The "Trendy" Diaper Bag!

My sister and I were talking about purses one day, and she told me she likes purses that are large in size because when she's out and about with her little daughter, her own purse doubles as a diaper bag. This way, she says, she only carries one bag and she can still be trendy and stylish! I thought it was a great idea to simplify a mom's life and at the same time, satisfy the fashionista in her!

So, when you go shopping for that double-duty bag, keep in mind -- function and your every day style! Multiple compartments are great for separating your own stuff from your little one's. It helps to keep your bag organized, besides you don't wanna be pulling out a diaper instead of your wallet when you're at the checkout line, right? Also, the size of the bag will depend on how much stuff you really need to take with you when you go out. The upside to downsizing to a single bag is that it limits you to packing only the stuff that you really need to bring. Better planner, better traveller.

Yep, trendy mamas, the next time you go out with your little one, wear your cute outfit and accessorize with your functional designer bag, or should I say your "trendy diaper bag", and enjoy that feeling of knowing you have everything you both need in one bag and at the same time, being able to express your style!

If Your Theme is "Green"!

If you're throwing a baby shower for expecting parents with an eco-friendly lifestyle, an "earth-friendly" shower might not be a bad idea. Here's how I would do it:

1. Invitations: Go paperless and use online invitations. You'd even get R.S.V.P.'s quicker than a regular invite.

2. Party Favors/Game Prizes: It may be tempting to buy those cute favors from party stores but let's face it, most of them just end up being tossed away. Be practical, and give something that guests can actually use, like a theme-coordinating towel cake, or little decorative plant pots.

3. Decorations: Instead of a store-bought garland, make your own by using a clothesline pinned with colorful infant socks or bibs that the new parents can actually use for the baby. Create an edible centerpiece, like fruits that color-coordinate with your theme.

4. Tableware: Reduce waste by not using disposable paper products and instead, opt for dinnerware and drinking glasses.

5. Gifts: Avoid using wrapping papers for the gifts, suggest to your guests to be creative and use colorful baby blankets instead. Now, depending on how the new parents-to-be feel about it, it may be okay to propose giving hand-me-downs as a present, but if not, opt for organic clothing for the baby.

By considering the lifestyle and personal choices of new parents-to-be, you create a baby shower that makes it even more special.

Make "Her" Feel Special, Too!

Let me ask you... if you're invited to a baby shower, what's the first thing that comes to your mind? Presents for the baby, right? And that is perfectly fine if you're a guest, but if you're hosting the baby shower, it would be nice to prepare a little surprise present for the mom-to-be, too.

Why? Just think about it. For a mom-to-be, as soon as she finds out she's pregnant, everything she does from that moment on is all for the growing baby inside her. For nine months, she thinks less of herself because whatever she does affects the baby. So it is just as important to pamper her too with a special gift on the day of her baby shower.

Some gift ideas for a mom-to-be are:

1. A towel cake with spa products
2. A subscription gift to a "non-parenting" magazine that she likes
3. A subscription gift to an online DVD rental
4. A gift certificate to a hair or nail salon
5. A gift certificate to a day spa for a massage
6. A gift certificate to her favorite restaurant
7. A gift card to her favorite apparel store; no more maternity clothes

No doubt that your mom-to-be friend will love all the baby presents she will receive during the shower, but when you take it a step further and surprise her with an extra gift that's just meant for her to enjoy, believe me, you'll be glad you did!

Baby Shower for a Third Child... Is It Necessary?

Here's the situation: You know someone who's having a third baby, and you're thinking, "Do we need to throw her a baby shower?" In my opinion, she deserves one, but it's definitely a judgement call whether she needs a full baby shower or not. If she's had two boys and this is the first time she's having a girl or vice versa, then I believe a full baby shower is the way to go. Same goes if there's a huge age gap between the second child and the third child, because chances are the parents-to-be will need new baby items, like car seat, stroller, etc. not just because they probably didn't save their second child's old ones, but for safety issues as well. For situations other than this, I think it's okay to have a more casual baby shower, but still it's important to celebrate with the third-time parents-to-be the joy of having a new addition to their family!

So... How Would You Do It???

I recently talked about adding your own personal touch to your baby shower gift, so I thought that it would be very interesting to find out... if you were to decorate your own diaper cake whether it's for someone else or for yourself, what would you put in it? I've set up a POLL on the right-hand side of my webpage, so let me know what you think, and I'm excited to see which baby items top the list! Ready... set... VOTE!

Surprise!!!

Most first baby showers are kept secret from the mom-to-be, because it sure adds that element of excitement to both her and her guests.

I remember I was given a surprise baby shower myself about 2 months before my due date, and I really had no idea because we thought we were attending my husband's aunt's birthday. So, we came with a present for her and all, and as we entered her house, I was surprised to find out that the party was actually for me! And at that time, with the emotional rollercoaster that I was going through being pregnant and all, it felt like such a treat that not only was there a party for me, but realizing that the people involved in organizing my shower were planning and coordinating the whole time without me even knowing it just made the shower even more special.

I've hosted surprise baby showers too, and being on the other side, there's also that joy and fulfillment that you feel when you see the surprise on the face of the mom-to-be when she enters the room and finds out that she's about to have a baby shower! The thought of finding out about something unexpected can really make the day of someone who's expecting! So, mum's the word!

How To Make Your Own Balloon Weights!

Balloon centerpieces are a great way to create a festive mood at your baby shower or welcome baby party, but balloon weights can cost $1.49 or more depending on the style you want, and you would think, what would you do with those balloon weights after the event anyway? I have a simple, inexpensive and practical solution -- make your own! What you will need are: (1) a roll of printed cello wrap, (2) blue or pink tissue wrap, (3) curling ribbon, (4) fold top sandwich bags, (4) uncooked rice. First, put some uncooked rice in your fold top sandwich bag so that the weight is enough to hold down a balloon. Twist-tie your sandwich bag. Then, cut about 15"x15" squares out of your tissue wrap and do the same with your printed cello wrap. Lay out 1 square tissue wrap on your table and then put the rice-filled sandwich bag in the middle of your square and lift the 4 corners of your tissue to wrap it. Then put your tissue-wrapped bag in the middle of 1 square printed cello and do the final wrap with curling ribbons. Repeat the same instruction if you need to make more balloon weights. You can use this balloon weight idea for any party, and the best part is you have better use for your balloon weight after the party -- you can cook the rice!