be inspired.

my mom was here this weekend :)...missing her.

we brainstormed on organizing for the baby.

we both love baskets like these.  will be searching tjmaxx/garage sales.

i like the labels...apparently these baskets are from WALGREENS

(3 for 10.00!!)

i looked...didn't find them but hoping they will get some more in?

photo: prudentbaby

pretty rocker...no idea where it's from (old find and forgot to label)

black walls+homemade chandelier+antigues+frame wall

so gorgeous.

photo: elementsofstyle

i mainly enjoy the window treatments.  couches are very beautiful.

photo: elledecor

little hats

is little d a little boy?

etsy: smallcappello

a little lady?

etsy: snugars

and a great little unisex option...look at the little scarf!!! AHHHH.

a baby scarf and this hat would be easy to make.

also from snugars

excited to go to a kkg alumni bbq tonight at the uofm with two of my favorite kappas: ap&cz.  i can imagine the porch (front balcony of my college sorority house) has some traffic right now...is it weird that i really miss going back to college?

cleaning with water!

Sometimes I struggle with wanting everything to be natural and healthy and perfect.  It can turn almost in to an idol for me so I have to be very careful.

EX.  I use dryer sheets.  I didn't know they were bad, I just liked the smell.  I learned they "can cause cancer." because of all the many chemicals involved - do not quote me on this...it's just what I HEARD (from a wise source).  Anyways.  I went home one night and was about to throw away all of our dryer sheets.  My voice of reason AKA J.D. caught me in this act.  He asked me why.  I gave him the reasons.  He smiled and said "Nope.  We spent money on those (they were from costco and so we have QUITE a few...like 100s) and we are going to use them until they are finished.  Once they are gone, you can stop using dryer sheets/fabric softener and change over to your alternative."  He was right. 

I can't freak out and change all of the rituals in my life because of what I hear or what I read.  It's the same reason why I believe McDonalds and CocaCola filled with highfructosecornsyrup is a wonderful thing sometimes.  I wish pop in the United States had cane sugar in it (I really wish Coke would make something like the amazing 'pepsi throwback') but I am not going to stop drinking Coke once in a while because of that.

Anyways....one way I can be wise without changing too many rituals is by cleaning with Norwex.  Norwex makes microfiber cloths that only require WATER to clean almost all of your home.  JD did not believe it until we cleaned the whole bathroom (minus toilet and bottom of tub) with 2 cloths.  And it was sparkling!!!

Norwex cloths:
-are cleaner
a. Remove dirt instead of smearing it around
b. Remove 99.94% bacteria and viruses from smooth surfaces with just water
c. Leave no residue, surfaces stay clean longer
d. Dry streak free
e. Dry quickly (reduces bacteria growth)
f. Will hold more than five times its weight in picked up debris, grime, and liquid
-save money
a. Spend less on chemicals, paper towels, sponges, etc.
b. Long lasting products
c. Clean 90% of your home without chemicals- just water!
-are healthier
a. Less allergies
b. No breathing, touching or indirectly ingesting dangerous chemicals, their fumes and their residues
c. better for little d!!! 

Here is an even better explanation

If you are a fan of e-cloth or other microfiber competitors this is why Norwex seems better to me.
-Bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses cannot survive or adapt in norwex's patented silver agent that is in their anti bac cloths
-Norwex has 2.9 billion meters of microfiber per cloth and a triangular weave (split to 1/6 of a human hair) that makes it unique to hold the dirt and germs better than competitors
-They last up to 500 washes or more verses the competitors 300
-Competitor cloths have been known to bleed

I have been really happy with the the 4 items I bought.  They will pay for themselves since I am not buying sponges anymore and will not be making my own chemical free cleaner any longer.

coconut oil.

Almost 2 years ago, I was introduced to the many benefits of coconut oil.  One of my best friends and her holistic nutritionist mom (click here for her blog) sold me on it...and then my nutritionist mama confirmed their findings. 

Coconut oil is made up of almost all saturated fat but I think you should consume a couple teaspoons, at least a couple times a week. 

Why?  Coconut oil is full of lauric acid (which is both anti-bacterial and anti-viral).  Lauric acid is a medium chained fat (one of 3 types of saturated fats) and is very similar to the fat found in breast milk.  It oxidizes at a very high temp (198degreesC)-so very healthy to cook with.  According to research, these medium chained fats do not contribute in heightening cholestorol like their long chained friends (lard/butter/etc). 

Coconut oil makes a great face mask if you have dry skin like me.  It is a wonderul substitute for a moisturizing hair treatment, or lotion.  I use it instead of lotion because I love the smell...and the antioxidants (http://www.coconut-connections.com/skin_care.htm)

I don't use it a ton in the kitchen--I want to more.  Sometimes, I just eat a teaspoon.  Mostly I add it to smoothies or baked goods.  I will def. be adding it into my homemade baby food.

If you want to try it, buy some at Whole Foods...or your local natural foods co-op.  It costs me about 6.00 for a good sized jar of unrefined oil.  You can buy it refined or unrefined...depending on if you want that coconut taste. I love the taste/smell of coconut so I buy unrefined.

2 Quick & Easy Resources on Virgin Coconut Oil
http://www.coconut-connections.com/index.htm
http://www.naturalnews.com/029047_coconut_oil_extra_virgin.html

A deeper/more scientific analysis by Dr. John J. Kabara.  I like to see researched facts behind these nutritional theories because there is so much "all-natural" junk out there with no backbone behind it.  This is the real deal, written by a Spartan no less.
http://www.apccsec.org/document/Kabara.pdf

nursery inspiration I

We bought little d's crib this weekend.  We went with the white, birch, gulliver from Ikea.  LD will share a room with us at first and then move it to his/her room closet :) 

I won't be decorating my own nursery (although I have many ideas of how to make little d's "areas" special) but I will be helping my friend CZ with hers!  Here are some of my inspiration photos for her little one's room.

Jenna Lyons' (Creative Director for J.Crew) Nursery..featured in a past issue of Domino Mag

Gray/Yellow - my favorite unisex combo.  CZ already has a lot of gray in her home so we are going to use a different color for the walls, but this has other good ideas

photo: ohdeedoh

I love this crib, the amazing circular mirror and that sweet and simple window treatment

photo: ohdeedoh

 Attention: Rocker, colors, window treatment, and hangings.  I think a baby would love staring up at those chinese lanterns and froofy things (not sure what to call them? but know I've seen a DIY in Martha sometime this Spring) 

photo: odeedoh

I don't care for the curtains but enjoy the color palette, light blue crib, polka dot chair, and alphabet around the ceiling!

photo: elementsofstyle

slurpies.

Here in Minnesota we don't have 7-11s.  So sad.  For the past 3 weeks I have had a major desire for slurpies and so when I saw this recipe I got very excited...will be trying it this weekend.

Raspberry Limeade Slushies
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 cup raspberries
1 cup water
4 cups ice
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup soda water
Lime wedges, for serving
4 chilled glasses, if you’re feeling fancy (or are interested in your slushie staying slushy longer)

In a blender, blend the lime juice, raspberries, water, ice and sugar until slushy. Pour into glasses. Top off with about 1/4 cup soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.

recipe via smittenkitchen

24 weeks

Due to multiple requests I am posting up a few bump pictures from the lake this weekend :)

little d with two of the four most amazing aunties in the entire world.

onesies fit for little d.

no--that is not a name we will be using.  I just think I might make one of these once l.d. is born.

via jen's craft corner 

the greatest alma mater there is...Hillsdale College.

via prepsportsware.com

I am all about these bright colors for little d.

both via an amazing etsy shop, leemarie.

to rep the wonderful north dakotan roots.

don't worry--michigan state onesie is already purchased and ready.

my brother bought it for us the day after he found out :)

and last-but not least.

because our baby will love the USA.

and freedom.

and RR of course.

Off to the lake with some of the best.  Needing it this weekend!

Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful baby you have given us. 

4 months 'till my new favorite birthday!