Ask Design Mom — Curly Hair

A Few Things

Thank you for all the sweet comments about my belly shots. You totally made my day. No, my week! Which reminds me, is anyone else having one of those particularly crazy-packed weeks? I swear, I am barely keeping up. On the list today is more gift shopping — Ben Blair’s birthday is on Sunday. Yay! Any fun plans for you this weekend?
To keep you company till Monday, here are a few things I’ve been meaning to share with you:
-I find these age maps fascinating.
-In celebration of the warmer weather I want to buy these new rainbow stamps.
-Best announcement of a new baby I’ve ever seen. Love it!
-Tips on visiting Paris from NotMartha.
-A new, smart idea for hanging photos/artwork (pictured above with the lovely orange sofa). I want to copy this.
-The table base built of pipes is so good-looking (2nd photo). I want to copy this too.
-Don’t you think Ben Blair and I should spend a weekend here? (via Apartment Therapy)
-I think this is the favorite image I saw this week.
-Ummm. The cleverest cupcake kits ever.
-Just in case you haven’t seen it yet, OK GO’s newest video. It is amazing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w]
Thank you so much for reading. I woke up this morning thinking of you and grateful that you stop by my blog. I’m smiling now just thinking about it. Have a great weekend!!
P.S. — Don’t forget to enter my Tracey Clark Giveaway — it’s open till Monday.
Knight Party












A Few Things
Hello Friends! I am signing off early today. We are hosting a birthday party for Oscar tomorrow morning and aside from a list of notes and ideas, I have zero preparations in order. I will be spending today’s hours running errands and making favors and keeping house. To keep you company in my absence, here are a few things I’ve been meaning to share with you:
-A lone house on a huge cliff. This seems unreal. Via Unruly Things.
-These printed jars from Burgon & Ball will make you smile.
-Have you been following the Blog It Forward posts organized by Victoria? I’m addicted.
-Dying over this home tour on Decor8. I’m usually drawn to intense color. But this is muted and heavenly as well.
-The design blogs are all a buzz with the new Liberty of London for Target line. Can’t wait to see it in person.
-Japanese design love.
-Classy axes? Why not.
-Some Design Mom mentions around the web —
a) Chrysula interviews me about Work/Life Balance
b) Anna dissects my partnership with Mayflower last spring (it’s like a how-to on working with blog sponsors)
c) Cool Mom Picks likes my maternity wardrobe. Thanks, ladies!
d) During Alt Summit, Studio 5 interviewed Grace of Design*Sponge, Heather of Dooce and little old me about blogging. I keep forgetting to share the link — here it is.
-The very best shots of the Winter Olympics.
–A bride in orange shoes.
-Let’s all run away and join a gypsy caravan.
–What a fun sofa! Would this work in your home?
Have a wonderful weekend. Don’t miss the gorgeous Jo Totes Giveaway (two winners!). And wish me luck with the birthday party. I need all the luck I can get with this one. : )
lovely image via Chelsea.
A Few Things

So what are your plans this weekend? Ben Blair and I have a hot date tonight — he hasn’t told me where yet, but I’m already looking forward to it. Saturday morning we’ll have our Valentine Breakfast for the kids — because church starts too early on Sunday. : )
Please do have a wonderful weekend and the loveliest of Valentine Days. Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share:
Red and White Rooms.
Don’t you want this office in a closet? From Apartment Therapy.
A sneak peek at the gorgeous Defining A Movement Exhibit that’s part of the Mom 2.0 Summit. I have a couple of photographs in the exhibit. Which is totally nerve-wracking to me — because you know I’m not a trained photographer.
The Weird Book Room at Abe Books.
Maybe the coolest installation art I’ve seen in awhile.
Go see! Spring/Summer has arrived at Harvey Faircloth.
A 12×12 cube home. With a dishwasher!
Sweetest sentiment the week.
Ruffle-y-est DIY cardigan of the week.
Happy or sad? Fashion week is moving from the tents at Bryant Park to Lincoln Center. (I spent some happy hours in those tents. Glad I have those memories.)
I hope your weekend is full of LOVE images. And more LOVE images. See you on Monday!
image via Design Crush, via Owlgardens
Done.



A Few Things

We’re in the car, on our way to Copper Mountain for a ski weekend. The drive through the Rockies to the ski resorts is gorgeous. (The entire state of Colorado is gorgeous.) And this will be 3-year-old Betty’s first time on skis — I hope she loves it.
What are you doing this weekend? Anything fun? Here are some links to help you celebrate till Monday:
-The NY Public Library has a flickr page? Oh. I could get lost here. via Swissmiss.
–Supermarket Sarah has the coolest shop ever. Right in her house. Would you ever do this?
-NotMartha shares some photos of what has caught her eye lately. I LOVE this glimpse into her thoughts.
-Liz spotted some really amazing jewelry. Worth several visits to admire.
-What? A Daily Ampersand Project? Happiness. Via Greedy Girl.
-Blushing. Eliza Magazine featured me in their Best Bloggers article.
-Lunch with Seth Godin to benefit Haiti — thanks to Startup Princess. Only a week away.
-Look at the pretty little heart made of metal on these diecut Valentine cards.
-While I prepare this post, my older kids are watching Project Runway. I’m really enjoying this season. What do you think. Are you glad they’re back in New York?
–Oooooh. The talented Nate Berkus is offering free Twitter Backgrounds. New designs each month.
-Online photo classes from the amazing Nicole Hill starting right away.
-My sister Jordan has been sharing photos of her newly redesigned living room.
Friends, wish us luck on the ski slopes and have a terrific weekend. Don’t forget to enter my lovely giveaway from Baby Bear Shop. There are luscious lip balm kissing kits(!) to get you ready for Valentine’s Day. Three winners will be announced on Monday.
kisses,
Gabrielle
A Few Things
Today I was reminded how wimpy I am compared to my pioneer ancestors — and most of the population of Planet Earth. When we woke this morning, the temperature in our house was 53 degrees. (The heat had stopped working in the night — it was speedily fixed this morning and we’re now a toasty 70 degrees again.) I realize 53 degrees is nowhere near freezing, but you would think it was the trial of the century the way I shivered in my sheets. Could I be more ridiculous?
Here are a few things I’ve been wanting to share with you:
-I’ve never been a consistent journal keeper, but I might be able to keep up with this. And it’s pretty.
-What it looks like to fly into Salt Lake City.
-Can I give some sort of prize to her for Happiest Idea?
–Book jackets (with coordinating bookmarks) make me happy. Especially Sherlock’s pipe.
-This photo series of “rusty neutrals” feels like January looks.
-Whoorl found the greatest invention of the decade. You will want this too.
-The prettiest winter festival I have ever seen. I might need to put this on my life list (if I had a life list).
-I still have houses on the brain. This one is the favorite I saw this week.
-The proper way to celebrate a 90th(!) birthday.
-School kids from PS22 sing the Alicia Keyes/Jay-Z New York Anthem. So wonderful. (Thanks, Etta!)
-This series of “hiding” photos made me look. Twice.
-Who knew a commercial about wearing your seatbelt could be so beautiful?
Have a terrific weekend. I hope your weekend feels like the cozy image above.
What to Wear When You’re Expecting






A Few Things

My Curves


Am I allowed to say I’m enjoying my new-found curvy-ness? I can’t pretend I’m truly voluptuous, but when I compare my new B-cups to my usual can’t-fill-an-A-cup-and-boring-hips-self, I feel like I should qualify as a lingerie model. : )
It’s not that my body looks any different this pregnancy (compared to previous pregnancies), I think it’s mostly that this house has a giant mirror right outside the shower so I’m seeing myself nekkid more often. (My lovely new chest caught my eye the other morning and I called out: Ben Blair, come check me out — I’m totally hot!)

This stage of pregnancy is the best for me. The sickness is 95% over. My energy is great. I haven’t ballooned to an unreasonable size yet — so I can still sleep comfortably. Maternity clothes finally fit, so I don’t have to jimmy my pants to try to keep them up. It’s quite lovely.
Ben Blair took these photos yesterday morning while I was getting ready. He pulled out the camera when we realized the only glimpse of my baby belly that had been recorded is in the HP video. We’re going to attempt to get lots of shots from now on.
Are you curvy, Dear Readers? Even when you’re not pregnant? (I think I’m jealous.) Do you like the way you look when you are pregnant?


Nightlight





Potato Print Clothing










Embellished Gloves

This was Betty’s first year making gifts and I really wasn’t sure what she should make. But we were in the checkout line at JoAnn’s on Saturday and saw these “one-size” gloves for $1 each. We bought 4 pairs and figured we would come up with something to do with them when we got home. This is what we did:



1) For Olive, we used a green pair and applied purple glitter with mod podge on the cuffs. I can’t imagine the glitter will stay permanently affixed, but Betty really wanted to do something with glitter and I figured why not. At least they’ll be cute coming out of the box.

2) For Maude, we used a grey pair and sewed on a small bow with a black button. 3-year-old Betty can’t sew — but she could pull the needle when I pushed it through the button. And she thought that was delightful.

3) For Ralph, we used a black pair. We cut circles out of felt and hot glued them to the cuff. Betty could trace the circles using a stencil and a marker.

4) For Oscar, we used a navy pair and letter stencils and fabric paint to write his name across the gloves.
Since we already had all the supplies (except the gloves) in the craft cupboard, this was definitely our least expensive sibling gift project at $4. Whenever the kids ask Betty what she made, she answers, “Ssssshhh. I can’t tell you it’s gloves. It’s a surprise.”
Want more ideas? Here are some links to other sibling gifts we’ve made:
– Jumpropes
– Ribbon flowers (as belts, clips and hairpins)
– Glitter Initials
– Decoupaged Sketchbook
– Tutu, decoupaged bucket for matchbox cars, after-school bags, tiedye tees
– Flower headbands
– Wool mittens from recycled sweaters, embellished dragon mittens, sculpey bracelets, bibs, snowglobes and romper stompers made from cans
– Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
– Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
– Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover
– Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
– Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover
Jump Ropes

Ribbon Flowers





Glitter Initials

After the sketchbook, we worked on Oscar’s gifts. This was the first year Oscar was really able to make presents for everybody and he was really into it. As a preschooler, he is fairly obsessed with alphabet letters, so we thought this was the perfect idea: Glitter Initials — to be put on a bedroom shelf as decoration. A little bit kitsch-ier than I prefer for sibling gifts, but an ideal project for a 4-year-old.
First, Oscar and I made a trip to the craft store to pick out wooden cutouts of each sibling’s first initial. There were lots of different styles and sizes to choose from. Oscar had definite opinions.

Next we came home and Oscar interviewed each sibling about his/her favorite color. He drew a picture of the sibling and made a note about color preferences. Then it was time to glue and glitter.

Oscar painted on glue with foam brush, picked out the favorite color of glitter, and got to shaking. (Mom’s job was to return unused glitter to its bottle.) The whole project took about 15 minutes and Oscar couldn’t have been more pleased with himself.
Once they were dry we wrapped them up before the rest of the kids snuck into the work room.
More DIY sibling gift ideas here.
Decoupaged Sketchbook





Ask Design Mom — Having Another Child

Ask-Design-Mom-Questions:
I have a strong yearning for another child and am looking for an infallible way to decide whether to take the plunge (just joking, I know it’s a leap of faith, but am looking for advice from people who might know about these things). What factors would do you take into consideration upon deciding whether to have another child? Thanks for taking the time to answer. — Sarah
Hi Gabrielle. I would like to have a big family as well. I’m married almost 2 years and we are looking to start our family in a year or so. A few questions: How far apart are your children in age? Did you plan to have so many children? Did you plan to have them x amount of years apart? Thanks. — Venessa
Design Mom Answer: These are such worthy questions. Thank you for sending them, Sarah and Venessa. The answer to how many kids you should have and how they should be spaced is, of course, super personal. And everyone reading has a different opinion and answer.
I’ll share what my basic plan was. And hopefully readers will let you know how they’ve come to their family-size decisions as well. I need to make very clear: this was our plan. I’m not advocating it to anyone else. Period.
When I married at 21, I talked with Ben Blair about a basic plan. We both came from big families and wanted lots of kids. I wanted to be done bearing children by 35 — the age many risks increase. (Edit: apparently 35-as-riskier is a bit of a myth — but I didn’t know that at 21.) So I thought: let’s have our 1st at 23 (when we’re done with school) and then have one every other year at 25, 27, 29, 31. And if we want more, we can have #6 at 33 and #7 at 35. Done and done.
How it really happened: we had our first at 23, our 2nd at 24, our 3rd at 27, our 4th at 30 and 5th at 31. Number 6 is due when I’m 35.
Basically, as soon as we made the plan we discovered we had no control over the plan. Very few of us are lucky enough to conceive or adopt exactly when and where we want to. And very few of us have such an ordered life and are wise enough that the plans we make at 21 still make sense at 31.
Bottom line: feel free to make a plan, but get really comfortable with the idea that the plan might not work. Some people (including me) find praying helps them feel settled about the decisions they make for their family. Others depend on counsel from friends and loved ones. Ultimately, I hope you’ll feel confident that you can know what’s best for your family.
Dear Readers, how about you? How many kids do you want to have? Are you done? How do you decide when to add more children to your families?
Ask Design Mom — Homemade Gifts Kids can Make


– Bubble bath, circle loom scarf
– Ribbon barrettes, painted t-shirt
– Bean bags, heating pad, hand chalk (for gymnastics), iPod cover
I hope you find these links and ideas helpful. What about you Dear Readers? Do your kids make gifts for their siblings? What are they making this year?