Nursery Moodboard

Today is the first day of my third trimester (woohoo!) so that means it's time to hunker down and get started on the nursery! Here are some initial ideas on Little Miss Walton's room. I'm sure things will change once I actually get started, but it's been fun to brainstorm. I used the ipad App "Moodboard" to create this page. The bright colors didn't totally translate, still getting the hang of this new app, but you can get the idea. My friend Ximena also had the idea of doing a chevron wall like this. Could be a serious undertaking, but so worth it!

1. Guy Webster The Mamas and the Papas print 2. Paris cutout map 3. Etsy felt garlands 4. Dwell roman shades 5. Butterfly print 6. Chevron diaper caddy 7. Oeuf sparrow crib 8. Dwell striped rug 9. Little Auggie bedding 10. Taj baby blanket 11. Globe light 12. Rugby stripe storage bin 13. Yellow hamper 14. Presidio glider 15. White dresser

One Year Anniversary

Yesterday was our one year wedding anniversary. What a year it's been! Charlie surprised me with a delicious dinner at our favorite "special occasion" Italian restaurant Giorgio Baldi's. Our friends, Michael and Joyce, were dining at a table nearby and bought us a delicious bottle of wine which was so sweet (I had to have a few sips of course.) As a big fan of traditions new and old, I wanted to share our new anniversary tradition with you. Lauren of the sphinx & the milky way gave us this amazing box of hand drawn shell note cards for our wedding. It was originally for guests to write us letters in, but as the chaos of the wedding weekend came to an end, we hadn't gotten anyone to write us notes. So, we decided to write a note to each other, seal it up, put it back in the box and open it a year later on our anniversary. We decided we would do this every year, so each anniversary we would have one to open and one to write. This box sits on our bookshelf and is not only beautiful to look at (thanks to Jesse's masterful woodwork stills) but it is also a treasured object filled with love. As a sucker for old traditions as well, tomorrow Charlie and I are picking out our "paper" gift signifying one year of marriage. We are getting a Guy Webster print to put in our nursery. I have my eye on The Mamas and the Papas iconic bus photo! As a wife and soon-to-be mother, I have been thinking a lot about traditions. There are some traditions (especially around the holidays) that are so deeply ingrained in me from my childhood: it isn't Christmas morning without my mom taking a photo of us "kids" on the stairs before we open any presents, or Ted wearing his red vest that has been in his family for generations. I'm curious, are you a fan of traditions? Do you follow old ones or have you made up your own? Here are some snapshots of our first tradition together as husband and wife...

Where to Find Us-Martha's Vineyard

Midnight Farm is a dreamy home, clothing and gift store located in Vineyard Haven. I have been a fan of this store for over a decade and even worked there as a shop girl when I was 17. My mom, Kate and I went in yesterday and witnessed two separate customers buying our candles-it was so exciting! My mom also stocked up on some really cute Christmas ornaments (see below). This store is a must see if you are visiting Martha's Vineyard. I always leave there with a treasure or two.

Vineyard Morning

I can't get over this gorgeous day!

Bump

My bump is getting bigger! Jessie of Sweet Thing took this photo on Sunday at Lauren's studio party.  You can see more photos of the lovely afternoon on Jessie's blog and Lauren's blog as well. It was the perfect girlie afternoon. Not only did we get to sip rosewater lemonade and snack on cinnamon covered almonds, but we got to see Lauren's beautiful new studio filled with her gorgeous artwork and each of us made mix CD's and we all left the party with 11 new mixes. Genius!
Tomorrow I get on a plane and head to Martha's Vineyard (yesssss!) for a week and then a quick trip to NYC for a wedding. I am gone for 10 days and I can't wait to eat clam chowder, play board games, read books and soak up some vineyard sun. Blogging might be scarce as our internet is a little spotty, but I will try to check in now and then.  I am desperately trying to knock off everything on my to-do list today so I can get there and just RELAX. I am knee deep in candle orders and emails, but the light at the end of the tunnel is near! And when I stop to look at the big picture, I am so thankful and grateful our little business is taking off, I wouldn't change a thing. xoxo

{photo by Jessie Webster of Sweet Thing}

Missoni for Target

Missoni for Target opens today! I am lining up at the store at 7:30am with my girlfriend and we are making a beeline for all things colorful and zig zagged. I need to get my hands on this onesie! And just for fun I need to check out this bike because it is too amazing not to see in person. I'm also loving this quilt, could be just the thing to spruce up my all white bed and I think Charlie would approve of the masculine colors. I can't buy any more pillows though, I need to curb my addiction or else there will be an intervention.

Loving East

I have been in an East mood lately. It's been the one and only candle burning in my house all summer. It's fruity sweet scent is perfect for hot summer days. The yellow glass is so bright and cheery and instantly puts me in a happy mood.  Shira over at Martha Stewart's The Bride's Guide is also loving East and included our candle in her "not your average candle" guide, pictured below. Thanks Shira!

{top photo by Kate Danson, bottom candle round up from The Bride's Guide}

Custom Candle Favors

As Shira over at The Bride's Guide announced, Nell's Compass has teamed up with the talented U+U to create custom candle favors! We are so excited about this partnership; we are huge fans of U+U and love that we are able to offer brides some fun unique favors. Take a look at our six designs and color options, all with custom names and date. All ordering info can be found online, and you can email me, lilly@nellscompass.com, with any questions. Alright, who's getting married?!?

{top photo, Martha Stewart Weddings, bottom photo U+U}

Long Weekend

I had the best long weekend in Ojai with six of my favorite girls (my book club!) We stayed up late telling embarrassing teenage stories, made s'mores and laughed for three days straight. This relaxing girls weekend was exactly what I needed to recharge after so much travel. I am feeling refreshed for the busy week ahead! Now that the gift shows are over, the real work begins with shipping orders, following up with contacts, and the most fun: brainstorming for what's next. Our goal is to add to our line for the next round of shows in January. So my business hat and creative hat are going to be working in high gear before the baby arrives (eek! that's not a lot of time). But for now, time to breathe and remember beautiful, tranquil Ojai...