Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo

Babies are miraculous creatures--but they're also completely exhausting. When you're a new mom, it can be hard to ask friends to help, since what you truly want is to take a nap while someone cleans out your fridge. Well, here to save the day is Gloria Lemay, who wrote this fabulous (and pitch-perfect) list of ways to help. She suggests emailing it to friends and relatives...and waiting for the doorbell to ring. Genius.

Here's her list:

1. Buy us toilet paper, milk and beautiful whole grain bread.

10. Make me a giant pot of vegetable soup and clean the kitchen completely afterwards. Take a big garbage bag and empty every trash basket in the house and reline with fresh bags.

(Via Marvelous Kiddo. Photo from istock.com.)

Jordan Ferney, Oh Happy Day

We are completely smitten with this cool Jedi party by Melanie at One Cool Pick. They even had a Jedi Knight training camp. We asked Melanie to fill us in on the details of this cool birthday party.

What was the occasion for the party?
My son, Riley Red's, 2nd Birthday Party

Where did you come up for the idea?
My husband and I are big Star Wars fans, and so we got Riley that blow up light saber just as a toy for amusement. He really liked it, and we also realized all his cousins who are around 4-6 years old were really into Star Wars. So we figured a Star Wars themed party, or more particularly, a Jedi Knight Training Academy themed party, was a cool way to entertain both adults and kids of all ages.

Where did you get the light sabers and the outfits?
The inflatable light-up light sabers, I purchased online. I made the tunics myself. I just bought fabric in the different shades (brown, tan, and cream). They were already naturally folded so I just simply cut out V necks and then purchased thick satin ribbon for the belts. I printed out stickers for the name badges, and printed the Jedi logo on them and each kids' name.

We packaged up the tunics and badges in individual brown paper bags, with the Jedi Training Academy branding on it, along with each childs' name. So upon arrival, I had my niece and nephew, who dressed up like Jedi Council members, greet each kid, and hand them their own personalized packet and a light saber, welcoming them to the Jedi Training Academy. (The kids loved this!)

That sound so awesome. What sort of things did you do at the party?
We hired a Jedi Knight to do a training session for the bigger kids. And we hired Princess Leia to do activities with the toddlers, like face painting, balloon animals, parachute time,  tunnels, etc. We also hired a strolling magician and spun it as "Strolling Jedi Mind Tricks" to entertain the adults (and kids). Upon first glance, the Jedi Knight who did the training looks more like a knight from the round table, which is what I thought, but we later discovered he is actually Anakin Skywalker from the Clone Wars, so his outfit was actually right on! I was expecting more of a traditional Jedi Knight to arrive. But the kids who all watch Clone Wars knew who he was right off the bat.

The party was held at a modern indoor playground, The Coop, over in Studio City (California). So there was already much entertainment in place, aside from the Jedi theme. The Coop has a giant rope tunnel climb that leads to a second floor loft play area, and then has a slide that releases you into a large ballpit (Seriously the biggest ballpit, I've ever seen! Even Grandma jumped in--swear!). It also has an electronic light-up dance floor that has games on it. A toddler room, with a play kitchen area and plasma cars. Plus a cool outdoor lounge/garden area and a front eating area.

The Coop also projected Star Wars, the movie, onto the wall for amusement and entertainment as well.

Tell me about the invitations and favors.
I designed the invitations myself, since I'm a designer by trade. I wanted to set the mood/tone for the party as soon as they opened their mailbox! The party favors. Too many times, we go to kids parties and we end up with the toy filled party favor bag that just ends up as junk in our toy cabinets. So we wanted to give a more useful favor. Especially since each kid already had their own tunic and light saber to take home. So we got these cool BPA Free aluminum water bottles to give to each kid. I made personalized favor tags for each, and they were handed out at the end of the training session. On sale at Amazon - great deal!

What did you eat at the party?
I made tags for each dish on the menu that continued the Star Wars theme and placed it along the buffet station. Names such as: Naboo Noodles, Chewbacca's Chewy Chicken, Ewok Eggrolls, etc... Cupcakes were from Sprinkles Cupcakes. 

photos by Ja Tecson Photography.  Check out more details and photos here and here.

Sarah Newell, Contributor

These My Icelandic Family tumblers are so sweet, they might have jumped from the pages of a fairytale! Our favorite is Grandma with the ball of yarn. Build your own family with girl, boy, Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa options inspired by Iceland's great mountains and vibrant creativity.

Gabrielle Blair, Design Mom

This is a perfect little video showing how to line a drawer with pretty paper. By the sisters at Two Tumbleweeds. The music is cheery. And it's just the sort of doable project that inspires a thorough spring cleaning.

Now. Which is more fun: Picking out the pretty paper? Or opening your drawers when the project is finished and seeing the pretty paper peeking out from under your socks? 

Elena North-Kelly, Home Assistant

This nifty little trinket featured on Ohdeedoh might just change your family's bedtime ritual forever. What kid wouldn't be psyched to brush up when this fun toothbrush holder is involved? Check out their other cool bathroom organizers.

Joanna Goddard, Cup of Jo

We're loving these clever treats from English shop Pedlars. Take a look...

Vintage school maps put the world at tiny fingertips.

Wellie holder for post-puddle-splashing.

A rainbow projector inspire technicolor dreams.

(Bizarro glasses at top. Just for fun.)

Yolanda Edwards, Travel & Lifestyle Editor

My daughter is in kindergarten, and up to this point, she always felt great about everything she's drawn or made. Recently, she's gotten the idea that drawing representationally is the ideal, and she gets really frustrated when she isn't able to make something look just "perfect." I decided to take her into the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and walk her past pieces by Pollock, Mondrian, and Matisse, to remind her that there are all kinds of art, and that the most important thing is to be free when you are making it.

I also just found this brand-new book, 10,000 Years of Art (Phaidon). It is a small (5x7) paperback with a picture and explanation of art throughout history. This will be great additional back-up when she gets frustrated with her drawings--or just good inspiration for her.

Erin Renzas, Editorial Assistant

It's no secret that we love alphabet posters here at Nesting. So we were excited to see a great round-up of great alphabet art over at 'LilSugar. We're especially fond of this French one from Bibitty. The delicate illustrations will add a Parisian flare to any kids' room or nursery.

Plus, check out some of our favorite French classics.

Craftsbury Kids' founder Cecilia Leibovitz is a busy mother of four, step-mom to two who has over 13 years experience in the children's industry. She launched Craftsbury Kids in 2004 and her focus is on handmade and eco-friendly items, and we think her shop is a delight. She partners with some of the best indie crafters worldwide to make items for her shop; everything is made beautifully and with care (you can meet the artists here).

The mission at Craftsbury Kids is, "To offer parents and gift-givers an alternative to mass-produced goods, items that offer a caliber of quality that many people aren't aware still exists for the younger set."

After looking at their selection, we want to leave work early and go home to our little ones to play! --Holly Becker, decor8

Having a hard time getting your little ones excited about bedtime? This embroidered pillowcase is sure to get them into bed (whether they go to sleep is a different matter) and it sure will put a smile on their face. Comes with Instructions: "Place heads inside dotted lines for best results." --Tina Roth Eisenberg, Swissmiss