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It's a... Baby! | Stylish Baby Must-Haves

It's been a while since we've seen a baby post here on Fab*Blog, so the time is right for a little baby love! I've put together a pink and blue post with lots of adorable birth announcements and irresistible baby must-haves.

Start out with a colorful birth announcement like the ones shown here (middle column). Each have a unique style and is a great way to inform friends and family of your new bundle of joy. Make it even more special with a picture-perfect photo of your baby, like the ones here (top left, top right), taken by photographer Paula Kennedy.

Then, pick up a handmade onesie from etsy. I found these two (middle left, middle right) from etsy seller CantaloupeCorner. With lots of super-cute options, you're sure to find something just right!

Finish off with a pair of stylish booties from Robeez and you're set! Sure, socks are the go-to for infant footwear, but why not change it up with a great pair of tiny shoesies for your little one?

These are just the beginning to some great shopping options, so get out there and have fun with it. Whether you are out buying for your own little one or for a friend, you can definitely find some cuter than cute and highly unique gifts!

Image Credits:

Baby girl photo, Baby boy photo, Girl onesie, Boy onesie, Girl shoes, Boy shoes.

Birth Announcements:

Sweet Dreamer, Polka Dotted Arrival, Argyle Diaper Pins, Special Delivery in Blue.

Trend Alert | Flower Girl Fashion

Thank heaven for little {flower} girls! They are oh-so-adorable and definitely showstoppers (not to overshadow the bride, of course). Here are a few trends to help your little lady make a fashionable debut down the aisle:

• Sparkle! We all know that it's the bride's day, but there is no reason that other members of your bridal party should not feel gorgeous too...after all, they are participating in the most important day of your life and you want them to look chic! To help your flower girls look sassy, find a bedazzled dress with rhinestones, beads, or sequins. These are ideal for modern brides utilizing a soft and elegant color palette, having an evening affair, or theming their big day towards old Hollywood glamour. The bolero and modern dresses seen above are from London-based Monsoon.
• Accessorize! To start with, the ballerina-look is so soft and cute. Tutu skirts and ballet flats are practically everywhere and make such a precious statement. Additionally, accent your little girl's beauty with a floral headpiece or pin. Who says she only has to throw petals? She can wear them too!
• Think outside the bud! Flower girls don't always shower the aisle with blossoms. Sometimes they carry other items, such as colorful parasols, watering cans holding a single stem, or a purse. Doing something a little different is one more way to personalize your wedding.

Image credits: Monsoon fashions via The Bridal Wishlist, watering can & parasol imagery via Masterpiece Weddings, Flower girl in tutu via GreenWeddingShoes, Baby Bloom Crochet hats via Pink Bowtique, adorable flower girl photo via Project Wedding. 

Water Baby

Okay, so last week Kyle (web designer expert & extraordinary whistler) changed the slide show on the IC homepage to include the cutest pool party invite ever. Maybe I'm a little biased, because the little illustrated girl looks just like my niece. I know it's just a doodle, but it really possesses the cuteness and energy of my favorite little girl. What do you think? Do they look alike?

{Onesie} Love - Modern Baby Fashions

What could be more adorable than a baby dressed to the nines in a totally creative onesie?

Hipster parents are able to find all sorts of bodysuits, from solid colors...to prints+patterns...to bold+graphic; the possibilities are truly endless. Baby clothing designers out there want children to stand out and make statements, just as adults have fun doing. Not only that, most onesies sport words and graphics, which stimulate object recognition and word association as they look down at their cute baby bellies.

Also a craze in baby fashion (as seen on Martha Stewart), are bodysuits that double as birth announcements. Dress your little guy or gal up in one of these by The Silly Wagon (seen above), take a snapshot, and send out as your own unique card with one of our great photo designs. 

If you were a baby again, what would your onesie say about you? Would it be playful with a cute animal design? Or would it be political with an interesting phrase? Leave your feedback - we'd love to hear your ideas!

Photo credits: Original OnePiece by New for Baby, Dinosaur Onesie from Droolicious blog, Radical Onesie from Oohlalamama, American Flag One Piece from Oohlalamama, Baby Onesie Birth Announcement from Invitation Consultants, Baby Bird and Brown Owl onesies from Etsy seller veryKIKI, 100% Organic Alphabet Body Suits.

Be My Baby…

After one of my best friends had her little girl, I began begging her to send me photos of her new baby.  When she finally did, it was an email from her daughter’s newborn shoot, which is where a photographer does a photo shoot with a newborn baby and the proud parents in very naturalistic settings.  The pictures were absolutely breathtaking.  After talking to my friend, I found that newborn photo shoots are quite the trend for new parents because of the amazing photos that are produced.  These photos become treasures as the baby grows, and are often given as gifts or used for birth announcements.
I found a photographer, Lisa Russo, who’s company, Lisa Russo Photography, is based in Atlanta has done some beautiful newborn photo sessions and has agreed to share some of her favorite photos and tips with me.

“As a photographer, there's nothing more wonderful to me than photographing newborns. Being a mother myself, I know just how special and fleeting that first month is, and it's such an honor for me to capture it for my clients. I prefer to photograph newborns when they're under two weeks old, and sessions are very quiet and soothing as our goal is for baby to sleep soundly. At each session, I like to capture a variety of images: portraits of baby, perspective images that show just how tiny and new baby is, the love between this adorable little bundle and his or her parents, and then a few creative images using my selection of antiques, baskets and bowls. Getting to meet and cuddle so many sweet newborns...I truly have the greatest job in the world!”

All photos by Lisa Russo Photography.

We're Monkey-ing Around at Baby Showers

We're just monkey-ing around when it comes to planning a baby shower.

Jungle themed baby showers are trendy now. Afterall they represent color, energy and warmth. Here are some tips for a jungle themed birthday party for your mom-to-be, whether they are having a girl or a boy, because silly and vibrant animals are for any gender!

1. Choose a wild baby shower invitation with a jungle animal or animal print like: In the Jungle and Jungle Party (which can also be used as a birth announcement).

2. Don't just serve bananas! When I think jungle, I think of all kinds of fruits, passion fruits, mango, kiwi, papaya..

3. The colors of the shower can be numerous, there is no right or wrong here. The key is to make sure you have at least 3 colors represented in the decor. I recommend at the very least: brown, green, yellow.

4. Instead of a cake, try cupcakes decorated with baby animals from the jungle.

5. Games at the shower: Creative Baby Shower has a few game ideas.

6. Party favors: candy wrapped in monkey wrappers and animal print purses.

7. Buy cute gifts for the mommy-to-be that are jungle inspired like: monkey booties, monkey business bib, jungle picture frame, and critter booties.

Once your friend's baby arrives it will become a jungle out there for them. I remember life becomes nocturnal and the house is loud with many noises. So set them off right with this wild and crazy shower!

Deal of the Week! 25% Birth Announcements featured on Parents.com

We're so excited to be featured in Parents.com's round up of budget friendly birth announcements, and we're happy to make these cuties even more budget friendly as this week's Deal of the Week. Check out Angelic Pink and Blue Scaled Turtle.

Rubber Ducky, You’re the One

It’s funny how inspiration can come from anywhere.  For me this week, inspiration came from the cute décor from the upcoming Easter Holiday.  These images of pastels and adorable images reminded me of a great theme for a baby shower, the Chick or Duck theme.  I love it because it’s a really cute theme to use because of the colors and décor you can use, even if the mommy-to-be doesn’t know if the baby is going to be a boy or a girl.  I also love all the ways that you can incorporate the theme using colors.  Think sky blue and bright yellow for place settings, invitations and décor.  I also like the idea of incorporating your theme into your menu, like the cupcakes shown above.   Also, if you are going to a themed shower like this one, it is always a fun idea to use the theme in the gift that you give, like a duck-print onsie or even on the wrapping paper. 

Have you thrown a baby shower before, either your own or a friends’?  What theme did you decide on?

Cupcakes and Egg Centerpieces from Martha Stewart.  Fuzzy Duckling, Cheery Bird and Ducky Blanket  from Etsy.

Not Kidding Around

Since moving to a new city a couple of months ago, I have been out and about, doing my share of exploring.  Last weekend, I (finally) found myself at the design center of the world, the IKEA store.  For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of visiting, it is basically a giant 4 level store, filled with enough décor ideas to make even a seasoned interior designers’ head spin.  What really stood out to me was the selection of kids’ furniture.  I saw colorful furniture, trendy colors, bright light fixtures, and everything else you would need to make your child’s bedroom  one that you would be proud of.  And it’s not just IKEA.  Pottery Barn Kids has amazing designs to furnish a bedroom, from furniture to décor and even linens.  Designs for children’s bedrooms rival their parent’s in some instances!

It got me thinking about kids’ invitations.  The trendy designs are similar to the latest and greatest furniture designs.  The newest party invitations for kids come in creative shapes and bright colors.  They are anything but boring.  So do you see any similarities between what you like to use for room designs for your children and the invitations that you choose for them?  Let us know!

Throwing a Little Shindig?

Here's your chance to win 25 invitations from our children's collection! Visit Little Shindigs, the party planning blog of Natalie Robles, children's party coordinator extraordinaire, and enter a comment letting her know what your fave kid's invite is. It's that easy!  While you're there, check out some of Natalie's fun party themes, like her Dr. Suess soiree or her Mother Goose tablescape with place settings resembling lily pads. Adorable!