Our Minimalist-Modern Baby Registry
If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm not big on "stuff." Search for "minimalist" on my blog and lots of posts will come up...
If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I'm not big on "stuff." Search for "minimalist" on my blog and lots of posts will come up. This is not to say that our home is a vast quarry of echoey rooms and empty closets - not at all - but gifts and shopping are just not the way to my heart (food is, though).
When it came time to organize a registry of items for our upcoming baby, I was excited....
..until I saw how many baby things there ARE in the world!
Talk about overwhelming! So, for months I spent tons of time diligently reading reviews and narrowing down our list to lots of basics and very little fluff. The way we saw it, should our baby need more, we can get it after he's here. They don't need much, so as I am in all areas of our home, I kept it minimal.
Below, I've created a handy infographic that you can Pin, but each number correlates below for further explanation. Of course, this does exclude a few things like diapers and wipes and bottles (which are pretty par-for-the-course), but these are all items I am starting with.
1. Crib: Ours is the SUNDVIK from IKEA and I love the enclosed ends and minimal, simple look. Plus, that price is pretty great. We also purchased a mattress from IKEA and went with their mid-priced one.
2. Glider-Swivel-Recliner: I really wanted something particularly comfortable, so we splurged on this a bit. It's the Baby Relax Rylan and honestly, it's my favorite piece of furniture in the house right now. It's very roomy, and is even comfy enough that I could see myself falling asleep in it with a baby in my arms.
3. Dresser: We already had this from IKEA (that you definitely need to anchor to the wall for safety) and it's minimal, spacious, and doubles as a changing table AND side table next to the glider.
4. Changing pad: Pretty straightforward - just a good basic for those littles. We also got this Burts Bees cover.
5. Nursery blanket: Of course, baby needs blankets, but I loved the idea of having one for myself and baby to snuggle under that is meant just for the nursery. This one is from Lorena Canals. It's handmade and has these super cute pom-tassels on each corner. Care is easy as it's machine washable, but it just feels like such a little luxury to have in the nursery. Since it's handmade, the dye may differ slightly from one to the next, but I think that's such an awesome upside to own something truly unique! Lorena Canals also carries amazing, washable rugs (which is seriously such an amazing feature). I received this beautiful blanket courtesy of Lorena Canals.
6. Metal step trash: This one is small and out of the way. Several people suggested a small one because you'll want to empty it often anyways, but the stainless steel will help trap the smell between changes.
7. Nest cam: Personally, I've heard enough creepy stories about baby monitors being hacked, that we opted for something we felt was more secure. This Nest cam should be great!
8. Sleepers: I am not super into complicated outfits for tiny babies. They just seem coziest and easiest to change when they're in a simple little sleeper. We have a week's worth in Newborn and perhaps just a couple more than that for 0-3.
9. Onesies: Probably the most basic of all baby necessities. Onesies can be worn alone, under sleepers, with little pants, etc... and this pack is a cute neutral choice.
10. Fridababy NoseFrida: This nose aspirator practically has a cult following! I had a lot of people suggest this to me, and figured it could be my one peer-pressure-induced purchase.
11. Basic newborn kit: Another good basic that includes nail clippers, a brush, little nail files, and more.
12. Bath towel: Gotta wrap that baby up and keep them cozy after a bath :)
13. Washcloths: A few soft, gentle washcloths for bath time, of course.
14. Dock-A-Tot: There are a lot of options out there for multi-functional baby loungers, but I just kept coming back to the Dock-A-Tot. I love that it's been tested for breathability, is all-natural 100% cotton, handmade in Europe, and comes in two sizes (Deluxe or Grand). You can use it for supervised tummy-time, changing diapers, playing, resting, lounging, etc... This page on their website really explains the uses and functionality of it. I'm so excited to have a safe, cozy spot to put my baby boy! It's fun to picture him resting in it next to me on the couch or soaking in some cozy mornings in bed. I'll be back once he's here with a review for you. I received a Dock-A-Tot courtesy of their company.
15. Rock N' Play: This is something every parent I know seems to swear by. It'll be nice to have a place off the floor to put our little bub. Especially when I picture our big bear dog, and his serious lack of personal space - haha! This should keep baby comfy and safe from Hondo's overly loving snuggles.
16. Baby gym: These always offer a nice spot for stimulation and play, and I particularly liked this simple, minimal one from IKEA.
17. Swaddle blankets: I could hoard swaddles and muslins all the day long! I'm a sweatshirt person, and for some reason, baby blankets are my baby equivalent to sweatshirts.
18. Toys and Books: Honestly, we have not gone overboard at all. We bought the two pictured, and only have a couple more. Kids get so many toys, and I think this is going to be an area I'll be pretty picky as a parent and aspiring minimalist. "Babies don't need much" is my mantra!
19. Carseat cover: This is one of those 4-in-1 covers. It can be used as a scarf, nursing cover, carseat cover, and cart cover. I love how stretchy and breathable it is. Not sure how many of the four functions I'll actually use it for, but I love the options and material!
20. Backpack diaper bag: When it comes to purses, I have always been a cross-body kinda girl. I hate totes that drape over my arm or I have to balance on my shoulder, so I've always known that a stylish backpack would be the choice for me. This one is structured and has SUCH awesome places for storage and organization. I can't wait to use it!
21. Travel system: Carseats are obviously a necessity, but I also liked that we found one that came with a nice stroller. Of course, there are a million options based on price, if it can convert to a two-child stroller to last through your next baby, etc... but ultimately the decision is up to you. We decided on a middle-of-the-road system in terms of price and quality, and I'm really excited to use it.
There you have it - our minimalist-modern baby registry! Of course, as I mentioned, there are other basics that I excluded (thermometer, diapers, wipes, socks, etc...) but beyond the very, very basics, this is really it for us! We didn't go overly boyish or babyish and kept it all pretty modern and neutral. Once you figure out an aesthetic and "niche" (if you will) of baby items that suit you, they become easier to find. I'll have a review on the Dock-A-Tot once our little guy has arrived, but I think we are going to love it! The material is so much softer in person than I expected, and it just feels so cozy for baby!
Minimalist Style | 3
I love having a minimal wardrobe and it definitely forces me to get creative, but sometimes I just want to wear something else. Something I haven't worn a thousand times over, and feels "new to me." Well, those are the moments it's nice to sneak into the husband's side of the closet and steal his clothes! Haha - am I alone in this?! Depending on what I steal, he either loves it or gets irritated, but I can't help it - his clothes are the comfiest!
In today's example, I'm showing you how I style a typical men's t-shirt three different ways. It's been a while since I've snuck this particular shirt of his (we used to fight over it, and I finally gave it back up to his keeping), but I just think men's t-shirts are the best for styling purposes.
Minimalist Style | 1
Minimalist Style | 2
Here are my easy outfits broken down:
1. Patterned pants, flats
2. Flowy skirt, necklace, heels
3. Jeans, belt, hat, flats
Boyfriend/husband/oversized tees are so easy and fun to style. You could also throw on a cardigan, shorts, and sandals. Or a maxi skirt, skinny belt, floppy hat, and sandals. So many amazing options out there, but below are just a few to get your wheels turning. Go "steal" that hubby's t-shirt!
Excuse my little photo bomber :) Hope you enjoyed these simple ideas!
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Minimalism: Where Do I Start?
When people learn about our aspirations towards minimalism, the first thing they almost always ask is, "Okay. Where do I start? What should I throw out first?"
Though their heart is in the right place, the real heart of minimalism isn't actually about getting rid of things... or even things at all! Yes, it's about owning less, but that looks different to each of us. The answer their question of where to start, is more of a defining nature.
Where do you feel there is excess in your life?
Can you even recognize it?
Do you feel like you're always, always cleaning?
Are you forever picking things up in the house?
Is your work draining and causing you to have very little steam left for your family at the end of the day?
Do you feel burdened by financial issues or debt?
Are you barely getting by and feeling as though there's never enough money?
Are you constantly at various functions for your kids, work, community?
Do you fill your plate too full (literally and figuratively)?
Do you feel like you're constantly playing catch-up with your basic life to-dos?
Are you just spread too thin and can never seem to spend time on the things you truly enjoy?
The excess in your life could be tangible or not. It could be the excess of your mind's constant to-do list. It could be the excess from your job stresses. The looming bill you're having trouble paying. The many times a week you eat out because you don't have time to cook or grocery shop. On and on...
I talk to friends who just don't seem like they even have time to take a breath. They're tired. They're stressed. They're weary.
And don't get me wrong, sometimes that's just part of a season. "Busy" can be a short term thing. In fact, I'd say that right now, we're in one of those seasons. We have work, engagements we're committed to, trips to plan and go on, an endless to-do list, and appointments to make. Unfortunately none of these things can "give" and we have to just muddle through, but I know there will be slower seasons to come. However, I can tell you most assuredly, that having less home to deal with, and less stuff to clean or organize or use, makes even the busiest of seasons far less weary.
So to answer your question... where should you start?
Start practicing minimalism by...
1. Deciding where your excess lies.
Excess can look so different from one person to the next. Start by looking at the activities you do or things you own.
Working full-time? Raising kids? Kids in activities? Volunteering? Going to every social gathering you're invited to? Leading everything and anything you're asked to head-up? Taking on projects or tasks you can't really dedicate to? Working too much? Keeping a large house in order? Hosting all the time? The sight of your cluttered garage or closet is giving you anxiety? Don't think, just answer - what is pushing you over the edge?
It's essentially up to you, but just figuring out what it is that causes you to feel overdrawn will be the first freeing step of many. It doesn't have to be something big. It could be as small as feeling stressed every time you open your overstuffed pantry.
When we moved to Georgia, I was feeling disheartened by the workforce I had been in previously and I didn't want more of the same. So, I chose a riskier route, and because of my choice to work from home instead of pursuing a career in the corporate world, I've had the freedom to travel, create my own hours, host often, not have to drive in the insane traffic (saving me boatloads of time!), and spend lots of time with my husband. It wasn't the easier route by any means, but it removed the excess that burdened me, and instead gave me the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship.
2. Figure out how to pare down.
Think about these things, and I mean really think about them. Which of these things could you pare down in some way? Could you go to part-time work if the financials allowed it? Could some of the activities your kids are involved in be pared down to one activity per kid? Would downsizing your home or investing in a cleaning service take that off your plate? Could you ask others to host the next time there's a get-together? Could you take a weekend to re-organize and purge your kitchen - even just a few drawers or cabinets?
Break those seemingly big tasks into smaller ones. Get creative with solutions that work for you, but get out of your comfort zone.
If you can't seem to let things go, have a friend or relative help you put things in keep, donate, and toss piles. If you can't quit your job or go part-time, what can you let go of to create more time for yourself or your family? Can you hire a sitter every other week for a couple of hours so you can get dinner with your spouse? Can you split up the housework more evenly with your family so you can spend more time being together? Can you say no to the next volunteer opportunity until work slows down? Can you start ordering your groceries online and simply pick them up to save you the time? (This is a free service at a lot of places these days).
Now, this is just the start, friends. It doesn't have to be earth shattering, and you don't have to make it difficult or overthink it. Simply look over your current state, define what is important to you, figure out what's keeping you from those things, and remove or pare down those excesses over time. I'll get into other steps and tips to help you live simply and minimally in future posts, but for now, I hope you've got an idea of how to begin.
And if there is anything specifically regarding minimalism that you're curious about, drop me a comment, message me on Facebook, or contact me - I'd love to hear your questions!