Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A few of my favorite things...Last one!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! :) This will be my last 'favorite things' post of this holiday season, although I feel like I haven't even scratched the surface of all of my favorites.  I mentioned this particular candle on my last Five On Friday post, but today I'm going to give a few more details...


This candle, made by the Soap and Paper Factory, is by far the best Christmas candle you will ever own.  You can buy this soy candle on Amazon.com, or order directly from the Soap and Paper Factory website (I recommend this option - they do free shipping on orders of $50!). This candle mixes scents of Siberian Pine, Cilantro, and Citrus giving you a woodsy (but not pinesol-y) and crisp scent.  Last year, I bought the small votive candle, which burns about 20 hours. Needless to say, we were done with the candle BEFORE Christmas. This year, I invested in the 9.5 oz candle, with a burn time of 75 hours. That's right, long after our tree is gone, our home will still smell lovely. When you live in Florida, and its 84 degrees outside, you look for any product that makes you feel like its winter...or remotely close to the holidays. So, you still have a few days left with your holidays, I recommend that you hunt this bad boy down, and get one. (Or get it as a stocking stuffer!) For all you Southern Gals - I initially found this candle at Swoozies in Greenville, SC - so perhaps you may find it there this year as well!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday, and I'll see you after. :)
xoxo

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Christmas Card Linkup Party!


I totally missed the linkup party on Dec 15th. The holiday season is eating me alive - literally - I have bronchitis. (Not fun when pregnant!)

So here it is...3 days late.

I know most people have seen our card's photographs, since our shoot was back in April, but I just loved the way this particular photo worked with this design from Tiny Prints.  We did not do any pregnancy photos for Christmas because I only recently really started to look pregnant (and not just oddly proportioned) and even so, a lot of people still tell me that they didn't even notice I am pregnant. So timing was not our side.




Tom Brodigan with Dog's Life Photography in Palm Beach Gardens took all of these amazing shots of us and our sweet pups. To see more great photos from this shoot, check out my post from this summer here. I figured we'd have one last Christmas card featuring the pups as our "children", as next year there will be a little one stealing the show!

Want to join the Link Up Party and share your Christmas Card?  Use the graphic below, and the #christmascardlinkup on social media posts!



Friday, December 12, 2014

Oh Hey Friday, Here's my Five ...


{one}
The new Samsung Holiday commercial.

I LOVED the first one, but this one might be better. What do you think? (BTW, I'm now an official Kristen Bell fan!)





{two}

The Department of Labor's new video, pushing for paid maternity leave.

Did you know that the U.S. is one of the only developed nations that does not provide paid maternity leave? I never paid it much attention until I got pregnant, and found out that I had only 6-7 weeks of paid time, and after that I was going without pay. (Speaking of which - ladies, if you are NOT pregnant and think you might be at some point soon, sign up for short term disability!!!! No one told me that could supplement pay/pay me while on Maternity Leave and now I'm kind of screwed).  The Department of Labor just released this video on YouTube which I think is fantastic. I've posted the one Morning Joe showed this morning on MSNBC, which has their discussion after the fact. Check it out.




{three}

Christmas Candles


I got my favorite Christmas candle yesterday, and if you're looking an amazing candle - BUY THIS ONE. I first bought it at Swoozies, and now I just order it online directly from the manufacturer. I'll be blogging about it later in my favorite thing posts...



{four}

My Ash Wedge Sneakers

Y'all. I'm obsessed. I FINALLY got these on Wednesday, and wore them Thursday. You might think they are super trendy and you can't pull them off. You're wrong. No lie, I had at least 8 people compliment me on them - none of them 'fashionistas'. My 50 year old male boss even loved them. You will wear them more than you think, and surprisingly, they even look cute with dresses. They were SO comfortable, and easy and right now on super sale at Saks Off Fifth. I highly recommend just trying them on. Just try it.


At Saks Off Fifth they are only $92 and at Last Call they are $104! Hurry, they are selling out SO FAST!

{five}

Office Holiday Party Dessert Contest

Today is our annual Parks and Rec Holiday BBQ. This year I entered the Dessert Contest in an attempt to win incentive leave (See, this is what happens when America doesn't offer paid maternity leave...I have to enter costume contests and dessert bake-offs to win time off. Too bad I didn't enter the Table Decoration contest too...)

I chose to make Trisha Yearwood's Italian Cream Cake - but I did it in cupcake form. It was amazing, and super fatty. Which made it PERFECT. I highly recommend.




Have a great weekend everyone! I super stoked its Date Night Tonight!! :)



Thursday, December 11, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday: A Few of My Favorite Things..

Another week has flown by (Seriously, its THURSDAY?!) and I'm here to bring you another of my Christmas 'favorites'.

As a child my mother started a nativity for myself and my two sisters.  That first year, we opened a manger, Mary, Joseph, and a baby.  I was perhaps 7 or 8 years old, so to me, this was totally a toy. We each had a manger set up in our bedrooms with matching 'dolls'.  The manger was made by  Fontanini and each figurine is hand painted in Italy.  Each year, my great Aunt Irene would send us another piece to our manger scene.  Although I didn't know it as a child, this would become one of my most treasured Christmas possessions.  My little sister and I would play with our manger scenes constantly throughout the holiday season, and I must admit my manger has probably seen better days. (It used to have a lot more moss around the sides and roof).  However, I wouldn't trade the memories that I had growing up, 'playing' with baby Jesus and the pretty angel that hovered over his bed. (perhaps this was slightly sacrilegious, but it definitely made us much more aware of the biblical meaning behind Christmas.) As an adult, I love getting this nativity scene out and setting it up. Growing up, sometimes we chose to put only the manger out early in the season, and each Sunday of Advent, we added the relevant 'characters' to the story line. We would light a candle on our homemade Advent wreath, and read the scripture together.  I haven't done this yet with my husband, but I know it will be something that I will do with my son, and my other children.

The best part about this set is that it appears to be made of a ceramic or pottery clay - but they are all rubberized plastic (or something) so they will hold up over the years, and children. Typically I set this up on a mantle, and had greenery around it and pretty white lights. But, in South Florida, we have no fireplace. So the manger scene has taken its place on a table that also houses wedding photos...those may need to be removed - I'm still working out Christmas decor kinks...but you get the idea!

To see more of the Fontanini nativity sets, click here!


The two characters in the back are the shopkeeper, and another lady with Olives. I'm ashamed to admit I don't know her role in the story - but I know she did come with a little booklet explaining it - which I think is a neat feature of the figurines.



Two More weeks...Yikes!

XO,
M

Friday, December 5, 2014

Friday, Friday, Friday!

Hello weekend, I've missed you all week long...

Here we go with my favorite things this week...


ONE: Deck the Palms - Junior League of the Palm Beaches


This weekend is our annual fundraiser and holiday market, Deck the Palms! Tickets are only $10 and you have access to over 70 specialty vendors! To learn more go to: www.shopdeckthepalms.com!


TWO: Fund Your Park - Save the Pineapple House!

This is something I really need your help on, y'all! With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I know it's tough to remember everything, but I'd REALLY appreciate it if you'd take the time to check out our page HERE and perhaps give a $1 to help us preserve this little piece of history! I know many of my readers probably don't live in Palm Beach, but as a nation we need to make historical preservation and education a priority! Plus, you can use it as an excuse to come visit Palm Beach...you've gotta come see the Pineapple House you helped save! (Another bonus: you can see my super awkward YouTube video...and have a good laugh :) )



 THREE: Ash Wedge Sneakers

I know what you may be thinking. They are a tad trendy. Until recently, I've never actually seen a person I know wear them, just Victoria's Secret Supermodels. This week at Junior League I saw a girls wearing these, and I ADORE them. I think you should give them a go...as your trendy purchase this holiday season. I picked up a pair on cyber Monday for 70% off, but I think you can still find them for reasonably lower prices all over department stores. Give it whirl. Live a little. :)


FOUR: Christmas Card Sneak Peak


I was so thrilled when Tiny Prints extending its 40% off through Monday this week - because I got some amazing Christmas cards! I'll let you in on the design...but for now I'll keep the final product a secret so I don't spoil it all for my friends and family. (Sorry, I know you're all just DYING to see my Christmas card - its practically right up there with Kardashian card.)


FIVE: Aioli


My new favorite go-to lunch spot is a little restaurant here in town called Aioli. I've been frequenting it for quite awhile, but its gotten to a point where the owner/chef and staff all know me. Maybe not by name, but as the girl who will stop in and get only a lemonade if nothing else...more than once a week. (Their meyer lemonade is phenomenal.) It's open for breakfast and lunch with to go options for dinner. Each day the soups and quiches change, and they are always fantastic. My favorite sandwiches are the ham, brie, and roasted pear on a cranberry bread AND the roast beef with carmelized onion and horseradish sauce on ciabatta bread. To learn more, look them up on Facebook at Aioli West Palm Beach, or in IG @aioliwpb. Here are some pics of their great meals:






Hungry? I am. Always.



Thursday, December 4, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday: A Few of my Favorite Things

Don't worry, this isn't another "Wish List"  or "Gift Guide" blog post. (I think gifts should be personal, so I never get the point of reading through those things...) This is (hopefully) going to be a series of posts of some of my favorite things about Christmas. Be it decor, recipes, or simple traditions, I hope to hit all of my highlights of the holiday season. Christmas away from home has been quite an adjustment, and I've found that I had to learn to make new traditions. (It changed even more when we moved to South Florida...shopping for a tree in shorts in a mall parking lot just really throws things off. I've always been a go to the country/mountain tree lot, and cut down your own tree kind of gal.)

Today, I'm going to introduce you to your new favorite thing to collect. Mark Roberts Fairies. (Fairies, not elves, the elves creep me out).

For many years before we were married, my husband's mother gave him a Mark Roberts Fairy each Christmas. I'm not sure he was 100% sure what they were, or why he was getting them, but once we were married, it all made sense. The one thing that most of us don't have (unless you an ornament shower) is holiday decor. After our first year of marriage we were lucky enough to have 7 or 8 little Christmas fairies to use around the house, or even on the tree (they all have loops on the back to hang them). Each year we dig out our box of fairies and place them all over the house - sticking out of bowls, hanging off a lamp or a pitcher - anywhere! Their little bodies are soft and pliable so you can pose them in any way that you want. Here is a picture of what I've done with my fairies...





(sorry the quality isnt great, but you get the idea...)

This week we got our 2014 fairy, and this year my in-laws sent a large Arctic Splendor fairy - he is amazing! You can get a fairy of nearly any theme or design, from fall to winter, so get creative! (We even have a doctor one!)

If you'd like to buy one, click here.

21 Days til the Big Guy comes! Ho Ho Ho


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Thanksgiving Success

I"m a little slow to get back on the blog since the holidays, but I am, indeed, back!

I wanted to share my Thanksgiving successes this year - it was a meal full of new new recipes and experimentation.  This year we didn't have any family in town, and so took the opportunity to try some things I might not normally try.

1. Turkey Brine- I chose to use a brine this year in particular because I opted to make a turkey breast, not a whole turkey. Without the dark meat, the turkey can lose some of the fat that makes the meat juicy and tender.  I had heard that using a braise is the best way to ensure that the turkey is flavorful and moist.  I chose to use a brine from a Williams-Somona cookbook that incorporated some of my favorite scents and ingredients for the holidays!

For a 12 lb turkey:

Zest of 4 Large Oranges (then squeeze out the juice of the oranges)
6 Cups of Orange Juice
1/2 Cup of kosher salt
10 Whole cloves
3 tablespoons of fennel seeds (I didn't use these...)
2 Cinnamon Sticks

Combine all ingredients into a pot, and bring to a boil over medium high heat to dissolve the salt.  Once the salt is dissolved, move it off the burner and let it cool to room temperature.  Put your turkey into a large bag, or a large pot (I used the inside of my crockpot!) and pour the brine over it.  Next pour water into the pot until the turkey is submerged. Let it sit for 12-24 hours - then cook!

To cook: We covered the bird in salt, pepper and butter. We stuffed the inside of the bird with orange slices, zest, and fennel. We added chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan, and placed it on the grill (yes the grill) on indirect medium heat. We placed cherry wood chips in a smoker box, and smoked the turkey for about an hour and a half. After that, we moved the turkey to the oven at 325 and covered it with foil. I basted it every 30 minutes (on the grill and in the oven) and it came out great! The last 30 minutes I left it uncovered and let the skin brown. If I could do it again, I'd eliminate the fennel completely - but it wasn't bad. (I'd never had fennel...and I'm not sure I'm a fan).

2. Homemade Pumpkin Pie - I have never made a pumpkin pie. I know that might seem odd. This year, I started easy, and I just bought a can of Libby's pumpkin pie filling and followed the recipe on the can. I did make one change, however. Instead of using condensed milk, I used heavy whipping cream. I think it came out rather well, and I think next year, I'll be ready to branch out to something more complicated...like perhaps, like Paula Deen's pumpkin cheesecake?




3. Sweet Potato Souffle - I watch a lot of Food Network, and one of my favorite cooking shows as of late has been Trisha Yearwood's! She is really funny - I didn't know that - and she is a great cook! I made this Sweet Potato Souffle, and my husband fell in love. He hates this type of dish, and in fact told me that if I made it, he wouldn't eat it. Well, I can't get him to stop eating it. Or talking about it. So, here it is:



Souffle:
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature, plus more to grease pan
5 medium sweet potatoes
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
Pinch of salt

Topping:
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick), softened

For the souffle: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with butter.
Poke the sweet potatoes with a fork and bake on a foil-covered baking sheet until they are soft, 1 hour. When cool enough to handle, peel the potatoes, place the flesh in a large mixing bowl and mash until very smooth. Add the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, milk and salt. Combine well with an electric mixer or hand mixer. Turn the mixture into the baking dish.
For the topping: In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, brown sugar, flour and butter until thoroughly combined. Spoon the mixture over the sweet potatoes, making an even layer. Bake the casserole until slightly browned, 40 minutes. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Happy Wednesday!




Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Newsday Tuesday - Preserving Our Local History







 When NRPA recently announced its call for applications for its Fund Your Park initiative, I immediately began to wrack my brain for project ideas. Shade structures, playgrounds, Fitness Zones…what would be the best project?! As I mulled through all our project ideas, I realized that each of these projects had their niche audience. Families would love a playground, fitness gurus a Fitness Zone, dog lovers a dog park. But I wanted something that had nearly no ‘demographic’ – something for everyone. That’s when I decided we had to choose a park that had a shared story – a story of our home and how it came to be.

Aside from National Historic Parks and Monuments like Antietam or Gettysburg, most of us don’t spend too much time thinking about the history of a park. In most cases, parks are the result of available land and the all important public demand. Despite the fact that outdoor recreation and park facilities are highly sought after by residential developers and home buyers, and the fact that many of us spend large quantities of our free time frequenting parks, very few of us really take the time to ponder the significance of a park. They are fixtures in our community. Something we expect to see, and something that we might not take the time to really appreciate – like, say, electricity. (Seriously, how often do you stop and think, “Man, I’m so glad the lights are on,” ?)  You might be surprised just how significant some of our ‘everyday’ parks.

The DuBois Family on the porch of the Pioneer Home early 1900s
DuBois Park is one of Palm Beach County’s most popular parks for some very obvious reasons. It’s gorgeous. Not pretty, gorgeous. Breathtaking. Stunning. Views of the Jupiter Inlet and Atlantic Ocean are picturesque.  This pristine and tranquil place is the perfect spot to get lost in your thoughts (except maybe not on a Saturday afternoon…like I said, it’s popular). Spend your afternoon swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, picnicking – you name it. There is one fixture that many might overlook in their zeal to access that crystal blue water – the DuBois House. The park’s namesake once lived in this wooden shingled New Jersey style home built in the late 1800s. It sits high atop a ‘hill’ with a perfect view of the water. Recently, the Department has spent countless hours renovating and rehabilitating the house in accordance with National Historic Registry standards (this house is on the registry) in an effort to get the house up and running for the general public. Yet, there is much more than what meets the eye in this little house upon the hill. In fact, County Archaeologists have actually identified this ‘hill’ to be a Native American shell midden, made of oyster shells, that was most likely built around 1000 years ago.  The DuBois midden was one of many that historians have found all along the Jupiter Inlet.  Historians also have uncovered bits of pottery and trade beads intermixed in these middens that have led many to believe that Ponce de Leon might have been in this region as well.  Harry DuBois, the pioneer that purchased this piece of land, chose to place his homestead upon the hill to protect it from rising waters and the unbridled sea (no rock walls and jetties in those days…).  Beyond the DuBois House is another often missed landmark, The Pineapple Packing House.
The Pineapple Packing House 

The funny name explains the little house’s history in a nutshell. Once used a storage shed for pineapple harvests, Harry DuBois decided he would put it on a barge and float it up the Loxahatchee River to a piece of property he’d bought along the Jupiter Inlet – now DuBois Park. The Pineapple Packing House was the home of the DuBois family while their ‘big house’ was being built and later converted back into storage. Over the years the Pineapple House was altered, added on to, and moved – and yet it still kept its name.  Finally, it made its way back to the DuBois Property, disheveled and broken down but still standing.


The view of the Jupiter Inlet from DuBois Park

The story of DuBois Park is not one that is told often enough, and I wonder how many really know just how significant this place really is. It is in this spirit, that Palm Beach County has become quite motivated to create opportunities within our parks for educational opportunities, as well as recreation. We invite you to help us in our mission to share the story of how ancient civilizations lived, how our county was settled, and how people once lived.   Plans have been drawn up that include the rehabilitation and restoration of the little shed to its historical roots, however now instead of pineapples, it will house a gallery and educational kiosk to educate the public on our local history, how the park came to be, and flora and fawna of the area.  We cannot do this project alone, and we hope that you will support us in reaching our goals.  See, we believe that the best part of parks and recreation is not based on what you get to do, it’s based on what you take away.







The National Recreation and Park Association recently kicked off a crowdfunding initiative housed on its website for local municipalities to use to leverage private donations to fund projects. The Pineapple House was chosen as one of these projects, and Palm Beach County hopes that you will join us in bringing this little piece of history into the forefront of DuBois Park.  We believe that the Pineapple House is the perfect project for an initiative such as this.  Crowdfunding is inherently based on the premise that communities have a shared interest in seeing a particular project through.  This project is more than providing a green space alongside a neighborhood, it is preserving an important link to our heritage and history – and if we don’t take part in trying to save it, no one else will.

To Help Save the Pineapple House, please visit: http://www.fundyourpark.org/campaign/detail/3669

Friday, November 21, 2014

Friday Five

Back again for our Friday Five! Link up with me, April, Darci, Christina, and Natasha and share your Friday Five!


ONE
A day of winter in South Florida

This week while the rest of the country was covered in snow, and experiencing below freezing temperatures - we got a bit of fall down here in South Florida. (maybe a warm winter day?) Down here we got into the upper 50s and highs on Wednesday in the low to mid 60s. I enjoyed my day of wearing corduroys, sweaters, and ugg boots. Of course, today it was 78 and will be in the 80s again tomorrow, but it was fun while it lasted.

TWO
Things that make you feel like its winter

Since our cold snap this week, and the impending holiday next week I've been craving anything that makes me think of winter (a girl can turn the AC down and dream, right?). Three things in particular that scream winter to me are my LL Bean moccasins, my Victoria's Secret flannel PJs, and my 'Dreamy Nighttime Drin


1 cup of milk (heated) then add 1 tsp of honey, 2 drops of vanilla, and a pinch of cinnamon

Easy, and oh so delicious!

  
          L.L. Bean Wicked Good Moccasins                                  Victoria's Secret Dreamer Flannel PJ


THREE
Fund Your Park Campaign

Next week our Fund Your Park campaign will go live! If you are familiar with the Jupiter FL, then you might have heard of DuBois Park.  This park is the home to several historic landmarks, including the DuBois Pioneer House and ancient Native American shell middens nearly 1000 years old.  Behind the DuBois Pioneer House is a small shed that appears to be nothing but junk. But it's not. Its a historic 'Pineapple Packing House' that was used a residence for the DuBois family while building their 'house on a hill'.  We are trying to raise money to restore this little house, and turn it into a gallery space/educational kiosk for the public. Please consider giving a donation, no matter how small or large to help us preserve this piece of history! Stay tuned for our link, the campaign officially goes live on 11/24! (Also, remember, #GivingTuesday is coming up on December 2nd!) To donate on November 25th CLICK HERE! (or click there and see the page, you just can't donate..)





FOUR
President Obama's Executive Order

Last night you may have noticed that Grey's Anatomy and Bones were interrupted for a solid 15 minutes. The President issued an Executive Order that has left many with mixed feelings. Previous statements made by the President indicated that he did not believe this type of action was constitutional, however last night he opted to move forward anyway.  Executive Actions are by no means new, many Presidents have issued them in the past. In recent years Regan and George H.W. Bush both issued Executive Action on immigration - however, in both cases, those two presidents were issuing a 'tweak' to an existing law passed by Congress, and only dealt one aspect of that law.  In this case, the President seemed to 'make law' out of thin air, leaving many Americans confused. On one hand I believe many agree with the policy, but are not thrilled with how the President went about enacting it. I am one of those people - I believe that America was built on immigrants. I know that many do not want to 'reward' illegal behavior, however I also believe that our immigration system and current laws have created  this situation. By all means, lets add more people into our tax base and help cover the cost of the ACA - I'm all for it. The best thing we could do for our economy is add more people into the pool - putting money in banks, becoming homeowners, and paying taxes. We'll see how the Republicans respond to this action, and how it will play out! However, I know a lot of people feel very differently about this...I'm interested to hear the debates (but just hoping we can avoid shutting down the government -- that only hurts employees and regular Americans, it solves NOTHING).

FIVE

I FINALLY HEARD CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON THE RADIO!

Sure, it was only one song, but I literally screamed this morning in the drive thru at Dunkin' Donuts when I heard it! #itshouldstartNov1


And just because I'm particularly excited, you'll get a bonus from me today....

SIX

FRIENDSGIVING

Tonight we are having Thanksgiving with our neighbors and their 3 boys...so excited! I'll try to snap some photos...





Thursday, November 20, 2014

Thoughts for Thursday....Treated Hair Care

So a follow up to my post last week about hair masques....Besides just a basic glaze to cover a few grays, I never touched my hair until this summer. One thing I did learn from my stylist is the importance of making sure when you make a change, you don't do anything too drastic (partially so you don't freak out) and also so that your hair can adjust.  Additionally, you have to change up your routine a little - what worked before treating it probably won't work after you start treating it.

I've started using Kerastase Masque over the last several weeks as an extra bit of moisturizing aside from my usual conditioning in the shower.  Generally, I only have to wash my hair every 2-3 days but since I've started highlighting it, I often find that I can probably wash it less. If I work out or sweat, I will just shampoo my roots/crown area during my daily shower, but I don't wash the ends at all. Each time I dry my hair, I first spray it with CHI Keratin Mist Leave-In Strengthening Treatment (below).


Once a week, usually on a Sunday afternoon, I use the masque on the lightest parts of my hair (for the most part from the top of my ears to the ends) and put it up in a bun.  The bottle says to leave it in for 5 minutes, but I typically leave it in for several hours, or even over night - depending on how dry it might be.



Finally - I have one other product that I use on my hair as needed - a light hair oil.  Depending on the amount of heat I've used on my hair or how dry it might be.  I literally picked this product up at the grocery store and it really has been helpful. I usually dry my hair almost all the way, and then spray the oil on the parts that are dried out and then use a round brush and style it accordingly.  L'Oreal has several different levels of oil, from light to heavier - depending on what your hair needs. (I use the lightest).


So I know that sounds like a lot of products. And a lot of work. But, it's really not...I promise. :) 


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Jon Stewart does it again

I saw this video on MSNBC's Morning Joe, and I literally laughed out loud. Bravo Jon.

I've always known America has it wrong when it comes to working pregnant women, but to have this come from Nancy Pelosi is just crazy to me.

Enjoy! 


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Bumpdate: Halfway There! 20 weeks

20 weeks (and sporting a real sweater for today's polar vortex chill - it'll be 60!)
This picture (left) was taken in the morning, when I think my bump is much smaller looking - typically by the end of the day (to me) it looks SO much larger...see the picture on the right  was taken last night:

Is it just me? Am I being weird?



How Far Along: 20 Weeks

Size of Babe: 10.2 oz and 6.5 inches

Gender: baby boy

Symptoms: Starting to notice indigestion/heartburn (never had that before!) and phantom abdominal pain ( I think whenever he hits a growth spurt?! No idea.) I always sit cross legged or on my legs and lately I've noticed they go to sleep MUCH easier. Also, I'm usually prone to sitting in a very slouchy-curled-up-in-chair type of manner and the child has decided he hates that. So that can be painful.

Weight Gain: Officially - I'm waiting for the doctor's scale. Mine says almost 10 lbs. Surely it is lying. 

Loving: Chickfila, Pizza, lemonade 

Loathing: the size of my stomach, when looking at the clothes I can't buy/wear. (The sales right now are out of control!)

Wedding Rings: Yep

Belly Button: still flat

Movement: Constant since early in week 16. Especially after I eat. It's starting to get violent.

Maternity Clothes: Definitely with pants, but still wearing some normal tops. Turns out I wear my pants very small...and gaining even 5 lbs sized me out of them!

Nursery: Still undecided on which fabrics to use for which pieces, but I'm close! We aren't putting a nursery in our rental (not really enough space) because we plan on leaving it a few months after he is born. So for now I'm just making plans and gathering what I think I want!

Best Part of the Week: Thursday I have my anatomy exam, since I already know the sex (thank god for modern medicine - we found out at 12 weeks) I'm excited to get to see what he looks like now!

Thing I miss the most: Going out and having drinks with my girlfriends. Junior League meetings aren't quite as much fun anymore :( My abs and general fitness. Being lazy is not as much fun as I thought it would be...(P.S. Tracy Anderson is still a little challenging, but she is MUCH easier on you at the 19-20 week mark)


So that's my half way point Bumpdate! I don't think much changes from week to week, so you probably won't see another one of these until I'm about to pop :)   







Friday, November 14, 2014

Five on Friday

Today I'm (sorta) linking up for my Friday Five!

(I was too late to Jump on the Five On Friday, but you can catch me on Oh Hey Friday!)






1. Hair Masque

Since I started down the road of expensive hair embellishments, I've found that I need a little something extra to keep it healthy. My hair stylist, Evelyn hounds me constantly about conditioning my hair properly. (if you EVER come to Palm Beach, you should probably stop in at Cosmo & Company for a manicure, haircut, whatever. Bonus - if you want to feel really VIP, you can valet your car, and they will wash it for you. ) In the past, conditioning for me meant whatever was in the shower. Last week when I went in for my latest round of highlights I opted to go a little lighter, and decided I would finally take the plunge into the world of hair masques in an effort to keep it healthy. Dying your hair can do a lot of damage, and dying dark hair a light caramel color can be brutal. Evelyn suggested I purchase this product:


I've used it a few times, and I'm a big fan. Stay tuned for some updates on how well its working!
I know I've talked about getting highlights before, but never got around to posting a picture of them...so here's a little selfie I snapped this morning at work. Beware, I'm awful at them, and I never know what to do with my face. But you get the idea.





this is apparently called 'balayage highlights' - but its not a lot...I had to take baby steps...

PS - if you are interested in seeing more balayage highlight photos, I suggest following my stylist on IG: @hairby_evelyn


2. Kate Spade Video
I don't know if you have noticed, but Anna Kendrick has been all over KateSpade.com as of late. On Thursday, Kate Spade posted a clip of this video on their IG account, and it is hilarious. I absolutely love Anna Kendrick (follow her twitter, she's fantastic), she has a great talent for comedy, drama, vampire flicks, and even singing in Christmas specials. She does it all. Enjoy this adorable video, and Kate's adorable...everything.



3. Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity - who else knew about this??

Last weekend, Ann Taylor LOFT had 60% off of their sale. 60%. AND I discovered they make maternity clothing. My goodies arrive today, I can't wait to see it all!!!
 #thejigisupthebumpishere #nomoreregularclothes

4. Taylor Swift's Photo Bomb
So this past week Taylor Swift photo bombed someone's photo shoot in Nashville. She was jogging along in the park, and this happened:

Read the rest of the story here... 

I've never been a huge Taylor fan, I don't dislike her, just not a big fan. However, as of late, she has really started to grow on me. This makes me like her even more. 



5. Best Tinder Conversation Ever

If you follow me on IG or FB, you  saw this post yesterday. I love it, and I literally laughed out loud when I read it. Perhaps I'm just a little too obsessed with "Don't Stop Believin'". But probably not.






Happy Friday!







Thursday, November 13, 2014

Making way for baby: Registry finds

So here are my Thoughts for Thursday with Home of Malones...

On Sunday, I started my registry. Ok, so really I started one 4 months ago at Pottery Barn before anyone even knew I was pregnant -- but it mostly has all kinds of impractical adorably expensive items (that I most likely will never need) on it. That was before I spent my days becoming an expert on everything there is to know about changing a diaper, clothing a baby, feeding a baby, and generally keeping it alive. (Note: I still know absolutely nothing.) However, I have the good fortune having great friends and family that have sent me immensely helpful tips on what I need to get, and what I should avoid. (So, now I just look like I know what I'm doing. Don't let the registry fool you, I don't).  My matron of honor is a mother of two, and suggested that I start off with a few books - but one in particular I'm going to talk about today.




Initially I thought this book was about sales. (What a GREAT premise for a book, right?) It kind of is but mostly isn't. What this book is great at is telling you what things are worth the money, and what things aren't. Moreover, it gives you a rundown of the differences in brands of EVERYTHING. Literally, today I read an entire section about onesies (yes, onesies) and the types of material, the sizing differences, the pricing, and how they rate. I even found out that someone gave me a super nice set of PJs as a gift - I had no idea! I tried reading this before I really go into shopping for  baby, and I found it really overwhelming. I think its pretty helpful to look up whatever item you're ready to purchase, and then read what they've got to say about it. This book is updated regularly, so keep an eye out for the most up to date version.

So far in my quest to complete a registry I've stumbled upon a few items that I think are going to be great to have when baby arrives. I may be wrong. I'll let you know.


1. Adan and Anais  -  I really love everything that this brand makes. I just want it all. I especially love the bamboo cotton blankets. Again, no idea if I will feel the same way when baby is here, but those blankets make me want to crawl in bed and pass out. They are the bomb.com. My mom bought this little elephant lovee for Baby D, and I can't wait to use it... (I'm on a real elephant kick these days).

How stinkin' cute is that?!

2. Halo Bassinet - I saw this at Baby Furniture Plus Kids  when I was home in Greenville last month and I was super impressed. This thing pretty much does everything but change and feed your baby. It is designed to be easily adjusted to be flush to your bed, or even rest on the edge of the mattress. One side of the bassinet easily folds down making it easier to lay baby down, and pick him up. It has several features including a feeding timer, several lullaby settings, a nightlight, and a vibrate option. It easily swivels so that you can get in and out of bed without having to move the entire bassinet. Check out this video:


I'll keep you posted any other products I come across that I think are pretty awesome...and then of course, let you know if they are all they are cracked up to be in about...5 months (yikes!)



Friday, November 7, 2014

Five On Friday!

Thank God it's Friday! This has been such a long week, and most nights I was not home before 9 pm - which meant no blogging for me. :( I can't leave you with nothing for the week, so here goes my Friday Five!



ONE

Taylor Swift's Shake it Off Aerobics Mash-Up.

I dont know who did this, but they are a genius. My face hurt after watching this.




TWO

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

I don't want to be "THAT" blogger who just updates you every time some retailer gives you 20% off something (that's not a sale, thats no tax/shipping). I live for the REAL sales. Like the Kate Spade Surprise sales...the 50-75% off. THAT'S a sale. 

With the kid on the way, I'm realizing that downsizing what is in my purse will be necessary - and sometimes going purse-less will be as well. So, here is what I got:


I got this in a baby pink with a soft pebble leather

THREE

For Neda - An HBO Documentary

I'm not sure how many of you followed the Iranian protests following the 2009 Presidential Elections in Iran. I was in graduate school at the time, writing my thesis on the influence of technology/social media on politics - so the whole scene fascinated me. I found myself immersed in YouTube videos, and while watching one, I saw someone shot and killed. I literally gasped and screamed when I saw it. In our society, violence seeps into our consciousness via TV, movies, books, and video games, but it's a real gut punch when you see it for real - even in a video. Within 10 minutes the video was viral, all over CNN and major news networks. They said the young girl's name was Neda. I never knew much about Neda, but her story was stuck with me. This past weekend, I watched an HBO documentary that finally tells us who Neda was, and what she stood for. It was extremely powerful, and I highly recommend it.





FOUR
Junior League Deck the Palms
On Dec. 6 Junior League of the Palm Beaches will be hosting a Holiday Marketplace with over 90 vendors AND a VIP 'Lux' Suite! Tickets are only $10 - come check it out!
For more information, go to www.jlpb.org
FIVE
Fund Your Park
I submitted an application to get one of our park projects entered into NRPA's Crowd Funding program -- Fund You Park. Guess what? We were chosen! We will be launching a site in the next two weeks to help raise money to restore one of hte oldest wooden structures in Palm Beach County - the Pineapple Packing House located at DuBois Park! DuBois Park is located in Jupiter, FL and is by far one of our most beautiful and popular parks. Stay tuned for more details!
 One of my favorite spots along the Jupiter Inlet at DuBois Park.


 
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