In a nutshell...

I am a recovering perfectionist, an IVF momma, an avid knitter and reader, making a home in The Lenten Rose Cottage.

Follow me on Instagram @itsmaryphillips

Another finished test knit, another test knit photo that Maisie wants to join in for! 😆

I had such a great time testing the Alchemist Slipover from @wool.and.pine.designs. This DK weight vest adds warmth without adding bulk, which is perfect for th

Happy Halloween from our little black cat! 🐈&zwj;⬛

May you have the energy of a three year old posing for photos in her new unicorn sweater this week 🦄💖

#littlemaisiepearl

We celebrated the third birthday of our Princess Maisie with the best group of friends and family yesterday. Complete with a fancy cake, a kid-sized castle and unicorn, and a decorate-your-own crown station, everyone had fun!👸🏼🦄🎂

I also took no

Maisie, today you are 3! 🎉

It’s hard for me to believe that time has moved this quickly. You have grown so much in this past year! You are thriving at preschool, coming home with new songs and new stories almost everyday. You have declared un

Checking off that fall bucket list &hearts;️🍎🎃

A few days late, but happy pattern launch to @aimeeshermakes for the Hibernate Sweater! I had a chance to test this pattern for Aimee and had a great time.

This was the first time I made a garment and really paid attention to fit and my body measure

Happy pattern launch day to @perfectlyknotted! I tested her new #everaftersweater this summer and it gave me all the excited for fall feelings!

The Ever After Sweater is a slightly oversized and cropped drop shoulder sweater with instructions for ho

Here’s my story

I’m a thirty-something living with my husband Kurt in our 1920s cottage in Pennsylvania, right back where I grew up. We’ve spent a considerable amount of time renovating our home since getting settled in 2017 and have had a lot of fun along the way! This year we’re celebrating our ninth wedding anniversary. From 2017-2021 we navigated infertility and fertility treatments, including having a miscarriage in the spring of 2017 and again in the fall of 2020 after our first frozen embryo transfer as a part of the IVF process. We just celebrated the second birthday of our baby girl in October after a successful second frozen embryo transfer in 2021!

find your way around

Here on The Lenten Rose Cottage, posts are organized into three categories:

motherhood

After experiencing a miscarriage in March of 2017, my eyes were opened to something that so many women experience, but so few of us actually discuss openly. I started sharing our journey openly with the hopes of helping women to feel less alone in their own journey. In this category you can read more about our infertility treatment journey, my first pregnancy, and navigating first-time motherhood as well!

Home & Garden

Want to know more about the renovations that we are undertaking in our 1920s cottage home? Then start right here! I’ll share our DIY renovation projects, what’s coming up in the garden, and how we’re maximizing the small spaces in our home.

Lifestyle

Check out these posts for more information about how we planned our wedding in 2015, entertaining and gift giving tips, reviewing what’s on my reading list, and some of the travels Kurt and I have experienced together.

About Me