Ranunculus

Ranunculus - my favourite flowers. Via Sweet Eventide.

Books

Speaking of stripes, here are some fantastic manifestations in books. All via Wary Meyers.

Stripes

I guess you can never start too early? Our little man's closet already has four pairs of striped pants (and I sprung for a striped maternity dress for myself this week too!). T-shirt available at Estella and onesie available at Nature Baby.

Bassinet

Yesterday a phone message greeted us upon arrival home from the office indicating that our bassinet (which awesomely clicks into our stoller - a generous present from my mom) had arrived for pick up. Naturally, I was in our car within minutes on my way to pick it up. This am, Greg surprised me by setting it up on the landing outside our bathroom while I was showering. Obviously I cried upon discovering it there. It was one of those weepy, yet sunshine-y moments when all you feel is bliss. It is utterly amazing to think our little man will be meandering about town in this little unit in a few short months.

Crafting

Becoming a mama has reignited the crafting bug on me, and the Purl Bee is my favourite source for project ideas. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at swaddling blankets (above), bibs and fabric balls.

Maternity Clothes

For all the other expectant mothers out there, I thought it appropriate to share the benefits of the hours of web-trawling I have done to find fashionable and affordable maternity clothes.

I admit it - before this babe came along shopping was a breeze. Stores generally carried my straight off the rack size, limited alterations were required (aside from my routine $8 jean hemming at our neighbourhood tailor) and finding clothing that fit my style and budget was fairly easy. Welcome pregnancy and all of a sudden shopping, not to mention simply getting dressed in the morning, has become a challenge. However, I have found a few tried and true sources for maternity clothes that I like, can afford and fit well.

My sources:

• ASOS - This British site is fantastic. If you shop nowhere else during your pregnancy, I recommend that you shop here. Shipping is quick and free, and prices are available in Canadian dollars. You can also watch each style on the runway, which is very helpful when anticipating how the fabric will flow and fit. I've bought three dresses from here thus far, and am debating which ones from their line will be my next purchases. French Connection even sells a maternity line through ASOS. Right now, I'm loving the Breton Stripe Jersey Dress, Swallow Print Tunic and Layered Sleeve Shift Dress.
• American Apparel - I literally live in black leggings and long sweaters when I'm not at the office. American Apparel has a great variety of slim fit maternity clothes, and the most adorable onesies for baby.
• Joe Fresh - Though Joe technically doesn't have a maternity line, I personally find their cuts and sizing to be very maternity friendly (particularly in the second trimester). Joe's plethora of long striped t-shirts has been a great score. And further, what could be better than scoring a new top for $10 while simultaneously picking up your weekly groceries?

Image of Kitted Waist Seam Dress, one of my ASOS picks and the dress I'm sporting this Easter Sunday, via ASOS.

Dwell

The April 2011 edition of Dwell is my favourite to date (Greg's mom kindly gifted me a subscription for Christmas). I'm completely in love with this Finnish home. It offers so much inspiration in thinking about how we'll plan and roll out our family home.