I'm so sad that we're not eligible for the 8k tax credit. Sorry, not the most glamorous of posts but I know a lot of people who are still hoping to take advantage -- it expires 11/30! Feel free to share these resources around, and let me know if I can help at all!
I'd call myself a "fly by the seat of my (ever growing larger) pants" kinda pregnant lady. I've been thinking about the nursery forever but having the hardest time making decisions! I've bitten the bullet, convinced I absolutely LOVE what I picked out, only to spit it back out and start over again. BUT - I think we're finally making progress.
I had the hardest time finding inspiration pictures. I didn't want her room to look like she threw up butterflies, or flowers, or winnie the pooh (which still makes me giggle even with a child of my own on the way). Here are just a few that I found slightly inspirational...
I (errr...we) finally decided to paint her room silver sage -- the most beautiful color on earth. Restoration Hardware stores are always painted this color -- it's the most relaxing, complex yet neutral color there is and I've been obsessed for years. There is no imitation, you have to suck it up and pay the ridiculous paint per gallon at RH.
From there, I tried some 3-d "inspiration boards" I love the chocolate/silver sage/white cream combination. Now that the walls are actually painted though, the silver sage reads with a good amount of gray in it in the light of her room - and a hint of pink looks gorgeous. (Mike actually looks quite handsome in the room as well). Unfortunately, the color doesn't read that well in the pictures!
And, since I just got a new flip camera - I had to try it out - so here's the video version (starring Michael).
Still on the way... crib (no pics) glider This bedskirt and sheet (along with a plain silver sage sheet) These blankets (silver sage)
This gorgeous roman shade (so simple, but i love it) in warm white. This adorable nightlight
Maybe this (in more rose shades)? Funny, added this to my etsy favorites the other day and didn't even realize I had saved the inspiration picture above with poms!
More to come!
And, upon request...here's 27 week belly (the butt and, by god, the boobs, match the growth well).
As much as I love my current job (and Austin SO much more than Dallas (Northpark aside, of course)) there are certainly the days when I miss being around the creative energy of Fossil. Not to mention the "employee store" where you could purchase Michele watches for $200 and sample 54 handbags in never made colors for $50. Check out Kate, Jill and Shay's super-cool places featured on Design Sponge (also an amazing blog!)
No, not the kind you find on 4th ready to roar. The kind on wheels. We're selling one that's a really great deal ($5900 with less than 20K miles). Info here: http://2000cougarforsale.blogspot.com/
Pass it on if you know anyone looking for a car for themselves or their kid!
I interrupt my non-blogging about my favorite hair products to bring you a serious message. I have the amazing opportunity to work at one of the fantastic companies ever - Keller Williams. Although before I moved back to Austin I was working in retail in Dallas and having so much fun interacting with all the creative fashion and environment designers and artists, it's been so wonderful to be back at KW - a company with so much heart, conscience, vision and true leadership.
But enough sap. If you're thinking of buying this year (and if you're thinking about it, no doubt now is the time), you might find this short little video a helpful overview of all that's going on. And let me know if I can ever help you find an agent. Buyer's agents cost the buyers nothing and we at the head office really do have access to the very best agents across the country - and trust me, you want a good agent because there are a lot of mediocres out there!
Do you ever get out of touch with a friend for a while and it's been so long that you then don't call them because there seems to be so much you'd have to talk about that you'd have to schedule in a three hour time block? I haven't updated this blog in a million months and there is so much to share...new place, new baby stuff, getting ready for a baby girl, navigating maternity fashion and adjusting to life as a shoe size 9 (my feet grew A SIZE, people) in flats (so sad for a girl with a serious aversion to sensible shoes?).
But instead, i give you pretty things. Like pretty ladies with balloons in a pretty field followed by a pretty wedding. Full pictures on thenicholsblog and featured on style me pretty. The cork wedge pink payless shoes shown in the full pics almost ruined it for me (sorry, just not a fan) but other than that...completely gorge. Oh, and check out the nichols most recent pics from the white dunes of nm, like nothing i've ever seen!
I'm a yankee turned Texan. A lover of fashion, pretty little things, ellipses, the word "egregious," the ocean, dogs, sarcasm, hot weather, creativity, granola and spending my days with my new husband and my middle-age dogs in happy Austin, Texas
Giveways
Fabulous ladies giving away fabulous things...check them out!
Domestic 1. Invest in matching hangers. 2. Sell or rent our house in Richardson. (COMPLETE (rented)) 3. Print our wedding pictures, frame and display. 4. Get a subscription to Martha Stewart Living. 5. Decorate my office. 6. Paint our house. (1/3 there) 7. Grow basil (COMPLETE 4/5/09) 8. Decide where we want to live in Austin (for the long-haul) 9. Buy a new house in Austin. 10. Organize jewelry in some kind of “not a complete mess” manner. 11. Get the dogs nice beds. (COMPLETE) 12. (Private) Have XXX in savings 13. (Private) Get debt to under XXX 14. Buy a fireproof box Fashion & Beauty 15. Find a great pair of jeans 16. Get a real make-up routine 17. Get an anti-aging skin care regimen (and use it). 18. Buy a fabulous pair of sunglasses 19. Buy cowboy boots Health/Wellness/Food 20. Run a 5k (in progress) 21. Cook one new meal a month for a year. (3/3) 22. Lose at least 10 lbs. (5.8 down, 4/5/09!) 23. No take-out fast food for a month. 24. Cook a real meal at least once a week. 25. Create a habit of taking vitamins (take one a day for at least 30 days). 26. Get a massage. (COMPLETE) 27. Find three veggie recipes to be part of “the repertoire” 28. Get a fantastic sports bra 29. Take a yoga class. (COMPLETE) 30. Take a pilates class. 31. Take a dance class. (and maybe like one of the above and stick with it!) 32. Eat something I generally find “icky” 33. PRIVATE – Work on xxx 34. Learn how to make paella. 35. Learn to meditate and meditate at least once a week for a month.
Relationships 36. Get another set of “married” pictures taken. 37. Make a new friend. 38. Take a girls trip. 39. Go on one special date night a month with Tim. (1/1) 40. (PRIVATE) xxx 41. (Private) – xxx 42. Take a photo of us at least once a week for three months. (2/3) 43. Call a far-away friend at least once a month (1/1)
Weekend Fun 44. Try 15 new restaurants.(6/15, Finn and Porter, Woodland, Three Forks, Stubbs, Zuzu's, Torchy's Tacos) 45. Go to the rollerderby. 46. Go to a concert 47. Go to the comedy club 48. Go to Ester’s Follies 49. Visit a new state. 50. Do 10 Austin-y things (4/10 Alamo Drafthouse, Stubbs gospel brunch, walk around town lake, eat at Trailer Park eatery) 51. Kayak on Town Lake. 52. Go to Umlauf. 53. Go to Arboretum. 54. See a play. 55. Try 10 new beers (1/10, Fireman's Four) 56. Host, or organize, a game night 57. Go to a winery (COMPLETE) 58. Go to a brewery 59. Go on a picnic. 60. Go bowling. (COMPLETE) 61. See Bob Schneider 62. Design set of monogrammed notecards with Gocco. 63. Go to gospel brunch at Stubb’s. (COMPLETE) 64. Go to first Thursday. 65. Go to San Francisco Goodwill 66. Join a volunteer organization. 67. Stop using plastic bags at the grocery store. (COMPLETE, most of the time) 68. Blog the “best thing this week” weekly. 69. Perform 10 random acts of kindness. 70. Set up regular tithe (COMPLETE)
Mind 71. Read at least six business books a year. (2/6, Forgotten Man, Undercover Economist) 72. Read at least six novels a year (I usually read more but feel I need to focus a bit more on the business books for a while)
Misc 73. Maintain my blog (at least 1 post a week) for three months. (COMPLETE) 74. Finish the 101 in 1001 list. 75. Make my blog pretty. (COMPLETE) 76. Start a design notebook.