DIY: Homemade Racetrack

Here is a simple creative way to entertain your kids.

All you need is a roll of masking tape and a few hot wheels.

This will keep your kids busy..at least for a short time.

Enjoy,

Roselle

Girls Doll Carriage

Silver Cross, located in England, is developing little girls imaginations with their line of children's toys.

Definitely a luxury available to few ... made by hand using the finest materials.  Considered the Rolls Royce in the world of dolls they have become the favorite toy for young girls. If you are thinking of buying your little girl one of these toy models you can visit http://www.silvercross.co.uk/ or inquire with our customer service.

Make your little girl's Christmas morning a special one.

Be sure to check back soon for our post on silver cross new line of nursery furniture.

Roselle

What Age Are Shoe fashionistas Born?

More over Christian Louboutin. . .that is until the future owner of these baby shoes becomes a teenager.  I found these infant girl shoes while styling a little misses wardrobe and wanted to share them with you. 

Hand made by Lilablue and Gracious May they come in a variety of patterns and are gentle on the souls of newborn babies.  Mix and Match to put together a personalized shoe closet for baby.

Keeping tiny toes trendy.

Roselle

Children's illustrations

I would like to introduce you to the illustrative works of Terry Fan, a Canadian illustrator that uses delicate features and pale colors to compose an imaginary infant universe.  His illustrations serve as a backdrop to children's imaginations, role playing and can also serve as inspiration when decorating children's interiors.

Inspire your child's imagination.

Roselle

10 Rules of Etiquette When Visiting a Newborn

When a special friend or family member has given birth to a baby everyone gets excited and wants to see the newborn.  Babies immune systems are delicate and special considerations should be taken into account when thinking of visiting  the newborn.

1.  Squeezing Baby - everyone falls in love with a new baby and wants to kiss baby's cheeks, hug baby tightly and squeeze baby.  This is the fastest way to deliver germs to the baby.  Instead one should either look at baby or if privy, hold baby gently in your arms making sure baby is snug in its receiving blanket.

2.   Make It a Short Visit - Remember this is a time for recovery for both mom and baby.  Both mom and baby needs lots of rest and this is a special time for mom to welcome her newborn into the world.  Its chic not to stay long.

3.   Wash Up - Do not forget basic hygiene care.  Wash your hands up to the elbows once you have arrived in the hospital room.  Its another step to insure that mom and baby are protected.

4.   Wellness - If you are sick do not go.  Stay home.

5.   Cell Phones, Off - Turn off your cell phones.  The noise of a ringing phone tends to disturb babies who are not use to loud noises which can cause them stress. 

6.   No Photos - Do not take pictures of a newborn, especially when in the hospital.  If mom wants to do that its entirely up to her.  Its not your place as a visitor to do so.  This isn't your baby or your delivery to introduce with others. 

7.   Crowds - Schedule your visit with mom as you don't want to intrude on family time or create a crowded situation by arriving at the same time as too many other people.  A crowd can be too overwhelming for both mom and baby.

8.  Smoking - Do not smoke before visiting baby.  Even the faintest of smoke smell can be disturbing to mom and baby.

9.   Gift - Do not go empty handed.  Always take along a small token to congratulate mom and baby. 

10.  Don't Go - If you are not immediately family, i.e, grandmother, mother, brother, sister etc., its not necessary for you to visit baby in the hospital.  Most hospital stays are short.  Make your first visit to baby at home.

Roselle

What is a Snoozzz?

For most parents, the arrival of a baby brings with it a new set of concerns.  Is the baby warm and comfortable enough?  What if the baby slips under the blanket?  What if baby rolls onto its tummy and can't roll back over?

The Snoozzz answers these questions with its product offering. 

The Snoozzz is a safe sleep wrapper that gives your child a sense of security while reducing the risk of a flattened head, tummy sleeping, sliding under the bedding and climbing out of bed at night.  Your baby will sleep comfortably and safely on its back or side without being without being restricted in its movement.

The baby wrapper is suitable for babies from birth to 3 months and the toddler wrapper for ages 3 to 36 months.

Keep your baby safe.

Roselle

Visualizing What Your Baby's Room Will Look Like?

Those who like a rustic interior will fall in love with the Como White nursery.

Como White is made of high-quality white lacquered MDF and veneered board. The design is rustic but still modern which is why this furniture is perfect in a romantic-style nursery. Como White also looks beautiful in a modern interior.

With Como White you put together your own nursery. Do you need a lot of cupboard space? The 3-door wardrobe is perfect for you. If you need less space, the 2-door wardrobe may be a better choice.

The Como White product range features two cots. One is a standard baby cot and the second cot can be converted into a toddler’s bed. Needless to say, both cots are height-adjustable and have a slatted base that has three different height settings.

With Como White nursery furniture you turn your baby's room into a dream room!

Contact us if you would like to purchase this nursery collection.

Roselle



Recipe Delux - Cookies in a Mug

Kids love cookies.  Especially chocolate chip.  Well here is a fun family activity for you to enjoy with your kids.  Baking a cookie in a mug. 

 

Ingredients

Ingredients for the dough

4 table spoon of flour
4 table spoon of sugar
3 table spoon of coco
1 egg
3 table spoon of milk
3 table spoon of oil
Chocolate sprinkles, confetti or sparklers to decorate

Ingredients for Topping

Half container of frosting (any brand, any flavor) 

We used chocolate frosting.

 

Preparation

Preparation of the cookie

In a large mug that is microwave safe, mix the flour, sugar and coco. Add egg and mix well with a fork.  Mix milk and oil. Bake in microwave on high for 3 minutes (see tip below).

Preparation of topping

Mix frosting until light and easy to spread.  Put frosting on cookies in circular motion until top is covered.  Sprinkle with chosen garnish.

Tip

Important: At half time the dough will start to rise.  Turn off the microwave. Hold down the top of dough to fit into the mug. Repeat until the dough will not go down and brings back up.  The cake is ready.

 

Roselle

Pint Size Luxury Rooms For Children

Children's furniture and decor are all grown up.  Gone are the days when childrens imaginations were left out of their room design.  Today children are requesting rooms to suit the lifestyle they envision living in the future.  The feeling is, why should I wait till I have grown up to express myself? 

Children's rooms play an important role in their lives.  A child's bedroom is a place where he/she reads, studies, plays, meets friends and grows up in and build their own personalities.

Vibel is a company which creates children's room design solutions for families.  The company gives parents and children a wide variety of furnishing possibilities and layouts adapted to each child, family, situation and offers solutions to all sorts of limitations. These designs and layouts are custom made to the parents' and children's requirements and room layout and can accompany the children's evolution as they grow older through simply modifying certain aspects.

Take a look at this little girl's room inspired by Marie Antoinette.

A little girl enjoying her childhood.  Is there anything more precious.

Roselle

An Inspirational Pregnant Woman - Beyonce Knowles

Who better to start our blog series on Inspirational Pregnant Working Women than Ms. Beyonce Knowles.

Announcing her pregnancy last night at the VMA was inspiring to women who dream of having it all.  A career and family.

Beyonce's road to superstardom was long and challenging.  Now she is at the top of her game and venturing into the most challenging role of all, Motherhood.

Congratulations Beyonce and Jay-Z.  

Born with a Silver Spoon

We have all heard of the statement "Born with a Silver Spoon in your mouth"?

Looking for a unique item to give a baby who has everything?  How about these gold or silver bling bling pacifiers?

Elodie Details, a Swedish soother company offers an exclusive collection of pacifiers including gold and silver editions as well as a variety of fun patterned colored plastic editions. To ensure these opulent trinkets don’t get lost or dirty,  Elodie offers a fabulous range of soother clips and security blankets, all in hip, modern designs.

Nest baby and its bling bling pacifier in this gold encrusted Little Miss Liberty cradle for a stylish introduction to family, friends and the world.

 Contact us about purchasing these items for your little ones.

Roselle

One of the World's Most Beautiful Baby Furniture Brands

Theophile and Patachou

Style, Simplicity and Splendor three words the come to mind when discribing this brand of baby products.

Located in Belgium, mothers to be looking for timeless childern's furniture and baby accessories for their child flock to Theophile and Patachou.  Like the loveliest fairytales theirs is a story of charm and gentleness told by their collection which is devoted to the well being and comfort of your little ones.

The collection consists of furniture and room and baby accessories adorned with delicate details and timeless in their appeal.

Contact me about outfitting your child's room with Theophile and Patachou.  Imagine the delight of your little one's face when entering its perfectly decorated world.

What Type of Baby Carrier or Sling is Right for Your Baby?

Why use a baby carrier?
Birth is a big transition from mom's warm womb & babies still need to feel close contact with their parents. Babies visibly enjoy this direct physical contact and the nurturing body-to-body contact fulfils baby's fundamental needs creating an ideal position to discover the world around them.

Some of the top brands with baby carriers/slings on the market are Gucci, Serena & Lily and Babybjorn.  Both mom and baby can set their won fashion trend by selecting a style that works for them. 

Which style is right for your baby?

The Watch to Watch

These little watches have become the "it" watch amongst trendsetting youngsters.  Perfect accessory for back to school.

As seen in: Vogue, Vanity Fair, Instyle, Glamour, Elle, People, Teen Vogue, News Week, GQ, Allure & Newsweek

Toywatch was created in 2005 by Milan-based designer and wristwatch aficionado Marcho Mavilla.  ToyWatch uses a chunky toy-like aesthetic to make an anti-luxury statement. Somewhat ironically the ToyWatch has become the ultimate ‘It’ watch to the A-list with fans like Sienna Miller, Katie Holmes and Madonna.

Cool, Hip, trendy?  What does your teenager think?

Roselle

Baby Dior Fall Winter Collection

The Formative Years....Indeed.

Dressing for success starts in childhood.
Take a look at Baby Dior Fall Winter 2011 boys and girls collections.

Roselle

Renting Designer Clothing For Kids

Kids grow.  Their closets don't have to.  Children's high-end designer clothing just got fancier.  Fanciu is a an online “store” where busy parents can find that perfect outfit for any occasion without investing lots of time and money on a garment that will probably be a one hit wonder. Rentals! That was the idea of a busy mom of twin girls when she started Fanciu.  Parents can indulge in a little guilt-free designer decadence without going over budget.

Would this be an option for you?  Will your kids like this idea?  Share your thought with us.  Visit Fanciu for all the details about this new concept.

Roselle 

Teaching Kids Table Manners, simplified

Good table manners always start in the home.  As adults we all remember the days when mom, dad or our grandparents introduced us to table manners. 

So, when is the best time to start teaching children good table manners?

As early as three years old.  It's actually a little tricky for little ones to master cutlery and eat without scattering food - think peas - all over the table.  Teaching your kids table manners can sometimes be a time consuming and tricky business.

Problem solved.

FunFam a Japanese-based company has created a simplified way to teach children good table manners.  The company has designed a line of beautiful table settings for children.  Products range from a traditional Japanese style set, an adorable Apple Set - designed to look like an apple and a baby set. Made from sustainable bamboo.

Royal Wedding Bridesmaids and Page Boys

While all the world gazes at Kate Middleton and Prince William's attire at their April 29, 2011 wedding, we kept a close eye on the littlest members of the royal wedding party - the bridesmaides and page boys.

What little girl does not dream of growing up to oneday become a princess?  Millions of little girls across the world watched the amazing day Kate Middleton's four bridesmaids and two page boys had.  The bridesmaid dresses and page boys's suits were beautiful.  Each bridesmaids dresses were made by Nicki Macfarlane.  The white dresses were all handmade with English Cluny lace and featured dark cream sashes, tied at the back with a large bow.

Their hair flower arrangements were made by Kate's florist Shane Connolly.

Satin Mary Jane pumps studded with Swarovski crystal on the buckles that were made by Devon-based Rainbow Club completed the bridesmaids' look.

The pageboys were dressed in red tunics of a Foot Guards officer, similar to Prince William's formal Irish Guards attire of a red jacket with gold braiding.

The uniforms, including William's were designed by Kashket and Partners.

all Getty Images

Royal Bridesmaids were:

Lady Louise Windsor, 7, Prince William's first cousin on his father's side. She is the daughter of his uncle, Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, 8, Prince William's second cousin. The daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Linley first came into the public spotlight in 2006, when Prince William swung the delighted 4-year-old into the air as they were walking to church for Christmas Day service.

Eliza Lopes, 3, granddaughter of Prince Charles' wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. Eliza's mother, Laura, is Camilla's only daughter from her previous marriage to Andrew Parker Bowles. When Laura Lopes got married in 2006, her stepbrother, Prince William and Kate Middleton attended the wedding.

Grace van Cutsem, 3, godchild of Prince William. The royal family and the van Cutsems are reputedly very close and Prince William often stayed with the van Cutsems as a child.

Royal Page Boys

William (Billy) Lowther-Pinkerton, 10, son of Prince William and Prince Harry's private secretary since 2005, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.

Tom Pettifer, 8, is another one of Prince William's godchildren and the son of William's former nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke.

Roselle

Business Travel vs. Mommy Guilt

Can the whole family win?

When the time comes for you to depart your homestead to travel on business your heart will beat to the family buzz of guilt while your mind will remind you of the importance of your career.  Here are a few tips to help you and your family cope with the anxiety of being apart.

TIPS:

1.              TECHNOLOGY - Make the most of it, use mobile internet, text messaging,  e-mail or skype to keep connected.

2.               RELATIVES - Ask grandparents to come by and visit and lend a helping hand to your partner while giving kids some added excitement.  There is nothing like a good night hug from Grandma when mom’s away.

3.                COMMUNICATION - Write a letter for each day you will be away to your children, include cards, gifts or any special trinkets of delight.  Don’t forget your partner, leave a love note under his/her pillow.  These acts will serve as I love you reminders.

4.                POSTAL SERVICE – Mail, this old time technique still works.  Mail postcards from your trip.  Kids love checking the mail box and receiving mail especially from Mom.

5.                MEALTIME -  Food is where the heart is.  Prepare in advance several of your family’s favorite meals.  This makes for an easy mealtime preparation for your spouse while enticing kids to eat their dinner.

Planning and organizing your household prior to departing on your trip ensures that things run smoothly while you are away and gives you an added sense of confidence and less guilt.

Share with fellow working mothers some of the things you do to help ease your guilt when traveling?

Roselle

A Little Beauty Tip - Bloom and Blossom, A Luxury Skincare for Moms and Babies

I want to share this great find with you.  A premium skincare brand for new mothers, mothers-to-be and babies which uses a minimum number of ingredients for maximum results.  Ingredients are of the highest quality.  You won't find any parabens, SLS, phthalates, artificial colorents, synthetic fragrance or petrochemicals. You will find aloe vera, camomile flower oil, cocoa butter, hemp seed oil, lime oil and many more natural and healthy ingredients. 

Products include anti stretch mark cream, soothing nipple balm, revitalizing leg and foot spray, indulgence bath oil, baby balm, gentle scalp oil, mother and baby oil and is available in gift sets, bumper baby gift set, congratulations gift set, mother to be gift set and range in price from $4.00 to $45.00.  Beautifully presented in chic packaging.  Ideal for expecting mothers, new mothers and the busy working mother. 

Visit the brand's website at http://www.bloomandblossom.com/ 

Add Shape To Your Kids Sandwiches

Getting your kids to eat their meals can sometimes be difficult, especially when they have made up their little minds that they don't want to eat.  So, like all mom you have tried making shapes in their mashed potatoes, prentending an airplane full of food is flying into their mouths, even eating bits of their meal  yourself and stating, "Yummy", still, no go.

Time to try something new...

Add shapes to their sandwiches with these kid friendly cutters.

These are available online at http://www.lavishandlime.com/ and are BPA, phthalate and lead free.

This cust free cutter is available online at http://www.williams-sonoma/.

Make lunch time fun and easy.

WEEKLY TIP

Wish you had some help organizing your family's life? 

Workingmother.com has the answer.  Cozi, the online family organizer.  The new way busy families keep up with appointments and lists, coordinate home and work schedules and share favorite memories and photos, all in one place.  Visit the site at the link provided.

https://secure.cozi.com/Cobrand-Workingmother-Signup.htm

Mariah Carey's Baby Trousseau

By now we all know Mariah Carey and husband Nick Cannon are expecting twins, a boy and girl.  I am often asked to organize a baby's trousseau for my clients.  This is such a lovely task because I can almost visualize the new baby's personality emerging as I select its wardrobe. Typically, I will select children's clothes that represent the lifestyle of the mom to be I am working with.  And, no I have not been asked by Ms. Carey to style a baby trousseau for her twins.  However, I would like to share with you a selection of newborn clothes I would put together for the Cannons.  

Clothing are by Pili Carrera