Hello Twilite Moon fans. I’m Amy, founder of Tonality Designs (link: http://www.tonalitydesigns.typepad.com), an event stationary company focused on creating entertaining ideas for social gatherings like baby showers, bridal showers and birthdays. When Twilite Moon asked if I’d be a guest blogger and write holiday ideas for moms and moms-to-be, I jumped at the opportunity. Why? Because new moms are looking to start family traditions and what better way to enhance traditions than by adding creative touches to your next Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering. So over the weeks to come, I’ll happily pass on some helpful ideas to make your next holiday affair a little extra special.

That said, if you’re reading this, most likely you’re a busy mom or mom-to-be. It probably seems like a century has passed since your wedding, so you’ve long since stopped reading bridal magazines. However, it’s the bridal magazines that often have the best entertaining ideas. They provide us with seasonal color stories, creative centerpieces, easy decorating ideas and do-it-yourself invitations and favors. And yes the magazine editors are tapped into the wedding market, but who says that only your wedding day should be planned to perfection? I believe that the same thought can easily be translated to your everyday party.

To prove this I’m going to start with flowers because if you focus on adding one extra-touch this holiday season – flowers will provide the greatest impact.

And flowers are easy – a key element to consider when you’re dealing with diaper changes, midnight feedings and play dates.

So let’s remember back to when you were preparing for your wedding. You most likely found a picture of the perfect bridal bouquet and then took it to your local florist to translate for your big day. Well, you can do the same this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Today we’ll focus on Thanksgiving.

Here are 4 different pictures that could inspire the centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table this year. You’ll notice each evokes a different feel, but all say fall and fabulous. And you don’t have to limit the arrangements to just the dinner table. Think about where in your house you could use an added touch of color and simply add an arrangement. Big or small, flowers will immediately transform your home. They are welcoming and somehow have the power to make us feel special. By adding them throughout your house, your family and guests will immediately know that you made an effort to make this holiday memorable.

Now what if you’re not hosting Thanksgiving this year? Well, don’t worry. You can always surprise this year’s host with a special arrangement. Sure you could pick up a bouquet at the grocery, but where’s the extra thought and fun in that?

And remember – even though you’re no longer a bride-to-be, from time-to-time while in line at the grocery, I encourage you to pick up a bridal magazine along with your typical parent’s magazine. Or periodically visit a top bridal blog like Style Me Pretty. (link: http://www.stylemepretty.com) You just might find the inspiration you need for your next holiday party – or baby’s first birthday!

***As a side note, for you extra ambitious moms, you can always try making the flower arrangements yourself. Find where your local flower market is and on the Tuesday or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, go to the market. For tips on flower arranging see this article and video on none other than MarthaStewart.com (link: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/lilly-pulitzer-flower-arrangements?autonomy_kw=flower%20arranging%20tips)

Flower Sources:

1. Photo by: In Photography

(link: http://www.inphotography.net/)

2. Flower by: Ink and Peat

(http://housemartin.typepad.com/housemartin/2009/09/sunshine-grey.html)

3. Flowers by: Jess Country Flowers

(link: http://www.jesscountryflowers.com/ )

4. Photo by: Jose Villa Photography

(link: http://josevillaphoto.com/ )

Amy is the founder of Tonality Designs (www.tonalitydesigns.com) where she can create the perfect stationary or decorations for any special occasion.  You can also follow her blog at http://tonalitydesigns.typepad.com/tonality_designs/.

For a quick way to spice up your nursery, put some old record covers on the wall.  Many of you must have some favorites laying around.  Just be sure to use a safe adhesive for easy removal and to protect your old memories.  For more inspiration, check out this blog site dedicated LP Album Cover Lovers, http://lpcoverlover.com.

Our winner this month is Robin with her creative and imaginative goodie.  While putting together her son’s nursery she worked with an airplane kit and created the right decorative addition for her son’s room.  We think her goodie is beautiful in its simplicity and something that any mom could put together.  Here’s what Robin had to say about her goodie…

“As soon as I found out that I was having a boy I started thinking about what I could do in the nursery.  My husband had picked up an airplane kit at a garage sale a few years ago and I decided to put it together myself and use it in our little boy’s room.  I didn’t worry about making the plane perfect as this was to be used to for decoration and not to actually fly.  As I was building the plane, I decided that I wanted to leave the skin off of it and I love the result.  I hung the plane on the wall and as my son has been getting older he has begun to stare at this skeletal plane as I change his diaper.  Not too bad for a $5 investment and a few hours of gluing.”

Thanks for sharing Robin!  We hope you enjoy your $50 gift certificate.

If you have a goodie you would like share, sent it to us at goodies@twilitemoon.com

remember that precious outfit you wore home from the hospital, or your first holiday dress. just spruce it up, and pin it into a shadow box frame. suddenly you’ve created beautiful wall art and brought all of those sweet memories from your childhood into your baby’s room. just imagine the bedtime stories you’ll tell about daddy’s first polyester jumpsuit.

When Foo Fighter front-man, Dave Grohl, accepted his Grammy two weeks ago for rock album of the year, he thanked his daughter, Violet, for providing him with the inspiration for writing the award winning songs.  It was an important reminder that some of the greatest songs have come from musicians who found inspiration from their children.  Each of our recommended tunes were written by musicians who were inspired by their pride and joy. 

Together, these songs could make great playlists for a baby shower, a delivery room, or even for a relaxing evening at home with your family.

“Lullaby,” Dixie Chicks

“Hold You In My Arms,” Ray LaMontagne

“Goodnight My Angel,” Billy Joel

“Call me Papa,” Donavon Frankenreiter

“Isn’t She Lovely,” Stevie Wonder

“Save Room,” John Legend

“Blackbird,” The Beatles

“Lullaby,” Jack Johnson & Matt Costa

“Your Smiling Face,” James Taylor

“I’ll Stand By You,” The Pretenders

“Little One,” Beck 

“Baby Mine,” Bette Midler

We’ve made this playlist available for you on iTunes.  Hope you enjoy!

Twilite Moon Goodies are nuggets of inspiration for your Life with Baby. Whether it’s a Mamatini Recipe to calm morning sickness or a mural how-to for your baby’s nursery, a Goodie is just that - good ideas, good tips, good design, good wisdom…good stuff.

SHARE YOUR GOODIES AND ENTER TO WIN $50!  We’d love to hear some of your Goodies. We know you’ve got ‘em and after all, how good could a Goodie be if you keep it to yourself? Send your best design tips, fun shower ideas, tasty recipes, or crafty how-tos to us at goodies@twilitemoon.com. Each month, our editors will pick a favorite to be featured on the blog and award the winner a $50 gift certificate.  The winning Goodie will be announced the first Friday of each month.

Bring a bit of nature into your nursery with this fabulous
bird house. Make it yourself as a wonderful summer activity!

step 1
you’ll need a wooden birdhouse, faux birds, a small can of wood craft paint, a paint brush & a tree branch. you can buy beautiful branches in the floral department of your local craft store, or look in your own backyard.

step 2
paint the birdhouse with two coats of paint & let dry for three hours in between each coat. go ahead & have some fun, paint the birdhouse with retro stripes or bright polka dots to match your nursery.

step 3
attach faux birds to branch & birdhouse perch using the twine attached to their feet. secure them with craft glue if needed.

step 4
attach tree branch to wall with screws ideally placed behind the birdhouse. hang two feet from the top of the crib to keep out of your little one’s grasp.

step 5
once the branch is securely attached to the wall, add the birdhouse. use the display hook on the back of the birdhouse & hang it on a nail.

Perfect for showers, parties, or just for an afternoon alone.  This yummy virgin cocktail is packed with powerful antioxidants and natural anti-nausea remedies for soon to be mamas.

2 parts pomegranate juice

1 part pineapple juice

1 part bubbly mineral water

blackberries for garnish

hosting a shower? we’ve got a great goodie for a centerpiece that doubles as a gift: a diaper cake. yes, that is a cake made entirely out of diapers, baby bath products, some ribbon, and a lot of love.

what you’ll need:

70-80 small or medium diapers (all white), large bottle of baby lotion or baby powder, small bottle, pacifiers, etc., double-stick tape, a 16 inch round cardboard cake base (available at Michael’s or other craft stores), rubber bands, ribbon, silk or real flowers.

step 1
roll diapers one by one into neat rolls and secure tightly with a rubber band.

step 2
place large bottle of baby lotion, powder, or baby oil in center of your cardboard base.

step 3
surround the bottle with diapers so that the diapers are standing vertically. make a circle around the bottle and secure all the diapers with a rubber band. continue this step, moving outward, until you have a wide foundation and first layer for your cake.

step 4
continue with a second layer, just like the bottom layer, by circling the diapers around the baby lotion, which still should be peeking out of the bottom layer. secure diapers to the cardboard round and to the other layers with double stick tape. don’t use too much tape - the goal is for the recipient to actually use the diapers.

step 5
once you have two layers, add another smaller bottle (either feeding bottle or small bottle of baby powder) to the center to create another anchor for the top layer. repeat steps 3 & 4 until you have three layers. finally, wrap the ribbon around each layer and secure the ends with double-stick tape. we tucked slik ronunculas in the top of the cake, but you could even use real flowers. also, have fun adding special surprises like dropping a few pacifiers or teething rings in the top layer underneath the flowers!

your result is a cute, personalized gift that will be quite useful once the baby arrives!