more baby booties!

I sure do like my baby booties don't I? I just can't help myself - small and easy to make, baby booties are the perfect instant gratification crafting project. At least this is a new pattern for me; I usually make these ones. This pattern is from the first Meet me at Mike's book. They're not quite as professional looking (I do hate to have unfinished seams!) as the Anna Maria Horner ones I normally sew, but they are a lot easier.

These oh so girly booties are heading to a baby girl named Summer, as soon as I can embroider a onesie to match.

keeping up with social media

It all started with vine, the new app I'm sure you've all heard of by now because it seemed to spread like wildfire. Curious, I immediately created an account and then proceeded to do absolutely nothing about it. I haven't posted anything, or checked out what other people are posting.

Vine got me thinking and I did a little inventory... I currently have 4 email addresses, 2 blogs (one's inactive), 1 website, 1 facebook page, 1 instagram account, 1 flickr account, 1 twitter account, 1 Vine account and 1 pinterest page. That's a lot. It's a lot to maintain - managing not only my own online activity, but also feeling like I'm keeping up with other peoples' social media.

A few days ago, a friend who is approaching the end of her pregnancy posted on her facebook page that until her baby is born, she'll be taking a facebook time out. Then a couple of nights ago my husband randomly announced that he would go internet free this February (with the exception of work).

This made me think about what I can do to manage my time more wisely. I'm not planning on going completely internet free, rather I think these events have led me to the conclusion that I want to be more careful with how I spend time on social media. For example, I took forever to get a twitter account and once I did, I never really got the hang of using it. I haven't tweeted in months. I just don't get it. Instagram, however, I love and use often. So perhaps I'll get rid of twitter, but keep instagram. Vine seems like just another thing to steal my time, so that may not make the cut. I also think that I'll deactivate my facebook account for a while around the time baby's due.

What social media do you love and what could you live without? Do you, like me, sometimes feel overwhelmed when new things crop up? How do you try to use your time wisely?

photo of me instagramming by Ellen Arthur

bump: 26 weeks

 

The first 3 months of my pregnancy felt like they just dragged by, but now I can hardly believe I'm already 26 weeks in. Only a couple more weeks and I'll be in my last trimester, and then a few more months and I'll be holding my baby. Crazy.

My husband and I are both starting to get pretty excited. We talk about baby names every day, and speculate on whether the bub's a boy or a girl. The baby's movements are strong and consistent, and I delight in feeling like the 2 of us are playing a game of hide and seek. Less delightful was my slip down some stairs on Friday after I got caught out in a storm. My body's feeling worse for wear, but baby's fine so that's all that matters. And husband took extra special care of me today - drawing me a bath, cleaning the house and making me dinner. It was a good Sunday.

raining

It rained and rained this long weekend, and even though it was still fairly warm, it reminded me of Vancouver. We mostly stayed at home, only venturing out to go for insanely delicious brunch. There was far too much time spent in bed, watching movies on the laptop (I enjoyed this one) and drinking hot chocolate. Of course, I couldn't let the rainy weekend go by without some baking so I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies as well. I do love a relaxing weekend spent at home.

today in Bondi

These 2 shots are for those of you who couldn't see the belly in my last bikini shots. C'mon people, it's huge!

 Today I visited Bondi (an area I hardly ever get to) with my friend and her 2 kids. I brought along my camera so I could get some shots of her with her kids; I love how perfectly they capture Christos' and Ziggy's personalities. Three-year old Ziggy unsure of the big, blue sea and 6 year old Christos diving right in (after I convinced him to join me).

The water felt so good that I could've stayed in all day if given the chance. I don't think there's a better feeling in the world than an ocean swim on a hot summer's day.

After the beach we headed to Gertrude & Alice, the most wonderful cafe/bookshop. We ate and I picked up two books I had been looking for, both used. Speaking of which, what's your favourite used bookshop? Even if you're not in Sydney, I'd love to hear.

purl bee baby blanket for my babe

Back when I first found I was pregnant, I was feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed and all I wanted to do was start a project. Something simple and rhythmic using my hands, something that would make me feel like I was indeed growing a baby, even if I didn't look/feel any different. I had seen this pattern for a super easy baby blanket floating around the internet, and it seemed to fit the bill perfectly. I first mentioned it way back in September (I also hinted about it here) as a goal of mine before 2013.

Well, I wasn't in a rush and I didn't finish it until a couple of weeks ago. For the last few months it's wandered from couch to couch, being pulled out whenever I felt like knitting a row. It's so simple that other than keeping track of the number of rows, it required no brain power at all. Just the rhythmic tap tapping of the needles. Now that it's done, it's still in the living room where I can admire the beautiful colours and enjoy the incredible softness of the baby cashmerino whenever I want.

I now have my eye on this rad Hudson's Bay inspired baby blanket, which would be oh so perfect for my Canadian winter baby!

The details: It's the super easy baby blanket from the Purl Bee. Knit in Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, in 7 colours I chose because they remind of the sea.

my life in iphone photos: round 24

It's been a while since I've done one of these, so today I bring you my December/January in iphone photos, including some I didn't share on instagram...

p.s. I tried to include captions for all photos, but I've found with the new blogger layout if I post a lot of photos my formatting goes crazy and it's really hard to add text. Anyone else having this problem??

Two shots from our south coast trip

summer fruits / at home

also from the south coast / at finders keepers market

 

all dressed up for a christmas party

making these booties / rearranging at home

mid-week beach trip

an amazing gift from one of my best friends: hand knit by her yoga leg warmers & an organic cotton newborn gift set, sigh... / "one of each please" at my favourite patisserie

the harbour

This last weekend was a great one. On Friday we went to see David Byrne & St Vincent / on Saturday I saw a talk by Elizabeth Gilbert at the Opera House

who takes your blog photos?

photo by Ellen Arthur

My husband takes mine, though somewhat reluctantly, truth be told. Lately I've been thinking that behind every great blog is a partner who's been roped into being an unofficial photographer. 

And I'm not even a style blogger! I honestly don't understand how style bloggers get such great photos day in, day out. Are they all married to photographers? Or do their partners just really enjoy having stumbled into their roles as accidental fashion photographers?

My husband doesn't particularly like taking photos, so generally I have to ask very nicely, set up the shot I want with him playing model, then quickly swap. I also have this unfortunate habit of becoming incredibly self-conscious if there's anyone around while we're taking photos. And living in a big city, there is always someone around! This has been particularly true the few times we've taken bump photos. On this day, for example, I was hungry, tired, and hot but I still insisted on getting some quick shots. I was also feeling super awkward because there were people everywhere, so it was no surprise that within 5 minutes I was snapping at my poor husband. He really is a good sport.

So I'm curious... who takes your blog photos? And do they like doing it? Do you get embarrassed when there are people watching you have your photo taken? Or do you like playing model?

Edited to add: I just wanted to clear up 2 things... I take all of the photos on my blog with the exception of the ones that I'm in. My husband takes those. He also wanted me to point out that I don't always set up shots for him; he does a lot more than I gave him credit for. Fair point :)

p.s. I'm going to see David Byrne & St. Vincent tonight, so excited!