10.26.2016

Our 10 must-haves for baby #3

Being that we're having our third little girl, there aren't many "essentials" that we need before she arrives. She'll be able to wear all of Poppy and Olivia's clothing and we have the basics for bedding, gear, decor, accessories & more. 

BUT because nesting + collecting tiny treasures for a new baby is still such a special process (no matter how many babies you've had), I thought it would be so much fun to share the must-have pieces that I've collected for her, all of which come from incredible handmade shops + US-based brands that we love, including dear friends of mine (many of which are mamas like me) who pour their hearts into each piece they make. 

This list is perfect if you're looking to get something extra special for your own little one on the way or trying to find a one-of-a-kind gift for a new mama. 

one // an heirloom doll from dainty cheeks


Run by beautiful mama Chrissy, Dainty Cheeks Boutique is our absolute favorite doll shop out there. Poppy has a darling unicorn & the softest unicorn lovey from Dainty Cheeks and this custom bird doll was made for our sweet baby girl on the way. Chrissy's dolls are easily recognized by their unique, whimsical look -- created by combining both new & upcycled fabrics (the bird's wings are made from the coziest old sweater), bold patterns with neutral accents, layering a variety of textures, and finishing with classic round cheeks and delicate vintage details. Chrissy is most well known for her unicorns but also makes lions, birds, sloths and more. She has been widely recognized in magazines around the country for her work and recently had the opportunity to design a collection for Anthropologie. Her pieces are unmistakably stunning and so much care goes into each one -- every stitch and the process of creating her dolls start to finish by hand is incredible.


If you're looking to get your own DCB doll, Chrissy offers both ready to ship pieces (restocked once a week in her Etsy shop here) and custom slot listings (typically once a month), where Chrissy works with you to create the perfect piece for your little one, complete with initials, quote tags, name personalization & more. Her work never ceases to amaze me and her pieces are something my girls will cherish forever, a beautiful heirloom they will hopefully someday pass down to their little girls.


two // a lovey from rise & kind

Every little baby loves having something just their size to snuggle and Rise & Kind hand makes beautiful lace loveys. They are the perfect size for tiny hands, made of the softest fabric and so so pretty. I love the floral one (to the left) and the charcoal one. I wish one came in my size! ;)

three // freshly picked (crib) moccasins

We have loved FP moccasins since Olivia was just a tiny baby back in 2013, and at that time the crib moccasins (Size 0) hadn't yet been released. They are the sweetest, tiniest little leather moccasins for fresh new baby feet and not only make a perfect shoe for the first weeks and months (Poppy wore her Size 0 pair until about 4 months old), but also a beautiful keepsake as your child grows. I love that they are soft-soled, especially as your baby's feet are growing, because they have just the right amount of give for comfort without being restrictive or stretching too much.


Olivia wore them as a baby up until about age 2.5 and they were just as functional when she started walking as they were when all she did was sit and play around the house. At 13 months, Poppy is currently in Size 2 and they are my go-to shoe on our way out the door because they keep her feet perfectly toasty even without socks, ideal as the temps drop. They are easy to get on and off and most importantly, stay on once they're put on. Poppy loves to pull her shoes off, so I love that these stay on so well. A few favorites of ours are the gold, rose gold, green camo & weathered brown (the perfect neutral!)

four // a solly baby wrap


If you haven't yet heard of Solly Baby, it's a company founded in 2011 by Elle (Mama to 3 and named after her 2nd child, Solomon) which specializes in the comfiest functional infant wraps and coordinating swaddles. These saved me after I had Penelope because it allowed me to be hands free with Olivia, and thinking about adding #3 in to the mix, I can pretty much guarantee I will be wrapping her daily. Now living in San Diego, California, Solly Baby works with a small manufacturer to produce their sought-after wraps, overseeing every step of production and keeping everything United States based. Their wraps are not only beautiful but work so well to carry your baby closely and comfortable, from newborn up to age 1. We also love their stretchy soft swaddles, which you can get in sets of two and select your favorite colors and patterns. A few favorites are the Rifle Paper Co wrap (above), Natural & Grey Stripe wrap and the Solly Swaddle Set.

five // a mobile from petite pehr


Petite Pehr is one of our favorite brands for all things baby, child, nursery & home and their mobiles are no exception. This new Swan Lake mobile (above) is my absolute favorite for our girls but I also love this gender neutral Sparrows one. We never purchased a mobile when Olivia was a baby but then were gifted several for Penelope. I have a large one hanging over her crib and then the sparrows one over her changing pad. I love the detail and movement they add to a space, the perfect finishing touch. Not to mention they capture a baby's attention and (hopefully) soothe them in the process. We also love their pom pom bins for storage of toys, blankets, dolls & more around the house.


After trying just about every diaper & wipe out there since Olivia was born in 2013, I've finally found a brand I absolutely love, Parasol Co. They are my go-to diapers for Penelope and wipes that our whole family uses because they're so soft but still durable and they smell like cucumbers and aloe, so refreshing! They're perfect for wiping hands, faces, our highchair, carts, you name it. I keep them in my diaper bag and our car in addition to being stocked in our nursery & bathrooms. With modern hand-drawn artist designs on the diapers and created for comfort while still maintaining superior absorbency, Parasol diapers and wipes are a must have for our little lady on the way and a monthly subscription makes a beautiful and practical gift for a new mom. You can save 20% off your first subscription using the code BLESSEDNEST at checkout here. You can also try the diapers & wipes before subscribing with their free trial. The best part? The diapers are not only luxuriously soft but they are safe for your baby -- hypoallergenic, chlorine-free, fragrance-, lotion-, and latex-free. Their subscriptions deliver diaper bundles + wipes to your door every month, a must for busy moms and a convenience I'll definitely be taking advantage of when our 3rd baby arrives!

seven // blankets & bedding essentials from stella & lu


If you're looking for the coziest blankets, loveys, boppy covers and more, Stella & Lu is your shop. With hundreds (literally: hundreds) of patterns to choose from, Stella & Lu offers coordinating bedding, changing pad covers, crib sheets and more, all available in the softest minky fabric and backed in their signature faux furs. Now, to be totally honest I have never been a huge faux fur person (because what I'd felt had never been super soft or it shed a ton) but when Poppy's blanket arrived many months ago in the mail, I was tempted to keep it for myself it was that soft. If I put it in her crib for nap time, she is pretty much guaranteed to bury herself in it and fall asleep immediately. This vintage rose pattern is so feminine and dainty, perfect for our third little babe on the way. Whitney loves working with each customer to create the perfect blanket or bedding item for your little ones and also designing a nursery using coordinating pieces. I also love this mustard gold lace boppy cover and this navy and pink wholecloth baby blanket as well as this chartreuse cross lovey, a great gender neutral option for gifting!

eight // a wild creek co. rattle

You can bet if something is made of wood, it's probably my jam. We have more toys made of wood than any other material. There is just something so timeless and classic about them. Wild Creek Co makes beautiful wood rattles, teethers and pacifier clips I just adore. Their round rattle (below) is the perfect new baby gift and equally beautiful sitting in a nursery once a baby has grown or passed down to your next little one.


nine // a swaddle from coveted things

There is no such thing as having too many swaddles. Am I right?! We use them for everything under the sun around here, and Olivia still sleeps with the ones she had as a baby. Coveted Things makes incredibly beautiful swaddle blankets that are not only so soft but make for beautiful photo backdrops as well. A few favorites of mine are the black and white Dream Together swaddle, the blue Wings Swaddle and the blush Life Grows Lovely swaddle (pictured above).

ten // a bodomint diaper bag


I've been using my Bodomint diaper bag for about a month now and every time I go somewhere I discover something new I love about it. I shared a sneak peek of it a few weeks ago on the blog here in a Friday Favorites post shortly after it arrived, as well as the story on how it was created. Of all the incredible features it boasts, my favorite is just how spacious it is. With baby #3 on the way, I'll be carrying things for three little girls...and myself. That requires plenty of space and this bag has that and more. I feel like I can fit so much inside but because of the many pockets, I still stay totally organized. Another feature I love are the two outer pockets, something my previous diaper bag didn't have. If you have a little one, they're ideal for bottles (there are also two interior bottle pockets) but I love them for my own water bottle and sippy cups for the girls. The back has an additional pocket which snaps shut and is the perfect spot for my wallet and phone or anything I'm carrying that I want to stay within close reach and secure. There is also two side by side pockets inside, perfect for a handful of diapers and a pack of wipes as well as a pocket which holds a portable changing pad...and for us, pouches & extra snacks.

I also love the versatility of the Bodomint design, allowing the bag to be used in 3 ways -- messenger style across your body, worn as a backpack (so nice with full hands!!) and clipped to your stroller using stroller hooks (best invention ever). There is also a heavy duty handle that allows you to carry it as a purse, which I find myself doing a lot when I'm bringing the girls in from the car and don't want to swing it over my body because I already have Poppy in my arms. Of course the stripes are such a fun feature but Bodomint bags also come in solid black. It's durable & wipeable (must-haves with toddlers) and multi-functional but doesn't sacrifice in style. Both styles of Bodomint diaper bags are available for preorder here and will ship in early December.

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So there you have it! Our Top 10 favorites for our third little lady. Are any of these your must-haves as well?! Be sure to follow along on instagram @blessednestblog to see more of the pieces I've been collecting for her and our favorite shops for each! Hope you are having the best week!! XO

10.24.2016

lit list | 10 books the girls are loving this Fall

I've shared countless favorite children's books here over the past two years of blogging and on instagram @blessednestblog in my Lit List series and this time of year I normally do a round up of our favorite classic Fall books. Instead, I thought it would be fun to share the 10 books the girls are loving the most, some related to Fall and others just being newly released books that are beautifully illustrated & have equally wonderful stories. For a look at our favorite traditional Fall books, you can find last year's roundup here


// We also love her first picture book, Adventures with Barefoot Critters...all about teaching children their ABCs. The illustrations in this book are so charming and perfect for not only grasping the concept of counting but naming all different types of animals //

Sam and Dave Dig A Hole by Mac Barnett
// A story about two boys on a quest to find something spectacular. They don't find what they are looking for but end up having quite a great time in the process. This book is all about finding joy in the ordinary, even if it looks different than you imagined it would. I love the warm and simple illustrations and the surprise at the end for the readers //

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
// This has been a favorite around our home for a long time, and continues to be one Olivia asks for day after day. She loves laughing at everything that happens as the story goes on and Jeffers' sense of humor is well integrated throughout the book, it's a really fun one for children of all ages //

// With striking and bold illustrations, this book tells the story of a farmer's cat as he journeys through fields, farms, forests and more. Olivia absolutely loves cats (and always tells me they "go to the bathroom in a glitter box") so this is a perfect fit for our bookshelf //

// Author of our favorite books, Dream Animals and Day Dreamers, this is a story about a little bear family that just moved into the woods and their adventure while out on a walk. Olivia loves the fox pup in it and the illustrations are of course so whimsical and darling //

// I included this favorite in our Fall list last year; not only is it perfect for this time of year, but I love the illustrations and Poppy always giggles at the squirrel that appears throughout it. It's a great book to read before taking a walk around the neighborhood and going on a leaf hunt, something Olivia has enjoyed doing after dinner as a family // 

// A quicker read all about a little girl and the magic of nighttime. Simple and sweet //

// This has more lengthy text but remains Olivia's pick each night because it's about two of her favorite things -- princesses and dancing. Bonus: Alison Jay's illustrations are absolutely incredible //


// A beautiful celebration of Fall, the changing leaves and animals preparing for winter //

// The first book I bought for our babe on the way, this one makes me tear up every time I read it, it it just so sweet. It would make a beautiful gift for an expectant mama or new baby and a great addition to any child's library //

What books are your little ones loving this Fall?! Hope this gives you a few new ideas for the season! Happy Monday!!

10.17.2016

It's a GIRL!

Happy Monday!! Hope you all had a relaxing Fall weekend. We took it pretty easy, did a few small projects around the house and spent a lot of time outside with the girls. Olivia loves crunching the leaves & going on leaf hunts and of course the colors this time of year are always so pretty, especially on early morning walks around our neighborhood. We rounded out our weekend with a slow breakfast on Sunday morning of cheese soufflés and donuts, a long walk in our pajamas, a visit to the park before nap time and then a pizza night and pumpkin carving with the girls in the evening. How many times have I said it, this time of year is my favorite!!

Last week on instagram @blesesdnestblog I shared that Baby #3 is a GIRL and thought it would be fun to do a little update here on the blog! The photo below was our official announcement, taken at our recent Late Summer Lifestyle session. I had so much fun planning the session, incorporating old fashioned props like this vintage typewriter, suitcases and a quilt. I'll be sharing more of our favorites here soon, it was hands down my favorite session yet.


We found out we were having another little girl about 3 weeks ago at our 20 week ultrasound and you guys, I haven't stopped smiling since. In some ways I was shocked, because deep down it was my heart's desire to have another little girl and I couldn't believe my dream was coming true a third time. But in other ways I wasn't surprised at all, because I'd had multiple dreams of her early on in my pregnancy, one where I actually saw her swaddled in the hospital in a bassinet sleeping beside my bed, right after she was born. Her eyes were closed and she had a pink hat on. The dream was so vivid I can still see her sweet little face if I close my eyes hard enough.

We had also been seeing her name everywhere, including her nickname, which I'd never met or known anyone to have. This whole pregnancy, especially finding out it was another girl has been so special to me, because I had been praying for her & praying over her since September 17 of 2015, when Penelope was just one week old.

That day, Poppy was asleep on me and Olivia was upstairs napping while Dustin and I watched a movie together. I remember being exhausted from having a newborn, nursing around the clock and snacking on a caramel apple while the movie rolled. As soon as I heard the name, I just knew. We were going to have a little girl and name her that. I was certain. Her middle name will be the same as mine, which comes from my Great Grandma. And her nickname (also from the movie) is old-fashioned and so darling, we can't wait to share it. I spent many months praying for her before we began trying to conceive, and then began having dreams and feelings early on in my pregnancy that it was her, just like I'd had dreams of both Olivia and Penelope. Finding out at the ultrasound just confirmed everything I knew to be true, and we are all just over the moon.

I'm 23 weeks along and I think it just dawned on me last week that we are less than 4 months until my due date. February still feels so far away but before I know it, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and ringing in the New Year and then the countdown will really be on. Having another girl, there is really nothing we need or need to do, which has been so nice. I have all the clothing, bedding, etc and won't be changing paint or any furniture in the nursery other than getting a new crib since Penelope will still be in hers when we move her into Olivia's room.

They say the 2nd trimester is the "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy, and for me it truly has been. I was nauseous what felt like 24-7 the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, on top of living in a construction zone while we completed a major kitchen renovation (ourselves). I was constantly exhausted and had no energy to do anything all summer. Once August hit and I made it to the 13/14 week mark, I felt like a new person. I got my energy back, my nausea subsided and I hit that sweet spot where you feel great, still sleep well and aren't uncomfortably big yet. Ha. When I start feeling flutters, kicks and somersaults, pregnancy is my very favorite. I love knowing our sweet little girl is always with me no matter where I go, and seeing Olivia so excited to meet her and always wanting to talk to her and kiss my belly makes my heart so full. I'm not quite sure Poppy knows what she's in for, being that she is only 13 months, and I still haven't fully wrapped my head around the fact that she is going to be a big sister, cause she still feels so much like our baby. But the thought of her snuggling with her baby sister in a few months makes us so happy. And she can already say the baby's nickname, which is the sweetest.

More to come soon on nursery favorites, my top picks in new baby essentials and the girls' shared room design in collaboration with all my favorite brands! Have the best week!!

10.07.2021

friday favorites

Happy Friday! This week has been a fun one for us girls with the best weather and afternoons spent on long walks and picnics at our local park. Dustin and I went out for dinner last night to our favorite hibachi restaurant to continue his birthday celebration and it was so nice to get out just the two of us.

Last week was filled with a lot of running around to errands, appointments, etc. and this week has been much more low key which has been nice. We don't have any big plans for the weekend ahead which I'm actually looking forward to, because last weekend was quite packed. It's nice to have busy weeks and then slow ones, I definitely thrive on that variety and need those breaks of slower paced days.


To kick off your weekend, I've rounded up a handful of Friday Favorites!!

one || This shower curtain is on my wish list. I don't think I could ever justify spending that amount on a shower curtain but maybe some day I'll catch it on a super sale! We have a beautiful floral one in our master bathroom but I have been on the hunt for something a bit more "Fall" and this one is stunning! I also love this one if you're floral-obsessed like I am.

two || This striped diaper bag from Bodomint is the diaper bag of my dreams. It arrived this week and I haven't stopped finding things I love about it since! Created by Rebecca Waldron, while living in Hawaii and on the hunt for a multifunctional but stylish bag that she could use with her son, together with her husband Tyler she put her degree in fashion design and experience in the action sports industry to good use and created her bags! Bodomint was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2014 and their bags have been in high demand since.

I've used many diaper bags since having Olivia 3.5 years ago and this is hands down my favorite thus far. It is more spacious than any I've used in the past and has so many pockets inside and out to keep everything organized. It can be worn as a backpack, over the shoulder or carried by a handle like a handbag, a feature I just love. I'll be sharing more about it in an extra special post soon, but for now had to rave because I am obsessed. You can preorder the striped bag here and it will ship within a week or two! They also come in black and those are estimated to ship late November.


three || One thing that we love around here are bonnets. Poppy wears them almost every day and although Olivia has outgrown all of hers, I've held on to them as keepsakes for P to grow into. A few favorite shops to find bonnets from are:

Briar Handmade // Heirloom quality bonnets in all sorts of patterns, including beautiful Liberty of London florals. We love this buttercup one for Fall.

Roz Sew // The london pixie pom bonnet Poppy is wearing above is from there; you can customize your bonnet any way you like with the prettiest fabrics and colors to choose from, including lots of options for boys!! This one is floral corduroy, mustard binding, the cozy lining and burgundy pom. Wish it came in my size ;)

 Hello Charlie! // Run by my dear friend Madie, this Starry Night bonnet in caramel is on it's way for the new baby, it's perfectly gender neutral and you can have it lined with sherpa for those colder months ahead. I also love this Fall Tapestry one, a new favorite for Penelope.

four || I love all things Fixer Upper and these Ford Vases are probably the neatest I've come across.


five || I shared earlier this week on instagram @blessednestblog a picture of one of my favorite corners in Poppy's room and had so many of you ask about the shoe holder. I love displaying the girls' shoes and accessories in their rooms as much as possible, it makes for the best functional decor ;) The wire basket with hooks underneath can be found online here. I also love this wood wall cubby.

What have you been loving lately?! Share your favorite finds below. Hope you have the best weekend!

10.06.2021

best of the nest | the wooden wagon

Nearly a week into October and I still keep asking myself where all the time is going. We have been staying busy enjoying everything this season has to offer & spending as much time outside as possible before it gets too cold and we're stuck indoors. Today I'm so excited to share one of my favorite shops for our girls in my Best of the Nest series, The Wooden Wagon. They offer the most incredible selection of all different types of toys, including the Ostheimer wooden animals that both Olivia and Penelope love so much. 

We try to keep the toys in our home to a minimum, and instead of toys and stuff cluttering every corner, we love having lots of open space to play, dance and make memories. That means the toys we do invest in and keep around our home are so important, and The Wooden Wagon is my go-to spot for all things handmade, sparking creativity and imagination in my girls and even me!

I've rounded up a handful of my favorite pieces from The Wooden Wagon, including the new rainbow stacking tunnel we've been enjoying. As soon as it arrived Olivia said, "Wow! It's a rainbow like in Noah's ark!" (her favorite bible story...probably because of all the animals) and both of them love stacking it, making tunnels with it for animals and cars and it looks just as beautiful sitting on a shelf waiting to be played with.
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight

We love countless pieces from The Wooden Wagon, but two of our favorite brands are Ostheimer and Grimm's. Grimm's is most known for their eye-catching, colorful wooden toys that are carefully designed to appeal to children of all ages with their simple and reduced design, beautiful coloring and inviting surface feel. All their toys are created from sustainable wood and are produced by hand in Hochdorf, Germany. When the rainbow arrived, I couldn't believe how lightweight it was and the colors are even more beautiful in person. Anything that has multiple pieces that can fit inside one another or be rearranged in different ways is something Olivia is always drawn to.


I have also shared my love of Ostheimer toys many times before on the blog, which are also made in Germany. We have baskets of them around the house and they continue to be the toys my girls reach for most often; because of their design and high quality and how well they inspire Olivia to imagine and pretend, these are toys I never mind having left out. I also love that there are no small parts or rough edges, making them completely safe for Poppy and even babies younger than her. Being that they are produced in Germany, they are a bit harder to find here in the US and thats why we love The Wooden Wagon so much, because they have the most incredible selection of every figure being made!


Because we love so many items from The Wooden Wagon, Blessed Nest readers can save 15% off your total purchase with the code BLESSEDNEST15 today through Thursday October 13, 2021 {password is case sensitive}. It's a perfect time to pick out a few favorites and save them for upcoming holidays.
>> Start shopping here <<

Have the best Thursday!! XO

10.03.2021

our weekend

Happy Monday! I can't believe we are already three days into October. I feel like just yesterday September was starting. We had a wonderful weekend as a family enjoying Fall weather that was out of this world, starting one of our favorite months of the year and celebrating Dustin's 31st birthday! We plan to celebrate all month long with a few special dates and nights out; any excuse to celebrate my favorite guy is a good one ;) I always tease him that he's so old (5 years older than me) but he'll always be a young kid at heart, one of my favorite things about him!


We went out to dinner on Thursday with friends, had family photos on Friday night and then spent all day Saturday at our local landscape arboretum, definitely one of the highlights so far this Fall. Beautiful colors and sights everywhere, trees just starting to turn and some leaves to crunch under our feet. Olivia absolutely loves taking walks, being in nature and spotting animals and plants so this was right up her alley, especially when we got to wind & weave through the most charming trails in the woods and cross little bridges and stone paths, it was out of a fairy storybook. Poppy loves anything that involves being outside so she was happy to be along for the ride!







We spent most of Sunday relaxing, eating a long slow breakfast and then a morning visit to the park. We are squeezing in all the park hopping we can before the temps drop. I got some cleaning & organizing done while the girls napped in the afternoon (#forevernesting) and we ended the night with homemade pizza and a basement tea party and books.

Hope your weekend was wonderful and filled with all things Fall!! Can't wait to share our photos & gender news soon!! XO

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