Instead of the traditional guest sign-in, why not do something different and give out blank note cards to have guests fill in their favorite recipes? A great idea would be to ask other mothers for their homemade baby food recipes. Then, either send them the cards early for them to bring to the new mom’s big day or bring them to her shower. Each guest copies down the recipes with their name. That way mom can bring back something from the shower that will last a lifetime!

If your guests are clueless about cooking, give them a list of links to search for recipes. Check out Wholesomebabyfood.com for recipes like Sweet Potato and Pumpkin baby food! Or serve pear puree with recipes from Simplybabyfoodrecipes.com. We’re never disappointed by whatever Martha Stewart does. Check out her recipe for homemade baby food.

Then, just choose your card!

Almost every little girl has had fun with make believe tea parties. Why not celebrate her birthday this year with a real afternoon tea party? Look for ideas on this week’s tea themed inspiration board.

“My Very First Tea Party” by Michal Sparks is a fun picture book and makes a great gift to give to the birthday girl and her guests. The fabric tea set by Pottery Barn adds pretty decor to the party and the pink tea cup and dessert set can be used for all their sweet treats.

Kara’s cupcakes makes pretty sweet treats with mini and regular sizes in flavors Sweet Vanilla and Coconut. Flutter tea for one is filled with dainty butterflies perfect for tea time. Invite guests to the tea party with Tea Time Birthday Party Invitations.

One of my best memories as a child were the times I spent camping with my family. It’s a great way to bond with your kids and a creative way to celebrate their birthday. Here are a few ways to help you get ready for fun, fall nights, roasting marshmallows and camping under the stars.

1) There are specific camping equipment made for kids. Check out some of these cool camping gear. (Kids Dome Camping Tent and Youth Glow-in-the-Dark Solar Quad Chair from Coleman.)

2) Then, before you go make sure to test out all your equipment and gear outside or inside of your home.

3) Don’t forget to pack the essentials such as lots of water, sunscreen and an emergency kit. These are from REI.

4) Choose somewhere nearby and make sure to find out if you’ll need to obtain a permit to camp there.

5) Have fun with food! Check out Familyfun.com for recipes from everything from s’mores and trail mix to pan-fried trout! Yum!

6) And if you’re throwing a camping birthday party or just a casual gathering with family and friends, send out one of these fun, party invitations.

7) Check out Budget Travel’s article, “Camping Tips for Parents,” for more information.

Being a new mom is hard without support from family, friends and even in some cases co-workers. My friend who recently had a baby said that her boss and co-workers came every day the first week after she gave birth to provide meals for her and her husband. Since not all of us are lucky enough to have that kind of support, here are a few other ways new moms can reach out to get advice, share their experiences and feel supported by other mothers out there.

1) Check out Meetup.com, an online network of local groups coming together to share their similar interests and hobbies. You can also do a search for social groups for moms in your area. Bay Area Moms of 2007/2008, for example, holds several get togethers for stay-at-home moms such as gabbing over coffee or taking the strollers out for a walk. Out & About Mamas in Union City offer playgroups for the kids and space for pregnant moms to get advice.

2) Moms Club is a support group for stay-at-home moms that has local chapters. The club does everything from helping children in the community to fun get togethers.

3) If you want to find other parents out there who you can connect with in your area, check out the online parenting network Raising Them.

An article entitled, “Support Groups for New Moms“ expresses the importance of networking explaining that research has shown that spending time with peers decreases the likelihood of getting postpartum depression. Getting support is not only vital but can be fun. There are a number of new support groups for parents and new moms sprouting out everywhere. Check out groups in your area.

You moms are always carrying that big diaper bag everywhere you go. Why not tote one with style? Take a peak at these designer bags that help you carry everything you need in style.

The Slide Diaper bag from Go Gaga is popular with celebrities for its sleek style, ergonomic strap and versatility.

This zermatt stevie baby bag from Kate Spade also comes in black, is waterproof and includes a changing pad.

Petunia Pickle Bottom is hot with celebrities and I can see why. These beautiful bags come in a variety of fun, stylish designs to choose from and include everything from a detachable dirty diaper pouch to a monogrammed wipe case.

These Storksak Diaper bags have been sported on the shoulders of the famous Brad Pitt Angelia Jolie pair.  The Storksak Alex Khaki/Army Diaper Bag is great for dads and the Claire Red Label Diaper Bag is perfect for stylish and practical moms.

Whether you’ve just opened shop, have an established business, or are managing this year’s Christmas party and business Christmas cards, you’ll certainly need to send out those courtesy Christmas cards and important holiday party invitations to your employees and customers this year. With summer barely over, it may seem outrageous to think about the holidays already. But look how fast summer went and think of how good you’ll feel when it’s all done! No rushing around searching for cards and invites on top of getting your own personal Christmas shopping done.  Here are a few tips to help get you started on the holidays a little early this year!

1) The best thing you can do for yourself is to start shopping early! The earlier you start the more choices you’ll have and chances to make changes to your online cards. I’ve already seen several stores with their Christmas ornaments going up.

2) Make it personal! You can make your business Christmas cards personal by adding the name of your company on it or a photo of your whole crew. I think it’s a great way to make everyone feel special since it’s personalized.

3) Let your creativity flow! While it’s always appropriate to send cards with Christmas designs, you can also go the other way and be unique. These Tiny Prints cards show you don’t have to go with the typical red and green card to spread holiday joy and cheer!

4) Be unique. Send out cards with multi-function. Calendar cards like the ones below can be used throughout the year.

Decorating a nursery or kids room allows you to use bold colors, fun prints and a whole lot of imagination. Where else in your house would you consider an cartoon elephant safari motif?!? So take full advantage of all the fun and whimsy of decorating for children’s rooms by checking out these design websites full of fanciful ideas:

• If you and your kids love graphic prints, then Kideko is the place to shop! I adore the green monster print!
• Kids Line offers some of the sweetest designs around for nurseries and charming children’s rooms.
• Want to add a little Parisian flair to the room of your petite chou? Check out Harmonie Interieure for some artistic European ideas.
• Not only does Design Public have adorable, modern designs for kids, but it also features fantastic prints from DwellStudio that match perfectly with many of Tiny Prints’ own birth announcements and birthday party invitations from DwellStudio!
• Always a classic, Pottery Barn Kids never fails to impress with their wide selection of super cute designs for kids and baby alike!

From cupcake lip gloss to peas and carrots cupcakes, these are definitely not your ordinary cupcakes. Here are some unique ideas for a birthday party or baby shower theme filled with cupcakes and everything sweet.

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1) Cupcake lip gloss from Wedding Things. 2) Fuzzy Pink Baby Cupcake Hat from Etsy. 3) Cupcake plates from Target. 4) TV dinner cupcakes (peas and carrots) from Martha Stewart 5) Pizza cupcake from the Hello Cupcake Book. 6) Popcorn cupcake from Family Fun. 7) Bubbly Bear Birthday Party Invitations from Tiny Prints. Jessie Steele Children’s Cupcakes apron from Sas Cupcakes.

Labor day is fast approaching. Got any plans for the long weekend? Though traditionally Labor Day has been celebrated as a signal of the end of summer, today it is perceived as a day of rest. And don’t we all need a little bit of that? So what are your plans this year? (Find about more about Labor Day at Wikipedia.)

Here are some fun ideas for a memorable holiday:

1)

Have a barbecue! Take advantage of the warm weather while it’s still here and invite everyone over for another barbecue.

2) If you don’t feel like cooking burgers and hot dogs, how about baking them? FamilyFun has another great recipe for cupcakes this one topped with hamburgers and hot dogs.

3) Check out what’s going on in your neighborhood and places outside of where you live. In Burlington, N.C. for example, you can listen to music and go camping, try fishing and go on horse-drawn wagon rides at the The Bass Mountain Bluegrass Festival.

4) Hire someone to plan the best vacation for you. Children’s Concierge creates personalized vacations for families in various cities around the world that can include going to a museum, afternoon tea, concerts and even more.

This Baby Bird baby shower theme begins with the bird’s nest favor from Moments of Elegance above. Those adorable mary janes are from Etsy. The bird’s nest cookies are from Martha Stewart. The Little Lad Overalls are from Etsy, and the Sleepy Little Sparrows mobile is from ThisNext. And, finally, the Sweet Chicks Baby Shower Invitation is from Tiny Prints.