Scatter Brain

Oh boy...I can't believe we only have about eight more weeks until our little Eva Joy gets here! In some ways I feel like it was just yesterday that the faintest pink line appeared in the little window of the pregnancy test. Already, our lives have changed so much and it's only about to get crazier!

Brendan and I got a book called Baby 411...which by the way, we have no idea who sent it to us...so whoever you are, thanks!...and it's been super helpful in preparing us for what we're in for.

I'm starting to pack my hospital bag, just in case this little one decides to make an early debut. I can't believe I'm saying that! All of a sudden, time has flown!

And I know I'm a little all over the place...but here's a sneak peak of the nursery...

Can't wait to show you the finished room!

This & That

I feel like we've been super busy lately. Every week, there's practically something going on every night, so it was nice to have a little time this weekend and last to get some things done around the house and spend some time with hub.

Speaking of the hubby, he's been a project fiend lately. He's painted one of the bathrooms, redone what I think used to be a very old gun cabinet but is now repurposed as a wine rack, helped me paint some oars to hang over the couch (sounds cheesy, but they're not), and some other random stuff.

Things at home are moving right along. Before long, it'll be time to tackle Eva's nursery! We were going to start painting this weekend, but I ended up getting the wrong paint (call it pregnancy brain), so that'll have to wait.

When everything's done drying and moved up from the garage, I'll post some pics.

Speaking of pictures, here I am last weekend at 22 weeks, before heading out the Needtobreathe concert (which, by the way, was incredible!). Again, taken with an iPhone camera and edited in Instagram to make its graininess seam purposeful. I realized yesterday that the charger for my Nikon is out in the garage somewhere and I have yet to look for it.

Lately, I've been feeling pretty good. Eva is moving lots and Brendan has felt her tiny little kicks (or punches) twice!

I do find myself getting really tired a lot earlier in the evening than usual, and instead of laying in bed and watching Downton Abbey or Arrested Development re-runs on Netflix for hours, I'm finding that it's really important for me to give in and just go to sleep. Especially since around three or four in the morning, sleep becomes really uncomfortable for me and I usually end up tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable, for like an hour. Just getting me used to getting up for those night-time feedings, I guess.

Anyway, I'm off to get some work done before my mom comes to visit tomorrow! Happy Monday!

Little by little!

Well, things are starting to shape up around here! Slowly, our new house is starting to feel more homey. Obviously, more space means more things to fill it up...and more means, well more. More money to spend, more time to instal. And more is something that we don't necessarily have right now. So the little things get me really excited. And little by little we'll get there!

We've replaced the generic (aka ugly) chandelier in our dining area with this vintage-cool pendant (love the light bulb!), have a lot for the bathrooms, just need to find the time to paint, replace light fixtures and mirrors, etc., and we have curtains for our living room. But those won't go up for about another month when poor little Gigi gets declawed.

That's another story altogether. Last week, I took both cats to get declawed and got a call that Gigi has a mild infection and so her surgery has to be postponed while she's on antibiotics. Have you ever tried to give a cat a pill? Sometimes it's fine, other times it's miserable. And usually she just throws it up. So I'm just praying really hard that these antibiotics will work. Otherwise, I don't know what we're going to do.

If your friends with me on Facebook, you may have seen that I was thinking of giving her away. Well. I don't want to do that. But I can't have her with her claws around the baby. She's just a little too crazy.

In other news, I'm trying to take on a little bit of freelance editing work, so wish me luck on that!

Oh, and it's Leap Year Day! Which means if you're a lady, you can propose to your man. Whatever. Happy Leap Year Day!

Monday Miscellany

Happy Monday! This is truly a happy Monday for me because despite the mass amounts of random super bowl food I ate last night, I did not wake up feeling sick! Hooray! I will warn you ahead of time, this will be a random, incoherent post. I just have a lot things floating around in my mind, so welcome to the chaos that are my thoughts.

First, I know it's been a while since I've posted any baby bump pics. I feel like I don't look too much different. I feel a lot bigger, but I think I only look slightly bigger. I was in the fabric store the other day and a lady did comment, which made me feel good because up until now, I've felt like I look more like I've just eaten a big burrito or slung back one too many brewskies than like there's actually a baby in there.

Also, I'm sick of posting things with no visual interest at all, so today I share with you the plans for our second full bath.

Please excuse the low-res image of the vanity...that's really only to help me visualize what the existing vanity will look like painted, something Brendan is less than thrilled about. But I think he'll realize how good it will look when it all comes together. The yellow fabric will be the shower curtain, which I have to order, and I have to order the light fixture, but other than that, we have everything, so we should be able to knock this out soon!

At first I was going for a little more sophisticated design, but then I realized that this will ultimately be a kid's bathroom, so I wanted it to be something gender neutral, bright, and clean. There are sooo many little things to get done around here. I can't wait to see them all come together!

Additionally, I can't wait for watermelon season. I saw this on Pinterest recently and the craving is in full swing. Seriously, how delicious does this look??

And the last thing I can't wait for (well, at least as far as this post is concerned)? Running! I know that's totally weird and random, but lately I've just had these random ridiculous urges to go running and I'm just not so sure that's a good idea right now. I even dream about it. I'm not a huge runner, and would run here and there before getting preggo, but nothing too hardcore. I guess absence makes the heart grow founder.

Welp. This has been sufficiently random. Hope your week's off to a great start!

Morning?

Good morning! I say that like it actually is morning, even though it's 11:45. It still feels like morning to me because if a morning is rough and I have the chance, I try to sleep it all away for like an hour, after which point, I will wake up and be hungry, despite the fact that I was sick just a little earlier. It's kind of like deciding that the day just needs a restart.

I can't do that every day that I'm sick of course, but days when I can I do. And today I slept through something on Hoda and Kathie Lee about a no-bake cookie recipe, which I may have half-dreamed, and woke up reeeally wanting to make the cookies, but now can't find the recipe online:(

Anyway, I don't really have anything new to report on the pregnancy front. Yesterday was the first Monday in three weeks that I haven't been sick and thought this could be the week that breaks the cycle, but then I drank maybe a little too much orange juice this morning and well...it wasn't pretty. I yi yi.

Tomorrow's our monthly check-in with the doc in two weeks we're finding out if this booger's a boy or girl! I can't wait! There will be so much we (and by we I mostly mean Brendan) can start doing. Painting the nursery, painting the crib, starting the hunt for all the cool things I want to put in there. Poor Brendan. There really is a lot I would love to have done before the baby gets here, not even including the nursery. We have four bathrooms to swap out mirrors and light fixtures in, paint, etc. Not to mention painting our room, the downstairs living room/studio area, putting up more blinds, doing some wainscoting in the dining room....

Ok, my head is spinning now. I think on that note, I'll get back to work. More pics and gender announcement coming soon!!

Little Updates

Well...

• I got my maternity jeans in the mail. One word: disappointment. Really, Old Navy?? That's the size I ordered?? The "baby band" which was disproportionally tight compared to the rest of the sagging "skinny" jeans was so low that they might as well have just been ill-constructed elastic waist jeans that I don't think anyone would be caught dead in. Not to mention that the charcoal cowl neck sweater I also ordered was somehow confused by the same geniuses for a hideously pleated bazar black sweat shirt that looks nothing short of amish. And to add to my madness?? I drive 25 minutes to Mt. Pleasant to return the horrendous items only to be told that they don't accept maternity items in the store.

Thanks. For. Nothin.

• In more uplifting news, since I was at the Towne Centre, I stopped in Pea in a Pod, which I should have done all along, and got some much more satisfactory jeans. Thank ya Jesus for well-fitting preggo jeans.

• Brendan and I went to the wedding of our good friends Jeffery and Ashleigh this weekend and I had Brendan take a baby bump picture before we left, but after further review, I hate it, and therefore will not be sharing. Maybe now that I got some better jeans, I'll post one soon.

• 16 weeks was Sunday...and the roller coaster continues. Many more ups than downs, but still, Monday was rough.

• First house project complete: blinds for the downstairs! Yay! So now when I'm working, I don't share awkward glances with people walking by outside. Next step, blinds for the second and third floor and the bathrooms/half baths!

This is what we're doing in the second floor half bath. I'm still scouting out the mirror, just the version that doesn't cost $300. I know I can find it cheaper. And so the hunt is on.

Mmk, friends. I'm off make brownies for our Code Orange viewing party tonight. What's that, you ask? Elevation Church in Charlotte is hosting a 12-night event where speakers, pastors, and musicians from all over the country (and the world) are taking the stage and our very own Pastor P will be speaking tonight. So if you can, check it out! It's streaming live tonight at 6PM here.

Ciao!

Tuesday Recap

Wow! Lots going on! I don't really know where to start so I'll start with this: I was re-reading my second-to-last post (the one with the bump pic), and man. Talk about preggo brain. Typos, random words thrown nonsensically into sentences. Oops.

Anyway, have I mentioned how much love January?? It hasn't always been that way. Especially when January = cold. Here, not so much. I know a lot of people aren't super enthused by this time of year, but for me, at least this year, it's been a huge sigh of relief. No more frantic holiday preparation. No more dreaded extended hours in the car. Dwindling morning sickness. Things are really starting to get back to normal, and I must say it's quite nice.

So what has normal looked like over the past few weeks? Well, as an expansion of my design biz, I'm working on textile line that I hope to launch by mid-March (maybe sooner if all goes well). It's been fun and challenging and I'm just really excited to get it out there.

And when I'm not working on, well, work, I think it's pretty safe to say nesting has taken full effect. Nesting and napping. I think I've finally picked out paint colors for the bathrooms, master bedroom, downstairs living room, guest room, baby's room, and dining room. That's a lot of painting. Sorry, Brendan. It'll all be worth it, I promise. I know I have like five or so more months, I just want to get this stuff done before the baby gets here. Because God knows once s/he arrives on the scene, things will be wayyy different.

I'm so badly fighting the urge to share my nursery concept boards and the names with y'all. I'm so excited about both but I know a big reveal is best. But....who knows. I could crack. We'll see. I think as soon as we find out the gender operation nursery will be in full swing, so maybe I can show it to you sooner rather than later.

Speaking of which, we find out if baby M is a boy or girl next month! I'm so excited!! Mid-February can't come soon enough!

Well, friends, that's all for now. Hope you're having a great week!

Christmas YAY

So I know I mentioned before that we put our tree but not the ornaments. This is why.

G loves hanging out in the tree. She might be the only ornament we need.

In other Christmas decoration news, our house is the definitely the best looking of all on our street. We may or may not have gone to such extreme measures as using our neighbor's car in lieu of a latter for putting lights on our palm tree. I have better pictures, but here are a few from my phone.

And one more thing. It's cold. I thought I'd miss cold Christmases when we first moved here. I was wrong. For one thing it is cold here and for another I'm not into it. Gimme 60 degrees!

Aaaand one last thing. I love Charlie Brown Christmas. It is better than all other Christmas movies.

That is all.

While I'm At It

Re: the below post...

I might as well tell you that one of the first {and more fun} steps I've taken is starting a new blog dedicated to interior design. I'm keeping mum on it for now until I have a solid portfolio that I'm confident in. It's very much a work in progress, so you can expect to see a lot of changes, tweaks, and additions within the next few months, but it's a good way to keep my creativity flowing and one day I hope to show case my own work on it.

So no- I'm not advertising any services really {right now}, but I've already written 13 posts, some of which you've seen here, and I feel kinda weird feeling like I'm writing to no one. So check it out if you want to!

Amen Interiors Life + Style Blog

Wednesday Whimsy

I wouldn't necessarily describe my design style as completely whimsy all the time, but I do believe in a little whimsical goodness peppered in with more classic and/or clean elements.

Particularly relating to kitchens, I think open shelving is a lovely element that does lend itself to being whimsical and colorful, adding instant interest and even a little bit of warm fuzzies.

This yummy eye candy says it all:

Hello, Autumn!

The official first day has passed, but it's just starting to feel like fall. Mornings are crisp, days are overcast, and we've actually been getting a lot of rain here in the lowcountry. I'm not complaining though, because this is what the weather looks like next week:

So looking forward to it.

So with little whims of autumn creeping in all around, I can't help but be inspired. Here are some of my favorite fall things....

{click image to see stuff in all it's splendor}

All of this eye candy makes me want to go outside take in a deep breath of crisp air, and jump into a pile of leaves- of course while staying cozy in that black and white wool cape or that rust-colored silk-cashmere wrap. I am so ready for some Wellies and oyster roasts and toasty red wine and cuddling up with a good book on an overcast day. The Gardiner Heist is one I'm really looking forward to. And speaking of cuddling up, I could really use a pair of those sock slippers. And that Fire Side Wood Wick candle, and those maple marshmallows...and...all of it!!!

Oh fall, I'm so glad you've made it. You're just in time.

From top left:

• Vintage Herringbone Pillow High Street Market (etsy store)
• Continuum: Music by John Mayer Amazon.com
• Gold Stackable Rings Stella & Dot
• Passion Flower Plate Crate & Barrel
  
• East Hampton Cottage Flannel Shirt Shopruche.com
• Natural Draw-String Sweat Shirt Gap {no link available}
• Sam Adams Octoberfest Beer
• Decorative Pumpkins and Gourds (set of five) Pottery Barn
  
• Snow Leopard Cocoon Cardi-Cape Leilanni (etsy store)
• Warm Slipper Socks Forever 21
• "I Love!" Copper Notebook Oh Joy!
  
• Heritage Badge Mug Starbucks
  
• The Gardener Heist by Ulrich Boser Amazon.com
  
• Facetted Jewel Necklace Forever 21
• Nail Color in Velvet Voyer Essie
• Frilly Sweater in Oatmeal Shopruche.com {out of stock}]
• WoodWick 10 oz. Candle in Fireside Wood Wick
  
• Studded Leather Wrap Bracelets Lori's
  
• Sculptural Birds Pottery Barn
  
• Weathered Leather Boots Forever 21 {yes...F21. I didn't believe it either. Please don't let them sell out, please don't let them sell out!}
• Beauty Basics Scarves in Olive, Dusty Pink, and Eggplant Shopruche.com
• Trasforming Wool Cape Lex M (etsy store)
• Pumpkin Ginger Sandwich Cookies and Brown Sugar Ginger Spice Cookies Whimsey & Spice
  
• Fuzzy Plaid Scarf Forever 21
• Gray Pearl Cocktail Ring Ann Taylor
  
• Maple Marshmallows Whimsy & Spice
  
• The Emerson Clutch EmersonMade
  
• Silk Posy Tee in Moroccan Spice, Jeweled Dream Cardigan in Rope, and Refined Silk-Cashmere Wrap in Vintage Rosewood J.Crew
• Gossip in the Grain: Ray Lamontagne Amazon.com
  
• BDG Sholder-Stripe Cardigan Urban Outfitters
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Coffee Creamer International Delight
  
• Women's Pelican Tall Boot Lug in Tan Plaid Sperry Top-Sider
  
• Escudo Rojo Chilean Bordeaux Blend

Wine: It's not just for drinking...

...at least the bottles aren't. We'll I guess that doesn't make sense because you drink the wine, not the bottle. Poor choice of words.

Whatever.

Anyway...my point is that I LOVE this wine bottle chandelier and I will stop at nothing to have it over my dining table!

With a little help from The Lettered Cottage, I think I can outsmart the $400 price tag on the original and make having this thing actually feasible.

Have I mentioned the love-hate relationship Pottery Barn and I share??

Will post pics when all is said and done!

Drooling.

Drooling. That's what I'm doing as I'm looking at these Cenedese Glass Opaline vases. They set my heart all aflutter.

Of course they are ridonkulously expensive and of course they are on sale at gilt.com. But of course they are still too expensive :(

Too bad. They remind me of little jewels of magical sherbet loveliness.

I told you the internet is a heartless witch.

Movin' on up!

Well...it's over. We have finally finished our move. As of last Sunday, we are officially out of our old place (our first home together!) and into the new place.

It took a little longer than expected, partly due to a monsoon, but mostly because of the sheer volume of crap we have. But it was totally worth the work because we definitely love our new place.

In a lot of ways, it's pretty much the same, but there are some huge differences. I plan on using my recently acquired fancy shmancy technology to post a little video tour of the house. Could be weird. I dunno.

This new place has really got me in the mood to revamp and refresh our décor. I have my mom my mom to thank for my antsy decorating gene. But, hey! It's my genes. There's nothing I can do.

So right now, my mind is spinning with ideas for our guest room (which is *actually* a guest room now), the office, and new ways of organizing and situating and adding. It's a process I have come to love oh-so-much.

Speaking of ideas, I am also playing with some new blog design ideas- even thinking of coming up with a new name. Menial, yes. But still fun. So I'm into it. Here's some inspiration:

oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com (Love. I have total blog envy.) & graphicallydesigning.com

Now, how can I make this a DIY project with results as good as the pros???

Not so special.

Question.


Where can I get this


For less than this



Yes, that says "SPECIAL $949.00."

I'm sorry Pottery Barn. That price is not special. It's cruel.

Must...find...cheaper...twin.