Me in Melange

Bring on a baby shower!

When I spotted the new line, Baby Luxe, I immediately wanted another baby...those cute little bunting sacks, and sweet prints...I could feel my ovaries doing back flips just looking at them!  They are the perfect baby shower, or new baby gift for a couple of reasons. 1)  They are adorable.  2)  The prints are totally unique.  3) The price point is perfect, you aren't spending too much, and it isn't too inexpensive so that you feel like you need to "add on" with something else.  4) The gift feels substantial because you get THREE pieces, so it feels complete (what else could you possibly need?)!   This is my new favorite gift-to-go...I'm going to buy one for a girl and one for a boy and throw them into the "gift" drawer so that I'm ready for action when that new baby pops up (not mine...at least for now)!  :-)

Signed, ME {lv}

putting baby in the corner...

I'm really lucky that LV is awesome and lets me bring Lila to work.  I couldn't imagine having to drop off the little one at daycare... in fact I probably wouldn't, hence not being able to work and leaving me and Ryan to eat ramen noodles every night and never being able to shop again.  tragic.  So the little lady comes to work with mom and naps in baby bjorn travel crib (an awesome pack n' play by the way, highly recommend it!) But the web office isn't the most stimulating place for a baby. And this week I started the effort to make her little corner cheerier.  I hung one of the inke heiland wall art pieces, so cute! I had not seen one of these in full action yet, and I have to say I like them even more now.  It's the perfect way to instantly introduce some color and the print is big and bold without being obnoxious.  I also strung some ribbon and hung some black and white cards with clothespins.  All-in-all it's looking more entertaining for her... next is to find a mobile to hang on the crib, something that she can bat at with those cute chubby arms. :) signed, me {CA}

what to wear while being a milkmaid...

Inevitably no matter how many clothes are in my closet I find myself staring into the abyss in the morning wondering, 'what to wear today'? If I were more together I would pick outfits out in the evening so that my morning would be a bit smoother and I wouldn't tear apart my closet trying to find something that feels right for that particular day. Alas, this will never happen... especially now with a babe to care for... unfortunately, for me, my question has now gotten even MORE complicated and has MORE stiplulations. 'What's the temperature' is not the number one question anymore, now it's 'will I be able to access my boobs easily in that'?  Which is something I never thought of when buying clothes!  And well, seems like my favorite thing to wear is crewneck tees, because that's the hardest thing to nurse in, and that's about all I see in my closet. ;)  What I don't have is a single button down shirt, which I think would be the easiest to nurse in... not a single one!!  what?  So I'm left to ponder #1 how it is that I work at a fabulous clothing store and yet have no fabulous button downs and #2 what kind of tops should I get to ease my dressing stress?  I figure I'll be nursing for at least 9 more months so shopping will be 'necessary'. (when is shopping not necessary? I can always find a reason.) Do any of you have suggestions of great nursing/easy-boob-access-styles for the new mommy??  signed, me {CA}

little stitches...

My mom and I accomplished some craftiness while she was here for her visit, and one of my favorite projects came from this book by Amy Butler...

available here. It's a snuggle blanket... but it's the perfect size for tummy-time on the floor.  (i'll post pics later today of my finished product later today, forgot my digital camera cord at home :( ) The book is full of gorgeous pictures and wonderful projects that range from easy to difficult.  I'm looking forward to practicing my sewing skills and making more keepsakes for Lila... in my 'free time' ;)  signed, me {CA}

lila mckenzie...

I'd like to introduce you guys to my little Lila! :)  She was born on June 21st (daddy's day!!) and weighed in at 8 lbs. 7.5 oz.  She's an absolute doll and of course I'm totally infatuated with her. Today was her first day at work with mommy... she did really well, even got her to model. ;) 

 

I was lucky to have MY mom visit me for the past 2 weeks... she was awesome, totally got me organized, we introduced Lila to one of our favorite pastimes... shopping!  and we even had some fun sewing some things for baby girl.  A true summer staycation, thanks Mom!!  I'll post more pics soon... right now Lila and I are going to go enjoy some sunshine. signed, me {CA}

My love for wall decals...

seems infinite, no matter how overly popular they are becoming.  I have always loved the Inke Heiland ones that we have at the shop...

the fact that they're vintage wallpaper, oversized and fantastic colorways, all good things.  The ONLY thing that keeps me from getting one of those is the fact that we rent our place, and I don't think my landlord would appreciate the wall art as much as I do when we move out.  So, in the meantime, I'm lusting after these by Mae on etsy.  They're fabric, removable, reusable, and washable!  I love the woodland theme... the tree with the owls, fawn, oh and the toadstools are quite adorable as well.

so cute... signed, me {CA}

nesting...

And so it has begun... my little house is getting all cleaned up and ready to go so that when my little one arrives she can mess it all back up again from scratch.  I've gathered all the little odds and ends that I think I might need to make life a little easier and so now I'm left to think about frivolous things like... where can I find a cute photo album to put all her pictures in??

I've always been a fan of these, by Aspinal of London.  I love that I could collect different colors for each year, I think that would be so adorable to have them all lined up on a book shelf. The outside is a gorgeous suede and the inside pages are plain so I could use photo corners to hold everything in place. Only downside is that they're a little spendy.

Second idea is more up-to-date (and maybe less time consuming) to do a digital photo album... they have loads of these online, but this one by mypulisher.com is the one I would proabably go for, LV's hubby got her one for mother's day and so the quality has been approved.  I like the layout options and the modern feel that the book takes on.

 

Alas, if I had all the money in the world (and time) I'd probably do both... but I think I just need to decide, hmmmmm...  signed, me {CA}

a special thanks!

So I have to start Monday morning off with a VERY special 'thank you' to LV for throwing me one fabulous baby shower this past weekend.  It was at this little wine bar in the south of town called wine styles (fantastic customer service there, and really wonderful wine... I thoroughly enjoyed my sparkling pinot noir grape juice, and need to run back and pick up a bottle for home.)  LV had a yummy spread laid out, flowers from the Saturday market were everywhere thanks to my sweet friend, Meredith, and it was just a great few hours filled with girl chatter and baby showering.  I absolutely adore all of my stylish Eugene gal pals and so happy they came out to celebrate.  I truly cannot wait to introduce my little lady to all of them in just a few weeks. :)  signed, me {mamacita CA}

Baby Bag #1...

The first of what is sure to be many... I don't even need an excuse to buy/covet cool bags, but now that I have one, I'm on the search.  My requirements are as follows, 1. it must be something that I will use even after it's initial use as a baby bag. 2. has to be ok for hubby to carry too, ie. not too girly. 3. can't be too huge, cause I have a knack for filling empty space. 4. has to be as convenient as all those baby bags out there without screaming 'I'm a baby bag!'.

So here's bag number 1, Seraph's messenger bag.  I'm pretty excited that it was only 40 bucks (I hear that they're going up to $60 in the next few days)  It looks roomy enough to carry essentials but still streamlined and met all of the 4 requirements plus I love the 'one for the road' sentiment.  The only thing that it could have would be a pocket on the back for momma's wallet and such... but I will figure something out.

 

Pretty darn cute, no?  Let me know if you ladies find any other bags out there, and have a very happy weekend!!  signed, me {CA}

and the little peanut is...

A GIRL!!  We're super excited...  especially momma, because baby girl clothing is definitely going to be fun. :)  Melange's newest fashionista will make her debut this summer.  signed me {CA}