Tactile Obsessions.

The modern toddler bed.

2010-12-21T22:49:00.005-06:00

Q will be in her crib for a little while yet but in 2 or 3 years we're going to try for baby number two. Most likely we will still be in this house and with only two bedrooms space is at a minimum. I'm in love with the modern toddler bed options I've been seeing lately.

Oeuf Classic Toddler Bed

Spot on Square Hiya Toddler Bed

Ikea, Gulliver
[Our crib is from Ikea and it is the Gulliver model - It's really nice so I wouldn't mind something like this again, but that could also be too matchy.]

Etsy Shop

2010-10-11T20:56:00.004-05:00

My etsy shop is open again. This time I'm concentrating on Holga (lomography) photogrpahy.

As if she needed anything to make her look cuter.

2010-09-05T19:25:00.003-05:00

Jewelry and Baby Bling by Dara

Birth Story

2010-08-22T20:53:00.002-05:00

My beautiful baby's birth was blogged about recently on Happy Bambino's Blog.

Quinn Elisabeth

Jamerica

2010-03-07T10:10:00.003-06:00

The Mr. wanted to eat at Jamerica for his birthday this year and since it was his birthday I readily agreed.

Jamerica is an eclectic Caribbean cuisine restaurant located on William St right across from the Willy St Co-op. The atmosphere is tropical and laid back. You seat yourself and also help yourself to beverages stored in coolers at the back of the store. The menu is pretty simple and self explanatory.

Both the Mr. and I had the Mango Rundown. I had it with shrimp and he had it with tofu. I'd actually tried it before at the La Fete de Marquette festival this past summer but had almost forgot about it until he suggested we go there for his birthday. The dish consists of veggie stir fry served over red beans and rice and the mango rundown is a sauce that is poured over everything. As you can see the serving size is huge and both of us were able to take left overs home.

The service was great, the prices are well worth it and the food was awesome. Next time I might try some jerk chicken!

What happens when you fall into some extra money?

2010-03-01T00:05:00.005-06:00

So we fell into a little extra money - something about having too much money in our escrow account and they reimbursed us (I didn't know these things occurred). The realistic part of me was all save it or put it towards debt, but... that didn't happen.

I haven't splurged on the baby in a long time so I took the chance to do so.

Brown Bear Hat by Props To You

Indie Damask Baby Sling Carrier by LoopDiLoops

How can anyone resist such delicious baby goodies? Can't wait till she's here and I can finally start trying everything out!

If you like grapefruit...

2010-02-19T23:34:00.006-06:00

I hardly ever rave over beauty products. I like things that are quick and easy to use. I keep it pretty low key and don't like to spend a lot of money. I recently read an article raving about Neutrogena's Grapefruit Oil-Free Acne Wash and was swayed to give it a try.

The affect of pregnancy and winter has not been good to my face the last 8 months. Between the constant out breaks of acne, dry patchy skin on my cheeks and the oil spots on my nose and forehead I've felt less then glowingly beautiful. So I thought what the heck do I have to lose and shelled out around $6.00 (give or take a few cents) to try the product out.

If you like the smell of grapefruit you will love this product. It's nice and refreshing, not too over powering. The microclear provides a nice exfoliation without irritating the skin. My acne seems better and the dry patches on my cheeks have also gotten better after using this product every day for the last two weeks. The product will dry out your skin (but not in excess) so make sure to follow it up with a nice moisturizer. I prefer Purpose Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.

This product is the new jewel in my skin care routine. Even the Mr. likes to use it on occasion. It's just that great!

Undiscovered Etsy

2010-02-04T21:32:00.000-06:00

dancing dahlias handmade happiness

Tree Surgeon

Poppy and Ted

Pomp & Ceremony

Choo Choo Photography

Homemade Christmas Wreath

2009-12-13T10:29:00.000-06:00

I fell in love with this wreath from Pottery Barn ("made of faux pine and studded with sturdy plastic spheres"), but there was no way I was going to pay $79.00 plus shipping and handling for holiday decoration.

I came up with this quick and easy craft that any do-it-yourselfer can pull together.

Supplies:
Wreath
Ornaments (I chose plastic shatter proof ornaments for value and so they would last longer)
Floral Wire
Wire Cutter

Simply cut enough length of wire to string through the ornaments and secure them to the wreath. Secure to door with a wreath hanger.

50% off on wreaths - score!

50% off on tree trimmings - double score!

Almost there but looking a little sparse.

A finished master piece!

Total cost for this craft was about $22.00 and that's only because I had to buy a wire cutter. Without the wire cutter it would have been $16.00!

Little things that make you go aww.

2009-11-26T00:04:00.000-06:00

If you ever told my I'd get excited over cloth diaper covers - well I'd be hard pressed to believe you.

But the years progress, times change and priorities alter. Suddenly the prospect of of cloth diapering your baby-to-be becomes something you get really excited about.

I received my first stash of cloth diaper covers today and I was head over heels with excitement.

I ordered 2 different sizes of Thirsties Duo Wraps from Green Mountain Diapers.

Mermaid Cafe

2009-11-14T22:02:00.001-06:00

The Mr. and I ate at a new restaurant today for lunch. It's been in Madison for a few years but we've never made it over due to the limited day time hours. To be perfectly honest I was only familiar with it in passing but was very glad he suggested it.

Mermaid Cafe is funky little cafe/coffee shop located on Winnebago St. They have a full coffee and espresso bar, serve breakfast all day and have a nice selection of sandwiches, soups and salads. Be sure to check out their daily specials as well.

The Mr. had the Bahn Mi sandwich - "This french influenced Vietnamese style sandwich has our own daikon radish and carrot slaw, cilantro, cucumber, roast beef, mayo and a dash of soy sauce on a French roll."

I had the O.M.I. - "Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, avocado and tomato with coconut curry aoli on focaccia bread."

I also had a bowl of the seasonal vegetarian soup - "Winter squash with a balsamic reduction served with a toasted focaccia."

Prices are very reasonable and the serving sizes were great. I ended up taking most of the soup home because I was so full from the sandwich. The service was good and personalized with the sandwiches made to order and brought directly to your table. The food was delicious and we plan on going back again in the future.

Don't forget to try a coffee or espresso drink. The Mr. had his usual double espresso and I had a hot cocoa with whipped cream. I've become a fiend for hot cocoa now that fall is leading into winter (or at least it should be). With the baby on board I've switched to whole milk - it does make a difference in the taste.

The Daydreamer

2009-11-10T22:27:00.000-06:00

It's safe to say I'm now obsessed with the owl theme. But how cute is our baby going to be crawling around in this t-shirt?

The Daydreamer by Chelsea Nelson, $18.00

Threadless Kids

Etsy love

2009-11-04T22:31:00.000-06:00

Wall art for the baby's nursery.

Owl, 7x8 Print
Sharon Montrose Photographs

Owls, 8x10 Print
Beth Berg

Where The Wild Things Are

2009-10-31T14:22:00.000-05:00

Wall art for nursery.

Max & Carol photo still from Where The Wild Things Are movie.

Purchased from urbanoutfitters.com, $48.00.

Crib Set

2009-10-31T14:08:00.000-05:00

Silly Owl Crib Bedding Set by Litto Kids

Purchased from www.bunnyburybaby.com

How to make a moss terrarium .

2009-05-29T16:57:00.000-05:00

Supplies
-glass container w/lid
-rocks
-spanish moss
-potting soil
-moss
-unique figurines

I found all of my items at a craft store and found the moss while on a walk in the woods.

1) Take yourself on a nice long walk and bring a container and something to dig the moss up with. I used a regular spoon.

2) Wash your glass container with warm water and soap. Dry the container and make sure it's free of all soap.

3) Fill the bottom of your container with a layer of rocks about an inch thick. The rocks will help with drainage and water management. (I read a few places that suggested placing a thin layer of activated charcoal over the rocks to help deter the growth of bacteria which can be important to keep closed terrariums from smelling. I decided to forgo this step.)

4) Cover the rocks with a layer of spanish moss. The spanish moss acts as bedding material and keeps the soil separate from the rocks.

5) Place a thick layer of potting soil over the spanish moss. Do not use fertilized potting soil. Fill the jar to about 1/4 - 1/2 of the way full.

6) Arrange your moss. For bigger containers you can also plant ferns and small plants along with your moss.

7) Decorate your terrarium. I found a cute little corgi figurine for my big terrarium. The small terrarium has a rock in it that the moss was actually growing around outside. Etsy.com has some great ceramic houses, figurines, gnomes, etc. I'm going to make a few more terrariums for friends and family and might buy some items from etsy to make them super cute.

8) Long term care is very easy with closed containers. Do not place in direct sunlight. You only have to water it every 2 - 3 weeks. As long as the terrarium is moist it will continue to self water (the water will pull up from the rocks and form a mist that will then drip down). Water when you notice the soil is drying up.