dreamy

Love this unexpected colour combo. I've been using it as inspiration for the nursery, but I seem to be adding in a LOT more colour...I figure the place to do it is a little girl's room!

Via Creature Comforts.

want!

Are these available here yet? I detest painting my nails (the smell coupled with the fact they chip in about an hour). Stickers? Yes please! Love the gold.

just chillin'

ha!

Ok, so I won't read this to Isla...but how awesome is it?! More commentary on the book here (and more on the interesting author too.)

otto-matic

I love DIY projects - especially easy peasy ones that don't take too much thought or effort. (Unlike the dresser in Isla's room, which took sanding, five coats of paint, and six months to finish...UGH!)

The project I'm showing you cost $15 total (but my Gma picked up the tab, so technically it was free for me!) I had been looking for an ottoman for the nursery, a comfy place to put my feet up for those bleary-eyed, middle-of-the-night feeds. And extra storage would be a great bonus! However, the only ones I could find were $80 at the cheapest...sorry, not in the budget!

So when I was out visiting my parents, we had a bit of time to pop into my hometown hamlet's haphazard, scarily-stuffed second-hand store. Unique Repeats it's called. When I spotted this little ottoman, I just had to have it...the top lifts off, and I loved the retro vibe. However, this isn't what it originally looked like! I stupidly didn't take a "before" picture, but I'll enlighten you: reddish brown vinyl on top. Ick.

Once I got the otto-baby home, I planned to buy a cute scrap of fabric. Problem is, with a little babes at home I can't run out and shop as much as I'd like...I know, I have it tough :) Plus I mused, surely I can do this for free? So I raided my closet and pulled out a skirt I haven't worn in a couple of years. I won't lie to you - I probably wouldn't squeeze back into it anyway! Pretty sure I got it when I was 15. Anyway, I ripped out some of the seams, cut it up, washed and dried it, and had Trav help me stretch it over the top and staple it on right over top of the vinyl. Ta da! This is what I ended up with, and I'm super happy with the result. It was easy, it adds a pop of colour, and I love that it's a original piece of furniture no one else has. Yay for recycling! Right now it holds all Isla's toys that she isn't quite ready for yet. A great place to stash pretty much anything, and of course, to put up my feet!

she's changing so fast

Psst...who has the biggest ears in this picture?

baywatch baby

like everyone else...

...I'm looking forward to reading Tiny Fey's new book, Bossypants.

Here's an excerpt from the book that I'm totally digging right now.

Prayer for a Daughter

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her
When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age.

Lead her away from Acting but not all the way to Finance. Something where she can make her own hours but still feel intellectually fulfilled and get outside sometimes And not have to wear high heels.

What would that be, Lord? Architecture? Midwifery? Golf course design? I’m asking You, because if I knew, I’d be doing it, Youdammit.

May she play the Drums to the fiery rhythm of her Own Heart with the sinewy strength of her Own Arms, so she need Not Lie With Drummers.

Grant her a Rough Patch from twelve to seventeen. Let her draw horses and be interested in Barbies for much too long, For childhood is short – a Tiger Flower blooming Magenta for one day – And adulthood is long and dry-humping in cars will wait.

O Lord, break the Internet forever, That she may be spared the misspelled invective of her peers And the online marketing campaign for Rape Hostel V: Girls Just Wanna Get Stabbed.

And when she one day turns on me and calls me a Bitch in front of Hollister, Give me the strength, Lord, to yank her directly into a cab in front of her friends, For I will not have that Shit. I will not have it.

And should she choose to be a Mother one day, be my eyes, Lord, that I may see her, lying on a blanket on the floor at 4:50 A.M., all-at-once exhausted, bored, and in love with the little creature whose poop is leaking up its back.

“My mother did this for me once,” she will realize as she cleans feces off her baby’s neck. “My mother did this for me.” And the delayed gratitude will wash over her as it does each generation and she will make a Mental Note to call me. And she will forget. But I’ll know, because I peeped it with Your God eyes.

Amen.

pooping faces

so serene

What a beautiful staircase! I'm usually not one for white on white, but this house tour is just plain beautiful. I love how it's functional and effortlessly pretty.

bustin' out the boob

A do or a don't? I'm comfortable breastfeeding in public...but I do worry about what others might think. These celebs don't seem to. Love this link!

hey cupcake

Treasures. I love it when I'm in that "hunting" mood and score some cheapo finds at a vintage shop, warehouse sale, Winners, or this time...Goodwill! Yep, in ye old rough 'hood of Beverly is possibly the best Goodwill I've ever been to! (By the way, I'm so over Value Village...waaaaay overpriced for most of that junk).

Last week I spent $15 total on two black and white flower canvases for the guest bedroom (makeover in progress, big reveal soon!), two lamp bases for our bedroom ($2.99 each, just gotta buy the lampshades!) and the most adorable little present for Isla. Behold:

The top pops offs to reveal a candle that smells like coconut, yummmmmmmmy. Adorable for a nursery, don't you think? Anyway, I got this for $1.99...still in the box. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to know how much it's actually worth. A quick google search, and it turns out full price is $27! Wow. I'm pretty pumped about that. If you love it as much as I do and our willing to pay full price, here's the site where I found it.

Plus, Goodwill supports a great cause. It's a win-win. I'll be back soon...considering Trav has ONE pair of jeans right now, I think we'll make it our first stop. Couldn't hurt...especially since he loves saving money more than I do ;)

Happy hunting!

style wishes

Have you ever checked out lookbook.nu? I go there when I need a refresh, some inspiration. The people who post on there are fearless when it comes to fashion, not to mention totally original and crazy mature looking. The 18 year olds from Brazil look as if they have a ten-year supermodeling career under their intentionally but haphazardly twisted belts. Anyway, here are a handful of my faves for today.

friday friday friday

He he, I couldn't resist. Did you know that Rebecca Black's "Friday" music video has over 88 million (and counting) views on youtube? Trav routinely checks to see how much it's jumped up.

My bestie is a natural with babies...she's got 11 nieces and nephews.

Anyway, this weekend we're out of town again. Just to ye old Valley. Trav is playing in a hockey tourney, and when he's doing that, I'll get to stay with my bestie! She's due the first day of summer, so we'll probably mostly chat about babies, pull out cute girlie clothes, watch bad tv and cuddle Isla. My how times have changed compared to this time last year! Pregnancy wasn't on anyone's radar. The change of pace is welcome - it's nice to have some home-time after years of go, go, go. I do know though (people tell me so) that these days are short-lived, so we're trying to soak it all in!

*****

We just got back from Isla's first round of immunizations. Poor thing...combined with her nasty cold that's still hanging on, it was a tough go. She still hasn't napped today which is rare for her...she's in the swing (a lifesaver I tell you!) just relaxing and looking around. Hopefully those eyes close soon...I know she needs some sweet dreams.

how much longer?!

Seriously...how big are my brother-in-law's feet?

The sun did come out today...but our backyard is still covered in a foot of snow. Since actual spring can't come quick enough, I'm reminiscing about our Montana lake vacation a few years ago.

sick baby

On hiatus...caring for a very sick baby who isn't even eight weeks old is scary! Hoping she's on the upswing.

In the meantime:

The best (and easiest!) from-scratch french baguette recipe I've found. Technically not clean, but soooo delicious!

My latest youtube obsession and summer beauty inspiration. Seriously, how good does she look here?! (Pay no mind to the song~)

My sister-in-law's dress pick for her grad. Love that she's going un-poufy and hint of sexy and simple, all at once. And the price is right!

watch your back