Bebe Nest

We will meet our newest little dude tomorrow!  To get ready I have been stocking the house as if I were preparing for the Apocalypse.  Although I will have plenty of help, I seem to think that: 1 newborn + 1 almost 4 year old= never leaving the house again.  A freezer full of meals, year supply of toilet paper, and enough dry goods forever... check, check, check.  

I have also been preparing the baby nest of course!  I re-purposed as many things that I had lying around as possible.  This is not only a greener approach to design but easier on the wallet too.  A few DIY projects rounded out the room.  Here are a few quick snap shots of the results.

The crib and dresser were from T's nursery.  

I anchored the lamp and changing pad to the top of the dresser with 3M Strips, the best invention ever.  I already had the mirror and yellow print.  The sweet shelf with hooks was scored at Goodwill for $1.99

Since this was T's dresser first, I decided to switch out the knobs to freshen it up a bit.  These antique brass stars came from Hobby Lobby on sale for only about $1.50 each.

One wall is the start of a gallery of different prints and art work that T made to decorate his brother's room.  This was a great way for him to feel involved in the process.  The frames are an antique gold/brass.  They came from my mother's house and used to have family photos in them.  It feels special to use these frames in here and I'm sure the gallery will grow and change over time.

This is one of my favorites.  In case it's hard to read, it says "life is a beautiful ride."  I found it for free from here on Pinterest.

The rocket bedding was super affordable and is Dwell Studio from Target.

I made the mobile using a branch that I found as the base.  Then I cut out stars and moons out of scrapbook paper and hot glued it onto fishing line.  I love the way the ceiling fan keeps it constantly spinning and swaying.  

This old window was scored at a thrift shop for $3.  I put these cool vintage type travel tag stickers that I already had on it and mounted it to the wall. 

The handmade rocker was an amazing Christmas gift from the hubs.  It is super comfortable.  The fun pillows are from TJ Maxx.  I got the bench that I am using as a side table from a yard sale for $3.  I spray painted the base gray and recovered the top with fabric I already had.  The fabric is hard to see in the photo, but is a sweet small scale geometric print.  This shot also best accurately shows the wall color.  We painted the room this color when we moved into the house and I just love it, called Valspar's frosty sage. It is very calming but with enough color to not be boring.  I knew that boy or girl the color would be staying.

I love the soothing yet eclectic vibe of this room and I can't wait to share it with my littlest man.

oxx Dion

Finally

The months following my last post I am now dubbing as "nauseous ambivalence."  I found out that my eggo was prego, as Juno says.  My little clan was over the moon, as we were hoping to expand our tribe.  However, it was not pretty.  I felt as if I was on a boat being tossed around like a toy in a perfect storm... constantly.  Being continuously reminded of my state, I felt zapped, my mind only being able to think about pregnancy and babies.  It can be hard enough to maintain your identity as a mom, and suddenly I was struggling with this all over again as a mother pregnant with my second child.  Finding the energy to give to my family and myself was often daunting, and did I mention the rocking??  Seriously rough. 


Today marks the beginning of the end... the first day of my third trimester.  I couldn't be more thrilled!  I finally feel great and I know that the next phase is right around the corner.  My son and I might be tied for who is more impatient to meet this little bean.  Everyday T looks for him in my belly button, talks to him, and asks me again when he is going to "grow big and come out."  I can't wait to really know him; his personality, quirks, and preferences.  Ready for another little buddy by my side.

Recently I came across this quote on Pinterest from A League of Their Own of all places.  

The part that really got me was: 'The hard is what makes it great."  Sure it's been a little hard, but I have to remember to embrace the challenge.  I have so very much to be thankful for.  Since movie watching is perfect when you are feeling drained and sick, I decided to Netflix it.  I hadn't seen it in a million years and I'm glad I re-watched it.  It was so refreshing to see a "chick flick" that didn't revolve around getting some stupid guy and instead empowered women while still being fun.  Madonna's character is hands down my favorite.

A few more recent movies I would recommend with a similar theme are Whip It and Morning Glory.  Seen anything good lately?

Fortunate.

Lately this has become a bit of a mantra for me.  I want to frame it and put it in a playroom, it's that useful.  Because I think this is the kind of stuff people should learn from a young age.  Counting my many blessings, foremost of which is the amazing love I have from our tight little family unit.  What are you most thankful for?

image found on Pinterst here

Balance.

oxx Dion

Easy Does It

I know I've been absent and I thank you for your patience.  We came back from our jammin' Jamaican vacay (more on that in another post), to my father-in-law entering the hospital two days later.  He lost his courageous battle with Cancer the following Wednesday.  Little by little we have been putting one foot in front of the other and getting our life back together.  I am glad he is at peace and not suffering, but I am supremely heart broken.  


He was the father I never had and one of the best men I have ever known.  He was also an unbelievable Papa to my son and I will be eternally grateful that we had the opportunity to know him.  You see, we moved from Hawaii to Louisiana on April 1st, 2009.  And though it felt like a bad joke at the time (leaving paradise on April Fool's Day), it couldn't have been more right.  Shortly there after Papa was diagnosed with Cancer.  And though he fought like a warrior, Papa didn't always feel like one.  But the moment he saw T, he would push all that aside and completely light up.  The two were inseparable. 


Once again I have been shown that if you trust in the universe and listen to what you know is right, you will be exactly where you need to be.  Patience has been a mantra of mine that I try to apply to nearly everything.  I even taught my son what it means: his definition for right now is "slow down and wait nicely".  So again I thank you for slowing down and waiting nicely as I ease back into blogging and sharing the things I love.

I took this with my IPhone on Papa's boat.  I was told later that he felt really horrible that day.  But I had no idea, for the moment T and I showed up to the boat he was grinning from ear to ear.  His courage and strength will continue to inspire me forever.

oxx Dion

Bob Say...

{Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, & Peter Tosh}

We're off and ready to jam!  See y'all in a week!

oxx Dion

Going, Going, Gone!

Our clan leaves on vacation in a few days, but mentally I've been there since last week.  We are headed to Jamaica for some much needed Caribbean beach time.  Here are a few items that I wish were going with me and are inspiring me as I pack... a girl can dream, no?

This Neve dress.  I absolutely love everything Sheridan French does.  Check out the how i wore it section of her site to see how versatile the collection really is.  I am uber drawn to these pieces because as it says on her site, "the fabrics are handmade on the island of Bali in Indonesia.  We work directly with area mills to ensure the finest quality of construction and never employ the use of child labor or unfair trade practices."  LOVE.

Speaking of designers I have a girl crush on... EmersonMade is seriously fabulous.  I am coveting this Tiny Stars Yes Dress and every other item in her collection... silky blouses and modern bell bottoms, yes please!  For some serious life lust check out this house tour on Design Sponge to see the farm she shares with her husband.

This lace tee from Urban Outfitters needs to be mine soon.  Would wear it with a denim skirt, wedges, and chunky jewelry for a casual Caribbean dinner.

I find myself saying yes yes yes to every item on this polyvore board.  Great for shopping and lunch with my best girl.

I have a cute straw fedora that I love, but lately as I grow more weary of sun damage, I'm looking for something with a bit more coverage.  The fact that this hat is designed for travelers has me sold already.

Hello perfect cover-up from Anthropologie.  Adore.

Coral crochet zigzag bikini, you are amazing!  I did end up scoring this flattering bargain suit if you are looking for something with a similar vibe.

Top it all off with some sunny yellow polish and I'm all set.  

oxx Dion