Luca's Room

When I began building our nursery design inspiration board on pinterest, I was falling in love with a lot of what is popular these days. Soft whites, grays. Some brass and or silver accents. I wanted the aesthetic to be adult friendly. But then, after a conversation with our doula about infant brain development, we changed tracks completely. Our new plan was to fill the room with contrast and brightness -- but how to do it without seeming garish or looking like a preschool?

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have caught a preview months ago:



We think we achieved a good balance between brain stimulating colors and patterns and integration with our style. We think Luca likes his room too. He loves staring at the curtains and artwork. He immediately seems to feel more calm yet alert when we bring him into his room.















Click here to see the full album of photos.

We finished the room just in time for Luca's newborn portraits. You can see the portraits and better shots of the room on our photographer's blog: maggiekeegangross.com.

It was pretty tough and Sergio did all the work. I think I helped hold up a part when he assembled the crib, but that's about it. I was busy recovering and caring for Luca to have much impact on the transformation. Not that I kept my opinions to myself. I have a nearly complete blog post dated March 23, 2013 titled: Baby Room Progress. I might still post that just for personal archival purposes. I really wanted everything to be done before the baby arrived, but we just couldn't. Sergio did so much exhausting work leading up to the baby room, and then the baby came early!

It's my favorite room in the house now. And it's the most complete. I wish we spent as much time thinking about our own bedroom as we did Luca's.

The lowdown.
Paint: Jill's Paint - Mythic Sweet Sunrise // Mythic Deep Sea Depths // Black Chalkboard Paint
Changing table: Modernhaus
Art: Large watercolor abstract by Nora Kersh // Desert circle (Palm Springs) photograph by Kate Miss // Abstract cat: Pablo's cat by Nora Kersh // Killer whale, rocket ship, monkey illustration triptych: Sergio Spina // Pet the cat illustration by Matt Spangler
Crib: Babyletto Hudson
Hanging plant pot: TW Pottery
Vintage porthole: eBay
Pouf: Target
Rug: Ikea
Curtains: Ikea
Credenza unit: Ikea
Small bookcase: St. Vincent's Thriftshop

My Baby Shower

My sister and Betsy hosted a gorgeous Moroccan themed baby shower for me and Baby Lau Spina. It was a truly collaborative effort where nearly every touch was cozily personal, handcrafted by a caring friend. Shout outs in the event details at the bottom of this post.

Walking into the room for the first time was one of my favorite parts of the day. It took by breath away! The entire room was swathed in gorgeous jewel tones, flowers were arranged everywhere, there were paper lanterns strung about, Moroccan music was in the air and my girlfriends were ready to embrace me with warm hugs. I had collaborated on the theme and chose the invitations but was not privy to much else. I knew the "team" had been working really hard for weeks and it really paid off.



Guests left sweet and encouraging messages for me on homemade water colored cards, which were hung in a beribboned window decorated with photos of me in baby/childhood. Jenny even managed to put up messages from invitees who couldn't make it to L.A. Nora, Sergio's mom, sent an especially thoughtful message.



Jenny made a beautiful, touching speech that had everyone in tears.



We had a delicious lunch of homemade Indian food.



We played three really fun games.



The most hilarious was the belly measuring game where people had to guess the circumference of my belly by cutting a length of yarn. I think my mom was the most inaccurate of them all! She was over by nearly a foot! And my sister Jenny had second guessed herself and even added an extension to hers! Ha.



We cut into an incredible Moroccan inspired cake and then opened gifts.



They even managed to find Italian themed Chinese take-out boxes for the favors. I mean, how apropos is that?!?



I will cherish these memories! Thank you ladies for welcoming my baby into this world with so much love and beauty.

Full set of photos here: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjE7zwsU


The Details
Decor: Pom Poms - Jenny, Jennie, and Alpna. // Homemade paper lanterns - Liz. // Authentic Saris - Alpna's personal collection. // Floor cushion covers - Mom and Mo Ching. // Flower arrangements - Caitlin. // The location, real silverware and china - Susan. // Watercolor message cards - Diana D. // Low tables and cushions - Jennie // Diaper cake and generous use of her height to hang all the saris - Betsy. // Serving ware - Caitlin, Alpna, Susan. //
Games: Who knows Mother to be best? Guess the belly circumference. Baby animal names. - Betsy and Jennie
Food: Homemade Indian. Also her personal Masala Chai tea recipe! - Alpna with Jennie as sous chef.
Cake: Homemade Moroccan inspired orange blossom cake with fresh squeezed blood orange custard and MY NEW FAVORITE CAKE EVER! - Rebecca.
Favors: Nan Katthai (indian biscuit with cardamom) - Alpna
Photography - T. Nicole Photography - Sponsored by Amy

I'm sorry ladies if I missed anyone or anything! I'm going off memory here and it really isn't all that reliable these days.

What's going on with baby?

I can't believe it. I'm at 32 weeks. That means I've just started my eighth month! We're in the home stretch but it wouldn't look it if you looked at our house. It's still pretty much exactly the way it was 6 months ago. I've started  a pinterest inspiration board for the baby room which is fun. We can't afford everything on the board but it's fun to dream. Sergio just needs to finish up some work projects so he can finally switch gears to baby.





Despite not having much tangible evidence of impending parenthood, there's been other stuff. In no particular order:

• Baby is ACTIVE. Like right this second. Kicking and punching and pushing. It really startles me at times. Last week, I was sitting on the couch, relaxing in the evening. Sergio had dozed off per usual as of late. Baby was really pushing hard and it was kind of uncomfortable. I think it was his hip or butt. So I pushed back with my hand. Gently mind you. His reaction? I think he punched me back. It was so sudden and strong that it tickled. I laughed out loud!  
• I can't seem to find a body position that allows me to sleep through the night. Inevitably I need to switch sides or rearrange pillows because my hip or back is hurting or an arm has gone numb. Or I have to go pee. Which brings me to the next item...
• I pretty much live in the bathroom now. Our doula prescribed 4 liters of water daily. Wow that's challenging. I think I've been able to get up to around 3 liters but haven't quite hit the magic 4. She says it would prevent swelling. It must work because there's been no swelling so far!
• Psst! We've decided on a name. But we're keeping it a secret!
•  I've picked a leave date for work. HUGE step.
• My baby shower is this weekend! I'm super excited. I got a new dress and everything. It's a non-maternity, empire waist dress I got on the sale rack and I think it's so pretty! There was some risk I would outgrow it in the chest area before the shower but as of two days ago, it still fit!
• I'm itchy. Really, really itchy. All over my torso. I've tried all kinds of oils, lotions, sleeping with a humidifier. Jessica from JessOhBee cured her case with cod liver oil and coconut oil, ingested. I may have to pick some of that stuff up tomorrow.
• I officially waddle now. 

Otherwise, I still feel really, really good.  :)  I know that at some point, mamas-to-be just want baby out and take back their body already. I'm not quite there yet but am getting really excited at the prospect of meeting our little guy so soon.

I am so lucky. It's all still magic.

Homey Treasures

To me, family treasures are not measured in dollars but in memories and yes, sentimental worth. (I will never be a successful minimalist.) Last night Sergio told me having these items around made him feel homey.



These used to be at his grandmother's house and now they're in mine. Homey.



Hopefully our future children will look upon these objects and spark a yearning to learn more about their Russian heritage.



Thank you Nora for sending them.

Thrifty Thursday! 5.10.12

Bought this capiz chandelier several weeks ago at the Rose Bowl Flea One of our favorite finds ever.

Blogger Meet-Up

Jessica Davis is an interior designer who blogs at The Eagle's Nest. She reached out and invited me to a Blogger Meet-Up she hosted last Sunday. I was so honored to be included! Unfortunately, I cut outta there so quick for Nelson's birthday, I only got to chat with a couple of the people! Judging by the burger exchange emails that ensued post meetup, there must have been some great and fun conversations I missed out on. Boo.

Anyway, I did manage to snag a tour of Jessica's beautiful home. It's tucked up against a hill in Eagle Rock and is gorgeously turned out, natch. I was particularly taken with the nursery, adorned with pale blue/white stripes on the ceiling. But, I didn't want to be too rude so I contained my photo taking to the living/dining area when I had a tiny moment to myself.



When you get a chance, hop on over to these blogs. You'll find a treasure of style, creativity and inspiration. Each is a beautiful, delectable rabbit hole to fall into.

Kelly Lambert: www.craftedesign.com/blog/

Jessica Ahnert Davis: www.nesteaglerock.com

Sarah Ehlinger: www.verysarie.com

Amanda Habbershaw: www.lovecreativeblog.com

Theresa Dykes: www.inspirationcooperative.blogspot.com

Kelly Lanza: www.studiodiy.com

Callie Bloem: www.callmecal.com

Jen Sobel: www.punkyandthecity.com

Irene Lovett: www.designstiles.me

Got Rug?

Have I mentioned that Sergio and I are in a rug fight? I really want one to finish off the living room -- cozify it. It's not really a fight. I haven't been trying that hard. What's been happening thus far is that every once in a while, I point out a rug I like and hopefully ask him if he likes it too. He usually does not.

Well, he made the mistake of not coming with me to the last Rose Bowl Flea. I was left to be reliant on the enthusiastic advice of new friends so I came home with this.



Micio sure likes it. And I do too. Lots. I just wish it was smidge bigger. Right?

Sprout Pendant Lamp - Jonathan Adler

We installed a new pendant lamp for the vestibule!




I neglected to take a photo of our old light which is standard issue Home Depot. I believe the brand is Hampton Bay based on this photo from the Home Depot website:




It came with the house and works just fine. However, since the vestibule has been slowly getting a little makeover anyway, we've kept our eyes peeled for a suitable replacement. We wanted something stylish but not too flashy and mounted high enough to allow the front door to swing open underneath. Of course, we always consider vintage first. But quite honestly, vintage mounted ceiling lamps in good shape and affordable are hard to find. So we've been looking at new fixtures.

There were two I really liked from West Elm. The Glass Jar Pendant in the Small. (The shorter one.)

And a mirrored semi-flush mount:

If we lived closer to a West Elm store, we might have have taken the plunge with one of these earlier.

But then I saw the Jonathan Adler Sprout pendant on sale right before Halloween. Conveniently, Jennie's birthday breakfast was not far from the store and since we were in the neighborhood anyway, we picked one up! Lucky too. I think there was only a couple left - I guess it's a popular design.

The unglazed, translucent porcelain bisque is so pretty. I think it's refined and clean, with a touch of whimsy.

It's been sitting in a basket until this past Sunday when we raced the setting sun to get it installed.



Yes, that's a pumpkin carving knife and yes, Sergio did use it during the install.



I love it!

The bulb is a little bright for now. Not that we would be hanging out in the vestibule very often.