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!

Making My List...

Eleven days of shopping left and I have purchased two, yes TWO, gifts!  Unfortunately, I feel like as I scour the web looking for gift inspiration, I end up coming up with my own list.  A few of these have shamelessly already been purchased by me (i.e. the Beatles onesie and Paige Ultra Skinny maternity jeans).  I have some serious lust for that flannel blazer and the Frye boots.  Oh, and have you seen the Neiman Marcus for Target section?!  Oh. My. Goodness.  I'm going to need those Tracy Reese gold trimmed dessert plates.  So, what's on your list?

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

Nursery update:  Stripes are painted, rocker has arrived, and pillows are taking over.  Hoping to finish up the painting this weekend and give you a little peek!  I know I'm ready to see some of the fruits of our labor!

Chunky Gold Goodness

What I Want NOW:




The Michael Kors and Chanel versions are a bit more than I would like to pay.  Luckily, I unpacked this beauty at work yesterday and decided to make my move.

For $35, I couldn't swipe my debit card fast enough!  Thank you Chico's for filling my chunky gold chain desires.



**all sources can be found on my Pinterest boards here

What I've Been Up To

I want to thank you all for the warm welcome back.  It feels great to be writing again and I can't wait to show you all what I've been up to around the house and my plans for the year.  It's going to be a busy one!

I want to start by saying blogging/writing is a passion of mine.  I have my B.A. in Journalism and while this little project is not my job, I sure am enjoying putting those creative juices to work a few times a week!  That being said, the shoppe has been keeping me very busy in my spare time and I couldn't be happier about that!  Some other big changes happened over the holidays...I got a new daytime job!  Yep.  I'm one of the newest members of Chico's FAS!  To give a shout out to the Chico's brand (and entice you to stop by a shop near you), I've put together a few of my favorite items in stores now!  Some I own and others I hope to own soon.  Enjoy!

ALL PHOTOS AND PRODUCTS VIA CHICO'S

Hurry...these beauties are going fast!  Feel free to take a look at the other Chico's FAS brands: White House|Black Market and Soma.

Pretty Little Things Roundup: Gold

Hello and Happy Wednesday everyone!  Gold is h-o-t-t right now, so I thought I could share a few pretty little things I've seen lately:

1.  Deer Hook from Anthropologie-My love for antlers has also continued and this deer hook needs to be in my home.  The gorgeous antiqued bronze finish marries feminine and rustic perfectly. 
2. Gold Chronograph watch by Marc Jacobs-The perfect gold (also available in rose gold!) boyfriend watch with a pearl face.  Stunning!
3. Desk accessories from Fashioned By-I love when functional accessories are beautiful and these take the cake.  I'd gladly display this post-it and paperclip holder on my desk.
4. Metallic Rimmed Dinnerware by West Elm-Currently 20% off, this dinnerware has a great organic shape and would be a beautiful addition to any holiday tablescape.  Available with gold or silver rims!
5. Modern Swing Arm Wall Sconce by Lite Source-I've been eyeing these sconces for a while now.  The antiqued brass color, swing arm, and dimmer make this the perfect sconce for a bedroom or reading nook!
6. Gilded Herringbone Toms -I'm. In. Love.  These Toms will be the perfect shoe to rock while doing all of that holiday shopping.  What's not to love-gold, herringbone pattern, and comfy.  Yep, I'll take a pair!
7. Mason Jar Sewing Kit from Anthropologie-How cute is this?  A great giftable item, this kit is full of pretty little things including gold scissors, two spools of thread, thimble, safety pins, needle threader, straight pins, measuring tape, four sewing needles and a pin cushion lid to top it off!  I'm thinking this could be a great DIY gift!

Are you loving gold as much as I am?  Anyone else already starting their Christmas list?  These things are all at the top of mine!  Have a great day!

Psst...I'll be linking to Amanda over at Serenity Now: Weekend Bloggy Reading!

Deals and Steals

A couple of weeks ago, the Mr. and I headed south and took a little mini-vacay in our Natural State's capital, Little Rock.  While he was working away, I spent some good, quality time digging for sweet little finds!  So here's my loot:

I spent a good hour and a half in Anthropologie and came out with this beautiful bowl for $8.  The perfect desk accessory with it's gold rim and chevron ikat pattern.  Yes, I'm in love.

I also scooped up four floral cloth napkins on sale for a mere $3.75 each!  I thought they would make the perfect pillow covers!  I found some black and white herringbone fabric for the back, sewed it all together and it may be my favorite pillow yet.  I tried to find both of these (the napkins and the bowl) on their website but no such luck, so check your stores.

Remember when I organized my jewelry here (psst, did you also notice the chevron ikat bowl I was lusting over 3 months ago?)?  Well I have way too many stud earrings and they seem to get lost at the bottom of the bowl.  The answer:  egg crate!   I found a few cheaper options online, but not much of a difference once you factor in shipping, so this baby came home with me.

I got these for the entryway that I'm determined to start focusing on (along with our master bedroom, finishing up the office, finishing up the laundry room, and the list goes on).  At $2.75 a piece, I figured why not?  They had a bit more character than most of the hooks I'd seen and I think that's actually a better price than Hobby Lobby...on sale!

I also grabbed this for my pencils (currently hosting my sewing utensils)!  I have a love for monograms.  For $6 bucks, I'd say it's a winner!

Add in my $13 large mercury glass hive vase and a pair, yes TWO, of 108 inch curtain panels for $25 (both TJ Maxx finds) and I'd say I had one heck of a successful trip.  Alright, let's add it up:

chevron ikat bowl $8

4 cloth napkins at $3.75 ea. = $15

egg crate $14

2 hooks at $2.95 ea. = $$5.90

monogram mug $6

hive vase $13

pair of linen curtains $25 (that's cheaper than IKEA folks!)

Grand Total $86.90!  Woot!

So, have you gotten any deals lately?  Do you want to purchase the entire Anthropologie store?  Do you go to Homegoods/TJ Maxx weekly like me?  It's a sickness I tell ya.  Have a great weekend y'all!

Wall Art Goodness

If you follow me on twitter or facebook, I gave you a sneak peek at my super special secret project I've been working on.  Okay, obviously not super secret because I posted it on my social networking sites but it is definitely special!  I'm brewing up another gallery wall, this time in my office, and I've got my tips and tricks to mastering the organized chaos that is a bunch of frames slapped up in a group!  However, due to unforeseen circumstances (ahem, West Elm backorders) I'm not able to offer my secrets just yet.  But I've got something almost better.  What does every gallery wall need to be truly complete besides frames? 
...
Stuff to put in them!

So here's a little roundup of inspiration so your gallery wall doesn't look like a framed wedding collage, or shrine to your kids, or a bunch of party pics from the old college days!


VIA


VIA


VIA


VIA


VIA


VIA


VIA

Which ones are you adding to your wish list?  Oh, all of them?  Me too!
Here's to a weekend of family, football, and a DIY project or two!  See you Monday!


P.S. This is a special shoutout to the Mr.--Happy Opening Weekend of Bow Hunting Season!  Get us a big one :)

P.P.S. All of these sources can be found on my Pinterest board here.

It's the Big Day!

It's here!  It's here!  It's finally here!  After weeks of Look Book teaser goodness, Missoni for Target hit the shelves early this morning!  I don't know about you, but I've got a little wish list going and I can't wait to physically put those bad boys in my cart!  Here's what I've been drooling over:





I have a date with Target before work and I am so. stinkin'. excited!  Happy Missoni Day y'all!

Chevron Love

While I finish up a couple of big projects I've got going on, I thought I would give you some eye candy to start your day off right!  It's no secret that chevron has taken Decorland by storm and I'm right there brainstorming what I could buy or paint to put a little chevron in my life abode (psst...I'm so stinkin' excited to show you how I ended up working it into our home!)!  So, I got my pin on.  Here's what I found.  Enjoy!

These floors are BEAUTIFUL!

 

I'm on the hunt for new bedding and I can't get this out of my mind!

 

Chevron curtains...yes please!

Remember when I told y'all about my love for yellow and gray?  Pair that with chevron and this nursery is a home run!  Love.

 

I want this tote in every color it comes in!

 

I'm loving this!  What a great DIY project to add to my list!

What an unexpected pop of color with the one contrasting stripe!  The wheels are turning now!

 

all images via pinterest

Time to get back to work so I can hopefully show y'all what I've been up to this weekend!

I Heart West Elm.

There.  I said it.  I'm having a not-so-secret love affair with West Elm and I don't care who knows it.  Last night, I sat down with a glass of vino (Relax Riesling--my fave!) and a few great magazines to read during commercial breaks while watching Million Dollar Decorators.  It was a great night.

I rounded up a few of my favorite things!  I'm hoping to save up some moo-la so I can purchase a few of them.  But alas, I'll mostly be on the search to find the same look for less.  Don't worry, I'll let you know when and where I find them!

I'm.in.love. with this ottoman.  It would look perfect in my little reading nook next to my bookshelves!  The pattern and color are perfect, too!

With some of these crazy hot summer evenings we've been having, I may be scooping up one of these quilts!  I love the contemporary prints and great colors they come in!

I know I've already showed you a ceramic animal head at Z Gallerie that I was crushing on.  But now I have a decision to make.  These paper mache sculptures are ah-mazing.

The chic look of these scoop back chairs will perfectly balance the farmhouse table I'm hoping the Mr. will build me.  Ahem, hint hint if you're reading. Ha!

Originally, the mustard yellow version of this duvet caught my eye.  But West Elm knew the way to my heart was Platinum Grey.  Here she is...

And finally, my must-have for my own home.  It will be perfect paired with the ottoman I showed you at the beginning of this eye candy fest. 

Sigh.  Someday.