Gift Guide: Personalized Baby Gifts

I have a friend who is obsessed with these stretchy fleece personalized baby blankets by Admiral Road. She gives them as baby gifts to almost everyone. (Personalized baby gifts are the best; my son still has the red fleece baby blanket with his name and birthdate received at his bris.) She likes them so much she’s started working with the company (very small and based in Canada) to help them spread the word.

And that’s how I ended up with a personalized baby blanket from Admiral Road. As cute as they are (and they are totally cute and cuddly), I decided my now teenage sons were a tad too big for a new fleece baby blanket. So I ordered one for another friend’s daughter, Daisy.

Personalized Baby Gifts Admiral Road Fleece Baby Blanket

Turns out, when I asked them to hold the corner of the baby blanket for this photo, one of them requested a blanket for himself. Of course.

Personalized Baby Gifts Admiral Road Fleece Baby Blanket

Daisy’s fleece penguin baby blanket is so cute. Hopefully I will see her mom soon so I can give it to her!

Personalized fleece baby blanket by Admiral Road, $69

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Here are half a dozen more personalized baby gifts for you from StyleCarrot partners and others, in case anyone you know is having a baby. It seems like half the people on my Facebook feed are new moms.

More Personalized Baby Gifts

Personalized Baby Gifts Baby Blanket Lovie Booties

S H O P P I N G

1 Amor De Colores Pillow, $39.99 – $44.99 at Shutterfly.

2  Monogrammed Baby Moccasins, $45 at Soft Star Shoes.

3 Preppy Icon Tote, $44.50 at Pottery Barn Kids.

4 Adventure Map, starting at $50 at Minted.

5 How Do You Zoo Fox Sleeping Bag, $99-$106 at Land of Nod.

6 Farm Buddy Lovies by Apple Park Organic, $27 at mak•a•boo.

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Get the Look: 38 Modern Wall Hooks

We never seem to have enough hooks, whether it’s in the closet, on the back of the bathroom door, or in the kitchen, I’ve been meaning to add to by my desk for my tote bag too, instead of always draping it on the back of my chair. I don’t want it to stand out, so I’ll need to find simple modern wall hooks.

With the holidays upon us, not to mention what’s sure to be a snowy winter,  adding hooks to inside the closet, by the door in the entry, and pretty much all over the mudroom is always a good idea.

Here are 38 mostly modern wall hooks from StyleCarrot partners and other shops, many fun, all functional.
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S H O P P I N G 

1 Forged heart hook at House of Antique Hardware

2 Octopus hook at Wayfair

3 Minerva hook at Anthropologie.

4 Aquatic Life Starfish hook at Anthropologie

5 Mediterraneo wall hook by  Alessi at AllModern.

6 Cleaved Totem hook at Anthropologie

7 Rustic hook by Monroe Trades at West Elm.

8 Curve Hook by Normann Copenhagen at Gretel Home.

9 Wishful Thinking wall hook at Lulu & Georgia

10 Whale Tail wall hook at AllModern

11 Branch hook at Target

12 Birch coat hook by UrbanCase at 2modern.

13 Cisco Fox Wood wall hook at Target

14 Rope & Metal hook at West Elm.  

15 Hook by Line Depping + Wrong by Hay at A+R

16 Driftwood Wall Hook by Kiel Mead for Areaware at Horne

17 Arrow hook by Design House Stockholm at Nova68

18 Beslagsboden rounded coat hook by Smedbo at AllModern

19 Streamline hook at Anthropologie

20 Wook wall hook by Blu Dot at 2modern

21 Peace Hand wall hook at AHA Life.

22 Wall Cleat by Wrk-shop at A+R

23 Talking Heads hooks by ENO Studio+Sebastian Bergne at A+R.

24 Stropp copper & leather coat hook at Dwell Store

25 Spire gold metal wall hook by Finell at Lumens

26 Coatrack Dot hooks by Muuto at DWR

27 DUO wall hook by Blomus at 2modern

28 Dipped gold wall hook at H&M

29 Ready hook with mirror by Normann Copenhagen at Dwell Store

30 Slivered marble hook at Anthropologie

31 Leaning edge aluminum wall hook at CB2

32 Arrow wall hook at CB2.

22 Crew single wall hook at Room & Board.

34 Brass & Marble Loop hook at LaSelva Design Studio

35 Tulip hook by Arblu at YLiving.  

36 Breyman copper wall hook at Schoolhouse Electric

37 Birdie wall hook by Umbra at The Container Store

38 Glass knobs by Tom Dixon at YLiving

Get the Look: 20 Pops of Pink

Last time I embraced true pink was in the early years of high school, in the throes of the era of John Hughes’ Pretty in Pink movie and Madonna’s Like a Virgin album. (Yeah, album. that was 1984). I saved up for the most darling pink ballet flats by Gloria Vanderbilt. The leather was like buttah. I wore them with lace ankle socks. (I always wanted lace anklets but my mother insisted those and black patent Mary Janes were for little girls who went to church.) At this point, despite the whole Madonna thing, I was probably too old to be wearing them.

Flash forward a zillion years to Fall 2015, where pink pieces overtook runways. Prada, Gucci,Alexander McQueen, Lela Rose, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Chanel all showed versions of pink, from the palest blush to the most obnoxious bubble gum. Since Barbie is so not my thing, if I were going to play with pink, I’d gravitate toward blush tones, and pinks colored with a touch of melon.

I did a small roundup of ladylike pink styles in the Boston Globe on Sunday (In the Pink), which I’m following up here with 20 pops of pink from StyleCarrot partners, including pink fur outerwear, pink shoes and handbags (just use one pink accent, you can still get the effect), and some accessories and makeup. (I actually enjoy a rosy pink lip stain.)

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S H O P P I N G

1 Kiesza Rabbit Fur Vest at Calypso.

2 Danielle Earrings in Rose Quartz by Kendra Scott at Cusp.

3 Folded Leather Cardholder at Cos.

4 Lip2cheek in Demure by RMS Beauty  at Net-A-Porter.

5 Rockstud Ballerina Flats by Valentino at Nordstrom.

6 Tweed Print Wool Sweater by Escada at Nordstrom.

7 Pillow Pie Nail Polish by Smith & Cult at Blue Mercury.

8 Leatherstripe Square Satchel at Tory Burch.

Stella Suede Pump at J.Crew.

9 Alba Faux Fur Coat at Reiss.

10 Izzy Cardigan With Detachable Fur Collar at Alice & Olivia.

11 Piani Flower Stick Pin at Reiss.

13 Pink Shearling Bootie by Fendi at Nordstrom.

14 Sofia Lace Underwire Bra by Heidi Klume at Net-A-Porter.

15 Lillie High Collar Lace Dress at Reiss.

16 Soho Suede & Rose Gold Watch by RumbaTime at Shopbop.

17 Dayna Ruched Dress by DVF at Cusp.

18 Cheek To Chic Swish & Pop Blush by Charlotte Tilbury at Net-A-Porter. ( Beauticontrol skin care products also offer a similar shade of blush.)

19 Debbie Suede Platform Pump by Charlotte Olympia at Saks.

20 Shearling Popoche Pouch by Jerome Dreyfuss at Shopbop.

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Get the Look: 45 Faux Animal Heads

If yesterday’s post showcasing 29 interiors with faux animal heads inspired you, allow me to help you do a little shopping. The range of faux animal heads (or animal head trophies, animal head mounts, animal head plaques, animal head wall sculptures, or whatever you prefer to call them) is kind of incredible.

There are painted porcelain and tapestry textile heads created by fine artists, papier mache animal heads by artisans in Haiti, resin models done in neon brights with glittery antlers, metal animal heads. animal trophies made of cardboard, and a plethora of plush models meant for kids. I found a blow up unicorn head (what my 7th grade self would have given for one of those) and a modern wire geo-style animal head sculpture. There’s even an artist creating animal head sculptures out of upcycled farm equipment.

The variety of faux animal heads means you can hang one pretty much anywhere, in any style room. It’s hardly cabins-only decor. Here are 45 cute ones from StyleCarrot partners and other vendors.

Faux Animal Heads Trophy Mounts Taxidermy Wall Decor Faux Animal Heads Trophy Mounts Taxidermy Wall Decor
Faux Animal Heads Trophy Mounts Taxidermy Wall Decor Faux Animal Heads Trophy Mounts Taxidermy Wall Decor
Faux Animal Heads Trophy Mounts Taxidermy Wall Decor

S H O P P I N G

1 Papier Mache Giraffe Head, $63.99 at DwellStudio.

2 Wood Elephant Head by Fish McGill, $50 at 13Forest Gallery.

3 Papier Mache Trophy Head, $ at Ten Thousand Villages.

4 “Moose In the Woods” sculpture by Gatski Metal, $450 at Abacus Gallery.

5 Wall Mounted Felt Tiger Heady by Fiona Walker, $145 at Shoptiques.

6 Water Hyacinth Buffalo Head, $39.99 at Target.

7 Gold-tone Resin Elephant Head by Near & Deer, $117.99 at Wayfair.

8 Resin Antelope Head by Near & Deer, $114.99 at Wayfair.

9 Stewart Birch Bear Head by Cardboard Safari, $100 at Etsy

10 The Alejandra Neon Pink Deer Head by White Faux Taxidermy, $99.99 at Wayfair.

11 Stuffed Elephant Animal Plaque by Cate and Levi, $55 at Etsy.

12 Plains Traveler Antelope Bust, $58 at Anthropologie. 

13  Toro Goyesca Bull Head by Gandia Blasco, $1,800 at 2modern.

14 Plains Traveler Zebra Bust, $78 at Anthropologie.

15 Polar Bear Trophy by Bend Goods, $120 at A+R Store

16 The Alexander by White Faux Taxidermy, $99.99 at Wayfair.

17 Stuffed Rhino Head, $24.99 at Target. 

18 Woolen Fox Wall Plaque by Karma Living, $19.99 at Oopsy Daisy.  

19 Green Deer Head by White Faux Taxidermy, $129.99 at Open Sky.  

20 Hipster Rhino Head by Weft & Whimsy, $400 at Etsy.

21 Plywood Dino Head Decor, $79 at Pottery Barn Kids.

22 Floral Fabric Faux Deer Head by Near and Deer, $194.99 at OpenSky 

23 Felt Rabbit Head Sculpture by Fiona Walker, $150 at Baby Bliss.

24 Plush Lion Head Wall Sculpture by Jenni Kayne. $99 at Pottery Barn Kids.

25 Plaster Cat Trophy by Lime and Iron Studio, $45 at Etsy.

26 Inflatable Unicorn Head, $22.99 at Hot Topic

27 Houndstooth Elephant Bust by Cardboard Safari, $80 at Bluefly

28 Felt Giraffe Head Wall Mount by Fiona Walker $160 at Bergdorf Goodman.

29 Mongolian Lambswool Ram Heady by Weft & Whimsy, $300 at Etsy.

30 Dinosaur Stuffed Trophy Head by BIBIB $92.23 at Harrods.

31 Plains Traveler Lion Bust, $58 at Anthropologie. 

32 Purple Deer Head by White Faux Taxidermy, $104.99 at OpenSky

33 Stuffed Deer Head with Gold Antlers at Tamar Mogendorff.

34 Bulldog Plaque by Lime and Iron Studio, $60 at Etsy.

35 Cardboard Unicorn Head by Flatout Frankie, $25.50 at Alex and Alexa.  

36 Copper Bison Head by White Faux Taxidermy, $139.99 at OpenSky

37 Stuffed Crocodile Head by Fiona Walker , $150 at Aha Life.

38 Walrus Head Wall Sculpture by Jenni Kayne, $99 at Pottery Barn Kids.

39 Audrey Headburn Faux Deer Head by Frédérique Morrel.

40 Wolf Head Mount by KingFour, $79.99 at Etsy.  

41 Resin Faux Deer Skull by WallCharmers, $79.99 at Etsy.

42 T-rex Resin Trophy Mount by KingFour, $99.99 at Etsy.

43 Paper Mache Rooster Head by BlueRoosterArts, $45 at Etsy.

44 Décor on Safari Giraffe Head, $69 at The Land of Nod.

45 Folk Art Deer Head by Roost, $440 at Mod•ish.

Just In: My Top 16 Picks from the Serena & Lily Summer Sale

We’re heading into the second half of summer, and yes that’s reason to lament. However. . . there’s an upside, and not just a proverbial silver lining. Something (or rather somethings) really, really, good. S A L E S pretty much everywhere, including some top StyleCarrot partners. From the half-yearly Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (my 25 must-haves here — just five days left by the way; prices go back up on Monday) to a Stockroom Sale at West Elm, it’s a good time for online shopping for new clothes and home stuff.

One of my favorite online sources for bedding (baby, kids, and grownups), bar stools, beds and headboards, and artwork (I love their pretty abstracts)  is Serena & Lily. Right now Serena & Lily is having a “Private Sale” (meaning you just have to pop in an email address) with discounts up to 60 percent.

There are some pieces that you have been probably meaning to purchase—new sheets to refresh your bed, wallpaper for the powder room.  a cozy throw as a hostess gift, more bar stools for your beach house, brightly colored baskets for your kids toys. I did some preliminary scouting for you. Here are my top 16 home furnishings finds from the Serena & Lily sale.

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S H O P P I N G 

1 Gobi Embroidered Sheet Set 

2  Feather Wallpaper 

3  Gobi Bath Towel 

4  Schoolhouse Letter Pillow

5  Cambridge Bed 

6  Brahms Mount Windowpane Baby Blanket 

7  Brasserie Stools  

8  Broad Stripe Dhurrie

9  Brahms Mount Banded Herringbone Throw 

10  Buchanan Clip Rings

11  Border Frame Duvet Cover

12  Cabin Quilt

13  Mercado Baskets

14  Parisian Bar Cart 

15  Skylake Toile Euro Sham  

16  Chevron Riviera Backless Stools

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Serena & Lily Home Furnishings & Accessories In Every Color