My Niece is Pretty

This is my niece. She's really pretty.

She's funny, too!

And she's really cuddly.

I'm totally going to steal her someday. Do you think her parents will mind?

Things I Love About Family

Family is awesome for a million reasons, but here are a few of my current favorites.

1. Getting to borrow their pets.

I've mentioned how sad I am about my lack of pets, but snuggling my cousin's dog and petting my aunt's horses just about made up for it!

2. Getting to snuggle their babies.

I don't have my own baby either, but I got to spend lots and lots of time with this one!

3. Feeling proud of my genes.

Seriously, look at my cousin's eyes. I have those floating around in my gene pool somewhere!

And look at his handsome brother!

4. Brothers.

Don't you just love brothers? I'm so lucky I have one, too.

5. Grandparents.

I don't need to go into how awesome grandparents are. I'm sure everyone knows that. But look how especially awesome MY grandparents are! Also, see "Genes", above. I'm counting on inheriting my grandmother's gorgeous skin and my grandpa's talent for storytelling.

There's a lot to love here.

Wishes, Granted

Remember that bike I wanted? Well, my adorable husband provided me with an even more beautiful model for my law school graduation.

Perfect! Just perfect!!

And as if that weren't enough, my fabulous aunt came through with the dress I wanted...

...AND my grandma, cousin and aunt bought me a whole slew of Penguin classics! Here's my new display, with seven (!) more to arrive in the coming months.

I just love my presents!

Now all we need is world peace.

Neutrals for Babies

Jordan Ferney turned me on to the idea of wrapping babies in mounds of neutrals. I think she's really on to something! Babies are so beautiful on their own. Do they really need to be surrounded by bright colors and distracting patterns? No!

I don't have children of my own, so for now I can focus all my attention on my perfect, perfect nieces. Here are some recent finds I'd love to buy for them, and my own babies someday.

This dress would be adorable on my baby niece. It's so perfect for a baby girl. The bubble skirt and little dots are feminine without being overpowering on a tiny body. It will also show off her chubby arms, which I just love!

These poms have been a favorite of mine since I was researching wedding decorations. Wouldn't they be just perfect for a nursery? They're so soft and playful! And, at $5 a pop, you can add tons of personality to a room without blowing your sun dress shopping budget for the month! I'd pepper my entire house with them if my husband didn't think they were too girly.

I love little girls in tutus! My nieces already have plenty of their own, so I'll just look forward to dressing my own daughters this sweet white version someday.

Finally, I already can't wait to dress my babies in cloth diapers that are safer for them, better for the environment, and so much more cuddly. Technology has come a long way since I was in diapers and safety pins are no longer necessary. Still, I love the look of the old fashioned diaper in this picture, and I'm sure I'll be a little tempted to buy it for my babies.

Good evening, and for all of you who have babies of your own, I'm insanely jealous. Be sure to dress them in lots of neutrals for me.

The first photo is from Knit, Shear Bliss!, the second is from Etsy, the third is from Etsy, the fourth is from Etsy, and the fifth is from Etsy. Obviously I'm a big fan of Etsy.

Something for my House

Several of the blogs I follow had posts about budgeting today. Is this a sign? Probably.

Good thing I found the capiz shell chandelier I've been coveting for an extremely reasonable price at Cost Plus!

Isn't it beautiful? The best part is, it can hang from a light bulb in the ceiling, so I can use it to replace the hideous light fixture in our bedroom. We're renters, so we have to work with what we were given.

If you're interested in getting one, be sure to check Craigslist. I found one on Craigslist for $35 dollars that was $100 new, but it was already taken by the time I arrived on the scene. I'm a huge fan of buying things used whenever possible (often better quality, more bang for your buck, and better for the environment!) but Cost Plus is definitely the next best thing.

I can't wait to fall asleep under cascading capiz shells! Sweet beachy dreams to you all.

Chandelier can be found at Cost Plus.

Things I Would Like

This Dress

I just LOVE this dress. I picture myself casually arranging flowers in it, just like the model. In my fantasy I've also grown long, wavy hair. I may have spent too much time staring at the picture.

These Books

Second only to my obsession with the dress is my obsession with the Clothbound Penguin Classics. I want every single book, but I'm especially excited about Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and Alice in Wonderland. If they ever come out with Les Miserables, I might faint.

The Scene

In a perfect world, I'd be wearing the Anthropologie dress while reading a Clothbound Penguin Classic, preferably in a meadow on a sunny afternoon.

I'd use this bike to get there.

We'd also have world peace.

The dress is from Anthropologie, the books are Clothbound Penguin Classics and can be found for $13 each on Amazon, and the bike is a beach cruiser from XYZ Beach Cruisers.