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

Infant Summer Shoes

Looking for beautiful summer sandals for your baby Girl?  Your child will look summer chic in these Baby Couture shoes.  

 

Baby Couture

is a Brand specializing in soft sole footwear for babies aged 0 - 18 months. 100% genuine soft leather for the modern, super stylish baby!  Also makes a fabalous gift since The Baby Couture range comes complete in individual gorgeous satin drawstring bags in sizes 0 - 6  months, 6 - 12 months and 12 - 18 months.

Meet Billionaire Junior

I was introduced to Billionaire Junior a year ago and I was immediately struck by the concept of dressing children to represent future aspirational goals.   Billionaire Junior is a children's fashion brand that represents family identity and a strict dress code value.  Located in Putignano, near Bari and distributed by the famed Gi.mel brand.  Known for its junior and baby collections related to some of the most known and trusted Italian fashion brands: Alviero Martini Prima Classe, Tagliatore and Billionaire Italian Couture.

Their collections are designed from focused research on fashion trends, providing several match opportunities among styles for both Nursery and Kids lines for Juniors.  All their efforts are concentrated on the research of sophisticated and elegant details, exclusive washes and dyeing techniques.

Their 2011 collections for newborn, baby girl, baby boy and formal wear are out. 

http://www.bilionairejunior.com/

I will share more information with you about this brand and where you can expect to purchase here in the USA.

Decorating Ideas for Kids Rooms

You have decided it is time to design a space for your child.  Finding the time has become quite the challenge?  Time swamped or not designing a room for your child's life is a must.  Here are a few time savings and unique design ideas to help you decorate a children’s room for any age group.

Set Aside a Study Area

Kids at every stage need a separate space to do homework, study or house their computer.  Adding a desk and chair instantly turns a corner of a room into a study area.  Add lighting, desk storage accessories, perhaps a shelf and you have the makings of a kids study area that can be personalized as your child grows.

Create a Cozy Hideaway

A child’s room needs a focus, something unique to their personality.  Hang a canopy across their bed to transform it into a cozy den in the daytime.  Or purchase a customized fairytale children’s bed that are designed for play and sleep. 

Add a Splash of Pattern

Instead of plain old pink, blue or green paint color, pick unusual colors and compliment it with a graphic pattern.  Get your child’s input in deciding what colors and patterns to select.  The added bonus to a pattern themed children’s room is that it can be dressed up or down with colorful accessories and patterns and is a cool color scheme for teens as well as toddlers.   A theme like this makes good financial sense as it will transition from toddler to teen.

Fit Hidden Storage

Most children’s furniture come with extra storage – indespensible at any age, but practically useful if the room does not have space for many pieces of furniture.  If your child is ready for sleepovers, consider the bed that conceals a slide out trundle bed underneath.

Opt for Illustrated Blinds

For a cool, calming streamlined children’s room keep pictures on the wall to a minimum. Try bold patterns and printed blinds instead. You could also choose a picture of your choice and have it printed onto the blinds. 

Choose creative lighting

Instead of a night light or bedside lamp, a trail of fairy lights attached to a wall or bedhead provides a reasuring glow and still looks stylish for an older child.  Always choose LEDs as they are cool to the touch. 

Create a calming mural

A beautiful mural can provide the perfect backdrop to help a child’s imagination sour, enourage a teenager’s self expression or add a unique focal point to the room. 

Don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest children's lifestyle home, décor and fashion news, expert tips and competitions.

Roselle

Roselle Andrea's Blog: The Working Parent Lifestyle

Roselle Andrea's Blog: The Working Parent Lifestyle: "The thought of having a successful career and balancing being a parent can be overwhelming. As a parent (or perhaps you are thinking a..."

The Working Parent Lifestyle

The thought of having a successful career and balancing being a parent can be overwhelming.  As a parent (or perhaps you are thinking about starting a family) you must decide what suits you best based on your personal needs, financial goals and the needs of your children.  You can choose to be employed full time or part time for a company or pursue the entrepreneurial path.  Whatever you decide you will have to make some lifestyle adjustments in order to achieve that elusive ‘work-life’ balance success.

Here are some challenges you may encounter while balancing work-life:

1.                  Leaving Your Child:  You may find it difficult to adjust to not being there every moment of every day.

2.                  Saying Goodbye:  Leaving your child can be extremely traumatic, particularly if your child is crying. 

3.                  Obsessive Thoughts:  It can be difficult to focus on work while you are away from your child.  You can develop obsessive thoughts about their safety and general well being.

4.                  Guilt:  the bane of many parents existence.  You may find yourself caught up in the childcare debate and find it difficult to not feel like you are in some way abandoning your children.

5.                   Tiredness:  You will soon discover there are not enough hours in each day to complete all your tasks.  Especially days when your child may be sick or sleepless.

Consider these 12 tips/solutions for your work-life balance success.

• Prepare the night before to avoid the morning rush.
• Always avoid planning meetings first thing in the morning.
• Learn to say no – this is vital both personally and professionally.
• Learn to prioritize.
• Get rid of any perfection ideal.
• Have a solid routine so that you and your child know what is expected
• Delegate as much as possible.
• Have a plan for what will happen if your child is sick
• Eat your main meal at lunchtime, so you only need to prepare something light at dinner.

• Use the internet to get as much of your shopping done as you can.
• Use lists to prioritize and make sure you take great pleasure in crossing items off.

• Take time out for yourself, either alone or with friends.

Share with us any tips or solutions you have found helpful to you in your work life journey.

Roselle