Happy Father's Day Jared!

From:
Two little boys who absolutely adore you and a wife who thinks you're pretty great too. :)

Paper Straws

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone so that means summertime is officially here (hip, hip hooray!) If I wasn't a million months pregnant, I would love to plan a refreshing beverage party completely around these striped paper straws. (Maybe post-baby?) I have had them in my on-line shopping cart several times but haven't been able to pull the trigger!

(Image from here, more affordable paper straws for purchase here.)

In Good Company

Two more weeks until my due date-so I'm almost there! I seem to have forgotten how exhausting the last month of pregnancy can be! Seriously. I sort of want to sit down and put my feet up and/or take a nap all of the time. However, I am in good company because my good friend Nicole is due exactly three weeks after me and and is also having a girl!

(Nicole looks cute and stylish, as always, but you'll have to excuse my tired/sweaty/disheveled look. I had come straight from photographing an outdoor wedding on a very hot and muggy evening.)

Clean Kids

I love my kids but I think I really do love them a little more just after they've had a bath. :) I snapped these photos a few weeks ago right after they got out of the tub while they were sitting in our room enjoying a warm breeze coming through the window. Everything (including the evening light streaming in) seemed so clean and refreshing so I grabbed my camera in hopes to get a few good pictures of my clean kiddos.



(This is what I get when I tell Mitch to "look normal" or "act regular". He's not so cooperative when it comes to pictures. At least he didn't run and hide, which is what he normally does when he sees my camera!)

Pride in My Ride

Jared and I watched this video last week and it keeps cracking me up. I had a short stint with a mini van which, you may remember, ended abruptly when I ran into a parked car- (ouch!) However, now that we have number three on the way, I might be rocking the mini van scene once more. What about you? Are you a mini van hater or a mini van lover?

I Love Your Style: Katie C (Update)

There were a couple of questions I forgot to include in my original feature on Katie so I'm updating here:

What have been a few of your most recent favorite purchases?

just two pairs of shoes and a killer pair of marble earrings. i picked up a pair of keds and green espadrilles. so happy. truth be told, i'll probably pick up another pair of keds very soon. in a colour, i think. red, maybe.

Anything you plan on purchasing in the near future?

quite honestly, not too much right now. just [over-priced yet exquisite] swimwear.

Since i saw this swimsuit, i pictured how i'd wear it and what beach i'd walk around in it and what flavour of ice cream would best suit it. the gold fish belt is what captured my attention. and then the classic early-american style and navy--one of my favourite colours. so flattering.

i'm also pretty crazy about this swimsuit. the shape, the colours. gorgeous. i love maillots, the name of the style of swimwear; they're so flattering to a woman's body.

there's something so perfectly delicate and delightful about a one-piece swimsuit.

Summer

I've got summer on the brain today. (Probably because it's hot and sticky here so it feels more like August than May!) Anyway, this straw cloche and a lazy beach vacation to go with it are calling my name. A piña colada doesn't sound too bad either.

Sandals

Summer is rapidly approaching which means it's almost time for my tootsies to make their annual debut. I painted my toe nails last night (and almost squished my baby in the process!) but I'm still on the hunt for a new pair of sandals. I've heard really great things in regards to comfort about Chacos and I like that they come in all black but they are pretty pricey and maybe more athletic looking than I want. I did stumble across these last night and I think they might just fit the bill. What about you? Anyone out there have any great sandal recommendations?

Bouquet

Mitchell picked this little arrangement from our flower bed and gave it to me for Mother's Day. It's still making my day, every time I walk into my kitchen. I've decided one of the first things I want to do when we have a permanent residence is to plant a cut flower garden full of all my perennial favorites. Love, love, LOVE fresh flowers in my house!

I Love Your Style: Katie C

Meet Katie. The first suspect in my I Love Your Style series. Katie works as a recruiter/writer in the San Francisco Bay Area but also happens to be a long-time friend and style guru. We grew up in the same rural area of Ohio playing M.A.S.H. (mansion, apartment shack...) and slobbering over J.Crew catalogs together on Sunday afternoons. When I first thought of doing a series on style, Katie was the first person to pop into my head. The girl oozes style and what I love most about her style is that it is all her own. She's not afraid to break the mold or take risks when it comes to well, anything really, but her style is no exception- whether it be with her hairstyle, an accessory, a particular outfit or deciding to paint her finger nails neon orange. She's confident and gutsy and I think that is what true style is all about. So, enough of my babbling. Here is what she has to say on the subject of style:

How would you describe your current style? (Classic, vintage, etc?)
Both. There are parts of me that are very classic--I love my faux pearl stud earrings--and some that are very vintage--my grass green button-down-the-front knee length skirt rocks with a graphic tee tucked in. I love mixing the two-current pieces with vintage--and coming out somewhere in the middle. Seems I walk out of my apartment feeling like I'm walking into the 1970s at least 3 days a week.

How has your style evolved over time?
My style has done a complete 180 over the last 10 years. Ten years ago I was all about name brands and pointy shoes and blazers and heels and fitted tees and jeans. Now I'm into looser blouses, retro sweaters, textured materials, odd collars, funky dresses, flats and loads of colour, and fits I wouldn't have considered before, like the dolman sleeve. Ten years ago I rarely wore dresses. Now I'm in them regularly--even Saturday afternoons. I've also learned the art of not matching and making it work.

What inspires you and the way you dress?
Everything: the weather, people of no name, people of significant fame, movies, time periods, pictures in magazines, my maternal grandparents, my mother, my sister. I could continue...

Do you have any specific fashion icons or people whose style you love?
Yes! Even when I was young, I noticed the grand style of my maternal grandmother. She was always dressed and her hair was always perfectly coiffed. From her patent leather black heels to the cuff of her boiled wool bolero jacket, the woman was the meaning of the word, style. I saw it in photographs of her in her younger days too. Audrey Hepburn is a no-brainer (I love her in Funny Face in her ankle length black pants, black turtleneck, and black flats) and the entire cast of Charlie's Angels Season One.

What are some of your favorite places to shop?
I'm all over the board on this one! There are some local shops that I adore: Therapy, The Pretty Penny, Thriftown. And there are the mainstream retailers that I love: J.Crew, Gap, Anthropologie, ZARA, etc.

Do you have any tips for the novice shopper?
Be brave, shop around, and buy what's on sale. Avoid trendy items. Shop for you and what you like.

Is there any one thing in your closet you keep coming back to season after season?
My navy blue chucks, opaque black tights, my long tan cardigan, and a black and tan print pashmina from my sister-in-law. Oops, that was four items.

What are some of your favorite outfits/combinations?
Over the past few season I've come into a number of cardigans and I'm wearing them with everything. For example, I have a magenta silk dress that hits at my mid-calf that I wear my long tan cardigan over. I love my Transformers graphic tee tucked into my green button-down-the-front skirt. One of my recent favourite winter outfits is a magenta turtleneck (normal fit, not very tight) tucked into my orange-red wool vintage Givenchy Sport button-down-the-front skirt, navy tights, and open-toed putty coloured low heels with a couple layered necklaces.

Are there any trends you are looking forward to for spring?
Generally speaking, the loveliness of spring fashion is in the light and flowing fabrics. I feel the most feminine in spring clothes-ruffles, extra frills, delicate fabrics, colour, floral patterns. Lovely.

What advice would you give to someone who is trying to find/capture their own personal style?
I have three points of advice: (1) Don't try too hard. If you're wearing something that doesn't feel right because it's trendy, take it off. And, if you're wearing something that's vintage but you feel like a fraud trying to play the vintage game, take it off. If your perfect Saturday outfit is jeans and a t-shirt with your chucks, embrace it. Chances are someone out there is noticing your style. (2) You know the style rule of if you haven't worn it in a year toss it, right? Most of the time, the rule applies. But if there's a nagging in the back of your head fighting you against throwing that sweater out, listen to the nag and keep the sweater. Style--personal and what's trendy--changes every moment and you may find that sweater could be the perfect pieces you need for an outfit later down the road. (3) You determine what's in style for you. Trends in the fashion world shift faster than I can pull on tights and I believe that what's in style is what makes you feel good about yourself. The confidence you have in wearing it will show and capture the attention of others.

Thanks again Katie for letting me peek into your little world of style!
If you would like to see more of what inspires Katie, check out her blog:
Violet & Earnest.

I Love Your Style: A Mini-Series

You may remember me mentioning the book, I Love Your Style a little while back. I have since had a chance to read it (thanks Nicole!) and I loved it. While I didn't learn anything ground breaking, it is full of inspiring pictures and good tips which left me very excited to do a little wardrobe tweaking post pregnancy. Named after the book, I have decided to do a little mini-series here on the old blog. I'm not sure how long it will last (I don't have that many friends!) but I plan to feature at least a few people whose style I find inspiring (and hopefully you will too!) I'm still working on getting my first feature put together but I should hopefully have it up in the next week or so. Stay tuned!

An Amazing Perspective

An inspiring story (you are probably already familiar with) with an amazing perspective on motherhood. (Just in time for Mothers' Day this weekend!) Definitely worth 8 minutes:

Gestating

I have had a few requests for a picture so, here I am at 32 weeks/8 months. That means I'm in the home stretch with only 8 more weeks to go! I've been busy reading all sorts of natural childbirth books (I'm taking the plunge this time - no epidural!) and enjoying the nice weather with the boys. It's kind of crazy to think there is going to be a third munchkin running around this place pretty soon. "Mother of three" sounds like really serious business.

Chevron Wall

I pretty much love everything about this chevron gallery wall in interior designer Caitlin Wilson's home. I just stumbled across her blog, Style Files, and it makes me wish I had just an ounce of interior design capability OR money to hire an interior designer OR an actual house to decorate OR really any combination of those three things. If you like the chevron wall too, she shares the how-to here. You can also see some gorgeous images which were taken in one of her client's homes here. Can I be Caitlin Wilson when I grow up?

(Style Files via A Little Sussy)

Felt Pom Poms

I am newly curious about these fuzzy little poms after reading about them here and then coincidentally, here. I'm thinking the possibilities with these little guys could be endless. (Felt pom poms for purchase here.)

Skirt Steak Burritos with Tomato Corn Salsa

I clipped this recipe from an old Rachel Ray magazine. I love easy recipes that sound fancy but call for just a few ingredients and still manage to taste spectacular. (This is one of those.) It's very fresh and summery- enjoy! (Click here for the recipe.)

Note: In my opinion, the salsa is what makes this recipe. I think you could pretty much ignore everything else- throw whatever kind of meat you have on hand into a tortilla with the salsa and you're good to go. Also, I like to serve it with diced avocado and sour cream. (Yum!)

Tickled Pink

Jared and I weren't going to find out the sex of our baby until he or she arrived, however, we had an ultrasound this week and we just couldn't resist the opportunity. As it turns out, we are having a little girl! (We didn't find out with either of the boys until they were born and we've always enjoyed the surprise in the delivery room but I must admit, a little surprise mid- pregnancy is also pretty fun too.) I would have been just as pleased with a boy but I am excited to even things out around here. I was beginning to feel a little out numbered. :)

Also, this bird stack print is now reminiscent of our family with one little pink birdie on top! (More cute prints in this Etsy shop, Printspace.)

Holy House Makeover

I am a total sucker for before and after pics when it comes to home renovation projects. I just discovered this site, young house love, which documents a newlywed couple and the total renovation of their first little home. It's amazing! Go here for before and after shots room by room and a comprehensive list of all their sources. Also, my friend Vanessa has a serious knack for home re-dos. Go here and scroll down a little to see some of the before and after shots of her home.

Piper

This is a recent photo I took of my little niece, Piper. Isn't she the cutest?

It's April!

Holy cow, it's April! I'm not sure where March went and I really don't care. I'm just happy it's over!
Also, the weather here has been a-maz-ING! Like 80s, sunny and no humidity amazing. I am happy as a lark and looking forward to a fun weekend filled with sunshine, Easter egg hunts, jello salad (can't seem to get enough of that stuff lately) and lots of jelly beans. This weekend is also the semi-annual general conference for my church. I love, love, LOVE conference weekend. Regardless of your religious affiliation, if you've always been curious to know what us kooky Mormons believe or are looking for some spiritual enlightenment feel free to tune in right here. (Sessions are from 12-2 and 4-6 Eastern time on both Saturday and Sunday.) Happy Easter!