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Casual Friday: July 28, 2017

July 28, 2017

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

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I’m remembering all over again how difficult the final days and weeks of pregnancy are. I feel like I’ve been going 100 mph and this week, at 39 weeks, it all came crashing down. Off and on contractions–sometimes for 12 hours at a time–that was disappointing. The sheer exhaustion contrasted by the urge to clean all the things. Getting stuck sitting on the floor with only Faye to help me up (feel free to laugh at that one.) We have had landscapers here all week working on the side yard (ahh! it’s looking so good!)  and called in someone to help with the bathroom downstairs, since I no longer feel capable. Subconsciously, I don’t know if I have felt ready to have this little girl with so much going on, but I am trying to clear my mind and my schedule so that, you know, I can relax a little and have a BABY!

Speaking of our third little girl, we’ve had a lot of inquiries about her name. While we do have a name picked out (and on lockdown until her arrival), deciding on a third name for a girl that goes with Greta and Faye took some time. So we thought we’d share the top 10 other names that we liked or loved, but won’t be using.

As far as boy names go, we’ve never really got too deep into that discussion. But there are 4 favorites that we always kept in our back pockets, just in case: Linus, Ernest, Frank and Teddy. <3

Other fun things this week!

Melissa’s “Minnesota Modern Backyard” transformation is beyond inspiring. It was such an awkward shape and she transformed it into something beautiful and functional and d-r-e-a-m-y.

This clean and classic growth chart (that I’m obsessed with) is on sale for $10–but it only goes up to 5′. Which is kind of a problem for us because our 7 year old is already 4’8″!! Ha!

• This week, I was sent some really beautiful flowers and I realized that despite fighting it for so long, YES! BUY ME ALL THE FLOWERS. But also, clean counters will always brighten my day, too.  (Side note: This post about really beautiful faux greenery and how to style them was definitely noted–how are those not real!?)

Land Of Nod is having their Friends & Family sale, and EVERYTHING is at least 20% off. I’ve got my eye on this polar bear play mat, these cuter than cute rattles, and if you’ve never checked out their lighting section–it’s NOT just for kids. This super chic plug-in wall sconce is on sale for $79 and I’d put it in my living room in a heartbeat, and I’ve seen so many people utilize these clip on modern brass lamps (on sale for $47) in beautiful shelving.

• I did something I’ve never done this week and sold something on eBay! Some of you may remember last year I bought a nice (but expensive) tilt-shift lens for my camera. I ended up only using it once or twice before I realized I actually didn’t prefer it. It’s been boxed up ever since. I’ve had my eye on the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens–which I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about, but the price tag has had me hesitating, even though I knew it would be a good investment for improving my photography and for the blog. I decided to make a listing on eBay (it was actually really easy) for my tilt-shift lens. I did an auction starting at $950 and it ended up selling for over $1300 (!!)–which funded nearly all of my new lens that I’m loving so much. Have you ever sold anything on eBay? I’m already ready to try again!

• Lastly, I ventured into the baby section of the Nordstrom sale (so many cute things!) and fell hard for these 6 things:

Hope you all have a happy weekend. Send me all the positive labor vibes you got!

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What do you think?

  1. Nice lens! You know its a good lens when it costs nearly the same price as a good body of a camera! Do you have a full-frame camera? Which one do you have?

    Can’t wait to see the finished backyard!

  2. I can’t believe Greta is already 4′-8″! I’m only 4′-11″ tall and at 38 am not getting any taller!
    Winnie is a great name and I’m glad it made your list, even if not chosen. My favorite Aunt growing up was a Winnie… Taunte Winnie….just thinking of her makes me smile. :-) I also love that classic “old fashioned” names are coming back like Rose and Evelyn. My husbands grandmother was named Evelyn (Eve, Evie) and I thought it was so beautiful. Rest up!

  3. Winnie G says:

    LOL. Not gonna lie…. I like the fact that Winnie was even ON your list. Best wishes to you on your last days of pregnancy!

  4. Emily says:

    Hope your last few days are restful! Can’t wait to see pictures and hear the name! I’m due in December with our first boy and we plan to name him Louis (Louie, Lou)!! Did you end up getting the dock-a-tot? I’ve been very curious about those. Best wishes to you!

  5. Jen says:

    I have a strong hunch your third little girl will be named Ingrid. I can’t explain it! Just a hunch. But maybe I’m projecting my girl name pick onto you. Right now I’m 15 weeks pregnant, and we just found out it’s a boy, so no girl names for us this time.

    Good luck! I hear labor is a little easier and a lot shorter each time, so I wish that for you.

  6. Monica says:

    Out of the names you aren’t using, I would pick Vera for your 3rd little one. I think it goes nicely with the other two and is such a pretty name. Also, I had a great aunt named that. :) I also like Hazel, as another commenter said. But, I can’t wait to hear what you actually name her. :) Hope you can get lots of rest this weekend!

  7. Jenna says:

    Sooooo excited for baby girl!!!! Claire was going to be Linus if she was a boy. Love you guys. Get some rest!

  8. Laurel says:

    My son’s name is Linus! It’s quite unusual, esp in Australia where we live but it’s a name my husband love and agreed on immediately.

    And I have all the feels for you right now being in that home stretch. Linus is our second child and it was definitely harder in those last few weeks than with my first!

  9. Danielle says:

    I just finished looking through your home tour and everything is just so STUNNING-down to the smallest details. I’ve got 3300+ sq/ft of home that is mostly just hodge podge put together, I so wish I could snap my fingers and duplicate your whole place. Nicely done on a beautiful home with style, comfort, and character!

  10. MamaBaer says:

    We thought about Theodore for our son and calling him Theo. Luckily my husband pointed out one possible nickname. Teddy. He would have been Teddy Baer. Not in the cards for us, whomp whomp.

  11. Arielle says:

    I remember those last weeks of pregnancy well! Hope the tail end of pregnancy is good to you! My little Linus is 6 months old. I got a lot of resistance to his name but I knew it was for him. Love that you like it but I selfishly want it to remain obscure!

  12. Desi says:

    Ah! My oldest is named Ernest! He is four.

  13. Nina says:

    Good luck with baby and may you have a smooth delivery that is an overall positive experience! I still think you’re going to name the new babe Hazel!

  14. Beret says:

    Thanks for the heads up on the Land of Nod sale. I have been eyeing a bookcase from there forever and it is the last bit of furniture we need to finish off the little one’s nursery. I cannot wait to get all of the books off the floor and on display! Happy Friday!

  15. Courtney says:

    I’m due with a boy in 3 weeks but I think a cute girl name that would go with your daughters’ names is Cora ???? Wishing you a speedy and painless delivery!????

  16. Mel says:

    Best wishes for a TV-style labor (47 minutes or less and you’re calm and glowing afterward)!

  17. Diana says:

    My husband was set on Clementine, but thankfully I talked him into Olive instead. I can’t wait to hear what you chose.

  18. Megan says:

    DockATots are life changing and worth every penny. We didn’t get one until my son was 3 months old and from day 1 went from sleeping no more than 4 hours at a time to sleeping 9+!! Love your blog!

  19. Renee says:

    The hardest part of naming multiple children was making sure the names all go together! I’m looking forward to hear what you picked.

    I love Land of Nod for not just children. My husband’s and my duvet cover is from there.

    I hope your little girl makes her appearance soon.

  20. Sarah says:

    Linus is our #1 boy name!

  21. Jenn Cooley says:

    Good luck on your last week or so of pregnancy!

    I just ordered and received this growth chart from Hiltow on Amazon. I too was eyeing the growth chart at H&M. This one from Hiltow is very similar and goes a little past 6ft.
    https://www.amazon.com/Hiltow-Personalized-Canvas-Height-Growth/dp/B01N1QD0K6

    • Amanda Savarino says:

      Thanks so much for linking to that growth chart Jenn! I just clicked straight over to Amazon & bought it.
      My boys just outgrew the one we’ve been using for the last 12 years and I’ve been looking for a cute one that goes high enough! They may still outgrow the new one but it’ll buy us a few more years hopefully.

  22. Carrie says:

    Hi, how do you mark the growth chart?

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