Though we're still shivering in our wool coats and digging out our cars on a regular basis up here in the Northeast, signs of spring are in full bloom in the shopping world.  Target always has some fun offerings as the weather warms up, and this year is no exception.  They will be rolling out several designer lines right in a row, starting with Jean-Paul Gaultier on March 7th, Liberty of London on March 14th, and then Zac Posen on April 25th.  I will admit that I am most excited for Liberty of London... if you're not familiar, please let me show you why...
Could it get any HAPPIER than these beautiful and cheery floral prints?? I think I have already fallen in love, but if you're not quite there yet, check out this promo video... I promise it will leave you with a smile on your face and a crazy desire for summer dresses.  Counting down the days til March 14th!

Now, having had a baby, I realize that beautiful bedding doesn't stay beautiful. Within minutes, it can be covered in spit up and poop. It's great to have a beautiful nursery but it has to be functional as well. If you can afford $500 bedding, go for it, but if not, there are tons of cheap options at places like Target and Walmart.com. (And as my husband would say, wouldn't that $500 be better spent on a 529 plan so Genevieve can go to college?) Gotta love that man.

I bought BAGS of accessories-I'm talking jewel adorned cake stands I was going to use to put baby stuff on (soooo not practical), adorable frames, little glass animals for shelves, books, baskets, etc. Eventually when I actually put the room together I realized less is more. Also as your baby gets older, decorative items will become obsolete. I'm already preparing to say goodbye to my beautiful homemade teacup lamp.*

Three words: TJ Maxx, Homegoods, and Marshall's! I lived there when I was decorating. They have one of a kind items at great prices. I also shopped at thrift stores and antique stores where I found the book sets and her dresser along with so many other adorable furniture items I wished I had room for.

Though we lean toward pastels for babies, they actually like bright contrasting colors. Babies respond to black and white earlier than they do to other colors--especially pastels. Genevieve LOVES her bright room. She can be crying and we'll walk into her room and she'll start cooing!

And what do I mean by decorate for yourself? You have to live with the room. Do you really want to decorate with jungle animals if you hate the idea because you think that's what babies like? Babies aren't picky! Pick something your baby can grow into that you will also enjoy. I like my nursery. Although I'd rather not be up at 3 am, at least if I am I can be in an environment I find pretty. :)

Babies have lots of crap, I mean stuff. ;) Seriously I can't believe how much stuff Genevieve has and it seems there is always more I'm running out to Babies-R-Us to grab. I bought a dresser with 6 drawers (rather than a changing table with little storage), 7 baskets, and 2 ottomans with storage. I use containers for under her bed and she has a fairly spacious closet and we could still use more storage.

Your nursery should be a reflection of you. As for my style, I call it the dichotomy of Tiffany: I love old and new. I LOVE modern but I also love vintage and antique. I tried to mix it up using those two elements. I used an old dresser and an old rocking chair but a new, fairly modern crib. I understand some of you type As will not be able to handle having espresso and white furniture or old and new furniture in the same room and trust me I get that! But don't be afraid to throw in some off beat elements even if all of your furniture is matchy matchy. It will make the room more unique.

For some time, I've been meaning to post about decorating a nursery on a budget. But what do you know- you have a baby and all of a sudden you don't have time to reminisce about how fun it was to prepare for that baby. It's all you can do to keep up with around the clock feedings, play time, and poop parties. :) In any case I figure I should get started, though I may have to post in a couple of installments [insert Genevieve's crying here].

So now that you're dying to get started preserving your memories in style with your first scrapbox, what exactly do you need??  Here's a few supplies that will come in handy:

Shadow boxes: Obviously. :)  Get yours at a discount by shopping at Michael's or AC Moore and using their fantastic weekly coupons to get a percentage off a single item each week.  Usually it's at least 40% off!  Don't get their email coupons yet?  Go here to sign up for Michaels and here for AC Moore!

Shelving: As Tiffany pointed out in her comment on the previous post, IKEA offers some great shelving at really reasonable prices.  This would be my first choice to display the boxes on, as it allows the greatest flexibility.  Check out the TONS of options on their website here.

I'm in love.  With love...with Joe...with Genevieve...with the etsy store, sendthemarose.  I think I know where I'm getting my Valentine's day cards this year.  And instead of just getting one for my husband and one for my BFF, I may have to buy a bunch and figure out who else to give them to.  Seriously.  With these creative beauties at this amazing price, I may just not be able to help myself.