Boxwood Clippings

A few weeks ago, I had a baby shower for my good friend Brea. I wanted a quick and different way to decorate the party cupcakes, so went through my ‘scrap box’ and ended up using remnant ribbon and washi tape:

I simply tied knots of ribbon and folded washi tape in half around toothpicks, the result being easy and festive.

The cupcakes looked so great grouped together, and the toppers worked out to be considerably less expensive than store-bought versions! Do you have any thrifty tips for party planning? We’d love to hear!

Today we’d like to share a few tips on designing a playroom. By following just a few rules you can ensure a space that both you and your child will love…

COLOR

When we design a playroom the process starts quite similar to any other room: Surprise! A neutral foundation. However, unlike most of our designs there is no denying that children love color, so we always add a healthy dose in accessories. Light and bright rooms encourage play time, so we also make sure to take advantage of the natural light available, as well as adding lots of lighting fixtures.

Neutral room + bright bunting and rug

warmhotchocolate.com

GREAT STORAGE

Storage is incredibly important in a playroom. Every item should have a home to eliminate clutter and create a happy environment. Closet organizers to utilize existing storage or adding additional storage, with bookshelves, storage totes and baskets are a must. Our beloved, Expedit is usually our number choice and is a very affordable option.

centsationalgirl.com

OPEN SPACE

The most important function of a playroom is to have open space, and this is often the first problem we notice when we start a project. It is so important to have open space where kids can pull out and run around in. With adequate storage only large items should be left on the floor to maximize every inch of open space. We usually add soft rugs and floor pillows to create a soft, inviting environment and also encourage a toy rotation schedule so the space is not cluttered and the child doesn’t tire of the same toy every day.

Open space + rug + poufs

We hope you find these tips helpful! Please email us at mail [at] boxwoodclippings [dot] com if you need help designing and/or organizing a play space for your family.

Are you a still looking for a little something to add to an easter basket? We think these little rabbits by Bunnies by the Bay are pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

They’ve been a family fave for years, and are a ‘go-to’ trusty favorite when it comes to giving gifts.

s

They are so soft and fluffy, and something about their insides make them ‘flop’ ever so cutely. Perfect for babies, kiddies and the forever kid-at-heart!

You can find them HERE,  or if you fancy a snuggle you can see them at Nordstrom. :)

Mint has been ‘on-trend’ for some time now, but this spring it will be here with vengeance, and we couldn’t be happier…

blouse | tote  |  leather flats  |  mint + gold earrings  |  organic baby blankets  |  infant swimsuit

 Adding just one little piece will help you feel fresh and new this spring! Mint looks great with so many different colors, our favorite color pairing is mint + navy, how about yours?

We got the news last week that our brother, Dan and sis-in-law, Kimberly will be expecting their 1st girl after four boys! I’m pretty much sure we have the best idea ever for the nursery!

The current nursery is a blend of yellows and blues. As there is obviously a lot of blue in all of the baby things, we think just a bright pop of feminine coral is all that is needed to welcome the new little girl.

Here are a few examples of the color pairing:

Framed lullabies…how cute is that? The best thing about this color combo is you can’t go wrong. Any shade of coral + any shade of blue looks fabulous.

Luckily, I’ve already spied an incredible chair and a punchy lamp that will transform the space :)

Have I convinced you yet, Kimbers?

It is so super gross outside so I am inside…shopping. Maybe the current weather is making me like gray more than ever? Check out these cute stripes from Old Navy.

womens stripey hoodie $19.94

mens stipey hoodie $22.50

baby stripey onesies $14.50

chevron baby-grow $12.94

Cute and affordable for the whole family, love the Old Navy.

A couple of years ago I gave this gift of straw glasses and soda to one of my nephews, it was an instant hit and the other kids wanted a sip and turn of the glasses. So naturally I added it to my list of good gift ideas and have been giving it ever since.

It’s a fun treat, and I can’t decide what the kids enjoy best, the quirky glasses or 6 bottles of soda all to themselves!

Glasses were from World Market for $4.99, but I stocked up when they had a toy buy one get one free sale (should be coming up soon). The soda is from Walmart for around $3.

Do you have a gift you give all the time? We love to hear your ideas.

Being an Aunt is one of my favorite titles. I’ve owned it proudly since I was 12, and I shamelessly compete for my nieces and nephews affection.

A couple of times a year my siblings ask me to babysit while they take exotic vacations, and although I love playing mum, it’s exhausting. So by the time bedtime rolls around, I’m more than ready for some down time, and really want them to go to sleep…and fast!

Recently, I came up with a little trick that works miracles and guarantees kids are a sleep in five minutes or less…

After stories and prayers, I tell them that if they are asleep by the time I come back in five minutes they’ll wake up to a little treat at the end of their beds. I’m totally shocked how well this works, in fact it’s become one of things they look forward to when I come and stay.

As there’s usually four kids for more than a week, so keep my treats small. All of the above were things I found between 1¢ – 50¢ at Target, The Dollar Tree, and Michael’s. So for $1 a night I have peace and quiet from four kids, now that’s a bargain!

It really doesn’t matter if they’re not quite asleep when I check, as long as they’re quiet they soon will be. It’s a win win!

Good morning everyone, hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I’m guest blogging a little project using back to school supplies over at Lil Luna today, please pop over to visit! (see HERE).

…………………….

Question: do you get excited when you start seeing Christmas merchandise in stores? Or does it bug you, since usually it’s pretty early?

I’m the kinda gal who starts getting all giddy as soon as I see any sign of Christmas, but sometimes I need to remind myself to relax and enjoy the season we’re in.

Having said that, on my last trip to Costco the exciment crept in as I saw the new toys that just arrived for the season.

This wooden block set was my fave:

It’s priced at only $27.99! Which seems amazing for the quality, plus an almost identical set is on Amazon for $50.

I’ve always loved playing with blocks, and whenever I get the chance I’ll still sit and replicate a famous building or two before a destructive toddler with come and knock it down with a big grin…it’s always and intense race, oh the fun. Perhaps I should ask for some in my stocking!

Our sis, Helen has the most amazing taste in kids clothes. Her children always look incredibly put together, I don’t know how she does it. And, to top it off she always gets a bargain.

Last year, Helen got her girls Salt Water Sandals that I instantly fell in love with.

toast.co.uk

They are cute, hard wearing, comfy, affordable, and best of all look great on boys, girls and ladies alike.

saltwatersandals.com.au

babyology.com

whool.com

Whether in fashion or in the home, classic and simple is always hard to beat! The only question is which color do you like best?

Find a store near you HERE, or online HERE.

Last Saturday we had my friend Kumari’s shower at our house. I wanted to have little favors for our guests, and needed something cute and easy we could put together without any fuss.

We once again headed over to Gygi, where we found these adorable paper bags, and bulk candy. We choose white taffy, and grey bags to match with our theme, and ta-da a cute little favor that couldn’t have been easier.

If you’re planning a party or get together you’ll have to stop by Gygi, especially since they are still offering our readers a 10% discount online with code “BOXWOOD10″…whoot whoot!!! (Remember you can pick up in store so you don’t have to pay shipping.)

PS. Did you see Gygi featured on the Today show last week? We love locals on national telly :) see HERE.

A friend of mine is having her first baby, a boy. The couple has had his name picked out for years: Aston (as in Aston Martin, the famous British luxury sports car).

After seeing their nursery (it’s amazing), I was inspired to throw them a modern baby shower, with a little racetrack theme thrown in.

We headed to Gygi in SLC for some inspiration, and before we knew it, we’d designed the invitations.

The invites became little packages, and a perfect sneak peak for the upcoming shower.

We wrapped them with some bakers twine and a personalized tag, and voila! Simplicity always works best!

We were SO happy with our experience at Gygi. We just LOVE going into a store and finding everything we need. But even better, it’s a place where our heads can get ticking and inspiration flows freely!

We’re also excited to announce that our friends over at Gygi are offering our readers a 10% discount through their online store (whoot whoot!) found HERE. Simply use the code ‘BOXWOOD10′ at check out.

Their prices are already the best around, so with this additional discount you’ll be scoring some mega deals…holler holler! Also, it’s good to note that although the discount is only good online, you can pick up your purchase at the store to avoid shipping costs. :)

The items we used today were: the boxes HERE. The gum balls, HERE. And the twine HERE.

We hope you LOVE this store as much as we do. Now go shop!

Yesterday I got a Pottery Barn Kids catalog in the mail, and was pleasantly surprised to see they’ve mixed things in the nursery department.

They now offer a great variety of mix and match sheets, bumpers, and crib skirts so you can create your own look, instead of just buying a ‘matchy matchy’ prepackaged set.

The new line is much more clean and modern. It reminds me a lot of West Elms style.

THIS fun new design tool on their website helps you visualize your perfect match. But beware it’s a little addicting. :)

If you’re in the market for baby, be sure to pop over for a little inspiration, and to catch a few introductory discounts.

The snow is falling and I am dreaming of sunnier days.  I simply cannot wait for pool days, reading a book at the park and eating lunch outside.  Catalogs and magazines arriving at my door every day full of bright, summery prints are getting me even more excited!

I think I have found the perfect companion for when the sunny days begin in the new Ballard Designs catalog…

Medium size in white

Medium size in black

Carry-All size in pale blue

These lovely jute bags would make a lovely treat for yourself for spring or such a cute present for any lady on your list.  I can see them being so multi-functional!  They would be great to use as a shopping tote, a pool bag or even a diaper bag (the pale pink color is adorable).

Ballard is offering free monogramming on these already reasonable totes starting at $20!

Is anyone else loving these? What do you have your eyes on for spring?

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!  Today is the perfect day to celebrate one of my favorite colors..oh so pretty, pale pink.

How can you beat a simple white box tied with a satin pink bow:

browneyedbellejulie.blogspot.com

Or a cute little girl with big pink bow:

hucklebones.co.uk

Hopefully sometime soon I’ll have a little girl who will allow an obnoxiously massive bow on her head, at least for a picture…

…until then I’m enjoying Valentine’s with just the two of us :)

greylikesweddings.com

 Hope you all have a wonderful day!

We know we’ve already done one Target post this week but we can’t help but share this week’s finds. We have both been wanting these napkins by Dwell Studio since before Christmas:

They are finally on clearance in store for $4.98!

Em is saving hers for the future abode, Sar is of course getting crafty and making cushions covers from them ($2.50 per cover). Hopefully they’ll turn out as cute as these Dwell pillows:

s

Also, on our Target radar this week ares these aden + anais swaddle wraps:

s

s

These muslin blankets are all the rage right now and we’re all aboard.  We love how huge and thin these swaddlers are..perfect for layering.  Yes, the pretty factor helps too, both pink and blue are adorable.

This week they are only $25 for a 4-pack,  in store and online.  The pink set is $69.99 at Amazon right now, so we are thinking $25 is a pretty great deal!

I was thrilled to find Moleskine Passion Journals the other day!  Oh, I just love a good notebook, especially one that is designated to a specific area of my life and is as organized as this:

“Designed with signature Moleskine style, this collection is a place to record thoughts, memories, observations, and inspirations centered on specific interests… a receptacle for musings on everything delightful…”

How cute of a gift would this baby journal make for an expectant mother…

“The Baby Journal has 6 sections to fill out especially for mom and baby (9 months of sweet expectation, bringing baby home, feeding, care, birthdays, special moments like first words and first steps), 6 sections with tabs you can personalize, colored adhesive labels, a growth chart, pages on feeding, care and health and a space for important numbers to keep handy.”

You have to watch this video to grasp the cuteness of it!

Learn all about the other “passion” series: Book, Cat, Dog, Film, Gardening, Music, Recipe, Style, Travel, Wellness and Wine here.

Wouldn’t these just make a perfect presents? Amazon currently has 25% off MSRP…whoopie!

2011 was such a big year for our group of friends. Lots of babies entered our little crowd and it was lovely to spend this New Year’s Eve with little ones in tow.

In the fall of 201o, Emi and I threw a shower for the first baby of our clan, Greta. I posted the invitations we designed on my personal blog (see HERE). We’re still surprised to receive emails and comments about this little project, so we thought we’d post it here on Boxwood Clippings with a Free Printable PDF for all those wanting to replicate it.

The boxes were found at GYGI in Salt Lake.

Simply Click HERE for the Front PDF, and HERE for the Back that you can customize and print.

Good luck, and don’t forget to shoot us a picture we’d love to see how yours turns out.

It seems everyone I know these days is pregers, or just had a baby; and I never get tired of welcoming a miracle into this world, and think every baby should be celebrated over and over again!

I absolutely adore this party by Kate Landers seen HERE, finding out a baby’s gender is a perfect occasion to throw a party. Make way for Ducklings is one of my all time favorite children’s books, what a creative theme, take a look how it Kate worked her magic:

…I’ll definitely be filing this away for a later date.

Today I’m busy entertaining two of my nephews. It’s a special day. We are waiting to hear of the arrival of their new baby brother. It’s going to be one of those days you’ll remember forever, and I’ll have my camera at the ready to document everything…eek…so exciting!

Last week I attended a quaint baby shower for my sister-in-law. Already well stocked on baby boy items, she’d requested dippers. I just couldn’t bring myself to walk into a shower with a packet of huggies, so the night before I used what I had (a used fruit crate) and dressed it up just a little.

Naturally, I couldn’t just welcome my nephew with dippers, so I bought him a special outfit and dressed the box up to match the crate. I love how they looked together.

The blue and white paper is a disposable table cloth I bought at Ikea years ago. It’s been one of the best rolls of paper I’ve ever purchased, I just love the pattern and it’s very think and durable. I think I got it on clearance at the end of summer, so keep your eye’s pealed for similar items this year.

I always get such a kick out of repurposing things!