Yesterday a friend and one of our fans on facebook sent me a link to a fabulous company called Branch who’s mantra if you will, is “sustainable design for living”. In addition to fabulous products for all areas of the home, they have a unique selection of kid’s products from room decor and furniture to toys and dishes!
See all these great products on their Kids page here.
Branch looks at shopping as a social activity and cultural excursion with the basic belief system that while these habits wont change, we can shop more responsibly and sustainibly.
With many of the products we buy, there is an element of the unknown: what materials were used in manufacturing? Were toxic chemicals used? Are the workers making these recieving a fair wage? How much fuel was used in the process of getting these from materials to manufacture to store?
As a solution to these many questions, Branch is taking a different approach. They have already done the hard part for us by offering products that meet their sustainabiliy requirements which in summary, are the following:
1. The materials used must be environmentally responsible.
2. The manufacturing process must be ecologically sound.
3. The labor employed must be treated fairly and provided safe, healthy conditions in which to work.
Read more about their sustainability practices here!
Inspiration for baby showers is something I’ve been meaning to add to the blog for months now and I can’t believe I am only now getting to it! Today in our first shower post I’ve picked some fabulous ideas filled with a lot of handmade love.
This beautiful handmade name bunting is perfect to adorn the walls as shower decor but will also translate easily to nursery decor once the shower is finished. Find it here on etsy.
Dress up any bottled beverage you’re serving with handmade diaper pin drink covers. Simply cut strips of fabric long enough to fit around the bottles and secure with a diaper pin. Photos and idea seen here.
For a unique guest book, I love this wooden box from Cut The Cake Designs. Guests can include advice and wishes plus name suggestions and guesses for birth date, height, and weight. Cute for decor or a shower gift, try this cupcake recieving blanket.
Even if you’re not incredibly crafty, this cake topper is super easy. All you need are two small wooden dowels, string, colorful paper cut-outs of clothes, and some mini-clothespins, and a few buttons (find all of these supplies at most craft stores).
Want a gift idea that will cover all your bases? Put together your own ‘basket of wisdom’ or ‘new mom survival kit’ filled with all kinds of goodies and essentials for baby. Photo and idea from Martha Stewart.com.
One last idea for multi-use decor… attach baby clothes to a string using diaper pins or clothespins to adorn the walls at the shower. Afterwards, the mama-to-be can take them home and put them to good use once baby arrives! Although onesies and bodysuits are a sure bet, try adding some sweet little vintage outfits for a unique touch. Photo: organic bodysuits from Twig & Clover.
Coming later this week: our first ‘Real Rooms’ post, nursery inspiration, and a new edition of ‘styling the bump’.
In honor of the 45th anniversary of Disneyland’s ‘It’s a Small World’ ride, Nordstrom has collaborated with several of it’s favorite brands to bring you an exclusive collection of pieces inspired by artist Mary Blair’s original artwork.
Although I normally shy away from fashion that is logo or character driven (for kids and adults alike), this collection proves to be delightful and sophisti-cute. If the whimsy and style of this first installment, Japanese Spring, are any indication the following collections in this series will be just as wonderful!
TOMS classic slip on $37.95. ‘Feed Our Small World’ tote $48. Koi Fish Shortalls $36. Petunia Pickle Bottom ‘Sashay Satchel’ in Japanese Tea $119. FEED bodysuit and pants set $39. Trumpette ‘Otoko’ socks $28. Reversable dress and bloomers $44.
Did you know that Walt Disney created ‘It’s a Small World’ for the 1964 World’s Fair? It was meant as an exhibit dedicated to children and to benefit UNICEF’s work around the world to save children’s lives.
In honor of this same tradition, Nordstrom has partnered with FEED Projects and TOMS Shoes to create items in the Small World collection that will continue to benefit the children of the world.
To find out more about the collection as well as the contributions made, click here. Shop online at Nordstrom.com and at your local Nordstrom Store!
I have to apologize, this week has been incredibly light on posting – we have been out of town for a family funeral so as you can imagine, as much as I love it, the blog hasn’t been my priority for the last few days.
I did want to leave you with a little something before the weekend though so I was excited to find this sweet little DIY project from the blog You had me at bonjour (also featured on Cheap & Chic Nursery this week). They take a plain paper lantern and add a tiny little handmade bunting for colorful detail – also could be cute in a playroom or kitchen depending on your decor. Head on over to ‘You had me at bonjour’ for all the details but here are some pics of the process to get you started.
Cutting fabric triangles for the tiny bunting to decorate the lantern.
Sewing the flags onto a fabric trim.
Finished mini-bunting.
The finished product!
I know this week’s posts have been few and far between so thanks for being patient with me! Next week should be back to a normal routine so stay tuned for lots more design and fashion.
Enjoy your weekend!
Inspired by the focus last week on nursery budgets, we are excited to be adding a new recurring feature to the blog: nurseries for under $600!
‘Living in Color’ doesn’t just mean bright colors, it means drama; and it doesn’t get much more dramatic than a room with navy blue walls. To balance the dark, dramatic color the other elements are light, bright and oh so fun like this great quail artwork from etsy.
Paint: Deep Royal 580D-7 Curtains: Asian Poppy from UO $38 Fabric: Tree Hearts, Rocky Dog Blue, Orange Chevron, Teal Sita $18/yard from Spoonflower* Dresser/Changer: South Shore Logik 4-drawer Chest $139.94 Rug: Ludde Sheepskin Rug $39.99 Rocker: Vinnie Cradle Chair $139.99 Crib: Somnat Crib in green $99
Grand Total: $594.92 (not including paint)
*To make your own crib sheet, crib skirt, and a couple of throw pillows out of these fabrics you will probably need about 8 yards total. If you are handy with a sewing machine there are some great, simple tutorials online. If not, many etsy sellers offer custom crib bedding. Try contacting one and see if they would customize with fabrics you have found.
Coming Soon: We are THRILLED to announce the addition of a ‘Real Rooms’ feature on the blog and cannot wait to share it with you!
To see last week’s nursery under $600, check it out here!
Your iPhone does practically everything else, why not serve as a baby monitor as well? French health technology company Withings announced their Smart Baby Monitor at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this past January.
If you don’t have an iPhone, the monitor can be connected to a smartphone, desktop computer, or iPad. It has not only a 3 megapixel camera, but also a wide view lens and infrared night vision.
In addition to simply a picture, the monitor has motion detecting capabilities as well as a microphone. You can monitor temperature and humidity as well as control music playing in the nursery and even set an alarm to chime if baby’s cries go above a certain volume!
The functions of the Smart Baby Monitor are comprehensive and just like most technology made to go with an iPhone, it’s sleek and pretty! The price hasn’t been set yet but they expect it to hit the market late this month.
Coming later this week: another nursery under $600, fashion for mama to be, and quite possibly our very first ‘Real Rooms’ feature!!!
