Our Barbie Pink Bathroom - Quick Fix

I just realized, I've been a bad blogger lately. I mean seriously, I wouldn't blame you if you stopped checking for updates, because I've been on quite a hiatus for several months since we bought our new home.

This is only because I have been busy at work with lots of DIY projects and decorating challenges to help make this house feel like ours:)

One operation took longer than anticipated and turned our lives upside down. Folks, meet my Barbie Pink retro bathroom.

I will tell you, I almost kept this maroon/pink tile combo after the support from many friends with encoruagement that of all people, I could pull this horrendous color combo off. I was flattered that anyone would think I of all people could make this work - and in some ways I wanted the challenge:) But, ultimately, I am a white and blue bathroom kind of girl - and nothing is going to change that. So, I set out scouring the internet for resources on how to paint tile...and I went for it.

I used a low VOC tile primer and regular old Benjamin Moore Satin Paint in White Dove.

Drum roll please for the progress shot:)

Not too shabby right!? We are 1000% happier with our white tile and our shower curtain from the previous home works with the floor here - making this a pretty low cost project (with the exception of the toilet and vanity we had to buy, but that is another story).

Many more posts to come I promise - a word of encouragement to all those with pink bathrooms out there - you don't have to live with it until you can afford an expensive renovation. Paint it!

Baby Shower Decor

I just got my new 50mm 1.4 lens...sadly two days after my baby shower so I didn't get to capture the actual day with the camera. But that's okay because I'm still learning to use this lens! Here are some of the best shots I got of some of my baby shower decor in the days after the actual event. You'll notice many decorative elements are taken directly from the baby shower inspiration board I designed to help me plan the big day.

Some of the special elements of the shower included pineapple cupcakes, banana whoopie pies, rock candy, Izze soda, tissue pom poms, pinwheels and tulips.

 I made the deserts myself...but other than that everything pretty much came from Etsy.

Cupcake Flags from EMANON

Poms from PartyPoms

Pinwheels from ElizabethSt

Nursery Sneak Peek

The nursery is not done just yet - but once the art us hung up I'll take lots of pics! For now, here is a little teaser of what's to come.

Framed Ultrasound Photos

I love looking about our little guy's ultrasound photo...the cute round belly and puckered lips! But, I found it such a shame to keep them on the fridge since it just didn't do the photos justice. Then I was watching Barry Munday (best pregnancy movie ever by the way) and saw a brilliant idea. Frame the ultrasound prints!

Granted the prints are way too glossy and don't look perfect behind glass...it still makes me happy every time I walk into our dining room.

Nursery Lamps

I have been loving this Target Owl lamp for a while...but there is one problem. The shade is black! And, let's face it - lamp shades are expensive when purchased without a lamp attached. So, this lamp is quickly becoming more expensive than the $39.99 I initially budgeted for.

So, I am now considering this elephant lamp from Babies 'r' Us. The colors are right with our decor and the elephant/monkey/owl/leaf design matches everything going on in our nursery. At $52.99 a little more than I budgeted for, but still probably less than the owl lamp with new shade I would need to purchase. This just might work!

Newborn Hats

Although these beanie hats are cute for a photo opp - it is true that newborns need a little help keeping warm since they can't regulate their own body temp just yet.

Here are a few of my favorite newborn hats...cute as cute can be.

NinisHandmades

 ourladyofthesnows

Gliders

We're looking for a yellow glider and price points are really all over the place. I had my eye on this Yellow Lullaby Glider from Target ($449.99)...but found this Natural Wood & Yellow Gingham Glider at Babies 'R' Us ($179.99) that is more so much less expensive (sort of a traditional glider - but still cute). The Target Glider is now on sale ($382.48) so I need to decide soon before I lose the opportuinity to save $60.00 on it! Here's a mock up of how the two gliders look with our wall color and bedding. Only difference, our crib is natural wood, unlike the white crib in this photo. Thoughts?

Adorable Elephant Frame

Yes I know I'm obsessed with elephants, maybe almost on an unhealthy level...but I still can't get enough. I LOVE this elephant frame from Dwell Studio and if it wasn't $40.00 I would have already purchased it. It comes in a soft baby gray that looks almost white and can be hung! So cute.

Maternity Photo Session

A big thanks again to MrDrew photography! They are a husband a wife team with a real talent for photographing people. I love how our maternity photos came out and am so excited for the next session - our Newborn photos!

For those who are curious: 
Those giant 36 inch round balloons are actually from iParty! I had heard you can only get balloons this big online, but seriously call your local party store and they may just surprise you.

Maternity Photos - Sneak Peek

On Sunday morning we had our Maternity photo session with Dr. Drew and here is the very first look! More to come soon....

Birth Announcement Keepsake

How cute are these framed birth announcements? Seriously I can't get over how adorable this Etsy shop from mosieposies is. The designs are so customizable - you can find something that will work perfectly with any nursery decor. What an awesome keepsake - just lovely.

Here are a few of my faves - adorned with elephants, owls and giraffes of course.

Clear Skin During Pregnancy

Early on in my pregnancy I came across some news that seriously threw a monkey wrench in my skincare routine. The general verdict out there - salicylic acid is a no no for expecting mothers. So, I set out on my search for something that was safe and would work. My skin started to freak out due to pregnancy hormones and I had to find something that clear things up safely!

After a few days, I stumbled upon Belli - my saving Grace. Belli makes a pregnancy safe acne face wash that is made with lactic acid to slough away dead skin. I love this face wash so much I might even keep using it post baby. It smells amazing, foams up nicely and I would recommend it to anyone.

I also use the condition moisturizer made with Lactic Acid from Nonie of Beverly Hills....designed for oily skin. Between these two products, I've seen nice clarity in my skin and I'm now in the 7th month of my pregnancy.

Lemon Inspired Shower Brunch Menu

Lemon Tassies

Lemon Icebox Cookies

Lemon Squares

Cheery Papers

Lemon Coffee Cake

Coconut Pineapple Cake

Lemon Champagne Punch

Mimosos

Spinach Quiche

Mini Frittatas

Baby Shower Inspiration

It's time to start planning my shower and a few things are certain (rock candy, tissue paper pom poms, pinwheels, cupcakes, triangle banner, Izze soda, safari theme, etc). As of right now - I am thinking of a blue, green and yellow color scheme ...since the shower will take place in my living room/sun room - I might as well make the yellow walls work in my favor!

Here's a little inspiration board I designed to get me started:

Activity Gym

It's been a long journey finding an activity gym that isn't a eye sore for me. Finally based on a recommendation from a like-minded friend - I discovered Skip Hop. And there I found what I've been looking for - the Treetop Activity Gym! It's covered with plush owls (which if you know me...you're already aware I am obsessed with) and a leafy tree graphic that looks very similar to that on our bedding. It couldn't get much closer to perfect than this...at least not for me. Love it.

Personalized Baby Growth Chart

When I saw this growth chart from InkTreePress, it was so perfect for our nursery that I couldn't get over it.

What I love so much about this growth chart is that it matches the animal theme that we have planned for our nursery. And, the customization of adding the baby's name is such a cute touch. It even comes 8 colorway options - one of which is a yellow, orange, green and blue color scheme that will match our nursery decor perfectly (see below for that version).