Cha-cha-changes!

Whelp, a lot has happened since the last post in July... I got a new day gig, we sold our DC house annnnnd we have moved across the country to HELENA, MONTANA! These past three months have been quite the whopper but the Hubs and I are taking it in stride and finally starting to catch our breath. Things we've learned along the way...

1. Moving is THE worst. Because our ultimate goal is to end up in Bozeman (MT) after the Montana legislative session, our move has been a bit more complicated. Our stuff will arrive Election Day in two places - some things going to storage in Bozeman and some things coming to our rented furnished condo in Helena. We're crossing our fingers AND toes the division of our goods goes smoothly...

2. Henry IS Henry. Despite all the change, Henry continues to smile and roll with whatever comes

(*Image Credit)

his way. He's no longer in a nanny share and had his first day of daycare last week. As expected, Henry loves interacting with ALL the other kids and ALSO has a wicked cold - which we also anticipated. 

3. Change is HARD. Although our longterm plan has been to return west, we were unprepared for our move to happen this year. There are only a few opportunities in my home state of Montana that size up to where I want my career to advance. So when the call came, we got our affairs in order, threw in a penny for luck and hit the road but that does NOT mean it's been easy. Every day has been HARD work.

4. Woodley IS Woodley. Despite his years and wise (looking) gray beard, our high anxiety dog Woodley continues to be high anxiety and needs time to adjust. Unfortunately, we learned this the hard way... AGAIN! Halloween dinner cost us some interior car upholstery and our only warm bedding (AKA our down comforter). But don't worry, we learned our lesson and are now the weirdos parked around the corner spying on our dog via baby monitor...

5. It's OKAY to rely on your people. I am fiercely independent and do not like having help from others. It doesn't matter if you're family, friends or a complete stranger. I'm the person who yelps "I've got this!" while balancing a baby, all the groceries and rapidly typing an email on my phone. But sometimes it's okay to accept help. Although this a lesson I'm still trying to learn. I think it's important in order to not sweat the small stuff.

6. CRY, it helps. This transition has been nothing but H-U-G-E and shedding a few tears makes it a little more bearable. We left DC when one of our dearest friends became pregnant and I envisioned us buggying our littles together around town... When I finally felt like I had gotten a routine as a working mom... When we felt settled in our house and loved every nook and cranny... We left DC and our Sunday Suppers with the Hubs' parents which elevated DC to feel like home. So let those tears run guuuurl, you need it!

7. Buy ALL the warm stuff. Yep, we moved from a warmish east coast fall and it's now full on fall/winter in Montana (i.e. snow this week --eeek!) I finally will admit my decade on the other coast has really made me a wuss and I have not invested in pieces other than "city warmers." Time for this mama to go shopping and get practical!

8. When in doubt, DRESS your baby as a fawn. But seriously. Halloween came at just the right time and we dressed our little dude as a fawn, which is western speak for baby deer. And GAHD DAMN IT, Henry was the cutest thing and continues to don his costume because it's the only warm thing we own that fits him. #HalloweenForever 

9. Get your nails done. For real. Get your nails done, fluff that hair and put on your armor. Life is freaking scary and you better believe it's easier to face what's coming when you feel prepared!

10. Worry LESS (or do something about it!) Worrying less is not my forte so instead I've become a master at re-chaneling energy. This means... scared about the election? Go out and canvass. Anxiety not letting you sleep? Go for a hike. Easier said than done but it's worth a try...

Later Gators...

Bebe Fenn Room Reveal

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!

Life by Design

Work has been busy busy and has us excited for our upcoming travels to Massachusetts and Montana!  We're even more elated to escape the heat... DC summers are no joke and with a heat index nearing triple digits, it's time to get out and save ourselves! 

But staying indoors in the A/C has lead to some new discoveries... like new paper goods from Constellation & Co. (thanks Paulo!) and P.S. Snacks' cookie dough. Although the texture is not quite there, the taste is good enough to satisfy your sweets craving and its chalk full of the good stuff like chickpeas, almonds and coconut oil. Ready to indulge with a clean conscience? Pick up this healthy snack at Union Kitchen Grocery and SHOP LOCAL (!!!) 

My day job includes several Capitol Hill fly-ins. This time our participants were guests at the new and trendy Pod Hotel in Chinatown. The Pod is attached to the Crimson Diner + Whiskey Bar. I still haven't tried this little gem's food and drink but their space (pictured above) is g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s and was the perfect place to take a minute before hitting Member offices.

Weekday Musings

EATING // Last week for a GF's birthday, we headed to dinner at the Garrison (#24 on my 101 in 1001 list). The poppyseed gougeres are a can't miss. We loved the chicken liver parfait with pickled strawberries too! The service was divine and the ambiance romantic (all be it a bit too dark). Most of the meal was pretty heavy though so go hungry!

HOME*WORK // Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. As such, I bought this table fan for our kitchen and it is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l! We've had it plugged in and on low ever since it arrived home and it is making these 90 plus degree days a little more bearable.

CRUSHING ON // Wide leg linen pants and jumpsuits. I'm more of a loose fitted dress girl these days but something about this trend has got me curious. My BF KTB rocks both styles and now I'm headed into my almost mid-thirties (GAHHH) it feels like it's now or never.  I'm obsessed with these Mara Hoffman striped pants and this Reformation jumpsuit in particular... Thoughts?

READING // I'm a third of the way through Into the Water and just like Gone Girl it's got me uneasy so I'm reading this one quick! It's the perfect thriller for the beach or a lazy day inside with the A/C and I can't wait to have all the pieces fall into place.

THANKFUL FOR // Bae's family. They always say when you marry, you marry your partner's family too and for me... THANK goodness!! I've had two minor surgeries the last couple of months and the hubs's parents have been there for us every step of the way. We love them to pieces and never will be able to thank them enough. I hope to say more about the surgeries at a later date but let's just let that be for now.

THINKING ABOUT // Portland. You guys! I still can't get our trip out of my head, ICYMI check it out here!

WATCHING // "The Big Sick" is easily the best romcom we've seen this year and dare I say ever?!?! Kumail Nanjiani plays himself opposite Zoe Kazan in this box office summer hit with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. My review? I sobbed for at least an hour - some happy tears and admittedly some sad tears - because it's that good. Thank gahd my hubby is one patient man and doesn't embarrass easily. Can someone please pass me a tissue? Just thinking about this movie again gets me mushy!

WEARING // My summer perfume... AKA bug spray! I'm terribly allergic to mosquitos so it's bug spray for me every single day. In fact, I never leave the house without it! I've found a few DEET-free options that do the job: Avon Skin So Soft Bug Guard (this comes in an individual towelette version too that's great for travel/hiking), All Terrain's Herbal Armor (you may smell like citronella but there are worst smells) and Naked Botanicals' Lavender Insect Repellent (easily the best smelling and made in DC too!). Do you have any tricks? I'm all ears!

* Art by Ashley Mary.