Author Archive

25
Nov
2015

Everett’s New Room – Toddler Boy Bedroom

categories: Babies & Kids

Thank you for all the lovely feedback on my last post. I’m 16 weeks pregnant now and we’re so excited about our upcoming arrival!

We’re planning on moving Everett into his toddler room after Thanksgiving. I am very pleased with how his new room has turned out: bright, cheery and fun.

bed - toddler boy room crib: ikea // crib rail: ikea // quilt: land of nod // fitted sheet: land of nod // monkey: build-a-bear

The first item I selected for Everett’s room was this colorful quilt. Once I picked it, the rest of the room quickly came together.

into the woods print - toddler boy room into the woods print: c/o minted

I hung this scenic print of a watercolor painting where Everett can see it as he lies in bed. I am so happy with all of the framed prints I ordered from Minted. They really complete Everett’s room and the nursery.

toy storage - toddler boy room celestial moon print: c/o minted // shelving unit: secondhand // lantern: vintage coleman ukulele: hape // doe & buck: schleich //  car: hape // stacker tree: plan toys // drum: plan toys // bear puppet: gift // owl puppet: ikea // alligator: plan toys // stacker cone: plan toys // hammer toy: hape // glockenspiel: hohner kids // crocheted balls: gift

I hung this celestial moon print above Everett’s toy storage. Everett recently added the word “moon” to his vocabulary. He always points out the moon when it appears in his story books.

I received this shelving unit from a friend who no longer needed it–thanks Kathleen! It’s a great fit for the space. Each toy has its own cubby, which should make it easy for Everett to clean up once he’s done playing. One can hope…

I stuffed a few battery operated LED lights into a vintage camping lantern to create a nightlight. It looks a bit like fireflies on a warm summer night.

teepee - toddler boy room
teepee: land of nod

Everett loves playing hide and seek in his new teepee. He tries to sneak-out underneath one of the side walls instead of the front door, then laughs endlessly.

plush campfire - toddler boy room
plush campfire: land of nod // rug: land of nod

In front of the teepee, I added a plush campfire set. Everett’s not quite old enough to comprehend the joy of roasting marshmallows, but he likes throwing the soft rocks around his room.

The thick wool rug provides a soft play space for Everett and it should provide a cushion if (or when) he falls off his bed.

I am glad I could create this happy space for Everett. It seems to fit his personality and he already enjoys playing in his future bedroom. Hopefully he will settle in long before his younger sibling arrives.

P.S. Minted is offering 15% off any order and 20% off $150+ orders of holiday & art gifts from 11/25 – 11/27. Shop now >
Post contains affiliate links.

18
Nov
2015

Coming soon…

categories: Babies & Kids

P1130868-2 …another baby. I’m so excited to share the news that we’re expecting our second child in May 2016!

In anticipation of big things to come, I decided to move Everett out of the nursery early so that he can adjust to his new bedroom long before his sibling arrives.

One of the things I love most about being pregnant is how my nesting instinct kicks in. It’s so much fun decorating kids’ rooms. There is more leeway to be creative and there are fewer restraints, especially when it comes to color and accessories.

nature theme nursery the nursery

I started work on the nursery first by replacing the old art with woodland animal art. I found two prints at Minted, which is also where my Everett’s birth announcements, baby shower invitations and baby shower decorations came from. They have an amazing selection of custom invitations, holiday cards and art from independent artists.

a deer-friend - nature theme nursery
a deer friend print c/o minted

Above the changing table I hung this beautiful photograph of a fawn. I love its simplicity and Everett is fascinated with it.

wild rabbit - nature theme nursery
wild rabbit print c/o minted

I also added this watercolor print of a rabbit near the window. I like how it’s the focal point when you enter the nursery.

What do you think of our nursery? I feel like it looks more ‘finished’ with the new art.

P.S. If you haven’t ordered your holiday cards yet, Minted is offering 15% off holiday cards from 11/18-11/25.
Post contains affiliate links.

09
Jun
2015

Mauthe Lake – Kettle Moraine North

categories: Campgrounds

Last weekend we camped at Mauthe Lake campground in Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine North State Forest. Mauthe Lake campground is about an hour Northwest of Milwaukee, and two hours from where we live in the Chicago suburbs.

Camping at Mauthe Lake - Kettle Moraine North

We drove up on Friday night, grabbing a quick dinner in West Bend on the way. Our site among the pines was beautiful, but it did not offer the privacy or quiet that we typically enjoy at other campsites. We heard road noise, loud music and people talking well into the night. The first night was pretty rough for the three of us, but the second night we slept a little better.

On Saturday, Billy’s cousin and her family joined us. After eating some subs for lunch, we hiked the easy 2-mile trail around Mauthe Lake. We spent the late afternoon at the beach while the kids played in the sand. We made pie iron pizzas for dinner and fruit pies for dessert. On Sunday we woke up to rain. After we started a fire, we made Pie Iron Breakfast Sandwiches.

Camping at Mauthe Lake - Kettle Moraine North

Everett enjoyed playing with his second cousins, and they kept him entertained so Billy and I could relax a bit. We had a nice time and we’re really looking forward to camping with them again!

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