Lilly Pea Designs

Create beautiful things. Have a question or comment? I would love to hear from you! Email me at [email protected]

[thepaperpod]

Valentine’s is a few weeks away! Show your love with an unique card! Available locally at Heart Mercantile or in my Etsy shop. 

[thepaperpod]

Available at Heart Mercantile

[thepaperpod]

Cute Valentine for your cutie. Available at Heart Mercantile in Dayton, OH. 

[thepaperpod]

One of a kind located at Heart in Dayton. 

[thepaperpod]

Only one available and it’s at Heart Mercantile on 5th!

[thepaperpod]

Silver foiled and fabulous. 

[thepaperpod]

Keep it real this Valentine’s. Available locally at Heart Mercantile or in my Etsy shop!

[thepaperpod]

New stock dropped off at Heart today! Lots of cute Valentine’s available like this one!

[thepaperpod]

Grand Opening!

Today Heart on 5th opens their doors to the public!

The shop is located in the Oregon District at 504 E. 5th St Dayton, OH. They will be open from 11-9pm tonight. Come check out the cutest new shop in Dayton!  Make sure to fan their Facebook Page too!

[thepaperpod]

2 years later..

After almost a 2 year hiatus, I'm brushing the dust off the studio and creating again! 

Since my last post I sold our house, moved twice, built a house, became a Jamberry consultant, traveled to Italy and Germany, ran some 5ks, mastered reasoning with a toddler with a whole bunch of other fun mixed in!

I never intended to stop posting or creating but as life priorities shifted, Lilly Pea Designs was continuously pushed to the bottom of my agenda list. I continued to pay for my domain with hopes that at some point  life would re-shift. As it appears, that time has arrived!

In order for me to take time to do what makes my soul happy means I need to keep a life balance and be concise with my time.  For now, the direction of this blog will focus on my work and not my personal life. Additionally, my cards will only be for sale in a new local store in Dayton and by customer request.

I've spent a few nights this week in my studio preparing inventory and it feels good re-lighting that creative fire! I'm looking forward to telling you more about Heart on 5th and sharing my new designs!

[thepaperpod]

Dear Kid Wednesday: 51 weeks & 4 days..

This is a series of little letters written to my son for him to read someday…

Little man,

This upcoming Saturday is your FIRST birthday! We have a big party planned for you. Family & friends from near and far, balloons (boy do you love balloons), cake, presents, and Mickey everything!

As we approach this milestone, I can't help but to be sentimental a little. Not necessarily because you're getting older but more as a reflection of this last year. Specifically, how much my heart has grown. Did you know that Mommy's have HUGE hearts full of love? Cause they do. It's kinda crazy. 

Every time I see pictures or watch the video Dad made of your birth, my eyes tear up. There are so many emotions that flood over me when I think about that day. My first time ever being admitted to a hospital, my first IV.. my first major surgery. Those things were all scary. But there is a picture Dad took when they let me hold you for the first time. I cry every time I see this picture because I can remember how I felt at that moment. As I looked at your sweet face tears filled my eyes and my heart over flowed with love. My precious baby boy had arrived! 

Over the past year, Daddy and I have learned a lot about ourselves. Being a parent isn't always easy. There are sleepless nights, decisions to stress about, days when the laundry and dishes pile up because there isn't enough time. Lots of adjustments made as our family shifted from two to three. But you know what? We couldn't be happier. Our life is so full of love. 

The amount of joy you bring into my life radiates deep into my soul. One of your smiles can turn any day around. Watching you become excited or figuring out how to do something is pretty much astounding. You're the best. 

Happy birthday, tiny bff. I love you. 

Forever and always,

Mommy

[thepaperpod]

Dear Kid Wednesday: Pre-toddler on the horizon!

This is a series of little letters written to my son for him to read someday…

My sweet boy,

On Monday Dad and I met with your the teacher for the new classroom you'll move into next month. Your new teachers seem very friendly and you're class is mostly boys. The new room has lots of cool older baby toys and daily planned activities. Dad and I are really excited for your transition  Of course we will have our battles (no more bottles & a scheduled nap time) but we think you'll really enjoy the new classroom.

This past week you've really turned a corner. Your curiosity is expanding, you're leaving behind being an infant and cruising right into pre-toddler. I love that you've started to explore our home. Last week we were playing in your room and you left me to play solo. Something in the living room caught your eye and off you went- army crawling away from me. You're testing your ability to stand on your own and starting to get the courage to pull up on things. Your legs are so strong buddy, I know once you figure this out you'll be running around everywhere.

To think just a few weeks ago I was really concerned about you and table food. Now you own meal time with how well you eat. You're making hand to mouth contact like a pro. You're even trying to give me and Dad bites. It's adorable. We just love that you eat what we eat now (with a few exceptions; still no candy or nuts for you lil dude)- mealtimes are so much more fun when we are all eating together. 

You clap and say 'yeahhhh', you give the biggest hugs for being pint size, you are starting to waive when you say 'hi' and light up every time you see Shelly or Winston. 

Over the weekend you were pretty much a sleep on the couch and I put my hand over yours- and this sweet little smile came across your face as you wrapped your hand around my finger. I have no words for how that moment in time made me feel, but I do know I'll cherish it forever. 

You amaze me, son, just by you being you. 

With all my love,

Mommy

[thepaperpod]

Fashion Friday: OOTW vol 1.2

Hi all!

Here's the outfits I wore to work this week.

Enjoy!

10.14.13

Blouse: Kohls Pants: Kohls Belt: Express Necklace: Kohls Peeps: Kohls

10.15.13

Sweater: Old Navy Crops: Old Navy Scarf: Target Flip flops: Victoria's Secret Bracelets: F21, Kate Spade Earrings: Vintage

10.16.13

Top: F21 Sweater Vest: Loft Skinnies: Wet Seal Boots: Calvin Klein via Zulily Scarf: Burberry

10.17.13

Tee: F21 Blazer: Kohls Cords: Old Navy Booties: Target Necklace: Von Maur

10.18.13

Sweater: Victoria's Secret Jeans: 7 for All Mankind Earrings: Jen's Backyard on Etsy Flats: Wet Seal

[thepaperpod]

Influenster Box: Dr. Scholl's Active Series

Last week I received my very first Influenster Box. Not familiar with Influenster? To steal their definition:

Influenster [in-floo-uhn-ster]

noun

An exclusive online community where tastemakers and trendsetters (such as yourself) come to share the latest and greatest news, places, products, and reviews with each other. 2. The hotspot you just bookmarked on your web browser that turns your social influence into sweet rewards.

In July I joined. I've answered a bunch of questions, shared my opinion on products and last week they sent me Dr. Scholl's Active Series Insoles to try out and review.

When I returned to work from maternity leave I knew that I wanted to keep regular exercise and fitness in my daily life. My days are a bit more hectic and more demanding- which means a good night's rest is even more important. Not waking up in time for an AM morning was not going to be an excuse I used in my book. I gathered some exercise equipment (light weights, exercise band, workout clothes, toiletries) in a little bag that I keep under my desk. This way, there really is little room for any excuses if I'm up all night with a teething baby.

One of the items in my little bag are these sneakers from Old Navy:

These shoes work great in a pinch but (sorry, Old Navy) I wouldn't want these to be my every day active tennis. When the Dr. Scholl's Active Series arrived I was pretty excited to get them fitted for these shoes.

To size the insoles, is super easy. Just remove the current insoles, align them with the Dr. Scholl's and cut.

Then slip the Dr. Scholl's insoles back into your sneaks.

As soon as I slipped my shoes on I could tell an immediate difference and took them on a test run. Literally. I changed my clothes and went for a 1.6 mile jog on my lunch. Then rounded off my workout with this little combo of strength exercises:

40 minutes later I was a sweaty mess but I felt great; no excuses!

If your gym/walking/running shoes aren't giving you the support you desire I highly recommend the Dr. Scholl's Active Series. For me and my little sneaks, they make a world of difference!

*disclaimer: the opinions expressed are solely those of The Paper Pod. Compensation  was not received for reviewing this product. Please check with your doctor before beginning any workout program and always listen to your body. 

[thepaperpod]

Fashion Friday: OOTW

My last Fashion Friday post almost exactly a year ago and I was super pregnant. Woah- look at that belly!

I want to bring back Fashion Fridays and I also want to document my 'OOTD' (outfit of the day).. welcome OOTW: outfits of the week! 

I've snapped photos with my iphone; I like that it's easy and it doesn't require the hubs to take photos of me in the middle of the street with strange looks from the neighbors. Hopefully the picture quality isn't too awful.

Here are my work outfits for this week:

10.7.13

Sweater & Blouse: Kohls Pants: F21 Shoes: Gap

10.8.13

Cardigan & Tank: Target Maxi Skirt: Loft Shoes: Gap Necklace: Premier Designs Belt: Kohls

10.9.13

Sweater: F21 Pants: Old Navy Shoes: Target Bracelets: vintage, F21 & Premier Designs

10.10.13

Tee, pants, shoes: Target Jacket: Kohls Scarf: F21 Bracelet & Ring: Kate Spade Necklace: Tiffany & Co

10.11.13

Sweater: Gap Jeans: Bitten by SJP for Steve & Barry’s (no longer active retailers) Flip flops: NY&CO Necklace: Group Dealz

[thepaperpod]

MIA

I don't even want to look at the date I last posted. 

Don't get me wrong, I think about posting.. every week. Sometimes daily. 

I also think about never posting again and not having a 'virtual' life to share.

I also think about redirecting my blog (again).

The truth is, Tumblr doesn't always work with me- especially when it comes to uploading photos. And any blog needs photos, because it's just a journal without them. I find this frustrating. 

But today, it's working.. 

Uploaded this almost 2 month old photo of my sweetness in 2 seconds. 

Thanks Tumblr for being so unpredictable!

To catch you all up to speed: We ran the Rocket Man 5K 4th of July. I made a sweet 'Merica tank with spray paint for the race. It was muggy, but we survived. I went on a couple more mini vacations with the fam. Those were fun. I turned another year wiser. (cause older sounds unflattering). There's been a handful of ridiculously fun wine tastings. I completed Tina's Best Body Bootcamp and I'm currently enrolled in her Fall Series too. But most of my time is spent with the little one. Watching him discover the world & helping him find his way. Just recently he discovered I have ears and loves to turn my head so he can investigate. I tell him I have two and so does he. Not sure he understand yet. Hard to believe he'll be one soon. I'm officially in planning mode for the BIG party. 

So, Tumblr, I'll try this again. I really want our relationship to work. Please be cooperative. 

[thepaperpod]

Dear Kid Wednesday: Changes

This is a series of little letters written to my son for him to read someday...

Dear babe,

This week was a big week for you! On Monday you started daycare at the CDC which is a HUGE change from the in-home care with Mrs. Maggie. The CDC is a lot different. You're in a classroom with two teachers and seven other babies around your age. There is a lot of independent play time and not much snuggling which I think is the biggest adjustment for you (besides all the new faces). You're eating solids for your teachers like a champ and having fun with all the space to roll and scoot. You're not taking great naps yet, but I think that will change over time. It's a new place, a new crib, new faces- you're probably just not sure if you can relax here yet.

One of the neat aspects of your new daycare is its right across from Daddy's building so he can come visit you whenever he likes (I can too, but it's not as convenient). He checked in on you on Monday about mid-day. Maybe that was to ease my mind a little bit more than anything; your Daddy is sweet like that.

Dad and I hope we made a smart decision moving you to the CDC. Although we miss Mrs. Maggie and I'm sure you do too if you understood you're no longer seeing her every day. Don't worry though, we have made arrangements to hang out with them as often as possible- so you'll still get to play with Henry, Danny and Bridgette! 

We hope that the structured environment with babies close to your age will help you develop and explore all that you can. Ultimately we just want you to be happy. So far you're all smiles for everyone; you're sweet like that!

With all my love,

Mommy