Step #1 in the Successful Baby Shower Handbook (trust us, it exists) reads as follows: “Pick an adorable, lighthearted theme for your baby shower, and let it guide your every detail.”

Seems simple enough. Subsection (A) beneath Step #1 in the Successful Baby Shower Handbook (again, it exists) reads as follows: “The easiest way to maintain a consistently adorable and lighthearted theme is to use matching baby shower tableware that is both adorable and lighthearted.”

Fulfilling Subsection (A) is easy if you click over to SimplyBabyStuff.com’s Baby Shower Tableware page, but hold on there, you. What if the mother-to-be is having twins? Selecting an adorable theme—let alone tableware—becomes considerably more complicated. (Or fun! Depending on your perspective.)

Luckily, Sub-subsection (Q) beneath Subsection (A) beneath Step #1 in the Successful Baby Shower Handbook reads as follows: “If the mother-to-be is expecting twins, use SimplyBabyStuff.com’s Two Peas in a Pod baby shower tableware collection.” (We swear, it says that.) (Does too.)

A variation on the “Sweet Pea” theme, the Two Peas in a Pod collection was designed around mothers who are about to have their hands very full. So for now, you can make sure their hands are full with adorable baby shower tableware—plates, napkins, hot/cold cups, placemats and more—all of it featuring two cute babes sitting in a pea pod. (Like two peas in a pod. Because: twins. Follow? Just checking.)

So if you’re planning a shower for a mother-of-twins-to-be, check out the Two Peas in a Pod baby shower tableware page to see what’s available. Whoever wrote the Successful Baby Shower Handbook would be very happy.

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger

I’ve seen many, many different versions of this yummy broccoli salad. It’s often prepared with both cauliflower and broccoli (1 bunch of each), or all broccoli (use two bunches)…but I love to substitute some whole wheat pasta for some of the veg. Besides being amazingly tasty, the broccoli/pasta combination lets this salad stand as a main dish, if you’d like. This is an incredibly adaptable recipe: you can make additions or substitutions based on what you like or have on hand. I’ve seen this made with peas, almonds, dried cranberries, broccoli slaw, cheddar cheese—even grapes. Really, it’s hard to go wrong with this one! Here’s my favorite version:

Broccoli Pasta Salad

1 (12 oz) package whole wheat pasta

1 bunch broccoli, finely chopped (about 5 cups)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 cup raisins

1 cup salted sunflower seeds

10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Dressing:

1½-2 cups Miracle Whip (or mayonnaise)

½ cup honey (or your favorite sweetener)

¼  cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Cook pasta to al dente according to package directions; drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Set aside in the colander to drain well. In a small bowl, combine 1½ cups Miracle Whip with the remaining dressing ingredients. Stir until mixed well, and set aside or store in a covered container. In a large bowl, combine chopped broccoli, cooked pasta, onions, and raisins. Stir together with the dressing until everything is coated and well-combined. Cover the salad and refrigerate at least thirty minutes, or up to two days. Stir in the sunflower seeds and bacon directly before serving the salad.

Depending on how long you store this salad before serving, you may need to add additional Miracle Whip (and maybe a Tablespoon or so of vinegar as well) when you stir in the nuts and bacon. The pasta tends to absorb the dressing somewhat, and it may become a bit dry—be sure to taste and adjust before serving!

Enjoy!

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger

A major part of planning a baby shower is selecting the room décor. Whether your shower will be held in an elegant ballroom, a shady backyard, or right in your living room, you’ll want to be sure your venue conveys the “feel” you want to have at your baby shower. One of the most sure-fire ways to achieve the atmosphere you desire is to select a theme which can be woven throughout every aspect of the baby shower—from the favors to the tableware to the centerpieces.

Balloons and streamers are classic baby shower decorations and can help to tie a look together, but adding smaller, more intimate details will really make a lasting impression on your guests—remember: even your tableware can serve as a part of your decorations! SimplyBabyStuff.com offers a wide selection of coordinating baby shower decorations and supplies, making it even easier to pull a look together. Once you’ve selected your theme, SimplyBabyStuff.com covers all those small details for you! From personalized candles on your table, to a special banner on the wall, to gorgeous diaper cake centerpieces, with SimplyBabyStuff.com, your baby shower decorations will be beautifully polished and coordinated—effortlessly!

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger

Whether you’re a hands-on person or simply on a tight budget, when it comes to planning a baby shower there are many reasons to “Do-It-Yourself.” One of the great things about putting together a DIY shower is that the final product is absolutely unique…and as a bonus, the cost of hosting the shower is often quite a bit lower.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a particularly crafty person, you can create beautiful decorations, favors, prizes, and even invitations by teaming up with SimplyBabyStuff.com.  At SimplyBabyStuff.com, you’ll find an entire section devoted to helping you add your personal style and touch to your baby shower. Whether you’re looking for personalized tags and stickers to add to your own handmade favors and prizes, or containers to fill with candy and flowers to create beautiful centerpieces for your tables, you’ll find just what you need at SimplyBabyStuff.com.

While a do it yourself baby shower requires a bit more work on your part, when you do things your way your guests are sure to notice…and appreciate your efforts!

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger

This 12″ Square Mirror would make for a very elegant baby shower centerpiece to have on the tables and you can not go wrong with prices as low as $3.49.  And keep in mind that it not only make for great decorations but it can also serve as gifts for the shower.  Perhaps they would make for great door prizes!

These would look great with candles, flowers or even a nice floating candle bowl.  And this is not only a great addition to your table decor for your baby shower but this would make for Great choice to use as a table decoration or centerpiece at your next baby, bridal, wedding or anniversary event.

If you are expecting and you have other children then you have to really be sensitive on how they are feeling.  Here you are getting all of these gifts for the new baby and they are just sitting there at your shower.  It is always a great idea to get something for them and these Big Brother and Big Sister tee shirts are just absolutely adorable and are perfect.  They will wear them with pride once their little brother or sister comes along.

Simply Baby Stuff has a great selection of styles and why not get them a little hat to go with it as well.  And for $12.95 you just can not go wrong.  A fabulous baby shower gift for that sibling!

Monkey See, Monkey Do…You will love our new Plush Monkeys that match our Monkey Boy and Monkey Girl baby shower themes!!

If you’re here reading this, there’s a pretty good chance you’re aware that SimplyBabyStuff.com is THE place to find everything you need to host a beautiful  baby shower. But what you maybe don’t realize is that they’ve even taken care of the planning bits too!

It’s true! You don’t sell fabulous baby shower gear without picking up a few tricks here and there…and lucky for you, SimplyBabyStuff.com has organized all of their collective knowledge into one handy guide: The Baby Shower Checklist!

This list is a fully-equipped guide to planning your shower. From choosing a theme to making a guest list to sending out thank you notes, SimplyBabyStuff.com has made sure you won’t overlook a single detail.

Now go on—get planning!

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger

If you are looking for those fabulous baby shower favors keep in mind that you just have to go right online.  This Train Soap is absolutely adorable and would make for a great favor if she is having that little boy.  They also have pink trains as well in case she will be having a girl….and why not get both if twins are in the near future!  

You can get these trains for as low as $2.79.    And better yet…these are blueberry scented so they smell great!  They come in a little gifft box with a personalized tag and a yellow polka dotted ribbon around it.  They will look fabulous on the tables at your baby shower.

When you’re planning a baby shower, don’t let your invitations be an afterthought! An invitation is the first glimpse of the shower that your guests will receive—not only will they get all the information they need about your baby shower, they’ll also get their first taste of the theme you’ve chosen and the over-all tone of the party.

An important thing to do as you’re planning a baby shower is to sit down with the mama (or daddy!)-to-be and compose a guest list. Ask her to supply you with a list of everyone she’d like to invite to the shower, along with their addresses—this way, you’ll be certain to order enough baby shower invitations  and party supplies,  and no one important will be accidentally over-looked on the guest list.

 When you’ve got your final guest list written, it’s time to visit SimplyBabyStuff.com and begin your search for the perfect invitations to match your baby shower theme.  With scores of designs to chose from, you’re sure to find  baby shower invitations  you love…and you can even have them custom printed  with all your important shower information. If you are a hands-on person (or just on a budget), SimplyBabyStuff.com also offers a great selection of “fill-in” invitations  so you can hand-write your information on the invitations yourself.

Posted by Shannon, a Dot-arilla Blogger