GORGEOUS Love Bird Nursery

I was a complete Facebook stalker weirdo when I came across photos of this nursery. One of my friends commented on the photos so they came up on my newsfeed. I decided to be one of those creepy FB people and send a complete stranger a message to tell her how much I loved her nursery. I also asked where she bought her bedding... it is seriously one of my favorite bedding sets I have ever seen. It is made by Carousel Bedding in Atlanta, GA. They are a fantastic company and their crib sets are absolutely adorable. They also have EXTREMELY reasonable prices on their custom bedding! You should check them out HERE!  

I would love to do a product review and check out their bedding quality. So if any folks from Carousel Bedding see this... hook a sister up! 

Anyways, Courtney was incredibly gracious and offered to take photos of the nursery for me and share all of the details about her fabulous room. Thanks Courtney for being so kind and sweet!!! I know everyone will love Baby Elle's nursery and I am sure expecting moms can grab so great ideas for their own nurseries! 

Courtney's Inspiration for baby Elle's nursery:

I wanted a nursery that was feminine and girly, but not covered with the typical animated cartoon charecters. I searched for weeks online and in stores to find something that was just right. Eventually I came across a site online called Carousel Designs which lets you create your own bedding using their interactive gallery. There were lots of cute fabrics to choose from, and many options to personalize. They also had great coordinating accessories! Once I decided on my theme, which I titled "love birds" (based on the name of one of the fabrics), everything else just came together. The green dressers you see were originally black with wooden knobs. We stripped them, re-painted them, stained the tops and added new crystal knobs. My husband handmade the armoire and changing table, and we stained the wood to match the crib and other dresser tops. One of my favorite accessories is the wall decal, which I ordered from Babies R Us. The pink circular "rag rug" is also another favorite.  I also found cute frames and nic nacs at TJMaxx. The cute lamp was a great deal at Kirklands. The pink canvas photo was bought at Target for a minimal price after I almost paid 10 x's more for the same type of print at a nice baby store. The picture of the changing table shows the diaper stacker bag and the changing pad cover which were some of the accessories I mentioned that could be purchased at carousel designs to coordinate with the bedding ~ My splurges were the custom made bedding, fabric for the chair & ottoman (plus cost to cover) and the rag rug. I also had to share a photo of the two framed pictures with the green mat because they were a special gift from my parents. They purchased these prints from an artist while traveling in Paris this past Spring. 

Vendor List-

• Owl Wal Decal- Babies R US
• The Rug Market Shaggy Rug- KidsRugShop.com
• Crib Bedding- Love Birds crib bedding by Carousel Designs 
• Crib- Just Kids in Sumter, SC
• Mobile- Kids Line Dena Happy Tree Musical Mobile 

She looked so cute preggo!

What a beautiful baby girl!

Packing List for the Hospital

I found this adorable hospital packing list on Lay Baby Lay blog!! You can download and print your own copy HERE!!

I think this is an awesome and adorable list. I am going to go into detail about a few of the items on the list and I have a few more suggestions of items that were helpful to me.

Slippers are totally necessary. I got the BEST pair of slippers for the hospital at Brookstone. 

You can find them here. They are the nap Luxe Foot Comforters. And they are irresistibly soft and comfortable.  The are made from double thick NapSoft Luxe material and filled with cozy blend of 50% duck down and 50% duck feathers. I actually call mine "duck boots." These are seriously the best slippers I have ever owned and my hubby thought they were so comfortable that he bought himself a pair. They are on sale for $14.99!!! You need these for the hospital ladies.

Underwear-  You may want to wear the mesh underwear provided by the hospital since lochia can sometimes be rather heavy after delivery and pads often do leak. Or you may be more comfortable in some soft, old undies from home. Either way, it's best to be prepared and bring a few pair with you, just in case. Comfort is key post birth! I wore the hospital undies for the first day and I thought they were extremely comfortable. I also brought about 6 pairs of granny panties which came in handy.

Nursing bra, pads, and tops-  These are especially wonderful for breastfeeding moms, but the bras are not a bad idea even if you don't plan on nursing. Nursing bras give you extra protection and support.While I was nursing I tried several different kinds and my favorite were the Medela Disposable Nursing Bra Pads. I thought they were more absorbent and better at preventing soak-through than most breast pads and I like the fact that they were extra-thin and discreet.

The going-home outfit  Moms-to-be, it's time for a reality check! Put aside those hopes of wearing your favorite pre-pregnancy jeans home from the hospital and opt for something loose fitting and comfortable. You will probably still look pregnant (it takes time for most women's bodies to shrink back to pre-pregnancy size), and if you have a C-section you will appreciate something loose at your waist. You'll also want flat, comfortable shoes. Lay Baby Lay recommends these comfortable yoga pants.

Baby going-home outfit- Don't buy a gown, you can't put them in the car seat if they have one on. And remember to buy "newborn" sized clothing. The 0-3 month clothing was HUGE on mister baby.

Nursing Pillow- ladies remember your Boppy or My Breast Friend. It is a lifesaver when you are trying to learn how to breastfeed!

Items to add to the list-


*Video camera
*Breastfeeding information- Bring a breastfeeding book or consider scheduling a lactation consultant to visit you after the baby is born. Some hospitals provide this service, but it's a good idea to double check with your provider and insurance company before the birth.
*Baby book or journal You may want to jot down some details in Baby's book while everything is still fresh in your mind. Don't forget to see if the baby book has a place for newborn footprints—you can have these done at the hospital.
*Cell Phone- don't forget the cell!
*Lip Balm- your lips will feel chapped and you will want to make sure to have some Chap Stick.
*Make-up- maybe it is not 100% necessary but I loved freshening up and putting a little make-up on before my first family photo.
*Pretty hospital gown- OK once again this is not a necessity but it was a total hit at the hospital. And wearing a pretty gown made me feel happy and cheerful. I had a local seamstress make mine (for $20!) but you can also find adorable ones on Etsy!

The Perfect Nursery for Any Southern Belle!

When I saw photos of Molly Kathryn's room I knew I had to feature it on the blog! It is fun and bright yet still very classic. I have to admit I am a huge fan of the lime green and pink combination! It would be a perfect fit for any soon-to-be southern belle.

Molly's Inspiration- Ultimately Bryan and I wanted a very girly room (hence all the hairbows hanging on the wall!), but not one that was pink-pink-pink, so we were thrilled to wind up with the lime green paint, and green and pink bedding. We've also tried to be very space conscious as well as leaving room to grow - we want open space on the walls for new pictures to be hung in the future as well as plenty of space for toy storage!

 How sweet is this baby girl!?

Vendor list:

• Crib- Munire Safe Side Morgan Crib 
• Furniture- Munire "Rockport" in white
• Swivel Glider-  Best Chairs "Nepal" in "Pink Rose"
• Bedding- Hoohobbers in "Green Versailles" 
• Diaper bag-found at Daisy Baby (Bethesda, MD)
• Mirror & Picture Frames-Pottery Barn
• Toychest-Land of Nod 

Big thanks to Molly for sharing her gorgeous nursery with us. Molly Katherine is going to enjoy this beautiful space for years!

Classic Nautical Nursery

When I saw Stacie's photos of baby Bennett's nursery, I knew I had to share her design with you all. I love this classic nautical look. I think any baby could grow with this design and it is completely timeless.

Stacie's Inspiration:

As soon as I found out we were having a baby I knew I wanted to do a costal themed nursery. I grew up on the water in south Florida and have always had a passion for anything relaxing with a coastal feel. We also knew we didn't want to go for the "baby" look that you typically find in a nursery. I wanted to create a soothing and relaxed enviornment that both my husband I would enjoy sitting in on a day to day basis with our son. We used soothing sea colors and a lot of neutrals to give a calming effect in the room. The coastal theme was incorporated by adding a few key nautical pieces without going too overboard and making it too "babyish.' My favorite part of the nursery are the international flag codes painted on canvas above the crib!! These spell out my son's initials, "BMT", for Bennett Michael Thompson. I thought it was a unique way to have his name above the crib and also tie in the costal/nautical theme at the same time.

Here is a list of the pieces in the room and where they were purchased from:

• Crib- Munire Chloe Collection
• Changing Table- Bargain Babies Consignment Shop in Simpsonville, SC
• Glider-  Factory Furniture in Mauldin, SC (Best Chair Company)
• Side Table- Home Goods (Bathroom section)
• Swing Shelf- Pottery Barn Kids
• Red antique wooden beach chair- Kids Consignment Sale
• Decor pieces- Home Goods, Hobby Lobby, and kid consignment sales
• Fisherman Lamp- Pottery Barn Kids
• Canvas Flags are homemade
• Woven Rug- Lowes
• Woven Baskets- Target
• Curtains- Target (White Sailcloths)
• Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore: Spring Break (Turquosise Color) and Valspar: Antique (tan color). White chair railing was added.

Make sure you check out Stacie's blog HERE!!

Ahoy it's a boy! Nautical Nursery Ideas

When I found out mister baby was a boy I automatically knew he was going to have a nautical themed nursery. Lately I have seen nautical themed nurseries and boy's rooms everywhere! I wanted to share some of my favorite nautical accessories that are perfect for any captain's quarters.

I love everything about this adorable nautical boys room featured in the July issue of  House and Home in 2009.  I think the design is flawless.

It was designed by Anne Hepfer. This seaside-inspired interior is to die for!! I doubt the products are still available but just in case:

Beds- Robert Lighton/British Khaki

 Flags, bedding-The Land of Nod

 Rug-Madeline Weinrib 

Zigzag pillows- Y&Co

Rope pillows-Williams-Sonoma.

This lordes sanchez whales pillow cover is only $34 at West Elm!

These would be so perfect on a bookshelf in a nautical nursery!! And they are only $12 at Urban Outfitters! What a steal.

I love hanging fun mobiles from the ceiling! This fun fish mobile will help give your nursery a whimsical focal point. Check out Babyjives on Etsy.

This awesome print is available on Etsy here.

These bottles would be a perfect addition to any nautical nursery bookshelf.

I love this personalized sailboat from Pottery Barn Kids.

I think these Thomas Paul Outdoor Pillows would add a great pop of color on a navy blue recliner or glider. 

This gorgeous Fisherman table lamp is a great addition to any little sailor's room!

Designed With Love: Soothing Boy's Nursery

We want to give a HUGE thank you to Laurie for sharing photos of her ADORABLE nursery! We absolutely love it. Her use of pale neutral colors creates the perfect calm and quiet retreat for her and  baby Davis.

Crib- Baby's Dream Legendary flat top crib in espresso

Bedding- Serena and Lily Dylan three-piece crib set

Glider- Rome Glider 

Artwork, cornice board and light fixture made by Laurie's mom.

Laurie's Nursery Vision:

I had envisioned, when I was pregnant, a calm, quiet retreat for me and the baby. I knew I wanted blue and white paneled walls and I thought that I wanted white furniture. I found his bedding at Serena and Lily and just adored it... I thought "this is the only time that I can decorate his room 'baby' because before long he will want sports and dinosaurs on his walls like most little boys do"... that fabric was perfect. I fell in love, in LOVE with the Baby's Dream, Legendary collection, I was looking for white furniture though. I probably visited the store at least 10 times and always gravitated to that crib, I remember sitting in what is now his glider in the store pondering a decision. I knew I had to have it and I am so glad I went with the darker wood.  It is so PERFECT in his room and so classic, it will never go out of style! He will have the furniture for a long time. As many times as I sat in the glider, I knew I had to have it too, so I had one more desicion to make... what color I would get the chair in. That was an easy decision, I simply brought in a fabric swatch from his bedding and all of the associates sat down with me to decide on a material and the matching piping for the chair. He is now 10 months and I still go in his room and sit in that glider and somewhat escape... it is the most comfortable, peaceful and calm place that I have ever been. 

Bohemian Baby Bliss

I discovered Rikshaw Design several months ago when I was preggo and I fell in love with this gorgeous line of baby bedding and accessories!! 

The Rikshaw Design collection includes crib sets, pillows, and accessories, all hand block-printed on the softest Indian cotton voile. The line is easy to mix and match with coordinating prints, florals, stripes and motifs. Rikshaw Design founder and designer Catherine Fitzsimmons finds her inspiration from Indian block-printing and she brings the compelling color combinations and charming imperfections of block printing to her incredible collection here in the states. Check our all of her gorgeous creations HERE!!

I