stylish nursery on the cheap

So, you all know I love color. Lately, though, I've been drawn to the subtle airiness of muted tones. (Translation: monochromatic...ness.) This applies to both what I wear and how I'm changing up my home decor.

Specifically, I'm trying to create a unique, sweet nursery for this baby. Inspiration is everywhere in my head and in the blogosphere. Know what isn't everywhere, though? The dollars to do it. So I've been on a quest to find awesome stuff to make for free. Or pennies. But mostly free.

Enter: the paint chip mobile, inspired by this post. I loved the simplicity, the ombre coloring (hers is pink), the overall airiness, and the price.

I went with purple hues (from Martha Stewart's line at The Home Depot), simply because I'm reusing purple polka-dot curtains I used for another daughter's nursery. Plus I think this particular scheme is pretty--not too girly, not too in-your-face, but not too invisible either. Here's my quickly-put-together finished product. Loving how it turned out, particularly with the room's existing grey walls. Very soothing.

 

Best part? Total cost: $1.29 (for the embroidery hoop).

Oooh, second best part? My older girls each want one in their room. Which is super flattering, right? Hey, I take what I can get.

Happy Tuesday.

because maybe a pregnant woman WOULD make a great lumberjack.

I made a purchase earlier this winter that I want to share with you all, as it has made me prolly the happiest I've been since, well, it's a tie between the birth of my youngest kid and being given a fresh loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread. Either way: super happy.

Purchase Of Joy: Clarks desert boots.

Boots by Clarks

 (Note: Sadly, Clarks is neither paying me to advertise for them nor aware that I even exist. I'm known to them only as something along the lines of "Order #682023679." But I'm sure they chose those numbers with love...)

I wear these puppies everywhere, and they tolerantly "go" with whatever I've chosen to throw on that day. Which is especially nice, because when one's belly nearly doubles every week, it's hard to be picky about one's wardrobe. Jeans? Sure. Skirt? Fun. Bathrobe? You betcha.

But these shoes. I heart them.

My goal for the week is to commandeer a plaid shirt from my husband and go for the "in-my-prime-I-could've-passed-for-a-lumberjack" look. Join me, won't you?

Button Front Tops at Kohl's
Boots by Hunter

Next footwear purchase: a delightful pair of Hunter rainboots...with a side of pumpkin choc-chip bread, please.

Happy Monday.

a blazer and a baby bump

 dress: motherhood maternity. blazer: thrifted. bracelets: forever21. flower pin: downeast basics. shoes: candie's brand, I think .

Hey friends. I know, I know. What the random outfit post 100 years later? What can I say, I like to keep things interesting. And also, I'm lazy and 6 months pregnant. "Unpredictability" is my new middle name. Hyphenated with "hormonal." And "hungry." Good thing I don't write checks anymore...the people behind me in line would HATE me and the 10-minute wait while I just signed the dang thing.

Anyways. Yeah, I'm going to start posting again. Sometimes it'll be on what I wear (heaven help us all, with this belly of mine). Sometimes it'll be on what I'm doing with my kids. Sometimes it'll be on house projects. Sometimes it'll be on absolutely nothing you can or want to relate to. 

I guess what I'm saying is, I'm going to make my own blogging rules. Which could get a little scary, considering I have a "rule" about not eating ice cream after 11 p.m., and you can all imagine how well that's adhered to. (In my defense: it's almost always mint ice cream, which is basically the same as brushing my teeth. So it's not altogether a terrible deed, right guys?... Guys?...)

Anyways. Thanks for hanging with me. Happy Sunday.

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Cutest aprons for little girls!

Hey friends!

It's been a while since I posted. Obv. Let me just say this: I have gained a new appreciation for people who can simultaneously blog whilst growing a baby. We're expecting a little girl to transition from my body to the crib in just a few short months, which is terribly exciting. My suspicion is high that she'll be an Olympics-style gymnast. Just a maternal hunch based on nothing, really, 'cept a few bruised internal organs and some late-night acrobatics happening beneath the skin of my belly-turned-playground.

You'll understand, then, when I say that I've got little girl clothing and accessories on the brain. Including some that won't be needed for a few years yet. Like the (warning: shameless self-promotion ahoy) darling retro/modern children's aprons at my new etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DarlingSparrow  Can I please live vicariously through your purchases of these sweet things? They're absolutely adorable, especially in person. I want them all. I mean, c'mon, pom-pom trim? Rickrack? Grosgrain ribbon? Floral-with-stripes? Stop it. For cute. 

So. Happy Tuesday, my friends. I've missed you guys. To show you how much, I'll share this embarrassing story: I went to put on a belt the other day under my already-enormous belly. I specifically chose a belt that has historically been way too big, for a little ego boost and proof that I'm not "that big" "yet." Imagine the laughter of the Powers That Be when I discovered that I couldn't even clasp it. At all. Ah the joys, slash, reality checks of pregnancy.

So, what do we learn from this story? Nothing, really. Only that you (or your moms, grandmoms, and/or friends) should order these cutest aprons for your daughters. My girls wear theirs during dinnertime, craft time, baking experiments, art attempts, and dishwashing hour where the sink is filled to overflowing with bubbly suds. Pretty awesome. http://www.etsy.com/shop/DarlingSparrow

Okay, I'm done now. You're welcome.