People love to ask us how on earth we are handling the baby in the tiny house. And the answer is...pretty much the same as everyone else with a baby (i.e. we're exhausted, happy, insanely busy, in love, exhausted...)! But clearly, we have a few extra challenges to deal with...and clearly one of those challenges is space. So as we a approach a holiday that exaggerates the need for things, I thought a bit about what a tiny-house-baby (or any minimalist baby!) might appreciate for Christmas :).

Tiny-House Baby Holiday Wish List

chatbooks / baby beads wood rattle / green toys elephant / jungle rumble bath book / the lorax / pixie hat / sippy cups / zig zag bunting / wave pants / bowls / rainbow fish / booties / artifact uprising

Memories
There are so many cute services for printing photos and memory books these days! I've heard great things about Chatbooks - can't wait to try them. Shutterfly, Snapfish and Artifact Uprising are some of my favorite photo services. Prints, frames, photo books (or gift certs for these things) will end up being valued so much by lil babes in the long term!

Small Toys
Toys for kiddos are important for fun and development (and distraction, so Mama can get something done from time to time). But too many toys is just not an option in our house! So, just keep it simple - even tiny-house babes need the good toys!

Experiences
The gift that keeps on giving! This is by far my favorite tiny house gift (for babies or anyone) because it takes up NO room and our lives become so enriched by the excursions and experiences we have. Museums, meals, camping, shows - there are so many experiences you can give at the holidays and they mean so much more than accumulated stuff!

Necessities
There is a time and place for adorable dresses and cutiesie tootsie accessories, but for tiny housers it's best to keep it pretty minimalistic. That said, a girl's gotta get dressed, so you'll never go wrong with high-quality basics and necessities.

Books
There will always be room for books! Rowen got so many great board books at my baby showers, and we read them all the time. I'm so excited to expand our collection as she grows older (and I love the idea of incorporating books that inspire simplicity and gratitude).

Something for Mom and Dad
Happy parents, happy child ;). Experiences and support for the parents like a gift certificate to a local restaurant or tickets to a show will always go over well.

And to conclude I have to say...as far as I can tell, babies really don't need anything at all for Christmas. A dishrag, a silly voice and a nice walk is about all Rowen could ever ask for ;).  I hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season!!

Third Trimester Wish List

I've officially entered my third trimester! Crazy to think. I'm 28 weeks as of yesterday.  As I look toward my 31st birthday (coming up on Tuesday) and down the road at these last few months of pregnancy, I couldn't help but put together this fun wish list of items that I've been daydreaming about lately! Is it a surprise to anyone that many of these items revolve around comfort and relaxing? ;)

1. Yoga, chiropractic work, facials and massage from Bloom Retreat.
2. A wear-forever maxi for maternity & nursing. 
3. Fresh, soft, sleep pants.
4. Acai bowls and green juices from Nekter, our local juicery.
5. Noise cancelling headphones so I can soak into my Hypnobabies tracks (and later, jam out while baby's napping).
6. Beautiful Cosabella nursing bras.
7 & 8. Anything and everything from Hatch!
9. A pretty and comfortable robe for delivery and beyond. 
10. Storq maternity bundles are just perfect in every way. 
11. A cooling pillow to keep me comfy as the weather gets warm (I can't get enough pillows these days).

Wish List :: Date Night In

// "rest" pillows // scrabble game// comfy kimono // calming candle // 

// "I want to snuggle you so hard" card // local wine // gold bean bag // throw blanket //

Lately it seems like Jimbo and I have been passing in the night as we live by our busy calendars. Our schedules have been chock full of work (which luckily we both love), social engagements (love), and travel (love). So don't get me wrong, it's been great! But I think we're both ready right about now for a relaxing date night in.  I'd love to snuggle up with a cozy blanket on that gorgeous bean bag (by BeanBagBoss) and catch up, perhaps while watching a movie (our list of things-to-watch is getting long!) or playing a game.  I'd wear something extremely comfy but just special enough to make it a "date" like that cute kimono by Calypso St. Barth. We'd probably make a simple dinner and then dig into some good ice cream and local wine. Our favorite Spotify playlists would be on in the background while I beat him a few times at Scrabble ;). We'd trade foot-rubs for head-scratches and go to bed nice and early. How heavenly - I think a night like this deserves a spot on the calendar.


What do you like to do for your stay-at-home date nights??

Gift Guide :: Last Minute!

1. Plated // 2. Birchbox // 3. Popsugar Must Have // 4. Kiwi Crate // 

5. Citrus Lane // 6. Love With Food  // 7. Bark Box  // 8. Spice Panda //

9. Mantry // 10. ABM Happy Mail // 11. Bespoke Post

TGIF my friends! I'm feeling very merry today. Feeling ready for the weekend. Ready to jam out to some Christmas tunes, wrap some gifts, pack some bags and head on over to chilly New England. I hope you're feeling merry, too!

If last minute gift shopping is the last thing stressing you out, before an enjoyable holiday, well then rest easy - I have your solution. The answer to a last minute gifting dilemma is.....subscriptions!

Why?

a) it's the gift that keeps on giving
b) it's ready almost instantaneously (no strip mall shopping or 3 day shipping required)
c) you can make it fit your price range (gift a month, or 6, or 12)
d) there is something for everyone!

Food, books, beauty products, stationery, puppy snacks, baby toys, exotic spices, tea, crafts - you can have literally anything delivered monthly to your (or your lucky giftee's) doorstep. I already mentioned a couple of subscriptions in my manly gift guide (the monthly coffee seems amazing to me), but I've provided some of my other favorites for you here.

I also think these are good for that person you know who already seems to have everything - they need an experience.

My favorite? ABM's new Happy Mail service - wouldn't you just love to have a collection of adorable cards and notepads at your disposal? And Mantry is supposedly for men but those snack boxes look verrrry shareable :). Which one would you gift?

Have a jolly weekend everyone!

Gift Guide :: My Man

1. Filson shirt // 2. Mantry subscription // 3. USA made duffel // 4. cocktail guidebook // 

5. GoPro // 6. Hippy Tree t-shirt // 7. box drum // 8. Bushcraft tactical knife // 9. inflatable camp pillows // 10. book about the future of humanity // 11. good coffee, monthly // 

12. sushi and more sushi // 13. whiskey soaked jerky ('cause why not)

---------------------

I've been MIA, I know. And it's been kind of nice! But let's see... what is there to report... I've been working, traveling, and watching The Walking Dead. Thanksgiving was delightful. I ate my way through Portland last weekend and have fantastic plans for the holidays. My 'hood is expecting crazy rain today, so much so that the school I work at was canceled, to which the New Englander in me says "pshawwww, you silly gooses, it's just a little WATER", but to which the rational part of me says "Sweet, I'll take it!".  I haven't felt up for working on the 'log lately, partly because I already spend so much time on the computer screen at work, and partly because I have so many things I want to blog about that sometimes it's kind of overwhelming and I just don't know where to start. But I'm feeling a rekindling of blog-love over here. It must be the holidays or something - it brings it out of me! Hopefully we'll see more of each other soon.

So now down to business. Jimmy and I are keeping it light on the gifting this year, mostly because we're putting our dollars towards some 2015 travel, but also because we have birthdays this year that we're saving our energy for (it's a big one for both of us...that rhymes with hurty...eek!). But I couldn't help but pull together a bunch of gifts that I know that he and any other adventure/flavor/music/USA-made loving men would enjoy. Would the man in your life like this stuff?

Happy rain-day everyone! 

Road Trip Essentials :: My Open Road Wish List

I *heart* summer road trips with all of my might. They keep me running, they really do. Sunshine, breezes, new sights and adventures, how can you go wrong? I'm also pretty sure they're the glue in my relationship with Jimbo - our best talks and adventures always happen on the road. We've done two cross-USA road trips, a Euro-road trip, and each summer we end up taking countless rides on summer weekends. There's something so freeing about it! If you've packed correctly, that is - otherwise they're no fun at all. Here are some of my favorite summer road trip essentials:

1. blanket // to be used for warmth, for a pillow, and for that impromptu picnic you're sure to have.
2. cotton beach dress // something comfy, stretchy, and begging to be photographed.
3. shovel // for safety - sometimes cars get stuck.
4. rosewater spray // it's nice to freshen up with a spritz of rosewater after a few hours on the road.
5. comfy shoes // something versatile is good, you never know where you'll end up...
6. dry shampoo // if you'll be on the road for a few days, your hair might crave a pick-me-up.
7. favorite wine // beautiful views and sunsets sometimes call for wine.
8. wine opener // because, wine.
9. notebook // how else would you record all of your adventures and brainstorm your future together?
10. sunglasses // I need a new pair...love these guys.
11. cash // folks these days often depend on cards, but cash might be necessary to pay for state parks, parking, roadside fruit stands, and other emergencies like that.
12. snacks // I like to pack nuts, fruit and dark chocolate.
13. music // we use Spotify for our road trip playlists (see our Sunshine Drive playlist below!)
14. SPF chapstick // a must have.
15. a knife // you'll be surprised how much you'll use this thing, plus - safety first.

Do you have any unique road trip essentials? How about road trip songs?

This post is part of the RelayRides Road Trip Essentials campaign. RelayRides is a car rental service based on peer-to-peer car sharing - you can borrow others' cars and rent out your own!

Wish List :: V-Day

1. printed blouse | 2. Sinatra lyric print* | 3. v-day cocktail | 4. pink flats | 5. pepper log candle |
 6. je t'aime letterpress card | 7. heart ring | 8. peach peonies | 9. zig zag throw blanket

*I don't have a source for the print - any help?

I think Valentine's Day is adorable, and I'm not afraid to say it!

I dislike roses, I'm not normally into pink, and I would pretty much hate to receive a box of chocolates. But I love what Valentine's Day is all about (...which of course, is LOVE). Some people may say it's a silly creation and that it's all about consumerism, to which I say...you're a tad closed minded and probably lazy. Because if you're in love and have a speck of romance or creativity in your heart, then there's nothing preventing you from taking advantage of this silly day in one of the coldest months of the year to warm up with your darling and be loved in whatever way that means for the two of you.

For Jimbo and I that might mean enjoying a leisurely breakfast together before work (a rarity!), having some wine while we dream about our future hand-built cottage (one of our favorite things to do) or spending time with friends while sneaking a few more lovey-dove glances at each other than usual.

And if somehow all of these wishlist items were involved then hey, I wouldn't complain ;).

*****

What will Valentine's Day mean for you and yours??

Wish List :: Scootin' Attire

Did you know that Jimmy and I bought a scooter this summer? Ever since our time in Italy we've been craving one as a way to get around, and the beautiful weather around here plus the annoying traffic cinched our decision.

It's a Genuine Buddy 150, Italia series. It's been a delightful ride to work! And these lovely items would make it even more beautiful.  Here's a collection of the items I've been coveting that would complete my scootin' attire.

1. Gold & white earbuds | 2. Aviators | 3. Leather jacket | 4. Gold helmet | 5. Frye Logan backpack

6. 'Lace' Infinity Scarf | 7. iphone case | 8. Vintage vespa | 9. hip flask