The Nursery Reveal

Here's the long-overdue nursery reveal!

I took these photos pre-baby, but we've found that the layout works really well now that we're actually using it. We're constantly trying to make the most of our space, tucking things in the drawers, under-crib storage, changing table baskets, and "overflow" corner of the room.

Many of the accessories are from HomeGoods/TJMaxx/Marshall's. The bedding and mobile are from Pottery Barn Kids (we later added white black-out curtains from PBK too). And the rug is from Rugs USA. If you are curious about sources for anything specific, just ask!

The final result is functional and cute... if I say so myself! What do you think?

Family wedding pictures -- we displayed these at our wedding reception in 2010!

A Sneak Peek of the Nursery

The nursery is still in progress, so it's not yet ready for a full reveal. But with this long holiday weekend, Scott and I did a ton of organizing, rearranging, and picture-hanging, so I want to share some sneak peeks. We've both been stopping in just to look around the room. I seriously love how it's coming together!

Yes, the "Just Keep Going" print was originally a part of my office decor, but we thought the saying can apply to parenthood too :)

Visited the Container Store for under-the-crib storage. Feels so good to get organized!

We recently put together the glider and stroller and installed the car seat. Still need to wash all the clothes, bedding, and other soft items, complete our registries, and finish my long list of shower thank you notes (we were definitely blessed by the generosity of many friends and family!).

How cute are these thank you notes? My sister-in-law gave them to me. Love!

About 5 weeks to go now!

34 weeks & 5 days, post-yoga class (top and pants from Old Navy Maternity)

My New Office Space

We're clearing out the second bedroom little by little. And my desk is one of the items that will be moving out. I usually work from the dining room table or the couch anyway, and the extra space is much needed.

But my concern was: where would my office supplies, portfolio materials, and other resources go?

The answer: The items I don't use all the time are in the process of being boxed up and will head to our storage space in the basement of our condo building (which also needs to be cleaned out a bit!). For the stuff I need on a regular basis, I've added some of it to the small 4-shelf stand under the printer, and the rest is now organized in two lidded baskets in a corner of our dining room.

Yes, it's an unconventional arrangement, but considering the size of our place, it's also necessary. Here's a peek at my new "office" space in the dining room. (My mom found these baskets at T.J. Maxx for $14.99 and $16.99—great deal!)

Here's a look at the printer stand, which will remain in the corner of the second bedroom:

And the latest picture of the reason for this little "redesign":

22 weeks!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! It's a little early, but I'm taking the next few days off to spend time with family and friends, eat lots of good food, exchange gifts, and celebrate the reason for the season—Jesus.

Let's take this time of year to focus on what's important in life and count our blessings, slow down, be kind, make memories.

Happy holidays, my friends! Enjoy!

Our Christmas cards (as of 12.20.12)

What Your Bookshelf Reveals About You

Currently, there are painters in our condo, working to cover our patched and splotchy ceilings with a nice, clean white hue. After going DIY for the walls, we weren't about to take on the ceiling project. It's awkward to have strangers in your home, whether you stick around or not.

This is all a long way of saying that I've become acutely aware of my belongings lately. Sure, it's just stuff, but the things within your home reflect who you are and what you enjoy. They indicate where you've been and where you're going, what matters most to you.

And that's perhaps most apparent in viewing the contents of someone's bookshelf. Or in my case, our one set of bookshelves as well as the countless books scattered throughout our condo.

I'm working from my friends' house around the corner while the painters paint away. S. and R. have an amazing collection of books (S. is a fellow English major!). They have their bookshelves set up like a mini library, but it also serves as a little glimpse of the two of them—it feels personal and familiar and interesting. (Bonus: they have a lovely Christmas tree to admire, something we are lacking due to the condo improvements recently.)

I recently read A Cup of Jo's post on the new book My Ideal Bookshelf, a illustrated collection of the favorite reads of one hundred creative thinkers. What a fascinating way to get to know people better. (I also adore the story of her sister and brother-in-law that she shares in the post!)

via

My own bookshelf is overflowing, books stacked on top of the rows. I have books in every room—writing-related ones in my "office," cookbooks in the kitchen, little stacks on the coffee table, on my nightstand, in the shelves of the media center, here and there. I own classics, modern-day novels, chick lit, books on style, design, food, entertaining, faith, relationships. Books from college and grad school. Books from various book clubs I've belonged to. Books I've been given as gifts and ones I've picked up for myself along the way.

As I thought about those books—and what they say about me—I realized that what I read is very closely aligned with what I write, here on the blog and elsewhere. Those books reflect what I enjoy, my passions and my aspirations. Perhaps bookshelves are much more intimate than they seem.

What's on your ideal bookshelf? What do your books say about you?

City Maps as Modern Decor

I recently came across the Jenna Sue Map Shop on Etsy.  I love the choice of colors, the unique pattern of lines for each city, and the meaning behind choosing which maps to purchase and display.

all photos via

Since we are running out of wall space in the condo (and Scott's not sure what he thinks of these prints), I figured I'd let you all know about the shop.  That way, if you buy a print or two, I can live vicariously through you... and be slightly jealous.

I'd pick:
Kansas City - my hometown
South Bend - where I went to college
Chicago - where I live now

How about you?  Which cities would you choose--places you've lived, cities you want to visit?

*I'm not being compensated in any way for this post. Simply wanted to share a cool find!

Our Hallway Photo Gallery

We have a hallway that runs through our condo from the main living space in the front to the kitchen and our bedroom in the back.  Along the way, there are doors to the second bedroom, bathroom and hall closet.  The hall is not straight; it has a little fork to the left.  We love it.

With all the blank walls and cool track lighting, the hallway was practically begging for us to create a gallery of framed photos... a little journey through our favorite memories, if you will.  But I didn't want it to be too matchy-matchy or... well, perfect.  I envisioned lots of different frames in golds and browns.  And I wanted it to look like it was built over time (which in reality, it was... we put most of the pictures up last year but we hung the rest just recently).

So we printed some fun photos in 4x6 and 8x10 sizes, popped them into frames from Michael's and Marshall's, and then laid them out and hung them without overthinking it.  It might be one of the few times in my life that I wasn't a total perfectionist.  And I think it turned out pretty okay!

To give you a little tour of our gallery, I took a few pictures (including the one above)... but they didn't really do it justice.  So I pulled out my Flip video camera from years ago, replaced the batteries, and captured a quick video for you all.  (FYI, the blank space to the right of the closet door is open for another larger portrait to balance out the black-and-white wedding photo on the left wall.)

Please don't mind our creaky floors making background noise.  And no, I didn't narrate because it's just weird to hear your voice recorded.  Maybe another time...



Working from Home

It's been about three weeks since my last day of nannying.  Since then, I've been working from home... although it's only been one week since grad school wrapped up.  This whole working-from-home thing is still very new.

Today was a little different.  I had an in-person meeting at a marketing firm downtown this morning.  So I dressed in professional clothing and set off for the 'L' with my portfolio in hand.  It felt good.  And the meeting went well (from what I could tell!) so that's a plus.

I created a portfolio of my work this week in anticipation of today's meeting.  It's cool to flip through and see what I've written all in one place... hard copies that I can touch, not just click to read like the writing samples on my website.

That iced coffee looks gigantic, but it's normal-sized, I promise... just in the foreground :)

Lunchtime and the afternoon find me back at my desk.  I love to surround myself with pretty, colorful things.  Inspiration within reach at all times.

My sister A. gave me this cute pencil cup for graduation...
and the fun writing utensils were a gift from the family I nannied for.

Motivation + decoration... postcards from Kate Spade and Jess LC

I'm still adjusting to my new lifestyle... or "workstyle" if you will.  It's nice to have the flexibility, but with that freedom comes responsibility.  The success of my business is totally up to me.  I find myself thinking, Is this real life?  Is this really my job?!  It's exciting.  It's scary.  It feels right.

Those of you who work from home: any helpful tips to share?

Logos make everything look more legit... right?

Easter at Home

It was so good to be home.  Dorothy was right... there's no place like it.

We...
watched J. play at nationals with the Notre Dame club volleyball team
spent two hours in Forever21 on our (7th?) annual shopping spree
went to the Bristol for seafood (I had the special: crab-stuffed shrimp!)
enjoyed coffee and conversation with high school friends
dyed Easter eggs
did a little bit of homework
shared olives and wine with Scott on the screened-in porch
attended Easter Vigil Mass
found our baskets full of chocolate and jelly beans
ate lots of homemade food
drank coffee and wine and Bailey's (separately...usually)
celebrated J's 21st and my grandpa's 80th birthdays (Guinness cake with Bailey's icing for J. and rainbow cake in mason jars for Pop)
watched "The Help"
laughed and cried and laughed together.

My "floaty sping skirt"... with a brand new top from Forever21

Accessorize! - Part 2

For Part 2 of my "Accessorize!" post, here are a few pieces to brighten up your home life.  A combination of form and function, comfort and cuteness... (Bonus: I received these as gifts or bought them with gift cards!)

New euro shams and gold/white pillow (Scott is LOVING all the pillows haha)

Yes, they are from J. Lo's collection at Kohl's!

Pottery Barn monogram soaps (we have one on display in our bathroom)

Bliss products... the lemon + sage scent makes me feel like I'm at a spa!

A sweet 2-tier silver stand, perfect for entertaining

Mini cans of wine (each with their own tiny straw!)

Adorable computer mouse and calendar

Colorful desk supplies from Target

A Misto Olive Oil Sprayer (basically, create-my-own nonstick spray)...
it's refillable, non-aerosol, and uses less oil... meaning less calories and less waste.

 

More pillows!  My mom found this beauty... works well on the chaise 

in the living room or on the bed in the second bedroom.