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Walk Like the Animals...

I was reminded of the children's song "If We Could Walk Like the Animals" over the weekend...

If we could talk to the animals, learn their languages
Maybe take an animal degree.
We'd study elephant and eagle, buffalo and beagle,
Alligator, guinea pig, and flea.

See all of the lyrics at Lyrics On Demand and take a look at these cool handmade stuffed animals!

Maidenlove's elephants (above and below) are crafted from vintage fabrics and stuffed with 100% pure wool. Maidenlove also donates 1% of all profits from each elephant sold to The Elephant Sanctuary. The Limited Edition Red Flannel and Limited Edition Vintage Sunshine Elephants (both $28) would put a smile on your sprout!


Babybomb carries handmade push toys and rattles that have a retro vibe. Descriptions courtesy of Babybomb.

Henry collects gumballs and hot wheels and when nobody's looking, he loves dancing to his sisters Hannah Montana cd (although he will NEVER admit to it).

Moby the Whale and Truman the Owl are just waiting to find a home. They are super cuddly and great with kids, especially babies. They don't even mind being chewed on or shaken!

Mid-Winter Sale at Mountain Aven Baby!

Dresses, such as this cute Morning Glory Lotus Jumper, are 25% off this week at Mountain Aven Baby! Check back soon to see more Mountain Aven Baby designs!

Nursery of the Week - Orange & Red "Hot"!

While we have previously featured nurseries with square graphics on the walls, this nursery is noteworthy for the interesting use of warm colors and design. This mama used the bedding for color inspiration, purchased at Kool Rooms. After matching paint colors at Lowe's, this mama taped off the wall squares and painted away! A great option if you can't find wall art you love.

Notice the circles on the ceiling - these are made with plywood! We love this idea for an alternative to a mobile!

In addition to the walls, what drew us to the room was the crib and changing table - we were surprised to hear that they were both from Walmart! The orange "puff rocker" is from Chicago Textile - this mama loved it for its bright orange color and comfortable cushions.

This mama also recommends storage solutions from The Land of Nod to blend with the clean, mod style!

Spring Has Sprung at Janie & Jack!

I have some sort of addiction to Janie and Jack. Maybe it's due to the fantastic sales, or to the fact that I wish most of the clothing came in my size? Regardless, there are some must have pieces for your sprout's wardrobe in the spring line!

Your sprout will be the center of attention at spring weddings in this Khaki Twill Blazer ($98) (matching Khaki Twill Trousers ($48)). Janie and Jack offers a variety of ties, but we love this Plaid Silk Tie ($18)! Mamas should note that the blazers seem to run a little large.

This Silk Taffeta Dress ($148) is perfect for attending a wedding or being the flower girl! Reminiscent of J Crew's ever-expanding bridesmaid's line, the dress comes in 15 colors that would surely match the bridal party!

Ahoy sprouties! Your sprout is ready to sail the seven seas in these Plaid Patchwork Trunks ($32) and Plaid Patchwork Bucket Hat ($18). The trunks can easily double as shorts as well.

Finally, the girls casual line includes many adorable pieces, but the Pleated Collar Top ($28) is a sproutstyle pick because of the attention to detail. The top can be dressed up with a skirt or down with the Tie Sash Crop Pant ($34).

Happy Spring!

Adding Character: Vintage Renewal

Looking for retro seating for your nursery or playroom? Vintage Renewal is the Etsy store for you!

At Vintage Renewal, the older the better! Furniture that has seen better days is revamped and reupholstered in vintage and recycled fabrics to make one of a kind creations. The furniture and art objects created for Vintage Renewal are inspired by past decades, fashion styles, different cultures, antique furniture, and vintage craft books. Many styles are on sale now and all have free shipping!

Check out these sproutstyle picks! Descriptions courtesy of Vintage Renewal.

This unique toddler sized retro chair ($175) has been covered in a whimsical vintage pony fabric and is surrounded by an orange vintage trim and terminating in a fantastic off-white pom pom trim.

This funky barstool ($148) would be the envy of any bar owner or home owner. Use it at the bar, in the workshop or art studio! Bringing retro to your home or work area with full-force, this black and white hounds tooth covered stool has a fabulous green screenprinted silhouette of a lady with a hat on dead center on the seat and is surrounded by a wonderful green and white vintage trim! So unique, a must have!

This blue painted vintage chair ($480) has been covered in a crisp white linen back featuring beautiful applique birds in a vintage floral fabric. The seat and back are both covered in this same vintage floral fabric.

The front of this beautiful tub chair ($500) has been covered in a cream vintage c. 1960's Linen Fabric decorated with vibrant green and orange leaves. The back is covered in a slick black fabric. Straight black painted legs add to the modern appeal of this piece.

Please be sure to visit Vintage Renewal's main website as well!

Itz Been - A sproutstyle must have!

Every new mama has a lot on her mind - why not simplify things with the Itz Been timer? The easy to use timer tells you how long "itz been" since your baby's last diaper change, feeding and nap. For breastfeeding mamas, there is even a way to mark "left or right"!

Other cool features of the Itz Been include the flashlight feature, invaluable in those early weeks when you check on your baby constantly. At only $25, it's definitely a must have! Available at Amazon.

Pitter Patter of Tiny Feet...in Cute Booties!

In my never ending quest for cheerful baby footwear, I cannot recommend Etsy enough! Always a wonderful source for baby and children's items, Etsy allows us to discover such shops as Sugar Plumb Tree, MiaJoie and Sassy Stork. Here are a few sproutstyle favorites!


The Leilani baby boot, pictured above, is from Sugar Plumb Tree. The bright colors will make your sprout kick up his heels! The Josie bootie, below, would be sweet on the feet of your girly sprout. We especially love the flower detail.

The Blake Mod Baby Boots, below, are from MiaJoie. We must say we have never seen such cute western baby boots!

These snuggly booties are from Sassy Stork. Your sprout's toes will be toasty in these retro dot booties!

Have you discovered cute shoes for your sprout? Tell us about it! Email sproutstyle@gmail.com.

Mod Mom Furniture

The first time I saw Kiersten Hathcock's designs on Etsy, I knew I had stumbled upon some whimsical toy boxes. However, what I didn't know was that Kiersten makes each and every piece by hand!

A former TV network marketing executive, Kiersten decided to spend more time with her young children and left the corporate world in 2003. During this time, she decided to renew her woodworking hobby, inspired by her carpenter father, which soon grew into (another) full-time job. Mod Mom Furniture was born! Kiersten designs and produces every mid-century toy box and table herself in her garage workshop. Eco-friendly birch plywood, non-toxic paints, water-based stains and low-voc, water-based finishes are used to create these mod masterpieces.

Two sproutstyle faves are the "Bertie Box" and the "Owyn Toy Box" pictured above. Each has a "puzzle piece" top which is truly unique. Your sprout will love lifting out the pieces! The Bertie Box is very low to the ground which makes it ideal for small sprouts! Also, it is on casters, so mamas can move it easily around the house. The Owyn Toy Box has two puzzle piece lids and is separated into two compartments for toys. The leaf design would look great not only in a playroom but in a living room or anywhere in the house!

Mod Mom Furniture can be purchased at the following sources: Mod Mom Furniture on Etsy, Design Public (check out Design Public for many great items!) and Modern Nursery. Be sure to check out the Mod Mom Furniture blog as well!

Nursery of the Week - Too Hip to be Square

We love this graphic nursery with its installation of squares over the crib purchased from 2 Modern.

This mama, one of our contributors, Rose, was inspired by the contemporary design present in her house. She wanted to create a fun nursery for her son, but keep in line with the rest of her decor.

The crib and dressers are in the Dwell Studio for Target collection. Also check out Dwell's line of bedding and layette clothing!

Rose found most of the decor from T.J. Maxx, a great source of affordable, unique accessories! The bedding is by Nojo, which can be purchased at Babies-R-Us and Baby Super Mall.

Also noteworthy is the sleek chocolate brown leather chair used as an alternative to a rocker, from Z Gallerie. Another smart mama who can reuse furnishings for years to come!

Pretty in Pink - Juicy Couture Style!

In honor of Valentines Day, we would like to highlight one of our favorite designers, Juicy Couture. Juicy's childrens line is just as flashy and trendy as its womens line; however, we found these pieces in a more subdued pink that are perfect for your sprout (and you!) on Valentines Day (or any day!).

The Quilted Baby Tote ($298) is a perfect way for mamas to carry all the lovely items that come with a baby, but pretend to be put together as well! (And you know you love pink!) But now back to the sprouts - The Plaid Dress and Ruffled Bloomer Set ($68) is frilly and fun - perfect for your little girly girl.

Also worth a look are the Fleece Coat ($88) and Canvas Cloche ($48) for those remaining cold months, and the Ruffled Romper ($68) for spring.

But we must say, though, that our sproutstyle pick in the Juicy line is the Eyelet Swimsuit ($68). Can we get this in grown up sizes?

Happy Valentines Day to you and your sprout!

sproutstyle spotlight: Ikea

If you have ever been to an Ikea store, you know that you need hours upon hours to go through each and every department. A thoroughly enjoyable experience (as is the breakfast at the Ikea cafe!), but some mamas probably don't have the time.

So, we have included just a few of our many favorites from Ikea's childrens collection. The Mammut line is a cartoonish, exaggerated line of furniture (the chair is shown) in a few bright colors. Other pieces include a round table, night stand and bookshelf. Very cute and easy on the wallet!

Also featured is this green mirror that we love for its playful lines and vibrant color. Great for a boy's room!

While Ikea's website is great, nothing compares to experiencing the store (think modern dollar store meets wholesale warehouse)!

Discount at WallCandy Arts for sproutstyle Readers!

Thanks to Allison at WallCandy Arts for giving sproutstyle readers a 20% discount on their wall stickers! Here's Allison's comment to our Nursery of the Week:

"Thanks so much for mentioning WallCandy Arts on your blog. We'd like to offer your readers a special discount on our wall stickers, please use the code blogsupport20 to get 20% off any purchase on www.wallcandyarts.com. Peel, Stick, Decorate!! Warm regards, Allison wallcandyarts.com"

Be sure to send us photos of your WallCandy Arts creations!

Nursery of the Week - "Sweet" Candyland Nursery

As mentioned in an earlier post, the Rate My Space site by HGTV showcases many unique nurseries. One of sproutstyle's favorites is this candyland garden nursery.

Removable decals help create a yummy space any child would love! These came from Wallcandy Arts (2 sets of each, Dottilicious at $54/set and Candy Factory $76/set) This sprout loves to play with the dots, moving them around all the time! Another good source for removable decals is sparkability. Note to Mamas: Not all wall decals are movable like the ones from Wallcandy Arts! There is a huge difference between movable (move around as often as you like) and removable (one use and then remove with no affect on the paint). Blik also has some great wall decals. Most of their designs are simply removable, but their Re-Stik line is movable.

The orange leather chair, purchased from Eurway ($199), is the perfect height for this sprout to climb onto. Beside the chair is the Toto Cube Lamp: it's a lamp, table (perfect bedside table height for a kids room) and seat (which holds up to 200 lbs). Purchased from Design Within Reach, it sells for $275.

The cube-shaped shelving units are great for providing storage and showcasing toys and the four-sided rectangles are a modern twist on the traditional shelf. All purchased at West Elm (a sproutstyle favorite!). A set of 3 block cube shelves is $44. The rectangular ones are no longer available, but West Elm always has cool shelving!


Other tips from this Mama: Carpet tiles from FLOR are easy to lay down and easy to clean, especially in odd-shaped spaces! Try "Toy Poodle" at $13.99/tile (tightly twisted texture) and "Walking On Clouds" at $16.99/tile (ultra soft plush). FLOR even has a tool to help you figure out how many tiles you need and what the finished area will look like!

For the wall art over the crib, this mama bought a huge canvas, painted it a solid green to match the wall decals, and ordered a quote from Wall Words to adhere to it. This way, it isn't on the wall forever! This mama chose "In our play, we reveal what kind of people we are" to inspire her sprout!

Rockabye Baby Rocks!

For all the hip mamas out there who don't want to listen to traditional lullabies, Rockabye Baby is for you! Popular music turned into acoustic lullabies, Rockabye Baby is music you won't just tolerate, but that you will enjoy!

Popular artists include: The Beatles, ACDC, The Beach Boys, Bob Marley, Coldplay, The Cure, Led Zepplin, Green Day, Nirvana (a sproutstyle favorite), Metallica and more!

From our experience, some mamas have even admitted listening to these lullabies without their sprouts!

sproutstyle spotlight: Blabla

Blabla is a line of Peruvian hand-knitted toys and clothing designed by Florence Wetterwald. As stated on the Blabla website, "Blabla means nothing and everything, it's a swirl of letters flying, a small word for a big idea...Happiness fits in the palm of the hand, Blabla searches for beauty, authenticity and laughter."

The monkey doll, bird rattle and frog backpack pictured here are a testament to this philosophy - the soft, plush construction and whimsical designs make Blabla one of a kind!

Homemade Organic Baby Food - Worth the Trouble?

I came across the site for pomme bebe a few weeks ago, and ever since I have wanted to try my hand at making my own organic baby food. Sounds crazy, but it seemed so easy - all you need is a blender, some carrots, and storage containers (like baby cubes, pictured here). So, I bought First Meals Food Diary by Annabel Karmel, and off I went. Easy enough, if you have a blender or food processor that purees. However, to get the puree the same consistency of store bought organic baby food, I had to add quite a bit of water. Apparently it was noticeable to my 5 month old, who preferred the more concentrated carrot taste of the store-bought brand!

So, where does this leave me? Some have suggested that I try another kind of carrot - If you have any suggestions or have tried this yourself, please email sproutstyle@gmail.com!

Nursery of the Week - Tiny Bubbles!

The nursery of the week is a playful, modern nursery that keeps the color palate simple but the accents very cool! We especially love the circle wall decals that cascade from the ceiling to the wall above the crib. Yet another original use of great decals from Wall Candy Arts! Decals are a good option if you don't want to commit to a permanent design - rub the decals on with a popsicle stick and remove them when your taste changes!

The pink and brown swirl bedding was purchased at Super Baby Mall and was the starting point for the nursery. This mama used the bedding colors for inspiration for the rest of the decor and paint color. All painting, including the abstract over the crib, was done by this mama and papa! The furniture is from Simply Baby Furniture. This mama and papa loved the straight, clean lines and dark color. If you are like them and aren't into "matchy matchy" nursery sets, check out this site for coordinating pieces. Since this nursery is more girly than babyish, it will easily grow with their daughter.

Two money-saving tips from this mama: The chocolate brown "crown molding" that is around the ceiling is not crown molding at all, but actually baseboard material! Nice touch. Although not pictured here, the curtains weren't quite long enough as purchased, so this mama searched the internet for a coordinating pattern and used fabric glue to attach the extension to the bottom of the curtains. Great way to customize curtains for your sprout!

Other sources used for this nursery include Ikea (a sproutstyle favorite!), Target, Babies-R-Us, Lowe's, T J Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory.

Love your nursery? Email us a picture at sproutstyle@gmail.com. Your nursery could be featured as sproutstyle's Nursery of the Week!

Are these books for the sprouts or the mamas?

If you are tired of reading fairytales to your child, why not try some of sproutstyle's picks? We especially love the Urban Babies series by Michelle Sinclair Colman. Any book that talks about babies who enjoy architecture and yoga is worth a read!

Another series we just discovered is the World Snacks series by Amy Wilson Sanger. Titles include First Book of Sushi ("pickled ginger cools my tongue...wasabi HOT HOT HOT!") and Hola Jalapeno! ("Hola jalapeno...I said hello my chili friend!"). Finally, children's books that actually entertain the mamas! These books will have you reciting lines all day!

sproutstyle spotlight - Nurseryworks

Nurseryworks combines clean, modern lines with bold colors to create a breath of fresh air in the area of nursery furnishings. If you prefer this asthetic, as we do at sproutstyle, check out Nurseryworks cribs, storage units and rockers. The storytime rocker, pictured here, comes in a variety of color and fabrics. The sproutstyle modern nursery displayed on Rate My Space includes the storytime rocker in a bright orange microterry! The bedding line is also worth a look if you prefer fun graphic prints to your garden variety ducks and flowers.

Good sources for Nurseryworks products include Modern Nursery and Fawn and Forest.

Spring/Summer Tea Collection has arrived!

Truly "for little citizens of the world," Tea Collection is an cultured collection of children's clothing that never disappoints. The spring/summer 2009 collection is no exception. These items from the girls "East Meets Brazil" collection are too cute - and very representative of the Tea Collection style.

Always a good purchase is Tea Collection's casual line, Daily Tea. Great separates and rompers for playdates!

Orbit Stroller System is worth the investment

While it may seem crazy to spend a lot on a stroller, listen up! The Orbit stroller system is no ordinary stroller. Some like it for its clean, modern lines, but mamas in the know love it for its ease of handling. Just squeeze the handles to easily lock the base or rotate the seat. This feature is especially useful when putting the seat in the car, since you can place the seat on the car base facing you, then rotate the sea to face backwards (or forwards for toddlers) and easily lock into place.

The Orbit Infant System consists of three parts: the Infant Car Seat, Car Base, and Stroller - and the seat fits into both the car seat base and stroller. You will need to purchase the toddler seats, however, when your baby outgrows the infant seat.

A great feature of the stroller is the ability of its seat to rotate 360 degrees - your child can be facing you, the world, or sideways for pulling up to a table.

The Orbit system is a sproutstyle pick!

Zutano - Best Modern Play Clothes

With its soft fabrics and bold, bright prints, Zutano is a must have for any modern sprout. Currently you can catch great sales on the fall/winter line including cozy fleece and Zutano's signature cotton.

Try Bugs and Blossoms, Olie Bollen and The Red Balloon.

Calling All Mamas!

Do you have a great design idea or know of an interesting new product? Tell sproutstyle! We are looking for hip mamas to contribute on a one-time or periodic basis. Email sproutstyle@gmail.com for more info.

Inke Heiland's wallpaper silhouettes can add a retro touch to your nursery

We at sproutstyle are obsessed with these wallpaper silhouettes! You can find them at Romp. Hand cut from real vintage wallpaper, you can't find a more hip piece of art for you baby's nursery! We love love love the giraffe and the monkey - and the tree would be amazing in a playroom.

Starting at $30 for 2 birds and up to $325 for an 8 foot tree, everyone can find a piece in her price range!

Here, we mounted the silhouette to canvas and painted a branch in the same chocolate brown as the wall.

Not into Nurseries? Think Outside the Crib!

Many mommies-to-be, when designing their nurseries, stick to the comfortable pink and blue baby schemes. Why not design your nursery to reflect the style of your home?

Consider the stores you frequent. Instead of only Babies-R-Us and Pottery Barn Kids, what about Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters? In addition to making your nursery a room you love (remember, you will be staring at those walls in the wee hours), the less baby the room is, the longer the style will last for your growing child.

If you are one of these mommies, check out a few of the following cool items recommended by sproutstyle to get you thinking "outside the crib":

Anthropologie bowls to hold diapers or pacifiers can add an artsy touch to your changing table.

Consider indie artwork for the walls and tapestries for curtains from Urban Outfitters. Urban Outfitters is also a great source for inexpensive area rugs.

Shop Etsy for Unique Handmade Goods

If you are searching for something other than chain store children's items (and more), visit Etsy. On Etsy you will find a variet of unique handmade goods. From hats to onesies to furniture, you will find some amazing products. A few sproutstyle favorites:

Mad About Colour

Available in any color combination, the popular elf hat has been featured in many print publications. Photo courtesy of Devine Photography.

L.A. Originals

Adorable fruit hats and great customer service, knitrgal is definitely a shop to hit! Pictured here is the pumpkin, but you can also choose from watermelon, blueberry, strawberry and more! Photo courtesy of Devine Photography.

Rate sproutstyle's Modern Nursery on "Rate My Space" at www.hgtv.com

In conjunction with HGTV's show Rate My Space, register to take advantage of a great design resource. Check out and rate sproutstyle's modern nursery!

Rate My Space is an easy place to get design advice either through perusing the uploaded designs or by asking questions yourself - just be prepared to hear criticism as well as praise!