Sick Baby Recovery Kit

Cold season is officially here...well it is for us anyway. Sawyer gave us a 4 am wake up call this weekend. For the love of sleep and a healthy, happy baby I went into high gear mommy mode. I gathered all the essentials to karate chop this cold! I am not a doctor and I don't even play one on TV. Disclaimer:  these are my must-haves based on my experiences.

From left to right

1. NoseFrida - I bought this for a friend's baby shower and later she admitted that she returned it. She thought it was a gag gift only to learn...SHE NEEDED IT! Her doctor actually recommended it. It is strange, but works great.

2. Saline drops - Use this with the NoseFrida.

3. Aquaphor - I like using this around the nose so it doesn't dry out from a runny nose.

4. Boogie Wipes - I use these even when Sawyer doesn't have a cold. I love the way they smell and I wipe Sawyer's face with them. When he has a cold I wipe his nose with them.

5. Vapor Bath - I just used this for the first time and really like it. I gave Sawyer a bath right before bed and I feel like this helped drain him out and helped give him a good nights rest.

6. Vick's Plug-in - Recommended by a co-worker this ROCKS! It fills the entire room and really helps to keep your little ones nose unplugged.

7. Humidifier - I highly recommend this brand. I wanted to buy the cute little animal shaped one, but was immediately talked out of it by an employee at Target. He told me they have the highest return rate.

8. Thermometer - This is a super basic one, but was recommended by our hospital and it's really all you need.

9. Food Feeder - These are great for introducing whole foods, teething, and for cooling down a fever. I put a frozen piece of fruit in it and let Sawyer munch on it.

10. Frozen Fruit - This goes with #9.

11.Tylenol - Use to lower a fever or allow your little one to rest easier at night.

12. Pedialyte - I always have this on hand. After a horrible experience when Sawyer couldn't keep food down this really helped keep him hydrated.

That's a lot of stuff, but it really does the trick. Sawyer was back to his normal sleep schedule the very next night. This is a great list to keep in case you need it or makes a great gift for a shower.

What are your must haves when your little one is sick?

Freebie Friday - Halloween Printable

Happy Friday! As a thank you for reading my blog I wanted to share this fun print I created for Halloween. Download your free 8"x10" print here. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hocus Pocus

 Tomorrow is the first day of fall! This is the time of year that excitements me. After last week's heat wave in California, I am SO READY for cooler weather. So I say bring on the Halloween decorating!

 I adore these festive nutcrackers that I bought back in the day at Target. They seem to pop up on end caps as the holidays approach. I also collect plates and have a wall that I switch out according to the holiday or sometimes based on my mood. My favorite Halloween plate would have to be my creepy cat. Can you find it?

My husband has a huge sweet tooth. When Halloween hits we eat candy corn and lots of it! Yesterday he came home with a bag of s'mores candy corn. Say what? To my surprise they were really good.

I got some chalkboard labels and wrote out spooky words and phrases. I placed them on jars I normally have out on our buffet. It was a fun and an easy way to take something I already had and make it work for the season.

I just listed the labels along with this festive Hocus Pocus print in my shop. I included multiple sizes of each to suite a variety of needs. Check out the finish products in my store.

When Sawyer gets older I can see myself putting different creepy things into each jar. Give him a surprise if he decides to open them. I love a bit of magic and a good scare!

Similar colored glass potion bottles found here. My buffet is decorated...now onto the rest of the house!

The Design Q: Vol. 1

Welcome to The Design Q! A place where I share all things art related. I'm a graphic designer by trade and have a real passion for what I do. So here is your first dose of design inspiration.

I had the great fortune to take a calligraphy class hosted by Design Love Fest and taught by Lauren of Blue Eye Brown Eye. I have always been a lover of fonts and lately I am experimenting more with hand lettering. Plus, it's a total excuse for a mama's day out and artistic recharge!

If you follow me on Instagram (@curlyqchristy) you may have seen a few photos from this special day. I really loved the material setup. Blue Eye Brown Eye had me at "hello beautiful". My workspace was adored with this hand lettered and foil printed note card, a calligraphy pen, ink, pink (squealing inside) gouache, washi tape, nibs located in a small vellum envelope held shut with a hot pink heart (swoon), and a bunch of awesome written materials for the course. I left out, but have to mention the little pink dog. This is a business card for Blue Eye Brown Eye...so fun! I love using different size cards or shapes for an unexpected business card option.

The class covered how to mix colored ink (gouache really), use and hold a calligraphy pen (which is super awkward, but you get over it), the difference between traditional and modern calligraphy (it's all about inconstancy for the modern version), and then it was ALL lettering practice from there. Music was playing in the background and Design Love Fest had a beautiful space to sit, chill, and get artsy! What more could you ask for? I came out of the class so inspired and can't wait to share some of my work...stay tuned!

Of course, even when I am away... I am always thinking of my boys. The proof is in the writing!

Sawyer Style - Fall Fashion

I woke up this morning and felt cooler weather...until around noon when it got into the 80s. It's a little reminder of what is to come. Fall is by far my favorite season. I love all things pumpkin, crisp air and with cooler weather comes warmer clothes.

Flannel Shirt//Graphic Bodysuit (ON SALE!)//Gray Skinny Jeans (ON SALE!)//

Puffer Vest//Peacoat Puffer (ON SALE!)//Camo Thermal (ON SALE!)//

Wolf Graphic Tee (ONLY $3.99)//Roll-Up Jeans (ON SALE)