An Impromptu Gender Reveal

Posting regularly has definitely been a challenge for me.  Sometimes I don't even know why I try to maintain a blog.  Then I remember that this is a creative outlet for me.  This is a way I am able to express my love for design, art, gardening, and well, life.  I have been thinking about life a lot lately seeing that I am carrying one inside of me.  It's a crazy wild experience, and it's not always an easy one.  The back pain and penguin walk are in full swing!  I will be 26 weeks pregnant on Monday.  

Moving to Atlanta from Philadelphia has been a very challenging experience.  New job.  New home.  New people.  New city.  We will soon add "new baby" to the list.  None-the-less, it is a blessing to be within driving distance to family and a few close friends.  Here's a little snippet on what's been going down at The Tiny Abode.

Gender Reveal

 This party was definitely impromptu!  I wasn't even sure if I was going to do a gender reveal.  It just seemed like a lot of unnecessary work and planning for a tired pregnant woman.  Almost everything you see in the pictures was stuff we had lying around the house or stuffed in moving boxes.  This just goes to show that you can plan a party without spending a lot of dough.  Here's what we did...

With the help of my mother and sister, we were able to make a cute pendant banner out of scrapbook paper and twine.  The fabric on the tables was purchased years ago at Jomar in Philly and was in the hub's box of fabric that he uses for still-life backdrops.  Jomar has a huge selection of fabric at wholesale prices.  I'd recommend it to anyone who is willing to dig.  I purchased the teal Mason jars from a vendor at Phila Flea Markets about 3 years ago for only $2 each.  That's a steal!  I was lucky enough to find the vintage Fiesta Ware at B & R Thrift Store here in Atlanta.  I bought it for myself weeks before the party with intentions on reselling it on Etsy (I'm considering opening an online seller's account... hasn't happened yet).  Throw on some pumpkins and add some florals... BAM!  You are ready for a party!

I am very fortunate to have talented to friends that I can call up on a moments notice.  My childhood neighbor who has her own business, Charlsie's Catering and Cakes, made my cake as a gift!  I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

All of the photos were taken by my very talented friend Ashley, the husband of my college roommate.  If it wasn't for them, I may not have been reunited with Jason back in San Francisco May of 2007. We'll save that story for another day.  

It's A...

GIRL!!!

Sorry Jason.  Better luck next time.

 We took the photo shoot above prior to revealing the gender to our families.  The BIG gender reveal actually happened during the cutting of the cake!

My mother's expression was priceless.  I'm not sure I would want to see her expression if it ended up being a boy.   We would have been happy either way.

 Lastly, I couldn't have pulled off this impromptu party without the help of my family.  We only invited immediate family with the exception of my college roommate.  I swear she's got my blood in her somewhere!  Keeping things simple eliminated the unnecessary stresses when it comes to party planning (in the matter of a moment's notice might I add).  Each person contributed in some form.  Whether it was bringing triangle tuna sandwiches or helping a preggo climb up a table to hang a paper banner.

Thankfully, Blount County is beautiful.  The pictures were taken at Palisades's Park in Oneonta, AL where the party was also held.  It was great for the kids to have a place to play while the adult's mingled.  I had some of my childhood parties here as well, so it made it a bit sentimental. 

Our little one is expected to arrive February 17th 2014.  Let's hope and pray that she stays inside her incubator for that time-frame!

Little Peanut... Gender Neutral Baby Shower

Bring on the A-game, because this is going to be tricky!  My friend is preggers, and I'm helping her with all the ins and outs of decorating.  Baby Shower included. For all you pushing 30 folks (or 40, it's the new 30, right?), you should know that not finding out the sex of your baby is the new fad.

In my best Barney Stinson voice, "Challenge accepted!"

Image: The Bro Code

I headed over to Pinterest for some inspiration, and even started a board for my friend's shower.  You can see more of it here.  Think orange, teal, and turquoise. 

Image: Kara's Party Ideas

So I went to Michael's, and bought all of this...

  

I am overall pleased with the final results.  

The shower is not until June, but you can expect the whole process to be documented.  The tinted mason jars I scored over a year ago from the Phila Flea Market will most definitely come in handy.

Save the Date... Clover Market

Ahhh... the best time of the year!  I love everything about spring!  The weather, the pretty flowers and the awesome flea markets!!  Admittedly, the post is primarily a reminder for myself, but I thought you would be interested in marking your calendar too.  You can read about our adventure last year at Clover Market here.

We had a great time last year at Clover Market.  I did some shopping with Holly from West Pair Avenue.  Two of our favorite local artisans were there too, Laura from Modern Bird Jewelry and Jahje from Baby Jives.  We actually blogged about Jahje's awesome bird mobiles here. 

Here are a few pics from last year's Clover Market... 

Clover Market is one of the best markets around the Philadelphia area for sure!  The best news is that they are held on Sundays and don't compete with the Saturday Phila Flea Markets.  You can visit Clover's Market's site to take a peek at their schedule. 

I have a dream... Painted Floors

Whoa!  Where'd you guys go!?  It's been weeks if not months since we last spoke.  Ok, maybe that's a bit my fault {totally my fault}.  After the holidays, I crash!  Onto recovery!  After being spoiled in Alabama, I am forced to come back to Pennsylvania only to be submerged in my career.  Day jobs...pshh.  Who needs them?  {I do!}  Speaking of careers, I hope you are all off enjoying this beautiful holiday in honor of a truly great man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!  Jason had to go to school... what's up with that?   If you are interested in ways you can serve and are in the Philadelphia area, go here.

Long weekends like these give me time to take a good look at my unconventional apartment and start dreaming up ways to make this challenging space swoon worthy!  Like say... painted floors!

Source: racheleisner.com via Donna on Pinterest

I wonder if my landlord would go for it!?  Highly unlikely, but it's fun to dream!  What are you dreaming up for your space?  Feel free to send me an email with pics and I'd love to share!

Design Sponge at Anthropologie!!

Eeeeeeee!!!  I'm very excited that Grace Bonney from Design Sponge is making her way back to Philadelphia to one of my (and I'm sure your) favorite places on earth, Anthropologie.  

Image: Design Sponge

I missed the first book signing at Terrain, *sigh*, but now I have another chance to get my new book (which I purchased from Vintage Now at Fete Noel) signed by Ms. Grace herself!   Not only is this a book signing event, but it's also a Wreath-Making Workshop!!  How fun is that!?  And you know how we here at The Tiny Abode are starving artist, and how I work in Early Childhood Education by day... yeah that stuff.  Well, we are happy to hear that they will be supporting a local charity, Fresh Artists, by requesting donations of new art supplies such as pens, markers, crayons, etc. for art education.  If this is anything like the Oh Joy workshop we went to August, tickets will likely sell-out in just a couple of days (if not hours)!!  If you are interested in reserving a spot sign-up here.

I realllly hope I can make it!!

Snowing in October... Trick or Treat?

It's a snow day in Philadelphia and along the rest of the East Coast. 

Photo:  Debbie Czarnecki-Lapinksy via Action News

Therefore, my butt was inside!  Snow!!  Already!? Noooooo!!!  Being stuck indoors on a Saturday is not my ideal weekend.  I was bored to say the least.  So bored that I decided to set the table just for fun. 
Sorry in advanced for the low quality pictures... it was a dark day.

The hubs got confused with all the "missing" silverware.  It's rare the table is preset.

I even lit the candles.

I'm not sure how I feel about my creme and mocha plates with white chairs and accessories.  Maybe I should just change out the center pieces and runner.  Hmmm?  The plates are by Casa Fina, and they are 100% awesome!!

Working at golf courses while in college proved to serve a purpose.  Everything may not match, but at least I know how to set a table!  And if you want to get really fancy check out this diagram. 

Photo: One Hungry Mama

Apparently my water glass and wine glass should be switched.  

Shh.... don't tell.

Above are my freshly painted curbside chairs.  What do you think?  The seats still need to be recovered, but I"m happy with the high gloss finish.  Ideally I would have faux bamboo chairs, but those suckers are not cheap!!  The zebra rug will be moving to my office soon, and the pictures/art will be taken down eventually and replaced with a plate wall (or so I say.... it's always changing around here).

Source: ourvintagehomelove.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

The more I think about the color scheme, the more I'm convinced that I need a set of white plates.  What do you think?  I love all the white with the farmhouse look.