LilSugar

All the Options For Decorating Your Lil One's Lair

LilSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:29 -0700

Every impending parent wants to set up a cozy nest that will be ready to welcome their newborn once he or she arrives. While the fabulous lair caters to the lil bundle of joy, the mama and papa are usually responsible for the nursery design. Whether you plan to raise your wee one with retro surroundings or a traditional motif, we've got options. Before you head out to peruse paint chips and crib sheets, check out our selections for inspiration.

Black and White Baby Rooms	Unisex Nursery Decor	Modern Nursery Options
Celebaby Cribs	Think Pink for Girly Girls	Go Traditional With Lil Boy Blue

Multiples Baby Shower: Décor

babysugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:00:17 -0700

For lilsugar's last week of extensive baby shower coverage, we're celebrating the birth of multiples! While twosomes seem to be more normal these days, celebrating their arrival should be anything but common. You've already downloaded the free invites for the soiree so let's get started planning the décor!

Newborn twins or triplets often mimic baby birds and are smaller and more delicate than their single counterparts. They also tend to gravitate to one another like sweet little songbirds. You can create a springy centerpiece using tree branches with birds strategically placed on the twigs. The cheerful display will bring life and a central theme to the festivities.

To see more ideas for creating a winsome aviary affair, read more.

Birdcages:
Use wire bird cages (often found at antique fairs or home stores) and fill them with baby booties, heirloom pieces, or just plain birds. Hang them if you have the appropriate hooks or simply put them around the home for discreet accents.

Eggs:
What goes hand-in-hand with birds? Eggs and nests, naturally! I swiped a package of pastel beaded eggs from Pottery Barn at their post Easter bargain price of $6. Perfect for my bird themed shower, I hung the ornaments in pairs from the pink dogwood centerpiece. Using some raffia, I quickly wound up a few nests to hold the remaining eggs and positioned them around the fete for eye catching pieces.

Flowers:
While any fresh bloom will do, I prefer to use seasonal tree branches for a dramatic display. The sturdiness and height they provide make it easy to perch the birds and eggs. I found three sparsely glittered birds at a local shop and positioned them among the branches. An added bonus, you only need to splurge on the one spectacle as it will take up most of the table space. Some recommended tree choices: dogwood (as shown), cherry blossoms, plum, and green berry.

If the gender of the babies is known, one may decorate according to those colors. Regardless of sex, I adore the pastel palette with hints of brown and green as they bring out the natural side of the flowers and a bird's environment. Because we want this mama to be as relaxed and pampered as possible before the multiple mania strikes.

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids! And, check out the baby shower invitations we've created exclusively for pingg! pingg allows you to email invites to a guest list or print and mail, and send reminders via SMS, online, Facebook, Twitter and more!

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Heirloom Baby Shower: Décor

LilSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:32 -0700

lilsugar is celebrating mamas-to-be all month with extensive baby shower coverage that will help you plan awwwww-inducing, unique, socially relevant and hip fetes. This week, we are planning an heirloom themed party that takes the phrase "something borrowed, something blue (or pink!) and something new" from marriage to the baby carriage. Now what you've downloaded your free invites for the festivities, it's time to plan your décor. I was inspired by a party held in honor of soon-to-be mom Nicole Balch, the owner of a store called Pink Loves Brown. Balch's friends found beautiful linen baby dresses and onesies and clothes and pinned them to twine hanging in the living room. The result is a delicate and cost-free banner that pays homage to forgotten treasures. For additional suggestions for setting a vintage, unassuming ambiance, read more.

Pictures are worth a thousand words:
If you don't have oodles of heirloom clothes at your disposal consider asking guests to bring photos of themselves, their children, their children's ultrasounds or family members as babies and pinning those up around the room or party area. The pictures will not only create a nostalgic vibe, but will also spark conversation among guests.

Dressing up the rest of your space:
The aim of the heirloom shower is to keep things inexpensive and elegant, so don't worry about balloons or extravagant signage. Spruce up your table with fresh flowers from your garden or the farmers market and light a few delicate candles to set the romantic mood. If you are a stickler for details use teacups as candy dishes for old-timey treats and sprinkle them throughout the party. You might also float single gardenias in teacups of water in the bathroom or on the coffee table. Pick a specific color palate, like orange and brown or blue and pink like your invites - or take inspiration from the heirloom garments and keep things muted in creme, white, baby blue and pink.

Rock-a-bye baby:
Bust out the record player from grandma's garage and serve up some warm, classic tunes. If you don't have the ability to spin, make a sentimental playlist on your iPod and rock it over your speakers. Of course, talk to the mom-to-be about her musical preferences. There's nothing worse than having to listen to music you don't enjoy at your own party.

Don't forget to enter our fabulous April Showers Giveaway for a chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and or necessities for your child at Pottery Barn Kids! And, check out the baby shower invitations we've created exclusively for pingg! pingg allows you to email invites to a guest list or print and mail, and send reminders via SMS, online, Facebook, Twitter and more!

Source

Couples Cocktail Party: Decor

babysugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

I love couples showers because they give men, especially the papa–to–be, a chance to bask in the pregnancy spotlight.

And generally, the showers are like any other festive affair - just with an additional purpose - celebrating an impending arrival.

To see how to make a couples shower cute to boot, read more.

If you're hosting a couples shower at your residence, it is easy to dress up your home for the occasion.

Enlist parents of the mom and pop–to–be and ask them to send you baby pictures of the expectant pair. Make copies of the adorable photos and place them around the entertaining rooms for friends to enjoy during cocktails.

And speaking of drinks, instead of using bowls, fill up some baby bottles with candy or peanuts and place them next to the festive napkins at the bar.

As with most parties, you'll probably have food to balance out the alcohol. Instead of bringing in flowers for a centerpiece, buy a pregnant wire form and tie a pretty ribbon around her empire waist.

An odd way to celebrate new life, the tradition is to smoke a cigar upon the birth of a baby. Keep things clean and healthy by offering up pink and blue bubble gum cigars to your guests. I'd be willing to bet they'd be more popular than the authentic ones anyway.

Baby Bubble Gum Cigars ($11)

Pregnant Dress Form ($17)

Pink Zebra Placesettings and Cocktail Napkins

Bedrest Bash: Diaper Cake Decor

babysugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:43:00 -0700

I love the idea of a diaper cake. Unfortunately, I don't like the price they charge for them. So I put my creative juices to work and crafted my own. Making the cake allows you to personalize it to suit the mama–to–be.

To see how to make a diaper cake, read more.

Supplies you will need:

Diapers (I try to find plain ones so the colors won't clash too much)
Tulle fabric
Ribbons (different sizes and colors)
Scissors
Tape (optional)
Cake platter
Cup (can help hold diapers in place)
Bottle
Candy
Extra doo-dads, like pacifiers, onesies, etc.

Check out the gallery below for a step–by–step how–to on making a diaper cake.

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*For extra decor, buy some helium-filled balloons in the same colors and fill the room with the hovering pieces.

Pimp Your Crib: Sailing the High Seas

babysugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:00:59 -0800

Ahoy lil matey! Tis time to let your sails shine in the morning glory.

If you have decorated your tot's room using a beach or ship motif, you should definitely check out these amazing handmade pieces of art from Ann Woods. Delicately created from scratch, the artist has paid attention to every last detail, which is why you might be willing to pay the pricey $450 tab.

Choose from a simple black and white fabricated ship to one with turquoise and coral popping textures. Hang the eye candy from the ceiling creating a whimsical atmosphere in baby's room. If I could afford it, I'd have a whole flotilla of these beauties in my house.

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Pimp Your Crib: Artwork For Bebe

babysugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 08:00:12 -0800

One way to turn a plain Jane room into a special place for your babe is to hang a piece of artwork made especially for him or her. Ida Pearle is a NYC artist who uses origami paper to whip up beautiful creations suited for wee one's bedrooms.

You can order the customized pieces through Tiny McSmall by giving them the tot's name, hair color and skin tone. For $70, your babe's very own wall art will be created. And for an additional $90, they'll matte and frame the beauty for you.

Pimp Your Crib: Nursery Themes and Inspiration

LilSugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:00:43 -0800

Every impending parent wants to set up a cozy nest that will be ready to welcome their newborn once he or she arrives. While the fabulous lair caters to the lil bundle of joy, the mama and papa are usually responsible for the nursery design. Whether you plan to raise your wee one with fancy fabrics or a low-key look, we've got options. Before you head out to peruse paint chips and crib sheets, check out our selections for inspiration.

Get Inspired by Cute Celebaby Cribs	10 Lights to Keep the Nights Bright	From A to Z on Decorating Nurseries
Be Bold With Modern Nursery Options	Nursery Design Ideas For Close Quarters	Go Wild With Animal Prints in the Nursery

Show off that sweet lil nursery you just decorated to the nines! Join our Revamping Baby's Room group over on the LilSugar Community and share your before and after pics. Your room and style could be featured on the site.

Delilicious: Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs

LilSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:37 -0800

Lisa Barnes, author of Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, shares with LilSugar a classic sugar cookie recipe that works for all seasons - though it's especially great for a holiday party, cookie swap or playdate activity. Kids can help dump the measured ingredients into the mixing bowl and turn on and off the electric mixer to help make the dough. Of course the fun really begins with the cookie cutting and icing decorating.

To see how to make this tasty and classic holiday treat with your tots, just read more.

Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs
From Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Ingredients

2/3 cup organic unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 large cage-free organic egg
1 tablespoon organic milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and salt and beat until combined. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla until combined. Beat in the flour, ¼ cup at a time, until all is incorporated.

Cover and chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, and using a floured rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until edges are firm and bottoms are very lightly browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Once completely cool these can be frosted with your child’s favorite royal or powdered sugar icing. For easy, frosting set out small spreaders and squeeze bottles so frosting ends up on the cookies and not your child, floor, and table. Add sprinkles to wet frosting for even more fun (and mess).

*Makes about 35 (2½-inch) cookies

Print recipe with images | without images

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Marcia Cross Gives Thanks Early This Year

babysugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:53 -0800

Known as the buttoned-up and tightly wound kitchen queen on Desperate Housewives, Marcia Cross appears to be quite the opposite when seen about town toting her two tots to the local playground for a swing in the park or a roll in the grass. Though the multitasking mum certainly has her hands full and plenty of mouths to feed in her own home, the drama mama took time out of her Sunday afternoon to dish on motherhood, balancing a career, her fortunate life and how she gives back to the community.

How do you teach your children about giving back?

I have to be very honest and say that I'm in this very strange interim of wanting the world to seem like this perfect lovely place because they're 2-and-a-half... to then introducing them to the idea that other people have less. It's going to start soon, I think around the holidays. The way I try to do it is in simple ways. I have things in the house and I say, "Why don't we give this to so and so?" And I will say somebody else's child and "If you're finished with that, why don't you give that to so and so?" I've noticed that they'll come up with that on their own now, which makes me so happy... I can't yet go to the place where there are other kids that are hungry... maybe in another year. I don't know exactly. I think just teaching empathy and then teaching giving in that sort of way is how I've started and hopefully it will grow from there in terms of how lucky we are... We say Grace and we say prayers at night. Prayers to me is just sitting around and saying what you're grateful for. One answer that my daughter Eden says all the time, which I love, is "Outside," which is such a beautiful thing to say thank you for, which we take for granted.

What kinds of things do the girls do to make you laugh?

My girls are really funny. They're actually little jokesters. They do twists on words already, or I call them my little minxies. They dance, they do imitations of other kids dancing, they make up songs, they make up lyrics. It's all so silly but I think every mother just adores their own child and I'm the same way. They make me laugh all the time.

To see what the striking redhead has to say about balancing motherhood and her career, her character Bree, and what she is most thankful for, read more.

Are there any similarities between Bree and Marcia Cross?

Wow. I wish there were more because she's so organized and such the domestic diva, which I am not. But I think in her own twisted way, Bree has a big heart and a passion for life. Although, I'm thinking about what she's doing right now and we don't have that in common... she's having a little extra passion right now (giggle). At the moment, I'm going to say there's a little less in common than more.

How do you raise your kids and have a career?

I think some days I do it more gracefully than others. And other days it takes its tolls. Like any parent, I go through times where things are going great and then I have a week where both of my daughters are sick and so I'm trying to juggle work and home-life and it's hard and it's stressful and I think it would be unrealistic to say otherwise. I think that mothers manage an incredible workload. Whether you're a stay-at-home mother or you have a job as well, it's a very full life and certainly one that I dreamed about and always wanted. And even given that there are days that are challenging, because you can only be in so many places at once... whether it's at work or with your kids, or sometimes you just really want a nap so it's a full-time job.

What are you thankful for?

Health. Health of my family, health of my friends, health of my parents, who thank God, are still with me. I'm grateful that I have a family that I always dreamed about. I'm grateful for the job that I have. I get to do what I love. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity to be a spokesperson for things I feel are important.

This Thanksgiving, Marcia is encouraging all Facebook mommies to go to My Chinet's Facebook page where they can pick a plate, decorate it and show it on their profile page. By doing this, mommy will feed her soul and donate to the cause of filling someone else's stomach this holiday season.