Easy DIY Book Rails

In our daughter's small bedroom, space is at a premium.  We try hard to make the most of the space and keep the floor as open as possible to help the room feel a little bigger and give her more area to play.  On one wall of her room, there is a very shallow nook I wasn't sure what to do with but wanted to make it an efficient use of space.  After some thought, I decided building some custom book storage would be the perfect solution.  

Materials:  

• 1x3 boards

• 1x2 boards

• screws

• wood glue

• spackle

• level

• painters tape

How-To:  

1.  Cut the wood the desired length of the rail shelf.  You will need two 1x3 boards and one 1x2 board for each rail.  

2.  Line up the boards as shown below (the wide ones on the bottom and back, and the narrow one at the front).  Pre-drill, then glue the edges, and secure with wood screws.  

3.  Once it's dried and secure, spackle the screw holes, let dry, and then apply 3 coats of paint (I used semi-gloss trim paint).  

4.  Next mark the location of the studs and the approximate spacing of the book rails.  I could have easily put three rails in this space but I didn't want our toddler trying to climb it like a ladder, so I decided to only do two.  

5.  Center the book rails in the space and use a level to hang the book rails, pre-drilling and screwing the book rails into the wall studs.  

6.  Decorate and add your books!  While these are pretty sturdy, I would recommend being mindful of the weight put on the rails - don't put too many books or large, heavy books on them, especially since your little one will be reaching up to pull books off and you don't want anything heavy to topple off.  

And finally I decided to build a simple, sturdy narrow crate to hold our daughter's bigger, heavier books.  

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Other posts you might enjoy from Birch Landing Home:  

• Cape Cod Inspired Toddler Room

• DIY Learning Tower / Kitchen Helper, Based on Plans by Ana White

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Affordable Baby Shower Gift Basket with Nûby

Sometimes it can be really hard to decide on an affordable baby shower gift for a friend, relative, or co-worker.  Maybe you waited too long and all their registry items in your price-point have already been purchased (darn!), or maybe you're like me and like to go rogue and buy fun and practical items that weren't on their registry in the first place.  In any case, you can't go wrong with gift baskets - and what better way to to fill a gift basket than with affordable, practical items from a great brand like Nûby.  
| Thank you to Nûby for providing the products to review for this post.  This post contains affiliate links |

I had a hard time narrowing down exactly what Nûby products to include in this gift basket, but after some thought I decided to choose a variety of items that would be useful throughout baby's first six months and beyond.  In the past, I've also done gift baskets in a particular theme (all bath items, or all feeding items, etc), and those are always a really fun option as well!  

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Hot Safe Bath Duck

This bath duck you can use from day one with your little one. He is BPA-free and has a super-handy heat sensor on the bottom so you know if the water temp is safe for your baby. I love that this duck is something you'll be able to use at every bath for a long time - as a temperature safety feature and as a fun bath toy.

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Nûby Natural Touch Bottle to Cup

If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know already that I am ALL about the baby products that grow with baby - if it's convertible, and you can get a lot of use out of it, that's the product I'm going to choose.  This 3-stage, BPA-free cup is good from 3+ months and converts from a bottle with a slow-flow nipple to a no-spill sippy cup as your little one gets older.  It even has detachable handles.   

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Look at Me Mirror Toy

This fun teether toy is BPA-free and recommended for babies 6+ months. It has multiple surfaces and textures to keep your little one occupied while they're teething, including cooling gel and a fun mirror to look at their reflection.

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Easy Clean Bottle and Nipple Brush

This BPA-free bottle brush will come in handy from day one as well. It has a convenient suction base so it stands up on your counter and away from coming in contact with germs on the counter top. It also has a big bristly top for scrubbing inside bottles, and a handy nipple brush stored in the base to clean bottle and sippy cup nipples.

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Teething Trends Pearl Beaded Necklace

And finally, it's always great to put something in that both mom and baby can use! This BPA-free, soft silicone necklace is fashion with a purpose - it makes a fun statement necklace for mom, but pulls double-duty as a wearable teether for your little one.

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More affordable ideas to add to a baby shower gift basket:  

• thermometer
• comb/brush set
• package of wipes
• nail clippers
• rattle
• diaper cream
• pacifier
• cute onesie
• funny bib
• board book
• receiving blanket
• baby bonnet
• photo frame

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- I received these items for review from Nûby but all opinions expressed are my own.  Please see our Disclosure Policy for more information. -   

These Nûby products can be found at various retailers including Babies 'R Us, Buy Baby Direct, Walmart, and Amazon.  

Daylight Savings Time Miracle

You guys.  Our toddler stayed in her room until it was time to get up, despite the time change - something that hasn't happened in years.  It's a miracle!  
| This post was not sponsored but does contain my Amazon referral link |

A mom friend had recommended the Ready to Wake Clock to us when we moved our daughter to her big girl room and it's been amazing! She stays in her room now until it turns green in the morning and after "quiet rest time" (she's dropped nap, but still has a time in the afternoon to play quietly and look at books in her room).

And probably the biggest BONUS of all - we actually got to sleep in this morning and take advantage of the time change!  First time in like 3 years.  She just played quietly in her bed until the clock turned green and was none-the-wiser that she was there for an extra hour.  

Parenting win!  

Cape Cod Inspired Toddler Room

It's been a long time coming, but we've finally moved our little one up to her "big girl room"!  Decorating and organizing this space has been a challenge since it's such a tiny room.  And while arrows, deer, and gold polka dots are all the rage right now, we wanted to get the biggest bang for our buck and go with a timeless, classic theme that our daughter can grow into.  | This post contains affiliate links |

We decided to go with a blue, white, and yellow color scheme (which always reminds me of Cape Cod) and just a few decorative touches that can easily be changed out as our little one grows and tastes change.  Keeping everything pretty light in the room helps make it feel just a little bit bigger too.  

The bed and dresser came from Ikea and were very reasonably priced. In fact, these were my first purchases from Ikea EVER (gasp) and I was very impressed with the quality and sturdiness of them. While not shown in these photos, we have under-mattress bedrails that are typically on the bed so she doesn't roll out.

The bedding was one of the most reasonably priced quilt sets I could find and came from Amazon (*at the moment it's listed for double what I had paid, but Amazon pricing can change often so hopefully the price will come down again soon). I just love all the different blues, greens, and creams in the bedspread! It keeps with the Cape Cod color scheme and adds a country touch.

The "love you to the moon & back" sign was made by me and will be coming to our Etsy shop soon ;)  

This little dormer was the perfect spot to tuck the dresser in as well as some decorative touches like the wooden oar, which was a freebie find. The custom name puzzle is from Amazon, and both the lamp and the curtains are from Wal-Mart.

We also added this Personalized Alphabet Printable from my Etsy shop as well, and our daughter loves finding the letters from her name in it.  

This Moon Bed was a custom creation from my brother and sister-in-law as a gift for our baby shower - it makes the perfect spot for snuggling up with a good book and some stuffed animals. The starfish watercolor painting is by New England artist Jen Scully of Mack & Ro. I love how it compliments this corner with the "moon and stars" theme but also fits in perfectly with the overall coastal vibe of the room.

What's New England without a farm? This little Pottery Barn table was a yard sale find (score!) and makes the perfect spot for a barnyard scene. The wooden barn is from Melissa and Doug but the animals are Little People (all yard sale finds again). The woven rope basket to hold accessories for the farm adds a coastal touch. This rope basket is old, but I've linked a very similar one here.

This room has a very shallow alcove and to make the most of the space I built custom book rails in it for storage and display.  I debated on putting one more rail down lower but decided against it since I know our toddler would try to climb it like a ladder.  Instead, I made a custom narrow wooden crate to sit on the floor and hold her heavier books that I didn't want to put up on the wall.  

The book rails make for great storage that doesn't take up a lot of room, as well as gives us a chance to show of some of our current favorite books (including some fun New England-themed ones).  

And last but not least, possibly the most important addition to our daughter's big girl room, the Ready to Wake Clock! I was a bit skeptical at first, but this clock really has been a lifesaver (and no, this is not a sponsored endorsement). Our daughter used to get up between 4-5AM everyday, but once she learned that she needs to stay in bed until the clock turns green she now sleeps to the decent hour (6:45AM) that we set her clock to (thank goodness!).

I've tried to link all my sources for the room but if there's anything I'm missing that you have a question on, please send me a message.  

Coming Soon: Signs!

Coming (soon I hope) to the Etsy shop - signs!

I've been wanting to add signs to the shop for forever but ornaments have been keeping me too busy.  For now I'll be listing an occasional sign in the shop here and there, but after the Christmas ornament rush you can expect to see a lot more!  Designs will mostly be New England-inspired and some nursery/children's room designs (like the one pictured).  

Important Tips on Creating Your Baby Registry

Creating a registry for your first baby is a lot of fun - and pretty overwhelming.  A lot of people either end up registering for way too much stuff or not enough - so we're here to give you some tips to help find a good balance.  | This post contains affiliate links |

Bring a Recently New Mom With You

If possible, bring a relative or friend who's had a baby within the last two years - but someone who won't be overbearing and force all their choices on you. This mom's insights will be invaluable as you navigate the overwhelming selection of Babies 'R Us. Show her the products that catch your eye and get her honest feedback on them - she'll think of things you haven't thought of (how hard something would be to clean, how often you'll actually use it, how quickly baby will outgrow it, etc). She'll also help you think of items you maybe hadn't thought of (like a carseat mirror, a mattress cover for your own bed, etc).

Less is More

As tempting as it is, don't put every single cute thing you see on your registry.  Make sure to only put what you *really* need (plus a few fun things too of course).  The reasoning is, there's a good chance family and friends will just buy a lot of the fun stuff on your list and overlook some of the most important items, leaving you to purchase the necessities.  

Wide Variety of Price Points

Not everyone can afford shopping at Pottery Barn, or will be able to afford to buy you the $500 crib or $200 car seat.  Yes, many baby essentials are expensive - but make sure you have items that everyone can afford on your list too.  Think bottles, sheets, teethers, wipes, etc.  

Think Beyond Newborn

Don't just register for newborn items - make sure to think ahead to what your baby may need their whole first year. Eventually they'll need a high chair, feeding items, a push toy, etc. Make sure to think beyond the first three months and include some items for when they get a bit older.

Choose Products to Grow with Baby

If possible, choose items that do double duty and will grow with your baby. Carseats are a big one: you have the option of choosing an infant carseat (one with a handle that detaches from the carseat base) and then buying a toddler or convertible carseat later that year when baby outgrows it. -OR- you can choose a convertible carseat from the get-go, one that's good from around 4-70 pounds, so you just buy one carseat and you're good for the next six years or whenever it expires (yes, carseats do expire). Other items that you can choose to grow with your baby are convertible pack-and-plays, high chairs/boosters, and carriers.

Don't Register for Baby Clothes

Other than some necessities (side snap onesies for newborns, sleep sacks, etc), don't register for clothes. Why, you ask? The most practical reason is that clothing availability changes so often (sometimes a few times within a season) - so when you add a cute outfit to your registry today, there's a good chance it will be unavailable in a month or so. Another reason is that shopping for baby clothes is so special and enjoyable for your family and friends, you don't want to deprive them of that. And yes, you probably will end up with some outfits that aren't in your taste, but if it makes Great Aunt Madge happy it's worth it.

Start a College Fund

Politely let your family and friends know that contributions to your baby's savings account are welcome.  It's important to start saving early and even if it's small, it's worth putting money away little bit, by little bit.  

Something for You Too!  

Don't forget Mama too!  Ask for something practical that you need or that will help make things a bit easier.  Maybe a gift card to a maternity shop so you can invest in some great nursing bras or nursing-friendly clothes.  Or maybe a one-month subscription to a meal delivery service, because every new parent knows how rough that first month can be (and the last thing you want to do is drag your sleep-deprived self and a newborn to the grocery store).  

I hope I gave you some helpful tips on planning your baby registry!  If you're looking for some ideas on specific items to get, be sure to check out our Top Baby Must-Haves post.  

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Related Posts:

• Our Top Baby Registry Must-Haves

• Pain-Free Childbirth: My Hypnobirthing Experience

• “Things I Wish I Knew Before my C-Section”

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Teal Pumpkin Project: Safe Trick-or-Treating for Everyone

This Halloween we're participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project to promote awareness and inclusion of all trick-or-treaters, no matter their dietary restrictions.  | This post contains affiliate links |

Unfortunately a lot of kids have food allergies, ranging from mild to potentially very dangerous.  These allergies can include dairy, chocolate, nuts, soy, gluten, artificial dyes, and more.  These kids either can't participate in trick-or-treat or have to throw out 95% of what they get - and when you're a kid that's really rough.  

By having a teal pumpkin out, you're letting kids and their parents know that your house is a safe place to trick-or-treat and you have non-food items available. These can be things like novelty pencils, erasers, stickers, bubbles, crayons, small toys, etc.  You can still give out the usual candy, but it's a good idea to keep the non-food items separate.  This is a great project to allow all kids a chance to feel included in trick-or-treat on Halloween. 

FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) has some wonderful resources on their website - including crowdsourcing maps to identify participating houses, printables you can use to proudly show your support and educate others, and fundraising opportunities to help fund food allergy research and awareness.  

Affiliate Product Links

| Teal Acrylic Paint |

Post originally published 10/30/15

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Not feeling crafty or no time to make your own? Purchase a ready-made Teal Pumpkin Project sign or flag to show your support and mark your house as allergy-friendly.

Cute Fall Maternity Photo with Pumpkin

Okay, throwing it back to our last pregnancy and still in love with this easy Fall-themed maternity picture my husband and I took with a pumpkin!  It's so simple but I think it came out so sweet.  This idea would also be perfect for a Fall pregnancy announcement too.  Fall is our favorite time of year, so I'm happy we could capture a classy Fall-themed "belly" picture.  

I promise I'll share some photos from when I was farther along at our Christmas maternity photo session too - some sweet, simple ideas for your "special delivery" to come!  

Shop Fall Fashion