[image from post tots]

Baby palooza continues with….. CRIB BEDDING! Oh this is a hot topic..i get so many inquires and emails about this..these are SOME of the issues:

*custom or not? [i say, yes, no, both]
*is toile still in style? [toile has literally been around for centuries..not going out of style, just choose it carefully]
*may i use toile for a boy? [sure..just dont ask daddy]
*silk or linen? [linen is a strong fiber and soft and washable, silk is well silk] see what Joni says about the fab-ness of linen! I nearly did Henry’s entire crib in beige and white linen…he does have a linen crib sheet (it is white and sooo soft..i wish i had a sheet this nice..i know i can use borax on it or boil in hot water if need be…linen is such a strong fiber!) and his interior bumper fabrics and crib skirt are linen as well..the other fabric is waverly sun and shade!
*bumper or no? [i say until they start standing on it as a way to escape]
*boxed bumper, fat or thin?? [i love fat and i love boxed]

[image from angie baker at design dazzle]

Moms seems to have a phobia of ready made, cartoon characters etc..all of which i can understand but i am hear to say IT CAN ALL WORK AND BE CUTE (and i have done it all except the character theme). The thing is, when you are pregnant and hormonal, decorating is a challenge, even if you are a designer (the fab Erika at Urban Grace admits this, oh how i cant wait to see what she does..no pressure Erika!)..simply put, there are a LOT of baby decor choices out their today…and being pregnant and feeling pressure, being tired..it all adds to that stress.. Now i know there are more important things going on in the world, but indulge us mothers..after all, it is Baby Palooza ’09 here at HMI and if you are about to vomit, well click on away because we are about to really get in to it..

So lets get started…There are just so many sources to choose from: great online stores like Layla Grace, custom sites like Polkatot and Javis Davis, you can even find bedding on etsy..Or you can use a designer and workroom or a lady in your church who sews for a bargain..or your mother-in-law..just be careful and remember emotions run high during this time;;

And remember you dont have to spend a lot (that old cliche)..just take a look at the things posted below..which one to you think is from Walmart, Babiesrus, Olivine, etsy?? sure the styling may give it away but you could restyle some of these pieces for a fab look..mix the target piece with something more high end..

[first one is from Walmart,then the babies r us classic set, etsy and then polka tot design, last one is a "dwell look"from....walmart!]
Again, some of the styling may be off and may give it away (and frankly the quality and feel might too) but it is an option.

Pottery Barn is offering some of the hot new boxed bumper designs and they seem to run their solid white “hotel look” baby bedding on sale a lot..i really like that with the brown stripe..keep that in mind..

[elizabeth allen at layla grace]
and this Elizabeth Allen stuff is precious..you can find online at layla grace or in Houston at Olivine..love her french inspired fabrics..and though it takes the guess work out of mixing fabrics it doesnt have that “bed in a bag” feel..of course it doesnt have that bargain price either..but Layla Grace does run sales on
their crib bedding..and free shipping on Serena and Lily and others..

Speaking of Serena and lily..they are everywhere..very popular. look around there site and you can see why..in Houston i think you can find their things at Nest & Cot (in Rice Village which you must visit for ideas if nothing else)…SOOO back to Serena & Lily, i love this “Rye” look and look how they name their collections (you know i like the “Henry”) now there is a concept, wait until your child is born, learn its personality THEN decorate…can we say more STRESS! But seriously, everything they do is darlin.love the “kate” below too! and always styled to perfection!



[above images from Serena & Lily]

[crib bag from leontine]

So that is my advice: Mix fabrics, mix off the rack pieces and custom–maybe the leontine crib bag with a polka dot dwell crib skirt from Target..this takes confidence just like dressing your self, and may involve lots of returns but if you are interested you can create a great look without spending a ton..

UNLESS this all just stresses you out..then do ALL white and keep it simple and pure.. or dont do a thing at all..just love that baby! After all, as much as we love this stuff, we mommies have to remember, this is all going to get vomited on (or worse) anyway, assuming your baby even sleeps in this crib..so maybe scratch the Leontine idea, make one out of Hobby Lobby linen and have monogrammed in your local stationery shop;;; Just remember, like the nester says, it doesnt have to be “perfect to be beautiful”..enjoy this special time whether it is a perfect nursery with chandelier or a pack and play from Walmart..babies are such a gift and in the end, stuff is just stuff!

He settles the barren woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD. Psalm 113:9