NELSON & LORRAINE

come on over!

2011-10-14T10:41:00.006-04:00

A little while back I mentioned that Katie and I had something up our sleeve. Well, we're taking baby steps towards having our own little place on the interwed selling artsy goodness. We're calling it good voyage.

The shop isn't up and running quite yet. In fact, we're currently in the process of making said "artsy goodness" which you will catch glimpses of if you check out our posts. We'll also be sharing photos from our voyages and snippets into our lives.

This mama's only got so much time on her hands so I'm afraid Nelson & Lorraine will be taking a back seat to this project. Thank you family, friends, and blog friends who have stopped by now and again. Hope to see you on the flip side.

photo by Amanda Hoffman

thrifty

2011-09-26T11:07:00.007-04:00

I've been adding bits and pieces to Nelson's room as I find them. Last week I came across these butterflies at the thrift for $.89 a piece. I scooped them up and painted their wooden bodies black to match the black accents in his room. I love them.

this is where we play

2011-09-21T11:30:00.000-04:00

2011-09-07T14:10:00.003-04:00

It feels like fall. It's been so cool at night I'm about ready to add our Hudson Bay blanket to the bed. Hard to believe it was almost 100 degrees Saturday.

The quilt above was made by my Grammy. Nelson and I are going to visit her this weekend in Kentucky while D teaches a white water rafting course in North Carolina. Both of my grandma's are in their 90's and aren't doing so well. We went to Illinois this past weekend to visit Grandma Lorraine. D wanted to take pictures while we were there, but I knew she wouldn't want them. Instead I tried to soak in the time we spent with her. One afternoon she, Nelson, and I all took a little afternoon nap together. It was really special.

Kinfolk

2011-09-02T10:49:00.002-04:00

I don't know why I haven't picked up this magazine yet.

vol. 1 from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

And if you go to their site click on journal. lt has become one of my favorite places to drop by on the web. Just a few recent highlights:
Sophie and Rienk's blog

how to make butter

and this video.

W i l l a b y

2011-08-30T10:37:00.004-04:00

Kim over at Willaby had a baby shower for a fellow art teacher. They tie-dyed and batiked pieces of muslin and then she turned them into a squishy toy, burp clothes, changing pad, and baby blanket. I can't stop thinking about them. Seriously amazing, right? I think anyone who agrees should drop her a line on her blog and tell her to start making them for the public asap.

2011-08-29T10:35:00.002-04:00

My collection of vintage sheets keeps growing. I can't decide if I want to sell them or keep them. That's the problem when I buy things to sell. I buy what I love. Makes it harder to hand them over in the end.

6 months

2011-08-26T15:50:00.008-04:00

Our little man is growing up. This week in no particular order Nelson - sat up by himself, slept through the night (this has only happened once), and had his first big boy poo. His mama might just cry.
-+-+-+-+-+-+-
In other news:
We made these chocolate chip cookies this week. They totally lived up to the hype.

This magazine looks awesome.

I really want this dress to wear to my friend's wedding. Not gonna happen.

And, I'm dying to make these bracelets.

2011-08-25T10:39:00.005-04:00

So...it's been weeks and weeks since my last post. A big ole SORRY goes out to the few of you who read this little blog. We've had lots of visitors, Nelson is all consuming in a great way, and I'm not gonna lie - the Harry Potter series has been taking up all my free time during naps. I've also been working on a project with my good friend, Katie. The project is all hush hush right now. But soon, very soon I will fill you in on the details.

thrifty

2011-07-20T08:10:00.005-04:00

Picked this beauty up yesterday for a buck fifty. It was half off. I loved it at first glance. At the same time I was a little unsure about it. It hits me at that funny mid-calf spot. But with a cute tank and my Saltwater sandals I think it pushes it over the granny edge.

I've thrifted a bunch of great clothes for Nelson too. I just need to take pics of them. Does anyone else buy clothes for their kid that they won't be able to wear for a year or two or three? It kind of makes me feel like a hoarder, but when I find an amazing something for pennies and it's a 2T or 3T I buy it anyway. I promise to stop when his dresser and closet are filled.

Colorado

2011-07-19T09:37:00.022-04:00

We had a great time in Colorado. We spent a little time in Salida, lots of time in Crested Butte for wedding festivities and hiking, and finished it off visiting friends in Denver. Camping with a little one was great. Honestly, Big Agnes made it happen. What did we ever do before fatty sleeping pads?

Pic: Nelson hanging out while we set up camp outside Salida - D and Nelson on top of a play boulder in Crested Butte - Nelson's new love - wildflowers! - lichen - Oh Be Joyful campground - us getting caught in sheep drive

make

2011-07-15T09:37:00.002-04:00

Must make an egg carton owl for Nelson's gallery wall. It's begging for more texture.

ps...Vacation was wonderful. I will post a couple pictures soon. Nelson did great camping and he has a new obsession with flowers. Strangely he didn't try to put any in his mouth.

via: Small Magazine

dad's vinyl

2011-07-01T12:31:00.004-04:00

Last weekend I finally went through and organized my dad's vinyl collection. It was a nice way to start the week, admiring his great taste in music. He had Dylan, the Beatles, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, Paul Simon, Three Dog Night, Janis Joplin, the Band, and many more. Now I have them and wish we could listen to them together. My dad has been gone for three years today. I usually hate this week. It kind of just builds up to a nothingness. But this week was a little different. I kept thinking about his vinyl and could smile.

date night

2011-06-29T10:57:00.005-04:00

There are no pictures to document date night. My battery was dead. Maybe it was all for the best. I could actually soak in every single moment with D rather than taking pictures of the moments.

We had dinner at Samira's, went to Landlocked Music for a little Gillian, and finished with drinks at the Atlas. It was a very nice evening. We picked up Gillian's cd. I have to admit this is the first tangible cd we've bought in a long time. Downloads are great and all, but I miss the cover art. The Harrow & The Harvest did not disappoint. The art and design was done by John Dyer Baizley and it was letterpressed. Just beautiful.

Above is the free poster we got with our purchase. It will be joining a small collection of music posters in our guest room.

the harrow & the harvest

2011-06-28T12:32:00.004-04:00

D's mom is in town which means one thing. We get to go on our first date since Nelson was born. We're planning a simple evening out. Dinner at our favorite restaurant then off to a listening party for Gillian Welch's new album, The Harrow & The Harvest. Pictures to follow.

Above is a video of Dave Rawlings Machine performing Ruby. The last time we saw Miss Gillian was on tour with the Machine last year. Hands down one of the best shows I have ever seen. Period.

Polarn O. Pyret

2011-06-25T14:48:00.009-04:00

I ordered these booties (looks like they sold out) and mittens from Polarn O. Pyret a couple weeks ago. I picked them up for this winter, but I think the booties might come in handy on vacation. Next week we are flying to Colorado for our friend's wedding. Our accommodations include two days of each: camping, hostel, and hotel. We will be camping at higher elevation so it will be a bit chilly. Nelson still has a ways to grow into the booties but the velcro holds them on his feet really well. His toes will definitely be toasty.

ps...Please share any and all advice for traveling with an infant!

2011-06-25T07:00:00.002-04:00

He's such a serious guy sometimes. Our bed is quickly becoming one of my favorite places to take photos of Nelson. Such pretty light in the morning.

Happy weekend.

thrifty

2011-06-24T07:00:00.005-04:00

I picked up this magazine rack at the Opportunity House. I wanted one for the basement bathroom for awhile and I've been patiently waiting. Perfection. I was briefly thinking about spraying it bright yellow, but I think I will practice restraint and keep it black. The second photo shows how close we are to finishing the bathroom. So, so close. We just need to put up the remaining trim, caulk, paint the door, touch-up a few other spots, and maybe thrift a little more art. If we're lucky it will be complete by 2012.

ps...Here's what it looked like before. Scary.

beautiful

2011-06-22T07:00:00.003-04:00

Speaking of our neighbor. Here she is with Nelson when he was just a week old. Isn't she beautiful?

ps...I love that they match!

mornings

2011-06-21T08:16:00.004-04:00

D and I are still having breakfast in bed most mornings. Now our routine includes a little boy who lies between us. Nelson isn't the best sleeper quite yet, but having a homemade baked good and black coffee makes all my mornings good.

raspberry-lime scones
The raspberries came from a couple of plants our 90 year old neighbor dug up for us to transplant last summer.

2011-06-20T15:58:00.001-04:00

My new kicks.

throwing my hat in the ring

2011-06-20T12:31:00.003-04:00

This is that last day to enter this amazing contest sponsored by Oh Happy Day in honor of her blog's five year anniversary.
Hurry up! Don't miss out!

2011-06-17T11:20:00.002-04:00

Alison and Levi had their little bundle of joy! Catch me guest blogging over at Unruly Things.

thrifty

2011-06-17T10:20:00.005-04:00

The Opportunity House did not disappoint this week. For a buck fifty I picked up this sweet little flannel blanket. The colors are a bit odd: rose, pink, coral, mint green, and baby poo color? Anyway, I fell in love with the hand stitched binding and accents. It was a touch musty, but nothing some Charlie's Soap and fresh air couldn't handle. I'm thinking I will use it as a furoshiki and wrap up a baby present.

On the thrifting front I've been pretty lucky recently. Maybe too lucky? We'll see.

ImseVimse

2011-06-16T16:52:00.003-04:00

Just picked up the black ImseVimse swim diaper for Nelson. I LOVE that it looks like he is wearing a Speedo. It just kills me.

enjoying

2011-06-14T13:02:00.005-04:00

The Makers - a photo project by Jennifer Causey

top: Wiksten studio
bottom: Clam Lab studio

2011-06-12T21:44:00.001-04:00

D had an impromptu photo shoot with Nelson. These were a couple of my favorites.

2011-06-10T21:15:00.001-04:00

I've been on the hunt for a dust broom and pan that aren't horrible and plastic. I think I may have found the one of my dreams.

via: lena corwin

hand printed gift wrap tutorial

2011-06-09T13:03:00.005-04:00

I've got the carving tool, brayer, and fabric paint. All I need is a rubber block and fabric. Hand printed gift wrap tutorial by Casey from My Life as a Sugar Lander.

via: unruly things

thrifty

2011-06-08T09:15:00.006-04:00

Man, I haven't been thrifting for a long time. Too long in fact. This weekend Katie and I hit up the Goodwills. At one I found the amazing pair of Baby B'gosh short overalls. At the other I scored the black rain boots for Nelson. Then yesterday I hit up the Opportunity House. For $2.50 I picked up the Playschool Cobbler's Bench, the teddy bear, and the searsucker shorts. I forgot how much I missed the thrill of the hunt. Maybe I should start a weekly "thrifty" post to encourage me to get back out there.

Yes. It is decided.

2011-06-06T17:37:00.002-04:00

kids dancing + beyonce = a good time
happy Monday!

shop update

2011-06-03T18:44:00.008-04:00

My Nelson & Lorraine Vintage shop is up and running again. These are just a few items for sale. The plan is to update it on a regular basis. Fingers crossed.

Poketo

2011-05-15T19:42:00.003-04:00

Just found my planner for next year.

We're back from a little vacation/work week. Vacation for me, work for D. Most of the week was spent in the mountains of North Carolina so D could participate in a water based training. Luckily, my mom now lives about an hour from the river. I did manage to do a little vintage hunting for the shop. I promised myself to re-open sometime this summer.

ps...We are such bad parents. We took Nelson to his first national park, The Great Smokey Mountains. Of course we forgot our camera. Sadly, we have no obligatory picture by the entrance sign. No pictures of the beautiful vistas. And no pictures of the turkey and wild boar we saw on our hike.

via: Door Sixteen

2011-05-06T10:51:00.003-04:00

The sweet volunteers and co-workers from Global Gifts pooled together and gave Nelson a sweet baby blanket. It is made by Connexions reusing old saris. I'm in love with the patterns and colors.

2011-05-05T09:39:00.002-04:00

I need to burn this into my brain.

via: seesaw

2011-05-03T11:41:00.002-04:00

photos by abby try again

These photos by Abby struck me. Since Nelson was born I have to consciously remind myself to tell D I love him, give him a kiss, and even a hug. I find this so strange because I'm a snuggler at heart. It's just that I end up spending much of my day snuggling with Nelson that I feel a little touched out. Has anyone else experienced this?

ps...I love you, D.

2011-04-26T15:19:00.000-04:00

Nelson and me having a little conversation.

2011-04-18T13:54:00.001-04:00

pretty midwest clouds

2011-04-15T09:51:00.003-04:00

Next time I see a quilt top at an antique mall for pennies I WILL NOT pass it up. Maybe a project like this will make me overcome my fear of my sewing machine. Maybe.

Beautiful handmade elephant by Fern & Feather. You can pick it up at Reverie Daydream Boutique.

via: Bloesem Kids

2011-04-10T20:52:00.005-04:00

I mentioned last week that Grandma Lorraine turned 96 years old and that we went back to Illinois to celebrate. Here is a picture from her party, Nelson and Lorraine.

I don't know if I have ever explained the name of my blog. It is pretty simple actually. Nelson and Lorraine are the names of my grandparents. They were quite a pair those two. Nelson was known around town for his sense of humor and Lorraine was known for her style. Nelson passed away 15 years ago. Lorraine has lived by herself in the same house ever since. They were and are amazing role models for me. I can't wait to tell Nelson all about his great-grandpa.

2011-04-09T10:14:00.006-04:00

This is the third time in a month that we've made this curry vegetable bisque and naan. Both recipes come from the cookbook, Simply in Season. So, so good.

comfort

2011-04-06T21:06:00.004-04:00

For the first time since we moved in we finally have comfortable chairs! One day I had enough and ordered cushions for the little Danish beauty. They came in last week and we are very happy with them. I opted for black indoor/outdoor fabric. I'm thinking they will withstand the kiddo well.

The leather swivel chair came from my mom's house in Illinois. We went back a couple of weekends ago to celebrate Grandma Lorraine's 96th birthday. While in town I popped in on my favorite antique mall/junk shop. Boy did we score. More on that later.

old brand new

2011-04-04T09:53:00.003-04:00

All photos taken by Dabito. See his beautiful blog here.

my dad

2011-03-31T10:42:00.004-04:00

Me and my dad - February 1980

Happy Birthday, dad. Know that your new little grandson will know who his Opa was.
We love you and miss you.

2011-03-30T23:07:00.003-04:00

Posting pretty pictures is about all I have time for these days. I love this kiddo room. The rest of the house is pretty amazing as well. You can see it here. Note to self: buy a plant that won't die and hang it high in Nelson's room.

via: desire to inspire

2011-03-29T12:26:00.002-04:00

All I have to say is, "Wow." The tutorial can be found right here.

via: oh happy day

living small

2011-03-21T11:11:00.005-04:00

I came across this post on Apartment Therapy about Matthew Hofmann's airstream. It got me thinking about D's VW Eurovan Pop Top we drove all over the Sierras until it died and we sold it non-running. And our first home we lived in as a married couple, a camper set on blocks with a full size refrigerator outside the front door. We've lived small and really enjoyed it.

Now we own a modest three bedroom house. We have room for guests and entertaining, something we couldn't do before. But every time a Eurovan drives by we have dreams of taking road trips across the country as a family. Growing up, due to my parents' work we were never able to take big vacations and explore the country. I'm curious to hear from those of you who did. What were your favorite memories?

ps...Through Matthew's source list I found a great site, CushionsXpress, and we finally ordered two cushions for a chair I got for a steel at one of our local antique malls. I will show after pictures as soon as we get them in.

help

2011-03-17T08:00:00.002-04:00

We just bought the ERGObaby carrier with infant insert and absolutely LOVE it. It is so comfortable and easy to use. We took it on two hikes last weekend (one lasting 2 hours) and Nelson seemed to enjoy it. At least he slept the whole time.

I plan on doing a ton of walking this spring/summer. I like the idea of using the ERGO as much as possible. Strollers feel too bulky sometimes. Anyway, if I plan on being gone for an extended period of time I will need to carry a few diaper supplies with me. The pockets on the ERGO aren't big enough and lugging a diaper bag isn't a reality. So, I'm thinking a lightweight backpack might be the solution. I've been eying BAGGU's backpack in nutmeg for a long time. But will it feel awkward to have something on my front and back? Should I just scrap the whole idea and not be gone for more than a couple of hours? Does anyone have experience with this or suggestions? Help.

an update

2011-03-16T08:00:00.004-04:00

year of the rabbit print by dutch door press

So, my 31st birthday came and went. This was expected considering I had a two week old on my hands. I have had a little time to reflect on this past year and think about the next. Breastfeeding is good for that. Lots of time to sit and think. Anyway, not much has changed since I last wrote about, 30 things to do before I turn 31. Some things I did. Some I half did. And others got completely shelfed.

This year I'm thinking that instead of stacking my plate with 31 new goals, I might just focus on a smaller number...say 5. I want these goals to push me, yet be attainable while caring for a baby full time. I haven't quite settled on them. I have a few ideas floating around, so I'll keep you posted.

ps...I might have to add this print to the art wall in Nelson's room. Ooh, this one is nice too.

2011-03-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

Beautiful hand knit baby sweater by willaby. The orange buttons are the perfect touch.

Nelson - 1 month

2011-03-13T16:59:00.004-04:00

Friday was Nelson's 1 month birthday. We went for a long walk with the aunties and ended up at D's work. One thing led to another and a mini photo shoot broke out. Let's just say I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. These were some of the highlights.

2011-03-09T19:52:00.003-05:00

A couple of these ladies are coming all the way to Indiana to meet Nelson. The last time we were together was on our epic road trip last August. I can't wait for him to meet his aunties.

Up

2011-03-08T09:41:00.004-05:00

Beautiful photos of a floating house by National Geographic.

via: Say Yes To Hoboken

Nelson's Room

2011-03-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

I placed quite a few parameters on designing Nelson's room. We waited to find out the sex of our kiddo, so it had to be gender neutral. And simplicity was a must. The room is pretty small, only 110 sq ft. I also wanted graphic elements as well as a loose nature theme. I started the process pretty early which allowed me to be patient when looking for the right pieces. This was done on a pretty tight budget from our end. I scoured thrift stores, antique malls, the web, and used items we already owned. However, we did have some help from Nelson's grandparents and great-grandma Lorraine for the larger items (rocker, crib, and dresser).

This was such a fun project that I'm kind of bummed it's over. Granted, as you can see Nelson hardly has any toys at this point. I'm sure that will change soon. Corralling them without losing the simplicity of the room will give me something to do before I know it.

furniture:
jenny lind crib - overstock.com
dresser - The Warehouse (Bloomington, IN)
mid-century rocker chair - urban outfitters
ottoman - Antique Bazaar (Bloomington, IN)
side table - hand-me-down (spray painted in Valspar's Mediterranean)

accessories:
geometric rug - urban outfitters (bought on sale, no longer available)
fair trade laundry basket - Global Gifts
lamp - already owned
fair trade basket on dresser - Bloomingfoods
enamel pail/trash can - already owned
crosley alarm clock radio speaker - urban outfitters (bought on sale)
"every angle" organic pillow - hazel & hunter (I won it!)
wire basket - already owned
curtain rod in black - overstock.com
drop cloth curtains - made by me
curtain tiebacks - made by me using this tutorial

art:
cavallini les champignons mushroom gift wrap paper - terrain at styers
red papercut - found for $4 at the antique mall in my hometown
two years of the youniverse print - Chris Duncan for little otsu (this was leftover from a 2010 calendar)
vintage owl prints - from my childhood home
carved wooden leaf stamp - from my childhood home
treehouse photo (taken by me) - Canvas on Demand (Groupon, I paid $45 for a $130 canvas!)
"all the stars" decal - Shanna Murray
fair trade silver stars - Global Gifts
large stars - made by me

baby stuff:
make a mobile kit - Banquet Atelier & Collage Collage
crib sheet - target
handmade crochet blanket - a gift from D's grandma
changing pad cover - sweetheart-n-sunshine

2011-02-23T20:08:00.004-05:00

Our sweet neighbor knitted these booties for Nelson.

***Bryce! You're the winner guessing Nelson would be born February 11th at 2:36am. Not bad, just one hour and thirty-five minutes off. I will wait till you return from Ecuador to send you the present. However, I would much rather give it to you in person. Hint, hint.

2011-02-15T16:56:00.001-05:00

Nelson and his dad hanging out reading the paper.

2011-02-13T12:32:00.003-05:00

Nelson Jacob Smucker-Oates born February 11th at 1:01am.
He weighed 7lb 7oz and was 20.5 inches long.
And yes, his hands really are that big.
Thank you for all your support.

a contest

2011-02-04T10:59:00.006-05:00

update: No new news on the kiddo front. However, I have taken up mall walking to try and wiggle this little one down. It has been so cold here!

Okay folks, I need a little audience participation here. Tomorrow, February 5th, is my due date. And no, I'm not in labor. The waiting game hasn't been too bad up until now, but I have a feeling that is about to change. I'm thinking one way to ease the anxiousness in the next week or so is to hold a little contest. What I want you to do is make a guess as to when the kiddo will make its appearance. Include the date and time in the comment section and an email address. The person with the closest guess will win this awesome vintage desk calendar. Check it out, you flip the world and it gives you the next day. Perfect for those of us who never seems to know the date.

And while you're at it feel free to send any and all good vibes my way. This is my first kiddo and I have to admit I'm a little nervous about labor. We are planning a homebirth, we have an amazing birth team lined up, and we just made it through one of the worst winter storms in years. Things are looking good. And I know that in my head, I just wouldn't mind a little more support for my heart. You guys are the best. Thanks.

2011-02-03T08:53:00.002-05:00

Someone please buy this for your nursery. Artecnica's Themis Mobile, $27!

via: design is mine

2011-02-02T10:18:00.007-05:00

vintage Osh Kosh overalls by fuzzymamma : baby Minnetonka moccasins by Vim & Vigor

I can not wait to find out the sex of the kiddo so that I can finally do some proper thrifting. Just the other day I found the cutest vintage baby girl dresses at the thrift for like a buck fifty each. I walked away. I know I'm crazy and cheap. I just can't stand wasting money even if it's only three bucks. However, if I came across these beauties I would pick them up in a second. In fact I just might have to buy the moccasins as soon as I finish typing this sentence.

nursery: sneak peak

2011-02-01T08:10:00.000-05:00

I finally got my hands on this old side table that had been in Grandma Lorraine's basement for ages. Primed and painted it adds just the right kick of color that the room needed.

2011-01-29T17:00:00.001-05:00

Thirty. Nine. Weeks. Pregnant.

2011-01-28T08:54:00.003-05:00

"New Momma" gift to myself, Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor in golden brown.

nursery: sneak peak

2011-01-25T08:00:00.001-05:00

2011-01-24T09:15:00.002-05:00

I came across this nursery for Jesse Kamm's 18 month old on Closet Visit. I love how you could replace the crib with an adult bed and no one would be the wiser. It's so comfortable and colorful. Love the tapestry.

must make

2011-01-22T09:08:00.004-05:00

DIY and photos by Honestly...WTF

color love

2011-01-21T16:46:00.005-05:00

I stumbled across this on decor8 today and I couldn't get the color combination out of my head. The muddy green background with mint green, kelly green, bright yellow, orange, red, blue, wood, and black accents look so good together. I'm might use this as direction for my spring/summer wardrobe. Not that I will be buying a whole new wardrobe mind you, just a little inspiration when picking up a few items. Or maybe I will use this as a guide for a little bedroom renovation later this year. I already have a nice gray on the walls and I could sure use some lively accents to freshen things up a bit.

image via: histor paints

self care

2011-01-19T09:54:00.012-05:00

via: INTO THE GLOSS

I'm 2 1/2 weeks out from my due date and my mind has started to wander towards the idea of having my body back. I think it was prompted by this site and this one. For the most part I have loved being pregnant. However, hot flashes are coming on more regularly and I'm semi-winded just sitting here typing. Not to mention, we're itching to have the kiddo in our arms rather than behind the curtain that is my stomach.

What does it mean to have my body back? And more importantly, how do I get it back while taking care of a newborn? I want to be realistic here. I'm excited to exercise again. I've done a ton of walking throughout my pregnancy, but I'm really excited to be a bit more active. And I don't think I'm going to make any big declaration about how and when I'm going to lose the baby weight. I'm just going to get moving.

And while I'm at it I need to address the whole enchilada: skin, hair, nails. I like looking natural. I hardly ever wear makeup, I don't fuss with my hair too much, and I always keep my nails natural. However, what I've come to realized is if I want to keep this up throughout my life maintenance has to happen.

At the end of February I turn 31 and in all of my years I have never been committed to taking care of my skin. I do nothing on a regular basis. I wash my face a few times a week and moisturize at night if I'm lucky. And don't let me fool you. I do not have perfect skin. I'm just lazy. I've decided this has to change. I see fine lines and the texture of my skin is not what it used to be, especially after pregnancy. I've done a bit of research, have read reviews on products, and I think I've come up with a plan. Step 1: Rinse my face in the morning with warm water and a washcloth. Apply SPF 15 moiturizer. Oh, and drink lots of water. Step 2: Wash my face at the end of the day and apply a night cream. Step 3: Use Olay's Regenerist Microdermabrasion & Peel System two times a week. (Side Note: I've heard great things about Olay's Regenerist line, specifically the Microdermabrasion & Peel System, that you get the best bang for your buck. And I have to face it, with the kiddo coming I've got to consider our bucks when thinking about taking back my body...no spa treatments, blowouts, or mani-pedis for this girl.)

Hair should be pretty easy to take care of this year. My normal M.O. is to cut off my hair really, really short and then grow it out. Usually the grow out doesn't get below my shoulders before I cut it off again. This year is going to be different. I just got it trimmed and highlighted. I'm planning on getting my hair trimmed every three months with free bang trims in between while I grow it out long. D and I just budgeted for the trims and one more highlight session for the year. I know my plan isn't revelatory, but I've only grown my hair past my shoulders twice in my life. I'm ready for a change and to try out fun styles like this and this.

As for nails, I don't think about them...ever. I hate polish on my fingers and I can only tolerate polish on my toes in the summertime. But as I've gotten older I've really noticed how your hands can tell your age. And I feel like mine are saying I'm a few years older than I am. It's time to make a change. Now, I have something really embarrassing to admit. I was walking through the mall before Christmas and I got pulled in by this guy with an adorable accent peddling beauty products. He introduced me to the Dead Sea Complete Nail Kit Treatment. In my head I was all, "Fine. Do a nail. I'm sure it will look nice, but I will politely decline your offer and walk away." And I was going to do just that until he showed me the nail. It was super smooth and shiny without using polish. I'm telling you it was like magic and I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. And for the price of one mani-pedi (we're talking Midwest prices here folks) I was able to get two kits. Of course he was running a special, two for one just in time for Christmas...blah, blah, blah. I was sold and now I have the best looking nails/hands I've had in my life.

That's that. Sorry if you've been completely bored by reading my resolutions for taking back my body. It just helps to write it down, even put it out there for others to read so I will be more committed to it. And just so you know I'm not some granola nut who will NEVER wear any makeup EVER. I'm just a makeup novice who hates to waste money on something I rarely wear. Feel free to shoot me your tried and true product recommendations. I need all the help I can get.

baby shower

2011-01-10T10:43:00.006-05:00

Our sweet friends had a baby shower for us this weekend. There was an Indian food potluck, diaper themed gifts, and a little art project. Katie picked out the stencils and as you can see everyone really got into it. The finished products kill me! I'm thinking I will have to pick up a few pairs of these pants to go with them. The black and any of the crazy bright ones would be perfect.

2011-01-08T11:06:00.007-05:00

Here are the belly shots I've promised. Thirty. Six. Weeks. Pregnant.
My last day of work was yesterday, we have a baby shower tonight, and friends are making plans to see the little one. I feel very happy and loved.

I threw in a shot of the finished mobile. The nursery is almost done. We just have to paint a side table and apply a special decal.

2011-01-06T15:30:00.005-05:00

I found this beauty while thrifting. I don't think the spine has ever been cracked before today. The new Peterson Field Guides are filled with photos. This one was illustrated by George A. Petrides and Roger Tory Peterson. Their drawings feel so delicate and sweet. I don't know if I will be able to part with it.

2010-12-28T16:23:00.003-05:00

blah, blah, blah...I finally filled up the shelving unit. Most of the objects came from my parent's home. D and I finally took the time to go through the boxes of things I've snagged over the last couple of visits and just shoved in our basement. To be honest, I forgot I had most of them. That includes the demijohn which I found in their attic in its original protective basket. I'm so glad I share my parent's taste.

merry christmas

2010-12-25T16:27:00.007-05:00

D and I have been enjoying a quiet Christmas at home. We had plans of heading to Illinois to spend the holiday with Grandma Lorraine, but a snowstorm kept us away. Instead we made the traditional Oates brunch which has to include egg casserole. We kept it simple and added homemade cinnamon rolls, french press coffee, and mimosas. The rest of the day included:

D reading his favorite kiddo book, The Snowy Day, to baby.

Making baby a present, the build your own mobile kit from Banquet. We must craft together more often.

True Grit

Naps

And possibly ordering Chinese take-out tonight.

Friends, I hope you've had a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!

snow

2010-12-06T16:34:00.004-05:00

December 1st we woke up to a blanket of snow. We've only had a few flurries since then, but the temperature dropped keeping the beautiful white snow from turning into a brown slushy mess. These photos were taken on a little hike yesterday. There's not too many things that make D happier than hiking in snow and breathing crisp winter air. Except of course, backcountry skiing and getting hit with face shots. We'll take what we can get.

owen & naomi

2010-12-05T21:11:00.004-05:00

Right before Thanksgiving my sister had her second baby. Owen is an excited big brother as you can see. Baby Naomi weighed just a touch over six pounds when she came home from the hospital. She is so tiny and sweet, smelled of baby goodness, and slept all the time.

30 things to do before I turn 31

2010-12-03T12:39:00.010-05:00

I'm less than 3 months away from my 31st birthday. I thought it was time to bust out the list again (I think this is only my second time?) and evaluate how I'm doing. Here we go...

1. visit Renee and Jes in Chicago - done
2. grow out my hair - doing
3. stay in school - fail
I did the whole school thing last spring. Then I got pregnant and plans changed. I'm now slowly pursuing my dreams, but it's taking a different direction than I thought.
4. visit Mel in St. Louis - done
She got married!
5. start an etsy store - done
6. remodel the basement and basement bathroom - doing
The bathroom is mostly done. I just need to find the right finishing touches. The main room is a work in progress. We said goodbye to the gross indoor/outdoor carpet, painted the floor, and gave the ceiling a bright white coat of paint. Now we need to frame up the walls, insulate, drywall, paint, decorate. This will NOT happen before I turn 30.
7. become a runner - ish??
I was making really good progress on this goal and then I got pregnant.
8. organize the garage - done
With the help of my amazing mother-in-law we scrubbed the walls, gave them a fresh coat of paint, painted and organized the worktable, painted and hung pegboard, and organized everything else.
9. eat well - doing
10. plant our garden and be dedicated to it - ish??
I have to admit, D did most of the planting and was the dedicated one.
11. reduce our household energy consumption - doing
We saved and bought a new furnace and programmable thermostat.
12. contact my grandma’s via phone or letters at least once every month - fail
I definitely have not done this every month, but we have driven and seen them a couple of times this year. Counts, right?
13. take the bus or bike to work in the fall - done
14. take a road trip with my girlfriends - done
15. ride my bike more (for errands and recreation) - done
16. drink more water - doing
17. become a better climber - done
18. go to the Red River Gorge - fail
19. spend a weekend with Missy, Melissa, Rod, Nathalie, and D - done
20. volunteer throughout the year - doing
21. work on personal art/design projects over the summer - fail
22. build rain barrels for our house - done
23. spend time in Yosemite and the East Side with friends - done
24. continue to save money for impending purchases (water heater and car) - doing
25. work on landscaping - done
26. read six books - doing
27. spend quality time with D - doing
28. go to the dentist - ???
29. expand my knowledge on wine (I worked part-time at a local winery? - done
I say "done" because I no longer work there. I did however learn a lot this year.
30. spend quality time with extended family - doing

Overall, not bad. I thought my failed goals would disappoint me more. Honestly they don't. I think I'm just happy I took a little bit of time last year and made goals. The fact that I've accomplished some and am working on others is icing on the cake. To the next three months!

2010-12-01T13:27:00.002-05:00

Bloesem has up a pretty amazing print/poster/art round-up. Check it out here.

2010-11-23T10:34:00.004-05:00

Just caught this book, Crafting a Meaningful Home by Meg Mateo Ilasco, on Design*Sponge.
I think it would be an awesome Christmas/birthday/having a baby gift....hint, hint.

Crafting a Meaningful Home from Meg Mateo Ilasco on Vimeo.

2010-11-20T07:15:00.004-05:00

n & l vintage wooden napkin rings in Lena's home.

2010-11-18T18:32:00.003-05:00

Last weekend D and I went exploring the limestone quarry that sits close to our house. This area of Indiana is famous for it's limestone. The Empire State Building, the Pentagon, and the Washington National Cathedral feature Indiana limestone in their exteriors.

pretty package

2010-11-18T16:39:00.004-05:00

Shipping out a rather large vintage item from the shop!

my shop is open!

2010-11-14T13:46:00.003-05:00

Nelson & Lorraine Vintage is finally up and running. I've only added a few items, but expect more soon!

"Take your pleasure seriously..." -Charles Eames

2010-11-12T14:02:00.001-05:00

mobile

2010-11-11T12:37:00.005-05:00

I'm planning on picking up this mobile kit for the kiddo's room. Made by the folks at Banquet and Collage Collage. The whimsical animals are awesome...except the baracoda frightens me a bit. I might have to leave him out. Now the question is, should I paint the animals a solid color or give them more details?

2010-11-10T12:56:00.003-05:00

Dear friends of ours just sent baby Kubb the cutest tee I think I've ever seen. Thank you - Nathalie and Rod!

ps...We aren't really naming the kiddo Kubb. In the beginning D kept calling the baby, "fetus." I couldn't take it anymore, so we nicknamed the baby after our favorite lawn game, Kubb.

the nursery

2010-11-10T12:47:00.006-05:00

The nursery is slowly coming together.

And...I couldn't resist a close up of these little guys.

mono lake

2010-10-23T17:55:00.004-04:00

2010-10-21T09:02:00.002-04:00

I realized there are so many pictures of the eastern Sierra that I haven't posted from our vacation. Here are a couple shots from a favorite place. They were taken just outside Bridgeport, CA. There is something about cattle ranches with mountains jutting up in the background that does it for me. You feel like you are stepping back in time. In the first shot you can see the Sawtooth Mountains.

two additions

2010-10-20T12:09:00.005-04:00

A couple of weeks ago D and I headed back to Illinois to visit grandma Lorraine and continue the process of going through mom's house. She left behind the lamp and kilim. I gave her a call to get the okay and then packed these beauties up.

pipe & ply

2010-10-20T11:29:00.007-04:00

Daniel Kanter put together a little tutorial on how to make these kick-a shelves. Check it out on his blog, Manhattan Nest.

seesaw calendar giveaway

2010-10-15T15:17:00.002-04:00

Go here to enter a chance to win one of seesaw's 2011 calendars. Contest ends Friday (10/22).

2010-10-14T15:46:00.005-04:00

Recently I was thinking that I need to make a plan on how I was going to document the kiddo's life. I'm hoping I will be a better picture taker now that I have a nice camera. However, I'm not convinced I will be. I go in spurts. I might take a couple hundred pictures in the course of a week (usually when we're on vacation) and then I won't pick up the damn camera for months. Don't even get me started on how I will capture the milestones of a newborn's life. Will I really make a baby book? Probably not. So, I was thinking about buying a cool weekly planner that I could record a monthly picture in, write down weight and height, first smile, and so on. I'm thinking it would live on the dresser with a good pen near by, keep it open to the week we are in, and simply jot down quick notes. Then when the kiddo gets older they will have a little momento to hang on to. I really like the whimsical drawings of this one by Lart C. Berliner. But the simplicity of this one is nice too. Maybe I will make D decide.

2010-10-13T13:12:00.005-04:00

Dinner of Champions, no?

At some point this year a little hot dog joint on the west side opened. Their name is, Naughty Dog and it has become our guilty pleasure. Pictured above is our usual. D goes for the Coney dirty (burnt) on toasted wheat. I always get the Chicago dirty on a steamed poppy seed. Their fries are perfectly cooked and they make their own nacho chips. Bonus: they always have coupons.

THANKS FOR ALL THE BABY BUMP WELL WISHES!

almost 23 weeks

2010-10-07T16:56:00.000-04:00

mornings

2010-10-05T20:49:00.002-04:00

This is my new favorite thing. D and I wake up early to NPR on the Dream Machine. He goes out and brews a pot of coffee in our french press. If we're lucky we have some sort of coffee cake in the house. D brings it all back into bed and we have the most relaxing morning together before heading our separate ways.

the nursery

2010-09-25T10:34:00.012-04:00

I'm almost 22 weeks along, over halfway cooked, and ready to start working seriously on the nursery. We are waiting till the big day to find out if we are having a little boy or girl, so the nursery has to be gender neutral. Here is what we have so far:

Jenny Lind Crib in black, Urban Outfitters Geometric Rug (no longer available), Treehouse photo by me, Cavallini Les Champignons Poster (D is a bit of a mushroom geek), Mid-Century Dresser/Changing Table found at The Warehouse here in Bloomington (similar to the one shown), and Urban Outfitters Mid-Century Rocker Chair in carbon.

The room is painted Benjamin Moore's Simply White. I also have a papercut at the framers (found for $3 at a junk store!), four small owl drawings (taken from my parents' home), a black lamp with burlap shade (already owned), and a small golden ottoman (cheap flea market find last week). There are still some hurdles to cross, like tackling the curtain situation. I'm thinking about making some from drop cloths. I really like this hardware in gunmetal, but I'm thinking about making the hardware from pipes and spray painting it matte black like the photo below. Thoughts? Oh, and I need a few essentials like a crib mattress. My mind starts to spin when trying to decide which one to get. If you have recommendations I will gladly take them.

MEN

2010-09-21T13:22:00.005-04:00

TOAST just launched their first Men's collection online. Handsome clothes and a handsome model if I do say so myself.

fall wish list

2010-09-21T12:45:00.006-04:00

I've been contemplating a few fall/winter purchases. Just made the leap and bought the Bellingham in cognac by G.H. Bass. & Co. Next up, the Maine Hunting Shoe by L.L. Bean.

"ring the bells that can still ring forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything -- that's how the light gets in." - leonard cohen

2010-09-16T12:27:00.002-04:00

via: Domestic Reflections

looks like fall

2010-09-15T21:20:00.005-04:00

Beautiful photos of the countryside taken by Irene who lives in Vienna. See more photos on her lovely blog.