Cozy Little Cave

Happy Memorial Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 29 May 2012 02:01:00 +0000

Hoping you all had a blessed Memorial Day! I am so thankful for everyone who has or will serve in our nation's military and the sacrifices, both big and small, you make.

We celebrated with the local parade, yard work, and patriotic bunting! I'm hoping to keep the bunting up through the summer (people do that here... must be the small towns and old houses, you know), but we'll see how it holds up.

MeasureMe Stick

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:23:00 +0000

A while back my mother-in-law Barb sent me an email saying she'd like to get us a growth chart as a combined Mother's Day/Father's Day present. Not gonna lie: I immediately groaned and started thinking about how to politely tell her I hate growth charts. Then I clicked on the links she sent. Holy cow! When did growth charts get so cool? Most were versions of the Pottery Barn Kids giant wooden ruler, but my (and her) favorite by far was the MeasureMe Stick from Yanko Design...

This is going to look SO cool in our house. I cannot wait to get it.

From Love to Bingo: Getty Images

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Fri, 25 May 2012 14:58:00 +0000

Saw this over on BoingBoing... love it! A short film made entirely from Getty Images stock photos... how fun!

4 Generations

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Thu, 24 May 2012 19:18:00 +0000

I was so fortunate to be in Houston for my first Mother's Day as a mom. I missed Jesse, but I had my own mother, my grandma, and of course my babe! Four generations! I absolutely love Pittsburgh, but the #1 thing that sucks is being so far from my family. I need to set up Skype... anyone use it for cross-country family time?

Hello there!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:05:00 +0000

Hi everybody! It's me- Pippa! Mommy and I have been so busy lately- we went all the way back to Texas again for my Aunt Nell's wedding! I had so much fun going to the beach, pool, making friends, and going to the wedding (which was gorgeous). Because of my enormous array of toys and clothes, mommy couldn't bring her laptop, so she didn't get to blog. She can't wait to tell you all about it now that we're back though- so stay tuned!

Congrats!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:38:00 +0000

The babe and I are hanging out in my sister's (near packed up) apartment during the Texas A&M graduation. MAJOR congrats to Nell and her almost-husband Tanner who are both graduating with Master's degrees in Math today (nerds!). Extra crazy congrats to Tanner who also recieved a really prestigious award ($5k!!). The highest student award, he got it by being incredibly involved, passionate, smart, and generally awesome. :)

Moving Forward...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Mon, 07 May 2012 17:03:00 +0000

The babe is!

I think she's trying to buy more diapers and toys.

Matilda Jane

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:49:00 +0000

After falling in love two separate times with a friend's daughter's dress & being told it was a Matilda Jane, I knew I'd better check them out. And oh my... Pretty sure this is my favorite little girl's clothing brand. Ever. Why can't all clothes be this playful and fantastic?

Too bad I can't exactly afford to go regularly outfitting Pippa in these... Luckily they're only available through in-home trunk shows, so I'm limited to slick finds on Ebay or Spot's (which frankly, are still out of my price range).

Nusery Update

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000

The nursery has changed a bit since you last saw it.The most obvious change of course is the bassinet turning into a crib! We've also switched some things around & added a few decor items. The DecoyLab clock moved to another wall, and in its place is now a canvas print from a design sheet for Waldi- the 1972 Olympic mascot. Above the door we hung a crocheted, mounted T-Rex head, and of course... more toys!

Check out this paper- it's actually wrapping paper I chose to hang like a poster. Isn't it darling???

"Hi everyone!"

New Bed!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:01:00 +0000

We finally traded in our old full-size bed for a queen-sized Tempurpedic Cloud! It is dreamy. Of course, upgrading our size meant a new bedframe and linens too. Enter: the Alpine bed from CB2. Love it! It's solid, sleek, simple, and functional. I was looking forward to having no side tables, but the little Offi Tiki Stool works well to hide the outlet behind it. The quilt is a simple coverlet from Target, and everything else just got a little tweaking- if that. And now, I never want to get out of bed. I've been toying with the idea of painting the walls a super, super whispy pale blue (so pale you think it might be white), but for now, I'm undecided.

It's exhausting being a babe.

Now that I have an adorable babe popping up in many photos, I find it much more difficult to edit down my choices. I apologize for having more photos than necessary. :)

Glass Donut Stacker

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Ok. Is it me, or does this 3 Ring Vase from CB2 totally look like a grown up donut stacker toy?

I mean seriously... with a baby in the house, I can't look at this thing without thinking that! And for some reason, that makes it awesome. Sure, it's got holes to stick plants, but I think the plants hide the fact it's a donut stacker... which is what I love about it. This is one of those things that would be perfect in one of those gorgeous, frufru, frilly, and completely impractical nurseries... don't you think?

A good day for the park...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:45:00 +0000

...and our first time on the swings! The park is just on the other side of the high school, and today we walked there for the first time- we had no idea just how close it was! We had some gorgeous weather today- which means we also got a decent bit of yard work done. I hope to finish out a few more things this week & share some photos soon.

Silliness!

You know it's been a while...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 17:59:00 +0000

...when you go to post & Blogger has changed up their layout! Yikes! We've been busy here, but not with too many home or design projects, so I guess I haven't has as much motivation to blog. I've also been traveling a bit back home to Texas (without my laptop). With warmer weather approaching though, I'm hoping to change all that! Meanwhile, here's some silly babe videos...

(Yes! We are still alive!)

Score!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:13:00 +0000

For 4.5 years I've been eyeing Eva Zeisel's Classic Century Dinnerware at Crate & Barrel. It's absolutely gorgeous, but since Jesse didn't like it (and it's pricey), I've been forced to admire from afar. I always thought that if I couldn't have the set, I'd have to settle for at least one or two pieces. My favorite has always been the sauce boat... so elegant! I'd use it for candy, decoration, flowers, etc. - it's way too lovely to only use for gravy and sauces.

Yesterday, my lucky day finally arrived; while browsing C&B, I spied a sauce boat on the final sale rack! For only $30! It has some marks in the glaze on the inside- I assume that's why it's discounted? Who cares though... here's what I did with it...

Yes. Those are all red jellybeans. Starburst FaveReds now come in jellybean form! Best.Day.Ever.

Updates...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Yeah, I know. It's been a while since I posted... sorry. :( In the meantime though, here are some updates for what's going on around here...

The New Bed: We got it! The bed frame, sheets, and new quilt are all here, and I love them. Unfortunately, we're waiting on the new mattress, and I refuse to share how ridiculous it looks to have a full mattress on a queen bed frame. I also still haven't picked up the new lamps.
Pippa is 6 months! That's right, my little babe is now 6 months old. She can sit, roll, and gum mushy foods with the best of them.
New Throw: It's here, and it's even better in person. Pictures to come soon!
New nursery decor additions: on their way, and I can't wait to share them with you!
My cousin Lacey came to visit last week! Yay!
Jesse's mom is visiting this weekend!
Pippa & I will be traveling to Texas in a couple of weeks!

And no, I'm not above trying to win you back with pictures of the babe...

6 months old!

We did not love prunes.

We loved Lacey's pretty necklace!

Happy Valentine's Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:16:00 +0000

The Alpine Bed

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Jesse and I have decided it might finally be time to upgrade to a queen sized bed. Nursing a baby in a full (with Jesse there too) isn't exactly a picnic, and we'd always planned on upgrading someday. We haven't gone mattress shopping yet (we're leaning towards a Tempur-Pedic), but we did pick out the new frame!

I've always loved the Alpine from CB2. The sleek, modern profile is right up our alley, but best of all is the integrated 'nightstand' with the ledge behind the headboard. With space limited, I'm excited to do away with nightstands- they always seem cluttered anyway & this will help us keep things tidy.

I'm also thinking this would look swell with some clamp-on architect lamps on each side... hmmm...

Silly Baby...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:51:00 +0000

Strollin' in the Snow!

Little Stego!

Pippa & I had quite a fun time doing the whole 'posed pictures' thing! I opted to doodle on the details instead of making them out of fabrics & such.

The Most Beautiful Throw in the World.

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:02:00 +0000

Look at it. Just look at it.
100% lambswool, made in Avoca at the oldest hand-weaving mill in Ireland

I visited Avoca when I studied in the UK one summer, and I absolutely loved it. It's a stunning, perfect little town that's right out of a movie- and their wool products are to die for. I brought my parents back a throw that I still regret not keeping for myself. No worries though... I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be able to resist this one much longer...

Edit: Okay, I bought it. Seriously... how fun is this throw!?

Natasha

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:32:00 +0000

Check out this little felt doxie puppet I found on Etsy!! 'Natasha' is so chic and adorable- look at that expression! I just love when things straddle the toy/art boundary. Next time I have some free cash floating around, I think Pippa might need one...

3 Sprouts Mouse Caddy

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:44:00 +0000

Check out the newest addition to our living room... the 3 Sprouts Mouse Caddy!

Isn't he adorable?? I saw him in a photo of a friend's living room, and I knew he was perfect for Pippa's toys. The handle makes it easy to tote around the house, and the inside is waterproof for easy cleaning!

5 Months!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +0000

I cannot believe how time has flown. My little Pippa is five months old already!

I guess Nell had a good Christmas...

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:51:00 +0000

No clue what's going on in the background, but I felt it definitely needed to be animated.

Christmas Card Rejects

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:12:00 +0000

This is one of our Christmas card rejects (obviously). It seems that no matter what, there's always some pretty funny ones. This year though, Jesse had a phenomenal idea... he suggested including the funny rejects the back of the real card. Hilarious. Too bad we'd already printed this year's, so that'll have to wait until next Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Tess Carter) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 13:23:00 +0000