Since I've started this crafting/thrifting streak, I have become addicted to spray painting anything I can get my hands on. My favorite color to paint, you ask? Why GOLD! Alas, this post isn't about gold spray paint.

With Lily's big baby shower on the way, I've been trying to get everything together, a little bit per day, to make this a big shindig. My theme has to do with horses because A) In the Chinese horoscope, it is the year of the horse (and I was also born under this sign), and B) you'll have to wait till after the shower to see the theme because I think its pretty EX.CIT.ING!

I've been on the hunt for anything horse-ish and have been dying to get out my trusty spray paint trigger and getting started. The weather was FABULOUS this weekend so I set out to paint this adorable carousel horse I found at a thrift store a few weeks ago. For $6, you can't beat it!

I love that the white gave the horse a modern, classic look and kept the pole its original gold. I'm going to use this and a few other DIY projects I have going on as decorations for the shower. Once that is done, I can use it in her nursery!

Oh, and that GORGEOUS tassel bracelet was made by Lakeitha Duncan of Wrist Soiree. She makes her bracelets to size and has some beautiful and reasonably priced pieces. Check her out!

I've been dying to use my sewing machine and silhouette cameo cutter for a while now. A few years ago, Chris bought me a sewing machine and I took a class on how to sew with a pattern and hadn't used it since! I could barely sew in a straight line much less try to follow a pattern. So, when I came across a youtube video on how to make a pillow, I thought this would be a perfect simple project to get back into the swing of things.

I have a stockpile of striped fabric from Ikea which is great for upholstery projects. I also found some iron-on vinyl online and used the my cutter to cut out the letters. Since it had been a little while since I'd sewed, it took a bit to get used to the feel of the machine again and re-learning how to thread the machine. I was also super paranoid about not sewing in a straight line but it turned out well! The vinyl was a little more frustrating of a task. The first piece of vinyl didn't cut so well on the vinyl setting so I had to adjust to a blade of 6. And even then, I had to scrape some of the curves because there were stubborn areas that wouldn't come off! I was really paranoid about melting the plastic to the pillow. In the directions, the vinyl is supposed to take on the texture of the fabric you're attaching it to and mine is still shiny BUT its definitely on there! I think I even melted the top of the second L slightly after following the 25 second rule.

And here is my finished product! Aaaaand... our baby name reveal! Can't wait to meet Baby Lily soon!

I was really pleased with the way it turned out and now have the itch to sew more pillows! Maybe someday, I'll work up the nerve to do clothes again!



Here are some of the resources I used to make this pillow:

Happy Saturday! This week we are officially in the third trimester! I've been running around like crazy trying to find a glider that is decently priced and that I can reupholster for her room. We finally found one a few days ago and for a whopping $65, we loaded it up and took that baby home! I plan on recovering it with a cool fabric with the help of my mom who is a rockstar at sewing. Stay tuned... :)


Here are my new stats! 

Week: 28

Gender: Its a Girl!

Cravings: Nothing crazy but when I want a cookie or a salad, I REALLY want it!

Sleep: Mostly well! I have the WEIRDEST dreams which can wake me up sometimes. The doctors think she is sitting on a nerve in the groin area. I haven't had much in terms of round ligament pain but this nerve business can put me out of commission for a few minutes!

Body Changes: Hellooooo boobs! They're definitely bigger! The bump is a'growin still too. My belly button has managed to stay in but there are days when it looks like it is screaming to come out. I've tried to relive the pressure on my stomach (and back) with a preggie weight belt and so far, that seems to do the trick!

Weight Gain: about 13 pounds. I've only gained 1lb in the last month. I started out small so I know it'll be a challenge for me to put on the weight (even with 5 meals a day).

Work Outs: My nerve issue has kept me from working out and walking long distances. I get my workouts in by dancing around the house. 

Things missed: I miss being able to do things full throttle like lift heavy furniture and walk faster. It was definitely difficult for me to realize that I have to get help for things like that.

Maternity Clothes: My only purchase were the H&M black skinny jeans.  I'm still living in fleece lined leggings too. A lot of my blouses sill fit because I like boxy shirts. I'll be stocking up on Target tank tops too!

New Experiences: Still kicking like a ninja! The kicks are much stronger now and its neat to watch my tummy move around!

Have a fabulous weekend!

I've been trying to find a scent I really like that I can have throughout the house. Something clean, yet nostalgic. I've been reading about the William-Sonoma signature scent that lingers throughout the store and really enjoy that smell so I found a recipe on Pinterest (surprise!). #currentlysimmering

Here is the recipe:

1 cup of water
2 slices of lemon (I squeeze the juice from part of the lemon that didn't make it into the pot as well)
3 sprigs of rosemary from our rosemary plan
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Put it all in the crockpot on low and add water ever so often.
Updated: LEAVE THE LID OFF. In any of the blogs I read that had made this, none said to leave the lid off so I put it on. When my hubby got home, he took the lid off and within minutes the whole house smelled amazing!

I just put this in and turned it on. YUMMMMM. Right now I can smell the vanilla but I hope all the other smells come through in combination. Since I'm home, I'll leave it on for a few hours and see what happens! Make sure to add water once in a while!

While I know everyone's eyes were glued to who was wearing what at the Oscars, mine were particularly glued to the bump styles going. My favorite look of the night? Olivia Wilde in Valentino! I loved the simplicity of the dress and THE POCKETS!!!


Other ladies sporting their bump...

Kerry Washington in in a silky amethyst number by Jason Wu



Emma Hemming in a simple black gown (designer unknown)



and Elsa Patky (who is expecting twins!)  stunning an embellished gown by Elie Saab

Hello hello hello! I've been a super busy bee lately. My hubby just had his 35th birthday and we celebrated with some of his closest friends and family. With all the extra weight I'm carrying, I had to make sure I was doing a little each day of the week and to not tire myself out. The party turned out great but unfortunately, I didn't take a whole lot of pictures. :( In fact, I only took 1 during the party! BUT I did want to share a fun DIY with you...

Since it was his 35th, I wanted to do a fun bunting project. I asked my super adorable mother-in-law to see if she could find some pictures of him as a kid. Then, I scanned them and cut them into triangles with the help of clipping masks in Photoshop CS6.



I was going to make the bunting with cardstock but with about 37 pictures, it was going to be costly (cardstock can be pricey!). So while searching for candlesticks for a different project, I came across some colorful bunting at $1 each! I picked up 3 and we pinned them across the living room and I took clothespins and added them to the bunting.




All in all, we thought they came out great and everyone that came into the room got a little laugh of "Little Chris in the 80's".

This was my favorite picture... I think everyone has the gratuitous baby-in-sink image!

Once again, I've been slacking BUT with good reason. We found out that we are expecting a baby in May and I've been trying to adjust to preglife. That's right! Baby H is due in May! I apologize for the lack of posts and promise to keep up!



So, I thought I'd use this post for my first preggo update!

Week: 26 (almost to the end of the second trimester YAYYYYYY!!!). I thought i'd be able to blog more but in the first trimester, I felt too sick to do anything! The second trimester has been a lot more forgiving so I've been away from the computer and out enjoying the sights and sounds. That's what happens when you are basically sleeping for 3 months! We took the bump to a listening party in SF, out to Lagunitas Brewing Co in Petaluma and are planning a few more small trips before she arrives.

Gender: Its a Girl!

Cravings: I haven't really had too many cravings, i'm into acidic stuff like salsa or citrus.

Sleep: Pretty well! I had more bladder calls in the first trimester than the second and am sleeping soundly through the night for the most part.

Body Changes: Bully Button isn't out yet but its way sensitive! No stretch marks yet (knock on wood) and am lathering up with coconut oil and aveeno lotion. My lower back has started hurting and I have a tendon near my rib that aches in the evening. The bump is in full effect and I have a little waddle when I walk.

Weight Gain: about 12 pounds. Funny enough, when I found out I was pregnant and had stopped drinking, I dropped 5 pounds! I was a little under weight but am definitely making up for it with my appetite back!

Work Outs: Daily walks and one of my good friends bought me a pregnancy fitness dvd so the hubby and I do it on occasion. I've been walking more than working out though.

Things missed: V. Sattui Rose Wine and sushi!

Maternity Clothes: I've caved and bought some preggo skinny jeans from H&M. I'm living in fleece lined leggings too. Since its winter, I've also purchased boxy sweaters and will invest in some really cute faux leather maternity leggings. Once spring hits, i'll definitely be in maxi dresses and skirts.

New Experiences: She is kicking like CRAZY and has her moments where she likes to stretch out to the point that I can see a bulge on one side of my tummy. Its really neat and sometimes weird. I do love when Chris says goodnight to her every night. She likes to kick back in response. :)

Cheers to new adventures!

-M