LilSugar

Texts and Tunes: Rockabye Baby Christmas Rock Classics

LilSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:00:41 -0800

Have yourself a merry lil Christmas without putting "Jingle Bells" on heavy rotation on the stereo. For everyone who wants to fill their homes with a little joy for their bundle of joy this time of the year there is Rockabye Baby: Christmas Rock Classics ($11). I'm already a big fan of the Rockabye Baby series, so I knew the holiday album would fit nicely in our family music collection. The lullaby renditions of less traditional holiday songs such as Smashing Pumpkins' "Christmastime" and "2000 Miles" from The Pretenders are a soothing way to calm your babe and make it a silent night.

The Gifted Dad: Daddy-To-Be

LilSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:00:45 -0800

Presents for new parents are usually geared toward mom and baby, but expectant dads shouldn't be left in the dark. Give the daddy-to-be a few gifts that will have him prepared and excited for the impending arrival.

An expectant father is not always ready to give up his music collection for Baby Einstein and Barney. With the Rockabye Baby albums, he'll really be able to rock his lil one to sleep.
When dad's on duty he's not going to be thrilled to take your Petunia Pickle bag to the park. The Diaper Dude looks like a messenger bag, but is equipped to carry bottles, diapers, and other baby essentials.
Paternity leave doesn't hold a candle to maternity leave. When daddy is back at his desk dreaming of his bundle of joy, he'll love a digital photo frame to remind him of one of the reasons he's working so hard in the first place.

Cole Haan black leather 'Bennett' loafers - $171.00

Texts and Tunes: Rockabye Baby

babysugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:00:42 -0800

We’ve all heard rumors that the music of Mozart and Bach helps stimulate a baby's brain. And sometimes waltzing to Requiem does help send baby to sleep. But, it's also a good time to introduce baby to some good ole' rock n' roll.

Rock the cradle of love to some sweet tunes from Rockabye Music ($17). The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, Bob Marley, and Coldplay are just some of the bands whose music has been converted into soothing lullaby renditions.

A Kid Friendly Tribute to Michael Jackson

babysugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:30:35 -0700

A controversial entertainer who certainly had some quirks, Michael Jackson was a superstar who will be sorely missed by millions. John Mayer may have said it best when he twittered:

I think we'll mourn his loss as well as the loss of ourselves as children listening to Thriller on the record player. Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ.

Michael Jackson gave children of the 80s the soundtrack to their childhood and the trademark dance moves to go along with it. To make sure younger generations don't miss out on his legacy, here's a list of kid friendly songs from the deceased artist as well as some from his Jackson 5 days that can play tribute to the King of Pop, rest his soul.

"The Love You Save"
"Man in the Mirror"
"Rockin' Robin"
"Shake Your Body"
"I Want You Back"

To see the rest, read more.

"Sugar Daddy"
"I'll Be There"
"ABC"
"We Are the World" (with other artists)
"Don’t Stop til You Get Enough"
"Black or White"
"Will You Be There"
"You Rock My World"

Note to Rockabye Baby, get on the Michael Jackson album. Who wouldn't want a lullaby themed "Thriller!?"
Source

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

April Showers: Guide to Planning a Baby Shower (Part Two)

babysugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700

We've dedicated the entire month of April to planning showers of all kinds, but if you've been nominated (or volunteered) to plan a baby shower for a friend or relative you should start with the basics.

Once you've picked your venue, theme and invites it's time to move onto the really fun part.

The small details like menu, music and party favors are often what make a great party wonderful and allow you to pay homage to the mommy-to-be's taste and personality. For some easy tips to help you plan the day, read more

Menu: Baby shower food and dessert menus are best kept simple. Finger foods, cupcakes, pastries and a signature party drink will help bring your party theme together. Talk to the mommy-to-be about her favorites (and cravings) and come up with a menu that's simple, but elegant.

Music and entertainment: Planning the entertainment element of the shower in advance is a must. You should talk to the mommy-to-be about her music style and make sure it fits in with your theme. Would she prefer the tunes be classic, traditional, punk or pop? Make an iPod playlist that mixes Rockabye Music with fun singers like Gwen Stefani.

Favors: Personalized cookies and sweet treats make the perfect baby shower favors. Personalized lip balm is practical and cute. You can get two-dozen tiny pods with a specialized label from Daisy Days for $20. If don't have time to wait for shipping, put on your apron or talk to your favorite local bakery about making cute cookies, like the ones pictured from Eleni's in NY and wrapping them individually.

Thank Yous: The mama–to–be should thank her hostesses for a soirée thrown in her honor. If you happen to be the hostess, you can help make the thank you process easier on the new mom by keeping track of gift givers and their addresses. The contact information will come in handy when birth announcement time rolls around.

For more baby shower ideas, check out all our baby shower tips, tricks and ideas.