My Favorite Things: December

I've decide to make my (short) list today and recap the year tomorrow! I really am loving life right now. It's just a little lacking in the excitement area. In no particular order....

1. Christmas decorations are everywhere! Nate decorated our house this year (while I advised him from the couch). He put all the decorations in the great room so I could enjoy them all while I bed rest it. It definitely makes bed rest more enjoyable when you have a bunch of Christmas reminders to look at!

2. I continue to receive many wonderful things from friends and family to keep me occupied! I've read so many books and magazines, spent hours on the phone and played endless games of catch with Cooper.

3. I bought myself a photography book and am kind of starting to understand my camera. Thanks to sister-in-law, Suzanne, I now also have a photography DVD to watch. I will be an awesome photographer before this baby is born!

4. I got to see the little (big) man twice on the big screen. 

5. My absolute favorite thing was having my parents here for Christmas (more on Christmas to come, I promise). I always knew I was their favorite, but the fact that they drove to Sacramento just to fly out here (due to snow and airport problems in P-town) to see us solidified that fact. My parents are the best! We made an awesome Christmas Eve dinner, spent a leisurely day opening gifts and spending time together. It was hard to be away from my sisters and their families, but having my parents here made it awesome!

6. Christmas ('nuff said).

I promise I will update with some highlights of Christmas (and my very unique gifts courtesy of Nate) and nursery pictures (courtesy of my parents' hard work) asap. It's hard to get myself off the couch to take pictures! 

What did you all love about December? 

 

For All the Moms...

I just got the two cutest books in the mail (thanks Suz and Brent). My sister-in-law and brother-in-law sent them to keep me occupied on bed rest! I just had to share them because they are perfect for all the new moms/moms-to-be I know! Very hilarious and perfect for the socially savvy moms out there. I definitely recommend!

The first is Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay by Stefanie Wilder Taylor. Not only is this book cute but it offers practical advice in short little stories. Perfect for new moms!

The second hilarious and informative book is The Three-Martini Playdate by Christie Mellor. My favorite part of this book has to be the vintage looking pictures. They make me feel like a 1950's house wife while I'm really the most modern of stay-at-home (almost) moms. This book also has recipes like Weenie Fondue and more! 

Thanks again! I can't wait to devour these two gems! 

I love Nate!

And this time I don't mean my husband.

Nate Berkus is one of the top people I would love to show up at my front door (Knock, Knock, it's Nate!). Not only is he yummy but he loves to decorate. Sometimes when I'm decorating my own home, I think about how much Nate would love it!



For those of you to the west of me, watch Oprah today! You won't be disappointed.

BTW, our nursery is WAY cuter than the one on the show! Thanks again Bryn and my mom!

10 things Nate tells us how to do:

1. Mix expensive things with inexpensive (read cheap) things.
   
2. Use unique items. Who wants to hit the flea markets with me? If only I could get off the couch!
   
3. Use pictures from books for artwork.
   
4. Art doesn't have to be two dimensional. 
   
5. The lack of color can be very calming (obviously not an idea I subscribe to).
   
6. No themes (amen to that)!
   
7. Mix the old (or old looking) with the new.
   
8. Fake people out with window treatments. 
   
9. Use things in unexpected ways.
   
10. Ask for a better deal!
    

If you love Nate as much as I do, check out his book! It has great pictures (including some of him) and great ideas!



Nate- if you want to come knock on my door I know you won't be disappointed!