2 Months Young...

Time is really flying!  Miss Finlee is 2 months young now and growing like crazy!  Here are her two month pics!

Someone found her hands this month...

And now for the 1 month/2 month comparison:

See what I mean?  Growing like a weed!!

Pssst...I'll be showing off our master bathroom progress next week!  I can't wait to show you what we've done on a penny-pinching budget!

Spring has Sprung...Sorta

At least it feels like Spring in mi casa!  I showed off my new storage shelves a couple weeks ago.  They  left a bit to be desired in the styling area.  Since we have our tv above the fireplace with all kinds of technology clutter surrounding it, I don't have a mantle to style for each season.  Why not style the top of this shelving appropriately and call it a day?!  So, here it is!  My spring shelf!

I mentioned it in my other post, but I got the faux window frame from Target.  It's actually a picture frame!  I already owned the pitcher (got it from JoAnns for cheap!) and stuck some $6 flowers in it from Sams Club!  Tip: create balance with your vignette by using an odd number of groupings of various heights.  Make sure to think about the colors of your items as well!  I made the wreath with a simple wreath form and a couple rolls of moss.  I tied it onto the frame with a simple piece of burlap.  The large metal letters came from Hobby Lobby.  I got them when they were 50% off so they were only $12 each!

DIYer-in-training!

There ya have it!  I love the pop of color it adds too!!

Anyone else compensating for the weather by bringing Spring inside??

**I'll be linking to these lovely ladies:

At the Picket Fence

The DIY Showoff

Serenity Now

The Shabby Nest

Shabby Creek Cottage

Just a Girl

Home Stories A to Z

Tatertots and Jello

Thrifty Decor Chick

The Lettered Cottage

New Momma Must-Haves

With all the baby-bump pics showing up in my news feeds, I thought I would share what I have found to be my must-have items since gaining my own bundle of joy!  Of course I can't share them all in one post, so there will be more to come in the next few months!  These are what popped into my head when I first started brainstorming the items I couldn't live without:

1. a + a Swaddle Blankets-These are perfect for swaddling, breast-feeding cover-up, play time on the floor...pretty much anything.

2. Zo-li Buzz Nail Trimmer-This is actually a nail file and is perfect for filing down those teeny-tiny nails

3. Sleepy Sounds App (FREE)-We love the "white noise" and "nature sounds."  When we lay down at night, this app gets turned on and Miss Finlee is content to fall asleep within minutes.

4. Motorola MBP36 Video Monitor-We did extensive research before deciding on this one, but it was worth it.  Two-way talk, tilt/scan capabilities, multiple cameras, and a large monitor.  I believe we can even hook it up to the TV, we just haven't yet!  Seriously...LOVE!

5. Snuggin Go Infant Positioner-This makes all those wonderful swings and bouncy seats comfy for even the tiniest of babies.  Stick it in your Mamaroo and you are ready to go...no crooked necks here!

6. Moby Wrap-Life.Saver.  This is the only way to get anything done.  I use it when I go grocery shopping or even out to eat!

7. Ubbi Pail-No stinky diapers here.  Literally--Can't smell 'em.  This pail is AH-mazing!  It fits any bags (so you can just use your trash bags if you want!) AND they have a cloth bag for cloth diapering.  Just stick it in the wash when you wash your load of diapers and you are good-to-go!

8. BumGenius All-in-One-Can I just say that I LOVE cloth diapering.  No turning back here.  And these BumGenius all-in-ones take the cake:  no stuffing, no covers, no additional work.  It's the convenience of disposables with the earth-friendliness and cost-savings of cloth.

There ya have it!  I'll be doing a whole cloth diaper post in the future for you mommas looking into them!  This weekend, we'll be doing some projects around the house and I can't wait to show you our progress!

So mommas, what can't you live without?!  Not that I need help shopping/spending money!

**I wasn't paid or perked for linking these products.  I just had a great experience with them and wanted to share the wealth.  Happy shopping!

1 Month Pic...

...and yes I'm VERY tardy with it!  But here is Miss Finlee Kate at 1 Month Young!

And here is a little recap of what she's up to...

We'll be taking a pic each month in the same chair so we can watch her grow!  Anyone else taking monthly pics?  How about those baby bump pics?!  They seem to be taking over my Instagram and Facebook feeds...so happy for all of my friends and their upcoming bundles of joy!

Attention: We Have a Nook

The nursery is "complete."  I say it in quotations because design is never really finished...and I know I'll continue to tweak and add goodies as I find them!  So, let's get this party started by taking a look at where we started with the "nook" when we moved in.

Wow.  That yellow was really bright.  Step one...paint!

Let me say this out loud...I hate painting stripes.  For some reason, I had blocked out the terrible memory from my chevron stripe extravaganza and decided to paint them again.  I have to say...it DOES make quite the statement!  FYI, I used Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze (dark) and Shoji White (light).

Next up was the small gallery wall on the left side.  I knew I wanted to do shelves on the right and needed to balance it out.  I ended up doing a mixture of frames so it looked more "collected."  Plus, I wanted it to be a little different than the ones in the living room and office.  The shelves were another DIY.  We bought the boards from Lowe's, sanded them, and gave them a few coats of stain.  I picked up the metal corbels at Hobby Lobby.  They were originally $7.99 each and they were 50% off that week!  I'll take 4 corbels for $16!  Then I spray painted them with one of the maaaany cans of off-white spray paint I have lying around and bada-bing bada-boom...we've got shelving people!

I made some of the art for the wall...

This was made a lot like I did my subway art for the living room.  I made a couple of my own prints and got the State Print from Jenna Sue Designs!  I highly recommend her!  She has all kinds of prints...I especially love her Maps!

I found the furniture score of a lifetime at TJ Maxx.  Unfortunately, I passed it up way back when I had no use for it.  I talked about it for months.  And then, one February day when I was strolling through TJ Maxx, I saw it.  Tufted.  Nailhead trim.  Linen.  The storage bench dreams are made of and at a STEAL for $129.  I couldn't find an associate to take it to the front fast enough.  My favorite pillow cover also lives here.  And that cute little lamb does double duty as a room freshener!  It's a Scentsy Buddy!

So here she is in all her glory...our beloved reading corner.  I know we will spend lots of time cuddled up here when she gets a little older.  For now, we read a book a day and stare at the black and white stripes!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

I'll be linking to these lovely ladies:

At the Picket Fence

The DIY Showoff

Serenity Now

The Shabby Nest

Shabby Creek Cottage

Just a Girl

Home Stories A to Z

Tatertots and Jello

Thrifty Decor Chick

The Lettered Cottage