House Progress

About 7 months ago we decided to build a home. We've been researching for a long time and decided it was the best bet for us. Naturally I was excited to be able to pick out all the fun details, like countertops, flooring and decor. Let me tell you, with all the options out there it isn't easy to make these kinds of decisions. Especially when you are preggo!

As I am obsessed with gray almost everything in the home is gray or off white. Our kitchen has a really warm feel to it with off white cabinets, a gray island and bronzed fixtures. I found the most amazing farmhouse sink that almost makes me want to do the dishes! Here is a glimpse into how it is all coming together. Check back for finished product next month. #eeeek

Vintage Finds

I have a slight obsession with antique shows. I never go in looking for anything specific, but just wait to see what  catches my eye (that kills my husband). The past 3 shows I have ended up with some sort of gold/brass piece. I think I may have a slight problem. I have found two really different mirrors, one full length which is awesome for our master and the other will be going in our future powder room.

Speaking of powder room, I have a vision for some really fun wallpaper in here. Anthropologie wallpaper is kid of amaze. Here are a few I am thinking of using.

Lily Pad Wallpaper

Climbing Orchid Wallpaper

Glowing Pebble Wallpaper

Check back soon to see what I've chosen!

Baby Clothes you want to wear as an adult

When I found out we were having a girl of course the first thing I thought of was all the clothing I would get to buy! Then I soon realized that not many people understand my hatred of pink and I would be smothered in ruffles, frills and pink galore at my baby shower. So, I took matters into my own hands.

I did not register for one piece of clothing and anything that was a color I picked gray or green as hopefully give a subliminal message that no, this child is not wearing pink. At least for as long as I can make her. Until, of course she is obsessed with Disney and all things satin, sigh.

So, I put together a few items I've been stalking on some of my favorite new sites:

via Rylee and Cru 

via Oh Happy Fry

via Children of The Tribe

via Children of The Tribe

via Le Petit Organic 

Stylish Maternity Clothes

I can't tell you how many people told me, "Oh, you are so lucky they make cute maternity clothes now!". So naturally I was all excited walking into Motherhood Maternity at 13 weeks pregnant. Yes, they do make some really cute stuff, but they fail to tell you if you want Rachel Zoe's gold zipped black skinny pants you have to spend $100. In which I would be ok with if I could wear them again! So I cried to myself and bought a $20 tank top that I could of got at Old Navy. Luckily my wardrobe is a lot of flowy, loose fitting items so I honestly can still wear shirts at 33 weeks that I did not pregnant. Pants are another story. I caved and bought a couple of Pea in the Pod skinny jeans, which I love in white and dark wash as well as some great workout pants. I found some great basics, black and gray work pants, cute dresses and tanks at the Motherhood outlet store for much more reasonable prices. Besides that I honestly am still wearing non maternity maxi's and tops I owned already. A few basics I suggest every pregnant mama needs are below.

1. A good pair of black pants.  Elastic waist will be cozy till about week 28-30ish then you are going to want a full panel because you cannot sit down.

Gap has some great options, I live in these.

2. Jeans, as mentioned above.

4. Long tanks & T's if preggo in the summer. You can get these at target, old navy or a maternity store, Spendid makes cozy things like the below. They need to be long so they will last throughout your pregnancy. 

Happy Shopping! Don't fret, but week 30 you will hate everything and want to wear your old clothes and refuse to buy anything else. It's normal, at lest that is what I keep telling myself as I stare down at my horrible outfit I want to set on fire.

A Touch of Modern

So you've seen my "vintage" feel in the nursery but I still need to show you the modern look I am adding. At first I wanted all vintage and found this beautiful antique "looking" crib from Bratt Decor, that makes beautiful wrought iron cribs. It was a bit above my price range, slightly too girly and I the worrier in me was scared she would bang her head too hard on the posts, after much research there hasn't ever been a case reported of this, but to ease my mind and wallet we opted for the Babyletto Lolly Crib in Gray. Isn't she pretty?

The final piece needed? The perfect rocking chair, as I hear those nights of getting a newborn to sleep can be rough the first few months. Of course function is important but as you get to know me pretty trumps everything. At first I went directly to Pottery Barn and picked a $1,000 plus ottoman and rocker in the perfect gray. I soon realized NO ONE was going to buy this for us except us and there was no way my frugal husband would pony up $1K for a chair (We know it's not just a chair, but you know guys). So, I searched high and low for something functional yet pretty and I found this. 

Could the gray's and wood not match any more perfectly?! I die. 

Modern Vintage Nursery

Once you are pregnant there are questions you will get asked from day 1 until day 100 something and they are as follows:

- Do you have a name?
- Do you know what you are having?
- Do you have a theme for the nursery?
- How are you feeling?
- Do you plan on having more?
- Is that decaf?

Until about month 6 I hadn't done any research on what I wanted her nursery to look like yet alone a "theme". I hate pink and purple so I knew that wasn't going to fly. I started pinning (you can find millions of my pins here @ lalleva113). and finally came up with a look, I refuse to use the term theme, it's not a birthday party, its a bedroom people!

I love all things vintage and rustic so I knew I had to somehow incorporate that feel into her room. once I found the picture of a pretty mint dresser I knew I had to find one and make it my own. It took about 2 months of dragging my poor husband to every flea market, garage sale and beach furniture store within two hours of us to finally find my piece I had envisioned. Only it wasn't painted, sigh. Luckily I had another preggo friend (you will find these come in handy when all you want to do on the weekends is eat and organize) who had done quite a bit of furniture rehab in her day. Ensue luring her over with lots of yunmy fruit and good conversation! Two coats of chalk paint (the most AMAZING thing ever invented) later and some distressed accents made with old sandpaper and we had our finished piece!

Pregnant. Now What?

Those three words were exactly what I typed in Google moments after we learned we were expecting.

Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a surprise as we had been "trying" (don't you hate that term?) for the last three months. I mean I had researched the best apps to get, been tracking all of those lovely things you need to track ( you know what I am talking about ladies) and religiously jumping all over every small symptom that came up. I burped! I normally don't burp, could that mean something? I have a headache, I must be pregnant! As many of you know, it will drive you mad! So, after all of the non-stop late night googling and tracking we finally got what we wanted, now what?

Well, it's funny what comes next, you think you should be doing all these crazy things like you were when you were trying but you don't. Of course yes there are the foods you can and can't eat and drink, getting plenty of rest, exercising etc. but seriously besides my glass of wine and sushi binge nothing changed, for two weeks until I wanted to die. I'll get to that fun post next time.

In the meantime I pinned all sorts of healthy smoothies (think lots of green) and best foods for a growing baby and cut out my daily cup of delicious coffee, kept up with my prenantals (again, see next post when I lose it) and I felt like a new person. So excited to be giving my unborn child what it needed to grow and be healthy. I researched the best apps for "expecting mom's" and "pregnancy" and  booked my 8 week appointment. Things were going just swell, until week 6.

Stripes.

As you may know, I am not partial to many animal print styles. Only this type. But, for some strange reason or another I love zebra print. Not as part of my wardrobe but in home decor. Check this ah-mazing staircase out. I die.

found via apartment therapy

Drooling over...

Gold Capiz Hanging Lamp

Found via the (chloe) conspiracy. I need this, have to have it. Right now. Although I am not sure where in my itsy-bitsy 500 square foot apartment it will go. Whatever- that is beside the point. Someone please send, STAT. xo

Let your love shine.

This is one trend I hoped right on board with. How adorable is the idea of wearing your own or your boys (in my case my pup), initial in a pretty little glowing letter around your neck? Goes with everything and great for the layered trend. I’m starting to think I need to order another one for the boy’s initial.

Mini Letters Gold Vermeil Script

Anthro obsession.

 Um, in case you didn’t already know I am slightly obsessed with Anthropologie. We have a  love hate relationship. I love, love their  clothing but hate how expensive it is. My budget (if you want to call it that, I’d say more my overall mentality), does not allow me to purchase $188 sweaters. Therefore hence love, hate. So I continuously stalk the site for my favorite items to go on sale. Which, I have to admit they do, a lot. If you are an addict like me, check out Effortless Anthropologie. This gal does it for us, reviews stuff that comes in and lets us know when those $200 sweaters go on sale for a much more, “ I can explain this” purchase. 

Now, a few pieces on my "go on sale now" list (try to keep the drool to a minimum ladies!):

Emerging Leaves Dress

Gathering Blossoms Top

Winged Blouson (yes, I am obsessed with animal- contuniously printed tops, not to be confused with animal print!)

Paint-Box Blouse ( how cute with cutoff's in the spring?!?)

Starfish Cuff (obsessed, will not pay $200, sale please. Thank you.)

Jade Drops Braclet (love, and not bad @ $58!)

What to wear to a winter wedding?

This year will be first winter wedding I will attend (and hopefully the last!). Ha, I only say this because I am racking my brain on  what the heck I am going to wear???!?

Tights or no tights?

Dark or bright colors?

Short or long?

Coat or Shawl?

The questions are endless…

So, after about 3 months of searching here are my options. I still cannot decide if “tightless” is the way to go! What do you think?

Galaxy Jersey Sequin Dress

Fireburst Dress (on Sale!!)

Viscose Jersey Dress

Shake Things Up

Dream a Little Gleam

 I know, a lot of black, I decided the bright colors should wait for Spring. Trust me, it was a tough call.

Love is in the air...

Valentine's day is right around the corner. I know, an overrated "Hallmark" holiday, but still why not have fun with it? Typically the boy and I do not do gifts, just a card or a small gift here and there, but I came across adorable artwork via green Wedding shoes and fell in love. So many cute choices and all very affordable! Such a cute idea to tell the one you love just how much you do forver :)

Hot Pink.

With these freezing temps lately I splurged and got a pair of hot pick wedges for spring. I mean, I need something fun to look forward to, right? These pink wedges are from Sperry Top-Sider, the Jeffery collection. I ahave never been a boat shoe kind of gal, but when I saw these I had to have them. Patent Leather and pink, what more could I ask for?!Typically I am not a pink fan, as I have read somewhere, “pink is for little girls and it should stay that way.” I found it both hysterical and correct, but my friends there are times when a splash of “little girl” makes everyone happy. Especially when it comes to shoes. Did I mention they were HOT PINK!?

Oh New England.

Why am I not here, in beautiful California?

please tell me why?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All that glitters...

Finally. I have been waiting my entire life (ok, my adult life) to wear sequence again, and not be in a dance recital. It is back and better than ever. Now, what to choose!

1. Sequin dress

2. Skirt

3. Tank

4.Blazer

5. Pants

Just don't go wearing these all together now! :)

LBD with a twist!

Speaking of LBD’s. Check out this little number I found while reading Jillian Harris’s blog. If you aren’t up for the zebra tights, this should do the trick! 

Talula Viscose Jersey Dress