All the Details You Need to Host the Prettiest Baby Shower

This is the season of life where all of our friends are having babies, have newborns, or are newly expecting a little one.  Baby showers are one of my favorite events to plan and attend.  There's something so exciting about showering a mama-to-be, from all of the cute baby gifts and pretty decor to celebrating the upcoming new baby.  Today, I'm sharing my favorite shops to plan the prettiest baby shower that I just know you will love too! 

Baby Shower Invites - Paperless Post has hundreds of baby shower invites, each one prettier than the next!  I love that there is an option to send via email, as well as paper printed. Whatever your theme, Paperless Post has an invite for everything.  There are options for baby boys, baby girls, or a surprise!  Some of my favorites are below, including one for daddies-to-be!  They also have great invitations for birthday parties, holiday cards, and much more. 

I absolutely love this book themed one, so perfect if you chose to include a note for your guests to bring a book for baby's library!

You know a daddy-to-be would love this one to enjoy a day with friends.  

I love this floral themed invite - so pretty! 

I love the idea of a sip and see once the baby is born and this stork theme is too sweet!

Baby Shower Attire - PinkBlush has a great selection of maternity & women's clothing - so stylish and so affordable!  I love this polka dot dress for mamas-to-be and I'd love to wear this button sash dress as a guest. It's so fun to get all dressed up, isn't it?

Baby Shower Decor- I love party decorations and these sweet paper garlands are the perfect touch of color and can be used in the baby's nursery afterwards. Fun balloons and tissue garlands are always great options too.  I also love sweet favors such as these mini soy candles or sugar scrubs, just a little something that your guests can enjoy afterwards. You also can't go wrong with some pretty  floral centerpieces and a special diaper cake.

Baby showers are SO fun to plan! Thanks for reading along and I hope I inspired you to plan the prettiest one! XO

Simple Resolutions To Make Your Mind + Heart Happy

Happy New Year!  I hope you enjoyed your holidays with family, friends, and lots of yummy food!  I took a quick break to enjoy time with my little ones and I'm back feeling refreshed ;)  Today, I'm sharing some simple resolutions that are easy to keep while making you feel accomplished.  I'm not huge on resolutions and while some are thrown to the side at times, I normally try to be mindful of simple ones that make lives easier + more enjoyable. 

Be Organized 

Organization is something I crave and it makes my mind and heart happy.  Since having two busy little ones and being married to the most unorganized man ever (#truth), I have lost my ducks-in-a-row-mojo.  I'm striving to get it back and I know how much clarity and peace it brings to my life so this is my biggest resolution this year. My STARTplanner is legit, you guys.  There's literally a page and space for everything. Everything.  In the Hustle Daily Planner, everything from monthly finance spreadsheets, top three of the day to water goals are planned down to the hour in an organized, clean way.  This is exactly what I need to keep me on top of birthdays, groceries, tutoring schedules and everyday activities.  There's also a business edition, which would be so great for working mamas or those with their own small businesses.  Not only is it gorgeous, but the pages are so clean and organized in the best possible way.  You need this in your life!!  And one of you lucky ones get the chance to win one at the end of this post! 

Donate More

Ever since I read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, I've been inspired to donate more and get rid of things we don't use or need anymore.  Everything from toys to clothes to kitchen items, I've been taking car loads to the thrift store at our church.  Although at times I feel bad about giving certain things away (there's really no reason for attachment for most things but I always feel a tinge of guilt) I know they are going to someone in need and that makes me feel so good to help.  Afterwards, I feel like I can breathe so much easier.  I plan on doing a big purge of all of our clothes (hello eighty five thousand random t-shirts in Rob's drawers) and that alone will be so fulfilling.  I tend to be a "keeper" and really, who am I kidding?  I'm pretty sure I won't be wearing my going out tops from college anytime soon ;)  If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it!

Cook More

For Christmas, I got Daphne Oz's new cookbook, The Happy Cook and I'm loving it.  I really enjoy cooking and while I cook often, I fall into the habit of making simple meals for Olivia and I if Rob isn't home or meals that are thrown together because I'm rushing after tutoring or being out for the day.  My plan is to try to meal plan more = less wasted food, more money saved, and to enjoy the cooking process.  Olivia loves to help in the kitchen and I hope to include her more as well.  In my STARTplanner, there's even a meal planning section so it couldn't be any easier to start now!

Be organized, donate, and cook more - my simple resolutions to make the mind + heart happy!  

Now, I can't wait to see who wins a brand new STARTplanner!!  Simply enter below and the winner will be notified by January 6, 2017.  Everyone who enters gets a free party download too!! If you're following along on Instagram, @thebirdsnestblog, be sure to comment with one goal for 2017 and score some extra entries on there as well! Winner must reside in the US. Good luck XOXO

ENTER TO WIN A START PLANNER HERE