Tessa's House

I was excited to create a nursery for the baby and was eager to know the gender so that I could start planning! I had been visiting a friend of mine in Maryland the weekend before I found out the sex of the baby. We were in my favorite store, Homegoods, and I spotted this really pretty rug that I thought would look perfect in a girl's nursery. BUT, since I didn't know the sex yet, I had to leave it behind.

We also found this AMAZING rocking horse...er ...sheep? It appeared to be hand carved and real-ish animal hair. It was on CLEARANCE...but was still $250!! I couldn't pull the trigger for that much!

Later that following week, we found out that we were having a GIRL! Yes! YAY! Yahoo! Whew!

Can you tell that's what I really wanted? (wink)

So I called up my friend and asked her to go back to Homegoods and see if that rug was still there.

And thankfully, it was still there!

She bought it for me and I met up with her a few months later to bring 'er home!

That was the jumping off point for me. I liked the dark pinky mauve, gray, and ivory combination in the rug and thought that a teal color would be a nice coordinating color as well.

We painted the walls Benjamin Moore Owl Gray. I used that color in my laundry room, living room, and sunroom as well. I really love that color! I decided I wanted a simple white crib and white furniture. I began scouring Craigslist on a daily basis looking for a neutral colored upholstered glider or rocker as well as a dresser for a changing table. New upholstered gliders can range from $250 up to $700 for a custom upholstered design. I finally came across this upholstered glider and pounced on it within an hour of being posted.

The reason I liked this one so much was because it was slipcovered! This way I could wash the entire thing and feel comfortable having it in my home "germ free". The pillow was from World Market and only $10. I had it monogrammed at a local store.

I wanted a dresser to do double duty as storage as well as be the changing table station. After a few weeks hunting on Craigslist, I found an antique dresser that was already painted white, with great legs, and a perfect height for diaper changing.

The knobs were purchased at Hobby Lobby. They have the best affordable selection of knobs!

And this photo leads us into baby girl's closet! The closet originally only had one rod on the top. I hung a bottom rod and shelf and I wallpapered the closet with "wrapping paper" I picked up at Homegoods. I used a spray adhesive to adhere it to the walls. Total cost was around $10 for the 3 rolls of wrapping paper.

I picked up some coordinating bins and filled them with onesies, hats, socks, and toys.

My mom brought me the picture that's above the closet. She had purchased that picture back in the 80's for MY room growing up. Its a picture of various little girls shoes.

I wanted to find some unique art for the room. I looked at various options but fell in love with these whimsical animal watercolor prints from this shop on Etsy. I love that they are fun and quirky yet soft enough for a nursery.

A bird in a tutu, an owl scuba diving in a tea cup, a llama blowing bubbles, and a sheep pouring herself a cup of tea! The donut picture is from The Aestate.

I looooove donuts, so I'm sure she will too!

There was an awkward nook area in between the glider and the closet. I wanted it to serve as a place for her to store her books. I came across a few ideas on Pinterest and bought these white shelves from Wayfair.

All of the books were gifts from friends and family that came to my Kentucky Derby Baby Shower.

The "N" was purchased at Hobby Lobby.

The table was from my aunt which I painted white. The brass rocking horse was scored at a Goodwill by my mom.

A simple white crib is in one corner of the room with 4 plastic plates centered above. The plates were purchased years ago at a local store and have pink boston terrier silhouettes on them.

The rocking horse was given to me by my sister in law at the Kentucky Derby Shower.

A few other details around the room...

These pictures sit atop the dresser/changing table and the one on the left is a picture of my grandma on the beach. Nora's name is derived from her grandmas.

The framed initials artwork is made from authentic Spanish tiles. It was given to Nora by my friend who brought it back from her trip to Spain.

The beautiful crocheted yellow dress and headband were handmade by a coworker.

And a final look at the whole room...

I had fun piecing it all together!

My due date was at the beginning of the summer, so when my mom and sister asked when I wanted my baby shower to be, I looked at the calendar...And May 2nd weekend was the Kentucky Derby! Perfect timing since I have ALWAYS wanted to have a Kentucky Derby party!

So my wheels began turning and Pinterest helped it along. I love to throw a party, especially with a theme, so I told my family I would take care of the decorations. I know...decorating for my own party...but, hey, I can't resist! We would have the shower at my house and derby attire was a must. Including the famous derby hats and fascinators!

We would definitely need a "Watering hole" for the drink station. And what derby party wouldn't be complete without Mint Juleps?!

I used my friend's cricet machine to make the bunting that I strung in the hall on the mirror. Mint Juleps on the right, lemonade on the left, and wine and beer in the middle.

The criqet also came in handy to make these cute race horses with some cute paper I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

I set out a variety of glasses, from my antique car glasses, to blue mason jars, and wine glasses.

Look at the horse themed wine my mom found and the Kentucky bourbon beer too.

Filling up on her mint julep! Giddy up!

For the main spread, I set up a table to display the derby themed food.

The bunting was made with the criqet also. I chose pink and ticking stripe pink for the base of the bunting and then a light mint green for the letters which spell "Down the Home Stretch"!

I used card stock in pastel pink, purple, and blues to create the giant horse ribbons which I attached with safety pins to the antique lace tablecloth.

I spray painted some cheap plastic horseshoes gold which I found in the children's toy section.

We tried to come up with cute "derby-esque" food descriptions. "Louisville Lemon Bars" are shown here.

Of course we had to have fried chicken! "Churchill Downs Chicken" shown here with dipping sauces.

Another southern favorite are the "Pimlico Pimento Cheese Sandwiches".

Now into the living room where the presents would be opened and games would be played.

Check out the adorable gray rocking horse my sister in law gave me. She found at a thrift store and painted it to coordinate with baby girl's nursery.

Atop the coffee table in the living room was some party mix as well as a horse trophy found at a Goodwill. I wrapped the base of the trophy in some pink ribbon to blend in with the rest of the decor.

Every horse race needs a betting area. I had a friend of a friend create these "betting cards" where everyone "bet" on the due date, the weight, and height. The winner would be sent a giftcard after baby girl was born. In front of the bassinet betting station was a mini library of books for the baby. Each guest was asked to bring a book in lieu of a card for the baby on the invitation.

(pssst...notice the glass horse book ends!)

We set up the party favors in the front foyer. The favors were sugar cookies cut in the shape of what else? A rocking horse! I framed the invitation and added a brass horse picked up at a local Goodwill.

Guests also got to sink their teeth into these delicious cupcakes made by a local baker. We set up the dessert station on the barcart I scored from Target. For more about the barcart check out this post.