Check This Out!: Baby Kicks

The other day, while I was trying to take a nap (laying on my left side), our little man was determined to keep me awake! Check out my tummy.

Lighting Switch-A-Roo

After a few days of gloomy weather here, sun filled my living room this morning and made the new glass lamps sparkle. I realized that the lamps that were here previously were too small in scale, so those are now in the master bedroom. These are much more substantial and fit the space nicely.

I'm lovin' the faceted bases on these lamps!

Over the weekend the hubs installed the new light fixture in the master bathroom (and, it's on a dimmer...sexay). You can kind of get an idea of what the old, cheapo one looked like here. We're planning on a full remodel of this bathroom in the future, but for now everything works just fine.

Now, time to get out of the house. Have a great day!

Sneak Peak: My Office

{Cleo loves her new pillows... she also loves napping on white furniture, go figure.}

More to come...this whole pregnancy thing has me exhausted 24/7.

I Need Some Pink Today

{beautiful photo courtesy of flickr}

Progress In The Bedroom (no, not that kind of progress)

Get your minds out of the gutter, people.

This is my work-in-progress master bedroom. Here is the bed all made up and looking pretty (except the wrinkled sheets - my days of ironing bed linens are long gone).

{I'm so in love with this Chipendale chest of drawers - it's an antique I found on Craig's List for pennies!}

I'm liking the way the room is coming along, but it's still not totally complete yet and it has a few issues that need to be dealt with.


One of the issues being the headboard. While I loved it at one time (in a previous house where most of our furnishings were more modern) it's not cutting it for two reasons. First, it's just too short in height and second, it's not comfortable to lean my head against in order to read.

I've ordered this headboard from Tar-jay (crossing my fingers that I like it in person).

This is a sad little wall that I'm not sure how I'm going to address. Maybe once the new headboard arrives, I will put the large art piece above the bed and the picture grouping on the opposite wall? Who knows? There isn't enough clearance for any furniture. Suggestions?

Another issue the room has is a lack of a ceiling light fixture.

This light fixture is just waiting for the electrician to install it.

{my favorite little chair}

I ended up stealing these lamps from our living room and getting new larger scaled lamps for that room. Crystal lamps and roses make me happy.

I also had some store credit at Pottery Barn burning a hole in my pocket, so I decided to order this white duvet (which is on sale - wooo!).

I think after all of these modifications, I may just be done with this room...for now.

I Dare You

While I love to see beautiful bedrooms with their perfectly ironed linens and bazillion throw pillows placed neatly atop a crispy duvet, I wonder what those beds REALLY look like...like first thing in the morning. So, here is mine in all of her first-in-the-morning-glory.

Trying to fall asleep while in your third trimester of pregnancy is challenging - notice all of the pillows? I think I use five in total.

Oh, and nothing is sexier than a bottle of Pepcid on the nightstand. Ugh.

So, I challenge you...let's see how you really live...I dare you!

{a full on staged post about my bedroom updates is to come}

Kitchen A La Mode

The other day I went out previewing some houses with my real estate broker extraordinaire mother-in-law here in Greenwich. We saw homes within the $1.5 million range (ouch, right?) which could get you a new construction home with approximately 2,500-3,000 square feet.

I couldn't help notice that many of the houses, all built by different builders, had very similar kitchens. Key elements were repeated - white cabinets with glass doors, honed carrera marble countertops, kitchen islands in a natural wood finish, and white subway tile backsplashes. In fact, the same light fixtures pictured here were in three different homes.

So, I'm wondering...is this kitchen the "kitchen of the moment" in other parts of the country or is it just a CT thing? While I love all of these elements (well, maybe not those light fixtures in particular), I wonder if this look is fleating? I'm starting to second guess my decision to use subway tiles on my backsplash after seeing them everywhere. I know they are "timeless" and have been used for ages, but they may just be too popular for me.

Help

{one of my first attempts at a perspective rendering from Rendering 101}

The other day I stumbled upon a fantastic blog written by an interior designer who posted her beautiful design renderings regularly. She was inspired by Candice Olsen's renderings and, for the life of me, I can't remember the blog's name. Anyone know who I'm talking about? Schematic...something?????

My Cure For The Winter Blues

I don't know about you but this is the time of the year, once the holidays are over and the days are shorter, that I get a little blue.

So, rather than pulling out my SAD lamp, I think I may just have to buy some of these beautiful products from Amy Butler to cheer me up.

I think these lumbar pillows are just the ticket! Love 'em.

Good As New - Dresser Make Over

I found this little dresser for $60 at Goodwill. It was a little beat up, but had great bones and joints. I knew with a fresh coat of paint (well, two coats as well as primer) it could be the perfect dresser for the nursery.

I used BM China White (satin) with a hint of BM China Blue (the wall color in the room) for the exterior. I love the subtle hint of blue it has now.

For the interior of the drawers I used China Blue with a hint of white so that the blue wasn't as strong as the wall color.

Here is the dresser before her make-over.

Pretty Maternity Stuff - Ladies, It Does Exist

(Please feel free to completely ignore this post if you have no desire to read about maternity items and pregnancy - you won't hurt my feelings one bit)

I just have to share some of my favorite maternity finds for those who may be searching (without much luck as I did) to find pretty maternity/nursing lingerie. Most items out on the market are just, well not very attractive. However, I found two brands that are just incredible. Not only are their products cute (I might even say sexy), but they are also machine washable, beyond soft and completely practical.

First of all, for the softest maternity undies out there check out Bellabumbum. Run, don't walk! This stuff is seriously beautiful AND they carry nursing bras that are actually cute (I have one already and love it).

{could this model have the most perfect pregnant body ever???}

And if you're searching for nursing jammies, look no further than Aimee Nursing Gowns. I decided to buy one to wear in the hospital, but after I washed it and tried it on I've been wearing it to sleep in ever since. Talk about soft, stretchy and adorable. They offer support where you need it and wash incredibly well. I've since ordered more and love 'em. Check them out!

Okay, pregnacy talk over.

Blame It On My Raging Hormones

I just have to vent for a sec...maybe it's just major pregnancy crabbiness kicking in, but I've been losing my patience with poor etiquette lately. Now don't get me wrong, I'm by no means Emily Post, but I consider myself about average in the ranks of etiquette.


So, here is my latest peeve. While having a lunch with a friend today we were interupted numerous times by an annoyingly loud cell phone ring coming from a man at the neighboring table. He was clearly ignoring the calls, but just let the phone (clipped to his belt which is a peeve of the fashion sense in itself) ring and ring. I almost flung a french fry (hey, I'm allowed, I'm pregnant) at him after the third time it happened. I mean, come on cell phone guy, haven't you heard of the vibrate option?

Don't you just want to smack those people? Ok, vent over.

Have a great weekend, Everyone!

Sneak Peak: Nursery

Honestly, the crib is the only part of the nursery that is complete. Everything else is either on order or waiting to be painted. For the crib bedding, I went with the Rory collection from Serena and Lily and couldn't be happier with quality!

Nursery Inspiration: Serena and Lily

I just adore Serena and Lily products - the bedding sets and gliders are among the nicest I've been able to test out in my search for nursery goodies. I decided to buy their book Nursery Style and was blown away by all of the beautiful ideas and adorable photos inside. I just thought I'd share a few of my favorite images from the book as well as their website.

I spy a future fashionista here! Isn't she just adorable?

Having sat in numerous different gliders, I decided on this one for our nursery. It was so unbelievably comfortable and the upholstery is machine washable - can't beat that! I also loved the fact that it fit me - since I'm only 5'3" many other gliders were just too deep, but this one was perfect for my short stature.

I adore their baby slings as well. These are the perfect shower gift for any expecting mommy.

Another great shower gift for baby - an adorable homecoming outfit with coordinating bibs. The fabric that these little sleepers are made of is insanely soft, perfect for the newborn baby's skin.