by Our Robins Nest | Aug 24, 2017 | Motherhood
What is your ideal way to relax? Mine is enjoying a crisp breeze outside while making out with adorable animals. I also like to throw in some yoga poses and breathing techniques ?.
When I first found out about Goat Yoga, I couldn’t believe this was a real thing, it was all of my favorite things in one! As soon as I saw that there were classes in my area I signed up right away. Dan and Franco tagged along with me to watch the shenanigans. It ended up being a super fun family day! Franco loved petting and feeding all the animals on the farm and watching his mama do some yoga!
The goats were so friendly!
They would climb right up on you, it was the most fun and laid back yoga class I ever did!
Franco had a blast and we also won some awesome raffles! I love 4 J’s farm’s mission to raise animal awareness in therapy and rescue.We will definitely be returning and continue to support a local farm!
by Our Robins Nest | Aug 4, 2017 | Home Decor
I am huge with owning secondhand things, our home is mostly has secondhand goods and I think it gives our house a lot of character. When I found out I was pregnant with Franco, Dan and I bought a lot of second hand clothes and furniture which saved us a lot of money. I go to a lot of consignment and thrift shops for my clothes and honestly, no one would ever be able to tell that my style is not brand new! I have recently put together a clothes swap with my local mom’s group and it was such a hit. It was adult and children clothes so we all benefited from this.
This past weekend I attended another clothes swap and it was a success. With just a few garments, I am able to mix and match many different outfits.
Also check out these boots!! Do you just love these!?
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Saturday morning my husband came home from estate sailing with his dad who is visiting and they found some great deals! We were in need of a new mirror and Dan found this guy for only $4. I swear he is the best with finding what we need an unbelievable price. He basically taught me everything I should know about thrift shopping.? That scale too, I am still deciding where to put it in the house!
Later on that day we were all taking a walk to dinner and saw that a house down the road was getting rid of a bunch of stuff. Check out what I scored below!
I couldn’t believe that this was all going to go in the garbage. Okay I am going to admit, this picture is kind of creepy but I had to have it, I think it goes well with the lamp that was included with our find!
I love milk glass, but I have a friend who loves them more. So these will be going to my friend who will continue giving these guys a good home!
These salad and fruit bowls were so hard to pass up. I had to have them all, they will get put to good use I swear!
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After that huge haul I thought our hunt was complete. That Sunday on our way blueberry and lavender picking, we came across an antique shop. Once again Dan found a great addition to our house…
With a toddler running around in our home, it has been a little difficult to decorate the way we want to, so when we find something like this, we get very excited.
All of this for under $10, I think we did pretty well this weekend. Who knows what this coming weekend will bring! Do you enjoy thrift shopping at all? What were some of your lucky finds?
by Our Robins Nest | Jul 31, 2017 | Motherhood, Recipes
We had such a fun filled weekend! Dan’s parents are visiting from Florida and we had some fun things planned for them. I will certainly break it up in separate posts but I had to share my favorite part. Today we went to Hay Berry Farm in Hoosick Falls, NY to go blueberry and lavender picking! I have never done it before and I have to be honest, I enjoyed it way more than apple and pumpkin picking, I know that says a lot! Good thing they are in different seasons so I can enjoy it all all year around.
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Franco was obsessed. He saw us pick the blueberries, put them in the bucket and pop one in our mouth, he followed right along!
Most were so big and juicy, I can’t believe all these years I thought I hated blueberries. Yes you heard me right. I always hated blueberry pop tarts as a kid and as a result I always turned away from fresh blueberries. Oh how I wish someone told me that artificial blueberries and real ones do not taste the same at all!
Snacking on them were the best part, they were so full and juicy, I swear Frank was going to turn into a one!
All I kept thinking was the Willie Wonka movie and the part “Violet, your turning violet, Violet!” and imagining us having to roll Franco out of the fields. I might have also yelled a few times “The blueberries taste like blueberries!”
I honestly could have taken pictures ALL DAY, but I also made sure I enjoyed my time with family because this adventure was definitely one for the books.
The lavender fields were all picked which I was pretty bummed about, but settled for a hundred stem of the dried lavender which I am so happy with!
Watching this little guy love life seriously fills my heart to the brim. His innocence
fills me with so many emotions that I never knew that I had.
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We ended up picking about two and a half pounds of bold juicy and delicious blueberries. I scrolled through all different recipes on what to make and found this super easy and amazing blueberry bread. The in laws and Dan were super impressed, and so was I!
You can check out the recipe here:
I will post more this week about our other adventures, but for now I am going to enjoy so more blueberry bread before bed!
by Our Robins Nest | Jul 29, 2017 | Motherhood, Shopping
Last weekend while Dan was away for the weekend, Franco and I went on little adventure down in Hudson, NY. It was about a 45 minute drive that consisted of Elmo karaoke, a farmer’s marker pit stop, snacks and a quick power nap (for Franco ?).
When we got there, we enjoyed walking around town and window shopping at a all of the antique shops. We finally got to our destination The Bees Knees where artist Erik Johnson was creating silhouettes. Erik is a third generation silhouette artist and cuts each one freehand. It took about a total of 10 minutes for Erik to do one of Franco and I was in amazement! He had a tablet setup for Franco to watch Thomas the Train and while Franco watched, he cut away! This is such an amazing keepsake to have and I am so happy we took the drive to get this done. Erik tours all over the country so be sure to check if he will be in your area soon! Nothing beats a good old fashion silhouette of your child.
Be sure to check out Erik’s Facebook Page !
by Our Robins Nest | Jul 28, 2017 | Motherhood
Hello! I am Nicole and a first time mama to my one year old Franco. I honestly do not know how I manage working full time, being super mom, a devoted wife and keeping up with my social life so I decided to document it here! I am always on the go and love meeting new mama friends. Creating art and being an advocate for maternal mental health are my passion, so you will see a lot of posts related to that. I used to manage two of my own shops Faux Stache Glass and Madame Dutchess Boutique. I created and sold hand painted glassware, handmade jewelry and vintage accessories. Since having my son I have not been able to keep up with my businesses but I am now ready to jump back in and make unique creations! Selling my work at local shops and markets were always my favorite and excited to see what is in store for Our Robins Nest.
I work full time as a Client Engagement Specialist for a non profit behavioral center and I am also the co-leader for Project Mother in Albany, NY.
I am married to my high school best friend who has been part of my life for 15 years. Because of him I am who I am today and I’m just so grateful for him. My other best friend is my dog Dutchess and she is my number one fan. We also have a kitty named Blanche and she completes our family!
If I am not creating something, you will find me rummaging at estate sales, binge watching The Golden Girls while chugging Diet Coke, listening to old school hip hop, supporting small businesses or being and advocate for maternal mental health.Enjoy taking a glimpse into our home at the Robins Nest!
See you soon!
