Suzannah Hamlin Stanley's Blog, page 24

Ultimate baby registry essentials (updated!)

Baby #2 will be here soon!! I'm not having a big shower like last time and haven't send out my registry link much but I am purchasing a few things I really wish we'd had the first time around. Plus, I looked back at my registry post and first 4 weeks newborn essentials post from 2 years ago when we had Otto and while I still stand by those recs!!!, some items are no longer available or I've found better replacements for. (There's a lot more selection now even just compared to 2018!) 
It's time fo...

Playroom function and design tips

Whether you have a large dedicated playroom or just a few corners in other rooms in your house, you probably have faced common issues with organization, messes, funny-looking toys, and where kids are in relation to the rest of the family when playing. 
Ashley and I have different experiences with kids from baby to big kid, underused playrooms and popular play corners, and this week on the Your Home Story Podcast we're breaking it down with tips for common problems, design ideas to make the spaces...

Social distancing baby shower/party for baby #2!

This has not been a great year to be pregnant--global pandemic and all--and I've hardly seen my friends at all most of 2020. This is baby #2, so I didn't need a big shower with lots of gifts and games, but I really wanted to see my supportive women friends!
I put together a simple, laid-back, socially distanced and contact-free baby sprinkle (baby shower for baby #2) in our backyard and had a great time!
How to hold a social distancing baby shower or sprinkle
I did some Googling on this and found l...

Mini home tour & our fave big-ticket home decor purchases!

I was thinking recently about big purchases. It can take months to decide on a big-ticket item like a rug, mattress, statement light fixture, etc. It usually takes me ages, too! 
When we moved into this house 2 years ago we were starting from scratch on a lot of things. We sold a bunch of furniture and moved the rest of our stuff into a storage unit after selling our last house, while waiting on this one. It was pretty empty here for a while! It took some time to find the right items to replace o...

DIY or hire out? Home repairs and damage

What kind of home repairs should you try to do yourself? When is it time to call a professional? Hear our thoughts as we explore drywall issues, wood dings, leaky faucets and more!READ POST

DIY sealing our fence! How to protect wood with a clear stain

A couple months ago I shared about how we replaced our mismatched, damaged fence and gate with new (cedar). One of our favorite upgrades to this property, for sure!! 
We did some research and learned you're supposed to wait a while before staining or sealing a new fence, so the boards can cure. Well, it's been enough time and the weather is dryer now, and we just sealed it!
I was a little intimidated by this project but it went SO well!READ POST

How to be content with your home when you can't change it!

We all struggle with contentment and the need/want to do more, make more, and buy more. How to combat that in the home decor world? 
Tune in to the Your Home Story podcast this week as we give practical tips for how to be content even while being inundated with beautiful spaces, amazing renovations and more.

Mentioned this week:
I mentioned inspiration from Molly Galbraith of Girls Gone Strong, who believes you can love your body exactly as it is right now, while wanting it to look or perform diff...

Affordable blackout curtains: tips, round-up, and best sources

I shared last summer how we keep our home cooler in the summer using blackout curtains. It means the AC doesn't have to work as hard, and we avoid hot spots near windows! Check out that post for the process/tips we use. I also shared in that post how I hacked some affordable blackout curtains to custom length and a higher-end look.
Well, I've been developing my opinions (and knowledge) about curtains a lot recently and have even more tips to share now, plus the best sources for affordable blackou...

Our fireplace getting closer and closer to living up to its potential: no-wiring sconces!

I've been updating our fireplace little bit by little bit the past two years we've lived here. It's original to our home and I'm not considering any huge changes (see all its iterations here), but it has felt a little plain for the huge, long wall of the living room it stands on.
I debated sconces for a long, long time but finally added some (fully functional, no wiring!) and am very happy with it!
No-wiring sconces on our historic fireplace
I thought about more modern versions because I love our m...

34 weeks! Third trimester pregnancy update

34 weeks along! Baby will be here before we know it. We are so, so grateful and excited to meet her and become a family of four.
But, the third trimester of pregnancy has been a lot harder the second time around. At least, from what I can remember!
Second pregnancy third trimester update
I can't believe how big my belly is, and still going to get bigger! I've gained 28 pounds, which I think is a little more than I had gained last pregnancy at this point, but still pretty normal. Thankfully, I'm hea...