Author: Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Gina Munsey is a Mexico-born, Eastern Europe-raised missionary kid who ended up being a Californian by way of Florida outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She lives her days full of coffee and adventures while her 12-year-old learns Mandarin Chinese and Greek, her 3-year-old uses all the markers, and her artist-husband creates worlds from pixels and light. A blogger since the turn of the century (ouch!) she's an editor, co-op teacher, and writer who has only completed four chapters of her languishing manuscript. You can find Gina right here at oaxacaborn.com, or in the middle of [home]school surrounded by stacks and stacks of books.

(Note from Gina: Some lovely people have graciously agreed to share words and photos and pretty things with you while I’m off on my have-a-baby adventure. Today’s guest blogger is Jen of Making a Home and Family. You can also find her on Twitter as @hippiejennie)

Guest Blogger Jen Smith of Making a Home & Family - Bringing Home Baby

Bringing Home Baby
There is a whirlwind of emotions when you arrive home after your new baby is born – excitement, relief, a little anxiety. You had the help of doctors and nurses for the past few days, and now this little life is all you and your partner’s responsibility. Breathe. It’ll take some adjusting, but it all falls into place.

Remember, mamas, to take care of YOU
That’s right! I wish someone would’ve told me this when I brought my daughter home. I was so worried about nursing her, feeding the family, and doing laundry that I suffered. I was tired, sore, stinky, and that just made things worse. I needed some time to take care of me – a shower a day would’ve done me wonders. Try and focus on you a little – shower, soak your feet, or read a book (or a magazine in short bursts). Know that you deserve to be pampered so that you can be rested and better ready to take care of your baby.

Continue reading “Guest Blog: Jen of ‘Making a Home and Family’ shares about Bringing Home Baby” →

Guest Blog: Laura’s Buttermilk Ranch Recipe

January 19, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

(Note from Gina: Some lovely people have graciously agreed to share words and photos and pretty things with you while I’m off on my have-a-baby adventure. Our first guest blogger is Laura Bosak, who I met several months ago on Twitter. Laura, take it away!)

When Gina tweeted she was looking for a guest blog post, I jumped at the chance. Okay, actually, I was scanning tweets after picking up “The Kid” from school and ~~Aquatic/Physical Therapy~~ swimming. I mentioned to Hubs that I wanted to have a blog after I wrote a particularly awesome paper for school. I’m three classes away from my MBA, so I’m sure it was something ~~like the Theory of Taxation or the Advantages of S Corp Status~~ fascinating.

I met Gina via Twitter and she was kind enough to share “corn-free” information with me when we got our food allergy test results. I’ve visited her blog when time permits and would like to think I could contribute something of interest. I would love to put together a quick tutorial for you on how to make a peasant/hippie type skirt or my gluten-free version of the Tollhouse cookie recipe, but I have to finish my homework for Adv Tax Research and I have to start a load of laundry this evening. In the essence of time, I can share my version of ranch dressing.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
1/2 c mayo
1/3 c buttermilk
Kosher salt & pepper to taste, approx ¼ teaspoon
-Mix well.

What I love about this recipe is that it is adaptable. We use Duke’s Mayo, but if you have a preferred brand or make your own mayo due to food allergies, by all means, it won’t make it any less awesome.

(Thank you, Laura!)

Guest Blog

open call for guest bloggers and photographers!

January 18, 2011October 12, 2011 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Interested in writing or photographing a guest post for Oaxacaborn? Drop me an email if you’re interested! No previous guest blogging experience necessary, of course. =) Don’t be shy!

Life in Photos, Poetry & Words

yes, i’m overdue…but it’s citrus season in california! (and other blessings)

January 17, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

whew. what a long week it has been. today’s extension of the weekend was a welcome, welcome thing.

tuesday i had an exam, thursday had an ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels, and then on saturday we went on a precautionary outing to labor & delivery. after another exam, monitoring, and a non-stress test, they sent me home. and tomorrow? a doctor appointment and yet another non-stress test.

yes, i’m officially 41 weeks today. you wouldn’t believe how many advice-filled emails, facebook messages and texts i’ve received lately! (whewwww. just whew. take a deep breath and just walk away from the computer and the cell phone, gina.)

but on the glorious side of things? i finally have a working washing machine. my dear friend shanley is back in town. the bathroom faucet no longer drips incessantly. caffeinated soy lattes and caffeinated dark chocolate mochas are in my future. two friends’ baby showers are coming up, and that means a ton of crocheting with soft baby yarns. and oh yes, it’s citrus season here in northern california. there’s nothing better than a practically unlimited supply of lemons. swoon!

and the best thing? this is The Week, folks! she’ll be here by the end of the week. =D

Inspiration

unexpected colour-coordination from anthropologie, ikea, urban outfitters & more

January 14, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

as i was sorting and putting away some of my lovely Christmas gifts, i found it quite delightful how all these items were unexpectedly colour-coordinated! aren’t they just so pretty?

1-anthropologie latte bowls
2-urban outfitters plush owlet
3-ikea sy sewing thread set
4-studio gear star dust shimmering powder
5-pumpkin patch sweet pinny
6-anthropologie fleur-de-lys tumbler

Handmade

a solution for all those leftover skeins of yarn: the granny stripe blanket

January 13, 2011October 12, 2011 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

you know those odd lengths of yarn that are left over after you finish a knit or crochet project? the 1/8ths of a skein which aren’t quite big enough to make anything out of? i’ve got a whole basket of those.

so, i’ve started a crochet project that will probably take the rest of my life to finish. i blame ali from snipsnaphappy and michelle from scissor quirk for this new obsession: creating a giant (and i do mean giant) blanket from all those yarn remnants. this blanket is over 60 inches wide, and when complete, will cover an entire full-size mattress.

there’s just one problem. it’s way too addicting! i couldn’t put it down yesterday.

Little Style

Lola’s White and Fluffy Coat – from the Children’s Place!

January 12, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

You know how I was drooling over this white & fluffy coat from Baby GAP? You know, the one that’s all sold out and looks just exactly like the one from Charlie & Lola?

Well, thanks to the Children’s Place, I caved. I mean, I just couldn’t help myself. It is so unbearably tiiiiiny and cute.

(Thanks to Money Saving Mom for the heads up on today’s fantastic sale.)

Handmade, Little Style

vintage rickrack, eyelet fabric, and my due date

January 10, 2011March 21, 2014 Gina @ Oaxacaborn

i’m keeping myself busy today, my due date, by carefully pinning vintage rickrack to an eyelet fabric baby dress cut from an old skirt of mine. the dog is freshly bathed and smells of essential oils and sunshine (yes, sunshine has a scent). the blue light pouring in through the windows doesn’t hide the fact that it was a mere shivering 28 degrees this morning, or that overnight, the sleeping world was covered in icy frost.

inside, i’m warm, with my decaf mocha and my quiet music. and i know you’re wondering — am i feeling patient? well, not so much, but i’m working on it. =)