The Mrs. on H Street: March 2018

Promise delivered! We're finally ready to reveal our coming baby boy's room and we could not be more excited... at 39 weeks - EEEEPP! This project was one of my favorites because with a room for a baby really anything goes. Both the Hubs and I are generally turned off by typical baby room decor so we tried to marry our modern tastes with a few whimsical pieces to add some flair and keep it personal!

First we grounded the room with a great crib that will grow with baby. Although on the spendy side, we received this crib as a shower gift from my mom and stepdad and couldn't be more thrilled with its look and functionality. Read more about the Stokke Sleepi here. Next we added this graphic black and white rug from Room & Board. An item that could have been on the expensive side but we snagged at over 50% off after Room & Board's annual floor sample sale that starts the day after Christmas.

Our next challenge to conquer was darkening the room. Although there is just one single window, it makes the room extra bright despite a pull shade. I'm not a big fan of curtains but gave in because whelp... we want to sleep eventually. First, I ordered these navy and white buffalo checked panels from Land of Nod (now Crate & Kids). The pattern was fun but the material felt like a shower curtain and that just simply would not do! So after scrounging the internet for what felt like a year, I landed on these jacquard curtains from Anthropologie and have no regrets. The curtain panels add the extra texture we were looking for. And if it's not the curtains that lull our little guy to sleep, maybe the stuffed animal heads from Serena & Lily?!

The next item I'm still pinching myself over is our Eames Molded Rocker. You guys, we finally own an original Eames!!! Gahhh it's just stunning and still makes my tummy flutter every time I open the door. We were lucky to receive this item as a Christmas gift from the Hubs' parents and can't wait to get it into action even if it means in the wee hours of the morning.

Now to a few details... Like these tiny yellow Hunter rain boots we can't wait to get muddy, a print honoring Montana to pay homage to my home state and the sweet paper mache dog from Haiti to inspire us all to keep exploring. All gifts from friends that make the room welcoming and feel like a big hug. The library continues to grow too, which we now dig into every night to help quell our excitement so we take advantage of our last days of sleeping through the night.

Woodley waiting out his little brother's arrival... OR maybe just enjoying the plush graphic rug :)

For other sources, check out my post about the plans for this room here. And if your questions aren't answered there, please feel free to ask below.

* All photos but that of our Woodley boy are by Josh - bestie and Josh of Paulo and Josh's Great Adventure - make the jump and read all about 'em - you won't regret it! Thanks for capturing our new little nook, we love you to the moon and beyond!

Quirk's Maple and Pine restaurant looking through to the lobby.

With less than a month before we become three, the Hubs and I decided to take a quick trip to Richmond, Virginia last weekend.

+ SATURDAY

After a two hour drive, we arrived in the heart of downtown Richmond at our hotel the Quirk. You guys! Quirk is bold and bright while also being sophisticated and inviting. I mean, check out their lobby (pictured above)! Since its opening in 2015, I'd been hearing tidbits here and there about this hotel and it did not disappoint. Working with local artists like Sarah Hand, the hotel feels like a fresh adventure with the potential of discovering something new in each corner whether you are taking in the Quirk Gallery, sneaking a moment at the boutique shop or simply waiting for the elevator.

One of the many portraits hung throughout the hotel by Sarah Hand.

We settled into our hotel room and returned to the lobby to hatch a plan for the rest of the afternoon and evening. From the Quirk we strolled down Broad Street and popped into a collection of recommended shops including Rider Boot Shop, which offers affordable handmade boots for both men and women, and Verdalina, a women's clothing shop that I must return to once I'm not pregnant! We then Uber'd to Need Supply Co. for some quick perusing before we walked to Stella's for an early dinner.

If you only have one night in Richmond, Stella's is the place to dine for dinner. This rustic yet modern greek restaurant sent us back to our honeymoon in Greece like no other meal has. To start, the grilled octopus was tender and not over dressed - just like we like it! And there was no judgement when I ordered my one and only glass of dry white wine while also double fisting water (because I still have pregnancy guilt despite being well into my third trimester- ha!) For dinner, the Hubs had the rockfish special and I simply couldn't resist the Shrimp Santorini. Another bonus of Stella's? Old movies play projected on the wall. Squee! Is there anything more romantic?

Veil Brewing's dry-hopped Czech style pilsner "Coalesce"

Post Stella's, full and happy, we quested out to Veil Brewing Co. for one last nightcap for the Hubs. We arrived just in time to miss the long line but still enjoyed the funky collection of taxidermy and our chic industrial surroundings. And always planning ahead, we snagged a four pack to bring back to the hotel. :)

+ SUNDAY

Paper, fresh-squeezed OJ and an almond milk latte at Maple and Pine- makings of a great day!

Waking up early, we breakfasted at the hotel's Maple and Pine. Nothing to write home about here. We'd hoped to brunch as the menu looked much more interesting but brunch is not served until 10:30 AM which was too late for this pregnant lady! Thankfully my almond milk latte was damn delicious and spending more time in the open lobby was of course a plus.

Terracotta Armored General

Packed up, we checked out of the hotel with minimal tears and drove to the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (VMFA) to see the Terracotta Army. This visiting exhibit spurred the trip planning and oh boy was it worth it! Although there are less than a dozen figures that have made the trek from China, each is unique and awe inspiring. I'm still baffled by the beauty of each piece and the fact that these soldiers and an accompanying horse are over 2,000 years old. The exhibit closes this weekend (March 11th), so if you're even thinking about it... get on it!

Jaume Plensa's "Chloe" at VMFA.

Before heading back to the car, we took a moment to walk through VMFA's outdoor sculpture garden where we came across "Chloe." This 24 foot tall sculptural head created by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa is a stunner and magically changes as you stroll past. Dreaming of our baby to be, we'll be back to VMFA during my maternity leave to enjoy this outdoor space and drink in more of the museum's offerings.

You'd think VMFA is where our weekend ended but no! Remember my growing tummy and need to constantly eat? We popped into Urban Farmhouse for a sandwich, stopped at Sugar Shack Donuts for a few sweet treats for the road and made it over to Belle Isle to take in the natural beauty of the James River Park System.

The verdict on Richmond? I believe I've already shown my hand... but yes we'll be back with baby in tow!