elf on the shelf

**

I am sure that you all have heard about the adorable holiday tradition, Elf on the Shelf.

For those of you who haven't, here is a little synopsis from the Elf on the Shelf website.

"Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa knows who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year. 

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot!  While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy. "

This is one tradition I can not wait to start!!  I purchased my very own Elf on the Shelf last year after Christmas for half off :)  I love the idea of having this playful little elf keeping his eyes and ears on our little one.  

I also LOVE the creativity behind the little elf antics that you can come up with each night after your kiddos are asleep :)

Here are some of the cutest photos that I found with "Elf on the Shelf" ideas:

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

**

Adorable right?  I can NOT wait!  Do any of you have this tradition with your family?  What are some cute ways that you have placed your elf at night?  I would love to hear any ideas that you all have!!

Thank you.

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

artist love: alexander girard

**

This weekend I was so blessed to find a reproduction of one of Alexander Girard's prints while treasure hunting at an antique mall. You all know how I have been searching high and low for the PERFECT art piece for the nursery.  Everyone kept telling me that when I saw it, I would know...

Well, I saw it, and I knew :)

 I mean, could it get any more perfect?  I don't think so!

Here is a little bit about this incredibly talented designer...

"Girard worked with George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames to form a design team that has influenced the fundamentals of design throughout the United States and the rest of the world. Girard initially established a fabric collection based on his architectural training. His first fabric line consisted of plain upholsteries and geometric drapery prints—stripes, circles, and triangles. He went on to create many more patterns and designs, largely inspired by folk art.  Girard also developed a furniture collection for Herman Miller in 1967." (source)

Well, when you design with people like Eames, Miller and Nelson, you are pretty much top- notch.

Alexander Girard is one of my most favorite designers out there and I was pleasantly surprised to find this peice and make it mine.

  Here are some of my other favorites...

**

**

**

**

**

**

And these two Alexander Girard things have been added to le baby's registry as well :)

**

**

Lovely.

What do you think?

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

little pins

Welcome to another edition of "Little Pins." 

Here is your weekly dose of cuteness for the littles in your life.   These photos are great 

sources of inspiration for me and I hope that they are for you too!

**

**

**

**

**

**

Eeeek! So much cuteness right?  These weekly "little pins" posts really give me the baby fever.  I can not wait for a little one of our own!

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

the fifth of november

**

I heart Guy Fawkes Day!!
Have a good one :)
xo
janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

rockabye baby

                                 Today, I listened to the most amazing thing...

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions. 

 Have you heard of this series yet?  

Rockabye Baby sent me over the lullaby renditions CD of Van Halen today.

"If your little one won't sleep the night away, try these sweet and soothing renditions of Van Halen's raging rock classics.  The cradle will rock, just softly this time."

After listening to the entire CD while cleaning I have decided that it is:

1. so incredibly relaxing

2.  so perfect for a trendy baby (or any baby/adult/anyone)

3.  so going to be played A LOT over here :)

This company has taken the music that we LOVE and transformed it into a lullaby rendition, which makes me so happy!!

I have already been on their website multiple times tonight listening to some of the other bands that are available.

Here are some of my favorites:

 And yes, these have ALL been added to my baby registry!!  

Plus, you know it's good when Ellen loves it right?

This is definitely a product that works, and is rad, and will be used with our baby.

Music is a huge part of my life and Adam's and it feels good to know that we can bring our baby up with good music in a way that makes them happy :)
You can check them outon Facebook, and on twitter too.

Now, go buy some music!!

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

fill in the blank

Now that it's November, I have the holiday season on the brain.

I have a little fill in the blank activity for us all today.

Here we go...

leave your "fill in the blank" answer in the comments section below :)

I will start with mine.

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.

Happy November

**

Well hello there November.

I can't believe how fast this year has flown by!

This is going to be a busy month full of wonderful things.

Not too mention, I have a whole bunch of lovely sponsors over there -----> 

(be sure to check them out).

This also means that Christmas is right around the corner!

I can not wait for the Holiday Season.

Usually I start busting out the decorations right after Halloween but Adam and I are in the process of clearing out a lot of our clutter to put into a storage area.

Right now our home is full of boxes!

I need to focus my attention on redecorating our living room space and the nursery right now.

This year I may actually have to be "normal" and wait until after Thanksgiving for Christmas decorations!

I am on the hunt for some LARGE art prints for our living room to go above the television. Any ideas?

xo

janel

P.S. Don't forget to vote :) All it takes it two little clicks.