Surfacing

 The first few weeks with a newborn always feel like I'm functioning under water.  So, I'm surfacing for air before things get really nuts. 
It's almost surreal how quickly time is passing.  Skylar turned three weeks old yesterday, and the movers begin packing us out on Monday.  We're simultaneously trying to soak up as much of Rio as we can, while mentally preparing for life back in the States.  Send us some good vibes, will ya?

Lots of good things are on the horizon, and I can't wait for them to unfold, but I'm trying to be patient.  NOT one of my strong points.

Speaking of good things...
I commissioned some paintings from the (soon-to-be-way, WAY famous) Jenny of MFAMB.  I asked her to interpret my daughters Avery and Isla with paintings.  They were a Mother's Day gift to myself - instead of a Mother's ring or jewelry, I envision a Mother's Wall with a grouping of her fantastic work that each girl can have one day.  When the baby is a little older, I'll get her to do another one, and somewhere in the mix, I'll pick out something just for moi!
First, though, get a load of the Isla and Avery.

Got them back from the framers yesterday, and am so loving the natural wood.

They're even prettier in person, and I think everyone (and any room) could benefit from some of Jenny's talent.  She offers originals via her Etsy store, and now, via Furbish, you can purchase prints.  There's no excuse - go get yo'self some!

I also managed to have Skylar's birth announcement designed.  As much as I love a nice paper card, I know the truth is most people toss them (how dare they!), so I sent a digital announcement this go-round. #thirdchild

design by River & Bridge

Lastly, I ordered these Paige denim skinnies about three weeks before my Due Date to act as Post Partum motivation.

I've been giving them the side-eye since they arrived...

 

...but succumbed to their promise of fabulous-ass-ness yesterday, and started Tracy Anderson's post partum workouts.  Her Pregnancy Project dvds served me well for nine months, so I have faith the post partum one will, too.  We'll see....

This could rock my world

Do-able, right? Here

I couldn't agree more...

stationery by cartoules letterpress

Love Tokens

During my first pregnancy, our nickname for our as-yet-unnamed baby was "Bean." That February, Ben gave me this necklace for Valentine's Day - Elsa Peretti's Bean necklace from Tiffany & Co. I love the precious connotation it has for us, and still wear it all the time.

It was a gift that signified a very particular moment in our lives, so I was surprised awhile back when the hubster suggested I pick something out from "T-Fanny's" to commemorate this baby.

I'm not one of those women who expects a so-called "Push Present" (PP). I mean, isn't the baby gift enough? No judgments, just sayin'... So, when a general "commemorative" gift was offered, I didn't really jump on it - it seemed too much like an early PP.

HowEVAH, with Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've considered that maybe a sort of Love Token might suffice....Hmmm??? It's OK, if I'm being hypocritical, and it's merely a matter of semantics, you can let me know, but in the meantime...

Since I can't have what I'd really want from Tiffany, I'm skipping it altogether. You pay a premium for anything that comes in that little blue box, anyway!

Sundance always has a great selection of organic (albeit higher-end) offerings - I could succumb...

diamond briolette earrings

waterway ring

But, I also have a soft spot for unique, handmade pieces...

Impossibly in love bracelet by artisanfield

Geodes: A nod to Brazil?

Neptune's Gift charm necklace by seafairiesjewelbox

Geode earrings by irisjewelrydesign

Thing is...as lovely as all these pieces are, this exercise seems a bit phony. I don't even wear the decent jewelry I already own when we're here in Brazil - Federal Agent husband says it's a "security thing."
So, I think in light of my desire to have a "moment-appropriate" gift that I might actually have the chance to enjoy, I'll suggest a trip back to the Hippie Fair in Ipanema where we can pick out a fabulous piece of original, Brazilian art.Mmmm....yes, indeed!

...All tied up with string

Do you plan your gift wrap? I'm a bit of a packaging snob, myself. I certainly feel that the effort to put together an interesting wrap ensemble constitutes part of the gift. I tend to go with gift "themes," but the last few years have stuck with a classic, solid glossy red paper with white, wide, double-faced satin ribbon that is easily reusable. Until today, I really hadn't thought about what sort of gift packaging "look" I'd go for, but since I forgot my stash of ribbon in Brazil, I'll be changing things up a bit. I must be in a no-fuss kind of mood this year, because this brown parcel paper/red baker's string combo is striking a chord...

However, going simple doesn't necessarily mean going lame. There's always gift tags to help dress up a package. I could spend hours perusing paper goods... Found every look you can imagine on Etsy - some faves I'm considering (and, clearly, need to get a move on ordering!) Simple, elegant from paperandinkling

Charming, from lynchgirl
... and js design
and whimsical. From PrettySmitten
PSPapergoods
...and HenriHopper (my frenchie-owning sister needs these!)
But I really don't know if I can turn down one of these clever creations from EveryJotandTittle


























Eeenie, Meenie Miney MO!!

Bear with me...

I have to share of couple of my favorite pics from last week's Trick or Treating fest. Mainly, I want to give sweet props to my costume designer, Shea at Stinkin' Cute Designs. I "met" Shea via a comment she left here, and ended up at her Etsy store where I discovered THE most stinkin' cute designs for children! Her custom creations include precious onesies/T's, burpies, and my absolute favorite: bloomer panties with adorable sayings!
When I saw the red tutu/M&M costume, I knew I'd found Avery's Halloween outfit! She rushed the order for me, and I couldn't have been more pleased!

If you need holiday gift ideas, might I suggest any of these darlings?

Project Woe-way

I had high hopes that I'd be able to bring you some great project updates today... Instead, I'll tell you the story of Project Woe-way.

I was excited to receive the much-anticipated Preval Spray Gun on Friday, so I thought a painting session might be in order.

I promised an objective review once I had tested the sprayer, so here goes...

I wasn't too impressed with The Sprayer. We tested it on (the backside) of Avery's headboard. We thinned the paint as recommended, but the effect was still very stippled (i.e. "orange peel")

Perhaps, it would be better for a smaller project, or maybe even with a water-based paint, but in summary, I'm gonna have to give it a thumbs down if you're looking for an even somewhat professional finish. I'm still not pleased with the shade of blue, either...but that's not the sprayer's fault!

Moving on... Did I ever tell you I ordered a cute, vinyl wall decal from an Etsy seller? It too arrived, Friday, so we tried to put it up. The directions weren't too clear, but Ben is patient and perfectionist - still, this had him frustrated.

First, the decal didn't want to part from the backing paper, and it stretched and pulled in the areas around her name. We finally succeeded in removing the backing, carefully placing the decal on the wall while using a ruler to "iron" it out as we went. It was to no avail - it turned into a bubbled and wrinkled mess.

Too bad, too, because it would've been so cute! I've emailed the seller about the predicament - she's offered another decal for a discounted price, but I don't know....Your thoughts?

I feel like Spaulding in Caddyshack: "Double Turds!!!"

...And, last but not least, I'm still trying to find coordinating fabrics to use in Avery's room. I was happy to find a hot pink ikat pillow on Fabricadabra. My thought was to replace the (yes, hideous) pillow on the rocker. It would've been a vast improvement for the chair, but the color of the ikat doesn't work with her bedding - it's hard to tell in this pic, but the ikat has a hint more purple. And, anyway - silk in a toddler's room isn't very practical.

I'd love to use one of these Quadrille choices, but think they are cost-prohibitive...

So....I'm back at Square One on several projects, but I'm certain these twists in the design road will lead to ultimate décor bliss!!

Little Happies: Personalized Pillows

Found THE CUTEST personalized pillowcases on Etsy, that I just had to order for Avery. You can customize the colors, so I asked the designer to use the hot pink/navy combo I'm working for Avery's Big Girl room...

Couldn't resist one in the travel size - perfect for the long haul we'll be undertaking in a couple of weeks (pillow insert included for this size)

Top recommendations to this Etsy seller - her work and service were perfect!

Little Happies: Felt Food

I'm still waiting for the email containing the PDF's of felt food patterns I ordered from Etsy, but in the meantime, my Crafty Maven friend got me started with some entry-level bacon and eggs. (Yes, had to put them in a skillet for "effect!")

Thanks again, Cara!