TRADE :: a dayton, ohio studio

 

Brooke's desk is appropriately messy. Dotted with scraps of metals and lots of badass tools, I was drawn to the imperfection of this work surface.

My hometown of Dayton, OH has really become quite the hotbed for creative talent in recent years. I'm consistently blown away as I attend local art shows and craft fairs. One of my favorite of all these "Gem City" craftpersons is Brooke Medlin. I adore the simple and beautiful style of metal jewelry that she creates by hand, and own a number of her pieces.

I had visited her studio, TRADE, once before, and was instantly smitten. The old factory space with rough wood floors, exposed brick, and random-yet-artfully-spray-painted walls is just beautiful. I recently stopped in on a Sunday afternoon—when the lighting was just perfect—and took a couple pictures of the loft. I also got the pleasure of meeting Brooke's new studio mate, Katie Stratton of the blog Katie's Pencil Box. She was every bit as adorable and friendly as I had imagined. Katie and this space were recently featured on A Beautiful Mess, and I think that's pretty darn awesome!

A little jealous that you haven't yet basked in the awesomeness that is TRADE? Don't be! If you're local you will soon have your chance! This Sunday, May 19th, Brooke & Katie are hosting an open studio event. Stop by anywhere between 2pm and 4pm and enjoy free food, some coffee (yay!), a couple of the gals' pieces of art, and great company! I guarantee you'll leave a little more inspired than you entered. For full details, see the facebook event page.

This is Katie's wall of inspiration. I do believe we share the same love of washed out, dreamy, pastel color palettes. 

so airy and spacious!  

it's official. baby nugget is a boy!

Yup, we're having a little boy! Give me a second while I bid farewell to all those super sweet little girl dresses at Target....

....Okay. I'm back.

We're officially halfway through this gestation. So far Baby Boy Nugget is looking pretty healthy, based on our 20 week ultrasound. He must be going through a growth spurt because I've been pretty exhausted as of late. Baby brain is also kicking in full swing. I'm typing and re-typing most sentences because my first instinct is to spell everything phonetically. I'm making stupid errors on most projects at work that require any critical thinking beyond picking pretty colors. Also, any sort of task or planning beyond taking a nap or planning to take a nap sends me into an irrational panic.

I Digress. We're so excited to finally get to start buying clothes and preparing Nugget's room. I've got loads of inspiration saved on my Baby Spaces Pinterest board. I'm armed with ideas and a handy husband. It's time to make things nice and homey for this little guy!

Oh, and he already has my profile!

Pretty cute, huh?!

A week of milestones

Holy cow, this is a big week at Hopscotch HQ. First off, spring has finally happened here in Dayton, O.  I didn't think it'd ever happen. I even got a little sunburnt today when I went for a lunch time walk. Before that happened, though, I snapped a picture of this lovely blooming tree outside my office. It's just about to turn green, so I'm glad I took it when I did.

But even more importantly than that, we bought a new car! Poor Rodger had been driving my '99 Pontiac Grand Am basically into the ground. We weren't even sure if it was going to make it to the point in which our new Subaru CrossTrek was delivered. Rodg did a good job picking out the CrossTrek. It's a roomy, reliable, practical sort of car. Which is appropriate since he's soon to be a baby daddy and all.

Secondly, THIS GUY, light of my life, my favorite person ever, my moon and stars, Is turning 30 today! I can hardly believe the boy who I went to prom with is reaching this incredible milestone. Happy birthday, Rodg, I love you! 

Then—and maybe slightly more exciting than Rodg reaching 30 (sorry, dude)—we finally get to figure out the gender of our little nugget. This is provided he or she cooperates and gives us a good view of the goods. I'm gonna be happy either way, of course. I'm just excited to finally get to start buying stuff and really preparing for this little guy or girl. I know, you can buy gender neutral stuff, but yellow and green are only cool for so long. Yes, I'm gonna share this info with you, but it'll probably have to wait until next week after I've shared with my entire family. I know, you're waiting with bated breath...

(Bonus points goes to whoever can pick out the Game of Thrones reference written somewhere in this post)

bathroom re-do

Ever walk into an Ikea just to get a couple of ideas, and roll out with a brand new bathroom vanity or a similarly moderate-sized remodel project? Yup! Me, too! Ikea is a dangerous place.

A couple weeks ago, the Hubbs and I made the 45 minute drive south just to get some inspiration for how we might decorate the baby's room. Unfortunately, we weren't really blown away with their kid stuff. What we were smitten with was a beautifully sleek, double-basined bathroom sink and cabinet. I stood there, admiring this fancy basin and musing over how sick I was of our tiny pedastol sink, when the Hubbs suggested we just buy it. "That's crazy," I thought. We have a baby on the way, and two rooms to redo to accommodate the little nugget. But the more I thought about it, I had been admiring this particular bathroom set up for a couple of years. After standing there, amongst the swedish furnishings for what seemed like forever, we decided that if we didn't do it now, we'd never do it.

So here's the rough lay of the land for our bathroom re-do.

Orla Kiely handsoap - Target  ::  Edison bulb - Amazon  ::  Mercury glass trinket box - Anthropologie  ::  Danica Studio Odyssey shower curtain - Amazon  ::  faucets - Ikea  :: Godmorgan sink cabinet - Ikea  ::  Braviken sink basin - Ikea  ::  lightning bolt monogram towel - West Elm  ::  Striped monogramed towel - West Elm  :: Trashcan - Ikea

Above is the cabinet I mentioned. The actual sink has a connected basin, which adds to the awesomeness. This combo is so sleek and modern, though, that I've consciously brought in some vintage-esque details to balance it out. Mercury glass and Edison bulbs seem to add the right amount of vintage charm. I've kept the colors pretty muted, with light gray walls and white trim. There are also a couple of pops of silver, teal, and mustard yellow. They complement the cream and forest green tile in the flooring (which we unfortunately can't afford to swap out right now). And that gorgeous shower curtain? Does it get any cooler than that? Whimsical, clean and just a nod to nautical. I'm head over heels for it!

I can't wait to share the final product! I'm still figuring out what to do as far as artwork goes. Also, the shower curtain is on back order, so goodness knows when that will actually show up. But once the final details all come together, you'd better believe I'll have some nice before and after photos to share with you all!

P.S. If you feel like perusing some of my brainstorms or sourcing some of the items that might go in our bathroom, check out my Pinterest board.

my 1st trimester primal pregnancy survival guide

<<< Remember me? Sorry updates have been so sparse as of late. To say this first trimester of pregnancy has been rough would be an understatement. This picture is pretty indicative of how I've felt for the past several weeks (tired and shocked). I've finally started to get enough energy to start working out again, but I have little left for anything else—like blogging. Sadface.

My pregnancy was a pretty massive surprise to me and the hubbs. As a result, it took us quite a while to figure out what was causing some of my wacky symptoms. One of the very first indicators was nausea, followed by intense hunger. We were in Salt Lake City for the Alt Summit, and I was feeling so under the weather. First I blamed it on traveling. Then I blamed it on smog, the weird (unpaleo) food that I was consuming, the gas leak in our hotel room, etc., etc. However, I started to realize something was amiss when we returned home and I was still feeling pretty lousy.

Once the initial shock of—oh crap—we're having a baby, started to wear off, all those feelings of malaise were starting to make sense. My first trimester has been a vicious cycle of an INTENSE hunger that hits me out of the blue, followed by crazy nausea if I don't immediately stuff my face. If I do eat, and cross that delicate threshold between just enough and too much, I get nauseous. So I'm ravenous, yet if I eat to satiate that hunger, I'l pay the price. Basically, I haven't felt satisfied from eating in weeks. 

On top of that, I'm having a hard time eating the Primal/Paleo staples that I've come to know and love. Some of my favorite sources of protein, like chicken and bacon, are repulsive to me. The smell of coffee sends me running for cleaner air. And most of the foods that sound appealing to me are full of carbs.  I dedicated the last 7 years of my life to getting fit and eating right, only to have to temporarily adopt a new subset of rules with pregnancy—for instance, finding a dietary balance, or knowing how much exercise is too much. As I mentioned, I'm still CrossFitting, but it's difficult to balance my new lackluster energy levels with the limited movements I'm cleared to do with my shoulder surgery rehab. This adds yet another level of complexity to my situation!

I'm at week 13 now—the last week of my first trimester. I'm starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel, as I do have some really good, not so nauseous days. I thought maybe there would be a couple more gals out there that have similar problems, but are trying to stay within the perimeters of a primal or paleo lifestyle. Perhaps these ladies could use some pointers, suggestions, or maybe to just see they're not alone in their struggles? Maybe you don't follow a Paleo/Primal diet, but just want the nausea to STOP? I'm gonna mainly focus on nutrition, since I'm a firm believer that if your diet is in place, the rest will follow.

FIRST,  A FEW TIPS ::

• Figure out what works for you, and don't believe everything you read. I keep finding articles that say you shouldn't have to eat any extra calories for your first trimester. Who the hell wrote that? Have they ever been pregnant and so ravenously hungry they've considered robbing an ice cream truck just to get some sort of food in their bellies? Methinks not. I have been starving. If I went by this "sage" advice, I'd have to be depriving myself and the baby of nutrients. Your hunger is there for a reason. Don't ignore it.

• Eat a little bit of bland food when you're nauseous, and eat small meals throughout the day to prevent the hunger=nausea scenario. 

• Keep the snacking sensible. I get it, you're cravings are out of control! But try to fill up on healthy things first, and if you're still hungry, squeeze in a little bit of what you were craving. At least by this point, you've softened some of the blow. I mean, if you've eaten a cup of baby carrots, you won't have a ton of room left for cookies (in theory).
• Rest! Pretty soon, sleep is going to be a hot commodity around your house. Enjoy it now and reap the benefits of its restorative properties!
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Not only is it awesome for you, but I find I definitely get pukey if I get too thirsty.
• Don't be so hard on yourself. You're gonna read and hear all sorts of things about what to eat, what not to eat, how to think, and how every little decision you make affects that precious, fragile little life in your belly. But you know what? Everyday, women are having healthy babies that were sustained on a steady diet of Big Gulps and McDonalds. There are things you can definitely do to give your baby a leg up, but in the end, I really do believe it's kind of a crap-shoot. I've been eating a crap-ton of rice & potatoes these days, because it doesn't repulse me. Carb City. But it's better than not nourishing myself at all, because of some insane stubbornness to eat strictly Primal. As the nausea is starting to wain, I'm beginning to put more of an emphasis on eating the hearty, sustaining primal foods from my pre-pregnancy life.

MY GO-TO PRIMAL FOODS FOR FIRST TRIMESTER SURVIVAL ::
So, here are a couple of the Primal (or mostly Primal) foods that have gotten me through these first three months. Every pregnant woman is different, and you might find that what I thrived on, makes you run for the nearest toilet! But perhaps you might find some useful ideas you haven't considered yet. Once more, I'm not a doctor. This isn't medical advice, but some strategies that have worked to keep me happy and healthy for the past 13 weeks.

1. Broth. I love me some broth. I've recently read that bone broth is one of the best things you can ingest because it is incredibly nutrient dense (full of minerals, fat and collagen). I like it because it's great for quelling hunger before it gets out of control, and offers something warm and comforting when the idea of actually eating is unpleasant. Making your own is ideal, but I don't have the energy for that business right now, so I buy Pacific Natural Foods Organic and convenient 8oz packages. I keep them in my cubicle at work and heat them up in a mug whenever I need one. I like the taste of the vegetable broth the best.

2. Cucumbers. This is my number one vegetable craving. They're hydrating and mild, and just make me happy!

3. Canned Coconut Milk. It's is a great source of healthy saturated fat, which your growing baby needs in ample amounts. It eases my nausea and also soothes the stomach issues that have plagued me for years. I like to mix it into a green smoothie in the mornings, or dilute it with water and then toss it in a bowl with some frozen blueberries for an icy treat. SO GOOD!

4. Nuts. I keep finding myself craving crunchy, salty things. Instead of reaching for potato chips, I snack on a handful of nuts. I try to get a diverse variety so I don't get bored. I like almonds, cashews, pistachios and macadamias.

5. Bananas. Well, fruit in general, but I find that bananas are the most convenient and gentle on my delicate digestive track. They also keep your potassium levels in check, which in turn, keeps your blood pressure in a healthy range.

6. Nut Butters. I am crazy for Justin's brand. They make convenient one-serving packages that are great for when I'm at work, or on the go. Also goes great on the afore-mentioned bananas. Trust me.

7. Flavored Seltzer Water. Polar is my go-to brand for this. The carbonation calms my stomach, while the no-sugar-added (fake or real) flavoring makes it palatable. If you're feeling like having a "cocktail" fill a glass with half orange juice, half orange vanilla seltzer. It's like magic.

8. Gluten Free Crackers. Are they Primal or Paleo? Nope (so chill with the snarky remarks in the comment section). Will they be a lifesaver while you're running errands, pukey/starving, and nowhere near a hard-boiled egg? YES. I like to spread on a little bit of pasteurized goat cheese. It's a mild snack that provides some protein. It'll keep you fuller for longer than just eating the crackers alone. I find I tolerate Nut Thins pretty nicely, and they're soy free which is more than I can say for many of the crackers out there.

9. Smoothies. Often in the mornings, I'll prepare a big smoothie. It's easily digestible, and I can tailor it to whatever nutrition I think I'm lacking. I like to pack them with fresh fruits, greens, coconut milk, coconut oil, sometimes protein powder or nut butters.

10. Hard-boiled Eggs. I honestly have no idea why these don't repulse me. However, I crave the heck out of these protein-packed puppies. I like to make them on sunday night and snack on them throughout the week.

HOW ABOUT SOME OF MY FAVORITE PRIMAL PREGNANCY RESOURCES? ::
Chris Kresser's Healthy Baby Code Blog
Paleo Pregnancy Guide
Modern Alternative Mama
The Better Baby Blog
Weston A. Price

inspired by :: kid president

Ummm, maybe I'm the last person on the internet to find Kid President. But now that I've discovered him, I just can't get enough of this clever, sassy little boy. He has more charisma in his broken pinky finger than most people have in their whole being. Here he is, giving us all a pep talk, detailing why no one should be boring, and professing his love of Space Jam.



Annnnnd another clip about Kid President where they touch on this rare condition he has (Osteogenesis Imperfecta), how they make his videos and a demo a some of his sweet dance moves. It might be the intense preggo hormones coursing through my veins, but I tear up a little each time I watch it. I love you, The Robster!



"What will you create to make the world more awesome?"

how we told my friends and family that we're having a baby

And now you're in on the secret, too! Surprised? Probably not as much as we were!

I was just getting ready to ramp back up on my CrossFit training after my rotator cuff surgery, when I was suddenly smacked with all sorts of nausea and fatigue. Working out was the farthest thing from my mind as I struggled to just keep my eyes open most days. It took me a while to figure out what was causing it. Even as I took the home pregnancy kit, I was confident it was in vain. But then the two lines appeared in the view finder (they indicate you're knocked up). "Oh, NO," I said, over and over. In shock, I walked down the stairs to the living room where Rodger was sitting, playing some nerdy game on his iPad. I stood there, shaking and sobbing in the living room, an EPT test and it's instruction manual held up close to my face so I could read it. All Rodg could do was open his arms to me and I fell into them and cried some more.

I took the second test in the box. Two lines again. Damnit. Rodg suggested we go buy another one because the tests we had in the cabinet were expired. So we headed to Walgreens and bought a bottle of water, a 2 pack of heart-shaped Reese's, and another box of pregnancy tests. This time they were equipped with digital read outs. A quarter of that bottle of water later, I was starring at the word "YES +" on a tiny digital screen. There you have it.

While a baby is something we both want for our marriage, it was something that was planned for a couple of years down the road. We had trips, plans and goals set up that didn't have a baby written into them. It was quite a lot of information for us to process, out of the blue, on a random thursday night. I can't say that my first reaction was elation. After having sat with the information for three weeks now, I'm starting to warm up to the idea. This thing is really happening!

Back to that fateful night... Once I pulled myself up from the couch, my pity party, and my heart-shaped Reese's, I snapped a picture of the positive pregnancy test, "for posterity". A lot of people reveal the news by posting the positive test on some form of social media. It never struck me as quite my style to post something I just peed on to the interwebs (but more power to you if it is yours). You might not know this about me, but I'm kind of a smart ass. So I made a meme, and sent it out to all my loved ones who have a sense of humor, and that I wouldn't be able to reveal it to in person.

Behold:

Klassy, no?

For my mom, I went a slightly less tacky route. I knew she would be more excited about our news than anyone else, and I wanted to break it to her in a creative way. I only had a couple of days before I decided I wanted to tell her, so I threw together a little collage from scrapbooking supplies.

Not my greatest work (or photo) but I was hurried. Also, I have a different due date from this now.

I had planned on marching across the street to her house after work and telling her I had an early birthday present to give her. Of course, things don't ever work out the way you plan. I ended up having to work late that night, chase my mom across town, and sit through a dinner with a handful of family members while wanting to burst with the news. I didn't want to do tell her in a restaurant, though. So, I suggested we stop by my aunt and uncle's house (of whom we were at dinner with), so we could give her this "early birthday present".

It was pretty hilarious, really. First she tried to open it upside down, which would have prematurely revealed the ultrasound photo taped to the back. Then, she thought we were getting her a puppy (long story). So she sat there, completely dumbfounded, staring at a collage that read "Nana". Thinking it was a nice gesture about the fact that she's already a grandmother, she says something patronizing like, "Oh, well, isn't this NICE!" It wasn't sinking in with her, or the group of family huddled around the art piece. About to explode, I say "Do you understand what we're trying to tell you?". Only then does realization sink in. Tears and cheers erupt. I think we probably dropped a bomb on everyone in that room, as they had most likely given up on me, Rodg, and our 6-year-and-so-far-childless marriage.

My BFF predicted my mom would be dropping off a crib the next day. While that hasn't happened yet, I'll bet she's employing all the willpower she has not to. She's pretty stoked, to say the least. In fact, almost all of the reactions to our news have been overwhelmingly happy and positive. Everyone seems pretty confident in our potential parenting abilities. Even if I have my own reservations.

So I'm glad to get that off my chest! I've been dying to tell you all.  I'm sure this won't be the last you hear about our adventures as we prepare for the arrival of our little bundle. I promise not to turn this into a baby blog, but I guarantee I've just added a grand, new topic to the mix!