Jun 29 2014

REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

Posted on June 29, 2014 by admin

Capture REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

I’m actually thrilled to bits with Heidi’s nursery. Although it’s unfinished and I’m not quite ready for the Big Blog Reveal yet, I’ve decided to share a few sneak peaks of my favourite things as they’re too pretty to keep quiet about. This is definitely true of the beautiful cot-bedding I’ve received from The Sweet Baby Company.

I love this site. Love, love, love it. If Craig ever had a reason to hide our joint credit card, this is it. They stock all the things you find yourself coo’ing at on Pinterest and search your throughout your entire pregnancy trying to hunt down; from ornate furniture sets, right on down to lamps and cushions that are to-die-for.

So when owner, Iwona Patel got in touch about a review, I didn’t have a clue what to pick. But given we’d struggled finding baby bedding for Heidi’s cot, I plumped for a luxury bedding set with grey dots. Given Heidi’s nursery is primarily grey and yellow, I wanted something understated and simple for her bedding to keep this space as calm and serene as possible. To add a little interest, we’ll make a statement with accessories instead and will have pops of colour within lampshades, bunting and storage boxes - don’t you worry, it will look appropriately girly and fabulous!

022 REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

The set arrived in a beautiful box that was, in turn, really well packaged. Inside, the bedding itself was carefully wrapped in tissue paper too. Setting up a new nursery is such an important part of having a baby, and it’s little details like this that help prolong the excitement for mums-to-be. I wanted to pop the bedding on straight away but Craig made me wait until Heidi was here (he’ll tell you it didn’t want it to get dusty, but I can exclusively reveal he’s a little superstitious about such things).

It wasn’t until I finally made Heidi’s bed that I could appreciate just how soft this bedding is. Made from 100% sateen cotton (with a hypoallergenic cot bumper) it feels like the Egyptian cotton sheets on our bed. This is really reassuring as Heidi has really sensitive skin. Although she sleeps mostly in her Moses basket and Bednest crib at the moment (on account of her being so little) she has slept soundly in her big girl cot during the day when I’m cracking on with some work in the master bedroom. She looks so ridiculously sweet on such a big mattress!

Heidi21 REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

There’s a lovely bumper with ties, with coordinating mini pillow case and duvet cover. All with pretty frills and bows. There are no buttons or poppers that might irritate baby’s skin either. If they did the same set for adults, I’d be laying under it as I type.

Currently on sale at £109 it’s not cheap, but you do pay for what you get, and it’s nice to know her bedroom will stand out as something truly unique and luxurious.

But this isn’t all I’ve been lusting over from The Sweet Baby Company. I’ve fallen in love with so many things; their gorgeous nursery lamps, all the wooden eco toys, and a pair of impossibly cute baby booties! Iwona has popped together such a sweet selection of all the bits and pieces she likes, and it’s right up my street.

Sweet Baby1 REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

The whole collection really works. It’s like an online boutique for little people. Toss in the fact they sell furniture to suit every taste (from shabby chic to thick-set wood) and you can create your entire nursery look in one hit.

furniture REVIEW: Baby Bedding from The Sweet Baby Company

So our verdict?

We LOVE it. Heidi’s bedding is soft, grown-up and appropriately girly, and the perfect place for my princess to lay her sleepy head.

Jun 18 2014

Wall Art for Little People - Wallstickers.co.uk

Posted on June 18, 2014 by admin

Capture1 Wall Art for Little People Wallstickers.co.uk

Until now, I haven’t been a big fan of wall stickers. Dexter had a farmyard scene in his nursery for a while but it soon grated on me as it looked a mess. They do seem to be a big interior fad and every family in Britain seems to have “Home is where the heart is” emblazoned across their living room walls. I can’t dispute that they’re perfect for rented properties though (of which this is one) as they peel off easily and liven up the drab white walls every landlord seems so keen on.

When I decided Heidi’s nursery needed something a few weeks back, and I found out that wallstickers.co.uk were looking for reviewers, I thought why not?, her walls aren’t finished to a hugely professional standard and it’ll help me cheer up a particularly dismal corner.

I wanted something relevant; not too grown up yet not too twee, not too popular yet not too ambiguous. I was about to give up when I spotted they had a wall sticker of the very phrase we say to Dex each night - I’m sure, in time, we’ll be saying it to Heidi too. It was too irresistible and before I knew it I’d consented to review something I would ordinarily have scoffed at.

readmeastory wallsticker 1a grande Wall Art for Little People Wallstickers.co.uk

It arrived quickly, within a matter of days, perfectly packaged in a poster tube. I popped it on the kitchen worktop where review items live until I get a moments peace to inspect them. And there it sat for days, and days, and days… In truth, I thought it might be fiddly to apply so thought I’d leave it to Craigy (that way I could whinge at him if it ended up wonky).

When a reminder popped up on my Any.do app on my iPhone I decided it couldn’t wait any longer and finally snatched it from the shelf. Might as well put it up I thought, Take a few arty photos and honour the review.

I’m so glad I did.

Okay, sticking it up wasn’t that easy. The best way to describe it is that the sticker comes in three parts; the backing paper, the sticker itself, and the application paper. You had to pop the sticker onto a flat surface and scrape it to death with a credit card to ensure the sticker transferred to the application paper. Once you could be sure there were no air bubbles, you would peel away the backing paper and discard it. You are then ready to pop the sticky application paper onto a clean wall and leave it for ten minutes to set. I won’t pretend it wasn’t fiddly, but it makes for a far more professional finish than plain adhesives. Wallstickers Wall Art for Little People Wallstickers.co.uk

I did have visions of us both sat there with a spirit level and Craig getting stressed and muttering Happy now? over and over again. But as can you peel off the entire sticker in one go it’s surprisingly easy to get straight if you follow your eye and any coving or cornices. Ours is a tiny bit wonky but only because I decided to attempt it after a glass of wine and took the stupid decision to apply it line by line. wallstickers4 Wall Art for Little People Wallstickers.co.uk So now there’s something personal to us when we walk in Heidi’s nursery to pick out dinky outfits for her to wear. When she’s finally sleeping in there, it will remind us that this is a little tradition we’ve passed down from child to child.

Heidi’s wall sticker was just £16.00 which isn’t too steep to balk at. Okay, it’s not cheap either for what is essentially a mass produced sticker, but I can say you’re paying for a top quality wall sticker that looks incredibly professional when it’s up. I really like it, and sometimes that’s the only endorsement you need.

029 Wall Art for Little People Wallstickers.co.uk

There are tons of designs to choose from over at wallstickers.co.uk and handily the website allows you to search for designs room by room. There’s also an impressive number of colourways to choose from if you go for a word design like ours. Heidi’s is dark grey which fits in beautifully with her colour scheme but is available in a staggering 24 colours. There were also two font sizes available for our design - we plumped for regular but could have gone slightly bigger.

Why not head over to see if you can find something special of your own?

Jun 9 2014

How to Create a Beautiful Baby Bedroom

Posted on June 9, 2014 by admin

No matter what your budget is, you definitely can create a cosy, tranquil, and beautiful bedroom for your special little baby. This will be the room in which you’ll spend a lot of time with your little one, calming him or her, soothing your child with a lullaby, and watching him or her grow. From the crib to the décor on the walls, the furniture, and the toys that your child will learn and grow up with, this is the first room your baby will remember, especially if you design it in a way that will enable him or her to grow into it and still use it as a place to call his or her own. Nursery How to Create a Beautiful Baby Bedroom

Below are a few tips that will help make designing a gorgeous baby bedroom easier. Again, do not let your budget restrict you, as there are ample opportunities to have fun designing this important space and making it the perfect spot in the house for your new baby.

Start with a Convertible Crib

A convertible crib is a great way to invest in a product that will be useful as your child grows. This type of crib will work perfectly for your infant but can later be transformed into a daybed that your toddler will love. And even beyond that, with a little ingenuity and some extra parts, you can even transform it into an adult bed that your child can use for many years to come.

Go for a Stylish Padded Rocking Chair

You are already familiar with the old wooden rocking chairs of old, but have you seen some of the latest and most lovely padded rocking chairs that are just perfect for sitting for long periods of time feeding your baby or helping him or her get to sleep? With funky designs and bright colours, you can choose one that will fit right in with the rest of your baby’s bedroom décor. And, as your child grows, he or she will more than likely enjoy rocking in it as well.

Have Fun Painting the Walls and Creating a Theme

When it comes to painting the walls of your baby’s bedroom, rather than just sticking to plain old baby blue, pale pink, yellow, or white, have a little fun. Create a mural or paint a scene from your favourite nursery rhymes or Disney movie that you want your child to grow up with. Let your creativity run wild and transform your baby’s bedroom into a fantastical haven that he or she will adore with each passing year. You can even coordinate the décor so that it all falls into the same theme. For example, you can find luxuriously cosy, all natural baby blankets from The Stripy Company that will coordinate with whatever colours and theme you choose.

Incorporate Eco-Friendly Items

Eco-friendly items are great for the planet and great for your entire family because they are made from materials that are safe for sensitive babies. An adorable eco-friendly mobile that features the cutest animals, for example, is a great way to start your child off on a path that will nurture his or her respect for the environment and other living creatures. Any product made from sustainable materials will be a perfect addition to your baby’s bedroom in the 21st century, as more consumers are becoming aware of their buying habits’ impact upon the planet and people all over the world.

A Soft Rug

If you plan on having hardwood floors in your baby’s bedroom, purchase a colourful, fun rug that will not only match your baby bedroom’s décor but also provide the perfect spot for sitting on the floor playing with your baby and his or her toys. This cosy spot in the room is a great way to teach your child through games, interaction, and playtime.

With so many clever and creative ways to transform an ordinary room into a spectacular baby’s bedroom, you can work within whatever budget you have set for yourself to make a space that your child will feel safe and warm in and that you will enjoy spending time in as well as you watch him or her grow big and strong.

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