When you were little did your family go to the same place for vacation each year or was each summer a new adventure? While there are so many wonderful places to visit and explore, there’s also something comforting about returning each year to a family cabin by the lake or grandma’s house in the woods.
We took a fun walk down memory lane thinking about some of our favorite childhood vacation spots. We picked a few and paired them with the big brother shirts and big sister shirts we’ll dress our wee ones in when we take them back to our fave childhood summer haunts.
Living in the Bay Area, a day trip to play tourists in San Francisco was a must and included clam chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf followed by big ice cream sundaes in Ghiradelli Square. (Shown: Skyline Big Brother T shirt and Big Sister Tshirt)
It was camping, definitely not glamping, that we did as kids at Lake Shasta and Burney Falls in Northern California, though nowadays we may lean more towards the glamping side. (Shown: Playful Owls and Kids Play big brother shirts and big sister shirts)
Disneyland was, and still is, an all-time favorite destination that takes us to our happy place. (Shown: Charming Castle and Looks Like Me Princess big sister shirts)
Vancouver BC is a gorgeous city and to visit it as well as the World’s Fair in 1986 was an amazing experience, so we’d love to take our kids to a future one – maybe the 2015 World’s Fair in Milan, Italy. (Around the World Big Brother T shirt and Big Sister Tshirt)
We still daydream about those relaxing, sunny days spent playing in the sand and splashing in the water in Laguna Beach. (Shown: Whale of Fun Big Brother Tshirt and Big Sister Tshirt)
Where did you spend your summer vacations? Which of our big sister shirtsand big brother shirts would be perfect for your kids to wear there?
What We Love Now: Fun Birthday Boy Party Themes
With so many kids between all of us here at Petite Lemon, we’re pretty much always on the lookout for fun birthday party themes. We often turn to PopSugar Moms for ideas and found a range of awesome ideas for birthday parties for boys. Of course next week we’ll turn our attention to the girls, but in the meantime, here are three great ideas for boy parties and 1st birthday shirts we’d have our guest of honor wear to each.
The Watercolor Fun birthday tee would be ideal to wear at this surf inspired blue ombre party. (Details here)
The Happy Confetti birthday tee would be a dream match for this Bedtime in the Backyard themed party. (Details here)
The So Cute birthday shirt is a timely choice for the One Year in a Flash party. (Details here)
Which of these 1st birthday shirts and party themes is your fave? Now, to decide on the perfect personalized baby gifts for each!
Red, White & Blue Décor
In honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday, we’re inspired by beautiful baby rooms that incorporate our country’s colors. We love how different they look from each other and none of these spaces looks too theme-y either, so they’re perfect year round – for boys or girls.
Here are four red, white, and blue nurseries we’ve paired with our personalized growth charts.
Soft gray throughout this red, white, and blue room gives it a soothing, sophisticated feel, but we’d add the Roaring Red Perfect Pennant personalized growth chart for an extra pop of color. (Project Nursery)
The amusingly cute Monkey Pals personalized growth chart would fit in really well with this lively, lovely space. (Here Comes Baby)
We love this mod chic nursery with just the right touch of playful whimsy and we think the patterned 1 to 10 personalized growth chart would nicely accent the stripes and chevrons in this red, white, and blue room with light blues and grays. (Lil Sugar)
Red, white, and sky blue can be sweet and feminine too. The Sky Blue Preppy Pennant personalized growth chart would make a subtle, yet ideal piece of functional art. (MisforMama blog)
We hope you were inspired by these red, white, and blue nurseries with personalized growth charts and wish everyone a very Happy 4th of July!
Personalized Baby Gifts: Designer Picks with Muffin
Recently we highlighted some of our Creative Director Hillary’s favorite personalized baby gifts she’s designed and offered a bit of insight into her design process (read it here), and now we’re turning to Muffin, another one of our fantastic designers. Muffin takes a few minutes out of her busy day juggling being a mommy to two wee ones with designing personalized baby gifts, including the Merry Menagerie Big Brother T shirt and Big Sister Tshirt, as well as the Joyful Elephant, Sweet Fox, and Gentle Giraffe personalized onesies, to answer a few questions.
In general, where do you find design inspiration?
Most of my inspiration comes from raising my two kids. I have a 6 year old daughter and an 8 month old son. I like making designs that are vibrant and fresh and that I think they would like. I often have my daughter come into my office and tell me she likes what I’m drawing on my computer. I also find tons of inspiration from the world around me, the fresh florals and patterns of nature, as well as online from great places like Pinterest.
(Shown: Joyful Elephant, Sweet Fox, and Gentle Giraffe personalized onesies)
What was your inspiration for these particular designs or what do you like most about them?
What I like most about all of these are the simplicity of the shapes and the vibrant colors.
What’s a typical day like, how do you juggle designing, finding inspiration, and being a parent?
I try to have set office hours when I work, and my nanny comes in. But, really I’m always designing and I’m always a parent. I make time for both because both make me so happy. The best part about my job is that I do get to be home with the kids and see them throughout the day even though I’m in my office working. I love it!
What ideas/designs/fonts are you working on developing now?
Right now I’m trying to explore new ways to draw things and develop those into patterns or prints. I’m exploring techniques with different pencils, brushes and markers, and then scanning them in to see what I get. I’m also trying to get better at hand lettering. I love taking online classes to help me learn new skills.
Thanks Muffin, we appreciate this insight and can’t wait to see how your new skills and explorations translate into designs for our personalized baby gifts!
PL in Real Life: One Happy Mama
We work with some fantastic Brand Enthusiasts and are so lucky to read on their blogs how their little ones enjoy wearing our personalized onesies, big brother shirts, big sister shirts, or 1st birthday shirts or have our personalized growth charts in their rooms. Kristina from One Happy Mama (read more about her here) is one of those fab enthusiasts who recently shared on her blog what a joy it has been to have two boys close in age, in addition to an older daughter who lovingly mothers both boys.
We especially love this part of her post:
I’m so glad that they are going to have one another to get rough and tumble with (so they can wear one another out), play Ninja Turtles, take karate classes together and team up to drive their sister crazy. Ok, Caylin’s not too thrilled about that last one, but she knows it’s inevitable. Ha! 😉
(Shown: Jack in Merry Menagerie Big Brother T shirt and Luke in the Color It Up onesie)
Read more about Jack and Luke (and Caylin) at Kristina’s blog One Happy Mama.
Do you own any of our personalized baby gifts? If so, we’d love to share your kiddos’ story and photo, so please email us at buzz @ petitelemon (dot) com.
Sale on Décor
It’s a three day holiday weekend, which means outdoor parties, fireworks, and of course, great sales! From now through July 7th, we’re offering 15% off all décor include personalized growth charts, alphabet posters, and photo poster. So if you’re looking for personalized baby gifts for summer baby showers or birthdays, now is the perfect time to stock up.
(Shown: Zoo Friends and My City personalized growth chart and alphabet poster)
Room Review: Cat from Thrifty Littles
We love finding fantastic nursery designs and then pairing them with a personalized growth chart that truly complements each one, so it’s especially exciting when we see an adorable room that already includes the perfect personalized growth chart in it.
Cat from Thrify Littles, recently posted a look in at her sweet daughter Mae’s nursery on her blog. The space is an upbeat mix of pretty colors with a bit of bling and an overall feminine feel that will easily transition into a big girl room down the road.
And of course, we think Cat made the perfect choice with the Vintage Circus personalized growth chart! We think the whimsical feel and aqua color fits in wonderfully with Mae’s room.
Get the Look: Red, White & Blue
It’s almost the 4th of July, time to break out the patriotic personalized baby gifts and big kid outfits in red, white, and blue.
If you’re celebrating the nation’s birthday, as well as your little one’s, dress him/her in blue jeans and 1st birthday shirts in red, white, and blue. (Shown: Cake Time and Happy Confetti 1st birthday shirts)
New baby due in early July? Personalized baby gifts, like onesies paired with matching booties and hats in our country’s colors, are perfect! (Shown: Future President, Beep Beep, and Superhero Shield personalized onesies)
For a backyard bbq or community picnic followed by fireworks, kiddos can show civic and sibling pride in their big brother shirtsand big sister shirts, like the Batter Up or Only Child Expiring tees, and jean shorts.
And don’t forget, in order to receive your red, white, and blue personalized baby giftsin time for the 4th of July, the last day to order is 6/24.
Early wishes for a very Happy 4th of July!
Big Sister Shirts & Big Brother Shirts Go on Vacation
Where are you and the family off to this summer? Wherever you’re going, don’t forget to bring the kids big sister shirtsand big brother shirts, as summer trips and activities offer a perfect opportunity for the wee ones to wear their sibling tees with pride.
Want some inspiration? Here are three perfect ideas:
Family reunion – what better place to show off a big sister tshirt or big brother t shirt than a family reunion!? Of course it won’t stop Aunt Bertha from giving them unexpected cheek pinches or yucky kisses, but it will let everyone else know who they’re related to. (Shown: Stitched Style Big Brother T shirt & Big Sister Tshirt)
Sibling’s Birthday party – while wee ones are wearing their 1st birthday shirts, older kids can let everyone know they’re proud to be the guest of honor’s older sib by wearing a big sister tshirt or big brother t shirt. (Shown: Taped Up Big Brother T shirt and Big Sister Tshirt)
Family Photo Shoot – on the beach, in the woods, or even in your own backyard, gather the family together while everyone is relaxed and happy for a fun photo shoot. Dress the kiddos in big brother shirts or big sister shirts with matching little sibling personalized onesies or tees. (Shown: Over the Rainbow Big Sister Tshirt and Little Sister Tshirt; Under Construction Big Brother T shirt and Little Brother onesie)
Whatever you choose to do this summer, be safe and have fun!!
Personalized Baby Gifts: Summer Party Themes
Summer summer summer summer time, summer time! Yes, you know you are singing that like Will Smith did in the 90’s. Only you’re probably celebrating that season in a much different way now then you did back then and focusing on a baby instead of yourself! Wow, how things have changed, right?! Though it’s not quite the same, throwing baby showers and shopping for personalized baby gifts is still super fun, especially with sunny summer themes.
It doesn’t get any cheerier than this baby shower with a Your Are My Sunshine theme in bright yellow, pink, and orange. (Image via Kids Party Hub)
Sunflowers make any birthday party even cheerier (image courtesy of Hostess with the Mostess)
What’s more refreshing on a hot summer day than a glass of ice cold lemonade? A whole pretty party themed around this delicious thirst quencher. (Image courtesy of LaBelle Carte)
Create custom gift sets by pairing yellow-themed personalized baby gifts, like onesies, with sunflower headbands, socks with yellow gingham fringe or embroidered suns, binkies with yellow ribbons, etc. (Shown: Heart 2 Heart, Bold Monogram, Classic Monogram, and Gentle Giraffe personalized onesies)
We hope these ideas brightened your day!
