Have you heard about Heidi Klum's new fashion line for kids?  As if she wasn't already rockin our worlds with her "Loved" and "Lavish" maternity lines.  She's at it again--this time with "Truly Scrumptious"--an adorable, fashionable, and fun line for bebes of all stages.  It debuts at Babies-R-Us in stores and online today.  Check out these cool duds:

Ok, so for an amateur photographer, I'm pretty good.  But I don't know how she does it.  How does she take a ready-for-my-nap 11 month old and a I-know-I-cuddle-kiss-and-smile-all-the-time-at-home-but-I'm-gonna-show-you-who's-boss 2 year old and turn it into wonderful family photos?!  I don't know!  Who is "she?"  Melanie of Simply Mella.  If you remember our family photos from last year, you remember that I felt like there was no way she could have gotten so many great images.  I walked away feeling the same this year but reminding myself that Simply Mella is simply amazing!  Not only is she a wonderful photographer but she's passionate about what she does.  And it shows.  She's also super mellow.  It helped while Joe and I were corralling and cajoling the kids and trying our hardest to look like a happy family (I promise you, we really are happy!) instead of a bunch of stress balls which is how we felt at that particular moment.  If you haven't had family photos in a while, I encourage you to check out her site and her facebook page.  If you can find a free date book her (I told you last year to do it and you're kicking yourself for waiting aren't you?!)

Here are a few of my favorites:

Photography courtesy of Simply Mella. Thank you Melanie! You're the best!

Wardrobe:

• Joe- Gap Polo and Gap cargos.
• Tiff- Crochet Lace Trim Top, Coral Shirt from Forever 21 (not sold online but this one is very similar and so cute!), Belt from Target forever ago, and these amazing jeans (I feel young and skinny in them.  Enough said).
• Genevieve- Old Navy T, petti romper shorts from here.  
• Nadia- Lace Petti Romper from here.  <-- check them out; there is currently a deal on lace petti rompers! Tights from here.
• Our hair flowers were from The Icing (in the mall).  I spent way more on hair jewelry than I'd care to admit! ;) The girls' pearls were from here. I paid $2 each for them years ago and have worn them so often (I also love to layer them with other necklaces).  Such a great deal! 

I didn't get a photo with the refrigerated desserts but you get the idea!

I'm no Amy Atlas but I've done a few dessert buffets in my day and I've learned a thing or two that   I wanted to share.  I'm all about you learning from my mistakes!  I recently created one for Thrive- Shiloh's women's conference, which is what prompted this post.  It was the first time I created one for something other than my own kids' parties.  I was a bit nervous but it came out great!  So here's what I've learned:

- Choose a theme or color scheme and stick to it!  Don't be tempted to do every cool thing you've seen on Pinterest or the big blog world. I've done pink/vintage princess, pumpkin themed, pink & brown (i.e. chocolate) [picture at the end], and bright and summery [pictured]. Also check out Megan's beautiful (and delicious) pink and yellow buffet from Grace's sunshine party!

- Keep it simple.  This advice varies depending on your budget, taste, and style.  You may have the budget to hire the best confectioners and bakers in your town and if so, go for it! However even if you do have the budget you still want to streamline the table so that it's not overwhelming.  I made the mistake of doing a bit too much for Genevieve's first birthday (the photo in the blog post doesn't even show all the desserts-they wouldn't fit on one table!) and realized for her 2nd birthday that a little goes a long way.  You don't want all your cute and tasty creations not to get the 'play,' they deserve because there's too much going on.

-Create a menu comprised of store bought, semi-homemade, and homemade items.  Obviously you can do all of any of those mentioned but in my experience the mix mentioned above helps with three things: 1. the dessert bar is "special" because you included some homemade treats that people can't just go buy at the store.  2. You don't drive yourself insane making every little thing from scratch. 3. It saves money. (The one exception is if you are doing a dessert bar comprised of candy only.  If you are Willy Wonka you can go crazy making candy but there are so many cool bulk candy sources that sell beautiful, tasty, and color coordinated candy)! Which brings me to my next point:

- Know your audience.  In my experience adults don't eat a ton of hard candy, so although it's easy AND gorgeous AND super easy to color coordinate to your party, you may end up with tons of leftovers.  Kids eat candy but kids also have parents who are sure to try to limit their sugar intake.  The exception is chocolate--both kids and adults love chocolate.  BUT it's also pricey.  (I guess this isn't advice so much as something to keep in mind...

- Use various heights to create a balanced display.  Cake plates, platters, cupcake stands, footed plates/bowls, etc.  Get creative here...(and see this post for a DIY cake/cupcake stand). I've also made these which were so easy and pretty!

-Use a pretty backdrop if at all possible.  I've used: banners, balloons, drapes, and poms, but have also seen streamers, chalkboards, fabric pennants, paper pinwheels, etc...Also paper products go a long way! Tent cards/labels not only make everything pretty but saves you from answering 'what is this?' questions over and over again!

- Map out which desserts will go in which dishes ahead of time.  Double check any details ahead of time.  For the thrive conference I realized at the very last minute that the foam I bought for my cake pops wasn't thick enough and they wouldn't stand up in it!  I was trying not to panic as a few of my friends (and attendees of the conference) helped me come up with something cute that would work for the table set up.  Phew!! Love you Jill, Danielle, and Melissa!! ;)

This is a random post...I just wanted to talk a tiny bit about being a bargainista.  I love getting a good deal and since I'm a reformed shopaholic, it's actually essential for me.  But I swear even if I won the lottery tomorrow I'd still hunt for a bargain.  And shop at thrift stores.  It's in my blood.  Now that I'm a stay at home mama, It's even more crucial that I stick to a budget.  Sometimes in blog land, it seems like everyone has a ton of money.  I don't.  And I'm not ashamed of it!  I'm actually really proud of the fact that I find 95% of what I buy on sale or clearance or a discount store.  I think I'm the only one who loves Wal-Mart.  No it's not glossy and pretty and fashionable like Target.  But it's cheap.  And I dig cheap.  But, I also like to look good (although unfortunately that's less of a priority lately) and for my kids to look good and for my home to look good.  It doesn't.  But I want it to.  [Man, this is totally a stream of consciousness. I hope you're still reading!].  So in order to accomplish that I hunt for a bargain.  I bring up Marshalls (and TJ Maxx) because I've often been asked where I got something and when I name one of those places, I always hear "Oh, I forget to go there."  So this is just a tiny bit of encouragement not to forget.  Our latest obsession is buying gifts from there.  I'll be honest- we don't typically end up spending less but we do end up buying a couple of items for what we would have spent on just one...so the giftee gets more and that's so fun!  In fact at Christmas I bought my niece a my little pony play set from there.  It was only $9.99 and I felt like that was cheap so I picked up another gift for her.  Later I looked on Amazon and Walmart.com and the exact same gift set was $24.99.  Score!  Ok, this obviously isn't a tutorial or lesson in getting a good deal.  It's just an encouragement to hunt for a bargain and not to forget Marshalls and TJ Maxx.  It's also an excuse to brag about these adorable items I scored the last time I was there:

I wanted a boy.  There, I said it.  I had convinced myself that I didn't care--even that I'd prefer a girl since that meant I could recycle Genevieve's oh-so-cute clothes.  But when the sonographer told me it was a girl, I knew the truth.  Poor little Nadia!  The only reason I can even admit it now is because I am so beyond in love with that little chubster that I'm so very glad God knew that she'd be just what this family needs.  And two girls?!  Oh the fun. 

Being a parent, you realize no matter what choices you make or in whatever circumstances you find yourself regarding your children, there are always debbie downers.  "Oh they'll be so competitive."  "Oh just wait until they are teenagers!"  "Does Daddy have a shotgun?" [okay I secretly like that one]. "Just wait till one borrows the other's clothes without asking!" "2 proms? weddings? [insert expensive event here]?"  oy.  Yes, I am aware that girls can be competitive, catty, and expensive.  Thanks for telling me that on day 2 of my beautiful daughter's day on Earth.  I'm really not as bitter as I sound; It just never ceases to amaze me, the things people feel obligated to share.  Girls can also be sensitive, compassionate, strong, beautiful, fun, smart, and just. freakin. adorable!  I know there will be those times when I'll be wishing for more testosterone and less estrogen, but oh my gosh- the FUN we will have will far outweigh the sorrow.  It's already beginning. 

When looking at the pictures from Nadia's birth, one particularly struck me.  I thought, oh, my goodness- she looks JUST like her sister!  I made this little collage in picnik and played a guessing game on facebook.  More people got it wrong than right!  Can you tell who's who?


The next one I made wasn't on purpose either.  I'd just taken photos of Nadia and one reminded me of a photo I'd taken of Genevieve:

Nadia on the left.

Nadia on the left.

This one was kind of on purpose and kind of not.  I always loved this bright onesie and it brings back fond memories because Genevieve wore it right around the time her funny and bubbly personality was starting to emerge.  I remember that I hadn't planned to take photos of her in it...she was just so cute and totally showing off for me that a half hour photoshoot just sort of happened.  I knew I wanted to take a few pictures of Nadia in it and that I'd better do it quickly because she was outgrowing it.  I had no idea though that I'd get so many similar expressions out of her--so many that I couldn't choose which ones to compare!

Nadia on the left.

Nadia on the left.

Genevieve on the left.

Genevieve on the left.

I will be so sad when Nadia outgrows Genevieve's baby clothes (which is almost upon us since G was so tiny.  Nadia could probably fit her summer clothes now...).  I also imagine that as Nadia gets older she'll look less like her sister and the Narcissist in me is hoping she'll look more like me ;)  We shall see!

If you want to try this you have to be a little forward thinking.  And this little project isn't for anyone into instant gratification, that's for sure! 

• Hang onto those baby clothes! Even if you don't like the thought of hanging onto baby clothes from one child (will I even have another?  If so, what are the chances that it'll be the same gender?  or born in the same season?  I had these arguments with myself over and over again!), it's worth it to at least hang onto a handful of favorites.  If you took a bunch of pictures of one kid wearing someting, make sure to hang onto that particular outift. 
• Buy a gender neutral outfit with this specific project in mind--perhaps a pair of overralls the baby can wear with no shirt.  That way your next baby- boy or girl- can wear it. 
• Make sure to take lots of photos of your little one (as discussed here).  Then you'll have some to choose from if you want to re-create an image with your consecutive child(ren). 
• They don't have to look alike! Even if they don't look alike I think it's still so darling to have photos of your children wearing the same thing.  It just makes you stop and think "Wow, Genevieve used to be that tiny?!" which in turn prompts you to slow down and treasure the time with the most recent child.  And surely we need those reminders with consecutive children don't we?! 

What other fun photo projects have you tried?  Month by month shots?  Newborn photos?  Oh and what photo editing software do you use?!  Do share!

I am having fun trying things with Nadia that I didn't with Genevieve.  Since I was unemployed for Genevieve's first 9 months, had my mom here to help for most of it (yes, I was super duper spoiled!), and didn't have another banshee- um, I mean toddler running around, I had plenty of time to take pictures of Genevieve.  I made her a scrapbook, journaled throughout my pregnancy (loved this book), took maternity photos and at least bi-weekly belly shots...and more.  My fear has been that I will never be able to live up to that for baby number 2 (don't consecutive kids always get the shaft?!)!  But I am trying to do the things I missed doing for Genevieve so they will both have fun memories to look back on as they grow up. I already posted about the newborn photos we did for Nadia, and now I want to talk about documenting the milestones.

 I've seen this done with such amazing style and clever ideas.  Sherry at Young House Love actually did weekly photos and the finished product was simply amazing!  I considered that idea (loved the fabric element), but was afraid of the commitment it required.  I plan to keep it simple with monthly photos in the same chair with the same backdrop and outfit,- white onesie with a pink flower headband.  I'm a bit bummed because I meant to take her first one in Genevieve's adorable pink chair but forgot before she (Genevieve- the banshee I referred to earlier) ripped the sticker off of Nadia.  Have I mentioned how much fun it is to have TWO kids?! ;)  Anyway, I love that YHL added the dates en post via photoshop but if you are not that technologically savvy or ambitious (I'm neither!) head over to Etsy where you can buy fun labels in tons of fun patterns and colors to achieve the same effect.  After searching for a bit I settled upon this seller.  She was very professional, great customer service, and created the labels in the color of my choice.  [I didn't choose the labels pictured above but how cute are they?!] 

I love how the first couple turned out.  Hopefully I can keep it up and at the end of her first year, I'll have an adorable collage that I can hang on her wall, put in a scrapbook, feature at her 1st birthday party, or all of the above. 

I've blogged about Banner's headbands before.  They are well made and simply adorable.  Turns out they are launching an awesome new site (No, I haven't seen it--I'm just assuming it's gonna be awesome) and in preparation (or celebration?) they are having a 40% off sale on some of their best sellers.  Although I love their stuff, I'm also a cheapskate er, I mean frugal (does that even sound any better?), so I only have one headband from them.  Until now.  I have like 10 in my etsy cart but I'm sure by the end of the checkout process I'll have whittled it down to two.  okay, maybe three.  This sale is just in time as I try to figure out how to dress new baby for her newborn photo shoot.  (cocoon? knit "bowl?" cheesecloth? knit diaper cover and beanie? ruffle butt bloomers? Petit lace romper?  Oy. So many possibilities!!!)  In any case, these are super cute, fit newborns through adults, and make great gifts (new baby is due any day now, hint, hint). ;)  Check out their blog with all the details here.  Oh and please let me know if you have an opinion or source for what to don new baby in for her first pictures!

You all know how I love party planning inspiration...and pretty things.  Well The TomKat Studio has oodles of both.  Every Friday they do giveaways and I wanted to share this one because A) It's awesome B) There is a coupon code to go along with it (so everyone's a winner!) and C) it's just in time for Easter!! (But hurry because it ends at midnight tomorrow!).

TomKat is giving away $100 shopping credit for Banner Boutique on etsy.  If you don't know about Banner Boutique, what's wrong with you?  Ok, just kidding.  But if you have a little girl (or if you are one), you will love the beautiful floral headbands Banner Boutique offers.  And what better way to accessorize that adorable Easter dress you're planning to don her in?!  While there are tons of headbands on etsy, I have to say, Banner Boutique's are so beautiful, made with such quality, and come in such adorable packaging (what can I say? I'm a sucker for marketing), that they typically are head and shoulders above the rest.  or should I say headband and shoulders above the rest.  Oh my gosh.  I kill me.  Anyway, head over to TomKat for the details and coupon code and take a look-ie at Banner here.  Here are some of my faves! and by the way, you can see the adorable Gracie wearing one in this post.