Baby Boomers!

2009 is the year where almost every female relative or friend I know is pregnant. Okay, I am exaggerating there. The truth is I have several friends and a relative who are all above 40 and have been trying to conceive for sometime and guess what? I think Lady Luck has been working hard lately because all of them just announced they are pregnant! Talk about baby boomers.

First, my sister-in-law is pregnant, then 2 of my friends in Canada are "infanticipating" and 2 of my gal pals here in Dubai are also heating some nice, cute "buns" in their ovens. What is so funny about this whole thing is that, they announced their pregnancies one after the other and I could not help but laugh about the joke. Well, I thought it was until they all confirmed their pregnancy.

So I am in a predicament as to what to give all these mommies-to-be for their babies and themselves. I am sure I will get baby-shower invitations left and right.

I hastily checked the site for nice baby and mommy-to-be products I can give which are really unique, chic and sassy. Petunia Pickle Bottom will be the answer to my gift-giving woes. I checked the variety of elegant, classy, very pretty products they carry. I think the mommies-to-be will not be disappointed to see what's in their gift boxes.

I am eyeing the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags for half of my pregnant friends. I like the various designs that I can choose from. They all look so chic without giving away their real purpose. You won't be able to make out they are diaper bags because of the look. Some even look like hobo bags. How come these bags didn't show up in the market when I was pregnant?

Of course I won't let all my pregnant mommy friends to have the same baby-shower gifts, right? I am keen on the Petunia Pickle Bottom baby slings as well as an option to give for the other half. I prefer this from the conventional baby carrier I used for my daughter 11 years ago. This baby sling follows the natural contour of the baby's back and that makes it all natural. The baby is like being cradled by the mommy's arms. It makes bonding stronger.

Apart from the above items, the Layla Grayce-Petunia Pickle Bottom site also carries receiving blankets, organic blankets, baby one-piece clothes, crib bedding brocade and linens.

The House by the Sea

I have great fascination on anything vintage and that homey country or cottage look on furniture and fixtures. I remember my summers spent in my grandma's beach house when I was young. I used to admire her cream curio stand, the beautiful vanity table in her bedroom, the dainty bed and its thick mattress, the rich linens all in light hues and so much more. The accents of the furniture were truly enchanting. There were adornments of foliage, angels holding votive candles placed on the side table, white frames around the big mirror on the hallway, curtains cascading from the window valance with rich lace and wonderful floral prints. Even her beach shabby chic furniture were off-white and looked regal. I felt I was I big doll living in a big, country charm doll house. It was really a charming house by the sea.

I would spend endless hours checking out her stuff and always told her that one day, my house would be filled with shabby chic furniture appliques. I loved the way she would tell me how those dreams would take me to places and that one day I would definitely have those I dreamed of.

So, it came as no surprise when I had my first home at 26. I recalled how my grandma's summer beach house looked like and I wanted the same furniture and fixtures in my home too. If not the same, at least something similar I could afford then. I bought white vintage-looking furniture for my small living area. I had a spare room which I was not sure what to do until I found out I was pregnant. It was at that precise moment that I knew and decided it would become the nursery filled with shabby chic baby furniture. It was just like how I envisioned it when I was young. I used to daydream about how my future house would be like my grandma's - cozy, warm, accommodating, regal, charming and full of love.

Many years passed and she is long gone but the memory of my happy summers in her beautiful house near the beach is still fresh in my mind.