Monday, October 31, 2016

Ten Stunning Places to Visit in Greece

It's a fact: Greece is absolutely breathtaking. I'm not sure I've ever been to a place so beautiful, especially the Greek islands. This summer, Aaron and I were blessed to spend 13 days traveling throughout Greece and its islands on an EF Tour. Our itinerary kept us busy, but we got to see almost everything the country had to offer. Even though Baby K was already on the way, and I spent a lot of time "tossing my gyros" into the nearest trash can, I'm so grateful for the opportunity to visit this amazing, historic country. Here are 10 stunning places you've got to visit in Greece!

Ten Stunning Places to Visit in Greece

1. Santorini


Santorini

Santorini

Santorini was one of my very favorite parts of the entire trip. When you see photos of Greece, lots of them are from Oia Village, and it certainly didn't disappoint. With its blue-domed roofs and tiny whitewashed homes, this picturesque city is a must-visit on this rocky island. We enjoyed snapping photos of the amazing views, picking out some local wine to bring home, and finding some BOSS Ice Cream Bars for me to keep down.

2. Mykonos


Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos, Greece windmills

Mykonos surprised me. I didn't know much about it, but I can honestly say it was one of my absolute favorites. The island is a complete maze of whitewashed homes, gorgeous windmills, and breathtaking, windy seaside views. Aaron got me my traditional third anniversary leather gift here: handmade flip-flops! Known for its wide array of shopping, nightlife, and restaurants, Mykonos is touristy but can't be missed.

3. Athens


Athens, Greece Parthenon

Athens, Greece

If you're going to visit Greece, Athens is a no-brainer. You can't visit the country without a stop at the Parthenon, the Acropolis, or the Plaka District. With historical ruins that are thousands of years old, Athens is a great starting point for a Greek adventure, as you can fly right in, explore the ruins, and then head out for a Greek Island cruise from the Piraeus port.

4. Rhodes 


Lindos

I didn't know much about Rhodes, but it is absolutely breathtaking. Be sure to visit Lindos, an ancient city that houses the Acropolis of Lindos, whose ruins cascade down its breathtaking cliffs. There are lots of shopping and dining options to enjoy on your way up and down the hundreds of stairs to the top. Seriously, check out those views!

5. Samos


Celestyal Cruises

Greece

We didn't have a lot of time in Samos, but it's a place I would definitely go back to. It's the home of the Pythagorio village, and here you can find Pythagorean cups that punish greedy drinkers who try to take more than their portion by emptying the entire cup. Samos is also famous for its wine, so we visited the Wine Museum and brought home a few bottles to enjoy later. Also be sure to visit the archaeological site of Heraion, a large sanctuary to the goddess Hera.

6. Patmos


Patmos

Patmos is also beautiful (see a pattern?) and is a must-visit for historical reasons. Home to the 900-year-old Monastery of St. John and the Grotto of the Apocalypse, Patmos houses a lot of Christian historical points of interest, including the place where John wrote the book of Revelation.

7. Delphi


Delphi

Delphi

Delphi is another can't-miss site on the Greek mainland. With well-known ruins and incredible historical significance, Delphi is known as the home of the oracle, and it provides stunning views of the Greek hillside and the Temple of Apollo.

8. Peloponnese


Greek Olives

Pottery

Our trip included an extension to visit the Peloponnese, a peninsula of Southern Greece. Here you can find the Temple of Hera, the Lion Gate of Mycenae, and Kalamata olives galore! We even visited an olive farm where we got to sample olives and buy homemade olive oil to take home and enjoy. Be sure to visit the echoing theater of Epidarus and maybe even take a pottery class while you're at it (mine was embarrassingly terrible!).

9. Olympia


Olympia, Greece

Olympia

Within the Peloponnese area, Olympia is a must-see. Home to the original Ancient Olympics, Olympia is a rather surreal experience as you view the ancient stadium and maybe even go for a quick foot race. Many restaurants await your hunger in the heart of the city and are within walking distance of the ruins.

10. Cape Sounion


Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion

Just a short drive from Athens, Cape Sounion is a popular beach-area escape and offers breathtaking views of the shockingly blue Aegean sea. Be sure to visit the Temple of Poseidon here for some picture-perfect photographic opportunities.

All in all, Greece was an incredible experience. It was pretty warm, but the islands were breezy and cool. Even though I was battling morning sickness, this stunning country surprised me with its incredible history, amazing views, and unique culture. We never felt unsafe, and we were welcomed by the Greeks with open arms. If you're ready to start planning your trip, be sure to look for amazing vacation deals and take advantage of hotel coupons. Add Greece to your bucket list, y'all. You won't regret it!

Currently,
Kelsie

Thursday, October 27, 2016

What to See and Do in New Orleans

A few years ago, Aaron and I rang in the New Year in New Orleans with two of our very dearest friends. Although the city sometimes gets a bad rap, it has much more to offer than just the craziness of Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street. From amazing food to fabulous architecture and music, there is truly something for everyone in New Orleans. Once you arrive, check into one of these fabulous IHG New Orleans hotels, and then head off to explore the city and hit these must-dos!

(If you'd like to have a GPS-Guided version of this article, check out the app on GPSmyCity!)


Visit the National World War II Museum

Even if you're not a huge history buff, the National World War II Museum is most definitely worth your time. Originally opened in 2000, the museum has since completed several new updates and expansions. It houses a variety of impressive interactive exhibits. We enjoyed seeing the planes and taking some time to appreciate the history of our nation and honor those who died for it.

Ride a Streetcar Through the St. Charles District

One of my very favorite activities in New Orleans was riding the streetcar out into the St. Charles District. The fares are incredibly reasonable, and the streetcar passes through many beautiful neighborhoods full of mansions and history. The pace of this area is slow, the people are friendly, and there are lots of great New Orleans restaurants to try!

Photo by Fede Casanova on Unsplash

Go on a Walking Tour

Another one of the activities I really enjoyed in NOLA was taking a walking tour throughout the city. We snagged a great deal on a French Quarter Day Tour through Free Tours By Foot, where your tour price is basically tipping the guide after the tour is complete. You can also go on Cemetery, Food, or Ghost Tours, depending on your preferences.

Visit Jackson Square

No visit to New Orleans is truly complete without a visit to Jackson Square. Known for its iconic St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square is actually the place where we rang in the New Year in the rain. By day, the square is a beautiful place for a walk, and it's a great photo spot because of its location right next to the Mississippi River.

Photo by Fede Casanova on Unsplash

Listen to Live Jazz in the French Quarter

You've also got to spend a little time in the French Quarter area listening to live jazz. After all, New Orleans is a huge part of jazz history. The French Quarter is the oldest part of New Orleans, and it's nestled right up between Louis Armstrong Park and the Mississippi. The architecture here is iconic and beautiful.

Enjoy the Local Food

What's a trip without local food? New Orleans has much to offer, and you can't leave without trying a po' boy, some gumbo, or some bread pudding. No trip to the French Quarter is complete without enjoying some beignets at Café du Monde. Go very late in the evening to avoid the extra long lines.

All in all, New Orleans has something for everyone. From food to music, architecture, and history, New Orleans is about more than just partying on Bourbon Street. We enjoyed our visit, and we would definitely go back again. To see some of our other travel tips, check out Our Adventures!

Currently,
Kelsie

Monday, October 24, 2016

GPS- Guided Travel Articles

Hey y'all! As you know, Aaron and I have huge hearts for travel and the adventure that comes along with it. Between our travels overseas and all over the country, we have truly loved meeting wonderful people in new places, and seeing so much history and culture around the world. Although our traveling will look a little different when Baby K comes into the world in March, we are still planning several more adventures for the future (and for when Baby is here too)! 

If you're like us, you like to travel on a budget, while also maximizing your time in the places you choose to visit without wasting time planning in the moment. At the same time, you want to know what you're seeing while you visit. Lately, I've fallen in love with the perfect solution to both problems: travel article apps. These are the articles that you find while browsing and think, "Man, this will come in so handy when we are in _____ city!" You can save the article for later, but what if I told you there was a better way to do it- on that involved embedded maps and a personal tour guides of sorts? They're called GPS-Guided Travel Articles, and they are also the newest offering from GPSMyCity, an awesome app that I shared in my post on What to Do in Kansas City. 

Why Use GPS-Guided Travel Article Apps?

Great question. Think about all of the times you need to look up a location or an article while traveling. Once you find a good review, you've got to look up the restaurant or attraction, and then look up the directions or find it on a map. And you have to have either data or internet access. But with GPS guided-travel articles, you've got GPS coordinates embedded into an article, so that all you have to do is download the article and you're set! The tracking in the articles lets your iPhone chart the route within the city you're visiting, and keeps you moving from location to location, so all you have to do is enjoy the experience without getting lost. The articles can be read off-line, on a plane, on the subway, anywhere! No internet needed. 

Just so you know, you can automatically download and read any GPS guided-travel article for free, but if you choose to upgrade for a small fee (and purchase the app for $1.99), you'll get the access to all the great offline GPS features! So cheap and easy! Best of all, you'll get to have your own little tour without having to pay a hefty amount for a tour guide. What a great way to see the city and remember what you saw!

How to Access GPS-Guided Travel Apps

You've got a couple of options:
1. Click the link at the end of an article or blog post that has been turned into an app. You'll be prompted to download the FREE GPSmyCity app. After that, check out the post, and you can download for free or upgrade to get the GPS-guided version. 
2. Download the FREE GPSmyCity app, and then browse for any city to find articles! 

 

Want to give them a shot for free?

You're in luck! Some of my very own posts have been turned into article apps! In celebration, I'm offering a free travel article app giveaway. For one week (from October 24th to October 31st), you can check out the following article apps from my posts and upgrade for free on the Kansas City app to see how it works:

What to Do in Kansas City (Free Upgrade!)

Feel free to check out some of my other popular travel articles, where I share tips on saving money, visiting the best places in the shortest amount of time, and making the most of your visits with inside tips! 

Currently,
Kelsie

Thursday, October 20, 2016

5 Ways I'm Conquering My Pregnancy Fears

From the very moment you find out you're pregnant, it's easy to let fears and worries creep into your mind. And honestly, it's pretty easy to be afraid even before you're pregnant (see Nine Reasons I'm Afraid to Have a Baby). From fearing the pain of miscarriage to worrying about all of the things that could possibly go wrong along the way, pregnancy is a strange journey of incredible excitement, anticipation, and underlying anxiety about what could happen. As the weeks tick by and I move closer and closer to my due date, old worries are fading away and new ones are replacing them. But lately, I've found peace in the midst of these concerns. Here are five ways I'm conquering my pregnancy fears. 


1. Keeping the Big Picture in Mind

In the moments where I'm most worried or fearful about all that is to come, I'm learning to remember the ultimate joy at the end of this journey: the blessing of raising our sweet child. I know that I won't necessary love things like the gestational diabetes test, getting an IV, or pushing through labor (literally), but I know that all of these things are necessary ends to a means. And if that ending places our beautiful baby in my arms, I know that everything will be oh so worth it. I won't care what I have to go through to get there: meeting Baby K, finding out their gender, naming them, and raising them up to love the Lord will be the sweetest, hardest, best journey ever. So it's all worth it.

2. Thinking Positive and Believing in Myself

I looked in the mirror the other day at 9Round and found myself asking, "Can I do this? Can I really bring a child into the world?" And then I stopped and considered that I was 20 weeks pregnant, coaching softball, and still working out daily. And I thought, "Heck yeah, I can do this! I'm going to rock this!" Why is it that it's so easy to let ourselves be negative, but we're so slow to be positive and believe in ourselves? I'm finding that a positive mental attitude can quickly erase the fears that whisper to me randomly throughout the day. I'm choosing to believe that I can do this, just as so many women have before me, and so many will after me.

Pregnancy Announcement Photo, Baby Shoes

 

 3. Finding and Reaching out to a Support System

I have been absolutely blown away by the incredible support of all the amazing mothers out there! From helpful advice on cribs and car seats to celebration of my pregnancy, moms have engulfed me with love and encouragement, and I am truly grateful. Of course, my family and mama friends have also been so wonderful, and I couldn't do this without them. But it has been oh so encouraging to see the love and support from so many who don't know me, yet are fabulous listening ears and encouragers! Y'all rock!

4. Being Honest about My Fears

Being willing to share our hearts and struggles together with vulnerability is a huge part of heart behind this blog's mission statement: to love fiercely, learn fearlessly, and live fully. I've found that holding in my fears only lets them eat away at me, making me into a monster who boils up and eventually spills over with emotion. So I'm choosing to be honest about my fears: with my husband, with my friends, and with those I love most. Even if it means waking my sweet hubby up in the middle of the night, crying about something random and seemingly unimportant, I'm doing it. Because I know that I need to be honest with myself and with others in order to work through these fears.

Pregnancy Announcement Photo, Baby Onezie, Younglife

 

 5. Trusting that God's Plan is Good...No Matter What

A few weeks ago at church, while I was leading the song "It Is Well", I found myself moved almost to tears by these lyrics: "So let go my soul, and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know his name...And through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you. And it is well with me." In the moments when I find myself most worried or afraid about labor or motherhood, I stop and remember that God is good, that He is sovereign, and that His plans are to help me and not to harm me. So if there are complications or problems along the way with our baby, labor, or everything in between, I am finding myself saying, "It is well, Lord." I know that His plans may not always be what I want, but they are what I need. And I find hope and peace in knowing that ultimately He has brought us to this place, given us this child, and provided us with more than we could ever dream of. So I know He is good, and that I am not in control, which is so freeing.

The journey from being afraid to have a baby to knowing I was ready for one was definitely filled with tears, joy, and the realization that my fears were not enough to keep me from yearning for a child. But along the way, God has always been good. I know that there may still be times when I freak out about labor or worry about things to come that are unknown, uncertain, and scary. But in the end, I trust that I am equipped to be a mother, that I have been chosen to have this particular baby at this particular time for a reason, and that God will not let me fall. I'm so grateful for the amazing support system that I have, for mama friends to be vulnerable with, and for the opportunity to bring our sweet child into this world oh so soon.

I'm leaving you with some of my favorite powerful and encouraging songs. I hope that their truth and peace will calm your soul and mind just as they have for me (and not just for pregnancy fears). Be sure to check out some of my other posts on motherhood too, and shoot me a message if you'd like to chat more about pregnancy, fears, or really anything!

Currently,
Kelsie





Monday, October 17, 2016

The Best of Washington D.C.

When Aaron and I went on both our Northeast Spring Break trip and our "Anniventury" this summer, we ended up spending part of our time in Washington D.C. The first time around, we were only there for a day and a half, so we found ourselves hitting the major highlights quickly before moving on. But when we were there in June for my students' national competition, we had a little more time to really dive into the city and explore. Here are our "best of the best" for D.C., including museums, neighborhoods, restaurants, and getting around the city with ease!

The Best of Washington D.C.

Museums and Monuments

You can't visit Washington D.C. without seeing at least a few museums and monuments. All of our favorites are located on the National Mall. We really love the Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, and the National Archives. If you visit during certain seasons, they offer extended hours. Admission is free, and these museums are also busier early in the day, so plan out your visit accordingly. Of course, you've also got to make a stop at the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and the World War II Memorial.

Washington Monument at Night, Washington D.C.

Neighborhoods

Some of our very favorite neighborhoods in Washington D.C. were places that we didn't initially visit. Of course, you have to visit the National Mall to see the museums and monuments listed above, but D.C. has a lot more to offer too! Georgetown is one of my very favorite areas, with its cute brick streets, endless shopping venues, and great restaurant options. Of course, you have to pick up a Georgetown Cupcake there too! Foggy Bottom is nestled just between Georgetown and Downtown, and it's a great area for a walk and exploring other restaurants.

Georgetown Cupcake

Restaurants

When we returned to D.C. in June for our second visit in three months, we branched out a bit to try new places to eat. On our third wedding anniversary, we made reservations for the ever popular Founding Farmers. It was delicious, unique, and affordable, and I would highly recommend it. We also had We the Pizza: a pizza option with huge slices and homemade sodas. Since we really love our pizza, we also gave &pizza a try. Here, you get to choose all your own toppings, meats, and sauces for a flat rate. Delicious! D.C. has something for all tastes.

We the Pizza, Washington D.C.
We the Pizza

Transportation

One of my favorite parts of our second visit to D.C was taking advantage of the Capital BikeShare program. Basically, there are bikes placed throughout the city, and you can rent them for low rates and ride them from station to station. It's quicker than trying to drive through crazy D.C. traffic, saves your feet, and is cheaper than the metro (which we took to get into the heart of the city). Aaron and I each joined the program for three days for $17, and then kept all of our trips to fewer than 30 minutes (which is doable since there are so many stations so close), so we never had to pay the extra fees. We loved it!

Capital Bikeshare Route

Hotels

Of course any visit to D.C. calls for a stay in a cozy hotel of your choice. There are tons of options in a variety of areas throughout the city. We stayed a little farther out in the suburbs for our last trip, but when we go back again I would love to stay in the Foggy Bottom or Downtown areas, where there are lots of affordable options.

All in all, Washington D.C. is a wonderful travel destination for people of all ages. There is history to appreciate, great food to enjoy, and a variety of fun entertainment and nightlife to explore.

Currently,
Kelsie

Monday, October 10, 2016

How to Book Your Vacation with IHG Reward Nights

Aaron and I love to travel, but since we're both teachers, it's not something that we can afford to drop a ton of money on all the time. Our solution? We're members of some fabulous travel rewards programs, and we pay our bills with their credit cards. This way, we make our money work for us, and we still get to travel without feeling guilt or going off budget. One of our favorite rewards programs, and very favorite hotel company to stay with, is the InterContinental Hotels Group.


A while back, I shared a post about the IHG Rewards Club Credit Card: how we use it, how you earn points, and how you redeem them. Today I'm here to show you how to search within point ranges to book your dream vacation.

Although I won't be visiting anywhere in the Caribbean for a while because I'm pregnant, I'm already looking forward to doing some traveling with our little one this summer. Next on my travel bucket list? Book a trip to Miami and Key West! 

Step One:

When I'm ready to search for a hotel to book with our reward points, I go to the Reward Nights Link, and then type "Miami, FL" into the destination box. You'll select your dates next (see photo above), and the choose a point range you're looking to stay within. If you know you only have a certain amount of points, you can search for that amount, or you can buy more points. IHG is extra amazing because it lets you combine cash and points to find the perfect fit for your reservation purchase. 

Step Two:

Once you search, you'll come to a list that looks like this:


Underneath the "check rates" box for each hotel, you'll see the point values, showing different increments and points as well as cash combo options. You can even sort your results by "rates" if you'd like, and then you'll probably get the best bang for your buck! 

Aaron and I usually travel with a rental car, so we don't mind staying a little farther from the cities. We usually try to stick to booking rooms that cost 5,000 to 15,000 points, but now and then, you may want to splurge and book an awesome room in a downtown area. Here are some Miami options we would consider:


Step Three:

When you're ready, select the Miami hotel you want. You can even pick extra bonus packages, and breakfast is included most of the time! Another awesome thing about the InterContinental Hotels Group is that they let you cancel up until the evening of your reservation, and you'll get your points back (for free). The flexibility of the program is amazing, and we have always had incredible stays at clean, comfortable hotels. 


Even though we'll have baby in tow, we're excited to plan next year's vacation. With the help of great travel groups like IHG, traveling doesn't have to break the bank. Let me know if you have questions or need help. Maybe we will see you in Miami! 

Currently,
Kelsie

Friday, October 7, 2016

18 Week Bumpdate

Time is flying, y'all. As if it wasn't moving quickly enough, I feel like tracking my pregnancy week by week has really sped it up. Ever since we announced my pregnancy at the beginning of August, I've known that I wanted to really document it in a fun way, especially because it's our first baby. So today I'm sharing my first bumpdate, as I near the 19 week mark and enjoy the "honeymoon stage" of growing a baby. Ladies and gentlemen, the bump!


On a recent trip to Target, I picked up a cute little chalkboard banner. Each week, I hang it up in our front room, put on the same striped maxi dress from our trip to Greece this summer, and have Aaron snap a photo or two of my ever-growing bump. I'm excited to have the photos to make a collage at the end of my pregnancy, and it's been crazy to see how fast the weeks are clicking by. Now that you've seen bump, here are some answers to some questions I'm getting a lot, or things you may be curious about!


How I'm Feeling

All in all, the pukey feelings of first trimester are gone, thank goodness, and I'm feeling pretty great! I've found that I have to eat a bigger breakfast than I did pre-pregnancy, and that I'm hungry pretty much all the time. I'm not as tired as I was during weeks 8-10, but I am still pretty pooped by the end of the day. With softball coming to a close, I'm looking forward to a little less busy and little more relaxation. I don't mind any of these feelings much at all when I look down to see my growing belly and keep in mind just what my body is doing right now.

 

What's New This Month

I've had a little bit of rib and abdominal pain every now and then, I think from a mixture of baby's kicks and the fact that all of my internal organs are pushing up, stretching, and moving around. I've also seriously "popped" within the last week or two, and I looked in the mirror last Friday to find a pregnant profile staring back at me. When did that happen? I'm also starting to feel Baby K move around in there more and more, and it's a pretty amazing feeling to know that a little life is within you.

What I'm Craving

I'm not really craving anything specific so far. I still love my all time favorites: popcorn, ice cream, queso, and chicken. There are certain things that just sound horrible to me, and I'm still noticing an increased sense of smell. 

What I'm Wearing

With the new appearance of the bump in the last couple of weeks, I'm just now getting to the point where I can't button my pants. I'm trying to hold on to the last warmth from the summer, and have been wearing lots of cute dresses from before that accommodate my bump. I've started wearing the BellaBand with my pants, and have worn true maternity jeans once. I'm also blessed with some really awesome friends who have given me maternity clothes to wear, so I'm excited (and thankful) for that, once they become a little more necessary. Also, Motherhood Maternity Bumpstart leggings for the win! Why didn't I own these before? They're amazing.


How I'm Sleeping

I've been waking up at least once a night every night to pee for basically the last three months. Guess I'm just getting ready for that when Baby comes. I'm just now starting to have to sleep with a body pillow, because sleeping on my side makes me feel like my belly is pulling. I find that I have a little trouble falling asleep, but once I do I'm sleeping really soundly and dreaming like crazy.

What I'm Looking Forward To

I'm really excited to keep feeling Baby move more and more. I'm also looking forward to our ultrasound in a couple of weeks. Even though we aren't finding out our baby's gender, I'm excited to see their cute little self and am praying for healthy results and good news for mama and baby alike. Our last ultrasound was at 10 weeks, so it will be fun to see how much Baby K has grown since then! I'm also looking forward to making progress on nursery design and planning. I recently shared my Gender Neutral Nursery Inspiration, so be sure to check it out if you haven't yet!

Are you following along on Instagram? It's where I share extra little photos and fun updates from daily life. Don't miss out!

Currently,
Kelsie



Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Gender Neutral Nursery Inspiration

As soon as we found out we were expecting the arrival of sweet Baby K in March, it was pretty easy to start dreaming about a nursery and pinning away like a mad woman. Over the course of the last three years in our home, I've really enjoyed figuring out my style and tackling fun, affordable projects like our rustic dining room. But now, with baby on board, it's time to plan out what will surely be one of my favorite projects ever.


In case you missed it, we've decided to wait to find out our baby's gender. (You can read more about that here.) There are tons of amazing reasons we are happy to wait a little longer for that sweet surprise, but it does mean that our nursery will be gender neutral. And you know what? We're a-okay with that, especially since it means we will decorate once for baby and then be able to use the room for all our future kiddos! I honestly think I would want to do more neutral nursery even if we were going to find out the gender of our sweet nugget.

Source: Style Me Pretty

Our baby room is already a pale blue gray, which I love and think will work just fine, especially as we pull in pale grays and whites (like the color scheme in the nursery above from Style Me Pretty .  I'm still debating whether or not we want to paint the trim white, and/or go with some sort of white wainscoting or batten board on the lower half of the walls, like these dreamy set ups from The Little Umbrella and 100 Layer Cake-let. Thoughts?

Source: The Little Umbrella
Source: 100 Layer Cake-let 

The plan is to go with some sort of travel/map/adventure theme that will allow us to incorporate little elements from all of our adventures together. We have several fun prints and souvenirs from our trips to Europe, and we plan to use those throughout the room. Think vintage suitcases, globes, and maps in pale whites, greens, and grays. I'm slightly obsessed with this crisp, dreamy travel room from The Little Umbrella. Isn't it gorgeous?

Source: The Little Umbrella
Source: The Little Umbrella

In addition to the fun, crisp photos and mini-globes, I'm dreaming of a few super cute signs and lettering to pull the room together. We've already picked up an "Adventure Awaits" map sign in the perfect shade of blue from TJ Maxx, as well as a sweet little globe.  I'm also in love with this hot air balloon sign from WinsomeEasel.

Source: Etsy

Finally, I'm on the hunt for a super cute, pale white, gray, and green mobile of some sort. I seriously love this dreamy hot air balloon mobile from sunshineandvodka. Although I'm not sure I could take the leap and splurge on it, it's giving me some great ideas to start with. 

Source: Etsy

All in all, I'm loving the process of nursery planning and dreaming without any pressure. Knowing that this room will be used for all of our sweet babies just encourages me to take my time and have fun finding a few little pieces at a time. I'm still pinning lots of dreamy nurseries to my Pinterest Board, so be sure to go check it out! 


What are your favorites from these ideas? How have you styled your gender neutral nursery?

Currently,
Kelsie

If you aren't already, be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for updates and the latest posts!