Nursery Planning.

As a new parent-to-be, it's mandatory that you endure a lot of guilt and scare tactics from outside sources -- often in the name of marketing. (And it seems like the guilt trips only get compound once you become an actual parent.) Everyone likes to tell horror stories, and everyone wants to sell you something to make your baby safer, smarter and healthier. Though I've been doing lots of research, I've been trying not to get caught up in all the mad preparation and gadgetry that seem to accompany the having of a baby.

I have a theory, and we'll see if I'm right in a few months, that it doesn't have to be as dramatic/traumatic of an event as some make it out to be. I know it's going to be really hard at times, but it's also a completely natural thing. Instead of flipping our lives upside down in anticipation, I'm hoping we can do our best to be chill and relaxed and take it as it comes. Famous last words? Maybe.

As I've mentioned, this is one reason why I don't plan on buying a ton of things or completely decking out the nursery right now, before we really know what we're in for. Another is that our renovation project has every room in the house in an uproar, and things are constantly shifting around. (We still have a washer, dryer, fridge and cooking area in the living room.) That said, I do want to have a little nook tucked away in the guest room that is calm and peaceful for all of us.

Here's what I have on my idea arsenal right now for creating a sweet space without spending a lot:

Clockwise from the top left:

1. Large basket for stashing toys and books. We'll think about long-term storage (shelves, etc.) once we get settled in a little bit. This Round Seagrass Basket is $40 at Target.
2. Pale dusty pink curtains with a little ruffle. I'm hoping to make our own for much cheaper, but these are $42-$49 each at Urban Outfitters. (Honestly if I don't get around to hanging curtains at all, so be it. We already have panels to block out light.)
3. Small piece of art. Botanical genetics print, free from Vintage Printable. (I plan to have it printed for a few bucks at Kinko's since it's a little larger than a standard printer can handle.)
4. Paper mobile. This Frazier & Wing one is $75 at allmodern, but I hope to DIY a similar one with cardstock and an embroidery hoop.
5. Simple crib. This is the $70 Sniglar from IKEA. No bells or whistles but still safe, and I'm finding that I prefer the soothing, unfinished wood look over white. Unfortunately, the mattress will probably cost twice as much as the crib itself. S's mom is making a quilt somewhat similar to the one pictured.
6. Soft rug. The Erslev from IKEA is just $30 and is 100% cotton, reversible and easy to clean. (And cheap to replace if needed.) This purchase will probably wait until after the dirtiest parts of the renovation are over though -- hopefully by the time she's ready to play on the floor!
7. A few cute toys. I've resolved to not let too much baby clutter overtake the house. If it's not valuable or particularly lovable, we're passing it on once she's done with it. I've always loved hedgehogs, and this wood teether ($12 from littlesaplingtoys on etsy) is just irresistible.
8. White wicker rocker. I've looked high and low for the rocking chair of my dreams, but I can't find anything similar. My mom offered the white wicker one she used when I was a baby, and I'm thinking of jumping on that offer even though S is not a wicker fan. (The fact that it's free and does not require reupholstering might be the final selling factor in this scenario.)

So these are the cheap little decorative touches and useful things I'm looking at for her room so far, to get us started. I still haven't found a dresser for her tiny clothes, but that's on the list as well and I'm prowling Craigslist and thrift stores. Of course nothing is written in stone (since I haven't actually bought a single thing yet) so who knows where we'll end up by the time she arrives. But since this is decor-related, I thought some of you might enjoy the peek into my thoughts.

Now I'm going to go take a nap, because I haven't been able to sleep all week despite being exhausted. I guess it's preparation for the fun to come!