Get 10% off...

...for being a Facebook fan!!  Yep, that's right...go here and "like" my page.  You will find the discount code in Notes.  It's that easy!

The Facebook promo is for a limited time only, so take advantage of it now!  Remember that Mother's Day is right around the corner on May 9th.  Deadline for Mother's Day orders is April 18th.

Thankful Tuesday

•  Melting snow with no leaks or floods from it, so far. Cross your fingers!

•  Friends who have written and called to check in on me while I come to the reality of becoming a mother.

•  The quality time in bed with the hubs playing games on our new iphones- it's the little things, I know.

•   Target cable knit leggings that are so comfy on my growing belly.

• The discovery of a new shipping program which allows me NOT to stand in line for 30 minutes to ship packages. 

What are you thankful for this week?

Owl fetish

I have always loved owls, even before they showed up on your bed sheets or your kids underpants.  Since I was a wee little one, I have vacationed in Owls Head, Maine.  It's a quaint town with a friendly general store that I maybe sorta visit several times a day. I can't resist the homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, the delicious apple chicken salad sandwich for lunch and the slice of strawberry rhubarb pie for my after dinner dessert.   As you wait for your food to be lovingly made, you take a leisurely stroll among the owl souvenirs spread throughout.  I can't help but think this is where my owl fetish began, in this general store that feels like home.

I seem to be collecting more and more owl trinkets as the years go on-sorry hubs. The owls that decorate my house have a job. They're not just clutter to collect dust but they remind me of my summers in Maine and immediately take me to a place that will always have my heart.

I love this garden owl that now finds it home on my mantle.

My sister got my these owl salt and pepper shakers for Christmas to add to my growing S & P collection.

This baby has no chance. His/her favorite birds will be magpies and owls! 

This stuffed owl can be used as a book end for all those classic children's books that my husband has hoarded kept since he was little.

I would love to see my lil' one in this upcycled owl hat!

How adorable is this owl fused night light?


I don't believe the owl collecting will stop anytime soon. I predict an intervention in my near future.  

Do you collect something that reminds you of a happy place?

Just what I needed...

was a phone call from a good friend. 

This is a friend who I traveled across the world with to Italy for two weeks last year (I think our hubby's tagged along too ;). She most likely learned more about me then she really wanted to know during this time, but she still loves me anyways.  We made this "last hurrah" trip before both of us jumped into motherhood.  They got preggo a month after we got back from our trip, and had their baby girl Eden last July.  Here I am am, a year later, amidst the same emotions she went through. 

She encouraged me to live in the moment instead of looking ahead at what life was or could be.  She went through the same "grieving" process that I've been experiencing recently.  Lately, she catches herself thinking ahead of when life should get easier, but she often forgets about the special moments she has now with Eden.  I can so relate. I am too busy looking ahead or panicking about what I will be losing, instead of enjoying this CA-RAZY miracle of pregnancy.  I don't want to spend my 9 months focused on negative thoughts, but rather on the positive aspects that life holds for me. 

Thank you my dear friend, for showing me that it's okay to understand the reality of motherhood, but for also reminding me to not worry about tomorrow and live for today.

Another HUGE thank you is due to my readers and friends for your kinds words, messages and comments.  I love reading them and appreciate each of you!

Of course these emotions will most likely linger on and relapse, but I can rest assured that I have friends and family that love me and who constantly encourage me to be a better person.  I am so blessed!

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

honest thoughts

I would like to be here right now, rocking my fears away...

looking at this view....

Lately, the fears of motherhood have swept over me.  The numbness of this pregnancy has disappeared. I was going with the motions...doctor appointments, ultrasounds, registering, nursery decor, etc.  Now I find myself thinking of the future and the reality that is ahead. 

I like my quiet and clean house. 

I like my morning routine in bed with my dog.

  I love that the hubs and I can just get up and go get a  Friendly's peanut butter cup sundae at any given time. 

I like my leisurely trips to Target just to "window shop" (or maybe spend $100 on nothing).

I love my long and hot showers where I come out with my body red and burnt. 

I could go on and on. I know, I sound selfish, but these are specific moments that I am soaking up lately.  I am trying to enjoy those moments without crying, as if I am in grief but I can't help it.  I blame it on the hormones.

So I take these anxious thoughts and pray....and pray some more. Then I picture myself in that rocker staring at the sailboats with not a care in the world. I know I will get over this but these are my honest thoughts at this moment right now. 

Now, off to take that burning hot shower until my skin peels off.

Thankful Tuesday

Here we are again, another week to look back and be thankful for!

• My new Shey B camera strap slipcover. I have had my eye on these babies for a while now, then they were featured on a Deal a Day site!  I love a good deal!

•  A hubby who has a flexible job which means he can go to most of my doctor appointments

•  A mother in law who makes us dinner last minute when we call and invite ourselves over

• This face

•  For loyal customers who come back time and time again to support Magpie Designz, thank you!

Baby's quilt

The search for the baby's quilt must be a new mom's obsession early on in the pregnancy. I spent hours cruising the internet, trying to find something that fit my vision.  I wanted something unique, colorful, gender neutral, handmade (gotta support those artists out there!), vintage inspired, and whimsical. I had my eye on a vintage inspired coin quilt on etsy.com from this seller.  (I must of taken the last one because I don't see it in her shop anymore, sorry!)   I put it on my wishlist thinking it would never make it in the nursery, but to my surprise I received it as a gift just recently.  

The packaging was just as beautiful as the quilt. I didn't want to ruin it by tearing it open in my enthusiasm.  Isn't it amazing? The attention to detail was very much appreciated!

Here are some pictures of the quilt...

More to come on the nursery, stay tuned...that is if you care :)