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“The days are long but the years are short.” It’s one of those sayings that never feels cliché because it rings so true. Some days of parenting can feel like moving through glue but then you look back at photos from just a few months ago and it seems like time has flown. There are more teeth (or less!), different activities and interests, funny faces they no longer make, and wobbly steps have become confident sprints. So many of us have high hopes of keeping meticulous baby books and recording all the memories in the making. But let’s be honest -- sometimes real life doesn’t provide an opportunity for scrapbooking. Luckily, in this digital age, it’s easier than ever to aggregate memories in keepsakes. We wanted to share some of our favorite ways to do just that. 
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While it may feel overwhelming to commit to learning about what each and every product is made out of, shopping with brands that are committed to safe, nontoxic materials is our favorite #momhack for keeping our little ones and the planet safe. We are always looking for ways to incorporate nature into children’s rooms and spaces. Whether it’s with bringing actual nature into the room via plants that are beneficial to the air quality or using products that we know are free of chemicals. While our adult bodies can (sometimes) withstand environmental allergens and chemicals, little bodies are much more susceptible and reactive. Our goal is to help our clients create rooms that are not only beautiful to look at -- but safe and healthy for our sweet little ones. As a general rule, we suggest avoiding products containing heavy metals, lead, mercury and cadmium, formaldehyde, phthalates, BPA and BPS, PVC, VOCs, PFAS, flame retardants, boric acid and fragrances. Why do we recommend avoiding these? Because they can affect behavior, disrupt endocrine systems, imbalance hormones, and in some cases are carcinogenic. Below are some of our favorite go-to retailers and brands committed to creating things that are good for humans and the earth. 
This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. While it may seem a bit unfathomable after the country was covered in a blanket of snow, power outages are wreaking havoc, and the dark days of winter seem to drag on forever – spring is coming! The days are getting longer and beneath the ground plants are beginning their ascent to the surface. The light is coming. This has been a dark season in more ways than one, but we are on the cusp of spring! One of our favorite ways to set the tone for what we are manifesting is to bring that energy into our children’s rooms. Let’s shake off those winter blues, shall we? It’s time to lighten up our homes in preparation for sunny days ahead.  Lorena Canals machine washable rug
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It’s official, January 2021 is the month Bridgerton took over our Netflix binging and our social media feeds. It turns out this Regency period romance is exactly what we all needed after 200 years in quarantine. There is so much to love about the show – from Daphne’s gorgeous gowns from the Modiste to the opulent events of the season to well, every scene with Simon Basset. Naturally, we were particularly drawn to the décor. From the Bridgerton family home in London to the Duke’s residence to Lady Danbury’s ballroom – the inspiration is truly endless. But our favorite room of all (no surprise here) was the nursery at the Duke and Duchess’ newlywed residence. That veiled bassinet, the sun streaming in with an almost heavenly glow, the opulent yet appropriate simplicity. It’s a design dream. 
This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. "Their tag, "Life is stressful. Designing shouldn't be." really resonated with me. At the time I was pregnant and didn't have the time to think about décor. The idea of simply sharing my vision, reviewing the design and then shopping the items online was exactly what I needed." – Elizabeth Warren, YouthfulNest client 2018 In 2018 Elizabeth was pregnant with her first child and working for Motherly, the go-to website, and community for all things motherhood. She had heard about our services through work conversations. Her decision to purchase a YouthfulNest package was the value it brought her in three major ways:
 Peak into this charming Charleston nursery. This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. Hello, 2021! We’ve been waiting for you. We’re definitely ready for a fresh start after the craziness of last year. While 2021 may still have us cuddled up at home, there’s something beautiful about hitting the reset button and starting fresh. Since we’ll all still be spending more time at home for at least the next few months (and hopefully not too much longer!), it’s even more important that the spaces we spend the most time in bring us joy and peace. Which has us thinking about all things new for the nursery. The nursery is homebase for parents of new little ones so it’s extra important that it brings joy to all who spend time in it. Fortunately, there are tons of amazing new products out there designed to make your days in the nursery a bit brighter and most importantly, easier. And we could all use a bit more ease right now. We’re eyeing woodland themes, rich textures, and heirlooms in the making for nursery design as we make our way into this new year. 
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As we are getting ready for gift giving season, one of the challenges is to buy things that fit into our play space, both literally and figuratively. A play space is a parenting essential. If you don’t already have that space, maybe that should be the gift you give yourself. Whether you have a small space and need the area to serve multiple functions (for us it’s our guest room) or if you’ve repurposed your three-car garage to build a mini DisneyLand, it is important to have a designated area for play. There is nothing sustainable or healthy about toys being strewn all over the house. My son is 9 months old now. And as a big kid, myself, I’m already having a ton of fun creating his play area. There are a few things that are must-haves for me. 
This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. Fall is more than a time of year; it is a mindset. It is the season of relaxing and indulging. For our ancestors, “Sweater Weather” signified the harvest. It was when the rest of the year's hard work finally paid off. This feeling, of what Fall means, has transcended into the modern-day. Especially after we all have endured so much in 2020, we owe ourselves a season of exhales and comfort. As a parent, I am constantly concerned with how our children have had to adjust. Part of being a good parent is giving them security and consistency. The events from this past year have made providing these things especially hard. Yet, you may consider this an opportunity to solidify their home as a true sanctuary. As the days grow shorter and the air grows cooler, relish in the sacred season. Create a home aesthetic that lets them know, it’s all going to be ok.  It's "Sweater Weather" – weighted blanket by Bearaby This post may contain affiliate links which help support our blog efforts. Few occasions in a person’s life are more exciting and celebratory than a pregnancy and the birth of a child. In fact, if you ask any mother what the most exciting day of her life was, she will most likely forgo her wedding or graduation day and without hesitation cite her baby’s birth as the number one best day ever (we can easily understand why). Of course, we are not living in typical times. The coronavirus pandemic has put many in-person celebrations on hold, including baby showers, gender reveals and any other in-person events of that nature. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still celebrate. Here’s a look at the history of some of the key celebrations surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, how they’ve come to be the occasions we know and love today and how you can celebrate these exciting milestones with your loved ones.  Cin Cin! Cheers! Skol! Salud! 乾杯/! Santé! Mazel!
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Your nursery is your baby’s first home in the outside world, but it’s also where you’re going to spend the majority of your time in those first few months—especially in those first few weeks. It’s where you’ll be doing the bulk of the diaper changing, feeding (day and night), dressing, book reading, and plenty of picture taking. In other words, it’s about to become your most inhabited room in your home! That’s why it’s so important to design a nursery with not only your baby in mind (even though it is his room, after all)—but also with mom in mind. Tack on the undeniably important fact that we’re parenting in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and the need for a mom-friendly nursery is all the more valid. You’re less likely to have the help of well-meaning family members and friends, and may even have a partner who has to return back to work earlier than anticipated. All of these reasons and more justify why it’s important to consider how to make your baby's nursery work for your needs and serve as a respite of relaxation and relief from the stressors of the day. Here are some pro tips to help ensure that your nursery works just as much for you as it does for your new bundle of joy. 
See this mama's sanctuary.
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Lisa Janvrin
A self-starter in pursuit of all things smart, savvy and stylish.  Categories
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