v 5 issue 11: Room to Grow

Are you preparing for a newborn baby? Or buying a gift for a baby shower? This issue contains a variety of nursery furnishings from quality bedding to wall accessories and so much more.

Cover by Stephanie Natale









1 The naturalmat Coco Mat is the most breathable and organic crib mattress. A core of organic coir, a fiber made from coconut husks, is wrapped with a lambswool dipped in extracts of lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus to make it dust mite free with a bit of bounce. The mattress is then covered with a pure cotton mattress cover for breathable protection. Organic, exceptionally supportive, and heavenly soft! Enter code: ttw10 for 10% off your purchase.

2 Using the adorable artwork of Cathy Heck and her fabulous interactive website, nursery rooms can be filled with one-of-a-kind artwork. A 7 step process allows one to choose the sizes, colors, characters, and letters of their liking. Each creation is printed on heavy canvas using the giclée method and stretched around a heavy 1-1/2 inch frame to create museum quality pieces. Enter code: tottrends99 for 25% off before shipping and handling thru 11/1/09.

3 Upper and lower case letters of the alphabet are dressed in modern hues and arranged in a jumbled, yet orderly, fashion. A great piece of artwork for the contemporary palette. Find this and other great wall decor at Trendy Peas. Enter code: B2G1 in memo at check for a free print when you buy 2 full price prints.

4 With the Design Center at the Simple Stencil, patrons have the ability to preview stencil colors on backgrounds, simplifying the color decision process. All transfers are easy to apply on smooth surfaces...just peel and stick for a quick and easy "painted" appearance. Enter code: SSFC3 for 20% off your purchases.

5 Outfitting a crib is simple & fun at MiGistyle.com. The Alphabet Crib Set contains 4 pieces (a bumper, crib sheet, quilt, and crib skirt) of superbly coordinated bedding. Classic animals and letters set the foundation for this set, while chocolate brown neatly trims and accents. And for just the right amount of panache, some waves, embroidery, and appliques are tossed into the mix.

6 Remaining true to a motto of "No fuss, no muss!", Muralettes offer a quick fix for room decorating. Easy to put up, easy to take off, and great for those with a fear of commitment. The fishies set is stacked with 72 decals ready to transform any room into an underwater adventure! Enter code: tottrends for a 15% off thru 10/15/09.

7 The Bratt Decor Dick Crib in white is an updated version of the classic baby crib. Solid head and foot panels hide distractions and quiet noises and a classic design works with multiple interior styles. The crib also easily transforms into a gorgeous toddler bed with an optional toddler conversion kit. Available at motherearthandbaby.com. Enter code: TOT10 for 10% off thru 11/29/09

8 The low-rider glider and ottoman from Monte Designs is no ordinary glider combination! Sleek lines and a clean design allow these pieces to blend into any contemporary floor plan. Available in 9 attractive colors!


For the love of chocolate recipes:

Easy Chocolate Soufflé

Ingredients:
3 tablespoon real butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 ounces unsweetened, fine baker's chocolate
5 large eggs, separated

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and sugar the inside of a soufflé dish. Melt butter and flour in a pan over medium heat. Add milk and stir constantly. Mix in vanilla and chocolate. Mix until well blended and smooth. Cool chocolate mixture slightly and add three to four of the egg yolks; blend until smooth. Beat egg whites until firm, but not fully stiff. Place chocolate mix in a bowl; carefully fold in egg whites. Place mix in the soufflé dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until top appears to be floating, but isn't oozing liquid. Serve immediately.



Chocolate Pudding Brownie Bake

Ingredients:
2 tablespoon butter, evenly melted
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup white sugar
4 tablespoon fine cocoa, halved
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 cup boiling water
dash of salt
nuts, if desired, 1/4 to 1/2 cup, finely chopped

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend butter, milk, vanilla, white sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and 2 tablespoons of the cocoa. Add nuts if desired. Place the mixture into a greased baking dish or casserole pan. Mix brown sugar and remaining cocoa; sprinkle on top of the batter. Slowly pour boiling water into the mix. Bake until a brownie cake rises to the top, approximately 30 minutes. Serve immediately with whipped cream of ice cream.


Ten Things to Consider When Purchasing a Baby Crib
When expecting a new baby in the family, one of the most important purchases you will make will be the crib. There is a myriad of styles to choose from. How do you narrow it down to just one? Here are ten important considerations to help you make your decision:

1. Safety standards - The first consideration for any crib that is purchased is whether or not it is safe. Crib slats should have a span of no greater than 2 3/8 inches apart. This will prevent the infant from accidentally getting their head stuck between the slats.

2. Style - When selecting a crib, style plays a part. Do you want it painted or natural wood? Light or dark? If you have other furniture, do you want it to coordinate? One thing to avoid is a crib with finials, as it can be a choking hazard if babies get caught on it once they begin standing.

3. Convertible - Conversion cribs are a great investment. The crib can grow with the child. They cost a bit more to start with, but they can be reconfigured into a toddler bed, day bed and finally a twin bed. However, you may have to buy the supports for the twin bed and the mattress.

4. Wheels - There are pros and cons to having wheels on the crib. It can make it easy to move while cleaning, but you also have to make sure it has locks on the wheels to keep it from moving when you don't want it to be moved.

5. Drop sides/release - Most parents need a drop side crib, unless they are tall. There are some cribs that have a drop on both sides, but most people only need it to be accessible from one side. You should also look for cribs with latches that are easy for the parent, but not the child, to release. There are two-handed or one-handed releases. Test out the cribs in the store and make sure you can do it easily. Also check to see if they move quietly, so it won't wake up the baby. The side needs to be nine inches above the top of the mattress to protect the baby from accidentally rolling out before the side is back in place.

6. New vs. used - Some people want to save some money by buying a used crib. This isn't always a problem; however, you have to make sure that it meets current standards. Check it to make sure it doesn't wobble and has all the hardware in place. Make sure it's not too old, as many older cribs had lead paint.

7. Stability - Make sure the crib you choose is stable. Most cribs have to be assembled once you bring them home. Be sure to purchase one that is easy to put together but is still sturdy enough.

8. Mattress - It is important to get the right mattress for the crib you purchase. Be sure the mattress fits snugly in the crib. If there are any gaps around the edges, it could be a danger to the baby. If you can fit two fingers between the edge of the mattress and the sides of the crib, it is too small. Be sure to buy a new, firm mattress.

9. Adjustable mattress height - In addition to the convertible cribs, it is important that you are able to adjust the height of the mattress as the child grows. A crib with at least a 26-inch span between the top of the rail and the mattress is a good guide.

10. Where to shop - There are many options for shopping for a crib. There are baby specialty stores, department stores, the internet, gently used baby stores, and garage sales. You have to balance cost against customer support, returns, and shipping. Shop around and find the best quality for the best price.