Wednesday, July 30, 2014

A Rug Can Make a Room

I was originally going to write this post about redoing my somewhat masculine living room by merely switching out the area rug. I thought about something perhaps Jute and Sisal or maybe something more classic... but the more I searched Wayfair's excellent selection of area rugs, I was immediately inspired to do a play room for the little guy using the most amazing rug that I have ever laid my eyes upon, the Walk On Me Lion Kids Rug. He is obvi too young to notice anything I do, decorating wise, but it's great to use him as an excuse, especially when spending sweet moola is involved. ;-). I love that a rug can totally change a room. If you want to brighten it up? Get a lighter rug. Do you want to bring a more funky vibe to your living space? Well, get a funkay, fun rug! Wayfair has an amazing selection of fabulous rugs for every room and even your outdoor space.
Walk On Me Lion Kids RugGuidecraft Classic Kids' 3 Piece Table and Chair SetLearning Resource Jumbo Jungle 5 Piece SetMaxim Giant Noah's ArkWood Designs Contender Napsack 8 Compartment CubbyX Rocker Classic Beanbag Chair 
I used the Walk On Me Lion Kids Rug as a centerpiece and built my play room around it! Sweet kids' table and chairs, add a dash of a bright colored bean bag chair, storage space and some jungle/animal inspired toys and I have a space that I could be proud to host a playgroup in! Do you have a space that needs sprucing up? Check out Wayfair's great selection of rugs and change a space by swapping one out!

Want 15% off area rugs from Wayfair? Use promo code RUGLUV04 which is valid for ALL Area Rugs from 7/31 to 8/4. Wayfair already has great deals so this added discount is most certainly a cherry on top of an already yummy sundae!

*This post was sponsored by Wayfair. All opinions are 100% mine.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

DIY Nursing or Teething Necklace

I know, I know... all of my crafting lately has been centered around a certain roommate that moved in a couple of months ago. It's my life right now, OK? In any event, I was looking to order a couple of teething necklaces from Etsy or one of those other sites but after I started looking at them and some of the prices, I decided I could make myself and some of my nursing mothers each a necklace for less than one of the online versions. Mine may not be as perfect but they are satisfyingly pretty and I have to say they are pretty simple to whip up!

Monday, July 21, 2014

Sponsored Post: Gillette Venus #InASnap

Have you ever forgotten to shave your legs? I know I have forgotten or perhaps just been to lazy to do it... and then immediately regretted the decision once I was out in public. Well, the concern of hairy legs is out the window since Gillette has fulfilled our dreams of smoothy-smooth legs with a razor that we can take on the go.


 

With the Gillette Venus Snap, there is no need to worry about prickly legs! Did you watch this all to familiar video from renown video blogger, Tessa Violet? She teamed up with the team at Gillette to create a Venus Snap song that is pretty funny as well as easy to relate to being a woman who appreciates the opportunity to bare some skin in the warmer weather. Going to the beach, a Summer party or headed on vacation? The little carrying case is cute, so toss it in your purse and steal away to the bathroom for a quick shave if it slips your mind in the shower... This absent minded Mama has can appreciate that! It sounds silly but you won't be sorry feeling more confident with smooth legs and a winning attitude thanks to Venus Snap.

Turn that missed spot into a chance to be in the spotlight! Tweet your "wish-I'd-shaved" moment to @Gillette Venus and video blogger Tessa Violet might turn it into a song #InASnap! 

Gillette Venus Snap lets you experience instant smoothness on-the-go. With five curve-hugging blades and a portable compact, you'll be ready for anything, anytime, anywhere. I won't be caught in a prickly situation again!


You can visit Gillette Venus' Facebook Page, Twitter and Tessa Violet's YouTube page!


*This post has been sponsored by Gillette, but all opinions are 100% my own.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

How Becoming a Mother Has Made Me Different Types of Crazy

I had Wes two months ago, well two months ago this coming Sunday. It has been an adventure let me tell you, one that I have loved but having said that.... I am a changed woman. A whole new world has been opened up to me and all I can tell you is that I have become crazy, in so many ways. Yep, crazy is the right word to describe it. Let me explain...

Crazy about Human Babies and Animal Young Alike- A Robin built a nest in a tree right next to our bathroom window literally feet away. For weeks, I could hear the little squeaks of baby birds and see their little mouths waiting for food from Mama. Then one day we had torrential rain and wind. I watched the mother sitting on those birds, protecting them. Geesh, I am tearing up thinking about it... At the end of the night, I was afraid those birds were dead. In between checking on my own child, I obsessively watched the nest with a fear that I would find dead baby birds. I searched online to ensure that the mother hadn't abandoned her young. I actually created an account on some nest watchers site (which I have since unsubscribed from). Point is, I worry about the young, because I am worrying about my own little baby that I have nurturing in a much bigger nest with a much larger timeline before pushing my young out of it. Note: The mother Robin returned to her nest and they all have since left. I see their empty nest sitting there and am happy that we helped keep a family of birds safe this Spring.

Crazy about Strangers- I was out for ice cream with the baby. A woman lit up a cigarette not only close to about 40 people but legitimately right next to Wes' stroller. I got out of dodge so fast, you'd think I was in a race. A woman outside of Michael's creepily leered into his stroller while I was walking by, with her lit cigarette dangling out of her hand and dangerously close to my baby. She wanted to sit and chat about how tiny he was. I was legitimately rude and blew by her with a thanks, but no thanks attitude. Seriously? What makes people think it's OK to smoke near other people's children?

Another thing about strangers is that I don't know them... and the unknown makes me crazy when my child is involved. The man and I walked to Dunkin' Donuts the other day. It was super busy that morning and while we were waiting for our coffees, a Garda guy was changing money out of an ATM. I zeroed right in on the gun in his holster, you know because he needs a gun with all the cash he carries in and out of places. I immediately created a scenario in my head where someone tried to take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the DD, tried to get the cash, there was a struggle where shots were fired and I had to shield my 7 week old from bullets. A little crazy? Yes. Did I make my husband bring the baby around the corner while I waited for our coffees just in case? Yes.

Crazy Sensitive- Did enough people like my picture of Wes on Instagram for me to feel like people like my new baby? Why didn't so and so congratulate me when the baby was born? Do they not care? I love my baby and so should everyone else... those are the thoughts going through my head. I will take offense to something on behalf of my 7 week old who isn't even offended by his own gas.

A different type of sensitivity...We were catching up on Game of Thrones and I couldn't watch any scenes with babies in it, because if you watch Game of Thrones you know that no one is safe. Those babies are fictional. The baby that was given to the White Walkers was an actor baby. Did it still upset me? Yes. Similarly, the new show on HBO, The Leftovers... first episode, first scene a baby disappears and I was like heeeeeellllllllllll no. Damn you HBO and your riveting, emotion evoking television!

Sleep Deprived Crazy- The things that come along with a newborn involve sleep deprivation which leads to a general type of crazy. I am moody, emotional, loving, tired, hangry. You name it and I have been there in the past two months. I hear babies cry even when there are no babies crying. I am a shell of my former self right now...

Crazy Protective- I have been taking walks with Wes since the pediatrician gave us the go ahead at his two week appointment. Every day, we venture a little further from home since I am trying to lose the baby weight and walking is the best I can do with the time I have right now. Last week, at our normal time, we walked ambitiously far from home. About a mile or so away from home, the dark clouds started rolling in and almost simultaneously my phone blew up with alerts on tornado warnings in my area and to take shelter. Believe me when I tell you that I almost immediately shat my pants for fear that something would happen to the baby. I then in the moment following that feeling, started running with the stroller. Believe me when I tell you that I hadn't run in over a year. On a normal day, I wouldn't have run by choice... but on that day? I am pretty sure I ran a 10 minute mile, and got my baby home right before the rain started and the severe weather came through. On that run, I ran through every scenario I would have had, between knocking on someone's door to seek shelter to having to dodge falling branches. Thankfully none of those scenarios came true but I was willing to do anything to protect my baby. I, of course, balled my eyes out when we were at home. The baby, obvi, was literally all smiles.

Crazy about my Baby- The best kind of crazy of all? It's how crazy in love with my baby that I am. The little man has been my buddy for the past two months, making my heart overflow with every little new thing he does. He is a perfect combination of my husband and me, or so we think. He is the little nugget that keeps me motivated even though I am otherwise a dead tired Moo Cow. He is my angel baby. Motherhood isn't always going to be the cat's pajamas but it's going to be one of the most rewarding things I will do with my life and I have only just begun.


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Patchwork Initials I "Whipped" Up During Naptime

My baby is one of those good and alert babies, who likes to be talked to and kept entertained. This is amazing and I am so blessed but with this blessing comes a sporadic nap schedule wherein I can only get a smidge of crafting done before Mr. Man is up and at it again. Something I was able to get done though? In only a couple of naptimes? Well, I made some patchwork letters for the lil' dudes nursery... and they are pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

My Faves for an Active 4th of July

With the 4th of July hovering dangerously close (I can smell the barbecues now!), anyone with a patriotic bone in their body is looking for their own way to show their country they are ready to celebrate it's birthday in style! (Happy Birthday USA!) Since Independence Day is also my husband's birthday, I will likely be whipping up some casual birthday treats and celebrating at home with him and the baby. This will lend itself to a more casual look for the day, but that doesn't mean I am not prepared for something a little more fancy... but chances are my biggest plans for the day will be a little bit of walking and a whole lotta taking care of the babay. So since I am keeping it casual, I thought I would share my faves for whatever you're doing to keep fit for the 4th!

C9 by Champion Sports Bra,  Beyond Yoga Essential LeggingTek Gear Performance SkortGaiam Radiance Yoga MatNike Academy Soccer Shorts, Nike Flex Running ShoesCamelbak Eddy Water Bottle