PopSugar

Pimp Your Crib: Lighting For Baby's Nursery

babysugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:20 -0700

God said, "Let there be light," but he didn't say it had to be a high voltage fluorescent one beaming from a heinous fixture in baby's room. One of the easiest ways to quickly improve the state of a nursery is to install a new light fixture. With all of the options floating around, you can't go wrong. There's one to fit every style and budget.

Simple: For a room that has details in every nook and cranny, it's nice to keep the lighting simple with a pendant lamp from Serena and Lily ($169).
Modern: If baby's room has the Ouef crib and she's rollin' in the Orbit stroller. Keeping with the modern theme. Design Within Reach ($300) has a balloon fixture that will complement baby's style.
Classic: If you're more the MacLaren type with gingham bedding, you might like a chandelier that passes the test of time from Pottery Barn Kids ($129). You can buy the different shades ($9) to match it up to the rest of your decor.
Funky Cool: For those who have created a wicked cool nursery and don't mind throwing some cash towards the glow, invest in the sweet Anthropologie Bird chandelier ($798). We know it's a hefty price to pay but those lil birds are heavenly.
Luxurious: Melania Trump's nursery made you all a flutter. If you crave Baron's style with gold gilded angels and drapes touching the ground, luxury is your middle name. Your prince or princess deserves the best with a Bellacor antique style lamp ($461).

If you know someone handy, they might be able to install it for you. If not, don't fret - most electricians can install a light fixture in no time. Pretty soon your (I mean baby's) nursery will look like the dreamland you always imagined.

Tools to Get Kids Cookin' in the Kitchen

babysugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:00:10 -0700

Got a picky eater? Instead of tricking babe into eating healthy meals, try engaging him in the cooking process. Youngsters love to help and when they see their finished product on a platter, they'll be tempted to try their creation. Before too long, mama may have a mini Wolfgang Puck on her hands who prepares five course meals for the entire family.

Start with some kid friendly tongs and spatulas. They get children in the mood for some cuisine fun. Have them stir up batters or pat down wet lettuce. A personalized apron will give extra incentive to keep things cooking!

Jardin des Fleurs Kids’ Apron - $39.00	Dino Sandwich Cutter - $9.95
Apple and Pumpkin Pocket Pie Molds - $9.95	Butterfly Spatula - $12.00
Heart Sandwich Cutter - $9.95	Twist And Press Cookie Cutters, Set of 2 - $39.90
Chesapeake Picnic Table - $149.00	Ladybug Spatula - $12.00
Martha Stewart Collection Tea Cake Pan, 30 Cups - $31.99

Win the Barbie of Your Dreams

Sponsor — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:45:00 -0700

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the world’s most popular fashion doll, Pottery Barn Kids has created an exclusive bedroom collection that every Barbie™ fan would love to call her own. From ruffled toss pillows featuring the Barbie™ profile to luxurious sheets and duvet covers starring the glamour girl throughout the years, the collection is made with the very best materials and an eye on style. Cast in coordinating shades of pink – Barbie™ signature color – the collection includes sketches by principal Barbie designer Robert Best – these exclusive designs make it easy to create a room that’s stylish and fun.

Check out our slideshow to see the bedding and accessories only Barbie™ could inspire. While you're at it, enter for a chance to win one of five exclusive Barbie dolls made especially for this anniversary collection by Pottery Barn Kids. Simply leave a comment below on your favorite Barbie memory and you will be automatically entered to win. Remember you must be logged in to enter. Click here for more details and rules.

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Keep It Simple With Pottery Barn Kids Chemise Sheets

babysugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:00:08 -0700

Stripes, polka dots, gingham or animal prints? When it comes to picking nursery bedding, parents can drive themselves crazy trying to decide between all of the adorable options. Leave the tough decision making to wall art and use simple crib sheets to match the rest of the decor.

The Pottery Barn Kids plush chamois fitted sheet ($49) is all baby needs. Outfit baby's cocoon with the cozy cover allowing the infant to snuggle up to a cushy surface. Parents who follow the AAP's recommendation of not allowing blankets in the crib will find comfort in the warmth the velvety layer provides.

And the Winner of the Pottery Barn Kids Giveaway Is . . .

LilSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:30:05 -0700

Congratulations to Bmac798 who is the lucky winner of our $2,500 Pottery Barn Kids giveaway! We bet she'll have a blast putting the gift card to good use toward the tot in her life's nursery or necessities. We hope you enjoyed our baby shower planning extravaganza during April Showers! Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. Keep reading lilsugar for more fabulous giveaways.

Sturdy Cribs to Keep Baby Safe

babysugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:00:19 -0700

Many parents don't mind putting the bulk of their design budget towards the newborn's crib - the most important item in a nursery. In recent days, some crib makers and their retailers have decided to stop manufacturing and selling the popular drop-side versions leaving many customers wondering if their current crib is a hazard. In an effort to keep customers hazard free and to prevent further recalls, Babies R Us will no longer stock and shelve the drop-side style, but encourage consumers to buy either a fold down design or version with fixed rails. With so many cute options on the market, it's hard to pick a favorite!

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Win $2,500 Toward a Nursery From Pottery Barn Kids!

LilSugar — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:51:26 -0700

To celebrate April Showers and impending bundles of joy, we've partnered up with our friends at Pottery Barn Kids to offer one lucky lilsugar reader the chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and/or necessities. A few of lilsugar's favorite things are the Larkin Sleigh Crib, Cozy Critter Nursery Wraps, Swaddling Blankets, Sabrina Baskets and Animal Shaped Baskets.

To enter, you must log in and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the fun quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on Friday, May 1, 2009, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. For Official Rules, click here.

Take the quiz

Pottery Barn Seacliff Herringbone Diaper Tote

babysugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:00:41 -0700

I have seen and tested more than my fair share of diaper bags, but I hadn't tried a new one since having my second babe. Double the diapers, changes of clothes and bottles and all the sudden I look like a mama off to war, which isn't a bad comparison. Before I leave the house, I have to check through three separate knapsacks to make sure I have everything I need.

Then, I realized with the new Seacliff Herringbone Diaper Tote ($149) that Pottery Barn Kids sent over for me to try out, I'd only have one bag to check. The black herringbone cotton-canvas is so stylin' that nobody suspects it holds one, let alone two tots' essentials. Large enough to pack my laptop, breast pump, some magazines and a few of my personal belongings, this may be the single carryall I've been searching for.

To see what else I love about the tote and the two things I wish it had, read more.

It's an added bonus that the black twill makes it practically stainproof. And, the leather bound canvas straps don't dig into the shoulder, even with the hefty load I carry. Zippered and snapped compartments keep items buckled in and offer organization for a harried mother.

There are two things that could make the tote a tad better - a bottle compartment and a top zipper. I could easily stash a bottle in the outside compartment, but it wouldn't be able to snap it shut. The bag also has a magnetic snap closure, which is effortless, but I like the security of my goods being contained.

Overall, this is a great diaper bag. It's hip enough to pull off as a non-diaper tote, but roomy enough to use for just that and then some.

Casa Quickie: Shop the Kids' Section

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 15:00:45 -0800

Chain stores and catalogs are a great place to scout out affordable homewares, but like shopping for clothes at Gap and H&M, you can run into the problem of having the same cool stuff as everyone else. So take a page from petite women who buy kids' clothes and shop the kiddie offerings at your favorite home stores.

Retailers such as Pottery Barn's PBTeen and Ikea carry some surprisingly hip items that, taken out of context, don't look childish. I like to look for lighting rugs and accessories like this the Pottery Barn Kids Primary Countertop Accessories ($9-39) from the Dr. Seuss collection.

It may not be as cheap as getting your clothes in the kids' section, but at least it's unexpected.

Ecomomics: Chalkboards on the Cheap!

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:07 -0800

If your child rides their board for miles, don't pass up this skateboard chalkboard ($11) that comes with decals for tagging. Made of molded plywood, the sporty piece of wall decor doubles as a cool place to leave messages that may actually be read. If you've got a child that likes to roll wild, take advantage of this goodie's drastic discount. It's about one fourth of the original price ($40)!