Quilts by Natalie Aerin

My baby quilt shop is officially open! I hope you'll hop over and take a look if you're shopping for a baby gift. I did my best to put together fabrics that are cheerful and fun, and I tried to keep things modern with the colorblock design. The quilts are generously sized at 36x48 inches, so hopefully, they can stick around when a baby becomes a toddler and even a little kid. The quilts are all limited edition based on fabric availability, so I'll be adding new designs to the shop as time goes on. I've had so much fun creating each quilt. I truly hope you like them!

New Ventures and Adventures

As you may have noticed, it's been quite awhile since this blog has been updated. It unfortunately fell by the wayside in the midst of settling into Savannah, freelance writing and househunting. We closed on our first home yesterday!!!

Also, my creative energies have been focused elsewhere. I'm launching an Etsy shop! Once Harrison was born, I just couldn't stop myself from buying fabric and designing baby quilts. It became a bit of a hobby, so I've decided to see if it can be something more. With the help of my mom, I've created 8 designs (a few of which are pictured above), and the shop should be up next week! I'm excited to take the leap and try something new. Hopefully, blogging will resurface in some form, but for now, you can find me on Instagram.

Speaking of Instagram, I have a little quilt contest happening over there if you want to check it out!

Hanging Out

We're still searching for a home in Savannah, but I'm already thinking about lounging in one of these hammocks with a tall glass of lemonade. Hopefully, we'll find a place for it soon.

L.A. Vacation Family Photos

During our California trip, we stayed in a charming rental home in Los Angeles with the loveliest enclosed patios full of succulents and citrus trees. My dear friend Amy of Reams Photo paid us a visit from San Diego and did an impromptu family photo shoot for us one afternoon because the setting and light were just too pretty to pass up. I love how she captured this moment in time for our family. These are a few of my favorites.

D is for Dog

This canine alphabet poster would make a fun addition to a gallery wall or be a great gift for a dog show enthusiast like myself. I'm happy to see my favorite Old English Sheepdog represented, and I'm always impressed when those tricky Q, X and Z categories can be filled.

Thoughts of the Week

Spiked lemonade all summer long.

I've always dreamed about living in some sort of repurposed space. This home in an 1850s church is amazing.

Who'd have thought Band-Aids could be so stinkin' cute?

Give me all the donuts please.

Also, all the donut waffles.

Ready to start my pool float collection.

I'm hairstyle-impaired, but this one seems doable.

Love this cute and classic front porch!

I hope you have a fun weekend planned! We'll be continuing our house hunt and celebrating my brother's birthday. Life still feels chaotic at the moment, which is why posts here have been so sporadic. I hope to find a routine again soon, and I hope you can forgive me. This Clickhole article comes to mind. ;) Happy Friday, friends!

We Made It

We made it to Savannah! I think packing and moving top my list of least favorite activities, but we pushed through with the help of my mom -- we desperately needed an extra set of hands to seal boxes and hold baby. Now we're settling in, searching for a home and enjoying being so close to family. I'm excited about our life in the lowcountry and seeing what unfolds next.

Family Photos at Joshua Tree

During our California vacation, we stayed at Joshua Tree National Park for one night. I'd come across these beautiful family photos a while back, so I wanted to take some of our own during our brief stay. Despite the hot sun, a rattlesnake sighting (eep!), and Harrison getting a face full of sand, we managed to capture a few sweet moments. It seemed fitting to share them today since I'll be enjoying my first Mother's Day this weekend. I'm so happy to be a part of our fun, little family. Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful women out there!

The Road Leads Back to You

We're back from California, and I can't wait to share more about our trip, but first, a life update. After just over a year in Austin -- a very eventful year -- we've decided to move yet again. We're headed to Savannah, Georgia! It's my hometown, the place where Jonah and I got married, and all of my family lives there. Things came together quickly as they tend to do once we step out in faith, so the next couple of weeks will be filled with packing and moving. I never thought I'd have the chance to live in Savannah again, since we've opted for big cities throughout our marriage, but a baby -- and remote work opportunities -- can change everything. We're excited to be near family and settle in for a while, and I'm excited to rediscover my home. Hope you'll stick around for our next adventure!

California, Here We Come

We're flying to L.A. today for a nice long California vacation. We have lots of friends to introduce to Harrison, there's a new baby girl we get to meet, and we're just excited to relax, check out some shops and food trucks and enjoy the sunshine. Follow along on instagram if you like. Have a great weekend!

Food Tees

 

I think our little family of three could use a set of these shirts. Next on the list, donut tees.

Frocktails: Girly Grapefruit

For this frocktail, I've teamed up with Q Drinks. Their sodas are delicious, made with natural ingredients and perfect for adding a little fizz and flavor to cocktails. I stirred up a GG Thiz, a tasty, slightly savory cocktail using thyme simple syrup, lime juice, gin and sparkling grapefruit soda. 

It's a perfect shade of pale pink, so I paired it with this sweet floral dress from Gap. It's casual but cute, has a flattering flared skirt and deal-sealing pockets. A drink and a dress fit for spring!

GG Thiz
Recipe courtesy of Q Drinks

2 oz. gin
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
1/2 oz. thyme syrup
6 oz. Q Grapefruit or other sparkling grapefruit soda
Lime wedge or slice for garnish

To make thyme syrup, dissolve 1 cup of granulated sugar in 1 cup of water, while heating to a simmer in a small sauce pan. Once simmering, remove from heat, add 5 thyme sprigs and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain and cool.

Fill a highball glass with ice, pour in the gin, fresh lime juice and thyme syrup. Top with Q Grapefruit and garnish with a lime.

Dress found here. See past frocktail posts.

Teething Toys

We're at a phase now where everything Harrison gets his hands on goes straight to his mouth -- so we may as well give him something cute to gnaw on. These teethers from Little Sapling Toys are handcrafted from maple, naturally anti-bacterial, and I love the simple, modern look.

Pull Up a Chair

I tend to be drawn to color in almost all cases, but when it comes to dining chairs, I'm not so sure. I love each of these shades, but I wonder if colorful chairs in bulk are too much of a statement. What do you think? Is it better to go with neutrals in the dining room?

[spotted here: yellow; blue; coral; mint]

Pretty Playing Cards

I don't give much thought to decks of cards. They're one of those things that I don't remember buying, but I always have stashed away somewhere in a junk drawer. But these two beautiful decks designed by Karla Pruitt put other cards to shame. I'm already inspired to play solitaire and host poker nights more often.

Thoughts of the Week

I've got Easter on the brain this week. This Easter bark is too clever.

Bunny ears to make your ice cream cute.

And the Easter basket of my dreams.

Also, I can never resist a pavlova.

I love the style of this Chicago condo.

Macaron ice cream?! Yes please forever and ever.

Hope you have some fun in store this weekend and spring is in the air wherever you are. We're heading to Houston -- dog, baby and all -- to celebrate Jonah's birthday! Harrison's bringing his new sunglasses.