Congrats to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law for bringing a big, healthy, beautiful baby boy into the world last night! His name is Braydon Matthew. I waited 9 months to find out if I needed to buy pink or blue gifts and then another 24 hours to learn if Braydon was to be spelled with an “en” or “on”. After “Googling” in anticipation, I learn that Braydon had 6 spellings and ranked #64 on the boys 2007 list. So it got me thinking about baby names and personalized gifts…

I own a few books with titles like “100,001 Baby Names”. Totally unnecessary considering that I can look up anything online these days. But I thought I would share my favorite “Little Book of Baby Names” that entertained me in the office (b/c it was small enough to hide in my purse) thanks to an old work colleague named Jenny!

Now onto the gifts now that baby’s name has been announced! Something Personalized = Something Special. Here are a few fun, personalized ideas that will also personalize baby’s room!

1. Forget the little blue box - that was wedding. Red Envelopes‘ red box is just as nice for baby. This personalized snow globe makes an elegant, inexpensive keepsake for baby.

2. The stool is a must for the toddler years but buy one early from The Cubby Hole. Playing with a wooden puzzle while learning his or her name starts a lot sooner than later.

3. The personalized baby blanket is given but mom should also throw one over the rocking chair not only for display but to prevent the back of the chair from getting dirty. We really enjoy our wonderful initialed two tinas blanket and we think you will too!

4. The growth chart is just fun and there are so many sweet designs to choose from at Land of Nod.

5. You’ll be surprised how quickly you will carry a lunch box for your little one when eating out or at the park. These personalized Warm Biscuit boxes double as great display and storage for cards and crayons.

6. Back to the rocking chair: Mommy’s back will also enjoy a beautiful, contemporary custom pillow from Mimi and Lola.

Tags: Books, Gifts, Names, Personalized

San Francisco can be a strange city. I’m not talking about the drum circles in Golden Gate Park. I’m referring to the weather. It was a gorgeous 88 degrees here this past weekend and our SF “summer” seemed to be chugging along. So, with this balmy weather in mind it just seemed odd that holiday music was playing in all the stores. Already? Is it that time of year? Really? I guess this means only one thing. The gift buying should begin!

To get us in the spirit, I present some classic gifts that will get your creative gift buying juices flowing. All can be found at world famous FAO Schwarz. Lincoln Logs created by John Lloyd Wright are the classic building set for the budding architect.  Have you got a young dancer or musician in your house. The Design Your Own Tutu Couture studio lets you create your own tutu for the little ballerina. The Baby Grand Piano by Schoenhut is so cute it doesn’t need to be hidden in the toy closet. And, if you have wall space to fill in your playroom, the giant USA Map is a terrific way to teach the kids about America. Added bonus, FAO is running a 20% off sale on orders over $120 through today.

Tags: Gifts, Play Rooms, Playroom, Toys

I haven’t found the right playful picture of the kids to have blown up on canvas but I really love the idea. Now, I have even more reason to find that perfect picture to convert into a piece of artwork. Chic Canvas has teamed up with our friend and stationary guru Erin Condren to introduce a line of canvas keepsakes.  With details such as Erin’s trademark Stripes and Candy Lace designs, the canvas can be totally customized. Those holidays are just around the corner and these beautiful canvas works of art would brighten up the nursery, toddler room or play room. Sizing runs from 8 x 10 for $79 to the oversized 36 x 48 for $319.

Want your house to be extra jolly this Christmas? Erin has just introduced the darling “Oh Christmas Tree” canvas print for $112.  With the holidays around the corner this print is a bright and cheerful way to welcome your guests at this year’s holiday party. In fact, you can coordinate your invitations and gift labels to match the canvas. Now that’s getting in the spirit!

Tags: Gifts, Wall Art

Here’s an idea. One-of-a-kind, personalized artwork that adds a subtle touch of modern to the nursery without going overboard and costing a fortune. Sound appealing? Let us introduce you to Mod Memento, personal heirlooms on paper. These prints are a unique and modern way to incorporate new baby’s name into the nursery or home. Wall letters and monogram decals can look nice but why not use the story of falling for your mate in the artwork too? Great keepsakes are all about the details!

Mod Memento’s digital prints can be ordered in any color combination to match your little one’s nursery and are totally custom made to reflect your style. You can even send owner and designer, Brianna, a swatch of fabric to tie in specific colors. She whips up these beautifully bold and colorful creations in her home studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. Inspired by typography, digital art and photography, Brianna’s fun designs arrive ready to frame for instant gratification (love that). You can find Mod Memento’s entire collection at her Etsy Shop or become a fan on her Mod Memento Blog. One lucky Project Nursery reader will win a custom print of their choice. The winner is going to have a very tough decision on their hands.  Birth Story, Monogram, Baby Love and Family Tree are all amazing, you can’t go wrong. Good Luck!!

WIN IT NOW!

1. Comment on this post with your favorite Mod Memento Print

2. Extra entries are counted by 1) posting on our Project Nursery Forum (up to 5x) 2) subscribing or commenting that you are a subscriber and 3) blogging about our giveaway. Don’t worry, we track it all!

3. The winner will be selected at random by using random.org

4. Contest ends Friday, November 7th, 11:59pm pst

CONTEST CLOSED - Congrats to Sharon!

Tags: Gifts, Giveaways, Personalized, Wall Art

I’m embarrassed to admit that I currently have a fairly long list of overdue baby gifts I need to take care of. You would think that as a writer of a children’s blog I would have endless ideas for great baby gifts, but just like everyone else I get stumped. I’m always on the hunt for new go-to gift websites for great baby and birthday presents. Enter Lisa Callanan and Christina Tedesco. These two women met through their two little girls on the first day of preschool in the fall of 2005. As they got to know each other they shared the idea of starting a business that centered on what they cherished most in life: their kids. 2 Little Stars was launched and today their business offers a full product line of stylish and personalized blankets, burp cloths, bibs, onesies, tees, tag blankets, personalized accessories and more. Every item is made of high quality, luxurious fabric along with a unique design that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Project Nursery is a sucker for anything personalized such as the darling pony-tail holders and toddler letter tees. For that new baby, the handy burp cloths and tag blankets make wonderful newborn gifts. For a limited time, 2 Little Stars is offering a special discount to Project Nursery readers. Just enter code “PROJECTSTARS” at checkout and receive 10% off all orders. This offer is good through November 3rd.

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Tags: Baby Showers, Gifts, Personalized

Meet Claire. She’s awesome, has excellent taste, strong opinions and researches everything to the nth degree. Pam and I are thrilled to introduce Claire’s voice on Project Nursery and we are looking to welcome additional contributors as we continue to grow and expand…

Little boys love trains. There seems to be an invisible magnetic force that sucks my son Max in when there’s a train set in his site. He could spend most of an afternoon with a train set pushing the trains along the wooden tracks. When he turned 18 months, I decided it was time to put away the baby toys and bring home a  train table for the toddler running around my home.

There are several great activity / train tables available. A website that listed a few good options is Trains 4 Tots. My favorite on the site is the “Thomas the Train” branded train table with storage carts - so cute. If your little boy loves Thomas, he would probably go nuts over this table.

Another great selection of tables exists at Sensational Beginnings. Due to our space constants, living in old Victorian home in San Francisco with small sized rooms, I picked a reduced size train table. This cool one from Kid Kraft comes with a  tabletop that can be flipped over with a LEGO compatible surface serves its purpose well and more - not to mention that it takes up less space than other tables.

With that, Max says “Choo choo!”

- Claire

Tags: Tables, Toys, Trains

I’ve been putting off getting a new diaper bag for much too long. You see, I recently ventured out to a restaurant for dinner with my kids and another family when disaster struck. The kids meals were taking way too long to arrive and there was lots of horrendous behavior ensuing. My designer diaper bag, which was resting innocently on an empty seat, was knocked to the ground and the delicious bottle of pinot tucked safely inside exploded (red wine was treat for surviving meal). Never mind that I was carrying around wine with size 5 diapers or that the digital camera was inside, the bag which I splurged on was a goner. Since that day I’ve been carting around an old LL Bean bag circa 1995. So now that some time has passed and I’ve recovered from the dining experience, I am ready to find a new bag. This time around I’m on a budget and realize that practical is a must. Here’s what I’ve found so far.

1. British Invasion! London’s famous designer, Anya Hindmarch is desinging for Target. She’s the original “I’m Not A Plastic Bag” gal. This PVC plastic bag, with inside and outside pockets, would make a great diaper bag during the day and easily transition for those nights out with the girls. $49.99 is recession proof.

2. Hippie Chic. Another find from the Mossimo line at Target.com. The distressed gray is a hot color this season. Outside pockets are great for bottles and sippy cups. At $29.99 even my husband would approve.

3. Print Envy. If you like bold prints, Toss Designs is your place to find a bag. Totally practical and spacious with multiple pockets, a matching changing pad and the wipe clean material is great for easy clean-up. Love the geometric prints and retro colors like the Medallion, Palermo and Montauk Chevron best. $148 isn’t bad for indestructible (take that red wine!).

Hey, PN readers send us your creative finds for diaper bags. It doesn’t have to be an official diaper bag, just a roomy and resilient bag that’s stylish and easy on the wallet. My husband keeps trying to tell me that in this economy, “If you can’t eat it, you can’t buy it!” Well, one little bag won’t hurt….

Tags: Bags, Gear

Welcome to Fall, October and most importantly Breast Cancer Awareness month. The next time you shop, “Think Pink!” A great number of boutiques and online retailers are donating a portion of their proceeds this month to support the cause. We thought we would highlight a few special items so when buying a little something for the wee one, you too are contributing to the fight!

The Moses Basket - A handy tool for a precious newborn. We think it also makes an impressive shower gift to fill with goodies. Once baby grows, it’s a terrific basket to store stuffed animals and baby dolls.

Project Nursery of course endorses Project Pink. How could we not? Add to your bathroom’s decor with a little pink rub-a-dub-dub in the tub!

Support breast cancer awareness in a surprisingly sweet way with this innovative baking set sold for $14.99 at Target!

Registering for a Jogger? Look to the Schwinn Hope Single Jogging Stroller in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Go beyond decorating your kids ceiling with stars, Stand Up To Cancer and buy a star within our universe’s constellation for $1.

And we can’t forget a little something for Mom! Enjoy Bobbi Brown’s exclusive, limited-edition set featuring Pink Quartz Glitter Lip Gloss and Tulle Lip Color.

Tags: Bassinet, Bath, Gifts, Pink

It’s so fun to know that Project Nursery is being enjoyed by people from around the globe. A reader from Amsterdam recently sent us a really supportive email (so nice, thanks!) and introduced us to a local baby bedding company called Kikebu. Kikebu’s style is simple, fresh and original. Their philosophy is to make life easier for parent and baby through products that are practical, elegant and attractive. They say, “Babies deserve to be loved and surrounded by happiness, that is why we design, produce and select  the best and most attractive products, trying to create a happy, cozy world around them.”

Besides the bright and cheerful crib sets I really like the hooded towels. Its tough to find a great hooded towel that’s not too cutesy or adorned with animal ears. Also check out the changing mats. The cool modern prints are a fun change from the typical ugly black nylon ones that come with most baby bags.

Tags: Bedding, Gear

All this depressing wall street stuff has really got a girl down. Nothing like a little sparkle to lift the mood. My sister’s friend introduced us to this great line of simple and chic jewelry by designer Adina Reyter. There are a ton of pieces to fall in love with in her line and after perusing the collection I realized that many of her necklaces would make great push presents too. One diamond for the first child, two diamonds for the second and so on and so on! I think this theory works very well, wink, wink.

Adina’s pieces can go from day to night and because they are beautifully understated, they complement any personal style. Each of her pieces can be worn separately or can be layered to create a unique and fun look. In addition to the lovely necklaces, I love the large twist hoop earrings. Finding the perfect pair of gold hoop earrings is like choosing a baby name. Lots of choices but only one really works! I mean if Jennifer, Cameron, Debra and Demi are all wearing her stuff then I think I need to join the club too…

Tags: Celebrities, Gifts, Jewelry, Push Presents, Sparkle