Holiday Gift Guide: One for the Kiddos

There's no getting around the fact that kids are fun to shop for.  Their clothes are adorable, their toys are fun and- if they're smart like my nephew, Blake- they make a big deal out anything you give them...which in turn makes you want to buy them more.  For our first gift guide of the season, I picked out a few nifty items I think kids and parents alike will love....it's almost too much cute for one post.  Honestly, my face hurts from smiling.

1. Striped Bunny, Polaryn O. Pyret $22  2. Orange Fox Slippers, AlexandAlexa $17  3. R2D2 Baby Costume, Etsy $48  4. My Food Passport, Uncommon Goods $10  5. Knit Turban, Zara Kids $9.90  6. Chalkboard Laptop, Anthropologie $68  7. Pride and Prejudice BabyLit Book, Amazon $9.99

Vivian's Here!!!

I put this post together awhile back and have been waiting anxiously to hit the "publish" button.  And I finally get to cause Sweet baby Vivian is here!  She made her appearance at 2:33 yesterday afternoon....at 8.8 pounds and 21 inches of perfection we're all obsessed (obsessed) with her.  One of mama Natalie's favorite books to read to Blake (the first of her wonderful children...children!  I can't believe we get to say that!) was Guess How Much I Love you.  Their favorite line?  "I love you to the moon and back".  I love that.  So I took the idea and ran with it.  We love you, Vivian (and Natalie!  And Adam and Blake!).  To the moon and back.      

1. Kraft Paper Cards, Etsy $9.50  2. Hand Stamped Keychain, Etsy $9  3. 8x10 Print, Etsy $20  4. Guess How Much I Love You Book, Amazon $5  5. Love You To The Moon Pillow, My Munchkin Home $49.95

Friends Are Friends Forever

Throughout college, my roommates and I didn't have cable...what we did have, however, was ten glorious seasons of Friends DVDs that we kept on a pretty steady rotation.  Through no fault of my own, this resulted in me becoming a foremost expert on the topic of Friends trivia...a trivia wizard if you will.  I didn't realize how deeply it had permeated our lives until my roommate and I were deciding what movie to watch one night.  She said, "We should get Miss Congeniality...which one of our friends loves that?" to which I was forced to respond "...Chandler" (and, for the record, I was right).  You would think confusing the cast of Friends with our actual friends would've been enough to stop the madness that was our obsession, but it wasn't.  To this day I love the show and can't make it through a single episode without cracking up.  I grabbed a few Friends inspired pieces as well as a couple items I think the gang would love.  Any fellow fanatics out there?

1. The OCD Chef Cutting Board, ThinkGeek $25.99  2. Aux Buttes Chaumont Jouets Vintage Advertising Poster, Pop Art UK £23.98  3. Cropped Leather Skinny Pants, Net-A-Porter $259.20  4. Dinosaur Onsie, Etsy  5. Miss Congeniality, Amazon $5.65  6. Central Perk Mug, Amazon  7. Mini Penguin Plush Toy, Birthday in a Box $2.99  8. You're My Lobster Print, Etsy $12  9. Vintage 70's Mid Century Modern Turfted Sofa, Vieux Sofas

Get It Together: Oh Baby, Baby

1. Turquoise Pillow, ThrowPillows.org $19.99  2. Baby Blanket Kit, Purl Soho $120  3. Innerlace Pendant Lamp, Crate&Barrel $269  4. Letterpress Typography Block, Etsy $15  5. Grey Linen Neon Yellow Stripes, Etsy $31.70  6. Themis Mobile, A+R Store $27  7. Sleep Rocker, Zac and Zoe $700  8. Caravan Crib, Kalon Studios $695

Candyland

I've been in a crazy, confectionery mood lately and- since weather always makes for a good scapegoat- I've decided to blame the rainy, gloomy sky.  It's not just about wanting to eat or even make sweets (although I did spend a good hour over the weekend researching macaroon techniques), I keep finding myself drawn to any and everything with sweet candy colors and sugar coated textures.  So, while a swipe of cotton candy nail polish might not totally satisfy my sweet tooth, at least it's smile inducing and calorie-free.  And that, I'm sure, is Princess Lolly and Queen Frostine approved.  

1. Cupcake Illustration, Etsy $25  2. Ice Cream Onsie, Little Lark  3. Candy Necklace, Amazon $10.79 for 24  4. Marie Therese Plum Chandelier, Tesco £40  5. Ippolita Earrings, Moda Operandi  6. Ring Pops, Amazon $20.74 for 40  7. River Island Pink Stripe Skinny Jean, Asos $71.62  8. Light of Dawn top, ModCloth $37.99  9. Mini Nostalgia Cotton Candy Maker, Infmetry $48.99

Dino-Mite (Yup...I went there)

There's no getting around the fact that I'm a massive nerd.  I've accepted it...you're going to have to learn to come to terms with it too.  Those still doubting are welcome to refer to my obsession with museums of any kind, my enthusiastic participation in Star Wars, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings movie marathons or my recent realization that I have a big time TV crush on The Big Bang Theory's Dr. Sheldon Cooper.  That being said, it should come as no surprise that the last I was given control of my family's afternoon plans, we ended up touring the Franklin Institute's dinosaur exhibit (How am I supposed to say no to something with 'Giant Mysterious Dinosaurs' in the title?  Can't be done).  While I'll likely save the dino decor for when I have kids, I couldn't help but pull together a few fun Jurassic pieces.  Even in the midst of this Monday morning, these will getcha smiling real quick.

1. Pet Dinosaur Art Silhouette, Etsy $6.99  2. Yellow Dinosaur Pillow, Black Ruffle Brigade $22  3. Ashiato Dinosaur, Tulip Kids $37.50  4. Mini Dinosaur Sweatshirt, Topshop £8  5. Dinosaur Planter, Etsy $14.50  6. Ice Age Tray, ModCloth $9.99  7. Dinosaur Crochet Hat, Beanie Bird $18  8. Dinosaur Planter, Etsy $16.50  9. Dinosaur Planter, Etsy $16.50

A Nursery For Vivienne

Ever since we found out my lovely cousin is having a baby girl, I've been obsessively searching for nursery ideas.  Since Nat wants to keep the pink to a minimum (which I'm loving), we're veering towards using a soft aqua in the design.  These are still preliminary ideas, of course, but I found a couple fun colors and designs that look quite adorable with this particular blue.  The jury's still out on baby girl's name, but I like to consider myself captain of Team Vivienne (hence the headline).  Isn't it just the prettiest?!

Photos Via: OhDeeOh, LayBabyLay, CharmHome

It's a.....?!

Now that it's "Facebook official", I'm so excited to share some exciting news!  One of my sweet cousins is expecting a baby!  We're all just... over the moon.  I've already insisted on heading up the nursery design and shower planning committees so I've been a baby Googling fiend as of late.  One of the ideas I kept running into (again and again and again) was the concept of a "gender reveal party".  Apparently they're all the rage these days.  And I've gotta say...there are some cute ideas out there.  Most parties had the parents-to-be finding out right alongside their guests!  There was lots of cake involved (have the doctor seal the ultrasound photo and take it straight to a baker- tell them to make the icing blue or pink depending on the gender, then cut the cake for the big reveal!)  a few balloons (give the ultrasound to a close family member and have them fill a box with pink or blue balloons...open the box for the big reveal!), and various cookies and cakes (you get how this works, right?).  A few particularly smart party planners served only foods the soon-to-be-mama was craving, while others let friends and family cast their vote for gender and names.  Overall, the concept is adorable- don't you think!?  

Photos Via: Sweet Kiera, Moms Like Me, Hostess Blog, Mdphotography, Onto Baby,

  Gourmet Mom On The Go, Amy Atlas, Kelly Anderson Photography, For Joy

Baby, baby, baby (oh!)....on .Learning Love's Life.

I'm over at .Learning Love's Life. today, guest posting for my sweet friend  Jessica about the cutest baby clothes you ever did see.  I couldn't help but give you a little sneak peek below (eeeek- so adorable!), but you've gotta check out the full post here.   

Guest Post: Jessica from Learning Love's Life

Hello, I’m Jessica and I have a little blog called Learning Love’s Life. I’ve been friends with Gabby since my freshmen year of college and she’s not only hilarious but incredibly creative too (which I’m sure is not news to you). When she asked me to guest post I brainstormed for a few days on what I wanted to share and then came the light bulb: push presents. 

Currently being 9 months pregnant I have all kinds of crazy thoughts running around.  So what is a push present you ask? It’s a very thoughtful gift from a woman’s husband given right after she becomes a new mom. Sort of a, “I know this isn’t going to make up for the traumatic and life changing experience you just had but thanks sweetheart” token of gratitude if you will. Rachel Zoe was recently given a push present from her husband: only a 10 carat ring, nothing too amazing of course. So I came up with a few items that I think would make for charming push presents for new mamas …

Hunter rain boot, $110

Toms shoes, $54

T shirt necklace, $38

Diamond stud earring, Ray Ban wayfarer sunglass, $145

America Retold Adjustable Cake Stand with Etched Glass Cloche, Antique..., $179

Nordstrom Classic Virtual Gift Card, $50

In The City Amazon Kindle DX Skin | iStyles iPad Skins, iPhone Skins,..., $20

Amazon - Kindle 3G (Free 3G + Wi-Fi) - Graphite - B003O867V6, $190

Rosetta Stone French Levels 1-5

Fabulous new shoes like Hunter Wellies or Glitter TOMS: swelling and lack of balance are common side effects of pregnancy and it’s hard to part with our favorite heels. Getting a new pair to battle the elements, or just still be able to have some mommy style after baby is invaluable.

Concert tickets: a date night to see Adele or Mumford & Sons would serve as an excellent adults-only evening out .

New dishes and cooking extras: now that we’re domesticated so to speak, a good place to start is having a chic kitchen. Anthropologie is always a safe bet.

 A kindle or nook: reading is one of my greatest strategies of relaxation. As I’m holding an infant it may become challenging to also hold my latest warm-weather read. Having this small device can be handy during long feedings, cry-athons, or rocking baby to bed in the wee hours of the morning.  A delightful cover doesn't hurt either.

Dramatic accessories: if none of my favorite clothes fit yet, I can still feel like a presentable lady in new diamonds or pearls.

Rayban Wayfarers: new mom= no sleep. To battle the dark undereye circles, a classic pair of sunglasses when I’m running errands with baby will make all the difference in how I face the world.

Rosetta Stone: while many mothers love staying at home with baby, after a few days of cooing over the little joy it's common to begin to crave some adult interaction. Having this little nugget will serve to still make mama feel like a productive adult while also multi-tasking and working to develop baby’s communication skills. Experts say the best time to learn a new language is between birth and age 7!

Last but not least, a giftcard to her favorite store!  Being a new parent means learning that the world no longer revolves around you and your desires.  By gifting this simple piece of plastic, a mom can remember that it's okay for it to be about her every so often... within reason of course.

I hope you enjoyed some of my suggestions, even if you're not expecting they are reasonable gifts to ask for any upcoming birthday, anniversary, holiday, or the run-of-the-mill Tuesday.  
Thanks Gabby for letting me share!

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No, thank YOU Jessica! :)  How much did you guys love that?  A lot, right?  I figured you would.  Luckily for all of us, there's more where that came from over at Jessica's blog, Learning Love's Life.  There's tons of good stuff over there, but I'll tell you right now what you've got to see, and that's her maternity shoot.  I'm pretty confident no one should look that pretty at 9 months pregnant, but what do I know.  To make sure you don't miss out on any of Jessica's adventures (I think we can all agree she's got some preeeetty exciting things on deck), follow her on twitter at @jessicamtyler.  Thanks again, Jessica!

Mini Hipster. Tell Your Friends.

I'm warning you now: this is a level of 'holy cow, that's adorable' you're ill-prepared for.  I recently discovered the website Mini Hipster and I imagine life may never be the same.  If I have any say whatsoever as to the direction my life will someday go, I can pretty much promise you my future child will be on this site.  I am beside myself, folks.  And very, very smiley.

Get It Together: Baby Love

This week I got the wonderful news that one of my friends is having a baby!  And then I got that news again.  And again.  And again.  And although I'm unsure whether baby fever has gone global or whether it's just an epidemic localized in my circle of friends, what I am sure of is this...I'm ecstatic about it!  I whipped up this Get It Together with all you soon-to-be-mamas in mind.  Now go have a snack- you're eating for two now, remember!?

1. Cobalt Cylinder Pendant, Layla Grace $279  2. Kid's Airplane Wall Decal, The Land of Nod $25  3. Skyline Blue Crib Set, DwellStudio $360  4. Skyline Blue Boudoir Pillow, DwellStudio $34  5. Zebra Mozambique Studio Crib, Layla Grace $2,100  6. Criss-Cross Pattern Rug,  The Land of Nod $199-$599