Having met one half of the lovely Sugarplum Sisters when I introduced you to Pam a couple of weeks ago, today I get to introduce you to the other fashionable half of this blogging sisterhood! Friends, meet Laurel Edwards and her take on a fresh and modern nursery.

Crib // Change Table // Glider Chair and Ottoman // Yellow Ikat Dot Fabric // Flat Iron Mandarin Fabric // Canary Fretscene Fabric // Cameron Fabric in Storm // Arington Boudoir Pillow // Etsy Stripe Pillow // Geometric Giraffe Art Print // I Heart U Art Print // Paper Family Tree Carving // Piggybank // Mobile // Drapery Panels // Wide Stripe Wallpaper // Lamp //

Things I love about Laurel’s plan: The acrylic rails on the crib are fiercely modern! The glider chair and ottoman by Gus are truly Canadian. Love the softness of the neutral grey and white, and love the subtle herringbone pattern in the Cameron Fabric from Tonic Living! Thank you, Laurel, for giving us your take on a modern day nursery!

How long have you been blogging and what got you started? 

Pam and I started blogging just under 2 years ago…October of 2011. Together, we had worked in interior design for the past decade but were both simultaneously feeling like we had more to share. After much contemplating and resounding support from our husbands, we took the plunge. It was the land unknown, and though we have so much to still learn, we are loving what we are doing. We are in a good place.

How would you describe your style? 

For starters, my style has changed dramatically over the last number of years. I love a clean and modern aesthetic. I also love to include something unexpected of my simple and unfussy look…whether an edgy pair of shoes, or a vibrant and quirky throw pillow, I like to incorporate fresh and fun trends. Splurge on the backbone of both your home and wardrobe…and choose less costly pieces to accessorize and raise the wow factor.

What is your favourite thing about being a lifestyle blogger? 

This can be a double edged sword, but I love that I can work when I want to…when the inspiration hits. Conversely, it has me pulling some crazy hours! I also love that I immerse myself daily into the task of finding the beautiful. Each and every day, I find myself searching for something which can be received as pure and positive and beautiful. Some days it’s looking at the ordinary in a completely different light. Other days, it’s being bowled over by a new and extraordinary find!

How old are your children and how would you describe each of them?

Alexis is just about to turn 14…she is an eclectic mix of tomboy meets grace (years of dance helped her with that!). Her beachy waves tell the story of who she is…a chilled out, athletic girl who loves to spend time with her fam and friends, hanging out. Melina is 12 and is a ton of fun…She is a gentle soul who loves nothing more than feeling helpful and needed. Put her in a room full of little kids and she is completely in her zone. On the flipside, she is a comedian and she keeps us guessing with her random and humorous commentaries…that run on and on and on! Lincoln is 9 and I love that he’s not too old to give his mommy a hug and a kiss in front of his friends. He’s a hockey fanatic who loves nothing more than suiting up in his gear and hitting the ice! His outward chatty and boisterous nature belies the fact that he’s a soft hearted kid. All of our kids have the wit that is at least three times as fast as mine!

What do you love most about being a mom? 

The daily dose of unquestioning love I get, the joy I have at watching them do what they love and the amazement that I have been trusted with these three awesome kiddos.

What do you find hardest about being a mom?

The daily dose of frustrations….the messy rooms, the newfound teenager “opinions,” the challenge of keeping my word and being consistent. It’s a journey. Plain and simple… crazy enough, a hug/squeeze can squash the frustrations into oblivion in about 2 seconds. That’s a gift!

If you could do the newborn/toddler phase all over again, what would you do the same and what would you do differently? 

I would stress less and savour more. I think I was able to do this slightly more with each new baby, but I still wish I could have worried less and lived in the moment more. I would also give more credit to the advice from those I know and love… and less airtime to those I didn’t.  If I had to do it over, I would be ever as vigilant in establishing the “sleeping through the night” routine. What can I say? Sleep is HUGE!

What are your top survival tips for pregnancy?

Treat yourself…I remember trying to give myself a pedicure at 8 months pregnant. I only tried that once. After that, pedicures were justified! Getting a good haircut was also right up on the list…it seemed like it was the only part of my body that I could keep control of, so I was going to keep it looking as good as possible!

What are your top survival tips for the first few months after the babe is born? 

First, sleep when your baby sleeps. This is tough when you have more than one child, but once the kids are in bed, go to sleep instead of waiting for the last midnight feed! Second, the best advice we ever got was to teach our babies to sleep in a playpen. Unless you’re willing to give up your social life (which I wasn’t!), training your kids to sleep in a playpen was huge!

How do you get away and recharge so you can bring your best to your family and your business? 

My parents taught me the importance of “getting away,” specifically as a couple. Growing up, they went away at least once a year without us children. When I entered the married stage, they encouraged us to follow suit…their take on it? If you commit to going, the details (with childcare, etc) will work themselves out! Scott and I look forward to our annual trip away, where we are positive we come back as better spouses and parents. Our kids busy schedules also mean that we are quite selfish about breaks during the school year. We take advantage of any time that we can spend together as a family.  And truthfully, it’s hard to put “technology” on hold…but it’s ALWAYS worth it. Recharging is vital to keeping our creativity and sanity.