happy new year

2010, you were a great year. You delivered physical challenges, a new husband, lots of travel, promises of a growing family, too much TV, lots of laughs and the biggest credit card bill I've seen in my life.

Some of my favorite posts of the last 365 days:

• things you can't do in chicago
• 24 hours in boston
• iphone spring cleaning
• invitations
• the gift of the holy spirit > $10
• married life
• honeymoon i - cannes, france
• dragging
• rebel
• gpa

Bring on the new year!

pretty rooms

Who wouldn't want to spend their first few years of life in rooms like these??

all images from ohdeedoh

(except for the last two. those came from here.)

Nursery inspiration

After determining what we already had for the room, Jess and I moved on to what things she really wanted to be a part of the nursery.

Knowing how my mind works, she emailed me a long list of "must-haves" and "likes," including:

Simple navy and white bedding,

a sweet and cheery print,

White wicker baskets for organized storage,

a print to commemorate the baby's arrival,

and an alphabet wall.

One thing in particular from her list stood out at me. As soon as I saw this bold print, I knew it was the perfect starting inspiration for the nursery. The room would be full of color, eclectic patterns and meaningful art.

Then I got to work putting all my ideas together. And even though we're going for gender-neutral, I couldn't help it - I had to make one for a girl and boy!

GIRL

BOY

First married Christmas

For most people, vows and a government-issued certificate are enough.

But not for my family.

For them, a marriage is not officially official until he gets his own stocking on Grandpa's banister.

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I'm back to real life and regular posting!

Taking stock

The first nursery to-do Jess and I tackled was to determine what things they already owned and could repurpose for the nursery.

Turns out there wasn't much.

The only items on hand for the new room are this comfy blue and white chair from Ikea (can't find it online anymore),

a print similar to this,

and an old chest that had been used (by my siblings and I) and abused (by my brother and his college roommates), but was a candidate for refurbishing.

It was the perfect starting point. My mind was swirling with ideas, but these few constraints gave me some direction. I sort of felt like we'd been given our basket of ingredients on Chopped and I was excited to begin creating.

O Christmas Tree

So this is what it's come to:

For each year that Ed talks me out of getting a live tree in our overcrowded apartment, our future first Christmas tree grows by a foot.

On the horizon

Back in October, while still in the midst of shower planning, I was already scheming. I wondered what other creative baby endeavors I could get my hands on. While strolling the children's aisles of Ikea with the overwhelmed almost-parents, I saw my opportunity and shamelessly took advantage of their fragile state.

"You know, I could help decorate the nursery if you want."

Jess looked at me with both relief and crossed eyes from trying to read too much Swedish, "I'd really love that."

And that, my friends, is how it started. And the reason why, 2 days later, I had proclaimed myself "aunt-to-be and nursery designer extraordinaire." (Give me an inch and I will most definitely take a mile.)

So here's the challenge:

In less than 20 weeks, transform this room into a sweet, cozy and functional space for baby and parents. Oh, and it has to be gender neutral. Dog-friendly, too! And did I mention the nursery is in Tennessee and I'm in Illinois? This is going to be fun.

Project Baby Shower: Thank you notes

There is one more baby shower detail to share with you...

Hoping to keep the mom-to-be from having to run out and purchase thank you notes, I made these for her. Although, knowing Jess (a former scrapbook store employee), she probably already had some ready!

The colors, fonts and polka dots coordinated with the invitations. I packaged the notes and envelopes with "J" envelope seals and a turquoise pen like I used to address the invitations. I also gave her a list of all the shower guests and their addresses.

And on that note, I'm done with the baby shower. You can read all about it here:

The inspiration
The invites
The paper
The venue
The set-up
The party

P.S. - My last charge at Alphagraphics was October 18. I haven't been to Paper Source in 3 weeks. Somebody give me a paper project. Fast!

Project Baby Shower: The Party

Yesterday's post of all the shower goodies may have led you to believe the day went smoothly as planned.

Not so much.

As a result of me lazing too long with coffee in front of my parents' fire, going Jackie Warner on my mom and brother, unsharpened pencils, the snow storm and a road closure, my mom, sister and I were running extremely behind schedule. As I sat tensely in the front seat during the unfortunate detour, my mom tried to cheer me up by saying, "Oh, this is an adventure!" My anxious and perfectionist alter-ego (with all the things she had to set up and photograph running through her head) snapped, "No, Mom. This is just LATE."

Upon arrival, I kicked off my heels, delivered orders and turned a few servers into my man-slaves for 20 minutes. Even though people arrived while were still arranging cupcakes, lighting candles and taking pictures, I think the bellinis were an adequate distraction.

Finally, it was time to set my crazy aside, visit with everyone and guzzle champagne. I hit play on the music and joined the party.

Upon sitting, we ate a tasty salmon and cucumber appetizer.

While lunch orders were taken, everyone got busy (and competitive) playing the games.

After eating, it was time to grab a cupcake and have coffee...

...while Jess opened her gifts.

And then there was a lot of posing and smiling.

Eventually the party had to end. There were other important things to attend to. Like finding out how much trouble our brothers, fathers and husbands had gotten into while we were away.

And eating leftover cupcakes.

And apologizing to my mom.

Project Baby Shower: The Set-up

When guests arrived at Lavomatic Cafe for the shower, they were welcomed with Izze sodas and bellinis.

The tables were decorated with mason jars tied with aqua and orange twine. The jars were filled with a variety of white flowers - daisies, mums, lilies and baby's breath - all sourced from the grocery store earlier in the week.

Satin ribbons were woven along the tables and candles were held in coral and aqua mini latte bowls and clear glass votives.

Each guest had a menu and games waiting for them when they sat. There were also aqua and orange M&M favors to take home for a post-party sweet treat.

The dessert table had a cupcake tree and two cake plates full of yummy flavors. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the teacups spell "BABY."

And finally, the gift table.

Of course I couldn't resist coordinating gift wrap!

Next up: add some people and it's a party!

Catch up on the baby shower:
Inspiration
Invitations
Paper
Venue