Nursery Design

I've been contemplating nursery ideas pretty much since I found out I was pregnant -- it's only natural, right? Decorating our home is a fun hobby (and I consider decorating on a budget as a special challenge), so I've been Pinterest-ing left and right for stylish nursery ideas. I didn't want to settle on anything, though, until we found out the sex of the baby. Now that we know it's a BOY (hooray!), I've got lots of ideas to work with! Here are two that seem to be the top-runners:

Blue & White Nautical Nursery

Navy Plaid Nursery

The biggest determining factors are really cost and color. The top mood board is primarily Pottery Barn furniture and decor (=pricey!); and the bottom board is all Target and World Market items (about half the price). I love the look and feel of both boards, and both cribs are convertible so the goal would be that they last many years! The other questions is color: do I want white wood or dark wood? White definitely feels very suited to a nursery, and I love the light, bright feel of it. But I also feel like it might show more wear and tear. The dark wood feels more "boy-friendly" to me (and I especially love that pop of color with the little red nightstand). Both have a somewhat nautical theme going on (ships, anchors, sealife, etc.), which is a nod to DH's love of deep-sea fishing, pirates and ocean life.

I'm also learning a lot about what's considered "safe" in the world of baby products. Low VOC paints, BPA-free products, all-natural fabrics -- we've come a long way from lead-based paint on cribs! But why don't we care so much about this stuff for adults? I mean, babies turn into adults too, right? Of course I know it can be more harmful to a developing little immune system, but it's certainly making me more aware of the harmful chemicals or products that could be lurking in my own home at this very second! Scary! Best book purchase on the subject so far has been Baby Bargains, plenty of reviews and straight-up advice about which products are best and which to skip!

So, I guess I'm taking votes at this point: which nursery style do you prefer?

What I Wore: Summer Maternity Style

Summer doesn't ever come slowly in Chicago. It always smacks you right in the face with a 99-degree day in the middle of July. It stays cold and rainy from March to June and then, one day, it just hits. Last week we had some of those 99-degree days: hot, humid, sticky, sweaty, gross. Boy am I glad I'm only 5 months pregnant! I can't image hoisting myself in and out of this heat any further along. Thankfully, the latter months of my pregnancy will be once the cool weather returns (really, the majority of weather in Chicago is on the cooler side except for about 2.5 months in the summer, so I shouldn't complain). I'm just grateful that the sun is shining and the sky is blue!

One of my fun tasks these days is figuring out how to dress my changing body with maternity-appropriate styles that are both flattering and comfortable. I don't want any Kim Kardashian-style wardrobe malfunctions going on. And I don't really want to splurge on a whole new set of clothing considering I have a pretty great wardrobe already and I really only have 5 months left of "the bump". I recognize I'll probably be sneaking in some "maternity" clothes post-partum as well, though, so I'm trying to purchase pieces that will transition through the next year or so. My weekend outfit seems to hit the nail on the head. I spent Saturday bouncing from one activity to the next (indoors and out) and this outfit served me well through the day. And not a single piece is labeled "maternity"! Although my bump is not really "out there" quite yet, I have definitely had to adjust the types of clothes I'm wearing, and I feel like this outfit offers the perfect balance of style, comfort, affordability and longevity. Love it!

Striped Foldover Maxi Skirt - Peacoat (Wet Seal) $19.90 

Mossimo® Women's Microrib Tank - Light Heather Oatmeal (Target) $9.00

Women's Denim Jacket - Dark Worn (Old Navy) $34.94 

Women's New Classic Flip Flops - Black (Old Navy) $3.00

Portia High Wedge Sling - Red (Payless) $15.00

I love this maxi skirt because it has a foldover waist that is so comfortable and easy to adjust for length -- it can be worn with flats or heels! The tank from Target I purchased in XL for a little extra length and width as the belly grows. So far it hasn't gotten too stretched out, and is the perfect length to work well with other maternity pieces (like the jeans with those annoying full-belly panel, ick). As for the denim jacket, I've never owned one in my life and I've always thought they were so cute. No need to go maternity in this piece because I really don't ever foresee trying to button it up -- that would just look weird, right? Although this was the most costly item in my outfit, I think it will work for many seasons to come. I paired it with black Old Navy flip flops (cheap & comfy!) for running around during the day, and popped on some cute red wedges for dinner out with friends. I didn't really wear much jewelry but if I had, it would have been something like this:

Chunky Red Necklace with Wood Clasp - Red (World Market) $19.99

 So basically, the entire outfit is non-maternity and on the less expensive side. Pieces that will last me through the next several months, and hopefully into next summer as well! I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with putting together a successful outfit, don't you?

Keeping Up Appearances

Back in April, a friend and I hosted a women's only, 2-day seminar on the subject of beauty, health and appearances. We were inspired by a webinar from the Botkin sisters called Reclaiming Beauty. The topic never gets old. In our materialistic American culture especially, the vanities of appearance and the idol of beauty are rampant; they have delved their way so deeply into our consciousness that we almost cannot separate what God calls us to be as women and what secular customs have dictated. So where does God's design begin and our call to pursue beauty end?

My friend and I quickly realized as we prepared for this seminar that the subject matter was far greater in depth than we had initially planned for. Especially for women. I'm not dismissing the fact that men are called to care for their health and appearance as well, but it does not seem to affect them emotionally and spiritually in the same way it does the "fairer sex" (this idiom proves my point). Women find value in their appearance in ways intimately tied to their self-worth and cultural value. The way a woman dresses or feels about her appearance will affect her mood, her actions and therefore the way she influences those around her. At the same time, focusing on the way she feels about herself (rather than sacrificing self for the service of others as we are called to do) can lead to a downward spiral of self-pitying egocentricity, narcissism and possibly depression.

The Bible points to the beauty of the female form (Song of Solomon; Psalm 139:14) and the praiseworthy nature of the physical body we are given by God; while simultaneously warning against the dangers of relying on these external features (1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Peter 3:3-4). Proverbs 31:30 says "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Clearly the nature of true beauty -- the beauty that is most pleasing to God -- does not come from external adornment or physical features. 1 Timothy 4:8 states: "Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." Paul does not deny the value of pursuing physical fitness and health, but reminds us that exercise of the spirit is the more valuable pursuit.

Scripture truly gives us direction as to where are to find our value in this life -- and it is not in our appearance. We are called to pursue excellence, and to work at all things for God's glory (Col. 3:23-24). And the next time I am obsessing over the shape of my body in the mirror or bemoaning a thick thigh or a rounded stomach, I hope I can remember that this physical body does not define my identity as a child of God. It is a gift for which to be grateful, and a tool to be used in His service. He has given me a body to care for as "His temple" (1 Cor. 6:19-20); He has made it "fearfully and wonderfully" (Psalm 139:13) so that I might use it to serve Him.

As a woman, I will probably always be thinking about my sense of style, how I look or what I'm wearing (I don't love watching What Not to Wear for nothing!) It's something I enjoy and I think appreciation of beauty is God-given. The challenge is not valuing this awareness of appearance over my call to serve God with my appearance first. I could draw in several points right now about the modesty debate that always seems to be flying headlines across the blogosphere, but I'll try to keep it to a single point: we are to be responsible for the bodies God has given us in a manner that is pleasing to Him (not the world, not current fashion trends and not a set of rules about skirt length); HOWEVER, Scripture also points us to living a life that proclaims the Gospel in every word and deed. I think that includes how I look. Without saying a word, I want my physical appearance to convey that I am honoring God with my clothing, my make-up, my hair, my jewelry, etc. I don't think it's going to happen every day, but I believe He has given us the tools to make these decisions for His glory. This is not one of those "Christian liberty" topics where I can choose to bare more skin to the world because I am free from the guilt of sin. This freedom from guilt is what enables me to trust that God is working to spread His Truth in ways that I may not even be aware of -- and for me, that means keeping up appearances!

Recommended Reading

Letting Herself Go by Tim Challies
Does Female Beauty Matter? from Girls Gone Wise
Being Skinny is Not a Christian Virtue from Her.meneutics
A Numbers Game: Why Your Weight Shouldn't Matter from The Everygirl
Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden

Christmas in July

December is pretty much on my mind all the time these days. Why, you ask? Well, it's not because I just can't wait for snow and presents and the celebration of Christ's birth (although these are all wonderful things and I am looking forward to them). It's because DH and I are expecting an extra special holiday delivery right around December 4. Yep, we're expecting a bouncing baby boy!

Last Thursday at my 20-week appointment, we found out our little "it" is a "he" and we are thrilled for this new addition to the clan. I can't wait to meet him! As one might imagine, the last few weeks have been full of excitement, announcements, planning and prayer. Being pregnant is pretty nerve-wracking! So many things to be anxious about... especially when I realized that the things to worry about pretty much never stop! Even once the baby is born, there's all kinds of things to mull over: will he get sick? will he grow properly? will he do well in school? will he make friends? will he be successful? The list could go on. Parenting is a big job -- in more ways than one.

But I've also realized that my puny little anxiety is not going to make a smidgen of difference in the grand scheme of things (except as negative impact on myself and those around me). I am learning to trust more and more in God's Providence and His plan for me, my family and my unborn son. God's plan is greater and more perfect than any idealistic life I could dream of for the future. I am grateful that He is using this pregnancy to teach me that, and I foresee parenting as being an even more intense version of this lesson.

Amongst all the pregnancy and newborn care books that are currently littering my nightstand/Kindle, I still haven't been able to put down the writings of my new favorite Grace Livingston Hill. Currently, I'm reading A Daily Rate. The moral of this book has been particularly poignant as I learn to cast my worries at the cross and trust God's faithfulness to His promises. Hill utilizes a somewhat obscure verse in 2 Kings as the backbone of her story:

"Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived." 2 King 25:30

The characters in the story are learning to daily rely on the Lord's provision, rather than worrying for the days, weeks or months ahead. Daily we are called to take up our cross and follow Him. But no more than that. Christ does not ask us to worry for tomorrow when we take on His yoke (Matt. 6:34, Matt. 11:29), but promises that if we seek His will first, He will provide for the rest. 

This is such an important reminder over the next 5 months (and beyond)! If you haven't picked up a copy of anything by Grace Livingston Hill (she's written hundreds of books and every single one I've read has been great), I would encourage you to do so today!

Cherries Galore!

I have really been enjoying cherry season this year and especially with our local farmers market around the corner, we are taking advantage of every organic pound of cherry goodness we can get! DH picked up a big sack of sour cherries last weekend and I decided to make a sauce out of them since they're a little tart to eat plain. It was a simple recipe from my Joy of Cooking cookbook (my favorite right now) and it is delicious over vanilla ice cream!

I took a few photos on my phone (Instagram style) and they're a little blurry, but you get the idea. Looking forward to this "fancy" dessert again tonight!

Pretty Lady

I took some headshots of my lovely younger sister while visiting the fam in Georgia a couple weekends ago. She is currently working as a culinary professional, but is also a very talented singer. She will be performing a solo concert later this year and needed a few recent photos for the marketing materials. I was, of course, happy to oblige. Here are just a few samples of her smiling face! Ain't she a beauty?

Photography is still just a hobby for me, but I sure do enjoy it. If you live in the Chicago area (or nearby) and are interested in having some photos done, don't hesitate to give me a shout!