Go safari chic with cruelty-free animal heads! DwellStudio recently released a collection of papier-mache animal heads ($76) for the nursery or playroom, and I just had to share it with you!

Produced in collaboration with a Haiti-based non-profit organization, each piece is handmade with vintage French book pages and finished with an oil-based varnish.

P.S. DwellStudio is offering free shipping on all orders through September, 5 2011.

* Affiliate links are included in this post.

Yes, your city is great too. And, yes, I may be a little biased since I am a resident of the big apple =)

This edition of Handmade Picks for the urban baby was inspired by my love for a city that’s “so good they named it twice”… New York, New York.

1. Organic NYC Taxi Cab Onesie, $27.00
2. Bling NYC Taxi Shoes for Infant/Toddler {Swarovski Crystal Black Converse Hi-Top Sneakers}, $89.99
3. Personalized Typographical Coordinate Print {8in. x 20in. print}, $60.00
4. New York City Print on Wood {FRAMED 11×14}, $65.00
5. Andrew City Traffic Diaper Changing Pad {Cars and Trucks Changing Mat}, $13.50

Pretty cool, no? And you don’t have to be expecting to take a picture like this. Get creative, play with the math, and you’ll see that you can come up with many different ways to configure a similar shot.

I like this one because, normally, family portraits are all about how much the parents love the children. It’s nice to see a picture that captures how much the parents love each other!

The caption on this image reads: “After 8 years of marriage… 4 times more love.” Those French people are so creative!

Ok. So this one isn’t exactly a ‘traditional’ family portrait, but you can’t deny that this series of 4 captured something special between these two. A simple way of capturing the bonds between mother and daughter or a great family portrait idea idea for single moms!!!

Not a ‘traditional’ family portrait either, but I LOVE it. I believe this is Jennifer Garner and her daughter Violet on a photo shoot a few years back. This is one I would definitely love to recreate!

Your homework this weekend:
Get creative and take pictures of you and your little ones {or baby bump} and post them on our Facebook page. We’ll pick our favorites and post them here next Friday!

Have a great weekend =)

xo

Nicole

image sources:
1- Hanna Mac Photography
2- pinterest
3- simplementscrap.fr
4- The Littlest Blog
5- pinterest

Looking back, I really wish I had taken the time to stage monthly baby pictures with my daughter and I thought it would be fun to take a look at some of my favorite monthly baby picture ideas.

The one on the top is from young house love. Each week, Sherri & John laid out a fabric remnant {which was later used on a small project for their nursery}, photographed their adorable daughter Clara and digitally placed her age on her onesie with Photoshop.

I found this cutie on pinterest {source: smile and wave} and I think it’s so creative!

Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely photographed her daughter Eleanor every month for 2 years! And from this collage we can see how much {and how fast} she grew!

This happy calendar girl {found via ohdeedoh} was photographed every month on her parent’s Stendig calendar.

Twins Rory and Quinn had their monthly pictures taken on this comfy chair with a chalkboard painted wall behind them. {via ohdeedoh}

So tell me, have you or do you plan to take monthly pics of your little ones?

Please send your photos to contact {at} chiccheapnursery.com with the word SUBMISSION in the subject. Would love to see YOUR creative photography sessions!

Spring is in full swing, and summer is creeping up (it actually feels like it’s already here). Nicole asked if I would share a few must-have fashion items for your little ones this Spring/Summer. And of course, in the spirit of Chic & Cheap, I chose affordable must-haves for your kids!

The Summer Shoe

1. Native Shoes : Not quite a sneaker and definitely not a Croc. They are perfect for summer days, no socks required.

2. Toms : You just can’t go wrong with a pair of Toms, not only are they comfy, versatile and cute. But every pair you buy, a pair is given to a child in need.

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Colored Bottoms

Color is HUGE this Spring/Summer, and it’s so hot, fresh, and new to wear on the bottom half of those little bodies.

Zara boy’s red shorts | Zara pink pants | Crew Cuts boy’s aqua shorts | Crew Cuts pink shorts

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Straw Hats

A summer hat is a necessity, to shade those cute faces from the sun. Straw hats are the hot thing for both boys and girls.

Old Navy straw fedora | Gap straw floppy hat | Gap boys straw fedora | 77kids tiered sunhat

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Romper / Jumpsuit

The easiest all in one outfit, next to a dress. Your little girl can romp around in style this spring and summer.

H&M romper | Gap chambray romper | 77kids batik romper | Zara romper | Old Navy romper

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Bloomer Short

The hot new short style for girls. Very vintage inspired, very cute.

Gap floral shorts | Old Navy poplin bubble shorts | Zara girls bloomer short | Gap bubble shorts

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White

White, usually so scary to put on your kids right? But trust me it will be worth it, as they will look just adorable! Just be sure they don’t wear any of these crisp bottoms on a play date or to the park! ;)

The Gap white denim skirt | Next white skinny jeans | 77kids white denim cutoffs

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Overalls and Suspenders

Overalls are always cool with kids, this season there are so many options, all with a modern twist. Add a pair of suspenders to any pair of shorts or pants for a little geek chic must have.

Zara Shortalls | Witchery braces | The Gap dressall | Zara shorts with suspenders

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Cargo Short

Comfy cool, and super hip this spring/summer. Which is great as I’m sure every little boy has at least one pair of cargo shorts already!

77kids twill cargo short | Gap cut off cargo shorts | 77kids boy cargo capri | Zara boy cargo short

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Nautical Everything!

Nautical is everywhere, jump on ship and grab your little one something made for sailing.

Zara sailor stripe tee | Crew Cuts windbreaker | Old Navy striped tank | Next navy chinos

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I bet your local Target or favorite kids’ clothing store (if not already included here) will have similar options to all of these must haves. Now get shopping!

=)

And stop by Baby Blackbird some time to check out some cute kids’ street style and THE hottest kids fashion trends.