The Alison Show | Keep it Crafty & Sassy

A few good (non-working) fireplaces

So, we have a fireplace we can’t use.

Gigi and I are both super upset about it.

I kind of want to paint it white, but Eric says NO WAY! Which I get. It does make me cringe to paint over the 1930′s original brick. But then again the brick looks all dirty and crap from ill attempts at fire starting by previous tenants.

The main problem with filling a fireplace with decorative stuff is Ginger Jane, and soon, my lil man. Kids are the worst! I JOKE.

We did try this one time…

Image via Pink, Green & Zebra

But the magnetic paint wasn’t REALLY magnetic, and like most chalkboard paint, the chalk doesn’t REALLY erase. It ended up looking kind of junky, and not nearly as rad as the one above.

Image via Style by Emily Henderson

I love the idea of filling it full of logs, maybe if I packed them tight enough the kids couldn’t pull them out?

Image via Kelli Murray

I absolutely LOVE this idea and the uniformity of the all white books! But I see Gigi going nuts on them…

Image via Design Sponge

I’ve loved this faux log tutorial for years! But again I hate to think of taking the time and money to make them and then watching Gigi wreck them!

Image via Brooklyn Bride

And how amazing is this pop of yellow?!

But even though these are all AMAZING, I still don’t really have a solution for MY fireplace. Gosh, it IS The ALISON Show right? HAHA. No but really, do you guys have any other fun solutions?

DO TELL!

xo,
Alison

Bunting and Garland Ideas to Go Gaga For

You KNOW how I love a good garland! I’ve been looking for some inspiration for my lil man’s nursery and so I decided to round-up some garlands and buntings that I think would work great in a room as decor or to perk up a party! I linked to all the sources on my Babble blog!

Go here for pictures sources!

I hope you have a fab day!

xo
Alison

Introducing the Radcliff mobile and a due date

Well here it is! The mobile for my lil man’s nursery (though this is Heather’s nursery, little boy & photography!) and also what we are naming our little man: Radcliff. You can call him Mr. Rad.

The mobile is for sale here!

Here are some cute pictures of Hawk enjoying Radcliff’s leather triangle mobile! He told me he especially loves the limited edition ostrich printed leather, and the emerald green leather. Thanks Hawk.

Oh and as for that due date?

Well careful what you wish for. For the last couple days I have been itching (mostly on my feet, but also my arms, back and chest) like a mad woman. I knew it could be signs of a disease I had with Gigi, which caused me to be induced early, but I just tried to think it was in my head. After a very ITCHY and sleepless night I went to see my midwives, got the blood work done…got even more itchy, got an ultra sound, and BOOM. I have it again. It’s called cholestasis, and you can read more about it here if you’re interested.

Basically I’m living in an itchy hell. You itch from the inside out, so topical creams and even the antibiotics I’m taking aren’t doing much (read ANYTHING). I can’t sleep, I just itch and scratch. BUT Radcliff will most likely be induced at 37 weeks on the dot, or next Thursday, April 18. If I’m still alive by then. So I mean, I got what I wished for! Ha, but just with a hefty price tag.

So yeah for me! And woe is me, sorry to be so bleh. Send non-itchy vibes my way! Thanks for all the love and feedback on my last post! You guys are the best. Love you all.

Happy weekend!

xo,
Alison

Good news and new goodies from Rifle

I really, REALLY like Rifle Paper Co. I have for years! As I’ve mentioned, I got this Rifle print for my lil man’s nursery, and I’m SO excited about it.

Yesterday they launched a new line of iPhone cases…and I just had to share some of them! I do love my current black and white stripes, but if I’m having a bad day (which is inevitable in the 4 weeks leading up to delivery…) I might have to splurge on a floral one! Here are some of my faves and a few other goodies.

All products are here.

As for the GOOD and probably TOO personal news:

Yesterday I had my 36 week check-up and I am dilated to 3cm and 60% effaced. I’m trying REALLY REALLY hard not to get too excited because I know that doesn’t mean I’m going to go into labor like, now, I still have 4 weeks…BUT can a girl at least hope there’s a chance of 38 or 39 weeks?! Tell me you were a 3 for a month…I need to hear some reason! Or tell me you were 3cm at 36 weeks and then you had the baby EARLY! Weeeee!

I seriously stopped to BRAG to the nurse who took my blood pressure on my way out, “Oh hey, I’m dilated to a 3…so, yeah, I’m pretty cool.” And I totally told the woman who I schedule my appointment with too. “Well, I’m feeling pretty great because I’m already at a 3!” (She didn’t ask.)

But whether this baby comes in 2 weeks or 4, for some reason that news made me happier than anything has made me in MONTHS. I’m not gonna lie, I cry myself to sleep a lot not knowing how I can survive another day. I know that sounds melodramatic but it’s the truth. Have I mentioned how horrible I am at being pregnant?! My anxiety–not about anything really, it’s just my hormones–has been on overdrive and I’m just so not myself physically, mentally or emotionally. But apparently all those “fake” contractions I’ve been having weren’t all fake. And now it seems like there is actually light at the end of the tunnel, for me and this tiny man. I made Eric go with me to the store to buy diapers, and if I’m feeling zany I might even pack a hospital bag. Then again, I probably won’t. I don’t know what to put in it!

But I’m gonna ride this good feeling until another flood of despair hits! Even if I’m so itchy I want to scratch someone’s eyeball’s out.

So happy day! Love you all!

xo
Alison

DIY Mounted Animal Masks

Haha. This wall is for my lil man’s nursery! But Gigi always keeps me company while I’m working in there. I’ve been seriously crushing on plastic animal masks for a while. I stayed up late one night researching all the different kinds and places to buy them. I love the ones I got, even though I had to pay for international shipping (which I think cost more than the actual masks…) because some of them can be, well, downright creepy. I decided to mount them instead of just hanging them on the wall to discourage them being played with. BUT! Before you think I’m the meanest mom in the world…I got 12 of them! So that leaves 9 for playing. At first I was going to mount 6 of them, but it started to seem like A LOT, but I think I’ll hang some of the other animals else where.

Like this!

It’s gonna be a full-on menagerie. For my sources and how-to read the full post! It’s super simple, but I have a few tips.

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