Found & Favorited: Back to School on Etsy

We’re still about two weeks out from the first day of school, but my mind’s bouncing between “this is going to be such a fun year” and “how are they already this big?” I’ve been keeping an eye on what’s fresh and new on Etsy, and a few finds made it straight into my cart to make the girls’ morning feel memorable (and maybe help me feel more organized in the chaos). Here’s what I’m loving:

 First Day signs – I love a classic first day photo and these have a fresh, modern look that feels new. They’re downloadable and printing at home is just my speed. 

 Custom water bottle name plates – The girls had so much fun choosing their colors, and I love that we’ll avoid the “lost and found."

 Personalized hair bows – Their school colors, perfectly stitched. I know I only have so many years before they start picking their own accessories, so I’m soaking it up.

 Violin keychain – Our oldest has been asking for violin lessons, so this little personalized keychain will be waiting to clip onto her backpack as a first-day surprise.

 Scalloped ceramic travel mug – For me, because coffee on the way to drop-off should be just as special.

Shop all these finds through the links here, then come hang out on Instagram to see them in action.

A few affiliate links — helping keep my cart full. 🛒✨

Recipe: How to Make Simple 3-Ingredient Snow Cream

This snow cream recipe requires just 3 ingredients and is nearly foolproof to make. The key is full fat sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla extract that give the snow that extra creamy taste. Freshly fallen snow that's powdery in texture works best and don't worry — the snow won't melt once you bring it inside to work with. It actually holds it's shape well and stays nice and cold.

On Changing Seasons

Isn't it amazing how quickly things can change in the matter of a year, or in the matter of a minute?

Spring Rituals: Opening the River House

 Today's post is in partnership with STIHL.

The regular change of pace between the city and the river over the last few months has been a welcome escape. Now into our second year with this home, we’re quickly learning what it takes to officially “open it up” for the season in terms of maintenance.

Meet Me at Joe's?

Just the other day, Tim and I joked about how nice it would be to walk to Joe's Inn for breakfast — and it was in that moment I realized just how quickly our "normal" can change.

On Giving Grace in 2020

Midway into a bottle of wine on New Year's Eve, Tim and I began thinking back on all the cornerstones we could remember over the last decade — I'd moved back down to Virginia, Brandon had graduated high school (wait, did Stephanie too? Yes, wow and now she's married!), we'd brought Basil home, traveled to Hungary, moved into our current home and so on and so forth well into the night. We'd agreed to go dry for January again this year, so nearing the end of that bottle and indulging just beyond our norm, we got sentimental. We've been together a decade, but longer really. So much has happened over the course of our years together, yet some things stay the same, continuing to strengthen and grow. Love and relationships are funny like that. 

17Apart Holiday Gift Guide: 17 Gifts (Naughty or Nice!)

Each year we always ask our big kids to make and send a gift wish list before Thanksgiving so we can take advantage of the big sale weekend. It's one way we know we can get them something they really want and a few surprises while keeping on budget. This year, we've compiled a list of our favorite ideas to share. From those you know best to those that stump you every year, to unexpected hostess gifts and budget-friendly stocking stuffers — here's what we're loving (and buying!) this year.

And! Today many of these ideas are on super sale so you can stock up while staying on or below budget too.

9 Modern Fireplace Screens + The One We're Cozying Up to at the River House

For me, a real fire crackling into the night during the cold season is one of the coziest ways to spend an evening in. We knew we wanted to be able to enjoy burning fires as the weather turned at the river house and recently had the chimney updated to code so we could do exactly that. I even painted the hearth and firebox black to give the fireplace a modern update.

How To: We painted our fireplace at the river black!

The first time we stepped inside our river house — it was the initial viewing — I immediately knew I wanted to paint the fireplace hearth black, even before we decided to put an offer on the home.

Recipe: Homemade Mignonette Sauce for Oysters on the Half Shell

Over the weekend we welcomed in the first autumn-like Friday by picking up a box of our favorite oysters and lighting up the outdoor brick fireplace at the river house for a small roast. Tim prepared an array of toppings that we spread out on the picnic table and we indulged in oysters on the half shell, roasted oysters, Oysters Rockefeller and my personal favorite — fresh oysters with a homemade mignonette sauce. The sauce is quick to make with just 6 ingredients and fool-proof for serving with chilled oysters — recipe below!

Our Baby Library, a Modern Rug to Ease My Joints + The Newborn Arrival Gift Idea I'm Adopting

Today's post is in partnership with Rugs USA.

My stepdaughter, a special education teacher specializing in reading & writing, recently told us that reading to a baby is one of the best gifts you can give a child. She'd made the remark after hearing we'd read to Etta every night while I was pregnant. We'd done it because we'd heard that babies can hear your voice in utero and may even recognize a familiar book once born. We liked the idea of her knowing our voices and having a book we could read early on that may feel familiar. Turns out, there are a whole host of other benefits to reading in infancy as well!

Where to Begin: Trying a Dairy and Soy-Free Diet while Nursing

This week I casually hopped on Insta Stories to ask for advice from my mom friends and those on specialized diets. I've actually been eating dairy-free the last 4 weeks after Etta's pediatrician made the recommendation while I'm exclusively nursing. She's absolutely thriving in every way but had a few symptoms closely related to cow's milk sensitivity, which I understand can be fairly common in small babies. After a quick check-in yesterday, they suggested eliminating soy from my diet as well.

The River House Interior + The Design Style we've Settled On

Since introducing you to our river house last month, we've been excited to properly show you around the interior. Just after closing, we packed a carful of odds and ends as an unofficial way of "moving in" and before bringing anything into the house, I quickly went through each room to capture photos exactly as it was.

DIY Modern Brass Rainbow Mobile

After's Etta's nursery reveal we received so many questions about her brass mobile, so I've pulled all of the details and a DIY tutorial together in one place to share with you!

Hello, From the Rivah!

Friends! We've been excited to tell you that we recently bought a river house, where we have been spending a good deal of the summer.

Baby Milestones & The Mockingbird that has us Back in the Neighborhood

Today's post is in partnership with Mockingbird.

Six weeks has felt like such an occasion around here. I imagine with any newborn that little milestones feel like giant achievements in themselves, but that's certainly the sentiment for us these days.

The Reveal: Etta's Blue & White Modern Nursery

I still can't believe we finished the nursery just one day sooner than Etta decided to make her way into the world. It will be such a huge part of the running birth story she hears on birthdays and throughout life. That said, we can't blame her for coming early, because we're just as smitten with how the final room turned out and can't wait to show you around!

First Look: The Furniture that Set the Tone for Etta's Nursery

The same night after we finished Etta's nursery, my water broke. It was two weeks earlier than her due date and we'd joked earlier in the day that now the nursery was complete, we were ready. Little did we know she'd take us literally.

Our Etta!

And just like that, she's here! Our little Etta Garnett Vidra had plans of her own on the timing of her big debut, making her way into the world two weeks early over Memorial Day weekend. Today marks her official due date, which feels surreal since we can't imagine the past 2 weeks any other way than with her here. That said, while we were mentally prepared for any scenario, we fully expected her to come on or past her due date.

Nursery Update: A Crib for Thumper

After our last ultrasound appointment, Tim came home and put our crib together in less than an hour. The minute he called me upstairs to take a look, everything felt real.