• Shop fair trade stores and nonprofits where you’re more likely to find handmade or artisan treasures. These stores are easier to find than you think; many have popped up in recent years as a backlash to the corporate conglomerates. Fair trade stores only sell items in which fair prices are paid to producers in developing countries, while nonprofits donate all or most of their profits to local and global organizations. You’re also more likely to find unique gifts at these stores.

• Shop consigned items. Who doesn’t love a rare find at a local flea market? Well, okay, not everyone, but you are sure to impress that discerning family member with a rare art print, an antique china collection, or piece of mid-century flare (so on trend right now). Consignment shops are everywhere, and you can also find many high quality consigned goods and hand-crafted items at a Women’s Exchange. Check out the Federation of Women’s Exchanges to see if there is one near you or where you are traveling.

• Craft fairs: These seem to be everywhere and every weekend this month. Local artisans gather in an open-space setting (schools auditoriums, libraries, warehouses, fields if the weather allows), to sell their artwork, repurposed furniture, jewelry, and fashions. If you’re lucky, your pop up market may even provide food trucks and some entertainment to keep the mood festive while you shop.

• If you must shop online, find sites that are Certified B corporations like Etsy, that take into account social and environmental concerns along with its business goals, retailers like The Little Market that feature fair trade global handmade goods, or blogs like Emmaline Bride that focus on handmade wedding planning.

So there you have it. That should be enough to get you going. If a busy career or just a busy life makes it impossible for you to leave the house to shop, there are ways to shop mindfully online. Do your research, and remember everyone loves to receive meaningful gifts with unique stories.

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Liz Mathews is a Connecticut based mother, teacher, and freelance writer who blogs on children’s books and related topics at La La La. Her work has appeared in Quality Women’s Fiction, Town and Country magazine, and Literary Mama.

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• Shut your eyes: even for just ten minutes. Wherever you are -sitting upright at the kitchen counter, sitting in the driver’s seat (in park of course) outside of CVS, on your couch while pumping a bottle – close your eyes. Odds are you won’t have time to go upstairs and get under the covers for a two-hour nap. Sleep masks help with this, and white noise, too. I also love the Headspace app that eases you into short daily meditations.
• Take a drive or a stroll (not a walk). Ideally, this drive or walk is alone and you are singing along to your favorite tunes or nodding your head along to a podcast. Meander around your favorite roads, or slowly walk around a neighborhood that makes you feel peaceful. The idea here is not exercise – we’ve all heard that is good for your mental health and stress release; just take a break, albeit short, from the intense daily grind of taking care of a baby.
• See a movie or go check out some art. This may seem obvious, but I did find it extremely rewarding during those early years to transport myself to a different (mental) place by going to see a movie –not too realistic, maybe avoid family dramas, or checking out an art exhibit. These types of excursions feed your soul in a way that make you fill a little more complete when you step back into your every day reality.
• Call a friend. Again, this may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how people change when they have children. I always, always, always felt better after calling a friend – and in many cases crying – about one baby-related issue or another. They’ll provide much-needed support and you’ll be better off having vented whatever you probably had pent up inside.
• Kick everyone out. If you have no budget for babysitting or you’re living in a new place and have not made any friends yet, ask your partner or a family member to take the baby out for a few hours, put on a robe, kick your feet up, and do whatever little thing you miss doing now that someone else’s needs come before your own: paint your nails (hey, maybe even file them), pluck your eyebrows, do a cleansing mask, read a mindless magazine or watch the Housewives. Try to be present and enjoy the sound of a quiet house while you can.

Obviously if you have round-the-clock help, these ideas won’t apply to you, but for the rest of us, it’s important to let go any ideas of perfection or mastery (that’s not good for the baby either). Accept that some days will bring you to your knees, but that every day your baby is getting a tiny bit older, and you are becoming a stronger, more seasoned mom.

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Liz Mathews is a Connecticut based mother, teacher, and freelance writer who blogs on children’s books and related topics at La La La. Her work has appeared in Quality Women’s Fiction, Town and Country magazine, and Literary Mama.

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Below is some information about all of the awesome brands that have taken part in this huge giveaway:

Diaper Pail, 3-in-1 Potty, Diaper Caddy, Wipes Dispenser and Snack Tweat Container from Ubbi
Ubbi is no stranger to the Project Nursery community. They are best known for their bold and colorful diaper pails and for always hitting the mark on design. This year they did not disappoint. They released another trendsetting design with the launch of their brand new black and white diaper pail. Our hearts skip a beat for everything black and white. Leave it to Ubbi to make the dirty part of parenthood look trendy (a $100 value).

Ultra Breathable 2-Stage Organic Crib Mattress from Naturepedic
Picking out a crib mattress is such an important decision when curating your nursery. You want something that is not only comfortable for baby but also something that is safe. This year Naturepedic has you covered with their Ultra Breathable 2-Stage Organic Crib Mattress. Naturepedic has designed a waterproof mattress that has a firm, flat surface and is incredibly breathable to maximize airflow, allowing your little one to stay comfortable all night long. The best part is that this is all without flame retardants or chemicals like vinyl, PVC, PFCs, phthalates or formaldehyde. Now you can put your little to bed on a mattress that is certified GOTS organic and GREENGUARD® Gold rated for chemical emissions testing. Give yourself peace of mind knowing your baby will be cool and comfortable when you lay him down to sleep (a $399 value).

Healing Balm, Diaper Balm, Mommy Balm, Belly Oil, Baby Body Wash, Baby Lotion and Baby Powder from Era Organics
Start your kids off the right way with non-toxic, chemical-free skin treatment. Era Organics’ nutrient-rich products are made for sensitive skin and have hypoallergenic formulas, which include USDA Certified Organic Chamomile, Beeswax, Olive Oil, Hemp Oil, Cocoa Butter, Coconut Oil, Calendula, Raw Honey, Avocado Oil and a whole host of herbs and extracts. The products are paraben free, alcohol free, fragrance free and contain no toxins, phthalates, petrolatum or mineral oil. Era Organics’ organic products will have your baby smiling in happy, healthy skin in no time (a $120.33 value).
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(1) Robe from Doie Lounge
Every mom desires a little luxury in her life, especially a new mom! Doie Lounge, a line of eco-chic robes for women, can offer moms the perfect amount of posh, both in the hospital and at home. We especially love the new prints they have added to their ever-so-stylish collection this year. The robe is created from all natural fabrics, making it the perfect place for baby to snuggle up. The best part? The robe’s stylish look helps even an unrested mom feel comfortable and trendy (a $136 value).

Gelato 4-in-1 Convertible Crib and Tuba Extra Wide Glider from Babyletto
We are always excited to see what Babyletto is up to! Each year they hit the ball out of the park with their trendsetting designs. This year they added the Gelato 4-in-1 Convertible Crib to the MDB collection. This stunning 4-in-1 crib is sure to be a playful addition to any nursery design and will grow with your child. They also introduced a new glider to the family in 2016. Cuddle up and stay a while in the comfort of the Tuba Extra Wide Glider. This lovably large chair-and-a-half is perfectly sized for feedings, story time or just snuggling with your mini me. The Tuba Glider swivels a full 360 degrees, comes in either Seafoam or Winter Grey Weave, and can be paired with a matching gliding ottoman, sold separately (a $828 value).

$100 Shopping Spree from Pretty and Printable
We are always on the hunt for new nursery decor! We’ve recently discovered Pretty and Printable, and they have made our hearts swoon! This year they have launched an adorable new collection of soft and furry baby wall prints—Mr. Fox, Miss Bunny, Little Duckling, Cool Raccoon, Dearest Deer and Mini Hedgehog. Pretty and Printable gives parents the ability to mix and match designs to help you create the perfect fit for your nursery. Our favorite part? You can even print the art at home (a $100 value).

$150 Shopping Spree from SweetNSwag
We love it when 2016 fashion peeks through into the baby world. The innovative mama behind SweetNSwag is always coming out with new designs and on-trend fashions—2016 has been no different! The stylish footwear from SweetNSwag will turn your mini me into a fashionista. Designed by a fellow mom, these moccasins, boots and accessories will be sure to keep your little one comfortable and in style when she’s on-the-go. From solids to metallics to fun patterns, these shoes are designed to look great while keeping little feet moving (a $150 value).

(1) Designer Diaper Bag from Lily Jade
Lily Jade fans spoke and their designers listened. After two years of researching what moms want, Lily Jade delivered a new line of bags to fit the needs of moms. Some of the fabulous upgrades include wider pockets and every full size diaper bag can now be worn as a backpack. Our favorite new feature? The new Jade lining—it is beyond stunning (up to a $330 value).

Explore Air 2 from Cricut
We were wowed when we were first introduced to the Cricut, but in 2016, Cricut stepped up their crafting game. The new machine cuts over 100 different materials up to 2x faster. All we have to say is, AMAZING! From baby shower invites to wall decor projects, the Cricut Explore Air 2 is going to be your go-to tool for creating everything for baby and beyond (a $249.99 value).

$100 Shopping Spree from Giggle Six Baby
When searching for baby bedding, look no further than Giggle Six Baby. Always keeping with the latest trends in nursery decor with her wide array of fabrics, 2016 was no different for Giggle Six Baby, and their bedding can be created to fit everyone’s style. From custom crib bedding to pre-designed sets, there are a multitude of ways you can create the perfect bedding for your little one. This gorgeous crib bedding is handmade in North America from the most amazing prints and colors ($100 value, must be used within 6 months of the contest).

High-Definition Baby Monitor System with 1.5″ Mini Monitor from Project Nursery
The Project Nursery Baby Monitor has arrived! To kick off 2016, Project Nursery launched its very first electronics product line. This monitor gives parents all the key functionalities they need while also offering sophisticated style, complete with preloaded lullaby renditions from Rockabye Baby. This monitor system also introduces the world’s first mini monitor. Whether you are trying to catch some zzz’s yourself or making a mad dash to complete a few tasks while baby sleeps, this monitor is the mother of all monitors (a $299.99 value).

Mix and Match Caterpillar from Lamaze
Lamaze always hold a special place in our hearts. Every year we are excited to see the new toys they add to their collection, and the newest members for 2016 did not disappoint. The Mix and Match Caterpillar is not only adorable but a great tool to help your little one develop her early learning skills. Baby can pull him apart and put him back together or play the matching game with mom and dad. Also, if you give him a good squeeze, baby will discover he squeaks and chimes (a $19.99 value).

Knit Bundleme from JJ Cole
For over 15 years, the Bundleme has been a top registry essential to help prepare parents for baby’s first winter. This fall, JJ Cole debuts a new cable knit sweater pattern that adds smart style to parents’ travel ensembles and is perfect for chilly outdoor adventures with baby. Plus, it comes with an adorable matching hat to keep baby toasty warm (a $89.95 value).

All About Baby Chalkboard from Pearhead
Team Project Nursery has been fans of Pearhead for years, but in 2016 they raised the bar. The All About Baby Chalkboard gives you the the ability to track your baby’s monthly milestones with style. The fun and customizable chalkboard is the perfect way to announce and record baby’s likes, dislikes and new discoveries. Then share your monthly updates on social media or via email to help keep family and friends up to date with your baby’s milestones (a $24.99 value).

Thermo Thermometer from Withings
There is no better word to describe the new Thermo Thermometer than genius. This new state-of-the-art thermometer allows you to take your child’s temperature by simply hovering Withings’ Thermo over baby’s forehead. This allows you to take your little one’s temp even while he is asleep—AMAZING! You also have the ability to track baby’s temperature via the accompanying Thermo app (a $99.95 value).

Din Din SMART™ Stainless Mealtime Set, Solo Food Warmer and Portable Mega Food Warmer from Innobaby
Innobaby is changing the way feeding is done. Their signature Din Din SMART™ collection creates a fun mealtime experience for toddlers. Not only are their designs fun and innovative, but they are designed to help instill healthy eating habits for kids. The plates are divided into five compartments, one for each food group. Change up dinner in your home for 2016 (a $115 value)!
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WIN IT! One VERY lucky Project Nursery reader will win ALL the items featured in our 16 of 2016 Giveaway (over a $2,900 value). This giveaway is open to US residents only. Enter here.

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{Alexandra and her Bridesmaids}

Boston newlywed Alexandra Sullivan started The Hitch List in 2015, while planning her destination wedding in Colorado. Since she didn’t know anyone who had gotten married in the Rockies, she felt overwhelmed while searching for vendors and wished there was a place to get real brides’ real feedback.

Thus, she created The Hitch List, one of the first wedding websites to truly prioritize reviews from newlyweds. The site now has hundreds of reviews from brides and grooms all over the country, neatly categorized by Style, Venue, Honeymoon, Music, Flowers, Food & Drink, Bachelor/ette Parties, and Everything Else (covering topics like invitations, wedding planners, décor and lighting).

With its clean and beautiful aesthetic, couples can easily navigate through The Hitch List, and the potentially daunting wedding planning process, as well as post and read reviews, submit photos of their wedding, and discover leading wedding industry businesses and experts.

{Nihiwatu– Honeymoon Destination}

Currently, there are reviews that clue readers into honeymooning in Cambodia, Africa and New Zealand, getting the best massage on the planet, avoiding hotel mark-ups, saving money on wedding alterations, as well as on a band that didn’t bring it, a florist who gave a bride a good dose of anxiety when she went off the grid on the day of the wedding, and a venue that went above and beyond for a couple.

“When I was wedding planning I could not believe how incredibly generous newlyweds were in sharing the information, expertise, and tips they learned while planning their own wedding so The Hitch List is all about making it easy to find honest feedback and helpful tips online. There is an expertise that newlyweds have about each and every one of their vendors that is so invaluable for those following their steps down the aisle,” said owner Alexandra.

The Hitch List also gives focus to beautiful, real brides and interesting indie wedding businesses through its blog, Musings.

To connect with The Hitch List, submit a review or be considered for its Bride/Babe series, visit www.the-hitch-list.com, email [email protected] and follow it on social media: Instagram: @Hitch_List, Facebook: The Hitch List

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Brain Dump

It’s impossible to relax when you have 100s of thoughts racing through your head. How can you really unwind when your brain is on repeat with thoughts like, “don’t forget to pick up dog food, write Aunt Kelly a Thank You note, check in with mom, get a dress for Meg’s wedding….” Enter the “brain dump,” a quick and easy way to get those thoughts out of your head, without letting anything fall through the cracks.

A brain dump is an idea that I first heard of in David Allen’s book Getting Things Done. There are several different ways to do a “brain dump,” some more intricate and detailed than others, but I prefer the simple method below:

1. Grab a pen and paper. If you are really in a bind, you can use your mobile phone’s “notes” section, but good old-fashioned pen and paper works best.
2. Sit down and “dump” everything out of your brain and onto the paper. Write down every little thought, worry, and “to-do” task and I mean every, little, thing. Once it’s all out of your head and onto the paper, you should feel a huge sense of relief and relaxation. Yes, you might be a little stressed when you see how much you have to do, but once it is all in once place it’s easier to tackle, and you don’t waste energy having thoughts swimming around and around in your brain.

Mindless mantra

We’ve all heard that mediation can help one relax, but most people feel that they don’t have the time to incorporate meditation into their lives. After much research, I decided to enroll in a Vedic Meditation class. It’s basically meditation for “busy people,” (aka everyone). I loved the class, but I’d be lying if I said that I actively “practiced” meditation. The requirements are just 10-20 minutes, twice a day, but sometimes even that seems like too much time. However, I learned something invaluable in this class that has actually changed my life.

Full disclosure, I used to have a very hard time relaxing and falling asleep. I would even occationally pop a sleep aid to help me sleep. When you take a Vedic meditation course, the teacher whispers your mantra to you and you repeat it back to the teacher, in private, but you never tell anyone what it is. It’s a word that has no specific meaning (but it is said to have different vibrational qualities) and we were instructed to repeat it in our head while we meditated. Mantras provide a point of focus. By having this word to center our attention on, we are able to slow, or stop, the endless internal chatter that is going on in our minds. It should at some point become effortless. When you meditate, you are supposed to sit upright so that you don’t fall asleep, but when I noticed that I couldn’t relax right before bed, I started focusing on my mantra while laying down with my eyes shut. Low and behold, once I start to repeat my mantra, I am relaxed and asleep within minutes! For someone who has had sleeping problems for years, it feels like magic.

I would suggest taking a Vedic meditation class, but if you don’t have the funds or time, this is a quick way to find a mantra here that will work for you.

Essential Oils

You may have heard a lot about essential oils and how they can boost immunity, promote a restful night’s sleep, ease bellyaches, and more. To find out which oils would best help with relaxation, I consulted Yael Marmar of the Essential Collective, who said: “to relax, it could be as simple as dropping some lavender oil (therapeutic grade) between you hands, rubbing them together and cupping them to your nose to inhale deeply.” If you would like to take this relaxation “on the go,” Yael suggests making a relaxing blend mixed with a carrier oil like organic cold-pressed fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil and putting it in a glass roller bottle to keep in your purse. Other ways in which to use these oils is by adding them to Epsom salts, for baths, or diffusing them in your house.

Some of Yael’s favorite oils and blends for relaxing are: Lavender, Frankincense, StressAway™, White Angelica™, Valor™, Peace and Calming™.

Sounds like with all of this relaxing, you’re going to need a new robe! Shop now with the code: RELAX for 20% off

The post Three Surefire Ways To Relax appeared first on Doie Lounge.

{ Photo: Valorie Darling Photography, Bouquet: Soulflower SF }

Throwing a wedding can be a very costly affair, and it’s all for one night only. Think about it (I’m sure you have), you won’t wear the dress again, the hair, make-up, venue decorations, flowers… everything is gone the next day. However, Air Plants last for years and are really easy to take care of. Despite their name, Air Plants still need water, but in the form of infrequent dunks every few weeks.

{ Photo Valorie Darling Photography }

Our florist gathered up all of our Air Plants, after the reception was over, and we took them home the next morning. They are now displayed (a bit excessively) all over our house. They also make great party favors, you can tell your friends and family to take them as they leave. It’s a tangible part of your wedding that will literally live on after the big event.

From the bouquet to the place cards, Air Plants can be incorporated into almost any part of the wedding design. Below is some inspiration for anyone looking for ideas of how to use Air Plants on their big day.

{ Photo: Koman Photography }

Even the groom and groomsmen can use Air Plants for their wedding look. They work well with any color suit and can blend seamlessly with other flowers or greenery.

{ Photo: Monika Gauthier }

The decor options, with air plants, are almost endless. Below are a few stand outs.

{ Photo: Blue Rose Photography }

{ Photo via Pinterest }

{ Photo via Asile Planner }

{ Photo: Yvette Roman Photography }

Hopefully this post will inspire you to find a way to add some Air Plants to your wedding.

xx

Sara

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Setting up a registry is a very fun part of the wedding planning process, but it can become frenzied with everything else going on. Below are some tips on how to streamline the process and receive items that you will really use.

{ Photo Via Heath Ceramics }

All You Need Is Less

My husband and I had somehow made it through our lives without either of us owning a full set of plates, glasses, or pots and pans that matched. When we got engaged, and took stock of what we owned, we both felt that having these essentials was important for our lives together, moving forward. After that, everything else was just extra. Did we really need another garlic press or a special potato-smashing tool? Not really, and that is when we decided to add a charity to our registry.

After the engagement, everything is all about you—it’s great at first, but after awhile I started to feel extremely self-centered. Everyone asked how the wedding planning was going, out of true interest or just politeness, but I was starting to feel like I had nothing else to offer other than the update on our flowers, or my dress… That’s another reason why adding a charity felt so good. It was the one thing about the wedding that wasn’t about us, we were actually using this time when people were focused on what we wanted, to help people who really needed it. Friends and family wanted to give because we wanted them to. It’s like being able to use your “celebrity status” (albeit short lived), for something good.

{ Photo from our Honeymoon at Song Saa }

Experiences

Let’s get real here—would you rather have some money towards a kick-ass honeymoon, or a mortar and pestle just because William Sonoma has it and you might one day want to grind your own spices? It’s now considered mainstream to register for aspects of your honeymoon or even experiences in your hometown, such as a cooking class or photography lesson that you will take together.

As cheesy as it sounds, experiences create memories and also help to strengthen the bond between yourself and your new spouse. Learning or experiencing something together can go a really long way. There are several registries out there that make it easy to add experiences to your gift list (a few are listed below).

{ Photo via REI }

What you really, really want

Think about what you really want. I know that this sounds obvious, but most couples get caught up in what they should register for, like china or a large kitchen mixer. While I do love to bake, I would say it is very infrequent, and while those kitchen mixers look pretty legit, they take up a lot of valuable counter space. For those baking a few times a year, a small (easily storable) hand mixer will do.

Registries like Blueprint and Zola let you register for basically anything on the web and compile them all in one place. They are like the Pinterest of registries. Your camping friends might buy you that tent you’ve been eyeing, while your crafty friends can see which Etsy finds you want.

{ Photo via Heath Ceramics }

“Naked” Gifts

No… not that kind, I’m talking about no wrapping paper! Yes, it takes a little bit of the fun out of it, but “spoiler alert,” you already know what is on your list. Not only is there a nauseating amount of packaging for each gift, which is horrible for the environment, but you then find yourself living with a constant pile of boxes and paper.

Most registries have an option to have your gifts arrive without wrapping paper. Some of your more traditional or formal guests may still insist on sending something gift-wrapped, but we found that most of our friends complied with our wishes to have our gifts come “undressed.”

Just remember, the wedding registry process should be fun, but if it all becomes too overwhelming for you, you can always go the “your presence is our present,” route.

xx

Sara

The post Wedding Registry Tips appeared first on Doie Lounge.

Below is a little pastel pretty inspiration from some real bridal parties. Enjoy!

{ Photo: Andre Maier Photography }

{ Valorie Darling Photography }

{ Photo: Keepsake Photography }

{ Jeff Tisman Photography }

{ BLF Studios }

The post Style Me Pretty Giveaway appeared first on Doie Lounge.

{ Photo: Valorie Darling }

Ok, I am well aware of the fact that this blog has been neglected for a few months, but I have a good excuse… I got married! Between work and wedding planning, the blog sadly got put on the back burner.

Although I work with brides every day, I didn’t truly understand how intense the wedding planning process was, until I went though it myself. I do have to say that it was all worth it. We loved how everything turned out even though there were plenty of bumps along the way… but I will save those details for another post.

Above is one of our favorite photos from our Northern California Wedding, taken by our super talented photographer, Valorie Darling. Full feature with vendor details coming soon…

xx

Sara

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