Gemma's Nursery....Finally!

It's a little embarrassing that it took me THIS long to get Gemma's nursery pictures up here on my blog, but....it did. I am a bit of a perfectionist and wanted to have it all 'done' before putting anything on here for longevity.

I do have to say that you'll probably not notice any shelving on the walls or anything - that was hard for me. I have some GREAT Pottery Barn crown molding shelves that I wanted to put up, but I lost some of the hardware in the move and PB won't give me new hardware unless I buy a whole new shelf. SO irritating. And the hardware mount is VERY specific to the shelf, so specific that I can't find it anywhere. And let me tell you, I've looked. Anyway, so there are no shelves, and there will not be until I decide to throw some money down the toilet and buy new ones for the hardware.

One other note - I am in no way, shape or form a photographer! I can barely use my Canon Powershot. So excuse weird angles and lighting....

Some specifics.....how cute is the 'Gemma' lettering (try to ignore the mobile - Gemma loves that thing, can't take it down)? I found it on Etsy of course. The shop is called DwellingOnline and it's adorable! I was able to send her pictures of the bedding, the rug, and give her a general idea of the room and she did the letters from that!


Some of you might remember this fabulous drum table I found at Serena & Lily - I love the uniqueness of it!

I searched for quite a while to find a bookcase for the room that was small enough for the space (it's a pretty small room). I loved this Land of Nod 'Bin There Done that Book Bin' because it isn't too deep - only about a foot - which provides more 'play' space in the room while housing Gemma's books neatly.

This is the cutest canvas art my Mom and I came across at Home Goods! What a find - it was $39.99 and incorporated all things girly and had that little bit of lavender that I had been trouble finding (everything is PINK!).

This is a small space that's between the door and the sliding closet doors of the room. I wasn't sure what to do with this space, but ended up getting some cute $12 flower wall hangups from Land of Nod, and put this cute (again) Land of Nod tutu on one hook, and MY old baptism dress on the other. The more I look at it, the more I like it. A little old, a little new, it's sweet.

This is obviously the changing table, but I wanted to show that if you have kids of the opposite sex, you CAN re-use things in the new nursery - all of the furniture in Gemma's nursery is Griffin's old stuff - even this artwork above the changing table. It's all Oopsy Daisy artwork that went great in his room too, even though his nursery was taupe, chocolate brown, and turquoise.

I must mention where I got the chandelier as it was quite the search. I didn't want to spend a lot of $$ on it, just on principle! Therefore after posting on Facebook about it and asking my friends, I found a GREAT deal at Home Depot. No kidding. My friend Erin Lopez of the blog Raw for a Reason (check it out!) told me to try there and she was right! The chandelier I got is the Hampton Bay Mini 3 light chandelier, and it was only $99. And no kidding, with a smile and maybe a little lip gloss, the guy gave it to me for $80. Can you believe it? Somehow I bargained at Home Depot and WON. ha!

Somewhat unrelated to the nursery, I HAD to show off Gemma's new shoes. Are they darling or what? I picked them up at BabyGap the other day - they are a total nod to my very own Marc Jacobs Mouse flats (of which I have two pair, but would own them all if I could!) so they were a MUST. If you MUST, here's the link.

Finally, here's Miss Gemma Grace herself, babylegs, Mel-Belles bow, excessive drool and all. :-) And for those of you worried about how she's sitting up and the crib hasn't been dropped yet - don't. We dropped it down last night - big girl already!

Hope you enjoyed my little tour of Gemma's nursery....I certainly had fun decorating it. And as we all know - it will never be 'done.' Let me know if you have any ideas to make it even more fabulous!

Move over Ryan Reynolds

Do any of you watch the new Hawaii 5-0? Well, if you are looking for a new crush, you might want to check it out.

Move over Josh Duhamel and Ryan Reynolds, meet Alex O'Loughlin. He is an Aussie and he is seriously hot! And no, I am not a former writer for Tiger Beat, although it might seem so.

Anyone agree?

Fashion Police

Welcome to another fashion police episode.

This one comes to us from my good friend Maria Elena, who in managing the Laura Mercier counter at the Kansas City Nordstroms sees.......a lot of people in need of policing. She was also my partner in crime back in our high school and college days of fashion policing.....however looking back at pictures I feel like we were in need of it ourselves!

She said recently there was an event at the store where a woman who attended the event might have garnered more attention than the actual event itself. She was wearing.....

FUR boots.

I have seen a few people wearing fur boots in this neck of the woods myself, and they're really not my thing either. My opinion is.....Why would you want your feet to look like those of a woolly mammoth? I'm picturing the woman Maria is describing wearing something like these....

I think there is a tasteful way to do fur (faux please, I have strong opinions on real fur, people) boots, right? What do you all think?

Never thought I would have these

No, I never thought I would have these, but I took the plunge. I have .....................Mommy calling cards! Aren't they cute?

Do any of you feel this way? Are you thinking - how cheesy is that? Or, is that really necessary? That is what I was thinking a couple of years ago when I found out such a thing existed. Are you ready for the 'BUT?'

But, my stylish friend Melanie of Style Scout had suggested these a while back, and I recently decided I needed some.

Here are my (and what my be YOUR reasons):

1. When you're at the park/preschool/mall and you meet another Mom with kids that you think might be someone you want to get to know, do you really have the hands/time to get out some paper or program her number into your phone?

2. If you do end up programming her into your phone, will you remember who she is a week later when you're scrolling through your phone? For example, you see Cara and think, "who the heck is Cara with a 312 area code?"

3. If you don't have the time and just decide not to exchange information and hope that you see each other again, it's Murphy's Law that you won't. Believe me, because I have done this too many times.

4. If you live in a new area (which I do) and don't know many people (which I don't), this is a great way to connect with other Mom's, set up playdates, and make friends for you and your kids!

5. So if you DO have Mommy Cards, reaching into your bag and handing one out is easy as pie. And the chances that whomever you hand it to will call you are much higher, since you gave them an adorable card that they won't soon forget!

I got my cards (at Melanie's suggestion) on Etsy, by Pixielimpress.

Here are some of my other favorite designs she features:

Bag Lady

I am writing this post to pimp out my friend. Yes, I said pimp her out. Sorry, I just wanted to get your attention. Who knows, but I wanted to share with you guys my friend Michelle's new business.

She is a SAHM like myself, and recently decided to start a business from home - via the company Thirty-One. Michelle is a 'consultant' for Thirty-One, but basically that means she sells these super durable bags, purses, totes, you name it, from her home and through in-home parties. Fun!

The bags come in all sort of different patterns from stripes to plaid to dots, and you can personalize EVERYTHING! That is why this job is perfect for Michelle. Everywhere you look in her home, you will find either a monogram, an initial, or a name. And it's adorable! It wouldn't be Michelle's house without any of it.

Anyway, let me get on with it.

Look at these adorable backpacks......you'll never get them mixed up with another kid's!

And check out this beach tote, adorable!

Even more usability on the beach...

What do I have, you might ask? And what do I recommend?? Here ya go....

I have two of these - they go on the floor of my car underneath each of my kids' car seats. I have never had a great way to organize all the kid stuff that I keep in my car (diapers, wipes, baby toys, videos, video player, a couple of books, water bottles, i could go on!), and these have been the BEST organizer. I picked a cute boy fabric for under Griffin's seat, and a cute girly one for Gemma's. See below!

Secondly, I have two of these gigantic organizers in my mud room. They, like the car organizers, kind of stand up by themselves and have handles on either side. I have had them personalized - one says 'kids' and one says 'dogs.' Everything kid and dog related can go into these bins and I know where it is!! LOVE. This is not my fabric, I used a black and white dot with red embroidery.
Finally, I have a Utility Tote. This has been surprisingly GREAT! I wasn't so sure at first, but it's now a standby, and it's outer pockets are perfect for snacks, baby bottles, sippee cups, car keys, anything! I ordered this in the same fabric I did my mud-room organizers......cute, classic, will never go 'out' of style.

So, if you're interested in either buying some Thirty-One for yourself, OR if you'd like to host a party (for which there are GREAT perks), you must get in touch with Michelle! Even if you're not in the Chicago land area, Michelle hosts parties in St Louis, or she can get you in touch with a consultant in your area.

You can email her: mmhefley@gmail.com

or

Become a fan of her business on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=161310233894064&id=161302297228191&aid=35046#!/pages/Michelle-Hefleys-Thirty-One/161302297228191

And of course you can always contact me with any questions too!

Fashion Police

As many of my high school and college friends can attest, I have long been calling myself the 'fashion police.' I know that anyone can be the fashion police at any time, but as I was mentally policing someone the other day I remembered what fun it is!

Oh she's so materialistic, you say?

You might be right. But at least I admit it.

Therefore, because I think that everyone occasionally needs to be fashion policed themselves, and fashion policing is really all in good fun (one of my favorite parts of Glamour magazine is the Glamour Don'ts), I am going to do a weekly Fashion Police post.

Yay! This may come in the form of just a description of what I saw with my own two eyes, or maybe a picture I came across on the internet or wherever, or maybe a question of a 'do' or a 'don't.' I would LOVE LOVE LOVE feedback..........

So tonight's episode of Fashion Police is this:

Last week I was at one of Griffins activities with him, and another Mom there was wearing (at 9:30am) heavy gold sparkly eyeliner. With her gym clothes.

Do or Don't?


I'm going with.......Don't.

Best Dress

While I am fully aware that many bloggers will be posting their favorite looks from the Golden Globes, I just had to do it!

I wish wish wish we had places to go and things to do that involved getting this dressed up, because I'm so jealous! These are my favorites.....

Mila Kunis

in this AMAZING emerald number! I just might have a girl crush on her.
Thank gawd that she broke up with weirdo Macaulay Culkin.

Sandra Bullock

Loving the bangs, loving the gown, you go girl. Yes, I said that circa 1999.

Olivia Wilde

in the ultimate princess dress. i. want. one.

Anne Hathaway

looks stunning as always in this Armani Prive gown......making shoulder pads work!

And finally, Lea Michelle.

What I wouldn't do to wear this Oscar de la Renta confection. She looks sweet and sexy at the same time; the ultimate combination!

I just realized.....all my picks are brunette. Sorry blondies, brown hair is having a moment.

BUT.....if I had to pick a favorite from the blonde contingency, it would have to be

January Jones

she is, I believe, what they would call smokin.'

Who were your favorites?

$100 from Shopbop?

I am sure that got your attention.....read on!

My friend Melanie who writes Scout-A Mom's guide to stylish living, is having a giveaway for a $100 gift card to http://www.shopbop.com/!

Aaaaaamazing right?!?

All you have to do is go to her blog, become a follower, and then post a comment about what you'd buy with the $100. Don't forget to include your email address, so if you're the lucky winner she can contact you!

Good luck. ;-)

Need a new handbag?

Came across this today on Shopbop....

It's the Saddlery Sophie Bag, and it goes for $478. Not terrible for your everyday bag, right? If you used it all 365 days of the year (which you would because it's season-less), that comes out to $1.31/day. I mean, when you look at it like that it's practically FREE. Ha ha!

I know someone will find that logic funny - definitely my friends who are quite aware of my handbag obsession/collection.

But for those of you who are always asking me - what's a great everyday bag? This is it!

It also comes in Putty:

And in Black:

But the Saddle color is by far my favorite!

totally unoriginal material, but.....

I had to post this HILARIOUS email forward that I got a few days ago. I mean, I was CRYING!

If you are a Mom or thinking about becoming a Mom, it's a must read!

It's called the 11 Step Program....

Lesson 1

1. Go to the grocery store.
2. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home.
4. Pick up the paper.
5. Read it for the last time.

Lesson 2

Before you finally go ahead and have children, find a couple who already are parents and berate them about their...

1. Methods of discipline.
2. Lack of patience.
3. Appallingly low tolerance levels.
4. Allowing their children to run wild.
5. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's breastfeeding, sleep habits, toilet training, table manners, and overall behavior.Enjoy it because it will be the last time in your life you will have all the answers.

Lesson 3

A really good way to discover how the nights might feel...

1. Get home from work and immediately begin walking around the living room from 5PM to 10PM carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 8-12 pounds, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly. (Eat cold food with one hand for dinner)
2. At 10PM, put the bag gently down, set the alarm for midnight, and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 12 and walk around the living room again, with the bag, until 1AM.
4. Set the alarm for 3AM.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2AM and make a drink and watch an infomercial.
6. Go to bed at 2:45AM.
7. Get up at 3AM when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs quietly in the dark until 4AM.
9. Get up. Make breakfast. Get ready for work and go to work (work hard and be productive) Repeat steps 1-9 each night. Keep this up for 3-5 years. Look cheerful and together.

Lesson 4

Can you stand the mess children make? T o find out...

1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains.
2. Hide a piece of raw chicken behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flower bed.
4. Then rub them on the clean walls.
5. Take your favorite book, photo album, etc. Wreck it.
6. Spill milk on your new pillows. Cover the stains with crayons. How does that look?

Lesson 5

Dressing small children is not as easy as it seems.

1. Buy an octopus and a small bag made out of loose mesh.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the bag so that none of the arms hang out. Time allowed for this - all morning.

Lesson 6

Forget the BMW and buy a mini-van. And don't think that you can leave it out in the driveway spotless and shining. Family cars don't look like that.

1. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment.Leave it there.
2. Get a dime. Stick it in the CD player.
3. Take a family size package of chocolate cookies. Mash them into the back seat. Sprinkle cheerios all over the floor, then smash them with your foot.
4. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.

Lesson 7

Go to the local grocery store. Take with you the closest thing you can find to a pre-school child. (A full-grown goat is an excellent choice). If you intend to have more than one child, then definitely take more than one goat. Buy your week's groceries without letting the goats out of your sight. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys. Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.

Lesson 8

1. Hollow out a melon.
2. Make a small hole in the side.
3. Suspend it from the ceiling and swing it from side to side.
4. Now get a bowl of soggy Cheerios and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon by pretending to be an airplane.
5. Continue until half the Cheerios are gone.
6. Tip half into your lap. The other half, just throw up in the air. You are now ready to feed a nine- month-old baby.

Lesson 9

Learn the names of every character from Sesame Street , Barney, Disney, the Teletubbies, and Pokemon. Watch nothing else on TV but PBS, the Disney channel or Noggin for at least five years. (I know, you're thinking What's 'Noggin'?) Exactly the point.

Lesson 10

Make a recording of Fran Drescher saying 'mommy' repeatedly. (Important: no more than a four second delay between each 'mommy'; occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet is required). Play this tape in your car everywhere you go for the next four years. You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.

Lesson 11

Start talking to an adult of your choice. Have someone else continually tug on your skirt hem, shirt- sleeve, or elbow while playing the 'mommy' tape made from Lesson 10 above. You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room. This is all very tongue in cheek; anyone who is parent will say 'it's all worth it!' Share it with your friends, both those who do and don't have kids. I guarantee they'll get a chuckle out of it. Remember, a sense of humor is one of the most important things you'll need when you become a parent!

Like? Love? Laughing out Loud? Crying?

What is your favorite lesson? I have lots of favorites, but I must say I enjoy Lesson 7 about going to the grocery store with your child/goat. Ha!!!!

Hot off the Press...Target's next collaboration

Is with Calypso St Barth! Debuting May 1 just in time for summer. Ahhhh! Prices will be from $1.99 to $79.99, and they will have everything from clothing and accessories for women and children to home goods, like pillows, candles and glassware. There are no pictures of the collection available, but I pulled this off of the Instyle website which is where I found this exciting news:




What is my opinion?



FAB of course! Can't wait.



I'll remind you all when it gets closer but I had to break the news....

If you are a Mom and need a laugh....watch this.

My sweet baby girl

I have to share some pictures we just received from Gemma's photo shoot in Kansas City recently. We had the same photographer take Griffin's pictures at 4 months, and they turned out beautifully so we HAD to do the same thing for Miss Gemma!

These were taken by Issac Alongi, he really does a fabulous job of capturing the moment - I love that all you need is a white background and a mostly naked baby!

And just for comparison's sake, here are Griffin's 4 month pictures by Issac.

Found: Fab New Chicago Boutique

There's a new boutique in Wicker Park for all of you Chicagoans. It's called Trillium.


I'm so excited to tell you about it because it was opened by one of my former employees at Bop, Erica Cook! Erica was such a joy to work with and it is no surprise to me that she's opened one of the chicest boutiques Chicago has seen yet.

Trillium is carrying beautiful labels, all of which I covet, including Joie, Vince and Mackage. It's touted as preppy sophisticate, right up my alley. There's even a teensy section for your man towards the back of the store, so if you end up doing major damage in there you can buy him a little something to make up for it! ;-)

Erica's store was also written up in Daily Candy right after it opened, click HERE for the article. Nice! And if you're Facebook inclined, make sure you are a fan of her Trillium Chicago page, ok?

Trillium is located at 1744 W Division St, btwn Hermitage and Wood. If you're a fashion lover like me you will NOT be disappointed.