4.30.2015

baby boy art inspiration

A few days ago I shared my art inspiration for a baby girl's nursery and today I'm sharing 8 prints that I love for a little boy's nursery! 
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

I am most often drawn to black and white art, especially for a rather neutral nursery, and I love anything with mountains and arrows {1, 4, 7}. I also love beautiful typography prints that would not only work for a little boy's nursery but would be equally as beautiful in a gender-neutral space {3, 5}. I am a big fan of Teagan White and all her gorgeous art, and I loved this little fox print {6} and couldn't pass up this simple but colorful bear illustration from Suzy Ultman {8}.

XO

4.29.2015

top picks in plush

One of my favorite parts about designing a nursery for our babe on the way is choosing accessories to create a cozy and inviting space. Today I'm sharing my top picks in plush pillows for your babe's nursery or toddler room. 

One of my favorite handmade shops, Juniper Wilde, just released a set of three gorgeous luxury alpaca pillows {1, 6, 12}. I scored my two favorites -- the mountain peaks {1} & the sailboat {6} the day they were released at 50% off and can't wait to put them in our babe's crib / You can save 30% on your purchase of these pillows using the code MINILAUNCHPARTY through next week!

We love everything from BlaBla Kids so of course I had to include two knit pillows in this round up. I got the gray apple {2} & sunshine pillows {10} for Olivia's 2nd birthday gifts, as part of her new room! The apple pillow also comes in pink.

Another pillow I couldn't resist for the new babe was this sleepy lion pillow {3} from The Gathered Store. I just adore it and love how gender neutral it is. Yellow is such a happy color and a perfect accent for a rather neutral nursery.

Clearly, I have a thing for clouds and this cloud and lightening pillow {4} has me swooning. How darling is that. It comes in four total colors.

I came across this darling handmade house pillow {5} on Etsy and loved the pop of neon it would bring to a space. I love the simplicity of the gray star pillow {7} from The Land of Nod and the quirkiness of the next one {8}.

Finally, this chiming whale pillow would be so sweet in a little boy's room {9}, as would the striped bow pillow {11} for a little lady.

I love how much character simple pillows can add to a nursery space; these would be equally as lovely in a child's playroom or teepee. I'll be sharing sneak peeks of the plush pieces we went with for our little bundle as the nursery comes together! 

For more nursery design inspiration, head to the posts below:

baby boy nursery inspiration
baby boy art inspiration >> coming tomorrow!

4.28.2015

baby girl art inspiration

Today, I've rounded up my favorite art prints for a baby girl's nursery. We loved creating a gallery wall with prints of varying sizes and colors in Olivia's nursery and look forward to doing the same with the nursery we're working on now for baby number two, whether we have a boy or a girl!

Below are my top picks for modern, eye-catching and vibrant prints for a little lady's nursery / I'll be sharing my favorites for a boy's nursery later this week.

For more nursery design inspiration, head to the posts below:


XO

4.27.2015

shop spotlight | sweet gingerloo

To kick off a new week, I'm so excited to be sharing a shop that specializes in gorgeous handmade blankets and bibs for your littles & fabric bins for your home. Sweet GingerLoo is owned by beautiful Mama of three, Emily, who started her shop after during her 3rd pregnancy and has been creating incredible pieces ever since.


In her shop, Emily offers the coziest blankets with eye-catching fabric {seriously, I can't get enough of the one above}, a wide variety of modern bibs and even handmade fabric bins, which are perfect for any room of the house and her most popular item in her shop!

We love our bin so much, especially for the playroom. Of course, 99% of the time it is filled with books, books and more books, though you could put countless things in it. I love that it has sturdy handles on both sides, making it easy to carry {or in Olivia's case, drag from room to room} // I also love how much space it has -- it holds so much. Emily offers them in all different sizes, so you can pick one perfect for your space; you can choose to have handles added at no cost if the listing you are interested in doesn't picture them.

These bins are idea in a nursery for blankets and stuffed animals and because they're so flexible and made of quality fabric, I love that it doesn't have any sharp corners or edges that little ones would run into the way most storage bins have. They are also excellent for travel or storage, since they are collapsible. 

Emily shares more of her story below

"Hello! I’m Emily, owner and workforce behind Sweet Gingerloo. I’m married to my hunky husband of almost six years and have three babes - Declan {3}, Liam {2}, and Charlotte {8 Months}. Sweet Gingerloo began almost a year ago as I was preparing to (finally!) have a baby girl."

"When we found out we were having a girl, my mind filled with ideas for ruffles and sparkles and all things girly! I started out with a few fabric bins and was surprised to find my final product looking pretty professional, plus I was LOVING sewing. I really didn’t have a whole lot of experience, but I’ve always been an artist and creator at heart, so it came to me quite naturally. At five months pregnant with my third baby I decided to open a shop."

"At the beginning I really wasn’t sure where I wanted this to go. I knew that I was about to have three children UNDER three so there was a chance things would look a lot different than had I planned. But then Charlotte was born and our surprise baby ended up being the little girl we’d always dreamed of - a little red-headed Charlotte. After some time had passed, my husband and I sat down to reevaluate the shop and give it a proper name, as we knew that expanding this business was the direction we wanted to head. We went over so many ideas that my brain was spinning and in a sweet little moment I heard my husband refer to Charlotte as his little gingerloo and it clicked! Sweet Gingerloo was perfect."

"Our most popular products are the fabric bins…the product that opened our shop. I truly love the opportunity to create a custom, modern look for a nursery or living space that is also functional. We also make blankets (and hopefully soon, quilts), swaddles, bibs, and scarves and I have dreams of SO much more! I pray each item that I make truly blesses someone."

"It’s a tough job balancing a family of five, a ministry we adore (my husband is a youth pastor at our church), AND running a home business…but really it’s my dream come true. As a kid I always said that when I grew up I wanted to be a wife, a mother, and an artist. And Sweet Gingerloo allows me to do exactly that."


what Sweet Gingerloo is known for || high quality, handmade blankets & bibs / canvas storage bins made out of modern fabrics with plenty of space and durable handles / 

what sets Sweet Gingerloo apart || I love Emily's fabric selection and especially her watercolor fabrics; she also offers custom blankets, which is so nice if you are trying to match a specific nursery theme or want to give a gift that is extra special / Her wide selection of products for both boys and girls, her amazing fabric bins and her kind and genuine heart and love of what she does set her shop apart from so many of the rest! 

my favorite products || For a baby girl, I am loving this coral watercolor blanket & this Paris in Spring one / For a little boy, my top picks are the teal watercolor blanket and this navy feather bib / For storage bins, the gray and cream dot is my absolute favorite!

coupon code || Save 20% off your total purchase using the code BLESSEDNEST20 today through Sunday, May 3 / Start shopping here

giveaway || Emily is so generously offering a $25 shop credit to one lucky Blessed Nest reader, which you can apply toward any item of your choice! To enter, simply complete the steps below in the Rafflecopter. The giveaway will run from Monday, April 27 through Sunday, May 3. All entries will be verified & the winner is responsible for contacting A Blessed Nest within 24 hours of being announced. Happy Monday!

4.24.2015

baby boy nursery inspiration

I had so much fun putting this baby boy nursery inspiration board together since I've never designed a space for a boy! The book "This Moose Belongs to Me" {7} was my starting point, as it is one of our favorites to read and the illustrations get me every time, alongside the beautiful bear blanket {12} that I picked up when we found out we were expecting. If we have a little boy, I want to bring in forest animals - bears, moose, owls - and green tones alongside our wooden pieces. My goal was to create a cozy, rustic space that when you walk into you almost feel as if you are at the cabin up north. 

I love the simplicity of hanging a letter in your babe's nursery, to personalize the space. This one {1} is so inexpensive and rustic, I love it!

I shared in my baby girl nursery inspiration post that I have fallen hard for the handmade wooden signs by House of Belonging. From the moment I saw this one {2}, I knew it was a piece I wanted in our son's nursery.

I picked up a set of three of these white baskets {3} recently for the nursery and just love them. They are perfect for holding books, blankets and toys. Olivia loves them because she can fill them with things and carry them from room to room! They are perfect for any space and a great size, plus super inexpensive.

I have always been drawn to compass prints and love this B&W one {4} / My top pick for a crib sheet is also B&W, with evergreen trees on it, perfect for an Up North theme {5} / The crib {6} is sleek and neutral and matches the dresser {9} perfectly.

No nursery is complete without our favorite books {7, 8}, a modern wall hanging {10} and of course, some wild animal to snuggle {11}. I shared the bow wall hooks I bought for a baby girl's room and knew either way, I wanted to hang hooks up and love these owl ones {13} for a little boy.

Another item we bought recently was the rolling cart {14}, which currently holds all our wooden toys and puzzles in the nursery. I love how sleek and modern it is and how much can fit on it. It would be perfect for diapers and wipes or other essentials, and because its on wheels, easy to maneuver wherever you need it, or even pull it near you while you're nursing to access necessities. I like the look of this simple side table {15} near a glider or in a corner for a lamp if your dresser isn't large enough to hold a lamp or accessories in addition to the changing pad. Finally, what baby boy's room is complete without a tiny bit of camo? We are loving these FP camo moccs {16}, which I intend to put on my baby boy or girl!

Find previous design posts here:
toddler room inspiration
neutral nursery inspiration
baby girl nursery inspiration

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! Ours will be filled with decorating our new bathroom, a fun date night & some more nursery DIYs!! XO

4.23.2015

a day in the life

Lately a few of my favorite bloggers have been sharing what their daily routines are like with their kiddos and they have been so much fun to read! Even though we are all spread out around the country, I love hearing what other Mamas spend their days doing, how they keep their little ones busy and what they do for themselves, so here is a little peek at our weekday routine!


I wake up between 8 and 9am, and usually have some time to myself before Olivia is up. If this is the case, I enjoy a hot shower & slow breakfast without little hands reaching for my orange juice. V wakes between 9 and 10am and she loves sitting on the couch eating Cheerios in her pajamas, watching Daniel Tiger, or eating eggs in her high chair. This is the only time I really let her watch TV, and I love that our mornings are usually slow-paced, with yummy food and no huge rush to do anything or be anywhere.


After breakfast, it's either bath time or we get dressed and ready for the day. I usually throw in a few loads of laundry and pack up what we'll need for errands {read: snacks}. Our plans usually involve grocery shopping, fun trips to the bookstore, a muffin date or going out to lunch together {Panera is a favorite}.


On Tuesday mornings, I attend a women's bible study with other wives + moms at our church, so Olivia enjoys being in the nursery there and playing with all the kids. I love connecting with other young moms who are going through the same stuff I am in this season of my life. Thursday mornings, we go to ECFE {early childhood family education} and have been doing that since January. We LOVE it! I highly recommend it if there are school districts in your area that offer it. If you're not familiar with it, it is basically pre-preschool. It is a great way to get to know other families in your community and for your child to interact with other kids their age. We don't have a lot of young families in our direct neighborhood, so I love that Olivia gets so much socialization each week there. It also teaches kids SO much and offers an opportunity for parents to connect and discuss issues associated with toddlerhood.


Afternoons that we don't run errands or have ECFE, we love going to the local park for walks and picnics. Via is an outdoors girl through and through; I am convinced she would spend all her time outside if she could! Now that the weather is warming and the sunshine is out more often than not, we love spending our days outside. Sunshine is so good for the soul.


Olivia has lunch around 1pm and I typically put her down for a nap between 2 and 2:30pm. Nap time is my time to get done what I need to do, to eat lunch myself, to clean + organize {which is so therapeutic for me!} and to relax. Pregnancy has made me much more tired than usual, so I try to take naps at least a few days a week since my sleep at night isn't always the best. I think it's SO important to take advantage of any time you have that is kid-free -- even if it's short -- and to do something for yourself. Sometimes it is just lighting a candle and reading for 20 minutes; sometimes it is napping or crafting. I have been loving making all kinds of felt flowers lately and am crafting up a storm! I know that when our little babe arrives this Fall, I certainly won't have time to just sit and get crafty, so I am trying to soak up the quiet time while I can.


Olivia naps anywhere from 2-3 hours, depending on what time she woke up and how busy our day had been. She is usually up between 5 and 5:30pm, and either has dinner shortly after waking or a light snack if we will be eating a bit later. Her favorite snack right now is sliced cheese and mini triscuits. If your little ones like triscuits, the minis are the best! I put little pieces of cheese {you can even use a cute mini cookie cutter to make them in flower or star shapes} in a bowl and a handful of mini triscuits in another and she sits and puts each piece of cheese on each little cracker and enjoys them alongside blackberries or blueberries. Cutest thing ever. I try to keep her meals smaller but more frequent throughout the day, and add in regular snacks, as I've found she does really well with that. 

After dinner, we either take a walk as a family, or Dustin takes Olivia to a local playground for an hour and it gives me some time to wash dishes, unwind and get things ready for the next day. Sometimes we play play-doh or with special toys that aren't always out during the day. Last night we baked chocolate chip cookies, mostly because I felt like it. 


If it's nice out but a full trip to the park isn't an option, we play in the backyard with bubbles. Then it's bath time if she didn't have one in the morning, and books. I always tell her she can choose 3 and then find myself reading way more. I'm a total book pushover {we are LOVING this book right now}, but I know our routine will be a lot different come September, so I am soaking up every moment I have with my little lady.

Bedtime for V is around 9-9:30pm, which seems late to so many people {my best friend puts her son to bed at 7pm, which seems SO early to me, since he wakes at 5am}, but I LOVE that she sleeps in so that I can too! I am a total night owl and cherish my mornings of staying in bed way past sunrise. After she is down, I crawl into bed and usually spend some time getting lost in a book of my own before calling it a night. 

4.22.2015

baby girl nursery inspiration

Today I'm sharing some inspiration for a baby girl's nursery. It all started when I fell in love with these three art prints {5, 6, 7} / I have always loved the quote "I carry your heart with me; I carry it in my heart" ... I ordered the print months ago {5} and it is absolutely incredible. It is made on a vintage letterpress and the quality is unmatched. I have it framed and set to go for either baby's room if we have a little lady or for Olivia's big girl room. Either way, it is perfect. The "Morning Hair" print {6} was one of those I found by chance and couldn't get in my cart fast enough! It is whimsical, playful and bright. Another piece that will work for baby or Via's room. 

Another statement piece in the nursery, whether we have a boy or a girl, will be a handmade wooden sign from House of Belonging {1}. We already have three pieces from Tiffini's shop and they are all incredible. Dustin got me this one for my 25th birthday in January {it has forever been my favorite worship song}, I picked up this one recently for our new master bedroom and then got this one for Olivia's new room over her bed. As soon as I read it, I knew it was meant for my little girl. I have another sign picked out if we have a little boy that I'll include in my baby boy nursery board. They make such a statement and bring the entire room together. I love them!

In my neutral nursery inspiration post I shared how I want to bring in succulents, natural wood and a lot of nature-inspired elements. One way I plan to do this is by building our babe a terrarium {2}. I love the look of them and how many ways you can get creative and customize them. I think it will be especially nice to have some fresh, green elements in the nursery as we move into Fall after we bring baby home. I love the look of the geometric one pictured and can't wait to get to work bringing my vision to life.

I haven't decided exactly which crib sheet I'll get for a little lady but love so many by CKD {3}. I want something bright and bold since the room will have a lot of neutral pieces. The mirror is another element I can't wait to incorporate. I have my eye on a few larger ones for above the dresser but loved the look and design of this smaller mirror {4}.

We are all about cozy pillows in our house and a crib wouldn't be complete without a few of those. I love this cloud pillow {8} and am pretty sure I can find a way to make it work for a boy or a girl. I have a few other neutral pillows tucked away that I'll be adding as well, including this one from Juniper Wilde & this one from SEED by Heather.

The bow hooks {9} are one of my favorite pieces in the space, as they will be darling with little dresses hanging from them. I initially got a handful of them for Olivia's new room a few months ago but we'll see where they will actually end up going! They are rustic, charming and the perfect size. 

In Olivia's room we have the Oyster print {10} and I loved how well it worked with this space, so I may add it to the nursery when I change her wall art. I love all the art prints by Rifle Paper Co.

Atop a shelf in the nursery I want to put a small vintage clock and adore the color and size of this one from World Market {12}. Finally, if we have a girl our little babe will be getting her own Bambi doll {13} to snuggle. It is such a classic, beautiful piece and so soft! 

Stay tuned for a baby boy inspired nursery feature coming on Friday!

** 6 drawer dresser {14} now discontinued **

4.21.2015

doTERRA {best of the nest}

This week in place of my usual Shop Spotlight, I've partnered with a dear friend of mine to share more about doTERRA essential oils -- how they can be used for you and your family, the countless benefits, how to enroll in your own doTERRA account and of course, a giveaway!!

lemon / peppermint / lavender

Dustin & I have always made an effort to take a more natural approach to our health; we have found various chiropractic and naturopathic treatments to be extremely beneficial in our own lives and intended to raise our children the same way. Even as a BSN-trained RN, I highly believe in natural solutions before traditional ones, and one of the simplest ways to treat illnesses and ailments naturally is through the use of essential oils. They are widely accessible, a small compact size {perfect for on-the-go as a busy Mom!} and can be used in literally hundreds of ways! 


It seems that everyone these days is using essential oils, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to collaborate with Andrea to share more about them with all of you and learn more about them myself, because I'm just a beginner! I love putting a few drops of lavender on my pillow before sleeping, as it always calms me; it has been really nice especially during pregnancy, since my sleep has been all over the place. I also love putting a few drops of lemon in my water and early on in pregnancy when I had a lot of nausea, simply sniffing the Peppermint helped a lot.

Andrea shares more about herself & how she started using essential oils below

"My name is Andrea and I am a wife and stay at home mother to 3 wonderful children - Kingsley (4), Penelope (2), and Myles (1). I love that I am able to be home with them every day to see them grow and develop.  We love to cook, bake, paint, and create all sorts of different crafts - mainly we love to make a mess!  I love teaching my children about what’s good and not so good which is where doTERRA came into play."

"I was always interested in living a healthy lifestyle so when we first got pregnant we looked around our home to see how we could provide the safest environment for our growing family. We started with our food - we started eating only whole organic non-gmo food. Next, we changed over our cleaning products to all natural non-toxic products. It wasn’t until I had my second child that I found doTERRA essential oils and I knew right away that they were the missing link to our non toxic lifestyle."

"When we first started using the oils, I used them to make body lotion, deodorant, and air fresheners. As I began to do more research I found that essential oils weren't just to make things smell good they could also be used to promote a healthy immune system, calm a child, relieve teething pain, and balance my hormones -- just to name a few. I used them throughout my pregnancy, after birth, and with my newborn. My all time favorite oil is Balance - a grounding blend  - it helped me so much when I brought home my newborn and helps balance me daily."

"Now that's it allergy season, lemon, lavender, and peppermint have been a huge help in my house right now - it's a blend we use to relieve allergy symptoms.  Lastly, OnGuard is hugely important in our home; we use it blended with fractionated coconut oil on our children's feet to strengthen their immune system.  I love that I am able to provide natural solutions for my family and am so happy that I get to share them with other people looking for natural solutions for themselves and loved ones."


Andrea shares her favorite remedies for pregnancy & babies below:

P R E G N A N C Y

Morning sickness: Ginger (topically, inhalation, or internal), Peppermint (topically or inhalation), Digestzen (topically): Dilute as recommended, and apply 1-3 drops on ears, down jaw bone, and on reflex points of feet.  

Digestive support: Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Wild Orange or Digestzen. Dilute and apply to the area of concern

Help falling asleep: Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Serenity. Apply to bottom of the feet, back of neck, chest to aid the body in relaxation. Add oils to a spray bottle of water for a wonderfully relaxing “sleepy spray” for your sheets.

Lemon: add one drop to your water daily for a gentle cleanse

I N F A N T S

1. Calming: Dilute Lavender, Roman Cham. or Serenity and apply the the feet and on your chest if you are holding them to promote relaxation. You can wipe extra on their blanket/clothes (we’ve found that doTERRA oils and their Fractionated Coconut oil do not stain! yay!). Diffusing is also very helpful as well as daily infant massage.
2. Digestive support : Dilute 1 drop each of lavender and orange or digestzen in 2 TB carrier oil and rub baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction for at least 30 seconds for digestive support. Apply every 15-30 mins until their tummy is settled.
3. Owie Spray:10-20 drops each of Melaleuca, Lavender, &  Frankincense in a glass spray bottle, topped with distilled water. Spray on owes as needed to promote fast healing. 
4. Skin: Dilute 1 drop of each of Lavender and Melaleuca in unrefined or fractionated coconut oil to soothe the skin. Apply each time you change their diaper. I like to use a glass spray bottle for this. 
5. Teething: Use diluted Lavender, Roman Chamomile, or Serenity along the jawline as often as every 15-30 minutes to soothe. For older babies Ive used diluted Clove (doTERRA only) or White Fir 1 drop in 1 oz of fractionated coconut oil or other carrier, and applied to gums to numb without chemicals!

*** As part of our collaboration, if you are interested in getting started with doTERRA essential oils, Andrea is offering an incredible deal exclusively for Blessed Nest followers! With the purchase of the Family Physician Kit* -- which includes 10 of the most used doTERRA oils {see complete list below} -- you will also receive the following products free of charge:
(1) An essential oil diffuser
(2) Essential oils usage guide
(3) Fractionated coconut oil {for diluting the oils}
(4) Rollerball {to make your own oil blend}

*Family Physician Kit includes 5 mL bottles of: Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Melaleuca, Oregano, Frankincense, Deep Blue, Breathe, DigestZen, and On Guard

Please note: You must purchase by April 30 to receive these gifts with purchase / Contact Andrea at Akelly1009@gmail.com with any questions and to get started // To purchase, visit her website here, click the "Join & Save" tab, complete the language prompt and then click the "Wholesale Account" box


Andrea is so generously offering a trio of doTERRA oils to one lucky reader! You will receive the three oils pictured above - lemon, peppermint & lavender. There are countless uses for these 3 oils and it is a great way to get started on your own essential oil journey!

4.20.2015

neutral nursery inspiration

Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing a few nursery inspiration posts and first up is a neutral nursery board. You can read more about what we've done so far in the nursery in this post.

We don't know {yet} if we are having a baby boy or baby girl, so I pulled together my favorite must-have pieces for the nursery that will work with either gender. I definitely want to add pops of color and plan to do so with pillows, accessories and art. I am going for a really fresh, nature-inspired design; I want to bring in fresh succulents {7} & a lot of wooden items, not only furniture but toys and accessories. I also want an open, organic feel with as few straight lines as possible, and because of that we chose a round rug {8} for the space.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 

Olivia's crib was white and although I love it, I wanted something a bit sleeker and less bulky looking for the new baby. The gulliver crib {1} is a great price and will fit the lullaby crib mattress we used with V. We love IKEA products and have had nothing but positive experiences with everything we own from there. I can't wait to pick out bedding once we find out what we're having!

Something else I knew I wanted to have in the nursery was a mobile of some sort, which we didn't have for Olivia. This neutral pom mobile {2} has had me swooning since I first came across it, and I love how cozy it will make the space.

One of the pieces I am most excited about is our roxymarj bear blanket {3}, which I scooped up when we found out we were expecting! I can't wait to have it laying over the cribside while our babe sleeps in a bassinet. It will also be a perfect photo prop and heirloom piece that we'll cherish forever. 

For months, I had my eye on the 6-drawer dresser from IKEA {4} for quite some time now and was so excited to find I could still get it even though it has since been discontinued. I love the clean, simple look of it and it will match the crib we chose perfectly. We never had a 'changing table' with Olivia and it was one of the best nursery choices we made! They grow out of them so quickly, so with her we had a long dresser and simply put a changing pad on top. Our plan is to do the same thing and I love the deep drawers on this dresser and the knob-free design. My dad came over a few weeks ago to build ours and I love everything about it and how well it fits in the space.

One thing I really liked having in Via's nursery was hooks of some sort for towels, jackets, etc., and I love this fun moose coat rack {5}.

A few months ago we bought this Little Castle Savvy glider {6} and I absolutely love it in every way. I always joked with Dust that it was my 'dream glider' before buying it, and it truly lives up to {and surpasses!} every expectation I had. When Olivia was born, we had a basic inexpensive glider that we got from Target and while it definitely worked, I knew with Baby #2 I wanted something a bit cozier. It's only available in stores at Buy Buy Baby but you can use a 20% off coupon toward it and save $100! A great buy and a piece I'm so excited to use in our babe's new space.

Another product I plan to bring in to the nursery is a Crane drop humidifier {9}. I love the modern design and all the bold colors they offer. It will be early fall and then soon after, winter, after we bring home our little bundle and because the air {and our home} gets so dry in those colder months, I knew I would utilize it.

I asked my husband what one of his favorite parts of Olivia's nursery was and he said all the art prints. We plan to incorporate a corner gallery wall of our favorite prints and these are a few of my favorites {10, 11, 12}.

For storage, I am on the hunt for industrial-looking baskets for toys and blankets that will sit underneath one of our windows. The only thing I don't like about these from RH is that they aren't on wheels, but hopefully I can find something similar {and a bit more affordable!} in the next few months. Home Goods and World Market are two places I plan to start. 

Finally, we have a boxful of giant wooden scrabble tiles that we used at our wedding as table markers and I plan to spell out a word on a high shelf, alongside a few pictures and an accessory or two. Of course we also have a book wall with 6 shelves to display picture books and those will serve as functional decor as well!

Stay tuned for my baby girl and baby boy themed nursery inspiration posts coming later this week! XO

4.17.2015

shop spotlight | paper generation

Because I am a firm believer in the notion that one can never have too many cards or too much stationary, I'm excited to be sharing one of my favorite places to find the most beautiful, high quality cards and prints, Paper Generation / Paper Generation is a curated paper boutique that specializes in sweet, quirky and whimsical cards for all kinds of occasions. All their cards are handpicked and created using both traditional and unconventional methods such as letterpress printing, screen printing and hand illustration and lettering. PG supports independent makers and puts forth gorgeous paper goods.


You can read more about how Paper Generation was started below

Paper Generation was founded in 2013 by Yvonne Fang, a stationery loving Aussie living in Brooklyn, NY. Since moving to the States, she has had the pleasure of being exposed to a bunch of talented makers who are creating some truly unique, high quality cards and paper goods.  A stationery fanatic (and hoarder) since childhood, through Paper Generation, she hopes to bring all the amazing paper goods she has discovered to other stationery lovers out there. 

Paper Generation source goods from makers all over the States (Brooklyn, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Missouri...just to name a few!) as well as internationally. We love that we are bringing you products which are hard to find locally. We choose makers who are committed to being as environmentally friendly as possible, preferring to print on cotton, recycled or FSC-certified paper, using environmentally friendly ink.


what Paper Generation is known for || high quality paper goods for all occasions / greeting cards, postcards, art prints, stickers, envelopes & more, all hand picked from a variety of makers across the country


what sets Paper Generation apart || I love that PG is, in a sense, a card boutique -- it consists of the best cards from all different designers, not just one brand / Each card is chosen by Yvonne with intention;  nothing you see in her shop just happens to be there, they are all selected with purpose and the customer in mind. It is not a "one size fits all" company, but rather it offers something for everyone - every style, every occasion, every stationary-lover. In my mind, that is what highly sets Paper Generation apart.

my favorite cards || In addition to those pictured, I love all of these: Main Squeeze Birthday Card / Message in a Bottle Love Card Favorite Person Card / Welcome Little One / Bunting Thank You Card / I Love You More than Tacos Card 

how to purchase || To purchase, simply visit the PG online store here / You can save 15% off your total order today through Thursday, April 23 using the code BLESSEDNEST15 || It's a great time to stock up on Mother's Day cards {my favorite one here}


giveaway || Yvonne is so generously offering a $30 shop credit to Paper Generation to one lucky Blessed Nest reader to put towards your favorite cards & stationary / Simply complete the steps below in the Rafflecopter to enter / All entries will be verified & the winner is responsible for contacting A Blessed Nest within 24 hours of being announced.


Happiest weekend!!

4.16.2015

new baby essentials

When you're expecting your first baby, it can be overwhelming to figure out what you actually need and what you think you need but won't ever use. Between our registries and gifts, we definitely ended up with products for Olivia that we never used, and going into baby #2, I want to keep it super simple and only focus on the basic essentials. Below are items we have waiting in the nursery for our little bundle that I know will get a lot of use, not only because many were favorites with Olivia but because they are made by some of my favorite companies.

We absolutely love A&A swaddle blankets {1} and even though we didn't actually swaddle Olivia with them, they were the perfect everyday blanket - for over the carseat or stroller, for warmth and snuggles when being held or fed, for wiping up spills and spit up after feedings, and more. She still sleeps with one every day during her nap and I love not only how breathable they are, but that they truly do get softer with every wash. We also love their security blankets, which Olivia took a liking to early on and still uses today in place of a pacifier.

I am so excited to be partnering with 4moms in 2015 and to be sharing some of my favorite 4moms products. When I was pregnant with Olivia, we purchased a Graco pack and play that I planned to use regularly. Honestly? I didn't use it once, because it was so bulky, hard to assemble and took up so much space. I knew I wanted to get a Breeze {2} for Baby #2 because of how easy it is to unfold and collapse again. Baby will be sleeping in a bassinet in our room for the first two months but I plan to use the breeze in all rooms of our home and even in the backyard. I absolutely love the design, style and overall quality of it. Stay tuned for a full review coming soon.

Olivia was never a baby that liked to be carried in a sling or carriers of any type. I tried a Moby with her and didn't like how hot I got wearing it - before she was even in it! Too much fabric to deal with. I also had an Ergo, which we attempted to use a few times on walks around the neighborhood but she just wanted to get out as soon as she was put in. I think part of that was her independent personality and part of it was that I didn't start it from Day 1 as a newborn. My hope is to carry this babe a lot more than I carried Via since I will be twice as busy caring for a toddler at the same time as my newborn. Since finding out we were expecting, I knew I wanted to use a Solly Baby wrap {3} and it was one of my very first purchases. I love how lightweight it is and that it is made in the US. Hopefully this babe will be a cuddler and enjoy being carried, because otherwise my hands are going to be full!

I love the Nature Baby booties {4} for newborns because they are soft and cozy to keep tiny feet warm without the constriction of socks. Especially being due in early September, I have no idea what the weather will be like so I have a few pairs of these on hand to keep baby's little toes toasty this Fall.

One of the items we used most often with Olivia when we transitioned her to a crib from her bassinet around 3 months was our halo sleepsack swaddle {5}. I love that it is a safe way to swaddle your baby without lots of extra fabric and having to tuck a million corners in! The swaddling sacks are made for babies up to 6 months, and then you can use regular Halo sleep sacks from there. We used them until she was about 15 months and they always kept her warm during colder months over her pajamas.

Because our house tends to be dry as we move into cooler months, I wanted a high quality humidifier for the nursery and it's no secret that I am crazy about Crane! I love how little space the drop humidifier {6} takes up and how many bright colors it comes in. It is whisper quiet and can run up to 24 hours, two additional features I wanted in a humidifier. I'm thrilled to be partnering with Crane this Spring to share more about their company and products and will be featuring a full review on their drop humidifier soon.

Although Olivia never used a pacifier, I have a few of these Natursutten ones {7} on hand incase this baby is totally different than her! I really like that they are environmentally friendly, made from pure natural rubber and latex-free. They don't contain any artificial colors, parabens, phthalates, or chemical softeners and are softer than silicone.

Another item I hoped to have for our second baby was the 4moms MamaRoo {8}; we chose it in silver plush and I love the modern design and functionality of it. It is a swing that moves the way a mom would with five unique motions. Olivia loved her swing as a baby so much and I can't wait to put our babe in the MamaRoo. 

V loved her Sophie giraffe both for chewing on and the squeaky noise it made. It was a great little friend in the first months of her life, so I picked up the fawn {9} for our babe on the way!

Now that we have a nice new soaking tub, I definitely want to give our babe a bath in it instead of using an infant tub like we did with Olivia. I love the AngelCare baby bath support {10} which is designed for baby's comfort and safety while bathing and takes the stress out of bath time.

I was privileged to win an Ubbi diaper pail {11} a few months ago and have used it in Olivia's room for quite awhile. Of course now it will go in the new baby's room and I love how sleek it is, that you can use any bags you want inside and that it can be locked so sneaky big sisters can't open it!

Finally, during my first pregnancy, I nannied a family that had a video monitor and I loved how much peace of mind it offered. We decided to get one with Olivia {12} and I am so glad I did. It was an essential that I used every day and night and still use in her room now. Summer Infant was so kind to send us a second one for our new baby and I know we will be so glad we have it!

I'll be sharing more posts about bringing home baby in the coming weeks and 
I'd love to know what your top new baby essentials are as well!

4.15.2015

BabyLit | April Lit List

Each month I feature a curated Lit List of all my favorite children's books by theme. This month I'm so excited to be sharing a collection that Olivia and I have both loved from Day 1 -- BabyLit books. I have teamed up with BabyLit to feature their two newest releases as well as host a giveaway! 


I initially came across BabyLit books during my first pregnancy, and I immediately fell in love with the concept. If you're unfamiliar with them, BabyLit is a fashionable way to introduce your child to the world of classic literature. Each board book is based on a classic work, such as The Secret Garden, Pride & Prejudice, Romeo & Juliet and more. They are all themed primers, meaning they take concepts and characters from the classics and teach children about basic ideas -- colors, numbers, animals, the weather & more. The books have outstanding illustrations, all done by Alison Oliver, that capture a child's attention from the very first page. These are books you absolutely can judge by their covers, because they are so striking and vibrant that you can't help but know you are about to open and read some of the best children's books ever written!


Over the past two years, we have collected nearly every BabyLit book there is! Our two favorites are of course the newest releases - The Secret Garden & Don Quixote. In high school I completed four years of Spanish, traveled to Spain and lived with a family there and then continued on to receive my minor in it in college, so I especially love that I am able to teach Olivia a little bit of Spanish through the book. I knew The Secret Garden would be a huge hit with my tiny gardener, as she is a lover of all things floral. It is the absolute perfect book for Spring!


Other favorites include The Jungle Book {an animals primer}, Jane Eyre {a counting primer}, Sense & Sensibility {an opposites primer} & The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn {a camping primer} / You know how toddlers love to read the same books over and over and over a thousand times? Well, these are books I actually look forward to reading with Olivia and even after the 10th read-through, I am never bored with the words or the brilliant illustrations.


how to purchase || To purchase your own BabyLit books, simply visit the BabyLit shop here / They can also be found at your local bookstore!

giveaway || BabyLit is so generous to offer a giveaway to one lucky Blessed Nest reader! Enter below to win two BabyLit books of your choice! Simply complete the steps in the Rafflectoper to enter / This giveaway is open to residents in the U.S. only and will run from Wednesday, April 15 through Tuesday, April 21. All entries will verified and the winner is responsible for contacting A Blessed Nest within 24 hours of being announced to claim their prize.

4.14.2015

pregnancy essentials

I'm officially 19 weeks in & so close to the halfway point of my pregnancy. My husband keeps mentioning how fast it has gone by, and most of the time I feel the same way. That is probably because I spend my days chasing a busy toddler instead of napping and relaxing like I did during my first pregnancy! Life is much different now than it was two years ago, but so, so much sweeter.

Being that I'm nearly halfway through, I put together some of the items that have been really helpful during my pregnancy thus far. If you have any of your own pregnancy essentials, I'd love for you to share them below!
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

One of the biggest challenges I've faced this pregnancy has been congestion and now that Spring is here, allergies. I absolutely love the Crane Drop Humidifier {1} to run in our bedroom at night while I sleep to keep my congestion at a minimum. It has the perfect nightlight glow and is whisper quiet, which I need because I'm definitely a light sleeper! We have been using ours for months now and I love everything about it! I'll be doing a full review on it in the coming weeks as part of my collaboration with Crane.

Of course, every new baby needs a beautiful baby book, and this one {2} is my favorite. I used it with Olivia and absolutely loved it. I wanted to get started on a book for our little bundle during my pregnancy instead of waiting until they're born, because I know my time will be much more limited. 

One of my favorite ways to stay in shape during pregnancy has been attending prenatal yoga on Saturday mornings. I also love candlelit yoga at night. If you don't belong to a yoga studio or have one near you, all you really need is a good quality yoga mat {3} and your laptop! You can google a bunch of prenatal yoga classes online for free!

On days I haven't been feeling as well but couldn't really sleep when Olivia was napping, I love reading my favorite magazine, Real Simple {4}. Having something light and easy to read has been a great way to unwind amidst a busy day.

I am a huge water drinker, and in fact, it's actually the only thing I really drink, so I am loving this sleek water bottle {5} for pregnancy. Having a nice water bottle encourages drinking more and staying hydrated is so much more fun when it doesn't feel like work!

I mentioned in my pregnancy update post last week that I've also had a lot of headaches during this pregnancy. Since Tylenol is useless, I don't even bother taking it and instead find relief by using aromatic rubs, like #6 on my temples and neck. They smell so good and are so soothing!

Another way I love staying hydrated? Adding fresh squeezed lemon to my water {7}! Actually, I could probably put lemon on everything these days, but putting it in water is so refreshing and gives me the sense that I am drinking something fancier than just plain ol' icewater.

I love taking whole food prenatal vitamins {8} in addition to eating a really healthy diet during pregnancy, and these by my kind organics are my favorite. I took a similar kind during my first pregnancy and was recommended these when the others weren't in stock where I shop and am definitely glad I tried them out!

Fortunately, I didn't battle a lot of morning sickness with this pregnancy {it was very similar to my first}, but when I did have mild nausea, my go-to remedy was warm peppermint tea {9}. Peppermint naturally soothes the stomach and I always keep my favorite brands on hand for a quick fix.

In addition to using a humidifier, I love this breathe easy rub {10} by the Honest Co. It's great for babies and adults and smells so good!

Finally, staying busy with a toddler, a huge renovation, and everything else life throws at me, getting good sleep is so important. Dustin got me a bumpnest pillow {11} for Christmas, before I even knew I was pregnant but after we had conceived. I love it both for naps and at nighttime, and Olivia loves snuggling in it for reading books on our bed.

What items were most helpful to you during pregnancy?
Stay tuned for my new baby essentials post coming later this week! xo

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