LittleONE Baby

I’m super excited to finally get my hands of a copy of the latest Little One Baby magazine! A couple of months ago they interviewed Johnny and I, as well as photographed Eva’s room for an article in their Winter edition. It is definitely an honour to have Eva’s room printed in one of my favourite magazines!

The article covers everything from my pregnancy journey, giving birth (they even quoted my swearing as part of my birth story!) and becoming a parent — as well as detailing elements of Eva’s nursery. However, I’m surprised about some of the things they didn’t include and I’m not sure if I complete agree with their choices they claimed as “Eva’s style” — I guess I tend to dress her in clothes a lot less “cutesy” — but it’s not important.

It’s strange looking at the pictures now, Eva seems so young. And although she wasn’t very cooperative when having her picture taken, I’m grateful that Tanya Love was able to photograph and capture some lovely shots. 

If you’re interested in reading the article you can find out where to get your copy here or read past editions online here. Also, for those who use Tumblr, you can follow Little One Baby here — they often have fantastic giveaways and share inspirational rooms and nurseries. 

Yesterday I posted a tour of Eva’s room, but the pictures were taken on my not so fancy point and shoot camera, so I thought I ought to share a few of the shots Tanya took that highlight some of my favourite elements: 

A rare family photo

Trying to steal a kiss

Eva’s ever-growing collection of accessories 

Easily accessible books and toys 

And my favourite little corner.

9 May 34 Permalink

Eva’s Room Tour {Part I}

Well, here it is — Eva’s nursery. Although I’m not sure if I can really call it that anymore since Eva will be two-years-old in a couple of weeks time. 

What started off as a small room housing a simple reading chair and stacks of children’s books I’d had been collecting over the years is now one of our favourite rooms in the house. Having spent time collecting and adding pieces, this room has evolved and changed. And although it is nothing like what I first envisaged and my indecisive nature has meant that the walls have remained neutral — I have to say I love it for all its quirky, whimsical and modern features. 

Below is a list of resources used to furnish Eva’s room, but if you have any questions on specifics, you can email me at happinessiseva@me.com or leave a comment below. 

Furniture:

Leander Cot and Junior Bed—Walnut

Drawers —Freedom Furniture

Shelves and Bookcase —Ikea

Eames Replica Rocker—  Matt Blatt 

Art Work:

Dress up Boy and Girl — Love Mae 

Three prints above Eva’s cot — kil.sook (although it seems as though she has recently closed her etsy store)

Yoshitomo Nara Print — Guitar Girl/Cheer Up!

Penelope and Pip — If I Could Sail on Stormy Seas (also available on Society6) 

My Kimono — Etsy Store Munieca 

C is for Cheese — Little Muse

Personalise Birth Announcement — The Fox and the Sparrow 

Gastlycrumb Tinies Poster — Edward Gory 

Accessories and Decor: 

Pink Letter Pillow — Serena and Lily

Bird Petal Graphic Knit Blanket — Dwell Studio

Dreamy Owl Bean Bag — Cocoon Couture 

Living Like Lulu — Stella Saurus 

Acid Etched Letters — Urban Outfitters 

Pressed Flower Hooks — Anthropologie 

Zinnia Knobs — Anthropologie 

Wire Initial Hook — Anthropologie 

Cuddle Monster Cat — Dwelling Spaces

Wooden Japanese Dolls — Kimmi Doll

Kombi WV — bought from a boutique in Hawaii

Blue Hippopotamus — bought on Eva’s first trip to The Met

Soft Baby Blocks — Dwell Studio

Japanese Paper Crane Mobile — DIY

Storage:

3 Sprouts Organic Storage Bin — Pink Elephant 

Japanese Ceramic Plates — bought in Japan

Storage Boxes — Myer

8 May 28 Permalink

Happiness is Knobs

We have knobs! Happiness is knobs! I think they add that extra bit of colour without being overwhelming. Perfect. 

You may not understand the ordeal it was to make a final decision about buying these ones. At one point I thought I was going crazy from all of the choices - it was doing my head in. 

Anthropology has the most amazing collection of unique and simply beautiful items. And in the end we chose these aqua and brass Zinnia Knobs. 

On a side note - it makes me giggle to type: “Happiness is knobs.” If you are not familiar with the alternative definition of “knob” click here. 

18 May 6 Permalink

Happiness is E for Eva

Little by little, Eva’s room is coming together. Yesterday this Pink Letter Pillow from Serena and Lily arrived in the mail thanks to Grandma and Grandpa S. 

I think it is perfect! I’m also going to purchase a solid pink pillow to go with it. 

8 April Permalink

Happiness is finding the one creative bone in my body

In no way, shape or form would I ever describe myself as “crafty” or “artistic” or “handy.” I have a love of art and crafts and can appreciate the talent and skill it take to create things. However, I can barely sew a button and I can’t draw much beyond simple stick figures.

I often find myself frustrated and abandon most projects I begin. The garage is filled with failed attempts. The antique desk. The blank canvas. The unused paint brushes. I can however follow instructions.  

I have always wanted to create a mobile with origami paper cranes, for a nice Japanese twist in Eva’s room. I was first inspired by Kenziepoo, which I first discovered on ohdeedoh. It is simple yet stunning.

This is what I started with:

• Creatures & Critters Origami Craft Pad 
• Kikkerland mobile 

My first failed attempt. Note to self: start with the pattern facing up.

After the first one, I got into a rhythm. 

And here is the final product. 

28 March 1 Permalink

Happiness is having an amazing artist friend

As time ticks down, I’m starting to feel anxious about having Eva’s room completed. Although, I feel we have all the basics, I just want everything organised and ready for her arrival. Of course, I have a checklist that I’m working on:

• Cot
• Mattress
• Chest of drawers — I still need to buy new knobs!
• 2 sheet sets 
• 2 waterproof mattress protectors
• 4 muslin wraps/bunny rugs
• Bassinet — I love the Lalapenzi baby bed, which can be used at home or while traveling, but I’m not sure if I will buy it. 
• Change mat
• Change mat cover
• Storage boxes
• Mobile — I’m going to make an origami crane mobile, but I need to find Japanese paper I like. 
• Comfortable feeding chair
• Small table next to feeding chair for tissues, snacks etc
• Play gym (activity mat)
• Portable rocker (bouncer) — We are going to purchase the Maclaren 2-in-1 Baby Rocker and Chair this weekend.
• Art work for the walls — This is where our amazing artist friend, Remy, comes in. I would love to have a cherry blossom mural over Eva’s cot.

This is one of Remy’s art pieces, which is simply stunning. I’m not sure we will have something this detailed but I love the use of Japanese paper. I can’t wait to see what he will create! 

24 March 1 Permalink

Happiness is Accessorising

I love Eva’s room. I often sit in the reading chair trying to imagine what the room will eventually look like. I imagine watching Eva sleeping in her cot. I imagine the sounds that will be made in this room. I imagine holding her in my arms whilst breastfeeding. I imagine reading to her. So much happiness already fills this room. 

Her room is finally starting to come together. We have all of the big items. Her beautiful cot, which will be put next to our bed for the first 6 months or so.

A comfortable reading chair and a chest of drawers.

Her wardrobe is filled with books, toys and 

lots of tiny clothes.

Now it is time to accessorise! And to bring some personality to this room. I recently purchased these unique Acid Etch Letters from Urban Outfitters. 

My amazing mother-in-law bought this beautiful Pink Letter Pillow from Serena & Lily monogramed with an “E.”

I want to incorporate shades of pink and blue with a cherry blossom mural above her cot. These are a few of the pictures that I am drawing inspiration from:

(Source: Spearmint Baby)

(Source: Made by Girl)

(Source: Apartment Therapy) 

(Source: Shelter) 

(Source: Spearmint Baby)

(Source: With Two Cats)

(Source: Elli Popp)

20 March Permalink

Happiness is a Bargain

As far as nursery progress goes, there hasn’t been much lately. We have a cot, a reading chair and a bunch of books. That’s all you need, right? 

While we have been accumulating lots of clothes, cloth nappies, blankets and all the other baby essentials, we don’t have anywhere to store all of these items except the wardrobe, which is filling up fast. I had no idea that such a little person needed so much! 

Over the last couple of months, we have been searching for the perfect storage unit that included drawers for all of Eva’s tiny items and a number of shelves to house her growing book collection. We looked into having something made, but it would have been too expensive with all of the other big purchases we need to make. 

Fast forward to today - we went to a furniture outlet store that sells discontinued or damaged stock and found a beautiful chest of drawers. It is the perfect walnut colour that matches the cot and even has the same curved feature. Although, we didn’t find exactly what we were looking for, we are very happy with our choice and the best part is that it was only $199 reduced from $699!

There are a few minor problems with it though - a couple of the drawers stick, so Johnny has to sand them back and it is missing three knobs, which I plan on replacing all of anyway. Now comes the difficult choice of selecting new knobs. 

I have officially entered the world of Anthropologie and there is no going back. This store has the most amazing and unique items. I can’t decide which one I like best. I need to buy 12 so I know the cost will add up and of course my favourite is the most expensive! Here are the options:

a) Zinnia Knob - $6 

b) Granita Knob - $6 

c) Ceramic Melon Knob - $8

d) Melon Knob - $8

e) Bubbled Glass Knob - $8

f) Mercury Glass Melon Knob - $8

g) Prism Knob - $10

Finally, I must include this in my post; it is just too beautiful not to. During our furniture hunt today, we came across this stunning antique cabinet that I desperately wanted to purchase. However, ‘safety John’ said, “no, it would be too dangerous to have in a child’s room.” Ok, yes, it does have glass covering three sides and yes, it does have old paint that is chipping off, but isn’t it beautiful?

14 March Permalink