your wardrobe, taking you stylishly from pre-bump to baby and well-beyond.

Often overlooked, a perfect tee and crisp white button up can work wonders paired with statement accessories. Tee: T by Alexander Wang White Button Up: Elizabeth & James.

Fill these three categories of leg-wear and you’ll be set for almost anything! Dark Skinnies: Hudson ‘Triangle Stretch Skinny’ Relaxed Casual: Paige Premium Denim ‘Bentley’ Black Straight Leg: Michael Kors Straight Leg Ponte Knit Pants

Tailored Blazer: Cynthia Steffe ‘Ana’ Tuxedo Blazer (check it out here and here on Britt + Whit!) Pencil Skirt: DVF ‘Marta’ Sweater: Vince ‘Checkerboard’ Sweater

The little black dress (who’s rise is rightly accredited to Coco Chanel) has become a “symbol of chic and sophisticated simplicity”. Every woman should own one. LBD: Alexander Wang and Black Halo ‘Jackie’. Pretty Little Dress: Modcloth, ‘Love of Language’

See my top 10 shoe picks here from an earlier edition of {mama style}!

Posted in fashionista alert, mama style | Tagged | 1 Comment

{my style} memorial day in the northwest

Posted on May 29, 2011 by cara

One of my goals in starting Bella Bambini was not only to create beautiful spaces for babies, but also create style inspiration for all stages of mommyhood from bump to baby, and beyond. While I’m not a mama (yet at least!), my fashion philosophy is something I love to share. Just becuase the weather is bad, you’re just running to the store, or the fact that nobody else is getting dressed up doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice daily style in any area of your life.

This new feature on the blog {my style} is just that, me sharing my adventures in fashion for an active and ever-changing life. It’s my personal style-mission to prove that you can look fabulous every day without a lot of time. On a daily basis, it takes me 30 minutes or less to get ready; from out of bed to out the door. All of the looks I’ll be sharing with you in {my style} are meant to be an inspiration for achieving your own daily style with minimal time commitment.

In typical northwest fashion, we didn’t have a sunny memorial day weekend like most of the country. It was chilly and gray and the river is incredibly high -covering the pathway in some places where it’s usually a 15 – 20 foot drop to the shore. We walked from our place through Saturday Market & The Rose Festival then down to happy hour at the South Waterfront – a perfect Sunday in Portland!

Dress: James Perse Sweater: Rubbish (Nordstrom) Leopard Scarf: H&M Rainboots: Hunter Original Wellies in candy pink Cross-body Bag: Nordstrom Earrings: Forever 21

Posted in fashionista alert, my style | 1 Comment

{nursery inspiration} it’s all in the details

Posted on May 29, 2011 by cara

Although I am the first to admit I love dramatic color and bold patterns, lately I can’t help but find myself drawn to light and bright rooms in white and ivory. Today I wanted to share some beautiful nurseries, almost minimal in design with lots of impact showing that big style can be found in some of the smallest details.

details

details

source unknown

details

Posted in nursery inspiration, real rooms | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

{real rooms} reese’s sassy shabby chic nursery

Posted on May 26, 2011 by cara

Here it is – our first ever {real rooms} feature where I get to show off the crafty design savvy of someone I have known for years. Amanda and I met about five years ago while we were both working for Nordstrom. Since then I’ve had the pleasure of attending her wedding and now (thanks to social networking and the blogosphere) have watched her sweet girl go from bump to a busy, beautiful 16 month old little person. So without further ado… I present you Reese Ann’s sassy shabby chic nursery!

Inspiration:
I was on a mission for an untraditional nursery when I started decorating Reese’s room. I was in love with an old framed Audrey Hepburn poster I had in my bedroom during highschool, and tried to think of ways to incorporate it into the nursery. Slowly, but surely Reese’s untraditional shabby chic nursery transformed.
I was also inspired by bright unexpected hues, bold damask prints, with touches of leopard prints throughout the room.
Favorite parts of the room:
I love that the room is so bright and fun, and a place that Reese can wave out the window, read books, or just have fun dancing with her dollies. Everything in Reese’s room was designed to transition with her from newborn, to big girl.
Where I got some of the elements in the room:
-crib, armoire, glider (babies r us)
-changing table (a re purposed bookcase from target)
-birdies hanging above changing table (land of nod)
-rocking giraffe (nordstrom)
-marilyn monroe & audrey hepburn pictures (pike place market)
-vintage shirley temple doll/pictured on toy box bench (family antique)
-dress form (marshalls)
-red hat box (land of nod)
-tutu (nordstrom)
Handmade:
-Reese’s name in wooden letters/above crib (I scrapbooked the letters with the same paper and ribbon used to make her birth announcements)
-toy box/bench (purchased from the local farmers market and hand painted by me)
-fuschia light fixture (purchased in a nordstrom display sale and refurbished by me)

Thank you so much to Amanda & Reese for sharing with us! Definitely be sure to check them out over at Amanda’s blog, Raising Reese & in her etsy shop The Peach Room for some pretty handmade goodies!

Click To Vote For Us @ the Top Baby Blogs Directory! The most popular baby blogs

Posted in design file, nursery inspiration, real rooms | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

a sunny spring shower for baby Liam

Posted on May 25, 2011 by cara

Today I am so excited to share photos from a beautiful baby shower this past weekend. Although I sadly wasn’t able to be there, these shots from Anna Smith Photos captured a wonderful sunny spring shower for baby Liam (due this July). Handemade details, yummy food, and lots of fresh flowers were perfect compliments at this party where Liam’s pretty mama-to-be celebrated with family and friends.

{above} fabulous and functional decor: sweet little outfits attched by clothes pins to twine. close-up of an alphabet block onesie hand-embroidered by Pamela. fresh flowers.

{below} a darling personalized bunting & more fresh flowers.

Posted in DIY, party style, showers | 2 Comments