With St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday, March 17, we were inspired to create an activity you can do with your wee ones, inside or out, no matter what this crazy weather brings that day. And we think the perfect way to spend the day would be to start off with some green eggs and ham for breakfast, dress up all in green, play a few rounds of hide & seek, and then see who can speak with an Irish accent the longest.
Click here for a link to download the PDF of the Hide & Seek Shamrocks (shown left). And while you’re online, why not get your rapidly growing little leprechaun(s) one of our darling Personalized Growth Charts. If you need some inspiration, check back tomorrow when we’ll post a round-up of our favorite green Personalized Growth Charts and Alphabet Posters.
LITTLE ALL-STAR STYLE
Football season recently ended, but luckily there’s March Madness for the basketball fanatics and spring training for the baseball lovers in the house, not to mention hockey and soccer seasons. With no shortage of teams to root for together as a family, as well as sports to play, spring is one busy season. And we’re big fans of team sports, not just for the fun and healthy exercise it offers our kids, but also for the sense of camaraderie and teamwork it instills.
We think sports themes are perfect for kids’ rooms and/or baby showers, and there are so many fun products to choose from. In addition to team logo wear, there’s sports-themed bedding, lamps, mobiles, and artwork, like personalized growth charts (Junior Varsity personalized growth charts in Sky Blue, Chocolate or Teal) or an alphabet poster (Junior Varsity alphabet poster).
Who knows, your little one may be the next Buster Posey, Jennie Finch, Hope Solo or Eli Manning.
A MAGICAL PLACE
“goodnight comb; and goodnight brush
goodnight nobody; goodnight mush
and goodnight to the old lady whispering ‘hush’”
– excerpt from “Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown
From old, classic nursery rhymes to modern day fairytales, it’s easy to see why kids get swept away to a magical place when reading a good book. And there’s something so cozy and comforting about a place specifically designed for enjoying books, particularly when its kid sized. We found this amazing reading nook on Pinterest that’s decked out with everything a kid could possibly need to read a book, take a nap or simply daydream.
All you really need are books, a comfy chair and a little bit of imagination to create a suitable reading nook, but we’d kick it up a notch by adding a few colorful pillows, lamps and wall art, like our Personalized Growth Charts and Alphabet Posters, to the space.
Which of our Personalized Growth Charts and Alphabet Postersdo you think complements this reading nook best – the pairing of On The Go Growth Chartand On The Go Alphabet Poster, or Colorful Words Growth Chartand All Mixed Up Alphabet Poster?
LEAPIN' LEAP DAY!
As working parents we’re always wishing for extra hours during the day and this year, being a leap year, we actually get a full 24 hours extra. So in honor of Leap Day tomorrow, we thought it would be fun to spend a little of that time pulling together some fun frog themed products – get it? Leap Year!
In addition to our personalized growth chartsand alphabet postersthat feature frogs, like My City or Best Friends personalized growth charts, and Animal Crackersor Zoo Friendsalphabet posters, how adorable are these frog themed products for kids?
1. M Brace Mini Frog designed raised beds from Art of the Garden
2. Froggy Umbrella and Rain Boots by Western Chief at PiperLime
3. Oliver Frog Hat & Booties from Olive & Cocoa
What will you do with your extra day?
AND THE WINNER IS…
It’s February 14, love is in the air, and Cupid’s arrow just pierced the heart of our lucky Valentine’s Day contest winner, Robyn Reiss! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re hooking Robyn up with a $50 eGift Card to get her favorite little sweetheart one of our Personalized Growth Charts or Alphabet Posters (a perfect gift for her mini loved one), or save it for March when our Big Brother Tshirt and Big Sister Tshirt collections arrive.
Big thanks go out to all of you who entered the contest, the response was awesome! You actually inspired us to come up with a few personalized conversation hearts of our own… ha!
Here’s a selection of Personalized Growth Charts and Alphabet Posters perfect for Valentine’s Day and year-round.
DESIGN YOUR NURSERY WITH ZOO FRIENDS!
Frog, monkey, hippo — we’ve included all of their favorites in our Zoo Friends Animal Personalized Growth Chart and Alphabet Poster.
Here are a few decor items that complement our Zoo Friends personalized growth chart and alphabet poster …
1. 6×6″ Animal Prints from Etsy Shop, CabbageAndKingsArt 2. Jonathan Adler Utopia Elephant Lamp, JonathanAdler.com 3. Animal Parade Nursery Bedding, PotteryBarnKids.com 4. 57″ Plush Giraffe, MelissaAndDoug 5. Felt Animal Mobile from Etsy Shop, LovelyFriend
Looking for more animal fun? Check out our entire collection of personalized growth charts here and alphabet posters here.
Cheers!
Petite Lemon
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR REMOVABLE POSTER STICKERS
Poster stickers and vinyl stickers are popular choices in nursery and play room design. Our alphabet posters are available in our signature poster paper, gallery wrapped canvas and removable poster sticker.
Our removable poster sticker is a self-adhesive poster paper that is easy to apply, reposition and remove. Simply peel and stick on any clean, smooth or lightly textured surface. If you have recently painted or cleaned your walls, allow for 3 weeks for them to dry before applying your removable poster sticker. And, keep the backing of your sticker and re-apply should you move or want to store your sticker alphabet poster.
Since our poster stickers have an adhesive back and they secure right to your wall, they don’t require a picture frame to display. However, there are lots of fun ways you can display your poster sticker alphabet poster. We love the idea of putting a frame around the sticker poster, similar to how these decals sit inside this vintage frame.
(Image example thanks to OneClaireDay.blogspot.com)
Check out all of our alphabet posters as well as our personalized growth charts and photo posters.
Cheers!
Petite Lemon
WAYS TO DISPLAY YOUR ALPHABET POSTER
There are many ways to display your timeless alphabet keepsake — so we put this post together to give you some ideas.
Here we’ve displayed an alphabet poster in a simple wood frame on the wall. Remember that you don’t have to put holes in your wall, 3M makes a plethara of no-drill, no-hole hooks.
Make your framed poster the star attraction on your wall or add in a few other framed pieces and create a beautiful cluster of art on your nursery wall.
Another display option is to sit your framed poster on a dresser or changing table. And jazz it up by setting your frame on a easel like this one we found at Joann’s — best part, its cute and was under $10.
Here, our friend Kim framed Leah’s alphabet poster in a white frame with a white matte and placed it on a mini wall shelve. It looks darling with her other matching nursery accessories.
Kim wrote a guest post for us about decorating your first nursery. Check it out here.
Our alphabet posters are available in 36 designs — and printed with beautiful inks on our signature poster paper, removable poster sticker or gallery wrapped canvas. You can read more about our gallery wrapped canvas here.
And if you’re looking to match your alphabet poster with a personalized growth chart, check out this post on ways to hang your personalized growth chart.
Cheers!
Petite Lemon
FRAMES FOR YOUR ALPHABET OR PHOTO POSTER
A frame adds a lovely added touch to our personalized alphabet posters and photo posters. Our alphabet posters are available in 16 x 20″ size and our photo posters are available in both 8×10″ and 16×20″ sizes. We’ve found some unique frames that will beautifully showcase your custom alphabet or photo poster and add charm to any bedroom, nursery, playroom or space.
Pottery Barn makes these beautiful Heirloom Frames that are available in large sizes and have some really sweet details that will add beauty to your personalized photo posteror alphabet poster.
(Photo thanks to PotteryBarn.com)
We love the unique way that KelleHampton.com has displayed her photos here. The fabric background and raised photo adds a unique touch of charm to the wall space. We think this idea would make a great way to show off your photo posters.
(Photo & DIY thanks to KelleHampton.com)
This picture pedistal is another really unique way to display your Petite Lemon poster. Your little one’s would also have fun helping to make this easy display for their personalized alphabet poster or photo poster.
(Photo & DIY thanks to The Fancy Frugal Life)
These beauties are created by The Orgranic Bloom and are available in lots of sizes, shapes and colors. Organic Bloom frames can only be purchased through a professioanl photographer that partners with them (find out more here), but we think they are too cute not to share!
(Photo thanks to SippyCupsAreForChardonnay.com)
This Etsy Shop has big, beautiful hand-made frames in several colors to match your alphabet poster or photo poster. We’re loving this bold green color called “pear”.
(Photo thanks to Art City Frames)
And of course, IKEA has a great selection of affordable large frames like this Ribba Frame in white that we used to display our Animal Crackers Alphabet Poster.
And if you are looking at painting your own frames, but want to add a touch of pizazz, try adding a glaze at the end. Check out this blog post for a good how-to.
Happy Framing!
Petite Lemon
THERE'S A LITTLE PEANUT ON THE WAY …
We’re happy to introduce guest blogger Kim Johnson, who has helped many new mom’s create their dream nursery with Salt Lake City Baby Boutique Babinski Baby.
We hope you enjoy Kim’s personal story of finding joy while decorating her very own first-time nursery—and enjoy her pro-tips!
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve waited and how much you’ve dreamed about having a baby and creating the perfect nursery… when the time comes, it’s all a little overwhelming. In my case, I’m a thirtysomething who has waited, wished and dreamed for a LONG time. I have been working in the “baby business” for the past 3 ½ years, educating new parents and selling them all of the essentials for their most precious babies. I assumed I was a true expert and would know exactly what I wanted when my turn finally came along. {Insert laugh here}.
It’s amazing… blame it on the hormones, the pregnancy brain, my cankles, everyone’s unsolicited advice or just the fact that all the sudden it was my money having to buy all this stuff, instead of someone else’s and I found myself a basket case. All of the things and brands and products that I was previously so sure of, I was suddenly questioning and feeling overwhelmed. Quite frankly, everything about this whole baby process is as overwhelming as it is magical and wonderful. We need to eliminate the “overwhelmed” part and focus on just what an incredible and magical journey it really is.Here are a few tips that might be helpful to consider, as someone who helps people prepare for baby’s needs, as well as someone who is anxiously awaiting and preparing for baby’s needs …
There is no right or wrong. What may be right for one, might not be right for you. Politely consider all of the advice that you get and then do what YOU want, considering YOUR lifestyle. The amazing fully-suspended jogging stroller that Betty down the street swears by isn’t worth the money if you’ve never jogged a day in your life and hate even walking to the mailbox and back. Same thing with diaper bags, bassinettes, co-sleepers, cloth diapers vs disposable etc. etc. etc. Everyone has an opinion, but there are so many fantastic options out there now, do your research and consider what’s best for you… your lifestyle, your budget and your sanity. There is not one “right” product. Period.
Remember that there are no rules when it comes to nursery décor. Some of the most amazing nurseries that I have seen are mismatched and eclectic. Decide what you want to spend the money on and look for other bargains or pieces that you might already have that can be re-purposed. You can do incredible things with a can of paint or some interesting fun, new hardware. Figure out where you can save a little money to spend elsewhere.
I highly recommend a great nursery glider. Of all the things that I have spent money on, it is currently my wisest purchase! My little miss isn’t even here yet and it’s already my favorite place to sit in the middle of the night. (You know, third trimester insomnia…between sleeping with a watermelon attached to your abdomen, having to pee every 37 minutes, the leg cramps and the sudden thirst and hunger pangs… you’re bound to have some sleepless nights and that’s before there’s even a crying baby in the picture… help!)
Don’t be paralyzed by color or “baby themes”. Gone are the days of strictly pink for girls, blue for boys or yellow for you die-hards that don’t find out. There are some amazing modern and contemporary nurseries out there that don’t utilize traditional colors. One of the most popular colors I have seen this last year used in nursery bedding is steel grey, mixed with all kinds of amazing non-traditional nursery colors. Who would have thought and who cares what your mom or grandma says (“Well, this is interesting. It sure is *ahem* different than what we did in MY day”), it’s YOU that will be spending all your time in there, eating up that precious baby. Have fun with the art and décor. Play with fun, funky lighting. Remember, you don’t have to do teddy bear décor, just because it’s a baby’s room (unless you want to, of course). They won’t know the difference anyway.
I chose to go with very non-traditional baby girl nursery colors and I LOVE it. I used slate grays, browns, yellows and a splash of avocado. Yep, you heard me… an entire baby girl’s nursery without pink (don’t worry… I may incorporate a bit in here and there). It’s totally feminine, yet modern and most of all it feels calming and comfortable for me as well as hopefully her. As a new and first time mom… that calming, comforting feeling is something that I think I’ll be thankful for when she and I are both in tears as we try to figure out our new life together. Besides, I know that starting in about 2 years; it will be all about Disney princesses and sugary, glittery pink tiaras and in the meantime… I get to choose and I didn’t choose pink and that’s okay. I fully stand behind my decision.
In the end, just think outside the box. Don’t stress. Enjoy this amazing journey. Don’t take a minute of it for granted. Take people’s advice and opinions for what they’re worth… then throw them all out and follow your heart and your gut. I hear that the instinct we’ve heard about our whole lives is pretty legit… trust it.
Since this post was originally written, Kim gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Leah.