Raspberry Banana Smoothies

1 10 oz bag frozen raspberries
1 banana
1 cup vanilla lowfat yogurt
1/3 cup orange juice

Puree in blender until smooth. Add more orange juice if needed to make the smoothie thin enough to be sipable through a straw. Serve out of vintage milk bottles for party flair!

At tonight’s Twitter Party, we’ll be chatting live and sharing ideas on the baby’s nursery and how families connect with their little ones. Throughout the hour, 8 lucky party goers will win $50 Amex gift cards from NoJo.

When: Tuesday February 7, 2012 5pm-6pm PST/8pm-9pm EST

RSVP: Submit your RSVP starting now until the start of the party. Details below.

1. RSVP by commenting below with your Twitter name. (If you commented on our post from last week, we got you there so you are all set!) This makes you eligible for prizes at the party.

2. Follow @ProjectNursery and @NojoBedding on Twitter. If you don’t have a Twitter account, sign up—it’s free!

3. Tweet the following anytime on Tuesday 2/7: Planning for baby? Twitter Party tonight 5pm PST hosted by @ProjectNursery. Cash prizes from @NojoBedding #ShareTheLove

4. Join the #ShareTheLove party on Twitter Tuesday, February 7th, 5pm-6pm PST/ 8pm-9pm EST.

See you there! xo,

Melisa, Pam & Kristin

A little background on how the table design aspect of the event worked. Each party designer was given a $250 credit towards Pottery Barn Kids product along with a safari themed printable party set designed by Paper & Cake – the rest was left to their extraordinary party designing abilities. There were no real limits and it was so cool to see how each designer handpicked different pbk items to work in with their own creations, each whipping up gorgeous decor for the special moms-to-be to enjoy. You can see by the pictures how much fun it was to see these tables take shape. I don’t think I can choose a favorite. Can you?

Table design by A Blissful Nest

Table design by A to Z Celebrations

Table design by Cupcakes and Cutlery

Table design by Maddycakes Muse

Table design by Paper & Cake

Table design by Shawna Brockmeier Styled Events

Table design by Soiree Event Design

Table design by The TomKat Studio

Table design by Thoughtfully Simple

Table design by YourBash!

Photo provided by Hostess with the Mostess.

Table design by Hostess with the Mostess.

And of course no party would be complete without a dessert table. The very talented Marie from Sweets Indeed designed this gorgeous table.

And the showstopping cake from Hey There Cupcake served as the perfect centerpiece.

Again, a very special thank you to all the fabulous party designers for making this an event to remember!

Even though we have had a mild winter, my skin is still so dry and irritated. And when you’re pregnant, as your skin stretches, it makes it feel ten times worse. This winter, I could not live without VaniCream ($11.99). This product was recommended to us when our son was a baby to help with is eczema. It was the only product that was a cure to his irritated skin, and we have used it ever since. It’s is made of a dermatologic formula that is free of common chemical irritants. It’s as thick as can be without being greasy, and you can use it on your entire body and even your face.

Every woman needs a Coobie Bra. Ever since I purchased this a year ago, I haven’t wanted to wear any of my other bras. It has the comfort of a sports bra, with the feminine details and support of a normal bra. It has a seamless design (no hooks or clasps), with removable cups and adjustable straps. It looks just as great under a t-shirt as it does under a blouse. The straps detach in the front, so I think it will also be perfect to wear while breastfeeding.

I wish I could go all day long without needing an energy boost. But, let’s be honest, being a parent is tiring! Instead of caffeine, I go the more natural route with Vitamin C packs by Emergen-C. I like that they give you a little pick-me-up, and you won’t have the crash that you get with sugar or caffeine.

I have to say a big thank you to Laura Mercier for inventing the miracle product Secret Concealer ($22). This product is a dream. It is the only under-eye concealer I have tried that is moisturizing and won’t show fine lines or wrinkles. I also like that it doesn’t give you that “reverse raccoon eye” look in photos that some under-eye concealers can. For all of you moms who may be sleep deprived or just plain tired, this product is worth every single penny.

If I could bring only one item to a deserted island, it would probably be lip balm. I find chapped lips to be extremely annoying, especially this time of year. I am addicted to Eos lip balms ($3.50). The packaging is irresistible, but the product is just as great. I like that you don’t have to “twist” to get it on, and the shape of it makes for easy application. This is also fantastic for kids to use because it’s not messy, and it’s easy for them to apply as well.

What are your favorite “must have” products?

Owen’s Room by Elizabeth

Click Here to View More Photos and Details

Want to be one of next week’s picks for Project of the Week? Upload your project to our gallery, and on Friday, the Project Nursery team will select the top three projects. Then it’s up to you all to let us know which room or party you “like” best.

The ladies behind Big City Moms, Risa Goldberg and Leslie Venokur are well-known in this industry for throwing the absolute biggest and best baby shower events in New York City. Lucky for expecting moms, they are taking their show on the road and will be heading to a few key locations this year. Best of all, Project Nursery gets to be a part of it. We’re thrilled to be teaming up with BCM to be bringing our design experts and nursery know-how to their events in 2012!

Big City Moms is kicking off their first shower of the year in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 28th at The Skirball Center from 6:30-9:30pm. My Co-Founding partner Pam Ginocchio and I will be along side one of our favorite people, Andrika King of Andrika King Design to answer your burning nursery design questions. Our talented friends and Petit Nest Founders Lonni Paul and Tiffani Thiessien will be partnering with us once again to share another stunning nursery set. And lastly, Project Nursery wouldn’t be complete without showcasing a sweets display for your next baby shower or birthday party from Rebekah Dempsey, Creative Director and Party Stylist of A Blissful Nest. We have lots of good things in store and will be blogging more about our partners in the coming weeks.

Exciting guest speakers at the event include:  Actress Jessica Alba and Christopher Gavigan, founders of The Honest Company, Dr. Alan Greene, pediatrician and father of four, Actress Ali Landry of Spokesmoms.com, “The Guncles” – Scout Masterson and Bill Horn, author and media personality Samantha Ettus, Wendy Haldeman of The Pump Station, Rachel Sarnoff of Healthy Child, Healthy World and Katie Vaughan of Westside Nannies.

Tickets are already sold out for Los Angeles and there is a wait list. But never fear, we have TWO golden tickets to for one wonderful Project Nursery fan. We’ll tell you how to enter below. And oh yes, every attendee walks away with some serious baby swag.

For those living in the Miami area, you can plan to meet us on Monday, April 2, 2012 at The Treetop Ballroom at Jungle Island from 6:00-9:30pm. Tickets and more information are available here. We suggest you act fast as tickets will sell out!

And lastly, for all those in the NYC tristate area, reserve Wednesday, May 9, 2012 on your calendar. We look forward to sharing more fun shower details soon.

WIN IT! One lucky Project Nursery reader will win (2) Standard Pass Tickets to Big City Moms, “The Biggest Baby Shower Ever” event in Los Angeles on February 28th (a $120 value).

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, visit Big City Moms and tell us which Sponsors you would like to meet in person at the show by commenting below. Contest ends Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:59pm PST.

EXTRA ENTRIES
1. “Like” Project Nursery and Big City Moms on Facebook, give us a shout out on our walls and tell us you did with a comment below.

2. Follow Project Nursery and Big City Moms on Twitter, tweet about it and tell us you did with a comment below.

3. Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter or let us know you are already a subscriber with a comment below.

{Remember to use an individual comment to note what you did
for each extra entry (4 comment maximum)}

We have one corner of the room that is dedicated to homework and crafts. My boys have bunk beds, which maximize floor space and create an open feeling. Using any vertical space can create this type of feeling—take advantage of all vertical spaces a room can provide to stack books, toys and games.

Closets can function as many things: storage for clothes and toys or even a work space—I know a few parents living in NYC that have turned a walk-in closet into a nursery.

If you have two single beds in a room, consider using folding screens or a curtain to create separate areas and a sense of privacy. And lastly, storage baskets and bins help keep a shared room looking clutter free.

Do you have any space-saving tips to share? I’d love to hear from you.

Owen’s Room by Elizabeth
Click Here to View More Photos and Details

Heart Crusher Valentine’s Party by Party LikePaula
Click Here to View More Photos and Details

Madelyn’s Nursery by Elizabeth
Click Here to View More Photos and Details

Aqua, Pink and Green Whimsical Nursery by strawberrysh
Click Here to View More Photos and Details

Which one do you “like”? Click the “like” button at the top of the gallery page of your favorite project to make your selection. We will reveal the fan favorite on Monday after 12pm PST/3pm EST!

The first item I ordered for myself was their brag book. It’s the perfect memento to place on my desk or to carry around in my bag to show off photos of my daughter. The book is durable, so it can survive living in my purse. The price point also makes it a great gift option for grandparents and extended family.

I also fell in love with their photo notepad and had to order one with the tagline “From the Desk of Kristin.” There are so many ways to customize the pad—you can choose an icon for the cover, customize your text and select a photo for the inside. The pink heart notepad would be a fabulous valentine’s gift (hint, hint to all the husbands out there).

Pinhole Press’s silver plated frame also makes the perfect “classic gift.” I adore this frame, and the quality is something I expect to see at my mom’s house on the “do not touch shelf.”

WIN IT! One lucky Project Nursery reader will win a $100 gift certificate towards a purchase of their choice at Pinhole Press.

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, visit Pinhole Press and let us know which product(s) you love with a comment below. Contest ends Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:59pm PST.

EXTRA ENTRIES
1. “Like” Project Nursery and Pinhole Press on Facebook, give us a shout out on our wall and tell us you did with a comment below.

2. Follow Project Nursery and Pinhole Press on Twitter, tweet about it and tell us you did with a comment below.

3. Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter or let us know you are already a subscriber with a comment below.

{Remember to use an individual comment to note what you did
for each extra entry (4 comment maximum)}

This is a sponsored post. Thanks for your support
in our effort to bring you exciting giveaways.

The bedding set in the photo below looks like it could be from Anthropologie and obviously sets the tone for this eclectic room with the pattern play of the duvet.

This sweet room, which is actually less eclectic and more preppy, successfully incorporates suzani pillows into the bed for a hip feminine flair.

Annette Tatum has recently come out with a fabulous suzani-inspired set of bedding with her Medallion bedding set shown below. It comes in blue, orange and purple color waves.

And for the baby, the Dakota Blue crib set below is one of my favorite new suzani-inspired sets from New Arrivals Inc. They actually have four sets featuring the eclectic design pattern.

For more suzani-inspired decor ideas for your kids, visit my latest idea book on Houzz. Do you like suzani for kids?

Customized from top-to-bottom, we had the pleasure of working with this little cowboy’s parents-to-be to create a perfect space for their new arrival.

One of our favorite parts of this project was having the opportunity to use this beautiful wood paneling behind the gorgeous Chelsea Espresso crib by Bratt Decor. After seeing how beautifully it installed into the room, we’re definitely going to be itching for another opportunity to panel a nursery design project.

Perhaps one of the most inspirational moments of the design process was the moment we first saw this spectacular child’s size saddle, which was used by the mom-to-be during her childhood. After brainstorming several ideas, we settled on the idea of turning it into a one-of-a-kind ottoman.

Another favorite element of ours, is the subtle mural by the talented Bryant Artwork, with whom we’ve worked on several projects, including our celebrity nursery design for Spice Girl Mel B.

Gorgeous photography by Full Spectrum Photography