pregnancy picks /  by jen geigley

I hadn't played around on Polyvore for awhile, and thought I'd share some of my favorite pregnancy must-haves. (A couple of these items are on my wish list, like that super cute dotted dress from Boden, but I own and recommend most of the other things shown here.)

GAP empire waist top
gap.com
Super nicely shaped sweater to show off the round belly.

Boden maternity easy tee and skinny jean
bodenusa.com
I don't own this exact outfit, but have some purplish skinny cargo maternity pants that look similar. Loving the colors.

Boden maternity knot front top
bodenusa.com
Recently scored this awesome mustard yellow printed top on sale.  :)

Forever21/Love21 maternity starter kit
forever21.com
For only $16, you get a tank, leggings and a belly panel/band from Forever 21's maternity line. Must have!

Gap maternity forever skinny jeans
gap.com
These have been my go-to jeans for my entire pregnancy, along with Gap's 1969 full panel sexy boot jeans. They look just like regular jeans and fit the best.

maternity fold over underwear
motherhood.com
The comfiest, and from what I hear, a must-have if you're having a c-section.

Boden maternity easy jersey dress
bodenusa.com
I love love love this dress! The print, the colors ... everything. And it looks comfortable.

True Blue® Spa - Lay it on Thick
bathandbodyworks.com
For the belly. 

Vitafusion PreNatal gummy vitamins
drugstore.com
In my first trimester, I was down and out with morning sickness and couldn't keep down any prenatal vitamins. Until I tried these. I was really skeptical about gummies, but they actually taste GOOD. I promise. I'm picky. 

Mama Bee Belly Balm - Burt's Bees
burtsbees.com
Again ... for the belly.  :)

29 weeks /  by jen geigley

This week, I had another ultrasound to check on things. The news was not what we had hoped for but everything is still okay. I feel good. I'm on something they call 'pelvic rest.' I get Braxton Hicks like crazy. We signed Lo up for sibling classes at a local hospital, so she can hone her big sister skills. I watched 'The Business of Being Born,' researched the pros and cons of circumcision, and continued on the search for the perfect name. We have one we that we like, but we still need to sleep on it.
I made lists ... a 'what we already have vs. what we still need' list and a list of things to pack in my hospital bag. I feel like I have forgotten about all of the gear a newborn requires. The little dude is a major kicker ... way more than Lotus was back in the day, although she was really active, too. I'm already to the point where I can look down and see my stomach shift shape as he rolls around in there, jabbing outward with his elbows and knees and feet and rump. I really think he's going to be a mini-Bo. 
I've fallen in love with a new late-night indulgence: Edy's Key Lime Pie Slow Churned Frozen Yogurt. Which tastes much more like ice cream than yogurt. It is divine. I desperately want to nest and move things from Lo's old room to her new room, but I'm not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds now, so I'm trying to relax and wait. This is hard. I did a lot of knitting this week (for other people and to fill orders) and will be taking part in my last craft show of the season tonight. I can't wait to start knitting a few projects on my own list ... stuff for the kids. I'm going to have two kids. (I can say that out loud now, right?)

the list - 2012 /  by jen geigley

banksy wall calendar 
It's December, and I'm making the lists. Want to see what's on our wish list for the holidays?
I may have already snagged this, as I heard they sell out quickly. If you haven't heard of 
Banksy and you have Netflix, I totally recommend that you watch Exit Through the Gift Shop.
for my favorite grown-up skater boy. 
 
scandinavian toy cats
fun and cute for Lo and/or baby.

 
turquoise lomography fisheye 
neato! love the color. and it's on sale.

umbra fish hotel 
we snagged this for Lo, since she still talks about Goldie ... a deceased fish from two years ago.
 
cool chalkboard ornament  
(that you could totally diy.)

field notes 'northerly' edition 
white + silver + finch paper ... so pretty!

What's on your list?

Lion Brand Notebook guest post /  by jen geigley

I'm so excited! Today, I'm guest-blogging at Lion Brand Notebook, Lion Brand Yarn's blog. If you've seen my knitting over the past couple of years, you'll recognize that I use Lion Brand yarns almost all of the time. Especially my go-to yarn-of-choice, Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. Check out my guest post to see lots of chunky accessory projects that are fun and fast to knit/crochet, perfect for gift-giving.

cyber monday /  by jen geigley

Hey, friends! It's a great day to grab something cozy. All day today (Monday, November 28th) until 11:59 PM CST, enjoy 20% off anything and everything in my Etsy shop. Just enter promo code CYBERMONDAY at checkout for your discount.
Hand-knits make fantastic gifts for your best girl friend. Your mom. Your sister. Your boyfriend. (Or, duh ... yourself.) Happy (handmade) Cyber Monday.

28 weeks (Thanksgiving edition) /  by jen geigley


The grateful list, 2011:
- tiny baby boy clothes pre-washing in the laundry
- a big-sis-to-be who goes on and on about how excited she is to help out with the new little dude
- comfy sweatpants
- Vans slip-ons
- caramel apple spice cider
- pancake Sunday mornings/doughnut days in our pajamas
- turkey, cranberries, stuffing and pie
- handmade vintage potholders
- baby kicks to the ribcage (and not the bladder)
- cameras to play with
- a yellow kitchen
- friends who are hilarious (and always there when you need girl time)
- time for late-night knitting
- a husband who can do it all
- made-up songs and stories from Lo
- iPhones
- dark rinse Gap maternity jeans, oversized cardigans, and leggings
- my own little butterball in the oven
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

skip the chains + shop Market Day Black Friday! /  by jen geigley

Instead of getting up at the butt-crack of dawn to stand in line, get trampled by crazy people, and buy something corporate and boring, do Black Friday the Market Day way. Here are three reasons to do your Black Friday shopping with us:

1. We have UNIQUE gifts. Market Day is great for those hard-to-give-to people. Make the rounds. Get inspired. Buy something awesome. We're all about selling handmade and local, which supports a creative economy of makers—meaning you can get something cool for Uncle Joe, instead of, ya know, a sweater. We have more than 50 vendors, so you can find something for everyone on your list. Bonus: All that sweet, sweet holiday spending stays in the community.

2. We're nice! No grabby people on their sixth cup of coffee, arm wrestling you for an iPad. (Okay, maybe we'll be on our sixth cup of coffee—but we won't be crazy about it.)

3. We keep reasonable hours! 9a-2p. Sleep in, for Pete's sake.


 
See you there! 


(Where?) Des Moines Social Club. The Kirkwood Building. 400 Walnut Street. Downtown Des Moines at the  corner of 4th and Walnut. From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. More details at www.marketdayiowa.com.

27 weeks /  by jen geigley

I have no idea where the time goes. Next week I'll be in my third trimester. The dude weighs about 2.5 pounds. And I have decided it's officially the time for warmth and comfort. I'm a big fan of comfortable anyway, so digging out all of my oversized cardigans has been the task of the week. I've also been eating my share of bananas as a potential remedy for the super intense middle-of-the-night charley horses in my calves. Ow ow ow. We have half-way transitioned Lo into her new bedroom. We think. And last night, she spent her first night in her new, bigger bed. There's getting to be less and less room for her to sit on my lap or lay next to me on the couch. I have a third ultrasound (to rule out previa) tomorrow and we've got our fingers crossed for good news.
I'm definitely looking forward to the holidays (and the food that comes with them) and I'm excited to make a turkey on Thursday. Feeling good, knitting lots and keeping comfy. That's the name of the game.

December Daily/Journal Your Christmas /  by jen geigley

If there is anyone who can get me excited about starting a December holiday journal this year, it's Jamaica. Good grief, Charlie Brown ... she nailed it. I just snagged one of her perfectly simple and modern little December books. With custom letterpressed cover and 31 dated pages printed in coordinating ink on soft white Mr. French cardstock and 10 assorted stickers in traditional and non-traditional colors. (Gasp.) Can you tell I'm excited? She has them available in charcoal gray or chartreuse. Get yours here. Whether you're doing Journal Your Christmas or a December Daily this year or a combination of both, it does not get easier ... or better looking ... than this.