A BLOG BY LINDSY READ

Friday, September 25, 2015

39 Weeks

top and skirt: thrifted. shoes: Dr. Scholls. bag: Lily Jade.






















I saw the doctor yesterday! Not dilated. Not effaced. Very swollen. (I mean, look at my limbs in these pictures!) The good news is that Baby Brother seems to have dropped because my heartburn is gone and my capacity for food has grown. They say the weather is taking a turn today and I'm very excited to put on my fall clothes after the baby arrives. Other than that, just waiting. Patiently waiting. 

That's it for now. How are you doing?

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

3 Tips for a Versatile Nursery

3 Tips for a Versatile Nursery
 By Jennifer Riner

 Designing a nursery can prompt parents to purchase tiny furnishings or expensive child-like accessories. After a couple years, however, children want a “grown up” space that reflects their newest hobbies – which no longer include the baby-themed décor you previously chose. Why not create a space that can grow with your kids, rather than redesign every few years? Here are three tips to create a nursery that can easily convert into a toddler’s room and beyond.



 1. Opt for Stylish Furniture 
 Furnishings, in general, are costly, so it doesn’t make financial sense to spend a lot on small, baby- themed pieces. Instead of purchasing pieces with cartoon characters or sports memorabilia etched in the wood, opt for plain, well-designed furniture. If you absolutely need color, find pieces online or at resale or consignment shops that you can paint in fun shades or designs, then easily sand and repaint in the future. Color aside, if you wouldn’t place a piece of furniture anywhere else in your house, it’s probably not a smart pick. One day your kids will leave for college and you’ll want an extra guest room, and that Disney character-shaped side table won’t cut it in an empty nest.

 2. Incorporate Small Baby-Themed Designs 
 Of course you want to design a space that is going to inspire and delight the little ones. While you should keep the big stuff neutral, incorporate accent pieces that are age-appropriate for your baby. Hang illustrations of your baby’s favorite animal, or pull in colorful throw rugs and fuzzy pillows. These fun accoutrements are interesting without overwhelming the room. In the future, you can always take these pieces and scatter them throughout the rest of the home as a reminder of yesteryear.

 3. Create a Timeless Theme 
 The simplest way to begin designing a room is by selecting a muse piece and then outfitting the rest of the space to complement it. The piece should be something fun for babies, toddlers, kids, pre- teens and so on, and then your child always has a staple piece in their room they can be inspired by. For a feminine touch, classic patterned curtain panels, such as toile, easily transition the bedroom from little girl to grown woman. If you’re not sure of what to choose as your inspiration, try hometown themes. Parents living on the East Coast might select nautical staples for their kids’ rooms. Or, if you’re looking for homes in Nashville for your family, vintage vinyls and an old record player are fitting. A home design accessory that reflects the vibe of your child’s hometown can become a memento, and they can take that with them into their future abodes as a reminder of home.

 You don’t have to spend a fortune on redesigning your kid’s room as they get older. If you start with a smart, neutral nursery with just a few touches of fun, you can save money and keep your kid feeling comfortable in their space for years to come. For more nursery design inspiration, visit Zillow Digs.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Jamie + Micah's Wedding Day in Franklin, TN






Two of the sweetest people who ever lived got married last month at a private home in Franklin, Tennessee. We had the honor of photographing their very special, intimate wedding ceremony and reception. My favorite part was Jamie's dress, handmade by her mom, and her hilarious vows which included a little bit of rapping. I also loved the way Micah looked at her all day. He is smitten, for sure. The wedding speeches, by Micah's long time best friend and Jamie's big sister, were so indicative of their deep friendship with one another and the genuine love they have for each other their many friends. We're blessed just to know you two! Congratulations, Jamie and Micah!



































































































Love,
Lindsy + Dan


Monday, September 14, 2015

Do Something

Do you ever feel like you want to do something but you dont know what to do? Something meaningful? Something interesting?  In the Northwest, I'd get this feeling and I'd head out for a hike. We used to hike almost every weekend. In Nashville there are beautiful parks with trails but they pale in comparison. So, I haven't done much hiking and now we live in the middle of the city. A city filled with need. We see some interesting characters walking around this city and that sparks an urge to do something, too. There are about 4,000 homeless individuals in Nashville but I'd bet that there are tens of thousands more who are down-and-out, living off minimum wage or squeaking by on food stamps.

Liam has never met a stranger. He wants to meet just about everyone he sees. So, I thought that an appropriate way to reach our community and relieve the itch to do something was to take treats out into the community around us. I like to bake but I dont like to eat what I bake. A morsel, yes. But several dozen cookies have no place in my kitchen unless I'm about to have a party. Liam also loves to bake!

At first I thought we'd sit on the stoop of our building with a little box of cookies and offer them to anyone who walked by but we both got too antsy to wait. There was a man on a smoke break across the street and Liam started shouting, "Wanna cookie?" across three lanes of traffic. I pulled my pregnant butt off the stoop and waddled across the street with the cookies. The man didn't want a cookie but his co-workers son did. It brought us so much joy to give one away. Then we walked a bit further and met Molly. She was a friendly lady from Montana. She and her friend took two cookies each. I think she was homeless and she was most certainly a meth user. She gave Liam a black balloon and it made his day and she was so grateful for the cookies.

We met about 7 more people on our trip around the block. None of them wanted a cookie. A few were unimpressed by our cookies but I think we brought joy to most of them. The conversations I had with Liam tonight were amazing. Something as easy as an afternoon of baking cookies and taking a walk to meet our "neighbors" taught him (and me!) a thing or two about thinking of other people. 

This idea was not my own. I first read about this about 4 years ago on Carina's blog. She called it Bakin it to the Streets. I'm not sure if she's still doing it but I haven't forgotten it. I'm finally in a place - literally, spiritually and emotionally - where I can start. Even though I'm 2.5 weeks from my due date, I can still bake cookies or buy donuts and give them out to someone who needs a little attention. And I'm teaching my son that life's not about serving ourselves and that we have a joy that we must share.


For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in... 
I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me. - Matthew 25: 35 & 40




Friday, September 04, 2015

36 Weeks



This may be my last outfit post. I'm running out of clothing options and places to go! I'm shooting a wedding next week and have a few meetings scheduled in September and those may be my only opportunities -- or reasons -- to dress up! It's all about comfort at this point.

Baby brother weighs about 6 pounds and is the size of a head of romaine lettuce. He's still moving a lot and he's a strong boy, too. I'm seeing the doctor every week now. Start placing bets on his arrival date! My sister, Andrea, has been engaged for ....EVER! and her wedding is in Portland, Oregon a week after I'm due. Saddest thing ever. If he's early and I'm feeling up for it, we'll high tail it outta here. But, I've just had so many friends go a week ... 10 days... 2 weeks past due on their first and feel miserable afterward. I'm not sure how likely it is that we'll make it out. My dad thinks baby will arrive on Andrea's wedding day. That's just how things go sometimes, right? Call it the Law of the Universe or God's sense of humor. Either way, I'm betting he arrives that day, too!

Photos by Blair of Wild and Precious.

hat: street vendor in Florence, Italy. glasses: David Kind Louis in Citrine Quartz. t-shirt: Target. skirt: Stitchfix. shoes: Converse.




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