I just look up to the ceiling

I finally finished Zoey's bedroom! 

(Sad, it's not even a nursery anymore... but hey, at least it got done eventually)

It was cute before, but it needed more finishing touches and I decided I wanted something a little less pink and a little more gender neutral.

Before:

After's... sorry they're so dark... not much sunshine today

I sewed new teal crib bedding 

(thanks mom for the help sewing and watching zoey so I could get it done)

 Little sweet dreams cradles

Matching quilt made by Aunt Jenny 

Baby pictures of Cary, Zoey and me... she loves these! And she has to have a twist of the mobile before and after every nap. Thanks Aunt Lindsay for the mobile. 

Aunt Heather made a cute cross stitch! 

I made the headboard, blackout curtains, and painted the dresser and added new knobs. Poor dresser was looking a little worn with the stain chipped off in spots, so we gave it a fresh look. 

Close up of my handy work ;) 

Love it, so bright and fun. 

Also made blackout curtains for the ginormous window. They're nothing pretty, but thanks to them mom and baby sleep well--which is all that really matters, right? 

Zoey in her favorite hiding spot...  

And for her play nook... crayon art made by Aunt Kim!

Having written this i suppose I have a lot of Aunts to thank for the bedroom makeover... thanks sisters, 

and sisters-in-law.

What do you think? Any must have accessories we're missing?  

Happy Happy birthday zoey dear

Zoey's 1st birthday was pretty low key. We had family over for dinner and cake. 

I wish I had better pictures, but Zoey broke my camera, and I'm not used to my mom's... sooo at least I got some!

You've had a birthday, shout hurray!

My baby is 1!

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY ZOEY!!!!

(at exactly this time last year, I was in a lot of pain, exhausted, and starving... but that's beside the point)

Everyone keeps asking me if this year just flew by.

Honestly, no.

And then I get a bunch of looks like I'm a horrible mom, so allow me to explain.

Can I believe that Zoey is a year old? Not really. She's pretty much grown out of being my baby into toddler-dom and fast approaching 20.

Yet... it seems like FOR-EV-ER ago she was a brand new babe. In a good way.

This year has brought so many changes, and for the first time in years I'm not looking back over the last year and thinking "holy cow where'd the year go." 

Zoey allows me to be more present. During the college years it was so easy to wish away the weeks and months til midterms were over, or this class, or the next vacation was coming, whatever. 

With Zoey, I feel so much more aware of each day (sometimes painfully so, as I'm dragging along trying to keep up) but more often in a wonderful way that I haven't enjoyed since before high school. 

We love our Zoey. She makes us laugh, brightens our mornings, keeps us on our toes, and has turned us into "those parents" who are convinced we hit the mega millions are far as cool babies go.

So here's an obscene amount of photos from a year in the life of Zoey... because it's my blog... and i do what i want.

More on her birthday party tomorrow!

Where are the plans we made

Ahhh it's that time of year again....

Coat time! (I know you hear me dee...)

My love affair with coats started towards the end of high school and was only cemented when I attended college in the frigid wasteland aka Utah.

Unlike most girls, I've missed the boat on purses, jewelry, and makeup. They're expensive items that take up room to store and slow down my daily routine. And although, I can appreciate cute shoes... I seem to always be slipping on my rainbows rather than finding the perfect match. BUT, coats...

I HATE being cold. I would take heat over cold any day, so coats are a must. And since I rarely take off my coat because I'm always freezing--a cute coat is practically an outfit for me. So despite the lack of funds and the warm NC winters, here's the coats I'd be debating about if I could...


https://www.tulle4us.com/secure/images/products/enlarge/J8144f2.jpg

This screams Jackie O. to me... and who doesn't want her style.



http://www.tulle4us.com/Clothes/Outerwear/coats/Single-Breast-Coat-p1926.html

I absolutely love my Tulle big button coat from a few seasons ago, and this one's on sale! I'm thinking red or yellow would be so fun and cheery during the dreary cold months.


http://www.victoriassecret.com/clothing/coats/hooded-duffle-toggle-coat?ProductID=74325&CatalogueType=OLS

Who doesn't need a good toggle coat? They're classic, and Victorias Secret knows how to make a coat look flattering and not oversized or frumpy. The real question: now that a messy toddler is in the picture, could I really tempt fate with a white coat? Fortunately it also comes in red or blue.



http://store.delias.com/product/duffle+coat+301683.do?sortby=ourPicks

Another duffle coat, I really like this color.





http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5739&vid=1&pid=321953012

The moto jacket... simple, stylish, great match for the colored skinny jeans that are so trendy.

And of course there are double breasted, classic wool peacoat options abounding online, But you'll never see them on my blog. There's something about the double breasted that makes me look even shorter and squattier than I am--definitely not a feature I'm striving to accentuate.

Anyways, one last coat and then I'll nip this day dreaming in the bud...


http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=74683&vid=1&pid=557823022

Gotta give Old Navy props... they have some really cute coats online, for very affordable prices. And this one would work great for my preggo friends (or if I ever decide to try out pregnancy again).

Anywho, happy shopping and if you see some cute coats on mega clearance I should know about... let me know!