We're at 32 weeks, and I'm excited to share the sixth episode of my Dressing the Bump series! This week, I'm talking about how to dress for formal occasions while pregnant. It can be tricker to get dressy while pregnant because there aren't as many options as when dressing casually. So, we're taking a look at a mix of maternity and non-maternity pieces to wear for weddings, work events, or a date night out.
You can find all sources for the clothing worn in this video below...
When designing the Oh Joy for Target collection, we wanted to encourage using the pieces not only in parties but beyond the party as well. Because it just make every day a little more fun when it has a sense of whimsy to it. So today, Rebecca and Patrick from Thuss+Farrell are here with this simple and whimsical mobile using the Oh Joy for Target paper lanterns and plastic straws!
We've provided a handy PDF that you can download right here with all the materials and directions on how to make them. This would be super cute in the corner of a room. Enjoy!
P.S. Striped Lanterns and Party People!
{Crafts, styling and photography by Thuss + Farrell for Oh Joy}
...getting past the stage of being super self-conscious about my body. I'm surprised, but glad, that stretch marks and post-baby breasts have made me get over those body issues I obsessed over in my teens and 20's. It feels freeing to accept yourself for who you are.
...having this blog for nine years now (this was my first post). I am grateful that I still enjoy it, and that you all still come by to read it.
...your words of encouragement and support about my gestational diabetes. After crying a good tear over missing my sweet treats, I've learned about how to better balance everything out till baby comes ;)
...being a resident of New York City thirteen years ago when the world changed forever. I am grateful to have seen how a city and a country could unite together and to have been spared the injuries and loss that struck so many.
It's nice to stop for a moment and think about what we really have to be grateful for—on crappy days when nothing seems to be going right...and especially on days when things are feeling too good to be true.
So, tell me friends, what are you grateful for?
{Photo by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy}
I love giving cut flowers as a gift, but cut flowers often last only a few days. So lately I've been giving potted plants and flowers instead. That way, the gift keeps growing long after.
Even though we designed these tiny party hats for people, it's been so fun seeing all the four-legged friends wearing and celebrating with them too!
P.S. Keep sharing these with me at #ohjoyfortarget...
{Top to bottom: boston terrier via @oohlaloveevents, @hamlet_the_piggy, tiny kitten via @jengotch, dashund via @corrinrenee, jack russell terrier via @zooeycash.}
As summer starts to round the corner, I always get into a cooler mood color-wise, and these blues are definitely speaking to me...
{Left to right, top to bottom: 01. Emily Green necklace, 02. Hershel Supply duffle, 03. mug from Leif, 04. Kate Spade Keds, 05. Virginia Johnson vase, 06. Virginia Johnson shawl, 07. sailing ship kite from Poketo.}
Rebecca and Patrick from Thuss+Farrell are back with this super graphic and chic DIY using the Oh Joy for Target wire lanterns!
As a former prop stylist at Martha Stewart, Rebecca is always full of chic party ideas. So today, I asked her to share a way that she'd bring some color to our gold lanterns. She came up with this easy striped lantern garland that can be customized to whatever colors fit your party...
Here's how to make them...
Striped Wire Lantern Garland
You'll need:
- 6 (or more) Oh Joy for Target wire lanterns
- assorted italian/florist crepe paper rolls (we used: pink pansy, metallic gold, and black)
- rolling cutter and ruler (or scissors)
- glue dots (in mini and craft size)
- 5/8” 3 strand cotton rope
- battery-operated flameless led tealights (optional)
Here's how:
1. Using a rolling cutter (or scissors), cut assorted widths of crepe paper (we used .75”, 1”, 1.5”, 1.75” and 2”) all 15” long. You should cut perpendicular to the grain of the crepe paper (the vertical ridges of the paper).
2. Lay a lantern on its side on your work surface. Place a mini glue dot at the end of a strip of crepe paper and adhere it to the lower end of the lantern wires just above where the wires curve down. This allows the stripes to stack and not hang lower than where the lantern curves at the base. Thread the strip over and under, and when you get halfway around, straighten the strip and add another glue dot to adhere it to a wire. Continue around, and when the paper ends meet, use the larger craft glue dot to secure. Trim any excess paper.
3. Continue adding more strips in the same way as desired, altering the over and under pattern as shown.
4. Add a flameless tealight inside the lantern, and then tie the lanterns onto a thick cotton rope as desired for hanging. We recommend using only flameless tea lights, so that there is no fire risk with this craft project!
A few extra tips:
-If you are going to use these outside in a humid environment, crepe paper can sag and stretch just from the moisture in the air. To prevent this, stretch the strips fully after cutting them, this will create a thinner paper and a much longer strip then trim off the excess to the length you need.
-The lanterns are on the heavy side, so be sure to hang them securely. They can also be strung individually, hung as a single lantern, or you hang them in a group.
-Finally, these lanterns would look festive as a centerpiece as well place on the table in clusters!
P.S. See these Party People Favors from last week!
{Crafts, styling and photography by Thuss + Farrell for Oh Joy}
Just in time for going back-to-school (or back-to-fun!) Ban.do has some of the cutest desk and personal accessories around. To celebrate, we've partnered with Ban.do to give away eight of my favorite pieces to one lucky reader. This includes: ooh la la keychain, busy pencil case, blah blah thermal mug, rebel bobbi, crystal crush bobbi, sticky note set, giant gem speaker, ipad sleeve, (a total value of $152). Now you can have a little Ban.do at home, work, or school with these favorites!
To enter, simply visit the Ban.do website and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite piece from their new collection. Entries must be posted by this Friday, September 5th, at 8 a.m. PST, and one winner will be chosen at random*.
UPDATE: Congrats Jazmin B. from Brooklyn, NY for being our winner this time!
*Sorry, limited to readers in the U.S. only. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $152 USD approximate total value. Winner will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.
With less than nine weeks to go, we've had our fair share of conversing with Ruby about her baby sister-in-the-making. Here are just a few of my favorite things she's said or asked about the baby lately...
"My favorite ice cream is chocolate, and the baby's favorite ice cream is ga-nilla."
"Mama, how's the baby doing today? Is she ready to come out yet?"
"Hi baby! When you come out, I'm going to carry you on my shoulders!"
"Mama, your boobies got SO big!"
"Babies get milk from mommies. And kids get fresh cold milk from cows."
And probably my favorite...
Ruby: "Who's that baby's daddy?"
Me: "I think the baby has the same daddy as you!"
Ruby: "Noooo, her daddy is a potato!"
{Photo by Oh Bob. My dress by Sonnet James, vest by Madewell, necklace by Emily Green. Ruby's shirt by Whistle & Flute, shorts by House of Mia, necklace by Coral & Cloud.}
I've been under the weather for the last few days, so these illustrations by Monica Ramos just make me laugh. I'd love to be diving into a donut or sleeping on a giant piece of bread right about now...